Reader just waiting put me on the Memory Lane Express. A link to Sean Gabb’s retrospective on the late, great Loompanics led him to take his copy of Loomps’ 2005 catalog off the shelf, where he discovered an old article of mine: “Dark Satanic Cubicles.”
I didn’t remember it. Only vaguely recalled the title. But it sounded brilliant. 🙂
Took quite a bit of hunting to find. Had to go through some interesting byways.
But here it is: imperfectly archived on the old Loompanics site.
just waiting also sent me .jpg copies (thank you), from which come the stark Nick Bougas artwork up there at the top.
The article gets off to a good start. Did you know that the old faux folk song “Sixteen Tons” got its original writer/performer branded a “commie sympathizer”? Just for writing a fable that didn’t speak highly of laboring for a boss? Oh well.
I had fun re-reading it and hope you do, too.
Then the Memory Express rolled on and led me to similar writings from the same time:
Hardyville: “How to Avoid Work, Part 1”
Hardyville: “How to Avoid Work, Part II”
These were all on the same theme as one of my better, but less successful, books. Boy, I was thinking about work a lot, back then.
Now I’m just too darned busy working to think about it. But still and always … not laboring for “the man.” Nope. Just freelancing so I … get to crack the whip over my own back.
I have a copy of your “less successful book”, so it isn’t my fault. LOL.
I don’t mind work- frequently enjoy it even. But I hate jobs. I do miss the money, though. My work doesn’t result in much money. Ever. Not like the old jobs did.
Loompanics had a huge influence on me in my teenage years. I found an old checkbook from back then (17,18,etc.) and there were numerous checks written to them 🙂 I’m not sure if I have any of the old catalogs left, but I still have every book I ever bought from them.
Writing checks to Loompanics … well, at least you took care of that “getting on an FBI list” thing early in life. Probably never had to worry about it again …
Did the FBI get a list of customers and what they bought?
KenK — I don’t actually know of any such list. In fact, I doubt one exists. I’m just joking about the dreaded “Lists” so many of us fear to be on.
But I do know that the FBI — no surprise — took an active interest in what Loompanics published. At one point the FBI ordered 100 Loompanics titles (including 101 Things to Do ‘Til the Revolution) for their own library. If I recall correctly, they tried to do it with a fedgov purchase order. Loompanics, bless their hearts, told ’em to pay money up front.
Whether there ever was or is such a list, I can say this coming from an IT background, including experience with Artificial Intelligence software: There is far too much data and far too few ways (and too few analysts) for those data to be assessed in a meaningful way. It’s main use at this juncture in time, would be *if* you showed up as a person of interest and they wanted to find out more about you – your habits, hobbies, affiliations, etc.
The current structure of retained data – lists, databases and alike, is also of some question. The government overlords have a long and illustrious track record of mismanaging, misfiling, and losing such data. That isn’t to say I’m “OK” with the lists and such – indeed I’m not. But there is a tiny silver lining insofar as the collectors are inept and lack the power to filter and analyze those data in an efficient way.
Good stuff, all of it. I LOVE that book, and am glad that slightly used versions are still affordable via Amazon.
It was your writing that finally gave me the courage to actually practice the Sabbath as I believe was orignially intended, and do it guilt free.
Thank you.
A.G. — THANK YOU. I liked that book and was surprised when it just sort of died. It’s a real relief to hear about people actually getting use out of it. I like your sabbath purpose.
Paladin is supposed to still be selling e-copies of that and other out of print books. Dunno why they’re not on Amazon, though. And I have three hard copies myself. Should I offer one or two of them autographed on eBay, do you suppose?
Can’t hurt. I think most copies were going for around 25 frn or so. Of course, there is always some yay-hoo asking like 75 or more for an O.O.P. title.
Try for 100.
😉
To my great gratification, the few out of print books I’ve offered on eBay in the past have ended up going for $100 or something in that vicinity even when I start the bidding dirt cheap. Haven’t had anything to offer for a few years, but might have a couple to put up.
Speaking of FBI lists, this just in on RT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgRU4Kzw0Fc&feature=g-all-u
It will go good with the life log b.s. you know they never stopped developing.