anonymity on the P-List WAS RE: Re. thoughts

[Tim Thomas]

> "Henry" says "this identity thing is really rather funny on a list devoted
> to TRP's writing" echoing comments from earlier versions of this
> discussion, re anonymity. But what does TRP have to do with it?


This whole identity thing keeps cropping up again and again on this list.
Usually its all kind of accusatory, gossipy, high school confidential, and
tabloid style outings of the gaily anonymous. But most of the readers of the
list (coz there arent many participants) probably dont care who posts under
what name - the text is the thing. Sometimes its good, sometimes its bad.
What does TRP have to do with this? Well, he writes under a name, not
"anonymous", but is not a cult of personality in the manner of Mailer. Some
have argued this is a strategy that slips into the whole "Death of the
Author" thang. Pynchon perhaps believes the text is the thing, he removes
publicly stated 'intentions' and 'opinions', what he 'really meant', from
any discourse about his novels. We cant ask, so we read and interpret. This
of course, turns the focus on ourselves, - what we make of the text is what
we discuss, its all we have. Differing opinions abound, and we argue amongst
ourselves in a relativistic, hermeneutic frenzy. Our discussion is an
archaelogy of the text - some uncover his past, some seek his allusions -
but the author is gone. Its all so self-reflexive and post-modern isnt it?
But wait, theres more. Pretty soon you realise that your endeavours to "Make
Sense" of the world of Pynchons novels, reflect the themes of the novels
themselves. Paranoia - are the connections there, or do we weave our own way
through the information entropy? We argue this: behind the heiroglyphic
streets there is either a transcendent meaning, or only the earth. So the
P-List, international dilletantes all, we conduct our Punch and Judy shows
in reflection of the preoccupations of our Master.

I have a friend named Lee Harvey Oswald. Known as Oz or Ozzy to all, he
lives in the Solomon Islands, - nice guy if a bit hapless. Lives in Roviana
Lagoon, near where JFK had to be saved by locals after his PT-109 was
attacked. JFK enjoys hero status there now, a fact not lost on the visiting
american who, over a few beers one night, convinced Ozzy's dad who was
anxiously awaiting his first sons birth, that all good men have three names.
Whats in a name? I dont know, but those who write and read the papers seem
endlessly fascinated by the people behind them.

Tim Thomas (an internet seach will tell you that I am a rising star in the
NBA)