And now, at long last, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. We’re pleased to unveil:
The Official Rules
For Infinite Summer
MMIX
- …
Nah, we’re just yanking your chain. There ain’t no rules. Read Infinite Jest, start around June 21st (if you want), finish around September 22nd (if you want), gloat about having completed the novel afterward (required).
Okay! Mailbag!
From: Jesse
To: info@infinitesummer.org
Date: June 1, 2009Shoot ... I already started the book cuz I though this was gonna start TODAY, not in 20 days. I imagine I already broke the rules.
No worries. Our original plan for June 21st–testing participants for the IJ antibodies, to ensure that no one had premature exposure to the novel–proved too expensive. So you’re totally in the clear.
From: Phillip A.
To: info@infinitesummer.org
Date: June 2, 2009Do I need to just do 75 pages/week? I could probably read it faster...
Go nuts, Mr. A. You can think of us as a pacecar: you can leave us in the dust, but it’s probably best not to fall behind.
Indeed, some Infinite Jest veterans assure us that 75 pages a week is downright lackadaisical, and that the novel is so engrossing that you will blaze through it in record time. You’ll get no objection from us if you do. We here at I.S. Headquarters, however, will be sticking to our schedule, and moderating the discussion accordingly.
That said, even if you are ahead of the pack you should feel free to join the conversation. All we ask is that you adhere to the Inficratic Oath: First, Reveal No Spoilers. So, apparently, there is at least one rule.
From: Samantha
To: info@infinitesummer.org
Date: June 2, 2009I wanted to send a note to say that I think this project is AMAZING and am hoping to get a lot of my friends reading IJ along with you this summer.
But against my better judgment I also wanted to say that, in the Infinite Summer sidebar, the footnote to footnote 1 should be marked as 'a' and not '2', in true David Wallace Foster style.
Thanks, and fixed!
That’s just one of many great suggestions we have already received. Here’s another: “Maybe you should have activated the forums before you announced them.” Yeah, well … you know. Hindsight, and so forth.
If you’ve got comments or criticism or complaints, send them to info@infinitesummer.org, mention them in this thread, or propose them in the forums-that-we-totally-turned-on-this-time.
