Wild Poets - A Citizen Returns - An Introduction and Complimentary Analysis

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A Citizen Returns - An Introduction and Complimentary Analysis

You provide the prose poems - I'll provide the war.

Tuesday, 30 June 2009 01:28

After a long absence from the media world, I've selected this "website" (in particular, your Bukowski Stew, where comments on this work will go) as venue to allow you to access my writings. I'm sure you'll find them not only enlightening, but erudite and enjoyable as well.

While I have little respect for pock-marked drunks, and even less for stew, given the rather calamitous effect my return would have upon the press of this country, I believe that the Stew will be a suitable venue for me to grace you with my insight. After all, it's well known that pseudonyms of dubious character frequent this place, and I feel that I can "hide in plain sight" among the conversations of fictional characters.

After all, due to a rather strange turn of events, it seems that most people these days are convinced that I'm a fictional character.

Given my long coma, I've yet to truly master the technological and culture changes that have played out in my absence, so I'm unclear as to whether to present my plans as science fiction, philosophy, or historical analysis. It seems that the typewriter has significantly evolved, although strangely, the newspaper business has not.

Is it any wonder that upon my resuscitation, I immediately turned to examining the current media business environment? In fact, that's what led me here. After all, a good businessman knows how to bend the rules of the game, but the brilliant one writes his own. And, despite the rather slash-dash nature of this place, the democratic focus fascinated me - more because it seems to be an attempt to rewrite the rules of publishing than because of my interest in social justice.

After all, it's been a very long time since I put any faith in democracy. After the public thievery of my election and the horrible, baseless scandal that wrecked my reputation, I had very little use for the common folk. It was clear to me at that time that the mass of humanity was not fit to govern itself, and it was their fortune to have capable individuals, such as myself, with the money, intelligence, and property to defend their interests and maintain the economic systems that kept them fed.

But I suppose some part of me harked back to my early days as a young newspaper publisher. What I would have given back then to have the tools you wild young tattooed things do now! Those were heady days, when we still believed in the power of the written word not just to tell people what to do, but to teach them how to live better.

Of course, the temptation to tell people what to do is a strong one... one that everyone has succumbed to from time to time. I'm looking forward to watching how this community handles the enticements of power and propaganda, particularly given the supposedly "democratic" nature of the site.

The other curiosity I have about this place is how the economics will work. Given what I've seen, while the revenue streams seem solid, the only way to significantly expand is if this individual members consciously decide to publicise and promote each others' work. While it seems as though your Publisher has put great faith in this dynamic, I've less faith in the human character. When push comes to shove, people will only do what benefits them directly.

So your Publisher has a hard sell here... he's got to convince you to support each other. He's got to show how your critique on John's work will make John's work better, and sell better, which brings in the funds for Wild Poets to publish your work. Sadly, this type of beneficial interdependence seems foreign in today's culture (an unavoidable side-effect of the benefits of capitalism). Could it be that your Publisher is even more anachronistic than I?

While I think that it's unlikely that this system will work given what I know about human nature (and the fact that I'm never wrong), it seems that even if it spectacularly fails, it will provide a fascinating dysfunctional monument to human creativity.

And to be quite honest, despite the marked unprofessional nature of this place, I actually hope that I am wrong. Mark that - it's the last time I'll ever say it or write it. You see, I think of how much Susan would have loved this place, how much good it would have done her - maybe even done for her what I couldn't - and I simply can't hope for your failure.

~Kane

Comment (5 posts)

Monkey

Re:A Citizen Returns - An Introduction and Complimentary Analysis
Jun 30 2009 07:07:42

Who you calling a pseudonym, jackass?

#516

Code Blue

Re:A Citizen Returns - An Introduction and Complimentary Analysis
Jun 30 2009 13:33:34

RRRR. I'm with the craggy newspaper man. Burn the forest and rid the rivers of salt.

Democracy is participatory and flawed by divisions of trust and responsibility. Which leans toward madness when a monetary unit comes into question. The only way is the hard eight of a true cooperative. All the cacophonists are older now, and wiser, just like the hippies.

There has to be reason to back the ideal.

Some ONE or TWO or THREE or FOUR must take the reigns.

Like Plato's runaway horse, someone must balance the beams we need to cross the motes.

Otherwise this round table will be crowded by the very nature of competition.

The work is the most import part.

Screw Democracy. Save democratic process for those that believe in themselves and their work. The contradiction of the dream is the beauty. Like faith, if you believe "for real," it can work.

So, who wants to participate with me? Tattooed and fed by pen shaped tits.

Publication for communication between thinking minds and active artisans.

Let the trees be printed on with the symbols, inks and images of your choice before they all burn under the surface of the Falling House of Rosebuds. In a strange, melodramatic, sort of way, which part of the abyss do you claim to cure as your own into a garden?

Lilith? Eve? Buddha? Adam?

What is it that you can do in Wild Poets that makes the social media aspect of your art dependent upon your own drive to be heard? Seen? Participatory?

I'm reminded of the brilliance and development that has occurred with The Baby Tank by Peter Martin. An artist with a whole bunch of activity and ideas...

Say, that reminds me? Where are all the television writers that can't get a break?

TRY A SECOND JOB ! ! ! !

#518

CF Kane

Re:A Citizen Returns - An Introduction and Complimentary Analysis
Jul 01 2009 17:26:19

Hmm, I detect in your response a certain Objectivist bent. I respect that, despite your vulgar references to mammaries. I'm reminded of that dinner party I had at Xanadu when Galt tried to convince Bernstein that he should be working for himself... I don't think that John ever quite understood that not all men are meant to be their own masters.

