February 1st, 2010 / 1:22 pm
Snippets
Snippets
Roxane Gay—
An enterprising individual has come up with a list of ten reasons why poetry is bullshit and folks have added to the list which is now a whopping 93 items long. It’s worth reading, chuckling over, agreeing with or railing against.
“Publishing in journals is bullshit because no one reads journals. Why would I want to give someone EXCLUSIVE rights to my work if only thirty people will even give it more than a cursory glance?”
i can get with that…cause it’s true, and even more so online.
“Publishing in journals is bullshit because no one reads journals. Why would I want to give someone EXCLUSIVE rights to my work if only thirty people will even give it more than a cursory glance?”
i can get with that…cause it’s true, and even more so online.
“Publishing in journals is bullshit because no one reads journals. Why would I want to give someone EXCLUSIVE rights to my work if only thirty people will even give it more than a cursory glance?”
i can get with that…cause it’s true, and even more so online.
“Publishing in journals is bullshit because no one reads journals. Why would I want to give someone EXCLUSIVE rights to my work if only thirty people will even give it more than a cursory glance?”
i can get with that…cause it’s true, and even more so online.
Funny that was the first one that caught my eye but my response was gonna be “uh… doesn’t this person realize that journals only take “exclusive” rights for a short period of time and then you can republish anywhere you want. How do they think books ever get published?
Funny that was the first one that caught my eye but my response was gonna be “uh… doesn’t this person realize that journals only take “exclusive” rights for a short period of time and then you can republish anywhere you want. How do they think books ever get published?
Funny that was the first one that caught my eye but my response was gonna be “uh… doesn’t this person realize that journals only take “exclusive” rights for a short period of time and then you can republish anywhere you want. How do they think books ever get published?
Funny that was the first one that caught my eye but my response was gonna be “uh… doesn’t this person realize that journals only take “exclusive” rights for a short period of time and then you can republish anywhere you want. How do they think books ever get published?
Actually, Dana didn’t write the first 10 items herself. The whole list is collaborative. You can see who wrote which item by looking at the comments for the post.
Actually, Dana didn’t write the first 10 items herself. The whole list is collaborative. You can see who wrote which item by looking at the comments for the post.
Actually, Dana didn’t write the first 10 items herself. The whole list is collaborative. You can see who wrote which item by looking at the comments for the post.
hah hah, number 2 is bang on, zzzipp has never been any good at networking
hah hah, number 2 is bang on, zzzipp has never been any good at networking
hah hah, number 2 is bang on, zzzipp has never been any good at networking
Actually, Dana didn’t write the first 10 items herself. The whole list is collaborative. You can see who wrote which item by looking at the comments for the post.
hah hah, number 2 is bang on, zzzipp has never been any good at networking
in grade two the teacher didn’t call on zzzipp when he had a poem to share because the entire class, including the teacher, despised him, and the prize went to a little girl in pig-tails who, the day before (in an unrelated incident), had brought the class muffins. for twenty of your earth-years zzzzipp has been trying to reproduce that girl’s winning poem authentically, with no luck
in grade two the teacher didn’t call on zzzipp when he had a poem to share because the entire class, including the teacher, despised him, and the prize went to a little girl in pig-tails who, the day before (in an unrelated incident), had brought the class muffins. for twenty of your earth-years zzzzipp has been trying to reproduce that girl’s winning poem authentically, with no luck
in grade two the teacher didn’t call on zzzipp when he had a poem to share because the entire class, including the teacher, despised him, and the prize went to a little girl in pig-tails who, the day before (in an unrelated incident), had brought the class muffins. for twenty of your earth-years zzzzipp has been trying to reproduce that girl’s winning poem authentically, with no luck
in grade two the teacher didn’t call on zzzipp when he had a poem to share because the entire class, including the teacher, despised him, and the prize went to a little girl in pig-tails who, the day before (in an unrelated incident), had brought the class muffins. for twenty of your earth-years zzzzipp has been trying to reproduce that girl’s winning poem authentically, with no luck
away from the spirit of the thing which i can smile at i guess, im stuck on the term bullshit as what is trying to be proven. bullshit implies something is false right? or not what it is, to call something bullshit. poetry is still poetry regardless of whatever reasons there are to dislike it. if poetry is not poetry, what is it?
