Make that "Selected Poems." If you can't find that, The Bus to Veracruz has many of his best, including the title story poem, Death Row, Certain Choices, and Reaching for the Gun.
Who knew that one of the richest ahs on earth was so needy!? I wonder what his relationship with his mother was like? No self reflection like maybe I’m the problem? You’ll never find a diary or journal in his private papers when he’s gone from the world! Musk is a shallow husk! Thought provoking as always Greg! ❤️
Greg, Thank you. Another fine analysis of movers-shakers of the planet. But as for Musk and Twitter, take heart. Musk needs Europe for Twitter, and Europe isn't budging. They have new mostly superb new rules and regulations WHICH MUSK MUST OBEY, or close shop in the EU.
This article in the Guardian is pretty clear:
"Twitter takeover: EU and UK warn Elon Musk must comply or face sanctions"
After more than five decades thinking and writing, I have my buttons pushed again by you and Eliot. I’ve been a teacher, a professor, an editor, a newspaper publisher, and a novelist, but I still go back to my sunny days as a high school senior in Hawaii before all that when I read The Hollow Men the first time. In the rag and bone shop of our hearts we may feel like anonymous claws in an isolated sea, but the remedy is simple: dignity, honor, truthfulness, and honesty. Without those qualities, we are all hollow. Like you, I cannot see Musk exhibiting those qualities. At $250 billion or more in net worth, he can afford to be at least honorable.// I can tell you, with regard to Twitter, that lack of content moderation (editing) reduces discussion to meaningless babble. I hope its users recognize how totally unreliable it will become as a source of information and ignore the rants of meaningless men.
Thanks so much, John. I also read this my senior year. I distinctly remember doing so, which is strange, as I usually don't. And yes: there is no price for honor. It is something that cannot be bought.
Hmm Twittering Muskisms. Sounds rather wokish. I like this column but I have no fear about Musk buying Twitter. Americans generally could care less as long as the can spout silly shit. The UK is a toothless tiger. Actually I think Elon will abandon it taking a 40 billion dollar loss and merely shrug his shoulders. Possibly women and investments appear the same to Musk. But I like the names X and Y.
In the 1950’s Twittering was something young giggling girls did while standing around in a circle peering at young boys flexing their muscles. I lost my Flex T-shirt in the sixties. Currently here in the arid Sonoran desert the birds are twittering outside my tin can home as they devour the crumbs I threw them.
So since I don’t Twatter, Facehook, Snipchot and all dat other silly stuff I am addicted to reading news on my phone and I do have email.
And while I liked this column I don’t think Donald Trump and Elon Musk deserve to be mentioned in relation to T.S Elliot or Richard Shelton. Men who were not Hollow.
This is a literally a laundry list of the dirtiest laundry imaginable. I can easily understand why he has such a problem with "relationships." I could almost smell his dirty laundry! Thanks for that link.
From article: "Whereas with Twitter, he apparently wants to manipulate the idea of what “free speech” means, and has suggested he’ll allow people to say whatever they want without consequence, even if what they want to say constitutes harassment or threats or the kind of misinformation that poses a genuine risk to people’s lives. Which, as the above list suggests, is very much his thing."
Dear Ellen, I don’t twitter, so I probably should shut up. However, “Free Speech” is a subject that will be fought over until the end of humans, Unless, Rover and Tige continue such.
Musk and others have some reasonable concerns about speech. The issue becomes who is in control.
As a 82 year old male with a history of speech laced with profanity with obvious prejudiciality I currently find a quiet space when talking with pals. I find people younger than I are easily offended with my chatter.
Foul, offensive language is not the issue. Slander, disinformation, doxxing, people being attacked...that's the issue. And it WILL happen, because it happens already.
Well, He is smarter than Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, Marjorie Greene and Madison Cawthorn combined. and doesn't post photos of his hands and crotches.
You really know how to spice up the conversation re Twitter. I met a young man when I worked at jr high who I am still acquainted with as an adult. I had described him several times as the most damaged kid I had run across in my 20 years in public schools. He had the same problem, used almost the same words, was/is smart but has so much trouble navigating the world. His emotional damage was done very early, damage that has affected most aspects of his life. The pattern is one of hard work, self-inflicted wounds and personal vulnerability in relationships. Maybe II should go ahead and diagnose him now, but things are scary enough…
And how does that relate to my post, Greg does have a talent for providing a different slant on any issue. He hit it out of the park on Elon. You may retire to your comfort zone
Ok doc. Im sitting down. But seldom indulge in comfort zones. But then i graduated last in my HS class. College was out. I Seriously lack the credentials of most that come to Gregs Scholarly columns.
