Infinite Summer

Formed in the summer of 2009 to read David Foster Wallace's masterwork "Infinite Jest".
It is currently Thu Nov 21, 2024 10:56 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Forum rules


There are NO spoiler restrictions in this forum. Caveat emptor.



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Footnote #70 - turning to ashes
PostPosted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:21 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:45 am
Posts: 47
This footnote is profound. I am so in alignment with him on this.
The "advanced AA" who so completely eradicates his humanity that he turns into ashes in a room alone and is wiped up with a damp rag.

P.S. I am posting to maintain my sanity. Thanks for listening. Grateful to be .........


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Footnote #70 - turning to ashes
PostPosted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 4:26 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2009 6:47 am
Posts: 63
Location: Brooklyn, NY
I was just talking with some friends about this footnote and how it relates to Hal's essay about the hero of non-action. How much difference is there between the "advanced AA" and an addict in the total depths of it if they are just using different means to achieve the same end - to get out of the cage, to use the book's own words. The advanced AA sounds a little bit like Erdedy holed up in his apartment.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Footnote #70 - turning to ashes
PostPosted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 6:43 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:45 am
Posts: 47
I totally agree. After 20 years I do not go to meetings any longer for this reason. I didn't know why at the time, and I needed professional help to de-program, but I knew in my gut that my run with AA was over and I needed to go it a different way or I was in trouble. The top of the mountain in monk's robes alone in a cave wasn't for me.. And I didn't see the benefit in becoming a crocodile/dinosaur. It became an empty place. Enough said.

I must add that if it wasn't for my first 10 years I wouldn't be here today - so I'm not bashing AA.

My anonymity has been breached, I realize, but somehow in this forum and this discssion it seems appropriate. My experience in AA is an important part of how I relate to IJ. I'm sure there are others on this forum but I have not run into anyone else openly AA. For someone currently in AA this book could be difficult.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Footnote #70 - turning to ashes
PostPosted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:35 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:13 am
Posts: 9
As a Boston AA I find his observations of the programs pros and cons very well said. "god puzzles" " feeding the spider" and c. all are keen observations of this unique society of drunks and druggies. I don't know anything of competitive tennis, but DFW has captured the feeling of early tenuous sobriety.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Footnote #70 - turning to ashes
PostPosted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:44 am 
Offline

Joined: Sat Jun 27, 2009 12:55 am
Posts: 35
I feel like the advanced AA not really an AA point per se. It's more like, on the other end of obsessive destructive desire that reduces you to an inhuman state, you can't be human without some measure of desire and escape. You vaporize instead of rot. The book is about one end of the spectrum, but I think it provides the occasional glimpse at the other.

I loved this footnote so much, but I really saw it more about balance than about program.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
Translated by MaĆ«l Soucaze © 2009 phpBB.fr