Re: VLVL2 (1) Zoyd's WORK

[Don Corathers]

It's not too early, is it, to begin talking about the role played by the
media in this pop culture-drenched novel. Zoyd may be paid by the
government, but he really works for the local and regional television
stations. His gig is to do a five-minute shock-reality-comedy TV show every
year, helping broadcasters satisfy their viewers' enormous and insatiable
appetite for video diversion. He was twenty years ahead of "Jackass," but
his clips would have fit in seamlessly. Nor is what he does fundamentally
different from the work of performers on today's "Survivor," "The Bachelor,"
or "Fear Factor" (strong 1984 vibe there, too).

Not only does Zoyd shop carefully for a dress that will look good on the
tube, the role of broadcast "news" in his annual stunt has become so
institutionalized that the stations have people who are paid to schedule it
and make arrangements. This year they've even replaced the window with prop
glass, so the talent won't get hurt (probably on the advice of the station's
attorneys). Zoyd is a demi-celebrity, recognized by people on the street and
idolized by his daughter's friends.

Zoyd's an artiste in the entertainment business. If the disability money
dries up, there's always the NEA(for a few years yet, anyway).

Don Corathers



----- Original Message -----
From: "Terrance" <lycidas2 at earthlink.net>
Cc: <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 8:22 AM
Subject: Re: VLVL2 (1) Zoyd's WORK


>
> > Though, the government only wants him to do "something publicly crazy"
by a
> > certain date each year (3.11). The particular manifestation of craziness
is
> > Zoyd's choice, and he takes a distinct though bizarre pride in both his
> > apparel and the performance itself (cf. his not telling Prairie about
the
> > "sugar window"), as well as in the quality of its televisation.
>
>
> Yes, this is a very important point. It is,  for example,  Z's
> **choice** to put on a dress. Z wants a dress that will look good on the
> Tube. And he gets the dress because his plan is to do something
> different this year (go up to a logger bar in a dress with Cheryl's
> pretty little chain saw and destroy some of the property there instead
> of jumping through a window).
>
>
> Notice how Berger deal with this fact (Z's **choice** to wear a dress).
>
> (BTW, Berger says the dress is a K-mart dress).
>
>
>
>  Also, they choose the set, the location, the window. And, as Buster
> reminds him, Z's particular manifestations of insanity (his MO or
> jumping through glass) is what they want him to do for the money. He
> needs to do the same thing each year. Like any actor he tires of the
> same old routine and wants to "be creative" but the paying public (the
> government, tax payer,  Tube business, Tube audience) wants to see Z
> jump through glass.
>
> But, yeah,
> > Berger's got a point, though there's certainly complicity on Zoyd's part
> > (and it's worth comparing this with how Frenesi and Flash have also
ended up
> > on the government payroll as well.)
>
> Yup!
>
>
> >
> > But I don't really see this as a form of employment: it is only a once a
> > year performance so that he will keep getting his "mental-disability
check",
> > which is pretty much the same as an unemployment benefit.
>
>
> OK, but Zoyd works for the government.
>
> More importantly, disability and unemployment are **not** the same
> thing.
>
> Like unemployment insurance, Workers pay into an insurance fund and if
> they become disabled, they can collect a benefit. The government merely
> collects and disburses the money -- much like a private insurance
> company would.
>
> A little history:
>
> Disability was not part of the the 1935 SS Act, but is a program that
> began in  the 1950's. It was one of LBJ's babies. The great deal maker
> got it passed, but making great deals requires compromise.
>
> Reagan wanted to gut it.
>
> The Congress didn't.
>
> Reagan used his **presidential powers**  to gut it. Putting thousands
> upon thousands of mentally disabled people out on streets.
>
>
> http://www.ragged-edge-mag.com/0302/0302ft5.html
>
>
>
> I guess his yabbie
> > sideline with RC and Moonpie out along Phantom Creek is something
though.
>
>
> Yup. Z has rackets like everyone else in the novel.
>