away from the spirit of the thing which i can smile at i guess, im stuck on the term bullshit as what is trying to be proven. bullshit implies something is false right? or not what it is, to call something bullshit. poetry is still poetry regardless of whatever reasons there are to dislike it. if poetry is not poetry, what is it?
away from the spirit of the thing which i can smile at i guess, im stuck on the term bullshit as what is trying to be proven. bullshit implies something is false right? or not what it is, to call something bullshit. poetry is still poetry regardless of whatever reasons there are to dislike it. if poetry is not poetry, what is it?
away from the spirit of the thing which i can smile at i guess, im stuck on the term bullshit as what is trying to be proven. bullshit implies something is false right? or not what it is, to call something bullshit. poetry is still poetry regardless of whatever reasons there are to dislike it. if poetry is not poetry, what is it?
i almost replaced that last part about “exclusive rights” with an ellipsis…as if THAT was the crux. no, the crux is that journals are bullshit and no one really reads them.
i almost replaced that last part about “exclusive rights” with an ellipsis…as if THAT was the crux. no, the crux is that journals are bullshit and no one really reads them.
i almost replaced that last part about “exclusive rights” with an ellipsis…as if THAT was the crux. no, the crux is that journals are bullshit and no one really reads them.
i almost replaced that last part about “exclusive rights” with an ellipsis…as if THAT was the crux. no, the crux is that journals are bullshit and no one really reads them.
zzzzipp is pretty sure that when looked at through the same lens, all things are “bullshit”. poetry isn’t really bullshit. life isn’t bullshit. unless it is. zzzipp is waiting for a depressed person to tell him it is really all bullshit, and then to eventually bow out of the resulting argument by saying “you don’t really understand”. the wall of understanding zzziip cannot pass through is pure depression.
zzzzipp is pretty sure that when looked at through the same lens, all things are “bullshit”. poetry isn’t really bullshit. life isn’t bullshit. unless it is. zzzipp is waiting for a depressed person to tell him it is really all bullshit, and then to eventually bow out of the resulting argument by saying “you don’t really understand”. the wall of understanding zzziip cannot pass through is pure depression.
zzzzipp is pretty sure that when looked at through the same lens, all things are “bullshit”. poetry isn’t really bullshit. life isn’t bullshit. unless it is. zzzipp is waiting for a depressed person to tell him it is really all bullshit, and then to eventually bow out of the resulting argument by saying “you don’t really understand”. the wall of understanding zzziip cannot pass through is pure depression.
zzzzipp is pretty sure that when looked at through the same lens, all things are “bullshit”. poetry isn’t really bullshit. life isn’t bullshit. unless it is. zzzipp is waiting for a depressed person to tell him it is really all bullshit, and then to eventually bow out of the resulting argument by saying “you don’t really understand”. the wall of understanding zzziip cannot pass through is pure depression.
No offense, but does anyone ready poetry books either?
No offense, but does anyone ready poetry books either?
No offense, but does anyone ready poetry books either?
No offense, but does anyone ready poetry books either?
There is no lens in which Black Sabbath is bullshit.
There is no lens in which Black Sabbath is bullshit.
There is no lens in which Black Sabbath is bullshit.
There is no lens in which Black Sabbath is bullshit.
science is working on one at this very moment
science is working on one at this very moment
science is working on one at this very moment
science is working on one at this very moment
i’d argue that this place is proof that people read journals.
i’d argue that this place is proof that people read journals.
i’d argue that this place is proof that people read journals.
i’d argue that this place is proof that people read journals.
