Conspicuous Acts of Cultural Consumption

Where I talk about books, movies, television, art, pro-wrestling and other forms of culture and pop-culture

Watch This: Wrestling Isn’t Wrestling

PETERMBALL Conspicuous Acts of Cultural Consumption , , ,

I watch a fair bit of pro-wrestling. Partially because I’m a fan and partially because it’s an extraordinarily complex sequential narrative with decades of continuity, and I like figuring out what I can learn from it as a writer.

If you’ve got twenty minutes to spare, Max Landis does a phenomenal job of explaining the appeal of wrestling – and why it’s narratives are so complex – by parodying two decades of the career of pro-wrestler HHH. I’m not the greatest fan of Landis – Chronicle bored the pants of me – but he gets this one thousand percent right. Wrestling fans should watch it for the parody elements. Non-wrestling fans should watch it ’cause it says something powerful about character, evolution, and story.

This May Be the Dumbest Thing I’ve Ever Seen Someone Write About Writing On the Internet

PETERMBALL Conspicuous Acts of Cultural Consumption

As someone who has taught in my fair share of university creative writing programs, I read Ryan Boudinot’s Things I Can Say About MFA Programs Now I No Longer Teach In One with a certain amount of recognition. You see, I, too, have experienced the disappointment that is students asking for books that don’t require as much though. Similarly, I’ve felt that pang of irritation when students complain they don’t have time to write. I have dispaired when students read great books and dismissed them. Pissed me off then, pisses me off now.

It doesn’t stop me from recognizing that Ryan Boudinot is a goddamn condescending motherfucker who is talking a big ol’ pile of shit, though.

‘Cause he is.

His article may actually be the dumbest collection of things I’ve ever seen someone write about writing on the internet.

Which is saying something, really.

 

Lest We Forget That John Cleese is Awesome

PETERMBALL Conspicuous Acts of Cultural Consumption

Some friends were posting John Cleese quotes to my twitter feed this morning, which put me in mind of my trip to the UK at the end of 2013. One of the things I was really excited about was going to see the Globe theater – not the original, but a pretty awesome remake – ’cause I’m a moderately enthusiastic Shakespeare nerd and ’cause I knew, from family members gong there previously, that they made a pretty awesome range of Shakespeare related shirts.

My favourite part of the tour, however, had nothing to do with the Bard and everything to do with Monty Python. To whit:

When the Globe Theatre was rebuilt in London, a service was offered whereby you could have your name on a tile in the courtyard, for a donation to the project. Cleese and fellow python Michael Palin both signed up for tiles, but Palin’s was spelled wrong. Cleese paid extra to ensure it would be spelled “Pallin.

via IMDB

Really, there are some things you have no choice but to salute.