David Foster Wallace on Political thinking in America

Edited version of the ZDFmediatek interview with David Foster Wallace. This version offers David Foster Wallace's ideas, without repetitions, long pauses, interviewer's comments. Although some cuts may appear rough, there is no attempt at editorial bias or content manipulation. Mr. Wallace's archives (books in his library, notes, and writings) have been recently acquired by the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas Austin.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Post modern

[adamfkimball]

Where is the unedited version of this? I appreciate the effort in the editing, but I'd prefer the straight version - is it to be found?

[Artzineonline]

@adamfkimball zdf.de/ZDFmediathek/beitrag/vi­deo/823228/David-Foster-Wallac­e-im-Interview-%25282003%2529

[thepurpleyouth]

what a fucking genius. if he killed himself then what hope do we have?

[Artzineonline]

@thepurpleyouth Genius, regrettably, is no antidote for physical or emotional well being. The hope he offered readers, I think, was to make them aware of their state-of-being, in a non-didactic, preachy manner, through the medium of fiction. I imagine his works attempt to aid us in our search for a lucid and meaningful life?

[FlushitTV]

@thepurpleyouth Genius and mental instability often go together hand in hand. It's not surprising that super-intelligent people sometimes do crazy things like kill themselves!

[FlushitTV]

@popewb He didn't commit suicide because of his philosophical outlook or his beliefs! It's not like he read Camus' Myth of Sisyphus and decided that life was absurd, meaningless and full of suffering so therefore it was in his rational self-interest to hang himself!

The man had a mental illness - depression - which was effectively treated with antidepressants. When he stopped taking his medication (bad choice!), he fell back into a state of severe depression that led to him taking his own life.

[popewb]

As I am sure I will receive ridicule for this statement, let me first begin by saying I do not disagree with David Foster Wallace. However, the fact that he committed suicide is a paradox when one considers how concerned he is with others' methods to achieving life fulfillment. Nietzsche, too, had extreme ideologies in relation to humanity's perception of life. Both Wallace and Nietzsche seem to be overly critical of humanity when they themselves are guilty of their own criticisms.

[popewb]

As I am sure I will receive ridicule for this statement, let me first begin by saying I do not disagree with David Foster Wallace. However, the fact he committed suicide is a paradox when one considers how concerned he is with others' methods to achieving life fulfillment. Nietzsche, too, had extreme ideologies in relation to humanity's perception of life. Both Wallace and Nietzsche seem to be overly critical of humanity when they themselves are guilty of their own criticisms.

[bunkopaniczny]

Brilliant speech! I agree with nearly everything. One exception. I think he OVER-simplifies a more intricate matter; when he speaks of "having to obey every impulse and gratify every desire". I know what he means. However, he ignores 'responsibility'. Yes, one may WANT to 'pick up (a) cup and throw it at someone...'? you may even DO it? But then one MUST accept one's responsibility for the action. Better: people have become 'slaves to their impulses' w/out regard for personal responsibility?

[housewares]

Proud to be the 1st dislike

[TheCall0fTheWildest]

He is so pleasant to hear. Even if you're not paying total attention to what he's saying - but much more if you are, of course. I could just spend hours listening to him talk.

[bartelby123]

I really, really wish that there were no comments section on this site. In fact, I'm done reading them. There are a small minority of intelligent people with wonderful insights, true. But about 90% of it is just useless, self-absorbed, self aggrandizing, small, ugly people throwing out ridiculous, vapid, pointless comments and insults (myself included). Also, this man was completely brilliant, Is this entire interview available for download anywhere?

[edgarae1]

@The0Endless0Thread agree.

[goodvibesallround]

@thepurpleyouth He did an interview where he had published a book early and he wasn't happy. Writting and getting published, he thought would make him happy bit it didn't therfore he got depressed.