Crash, ch1-4

Though the automobile accident eroticism is strange, Ballard makes clear that it isn’t purely just the accident which causes this new form of sexual arousal. In the first few chapters, Ballard goes through quite a length of descriptions describing the dynamic between the automobile and the persons involved with the accident. Indeed, this dynamic is essential to the arousal of flesh meshed with chromium. Ballard does a great job of making sure no reader could live a life boring enough to perhaps be excluded in the thoughts of Vaughn’s imaginative mind. Each victim’s life and background, no matter the circumstances, can only produce euphoric sexual results. I think that this tactic employed by Ballard surely makes its difficult for each reader to not imagine a Vaughn or James Ballard also driving menacingly down their local streets and highways. 

Aside from that psychological aspect that leaves readers fearful hoping not to ever meet these characters in a collision, I enjoy Ballard’s use of the word “rainbow.” He uses this word to describe any visual transition of colors. Regardless if these transitions hold several colors or not, they are still rainbows in the eyes of our narrator James. Perhaps this ability for James to see and think things above and around most individuals is an important detail that would help him eventually delve into the mysterious sexualities of violent car accidents. Perhaps, too, this is what Martin Amis alluded to in reference to Ballard’s bold new sexual fetish. It seems unimaginable to indulge it such an act, however, it also seems all too possible. 

Natasha

“Natasha” is a piece that allows us to gaze into the black hole of subjectivity. The experiences Natasha and Baron Wolfe experience, both individually and collectively, touches on a sensitive part of the human condition. That is, our personalized definitions of reality are inherently unique and unalike from all others. Indeed, it proves difficult to convince one’s self of reality, however, for one to recognize two colliding realities (their self and one other), even if it’s for a moment, is effortless. As Simon Dentith mentions, “just as the idividual cannot be the source of a language, for the utterence always occurs between people, so the individual consciousness is equally intersubjective.” As both Natasha and Baron Wolfe’s realities collide, their false memories of past “ecstasies” become solidified truth. Baron Wolfe’s lies existed only because he accepted that they were lies. The moment Natasha gave her approval of each other’s lies, they became truth and, in turn, their reality. The story of “Natasha” speaks of dramatically bottomless subjective pits of psychological despair. To each one, reality exists differently. I’m perfectly content with resting there.

Drumming dud

glossy syntax

sloppy mishap

grown Rectitude;; want editorialize

maggoty shelf fear

Criminal Amateur discretion, voting

raring circulation, bioengineering 

sheen church

ripple relation hallelujah

side vet test

bungalows:::

Jute flows.

waning floor

druming thud

remaining Dud

Burroughs

 Burroughs writing offers clues to his personal way of thinking. It seems clear from the snippets and poems of Burroughs's is, at the same time, sporadic and lucid. I especially enjoyed reading his poetry, not only because this is my first time encountering the fresh and bold "cut-up method" but mostly because it allows me to understand Burroughs a little more. Though his series of cancer poems appear to be erratic and contain no point, Burroughs echoes words and phrases in a distinct manner to gain attention of these cancer issues. His cut-up technique illuminates the ridiculous tone popular mainstream prints had constructed in the face of a rising epidemic that had heavy homosexual overtones. Burroughs capitalizes on this potentially homophobic sublimation in his poem "Cancer Men... These Individuals Are Marked Foe." So, oddly enough, at first glance what seemed to be an enjoyable and meaningless piece to read, Burroughs provided a stark interpretation of what was once headlining news. I think of this to be both brilliant and hilarious.