Excellent selection and loved the connection to the “super-charged boringness” of these vapid, broken men.
I’ve not read this poem in long while…but you know Eliot does implicate us all as the Hollow Men… choosing “We” vs “They” as opening pronoun. He evokes imagery of scarecrows for me, and I suppose I always think of them as figuratively empty-headed, but on this reading I’m realizing how much Eliot emphasizes the “stuffing” … and reflecting on how we are collectively stuffed full with information, misinformation, disinformation … and how that can be worse than empty heads. Which of course all links back to TFG and Musk and Twitter and what a hot mess this all is….
Thanks for always fully engaging my brain Greg! Great piece.
I like the way you slid in there the reference to Thornton Wilder's play -- so apropos. Will we manage to make it, this time too?
Sure do enjoy your work.
Thanks. I certainly hope so!
My personal favorite modern poem, this
It's a pretty solid choice.
For even drier and, frequently, bleaker, check out Arizona poet Richard Shelton. Collected Poems is a good place to start.
Thanks, I will!
Make that "Selected Poems." If you can't find that, The Bus to Veracruz has many of his best, including the title story poem, Death Row, Certain Choices, and Reaching for the Gun.
Who knew that one of the richest ahs on earth was so needy!? I wonder what his relationship with his mother was like? No self reflection like maybe I’m the problem? You’ll never find a diary or journal in his private papers when he’s gone from the world! Musk is a shallow husk! Thought provoking as always Greg! ❤️
Elon Husk. Perfect!
Greg, Thank you. Another fine analysis of movers-shakers of the planet. But as for Musk and Twitter, take heart. Musk needs Europe for Twitter, and Europe isn't budging. They have new mostly superb new rules and regulations WHICH MUSK MUST OBEY, or close shop in the EU.
This article in the Guardian is pretty clear:
"Twitter takeover: EU and UK warn Elon Musk must comply or face sanctions"
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/apr/26/twitter-takeover-jack-dorsey-elon-musk
Thanks, William. You're right, of course. I really hope the deal dies.
Thanks for the link. Given the hollow husk that he is, he might sulk away from the deal. Spoiled children don't take well to adults and rules.
After more than five decades thinking and writing, I have my buttons pushed again by you and Eliot. I’ve been a teacher, a professor, an editor, a newspaper publisher, and a novelist, but I still go back to my sunny days as a high school senior in Hawaii before all that when I read The Hollow Men the first time. In the rag and bone shop of our hearts we may feel like anonymous claws in an isolated sea, but the remedy is simple: dignity, honor, truthfulness, and honesty. Without those qualities, we are all hollow. Like you, I cannot see Musk exhibiting those qualities. At $250 billion or more in net worth, he can afford to be at least honorable.// I can tell you, with regard to Twitter, that lack of content moderation (editing) reduces discussion to meaningless babble. I hope its users recognize how totally unreliable it will become as a source of information and ignore the rants of meaningless men.
Thanks so much, John. I also read this my senior year. I distinctly remember doing so, which is strange, as I usually don't. And yes: there is no price for honor. It is something that cannot be bought.
Greg…no one but you could have drawn a better portrait of the charisma-challenged pasty one!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
True, he always delivers
And on Sunday, no less! ; )
Thank you!
Hmm Twittering Muskisms. Sounds rather wokish. I like this column but I have no fear about Musk buying Twitter. Americans generally could care less as long as the can spout silly shit. The UK is a toothless tiger. Actually I think Elon will abandon it taking a 40 billion dollar loss and merely shrug his shoulders. Possibly women and investments appear the same to Musk. But I like the names X and Y.
In the 1950’s Twittering was something young giggling girls did while standing around in a circle peering at young boys flexing their muscles. I lost my Flex T-shirt in the sixties. Currently here in the arid Sonoran desert the birds are twittering outside my tin can home as they devour the crumbs I threw them.
So since I don’t Twatter, Facehook, Snipchot and all dat other silly stuff I am addicted to reading news on my phone and I do have email.
And while I liked this column I don’t think Donald Trump and Elon Musk deserve to be mentioned in relation to T.S Elliot or Richard Shelton. Men who were not Hollow.
But those men recognized “hollow” and warned those of us who didn’t to call them by their names…
Jeri, I'm a liitle slow. I'll ponder more on your comment. "Those men"
Thank you
I hope you're right about him abandoning it. Or, better yet, the deal falling through.
well in my humble opinion from the street view he seems rather mentally spastic.
