Another super cool animation based on JG Ballard work. Found here.

photo by Suzanne Welles

My sister had an 8lb daughter yesterday, both are now doing well. The gbv song has little to do with this, other than the title and the recognition of aging, though it has all actually happened in good time.

He’s the Uncle

It occurred to me last night as I was reading some Borges, one thing I would never do, were I leading a barbarian horde in ancient times – destroy my enemies’ library. I can see the plundering of loot, destruction of crops, enslavement, and even crueler methods of killing off the first born, or thinning blood lines through rape, but why the fuck would you burn down the library? I would assimilate the library! Even if all of your enemies were reading garbage, or the same old thing, you’d be bound to pick up an esoteric volume or two with each conquest. Even if you couldn’t read the texts, someone you overpowered along the way would be able to – which also calls for a moments pause before slaying your way through those wimpy captured sages. The “ignorance is power” argument they must have been using just doesn’t stand up to the “knowledge is power” cliche of our information age. At the very least…knowledge is more fun. But I’m probably underestimating the barbarian pyromaniac factor. And when you stop to consider an art gallery is much like a library, and each musician is much like a library, and really, each mind is much like a library (…well most of them), soon you’ve seriously curtailed your barbarian license.

photo Simon Sellers

Here’s one resource page, and goodreads. A heavy hitter of 20th century outre fiction! Two other BBC articles on JGB references in music and as a Seer of the Atomic Age.

Finally found a great Ballardarian animated tribute. I’ll be doing more research on this filmmaker!

She was found dead in her mobile home in California. I’m a fan of the early Cronenberg film Rabid in which she starred. I’ve never actually seen Behind the Green Door…well maybe it was on a middle school VHS comp I briefly had possession of with Debbie Does Dallas and other “hits” of the era, but I don’t remember any of it.

And here’s a VERY 1977 interview.

I was just wandering around on Deviantart and came across Yaya Han’s page, realizing I’ve photographed her at Dragoncon, and favorited other shots of her from the event. I guess she travels Con’s almost constantly all over the world and makes a living modeling and making costumes. Apparently also was/is a huge BSG fan as well.

What’s the point of this post? Nothing really, and I don’t know why I should be surprised to realize there is a semi-celebrity factor to the entire Con-model/cosplay scene. It was just weird to come across the info.

A great 26.5 minute animated bit on nature, dogs and episodes from Paul Fierlinger’s life.