Greil Marcus on his book "The Shape of Things to Come"

[sharegrace]

The debt accumulates.  Some say the blood of 50,000,000 abortions in America since 1973 will be the cause of great blow back...as Greil says, terrifying, frightening...but most will not pay heed... Someone from the left will eventually have the courage to write about this horror, this holocaust.

[coupelikeacaravan]

Why did it have to end?

[bapyou]

I've been a fan of Marcus's writing since Mystery Train: I still have the copy I checked out of my high school library & never returned! Still the best book ever written about rock'n'roll, because it's not only about the music, but rock-n-roll in the broader context of America as an idea.

Lipstick Traces is a tour de force about the Sex Pistols and their cultural antecedents, with an irresistable subtitle: A Secret History of the 20th Century.

Read his work, you'll never be the same again.

[alia4eva]

great interview, he's ahead on any game out there, he def knows the shape of things to come, very deep!

[lughlamh]

Who is the other guy he mentions besides Roth?

[bapyou]

"Who is the other guy he mentions besides Roth?"

John Dos Passos.

[neothomist1275]

"The specific values of art are technical values, more permanent and definite than the adventitious analogies on which a stray observer usually bases his views. Only a technical education can raise judgments above impertinent biography." -- George Santayana

[mightyBRB]

I believe Mr. Marcus' first name is

pronounced "Gree-il," not "Gry-il."

[stevebremner]

Best interview ever by Mark Molero! And that is saying a lot!!!!

[popolls235]

Greil is an amazing writer! I had the chance to attend of one of his conferences and he is absolutely brilliant. Thanks to Mark Molaro, we have a great interview that gives Greil a chance to share his genuis!

[maryannshackelton]

this show gives me hope for smart content - it's possible if people are committed to it! I love how personal and intimate the Alcove is - bravo Mark!

[amateurculture]

This was absolutely wonderful, thank you!

[tweeneykud]

I'm fascinated by Greil. I could listen to him for hours! Thank you for this great interview.

[benabaros]

Greil Marcus is amazing. Thanks to Mark Molaro, we have a deep and genuine explanation of his ideas.

[bapyou]

'Mystery Train' is the greatest book about music ever written.

[bapyou]

Correction:

'Mystery Train': Greatest book ever written about American music.

[loftyroccoco]

I admire this man! Thank you Greil for your insight on America.

[bumpyscarface]

What does the American dream nowadays? With all the candidates trying to appeal to people, this question is probably one the most important one has to ask oneself. I think Barack is the only one restoring our ideals and not the corrupted Hillary and John McCain! Great book Greil!

[foxwillhunting]

I'm going to buy his book.

[wildcarlotta]

This in-depth interview was fascinating. I'm subscribing right now!

[henrysvoboda]

his book is fantastic - love the Dos Passos and Philip Roth comparisons. It's a must read for any thoughtful American.

[coralenalady]

Loved Greil since back in the Rolling Stone days - great to see him again so fresh and smart

[omegana]

That was very interesting...

[tomcruiseisagayalien]

excellent discussion on a great topic

[heidiypsilanti]

I agree this was so thoughtful and smart

[KeevayMusic]

PRAYER FOR AMERICA....the Controversial Video from Mysterious CATMAN COHEN

"The entertainment biz and Big Media have institutionalized

rebellion, nihilism, vulgarity, sybaritism, and social anomie to the point where it has become mainstream to spit in the face of 'The System.' Self-obsession has become the norm while community service is disparaged as the terrain belonging to naive fools, 'the uncool,' insufferable Pollyannas, and the unfashionably dull."

[obichops]

This guy is oblivious to ron paul (the interviewee) and other guests of his.

[GaryVromona]

Greil is brilliant! Great job.

[cpmcdougall]

I have to disagree with the guy below that thought it was too artsy - I really enjoyed this interview and thought it was amazing!