Bess says Elon is Evil
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/04/elon-musk-twitter-terrible-things-hes-said-and-done?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=vf&utm_mailing=VF_CH_050122&utm_medium=email&bxid=5bd67d4224c17c104802a222&cndid=48614199&hasha=0523227b7149c0b82cb49b2af58cfdec&hashb=b4d894932a65b44ae2bcace91ea577e9c3a69cdc&hashc=27b2e1888dfb7e258ae5036789675e58bea59212aedaefc767cca4308ce0a752&esrc=AUTO_PRINT&source=EDT_VYF_NEWSLETTER_0_COCKTAIL_HOUR_ZZ&utm_campaign=VF_CH_050122&utm_term=VYF_Cocktail_Hour
This is a literally a laundry list of the dirtiest laundry imaginable. I can easily understand why he has such a problem with "relationships." I could almost smell his dirty laundry! Thanks for that link.
From article: "Whereas with Twitter, he apparently wants to manipulate the idea of what “free speech” means, and has suggested he’ll allow people to say whatever they want without consequence, even if what they want to say constitutes harassment or threats or the kind of misinformation that poses a genuine risk to people’s lives. Which, as the above list suggests, is very much his thing."
Dear Ellen, I don’t twitter, so I probably should shut up. However, “Free Speech” is a subject that will be fought over until the end of humans, Unless, Rover and Tige continue such.
(City by Simak https://www.blackgate.com/2020/03/19/stories-the-dogs-tell-clifford-d-simaks-city/)
Musk and others have some reasonable concerns about speech. The issue becomes who is in control.
As a 82 year old male with a history of speech laced with profanity with obvious prejudiciality I currently find a quiet space when talking with pals. I find people younger than I are easily offended with my chatter.
Thank you for your approval
Foul, offensive language is not the issue. Slander, disinformation, doxxing, people being attacked...that's the issue. And it WILL happen, because it happens already.
not sure that can never be overcome
He is similar enough to the dictators in temperament that we should take it seriously.
Taking Elon "seriously":
Well, He is smarter than Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, Marjorie Greene and Madison Cawthorn combined. and doesn't post photos of his hands and crotches.
Straw Men? Free speech?
Choose your hero.
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/04/28/who-is-the-hero-albright-vs-assange/
Greg and I will likely disagree on this,
as I think Albright Murdered a lot more people than Assange.
If and when Assange is extradited, and actually has to answer for his crimes, the truth will come out in court.
too late to prosecute Albright. But we can still get George W and crew, Bookem Dano
You really know how to spice up the conversation re Twitter. I met a young man when I worked at jr high who I am still acquainted with as an adult. I had described him several times as the most damaged kid I had run across in my 20 years in public schools. He had the same problem, used almost the same words, was/is smart but has so much trouble navigating the world. His emotional damage was done very early, damage that has affected most aspects of his life. The pattern is one of hard work, self-inflicted wounds and personal vulnerability in relationships. Maybe II should go ahead and diagnose him now, but things are scary enough…
Thanks Doc Jeri, but ive been examined by experts. Their assessments i would share in a small coffee shop but not here.
I like T.S. and even keep a huge tome of
ee cummings at beside. But i prefer earthly scribblers and given my penchant for "trash" talk and poetry. I like Chester Himes and Charles Bukowski.
So anyhoo here's to Donald going to prison and Eldon to Mars.
Cal an old retired cop and a fan of Edward Abbey. The Deserts will win.
And how does that relate to my post, Greg does have a talent for providing a different slant on any issue. He hit it out of the park on Elon. You may retire to your comfort zone
Ok doc. Im sitting down. But seldom indulge in comfort zones. But then i graduated last in my HS class. College was out. I Seriously lack the credentials of most that come to Gregs Scholarly columns.
"Out of the park" i am not a sports fan!
The National Whistleblowers Center has a good article on Musk.
Ocas
Ocasio and Elon verbal battling on
The Hill news site.
Musk gives Aspergers Syndrome a bad name. I really resent that. So many great, wonderful people with this genius gift.
Yes, exactly. He does. And I really hate to see it.
😣
free speech: a comment on Banning.
https://www.azmirror.com/2022/04/20/legendary-author-rudolfo-anaya-on-banning-books/
Excellent selection and loved the connection to the “super-charged boringness” of these vapid, broken men.
I’ve not read this poem in long while…but you know Eliot does implicate us all as the Hollow Men… choosing “We” vs “They” as opening pronoun. He evokes imagery of scarecrows for me, and I suppose I always think of them as figuratively empty-headed, but on this reading I’m realizing how much Eliot emphasizes the “stuffing” … and reflecting on how we are collectively stuffed full with information, misinformation, disinformation … and how that can be worse than empty heads. Which of course all links back to TFG and Musk and Twitter and what a hot mess this all is….
Thanks for always fully engaging my brain Greg! Great piece.