I was ready to be pissed off or offended or something because I sort of expected a half-assed list of reasons why poetry is bullshit from somebody who has no vested interested in poetry, is just bitching and poetry is an easy target, etc. but obviously that’s not what this is. so I’m with you on poor word choice re: “bullshit”
I was ready to be pissed off or offended or something because I sort of expected a half-assed list of reasons why poetry is bullshit from somebody who has no vested interested in poetry, is just bitching and poetry is an easy target, etc. but obviously that’s not what this is. so I’m with you on poor word choice re: “bullshit”
I was ready to be pissed off or offended or something because I sort of expected a half-assed list of reasons why poetry is bullshit from somebody who has no vested interested in poetry, is just bitching and poetry is an easy target, etc. but obviously that’s not what this is. so I’m with you on poor word choice re: “bullshit”
I was ready to be pissed off or offended or something because I sort of expected a half-assed list of reasons why poetry is bullshit from somebody who has no vested interested in poetry, is just bitching and poetry is an easy target, etc. but obviously that’s not what this is. so I’m with you on poor word choice re: “bullshit”
Lincoln, that’s what I thought too. Most of the places where my work appears don’t even send contracts and when they do, the exclusivity period is quite brief and reasonable. Also, people read journals. It may not be the same number of people reading other things but people do read journals.
Lincoln, that’s what I thought too. Most of the places where my work appears don’t even send contracts and when they do, the exclusivity period is quite brief and reasonable. Also, people read journals. It may not be the same number of people reading other things but people do read journals.
Lincoln, that’s what I thought too. Most of the places where my work appears don’t even send contracts and when they do, the exclusivity period is quite brief and reasonable. Also, people read journals. It may not be the same number of people reading other things but people do read journals.
Thanks for the clarification.
Thanks for the clarification.
Thanks for the clarification.
Lincoln, that’s what I thought too. Most of the places where my work appears don’t even send contracts and when they do, the exclusivity period is quite brief and reasonable. Also, people read journals. It may not be the same number of people reading other things but people do read journals.
Thanks for the clarification.
I’d imagine there are a fair amount of people who only really read poetry in literary journals. A lot of fiction writers I know I think really.
I’d imagine there are a fair amount of people who only really read poetry in literary journals. A lot of fiction writers I know I think really.
I’d imagine there are a fair amount of people who only really read poetry in literary journals. A lot of fiction writers I know I think really.
I’d imagine there are a fair amount of people who only really read poetry in literary journals. A lot of fiction writers I know I think really.
this list is about as effective as 95 year old penis.
why are you promoting this list? i don’t get it.
the first 3 have nothing to do with poetry, but “poets”.
most of the rest appears to be 17-21 year old boys talking shit.
who the fuck cares.
this list is about as effective as 95 year old penis.
why are you promoting this list? i don’t get it.
the first 3 have nothing to do with poetry, but “poets”.
most of the rest appears to be 17-21 year old boys talking shit.
who the fuck cares.
this list is about as effective as 95 year old penis.
why are you promoting this list? i don’t get it.
the first 3 have nothing to do with poetry, but “poets”.
most of the rest appears to be 17-21 year old boys talking shit.
who the fuck cares.
this list is about as effective as 95 year old penis.
why are you promoting this list? i don’t get it.
the first 3 have nothing to do with poetry, but “poets”.
most of the rest appears to be 17-21 year old boys talking shit.
who the fuck cares.
RE: the discussion circling around the definition of the word “bullshit”:
http://books.google.com/books?id=bFpzNItiO7oC&printsec=frontcover&dq=On+Bullshit&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false
RE: the discussion circling around the definition of the word “bullshit”:
http://books.google.com/books?id=bFpzNItiO7oC&printsec=frontcover&dq=On+Bullshit&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false
RE: the discussion circling around the definition of the word “bullshit”:
http://books.google.com/books?id=bFpzNItiO7oC&printsec=frontcover&dq=On+Bullshit&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false
RE: the discussion circling around the definition of the word “bullshit”:
http://books.google.com/books?id=bFpzNItiO7oC&printsec=frontcover&dq=On+Bullshit&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false
Mark,
without access to the logs your argument is sort of moot don’t you think?
visiting an online journal/buying a printed journal does not imply reading of the journal.
does it really matter either way?
