Responses to Reading for September 14th

      Kenneth Goldsmith's "Being Boring" and "Sentences on Conceptual Writing" are unusual works that provide insight into the everyday plagues of boredom and insight into abstract thought. Goldsmith proves that sometimes when it appears as though people do not what they are talking about, perhaps they actually know more than the others around them; furthermore, the readers’ experiences influence how they will interpret the writing. Goldsmith states, “It doesn't really matter if the reader understands the concepts of the author by reading the text. Once it is out of her hand the writer has no control over the way a reader will perceive the work. Different people will understand the same thing in a different ways.” Moreover, Kenneth Goldsmith successfully expresses why works are loved by some and criticized by others. Such an idea leads to my opinion of “Traffic”. I had a particularly difficult time reading the excerpt due to its repetitiveness and consistency in thought. I did, however, like the fact that the writing style truly portrayed an individual’s thought process, such as through the use of “uh” and other filler words.

         “Soliloquy” was particularly interesting to read. Such an idea truly provides an insight into interaction with other human beings and requires the reader to use his or her gestalt perception. Due to the fact the reader cannot tell what the individual is answering, he or she is forced to guess the responses, therefore creating an individual visualization and story. I must say that it would be particularly interesting to hear the tone of the words, as well.

Craig Dworkin’s “Parse” was definitely…well, it was definitely interesting. The layout and construction of his ideas made me feel as though he wanted to drill some information into my head. What though, I am not exactly sure. “Parse” is truly a form of creative writing, and most likely, a misunderstood work at that.

         Finally, Anne Boyer’s “Art is War” reflects the strong influence of personality and experiences upon thought. Boyer conveys the difference between artistic thoughts and impressions and the outside interest that is found in each. Boyer continues to state how she has had to alter some of her ideas in order to not seem cruel. Such a statement, I feel, strongly reflects the insensitive and rejecting nature of society. Art is war in the fact that there will always be someone against you, an opposing force trying to deny your thoughts. However, the ability to defeat the resistance would be a glorifying feet in and of itself.