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Dubious Math in Infinite Jest (2009)

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Re: Dubious Math in Infinite Jest (2009)

#121

Post by ofalkaed »

Boogie_Man wrote: post #112
TeaBrain wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You aren't as extraordinary as you think you are by finishing the book. It is long, but it isn't incredibly long. By making this insinuation of others' lack of honesty in their claims of reading the book, it's as if you either believe the book to be unbearably boring for the average reader, which is odd for a fan of a literary work, or perhaps you'd just prefer to gatekeep this imagined status that you've invented fo…

Reading is incredibly easy in the modern era and I'm not special for having completed the book. I'm of average or sub average intelligence. I'm not gatekeeping anything and encourage everyone to read the book. It probably took me longer to finish than most other people who have. I still don't understand large portions of the novel. That said, I've found that most online conversations about IJ seem to be held by peopl…

If you read the book you should know your little game is antithetical to the book, you are reducing discussion to the chasing of carrots and recitation of OED entries; trivia, easy but empty rewards. So according to my test, you are the one who has not read it.

Why not contribute something of worth and demonstrate that you have read it by engaging in discussion about it instead of playing games?

Re: Dubious Math in Infinite Jest (2009)

#122

Post by spondylosaurus »

slimeinthe21stc wrote: post #113
Boogie_Man wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You are correct, and I'm proud to grant you the first "Actually Read Infinite Jest" award. You've also come to the proof differently than I did: there's a section wherein the two urban black gentlemen who work at ETA rescue a severely intoxicated stork from the subway. They specify that James was a lost "white boy", which, along with his mother being French Canadian, inform the reader that he is "white". You've also…

there's some insinuation that Hal's biological father could be the medical attache: -- Hal's "atavistically dark-complected” -- they share an interest in byzantine erotica -- from what i remember, dates and ages line up correctly to put Avril and attache both attending Brandeis a yearish before Hal is born -- there's a reference or two to James finding that specific affair particularly upsetting -- Avril's said to ha…

IIRC it's mentioned that James is also unusually tan-skinned for a white guy, but I don't think that disproves the insinuation so much as it provides a convenient excuse for Avril, lol.

Re: Dubious Math in Infinite Jest (2009)

#123

Post by Boogie_Man »

ofalkaed wrote: post #121
Boogie_Man wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Reading is incredibly easy in the modern era and I'm not special for having completed the book. I'm of average or sub average intelligence. I'm not gatekeeping anything and encourage everyone to read the book. It probably took me longer to finish than most other people who have. I still don't understand large portions of the novel. That said, I've found that most online conversations about IJ seem to be held by peopl…

If you read the book you should know your little game is antithetical to the book, you are reducing discussion to the chasing of carrots and recitation of OED entries; trivia, easy but empty rewards. So according to my test, you are the one who has not read it. Why not contribute something of worth and demonstrate that you have read it by engaging in discussion about it instead of playing games?

Idono Maybe

Re: Dubious Math in Infinite Jest (2009)

#124

Post by Boogie_Man »

spondylosaurus wrote: post #120
Boogie_Man wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You are correct, and I'm proud to grant you the first "Actually Read Infinite Jest" award. You've also come to the proof differently than I did: there's a section wherein the two urban black gentlemen who work at ETA rescue a severely intoxicated stork from the subway. They specify that James was a lost "white boy", which, along with his mother being French Canadian, inform the reader that he is "white". You've also…

Perhaps you'll also believe me when I say I've read Infinite Jest too many times to warrant another reread right now, but best of luck on yours and the nascent book club, lol. I think there are some less blink-and-you'll-miss-it type questions that are too broad to Google but that most people who read it would remember... - Which location in ETA got its name from an infamous player? - What fictional cartoon character…

These are excellent questions and I will save your username and harass you if I have questions.

Shooting from the hip with no evidence: Straight up I think Orin got molested.

Re: Dubious Math in Infinite Jest (2009)

#125

Post by dpig_ »

Boogie_Man wrote: post #76
dpig_ wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure, but his dad's got a microwave for a head.

[flagged]

I only read it once, in 2016. So the details are fuzzy. Hal's dad cooks his own head in the microwave, right? And Hal comments on how it smelled good or something?

Re: Dubious Math in Infinite Jest (2009)

#126

Post by dilap »

Boogie_Man wrote: post #77
dilap wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah definitely, multiple times. But I feel you! The first time I read it it took me months to make it past the first couple hundred pages. But once you get far enough in everything starts to gel and it gets really fun.

[flagged]

white, probably, though i don't think ever explicitly stated. "incandenza" as a last name is vaguely italian sounding.

why the question, tho?

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