But we’ll talk about the internet some other time.

What really got me going about Gutenberg‘s gizmo, was its role in shaping Liberty. No doubt that at the time of its invention, the printing press was considered a groundbreaking device, hence its immediate popularity. Still, people were slow to grasp its true significance, and it was at first treated like any other trade technology. Individuals apprenticed to become operators of this device, and thereby established a craft around publishing. Standards were adopted piecemeal, either by decree or marketplace convention. Sometime in the 1500s, France passed a law requiring that the name of the author and “publishing house” be printed on a book’s title page. Amazing!

Then you had the public reaction to the sudden influx of information. The initial response was to believe that anything printed had the virtue of being “true.” Cervante‘s Don Quixote, which is in fact the first modern novel, lampooned this tendency by having its titular character take chivalric romances on face value. Should you think that this sounds primitive, keep in mind those rightwingers who think that Barack Obama is a Muslim baby-eater just because they read it online.

Movable type also made possible an influx of works of dubious origin, including knockoffs of other books. (Sound familiar?) Back then, if you were an author seeking to protect the integrity of your concept, you’d have to obtain a “letter of patent” from the monarch, which sanctified it much like an invention or a newly-imported good. (You could also petition the King for a trade monopoly — sort of like what our corporations currently do through campaign contributions.)

Printers and publishing houses, on the other hand, developed a self-regulated system called a registry. This was basically a ledger in which they’d log all of the books they intended to print that year. This gave their craft legitimacy, and also helped resolve disputes between publishers about who produced what volume. Over time, this evolved into something resembling a trade-based set of property rights, with registries serving as proof of a house’s ownership of entire editions. And eventually there was borne a guild which payeth men a goodly advance for the right to bowdlerize history!

To my mind, the appearance of these two quasi-licenses — trade and registry — helped initiate the movement away from royal rule.

The early version of patent was an imperfect protection for later what came to be known as “copyright.” (Today we see patent as a method to protect an invention, and an invention falls under the spectrum of intellectual property; copyright is also intellectual property, but it covers expressive ideas, like books and songs, etc.) Why the hell should one have to ask the monarch’s permission for the existence of one’s idea? Especially when there might be demand among trades in the commonwealth? That seems like an unfair limitation on one’s God-given ability to dream. Highly unreasonable!

Likewise, why should the keepers of registries be the sole executors of an idea, just because they happen to possess the means to give it shape? ‘Tis hardly fair!

A new system was necessary, in which, under specific arrangement, one’s intellectual property could join the broader marketplace of ideas. Even better if that marketplace offered incentive for monetary reward, based on demand. Best still to keep such recompense free from the tithes and taxations of King or Church!

Copyright… the commons… free markets… hmm…

These ideas were much easier to spread due to print technology itself. The next thing you knew, there were pamphleteers and political rabble-rousers espousing all kinds of wacky notions about Liberty, Fraternity and Equality. No small coincidence, then, that a wily colonial outpost decided to borrow one-and-a-quarter of these concepts to launch their own experiment in self-governance.

And here we are.

It does make you wonder whether we really have a grasp on the Information Age, or whether we’re merely being swept along by the tides of history towards a faraway shore. Perhaps someday our great-great-grandchildren will marvel at our naivete as their non-corporeal bodies drift merrily across amber waves of. . . post-metabolic cognition spectrum.

Or maybe they’ll be drinking Brawndo and watching President Trig Palin appear as a guest judge on “Chino-American Idol.”

Here is a heartwarming photo project, made possible by the blog era. Everyone make art!

Musicians comment about the new heath care bill. I found Franz Nicolay‘s comments to be very relevant to my own life as a freelance artist. Lord help us.

Side note: I just wanted to mention that this video is extremely gay. And not in the “I’m-going-to-give-you-a-wedgie-you-can-use-for-earmuffs” kind of way, but a “this-video-has-a-penis-and-may-have-interest-in-touching-your-video’s-penis” kind of way. Particularly if your video happens to be wearing assless chaps. I mean super gay. Even for George Michael. It’s awesome.