However, I must disagree with elements of your analysis. What you're proposing (or implying) is, in essence, a closed system, wherein the contributors are contributing primarily for the other contributors. This will lead them towards aesthetic stagnation or cultural irrelevance. Now, one could say that by make economic adventures out of their work, the market will provide the necessary checks to keep them relevant, but as business man, I foresee the market killing these adventures more often than providing the necessary critique to enable the contributors to make effective, saleable work.

So, I do have to respect what has been done here from a business standpoint - by enabling the readers to vote on work pre-publication, you're not only gathering important sales data as you publicize the upcoming work, but also enabling your contributors to tone their aesthetic to do battle in a crowded marketplace.

This being said, the public is foolish, forgetful, and easily distracted. Relying on them to drive publication is akin to being adrift on a life-raft in the Pacific and relying on the current to get you ashore. Nonetheless, the sailor must know the currents and where they pull to navigate effectively.

However, it does appear that your Publisher is a bit more clever and less idealistic than I initially assumed. After perusing the contents of the site, I did notice this little tidbit in your "FAQ":

Note that the staff may decide to publish works to the Library regardless of whether it has acquired the necessary upvotes, or even been submitted to a vote. This is necessary to ensure continuity of publication.

So, in essence, your Publisher has enabled democracy without removing any of his own power... he's obviously been taking lessons from the plutocrats that have been running the country for the last 200 years. This being said, it will be interesting to see if the recognition of this foments revolt, with the publicans demanding more power over the organization.

This being said, Mr. Blue, I'll take my own place in the abyss... Kane. given the way my particular history has propagated into mythology, it's only fit that I assume that which I've already created.

And in regards to the monkey - while I find it impressive that you've learned to type, I highly doubt that you're qualified to participate in a discussion of this magnitude... to put it simply and as kindly as I can, it's time to be quiet now, child. The adults are talking.

#529

Code Blue

Re:A Citizen Returns - An Introduction and Complimentary Analysis
Jul 02 2009 03:50:22

Oh Kane. I'm in love. It's lovely, for instance, to read your marketplace swagger. And, really, it's so clear and inviting that I'm genuinely eager to read more. For I, too, wait on the whims of my masters. Though I could not care less for political subcultures here in big, bad Summer of 2009, I do smile and blush at being read and responded to under such scrutiny.

I'd more call my views according to my mood rather than objectivist, or anything of specific agenda, really. I do appreciate the attention though. It's cool to even be thought of, much less mentioned, by a man of your stature and motivations. Kane. What a star ! ! Don't mind the monkey, everyone here, sooner or later, falls in love.

Speaking of the future, what are your motivations?

I'm already overjoyed that you'd read so far into the text that is WP and use your powers of writing to educate. Thank you. Is there more that we can learn by your willingness to report your experiences in the world you're "coming from?" Are there any further links you'd care to refer me to?

Personally, I'm not concerned about the marketplace beyond understanding how to find food to grace my hole. You can't eat money, but food does many good things to humans. I do admire your cognizance of the strange problem of critique in this format. In fact, I find your acknowledgment to be the most relevant in your analysis. The paradox of place and reliable feedback certainly exist.

My comment is that the cauldron is the cauldron, a message board on the internet. The public may be awash in the spotlight, and incapable of improving themselves by themselves, but I contend that this is not the Public. While all are welcome, all are whiled away where they choose.

I'm not sure a place like this has ever been out for the neck of the marketplace, or any typical strand of competitive eye. My belief holds that WP is one of the original social media sites (this niche being poetry, fiction, and visual arts) more or less coded by the Creator. I kid. But not too kid. What I mean is that everybody's been doing it for so long, now, I'm not really sure I can willingly accept that the world wide web does me one bit of good.

Watching the site grow, and seeing the "public" blossom or falter, the cauldron strewn out across its branches and threads, it's pretty much biz as is usual : talking on the internet about our own work and, of course, the work of those willing to join the conversation.

It is true that such frameworks twist the objective of "useful advice" about writing. What is also true is that I am addicted to writing and reacting. Last week I needed an intervention when my twitter page wouldn't type capital Q. Thankfully, I turned the computer off long enough to get some sunshine and pick some fruit from the pepper plant.

Another true claim is that I adore plenty of conducive life.

I'd love to hear more ideas, Kane. You're good at what you do, I can tell. Imagining what it might be like to be a business man, I can only wish to be able to know something as obscure as Xanadu on any level that's good for me.

It's late. I need to imagine I can get some sleep with all this work to do. Always a new sentence to write, eh?

Sigh. An American girl can dream.

#534

thug

Re:A Citizen Returns - An Introduction and Complimentary Analysis
Jul 03 2009 14:17:08

It has come to my attention that one of our customers has been operating on an outdated 20th century operating system. We will be making updates available as they come. Please be patient! A new patch can be downloaded here:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reciprocal_altruism

But please be advised this is only a temporary patch. Updates will follow.

I've taken the liberty of enclosing a personal, personal message.
love,
Thug
Customer Service Representative

--------------
Dear Valued Customer,

Please fill out the following form and submit it to the nom de plume office by EOB friday. Thank You for signing up with Wild Poets! Please direct customer service inquiries to Code Blue, as he has been assigned to be your account manager.

Certificate of Transaction of Business
Under Fictitious Sounding but not actually Fictitious Name - by Individual

Certificate

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned does hereby certify the following:

1. The undersigned is transacting or proposes to transact
business in the State of _____________ (optional)under the
fictitious Sounding but not actually Fictitious name of ______________________________________.(optional)

2. The principal place of said business is located at
______________________________________. (optional)

3. The full name of the undersigned is _________________.(optional)

4. The place of residence of the undersigned is _________
_______________________________________.(optional)

Dated _______________ ________________________(optional)
(Signature)
(optional)

#546

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