1968 Writers and Editors War Tax Protest

[jbor at bigpond.com]

On 20/04/2006:
>> This is totally out of left field, and I am guilty of it myself, but
>> was curious what you thought & this thread made it pop up in my
>> head...
>>
>> Isn't it somewhat contradictory to be a Pynchon fan, and yet be
>> concerned with the man himself in the least bit as opposed to simply
>> focusing on his work?  Nearly impossible to do as a fan, but when you
>> think about it...

There's a big difference between chasing him up the street with a 
camera or perpetuating hoaxes and misinformation, and the antics of the 
"What Would Pynchon Do" brigade in general, and noting something which 
he pledged his name to and which he was happy to see in print (in the 
New York Review of Books, the New York Post, and Ramparts). It's not as 
though mentioning that he put his name to this protest is an invasion 
of his privacy -- it's not in the slightest -- nor does it damage his 
reputation or credibility. In fact, it sets a context for his work, 
particularly the Watts article, the Slow learner "Intro", and Vineland, 
and we can contrast the personal stance he took at the beginning of 
1968 (and beforehand) with the absolute disillusionment he felt for the 
student movement thereafter.

best