Mark,
without access to the logs your argument is sort of moot don’t you think?
visiting an online journal/buying a printed journal does not imply reading of the journal.
does it really matter either way?
I’m not promoting anything. The very nature of this site to share links about writing, among other things. If you don’t care, why the fuck are you responding.
I’m not promoting anything. The very nature of this site to share links about writing, among other things. If you don’t care, why the fuck are you responding.
jereme,
No, I don’t think it’s mute. The fact that pr could tell me he loved T. Cooper’s story in the first issue of Electric Literature, or that Roxanne posting that she discovered a lot of new authors in Unsaid 4 is all the proof I need.
You’re right, there’s really no way to prove that anyone is actually reading these things. Maybe it’s all just shameless self-promotion, but I’d like to think otherwise. I know I like reading journals, and because of what I see here, I assume I’m not alone.
jereme,
No, I don’t think it’s mute. The fact that pr could tell me he loved T. Cooper’s story in the first issue of Electric Literature, or that Roxanne posting that she discovered a lot of new authors in Unsaid 4 is all the proof I need.
You’re right, there’s really no way to prove that anyone is actually reading these things. Maybe it’s all just shameless self-promotion, but I’d like to think otherwise. I know I like reading journals, and because of what I see here, I assume I’m not alone.
Darby, I am more concerned about the word “is,” the implication that poetry is a state, that we can recognize that state, that bullshit is a state poetry is in. I am also concerned about the words “poetry” and “why,” although to a lesser degree. But all those words taken together — “Why Poetry Is Bullshit” — that has me very, very worried. I shit you not.
(Really. I shit you not. As in, I do not shit on you. I am not shitting on you. I am not in a state of shitting. On you.)
Darby, I am more concerned about the word “is,” the implication that poetry is a state, that we can recognize that state, that bullshit is a state poetry is in. I am also concerned about the words “poetry” and “why,” although to a lesser degree. But all those words taken together — “Why Poetry Is Bullshit” — that has me very, very worried. I shit you not.
(Really. I shit you not. As in, I do not shit on you. I am not shitting on you. I am not in a state of shitting. On you.)
oh ok. makes sense. thanks.
oh ok. makes sense. thanks.
so saucy!
so saucy!
I like bullshit. Bullshit is productive. Literature is lies. I use it to tell bigger lies. Create a void, hoping the world will be sucked into it, creating a singularity of perfect mass, destroying spaciality, so we can all be at one, and nothing.
I like bullshit. Bullshit is productive. Literature is lies. I use it to tell bigger lies. Create a void, hoping the world will be sucked into it, creating a singularity of perfect mass, destroying spaciality, so we can all be at one, and nothing.
yeah. Poetry is a multiplicity.
yeah. Poetry is a multiplicity.
jereme I was waiting for this response, I knew it was coming. you are the “king” of “who the fuck cares”.
jereme I was waiting for this response, I knew it was coming. you are the “king” of “who the fuck cares”.
Theres a lot of lies (all good poets are dead – though that may not be literal), but on the whole I think it’s true (kinda) in that it is ANGST, and sybline, and hysterical …. a expulsion of shit, animosity, anger, fear …. it IS bullshit, but as I said above, bulshit is productive. Poetry is not bullshit, yet some (all) of this things are true some (all) of the time, in some (many) ways – be that literally or affectually. cf what Kate Durbin says about Plath in Delerious Hem, and what Johannes has to say about what kate says……
it is negativity hysterically amplified and redeployed as a weapon (kinda like black metal….. but then everything seems to be to me these days)
Theres a lot of lies (all good poets are dead – though that may not be literal), but on the whole I think it’s true (kinda) in that it is ANGST, and sybline, and hysterical …. a expulsion of shit, animosity, anger, fear …. it IS bullshit, but as I said above, bulshit is productive. Poetry is not bullshit, yet some (all) of this things are true some (all) of the time, in some (many) ways – be that literally or affectually. cf what Kate Durbin says about Plath in Delerious Hem, and what Johannes has to say about what kate says……
it is negativity hysterically amplified and redeployed as a weapon (kinda like black metal….. but then everything seems to be to me these days)
zzzzippp is already singularity
you’re already singularity
want to get more singularity? die.