W.A.G.E., meanwhile, offers information and support for artists who are tired (and hungry) of not getting paid to make the world more interesting. Musicians should pay attention to this, because fine art usually is a little ahead of the curve conceptually — in this case, in the practice of fucking over the creative element.

Working Class Magazine is a great little upstart out of the Lower East Side. I find it very personable and sophisticated at the same time. Keep up the good work, guys.

Meanwhile in Brooklyn, Ry Pepper lends her circumspect eye to arts and crafts reporting in her blog, Arts and Dafts. It’s anecdotal, practical, and warm-hearted. Very nice indeed.

If you want to remember how basic is the need for humans to participate in acts of beauty, you may want to refer to this report from the UK’s Daily Mail to witness what may be the oldest living artistic genre known to man. It will take your breath away, I imagine.

I know that this here love letter sure did it for me. My Beloved, you are the apogee of enchantment.

…But this guy ain’t no chopped liver.

Much Love, y’all.

The following is a little experiment. I’ve been thinking for a while that it would be fun to post occasional rants from a “real live conservative” to counter the ever-present librul/socialist/commie/fascist slant on these digital pages.

Certainly, it could foster discussion and spark a lively debate. Still, I gotta tell you that as an editor, it’s really hard to read an oppositional argument and not want to discredit it, line by line, as I tidy the text for publication. But that’s what the comments section is for. I encourage you to use it. (I know I will!)

Today’s post comes from our friend Chris Stecher, a feisty, freedom-loving conservative whose arguments on Facebook I have the enjoyment of regularly invalidating. Even though he’s dead wrong on a whole spate of stuff — from media rules to the myth of the free market’s “invisible hand” — he’s got heart and a great sense of humor. So let’s give him his due as he talks out his ass about Super Bowl ad buys, abortion, homosexuality and the Supreme Court.

His bio follows the post.

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Let’s Talk Super Bowl. Or more specifically Super Bowl commercials, a subject about which I can speak with some authority, having spent most of my adult life (such as it is) working in advertising and marketing.

In my biz, the Super Bowl is the Holiest of Holies. The prime rib. The most treasured of ad buys. The white whale of product marketing. In recent years, a 30-second slot during gametime would run you upwards of four million bucks. And, economic downturn aside, you’d currently have to shell out two million and change for a spot.

This year, CBS has been getting a lot of heat running a pro-life advertisement during the Super Bowl. (Some might say that negative press is still good press, and I’m inclined to agree.) The ad features Tim Tebow, a Heisman trophy-winning quarterback for the Florida Gators. As the story goes, Tebow’s mother had been faced with a difficult pregnancy and was advised to have an abortion. To which she said (my words not hers), “fuck you.” A good decision, as it turned out. Because despite the “expert opinion” on her pregnancy, Tim not only survived, but flourished. I see it as another example of the left wing, pro-abortion sect getting it wrong. I have other examples of this, but we’ll have to save them for another time. [Ed's note: the Tebow story is highly suspect; read more here.]

Of course, there are other ads that oddly enough will not be seen at this year’s Super Bowl. I’m gonna come right out and say that one of them is, well, gay. Not SUPER gay, mind you. More like the guy down the hall from your office gay. He doesn’t flaunt his orientation, but you know because at that last after-work party he showed up with a guy named Doug — both dressed immaculately — and talked about vacationing at Fire Island. So, yeah, that level of gay.

I had the opportunity to see all the ads that got axed by the NFL. As a conservative, I was prepared to have the ManCrunch.com ad piss me off. I’d braced myself for some crazy, in-your-face, dude-on-dude session. This would have given me the opportunity to grill all my gay friends about how they put their lifestyle in our faces, and therefore should expect a certain level of indignation.

I saw none of that. What I did see was an ad that should not, on any level, piss anyone off. I saw gay camp (as in “campy” camp, not a place with rentable canoes). I saw a poorly produced spot. I did not see an ad that CBS said no to for absolutely stupid reasons. Bottom line: this commercial should never have been refused if said advertisers were able to pony up the cash. Period.

