Columns
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Absolutely Specific
This Recording has a feature on the interviews between Mel Gussaw and Harold Pinter. Certain excerpts are absurdly quotable. For example, “MG: Do you feel that you have to guard against emotion? HP: I don’t quite understand you.” There are…
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Backlash Against Technology in National English Departments?
Although the web has invaded just about every aspect of American life, one college professor is making a stand. Meet Mark James, visiting lecturer in English at the University of West Florida. He recently instituted a ban in his discussion…
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My long, rambling, mildly self-indulgent but genuine reaction to Richard Yates…
A Rumpus Book Club subscriber reacts to the August book club selection, Richard Yates. As I’ve been reading “Richard Yates” the last few days I’ve had many discussions with roommates and friends about my issues and the problem I have…
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Less Is More
The stories in Mary Hamilton’s very, very short collection are vivid, surreal, experimental, funny, and emotionally devastating.
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Kyle Kinane’s I’m Dead and It’s All My Fault #41
That’s the thing, I love Cirque du Soleil, Doug, but fuck the Beatles, man. That’s why I wrote one based on Kiss’ “Destroyer.” So first, I need you to help me with my face paint. The Demon, naturally. You’ll be…
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Morning Coffee
Some times you don’t have to try and sugar coat these things. Department of this-world-is-totally-terrifying-and-awesome: Peru battles rabid vampire bats. Look, lets be totally honest here, conceptual electricity pylons is a pretty great phrase. These are pictures from a 1957…
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Anything You Record Can And Will Be Used Against You
Q: What happens when you videotape yourself getting a speeding ticket, especially from an unmarked cop who looks like Pee Wee Herman, wields a gun and doesn’t immediately identify himself? A: You get sued for violating wiretap laws. What?
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The Rumpus Books Sunday Supplement
Sunday is your day to see what Rumpus books was up to this week. It’s been up to a lot. A review of Dead Ahead, a poetry collection by Ben Doller. A review of Serious Men, a novel by Manu…
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Greil Marcus on Biography, Memoir, And Art
“To trace anybody’s work, what they produce, what they put into the world, what you or I respond to, to somebody’s life, their biography, is utterly reductionist. Some people are very uncomfortable with the idea they can be moved, they can…
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A Pill To Take Away The Gay
“A hormonal treatment to prevent ambiguous genitalia can now be offered to women who may be carrying such infants. It’s not without health risks, but to its critics those are of small consequence compared with this notable side effect: The…