singularity “talk” is the disease of loneliness
zzzzippp is already singularity
you’re already singularity
want to get more singularity? die.
singularity “talk” is the disease of loneliness
don’t really die Ross, I don’t want anyone to think I really want you to die
I love you
don’t really die Ross, I don’t want anyone to think I really want you to die
I love you
wasn’t pr a girl? was pr a boy? I could see that, pr was so mysterious
wasn’t pr a girl? was pr a boy? I could see that, pr was so mysterious
(pr was a chick by the way.)
i like journals too. i am not against them.
i was only pointing out the silliness of the whole thing.
.
(pr was a chick by the way.)
i like journals too. i am not against them.
i was only pointing out the silliness of the whole thing.
.
ZZZZIPP, i want to put you in my pocket and carry you around.
ZZZZIPP, i want to put you in my pocket and carry you around.
that’s the best thing anyone has ever said
that’s the best thing anyone has ever said
roxane,
the comment was not directed towards you specifically. i meant to change it from “why are you promoting…” to “why is this being promoted…” but i got caught up at work and clicked the button before i could change it.
i address people explicitly if i am directing a comment towards them.
being critical of poetry is good. this list is not that.
but “dana” is getting hits to her website now. good job dana.
roxane,
the comment was not directed towards you specifically. i meant to change it from “why are you promoting…” to “why is this being promoted…” but i got caught up at work and clicked the button before i could change it.
i address people explicitly if i am directing a comment towards them.
being critical of poetry is good. this list is not that.
but “dana” is getting hits to her website now. good job dana.
I don’t want to die, I just want to become everything and nothing all at once. That would be my happy place (except there wouldn’t be an I, or a place for that matter, or matter….
oh and i’m not sure what skewed version of reality you are wearing as a mask today but sharing links on the internet is promotion.
endorsement is different. maybe you were thinking endorsement but typed promotion.
I don’t want to die, I just want to become everything and nothing all at once. That would be my happy place (except there wouldn’t be an I, or a place for that matter, or matter….
oh and i’m not sure what skewed version of reality you are wearing as a mask today but sharing links on the internet is promotion.
endorsement is different. maybe you were thinking endorsement but typed promotion.
and not singularity, multiplicity…….. God I read far too much Deleuze
and not singularity, multiplicity…….. God I read far too much Deleuze
there are things to care about and there are things not to care about.
this is most def in the latter bucket of bullshit.
there are things to care about and there are things not to care about.
this is most def in the latter bucket of bullshit.
Hey, I like Abjective. That I do.
Hey, I like Abjective. That I do.
I did not ask to be linked to by this or any other entity. I would be pleased if this link were removed, actually. Or at least indifferent.
I did not ask to be linked to by this or any other entity. I would be pleased if this link were removed, actually. Or at least indifferent.
i’m a champ at guessing genders.
i’m a champ at guessing genders.
but what one person cares about and what another person cares about are personal. jereme i’m sure you care about lots of trivial things, as well as lots of important things.
but what one person cares about and what another person cares about are personal. jereme i’m sure you care about lots of trivial things, as well as lots of important things.
“god” is right Ross, you’re concerned with “god”. zzzzip gets you, he was too. you can be part of the singularity right now though. go outside and sit in a park for hours–or become an electron, like me.
“god” is right Ross, you’re concerned with “god”. zzzzip gets you, he was too. you can be part of the singularity right now though. go outside and sit in a park for hours–or become an electron, like me.