Bill Maher and Tom Wolfe

Not together, unfortunately.

However, for those who didn’t know, Maher is doing a weekly show called “Fishbowl” on Amazon.com. You’ll find it here.

Tom Wolfe’s Jefferson Lecture to the National Endowment for the Humanities gave me a terminal case of neuron envy. Pay particular attention to his comments on “the fiction absolute” and “championism.”

5 Responses to “Bill Maher and Tom Wolfe”

  1. Brian Spence Says:

    I’ve been watching that Fishbowl thing, and I like it. I think Bill needs a less serious show, because last season’s Real Time wasn’t his best. He needs to lighten up a bit, recharge the batteries. Make Real Time as fun as it used to be.

    I love his politics. I think he’s the closer to my own views than any other political commentator. Naturally, he’d have to be a comedian…

  2. Charles Bryan Says:

    “Neuron Envy” indeed. Reading the transcript of the speech remided me of how many eye-opening non-fiction books I used to read, like “Sociobiology” and “On Human Nature” by Wilson, “The Origins of Consciousness and The Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind”, and Dawkins’ “The Selfish Gene”.

    Now I get Entertainment Weekly. What the hell happened to me?

    However, Wolfe’s fiction-absolute concept is remarkably accurate. Almost anyone who indentifies himself or herself as part of a particular group feels that sense of “rightness” about their own, frequently creates colorful terminology to describe outsiders, and pressures other members of the group to stay in it.

    Thanks so much for this link, Steve. I hope someday more people realize the value of Tom Wolfe, perhaps the best observer and commentator on American life over the last fifty years.

  3. Alistair Says:

    Dunno about the Maher bit yet but just glancing at the Wolfe lecture sends spiralling into synapse expanding dentrite delight. Great stuff.

    Thank you.

  4. Scott Says:

    I’ve never read Wolfe’s fiction but this piece was ingenious. I haven’t watched the Maher material yet.

  5. Alan Kellogg Says:

    OT

    I’ve figured out why you post so infrequently on this blog of yours. You’re at Hudnall’s all the time.

    BTW, did you know that if it wasn’t for Donald and Howard Genertalean ducks would have pleasant personalities? You helped ruin an entire race! :p