Now, lets go look at the law for a second. The Supreme Court recently rendered a decision on campaign financing, with its rationale for overturning restrictions based in the First Amendment right to speech. Or in this case, a corporation’s right to “speak” using cash as its vocal cords. Now, I happen to believe that if you or your corporation have money, then you should be free to make whatever contributions you want to the candidate or campaign of your choosing.

I look at it this way: if you like a candidate and you want to help out, you can spend your time doing so. (Maybe if you are unemployed you don’t have this time, but whatever.)

Maybe you’re a business. Or maybe you’re rich but you don’t have the sort of time needed to volunteer or otherwise offer your services. But you still want your voice heard. So you offer what you do have: money. In place of boots-on-the ground or phone bank work, cash is what you have to give. This helps the people on your side (well, paid people, anyway) speak for you.

But I digress. We were talking about advertising. Which, is, interestingly enough, almost the same conversation. In the upcoming off-year elections advertising is going to (as it always does) come into play. And I, for one, love it! Part of it is the fact that I am not only an advertising junkie, but a political one as well. Where others might bemoan the ceaseless (and some would say mindless) chatter that is radio, TV and print buys, I eat it up.

Why? Because, this my friends, is AMERICA. We have a neat, democratic style of government. We get to, from time to time, vote! This is a gift we have! Yet sadly, a majority of American citizens during major elections treat this gift like a holiday fruitcake your aunt gave you for Christmas. Let me put it more plainly: they shit on the gift.

There are men and women, putting their lives on the line in foreign theaters for the simple right to be able to choose the leaders of your town, county, state and country… yet you CANT BE BOTHERED to VOTE?

Again, I digress. Back to the Bowl: if my side gets to put an ad on the air that’s anti-abortion (which I support), then the left should be free can air an ad promoting gay sex, or whatever the hell they want. (I would’ve thought they’d prefer an anti-fur or a pro-abortion spot, but whatever.)

It is free fucking speech. That’s our country. Its what we fight for, and its why, when we wake up in the morning, we can drink our coffee, look at the news and appreciate what we have.

Chris Stecher has worked most of his “adult” life working in the field of advertising and marketing, when he wasn’t doing other odd jobs such as executive chef, craps player, taxi driver, and professional grifter. All of this with only two years of college in Hawaii. He now enjoys a life of semi-retirement, working for a small-town newspaper in a rural ski mountain village, and living with his 3 birds. Interested parties can seek him out to hear him tell his tales for the cost of a Mr. James Daniels on the rocks.

Anyway, like most humans, I read Catcher in the Rye and Franny and Zooey when I was a kid. I recall more strongly identifying with F&Z, and have always wanted to go back to it. Perhaps I’d just find it precocious now.

Salinger’s death isn’t surprising — he was 91. Nor was the passing of Howard Zinn, who was 87. Still, I can’t help but wonder: which Titan of American Letters is next? Frankly, there aren’t many left. If I were a betting man, my money would be on Philip Roth. Not that I’m looking forward to that particular eventuality. Just sayin.’

The Apple fanboys/girls and naysayers alike are in full force on the ‘nets today, arguing about the relative awesomeness/non-awesomeness of the so-called iSlate iPad, which is expected to be announced tomorrow at 1PM EST. (If you somehow missed this tongue-in-cheek piece, “iSlate of the Union,” check it out and come right back.)

I’ve previously talked about what a tablet could mean to a host of sectors, from the fledgling e-reader market to the magazine industry to the still-struggling music biz. Now, I hardly believe that a single device — no matter how sexy — can magically erase the woes of certain businesses that failed to anticipate and adapt to the future. (Cough, music.) But I do think that Apple’s tablet could go a long way towards prolonging the life of the “downloaded file, delivered via the tubes” model that has come to define both commerce and piracy in the digital age.

Since I play an expert on TV (or at least in DC), let’s keep the focus on music.