[jdcremin]

I was with him until the last 5 minutes. He mentions the loss of the writ of habeas corpus and then goes on to say that all the repblican candidates are the same; all trying out fot the role of dictator. He couldn't be more wrong. There is only one candidate on either side who believes in following the constitution, with its limiting powers, and that's Ron Paul. Paul was against the patriot act and the military commissions act as well as the Iraq war. .

[gworthey]

The last 7-8 minutes are quite good. The rest seems artsy to me; abstract, and passionless. Please see Mark Molaro's interviews with Naomi Klein and Naomi Wolf--both EXCELLENT.

[luisbencortez]

This interview was as good as those gworthey - it's just the material is over your head. Don't call artsy what you don't understand my precious. Otherwise I agree with you about the Naomi twins

[gworthey]

Not exactly artsy, more just abstract sophistry. I think his premise is seriously flawed; sadly, we're VERY FAR from keeping any alleged covenant. He's more just skirting the cognitive dissonance between convenient WASP beliefs and reality. Please read: "History of the United States" by Howard Zinn. It's an outstanding book. I think anyone who likes this guy would like that book.

("my precious"??? are you the wicked witch?)

[luisbencortez]

What you call sophistry is really some of the most original thinking ever done about America. His point is exactly what you're saying that we are indeed VERY FAR from keeping any covenant - that is the very idea of America itself. Zinn's book is good but this book is equally if not more outstanding - Marcus' ideas are extraordinary - you should read his book.

And no, I'm not the wicked witch - I'm that little person on your shoulder whispering to you to keep an open mind to new ideas!

[gworthey]

His point sounded nothing like mine. E.g. Lincoln's posturing doesn't equal covenant. (& all other countries ended slavery, WITHOUT war.) Looking on amazon, the reviews suggest that artsy was not inaccurate. I agree that an open mind is important, especially if you're stuck to propaganda and nationalism, but there are too many cogent books in this time of hydra cataclysms to dwell on wordy philosophical abstractions. Focus your mind. Try Klein's "The Shock Doctrine"--OUTSTANDING book.

[luisbencortez]

Klein's book is outstanding, but that doesn't take away from the novelty of Marcus' own book. You can't just lump his work in with other books if you haven't read it - his book is not a polemic, it's a cultural and historical read. Your own mind will be better focused as well as served by reading something before dismissing it. Otherwise you're the sophist my friend!

[gworthey]

You've moved from condescension to twists of phrase. Not reading a book cannot make someone a sophist! And you ignored what I said. I've got perhaps 100 books to read on my short list. Unfortunately, I'm forced to "lump" his book in with millions of others I haven't read, because it's simply not possible to read them all. (whose book are you calling a polemic?)

[luisbencortez]

Not reading a book can make someone a sophist if they make a false argument that they are trying to convince us is true w/o actually knowing enough to do so. That doesn't make me condescending, that make me someone who's pointing out the truth.

You're the one that originally characterized his work w/o knowing what it is - this might make you want to change your name to gsophistry if it's available...

[gworthey]

Oh. Lacking facts and reason, you move to personal attacks... Lovely.

I wrote my OPINION based on this long boring specious interview. I think that's the purpose of the comments here on youtube. Sorry to cross your "truth" (whatever it is).

Now.. begone before I throw water at you!

[luisbencortez]

Telling the truth isn't lacking facts and reason - sophistry was your description of the guest and what you ironically engaged in yourself. That's not a personal attack - that is fact and reason.

You are entitled to your opinion on the interview - however if you characterize something you don't understand, you are the one lacking fact and reason - that's checkmate friend.

[dugfriendly]

The first MM interview I watched was for the guest. Now I watch each one because it'll be interesting. This one was awesome. I'd never heard of the guest before. Thanks, Mark.

[spiceycouscous]

David Lynch is my man! Love to see this genius get the respect he deserves!

[hotauntjemima]

This interview is really fascinating, love Greil's voice! I have discovered the show recently and I have to say that the Alcove is addictive. Good job!

[farvinf]

What a compelling conversation! Did Charlie Rose have a son we don't know about?