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Rumpus Book ClubHitchens On Dying
“At a luncheon earlier in the day with Hitchens and Berlinski, Taunton asked Hitchens about his health problems. ‘Well, I’m dying, since you asked,’ Hitchens replied. ‘So are you, but I’m doing it faster and in more rich and fecund detail.’”
Despite recently undergoing chemotherapy for esophageal cancer, Hitchens still shows up to debate a believer.
Now I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic school and did my obligatory rebellions and now, like many lazy urbanites, I guess I’m an “agnostic” with pseudo-mystical pretensions. But really I’m just a mild hedonist who doesn’t want to be forgotten.
Yet is it just me or is there something incredibly brave about a fervent atheist talking jocularly about his all-too-impending death?
September 16th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
I’m an avowed atheist who until recently was put off by pretty much everything Hitchens said or did, especially when it came to religion. But I’ve changed my attitude in the last few months as Hitchens has dealt with his impending demise, helped no doubt by the believers who are taunting him and his condition. Don’t get me wrong–I still think his Iraq War rhetoric was beyond heinous, but I am in awe of the way he’s dealt with his cancer.
September 16th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
“like many lazy urbanites, I guess I’m an “agnostic” with pseudo-mystical pretensions. But really I’m just a mild hedonist who doesn’t want to be forgotten.”
That’s some beautiful writing, Michael Berger.
September 16th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Ditto what Seth said.
September 16th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
When you’ve had a life like his–it’s easy to face death with a smile…
September 16th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Thanks gents! As for Hitchens, I agree that his war rhetoric is heinous but I think he’s a terrific writer, an elegant thinker and a much-needed provocateur. I’d hate to see him go. And I applaud his stoicism in the face of a death sentence.
September 16th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Michael Berger’s Obligatory Rebellions. Isn’t that a graphic novel?
I also disagree with Hitch’s stance on Iraq, but his argument was not heinous, nor was it rhetoric. (Although calling it that because you disagree probably is.) To his credit, he was one of the few to even attempt justifying the war with reason rather than hatemongering and deception. I only hope he lives long enough to change his mind.
September 16th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Michael, that should be your new bio tag: “Michael Berger is really just a mild hedonist who doesn’t want to be forgotten.”
July 14th, 2011 at 7:46 am
I agree with Justin.