I was hoping that 2010 would be the year that saw the emergence of a sustainable, affordable, robust, cross-platform, on-demand subscription service for music. Maybe Spotify would finally arrive in the US and the major copyright holders would reevaluate their licensing approach due to massive consumer demand (insert something about pigs and flight). Hell, I don’t care which company grabs the subscription brass ring, as long as it: a) pays equitably to creators and offers them a platform for access, b) won’t break the bank, and c) has a massive catalog and works with all my devices. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for.

When Apple purchased multi-faceted digital service Lala (a company whose model also includes free single-use streaming, “cloud locker” music storage and tethered “ownership”), my first thought (and everyone else’s) was that Steve Jobs and co. planned to dive into the subscription game.

Upon further consideration, it became more apparent to me that Apple is more likely to use Lala to facilitate the back-end for a music “cloud locker” that would allow Mac-heads to access their music files wherever they are and whatever (Apple) device they were using. I mean, why would Jobs want to cannibalize the file-based digital storefront he spent all this time developing? At the end of the day, Apple still wants you to purchase (or rent) a file through iTunes, but now they’ll let you store it over here and access it over there. I’ve recently had my theory corroborated by someone who’s been in this game way longer than me, which felt good. Of course, there’s nothing saying Apple won’t get into the subscription biz — they are currently rumored to be in negotiations with TV networks about just that. Which would make perfect sense for a shiny new tablet!

Let’s talk about another piece of music news that recently broke (no, not the Live Nation/Ticketmaster merger — I’ve done that enough). Apparently, a company called MusicDNA is unleashing a new file format that is supposed to make MP3s look (and sound) like an old Victrola. (Personally, I prefer the sound of an old Victrola to overcompressed digital audio, but that’s beside the point). Anyway, this magic new file will “offer fans a new way to listen to music and could be key in the fight against piracy,” according to the not-always-prescient Guardian UK:

A fan buying a MusicDNA file of [band X, Y or Z], could watch — on their computer screen or music player — videos of recent performances, pore over artwork and sleeve notes, find out about concerts and buy a tour T-shirt, while following any blogs or tweets the musician might write.

“Out of a rusted old VW Beetle we are making a Ferrari,” said Stefan Kohlmeyer, the chief executive of Bach Technology, which has developed the file.

“We are taking an existing idea, giving the end user a lot more and making that file much more valuable — like transforming a tiny house into a huge villa.”

Easy on the hyperbole, there, dude. Anyway, this isn’t anything I haven’t been saying for three years, which basically boils down to: ADD VALUE TO YOUR PRODUCT, DUMBASSES! I mean, there’s always the expectation that content will eventually drift down to the freetard level (and blanket licensing schemes could even squeeze some dough out of them), but if you find compelling enough reasons for customers to keep going back to the source, they just might.

And, if you give them an attractive device with which to experience said content, well, now you’re getting somewhere. Which brings us back to our tech fetish du jour, the Apple tablet.

As much as I want one, I’m probably gonna have to pass for now — upgrading my music production computer takes precedent over groovy gadgets. But all the hullaboo has gotten me thinking (even more than usual) about content delivery in the digital age, and how much of it depends on the attractiveness and utility of the end device. This Apple thingamabob could, for example, wipe the Kindle off the map, herald a new renaissance for album art, kick game developers into a whole ‘nother gear, and give us yet another way to watch “30 Rock” in bed. If they throw a streaming subscription service in there, I’m sold.

Well, eventually.

[Not an actually Apple tablet. But even the mock-up looks dead sexy.]

The long-rumored Apple tablet device has taken on near-mythical proportions — somewhere between the Holy Grail and the first transistor radio. No one knows what it is, exactly. Or even why it is. But we do know it’ll have the Steve Jobs seal of approval, and will therefore electrify the masses — at least those with deep enough pockets to afford one.

Even if Apple didn’t come up with the concept (which they didn’t), I’m interested in the idea of a tablet.

Firstly, I really want an e-book reader, but the Kindle just doesn’t do it for me. It’s like the pre-iPod portable MP3 players, which lacked the sexiness and functionality that helped make over-compressed audio files the digital-era standard. If Apple unleashes a tablet with a digital book service attached, I’d dive in headfirst. Say what you will about the Cupertino crew, they know how to design attractive, intuitive hardware. There’s no reason to expect that the iSlate — the rumored name for Apple’s tablet — will be any different. Amazon should be scared shitless. Or ready to make deals.

