re Re: better version of Playboy Japan interview with TRP

[Doug Millison]

"jbor"
"The attitude seems to be that unless you concur with *Doug's* ridiculous
politics then you have no right to be reading Pynchon's works."


You misread me, my friend.  I haven't said this at all, nothing that even
comes close.  Of course you have every right to read Pynchon and respond to
Pynchon as you wish.  As do we all.  And feel free to subscribe to whatever
political views seem least ridiculous to you, too.

Re the Playboy Japan interview, have you considered doing some research to
support a debunking claim? I've already done the heavy lifting of bringing
it to your attention and getting you a translation, including the name of
the Japanese journalist credited with conducting the interview -- perhaps
you could pick up the ball now and run with it.   Or, you could just keep
taking uninformed potshots. Your  choice.

As far as I can tell, Playboy Japan is a respectable magazine, attracts
advertising from some of the biggest global megacorps, is a licensed
version of a magazine that has has a history of publishing quality
journalism and fiction -- although I haven't kept up with it recently, and
it sounds as if you might have more recent experience with the content? --
and otherwise appears to be a substantial enterprise.

I happen to know that several people are inquiring into this matter, and I
wouldn't be surprised to learn something definitive about it sooner rather
than later.

I think Dave Monroe's comments are apt -- the notion Pynchon speaking to
the press seems to make some readers very nervous, to the point of
knee-jerk denial that it might be true in the current case.   What's the
hot button that's being pushed here?   My guess is that it's difficult for
some to give up the romantic fantasy of "Pynchon the recluse", or that
having to take him seriously as a human being, prone to ordinary human
weaknesses and shortcomings, somehow interferes with a need to ignore the
artist and keep the gaze fixed firmly on the art. Hearing Pynchon speak in
his own voice, in phrases that don't ring with the poetry of his novels'
stunning prose, must make it difficult to "pay no attention to that man
behind the curtains."