AtDTDA (12): 326 - 351

[kelber at mindspring.com]

Tesla's thoughts on the press-eye view of scientists could also express Pynchon's views on his own relationship with the press and literary critics:

""'Everything since, all you have seen in the press, has been the theatrical impersonation -- the Inventor at Work.  To the newspapers I can never speak of that time of simply waiting.  I'm expected to be consciously scientific [last 2 words in italics], to exhibit only virtues likely to appeal to rich sponsors -- activity, speed, Edisonian sweat, defend one's claim, seize one's chance -- If I told them how far from conscious the procedure really is, they would all drop me flat.'" (p. 327)

Laura

-----Original Message-----
>From: David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com>
>Sent: Jun 25, 2007 10:06 AM
>To: P-list <pynchon-l at waste.org>
>Subject: AtDTDA (12): 326 - 351
>
>Hi folks,
>
>I'm running a little behind with assembling my notes for this hosting,
>but here is my initial synopsis of the first section of ATDTDA (12).
>More will follow over the next few days…
>
>This section finds Kit and 'Fax warming themselves, after their
>"desperate struggle" crossing the Long Island Sound, in the "shack"
>Tesla has had built for his "great skeletal tower."  Tesla fondly
>remembers Kit from their association in Colorado Springs, and the two
>empathize over their shared pure love, religious fever for science, as
>opposed to the short-sighted pursuit of "applied" science.  In the
>previous section Vibe had exhorted Kit to become the "next Edison,"
>and in this section we are presented with Tesla as a contrast to
>Edison.
>
>From the Chumps of Chance blog:
>Tesla recounts to Kit his initial vision that led him to begin his
>researches in electricity and "wireless" power transmission. He speaks
>of his "Magnifying Transmitter" as existing already, "as if time had
>been removed from all equations" (327:18); he speaks too of how he is
>expected to be "consciously scientific," rather than subconsciously,
>or unconsciously, in stark contrast to Edison's "perspiration" that
>can be translated so easily into those comfortably tangible "billable
>hours" that clients desire...
>
>Edison Quote:
>"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."
>
>Kit's "expression of solidarity" with Tesla is thus:  "I have been
>around them long enough, Dr. Tesla.  They have no idea what any of us
>are about."
>
>The "shack" is actually anything but.  It is of grand scale and high
>design (designed by the office of McKim, Mead & White – the designers
>of the Agricultural pavilion at the Columbia Exposition) with opulent
>fittings and fine consumables (coffee imported from Trieste).   From
>the Tesla Wiki, we learn that $150,000 with 51% supplied by J.
>Pierpont Morgan.
>
>Before "the boys" depart the next morning, Tesla offers Kit warm
>thanks for his help in the Colorado project, but regrets his inability
>to invite him to help with the present project, a nod toward 'Fax,
>Vibe's son and proxy, explaining why.
>
>
>
>A map showing the Long Island Sound between New Haven and the Tesla
>tower at Wardenclyffe in Shoreham, Long Island.:
>http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2006-18,GGLG:en&q=Shoreham%2c+Long+Island
>
>The Tesla Wardenclyffe tower:
>http://www.teslascience.org/
>
>Trieste coffee:
>Founded 1933, illycaffe is the quality leader in the espresso coffee
>industry, annually producing more than 6 million kg of 100% Arabica
>roasted coffee - via Flavi 110, Trieste, Italy 34147 - Tel: +39 40 38
>90 111 - Fax: +39 40 38 90 490 - Url: www.illy.com
>
>McKim, Mead & White:
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McKim,_Mead,_and_White
>