Another reason I’m into the tablet idea is because I think netbooks are dumb. I use my iPhone more for web surfing than I do making calls or texting, but (AT&T willing) those features are there if I want ‘em. Netbooks, on the other hand, are just glorified browser interfaces. An Apple tablet could be a kickass multimedia entertainment platform with enough practical extras (maps, calendars, email, word processing, video, IM, apps, etc.) to get you through most situations where you’d need a laptop. And if it’s synced “in-the-cloud,” you’ll never be lacking data from your other devices — desktop, laptop, smartphone, etc. Take that, netbook.

I’ve also long advocated for ways that the content industry could add value to their product to entice users to pay for stuff. Right now, there appears to be a trend — driven by Big Media honchos like Rupert Murdoch — to lock content behind pay walls, without innovating on any conceivable level. The music industry, for example, could benefit greatly from a sexy tablet device. I’ve written before about how a tablet could help bring back album art and even take the idea of the LP into the digital age through a variety of dynamic extras. These could be periodically refreshed as a way to get customers to return to the source, rather than scouring P2P nets. And, if it’s done right, “ownership” may not even need to be a part of the picture. Apple’s recent acquisition of digital music service Lala could mean the company is poised to enter the subscription access game. As with all things Apple, they will likely be credited with inventing it. Which is ridiculous. Still, if they do it well, I won’t complain — I’ll just fork over monthly cash to swim in a sea of gorgeously-delivered content that I can access on all of my Apple devices.

You can also see how a tablet could be manna for the struggling magazine industry. A well-fashioned device could help bring back the tactile aspect of leafing through a periodical, and advertisers might be more inclined to pay for premium spots on a specialty digital platform. I’d love to flip through the latest issue of Foreign Policy or Varmint Monthly on a device that doesn’t strain my eyes or bombard me with a bunch of invasive blinking banners. Hell, I’d even pay for it! That way, advertisers could get back to what they do best — designing obtuse spreads to impress themselves.

Then there’s movies and TV shows, LOL cats and porn. Everything that people want, delivered on a device with a far more sophisticated touch screen than the iPhone and with the sleek and seductive aesthetic Apple is known for.

So what’s the deal? Does anyone have real specs? When can we expect Moses to bring it down from the mountain? Will it be as awesome as that drool-worthy tablet in Avatar?

The New York Times‘ Bits Blog has a decent summary of the device’s supposed functionality. But if you really want to grok the rumors, you can’t rely on “old media” like the Grey Lady. This Gizmodo report offers a breakdown of all the latest speculation about Apple’s tablet, including whether it’s really gonna be called the iSlate, and if a late-January announcement is in the cards. Other questions are addressed, too: will it be 10″ or 7″? Can it make calls? Can it make breakfast? Will I have to sell a kidney to afford it?

Right now, it’s anybody’s everybody’s guess.

My first interview is with Tiffany Smith Johnson, a good friend and colleague of mine who I met last year while in Buffalo, NY. Johnson is a world-renowned psychic, writer (Seeds of Thought & Picture Yourself Developing Your Psychic Abilities), healer (Reiki Master), media personality, ordained minister and speaker. With 20-plus years of experience, there isn’t much that Tiffany hasn’t encountered. At a young age, Tiffany began her studies with the Tarot and continued to pursue her interests in Mediumship, Magick, hypnosis and various other topics. Now, in her 30s, Tiffany has had the opportunity to work and study with many experts in the spiritual and paranormal field.

Practicing out of Minnesota, but touring nationally, Tiffany’s down to earth sense of humor and metaphysical knowledge on topics ranging from Ghosts and the Paranormal to Psychic Development, are well received by those looking for guidance on their spiritual journey. She continues to receive regional and national accolades and media attention with her no-nonsense approach.

With a new TLC television show on the way, Johnson will soon be a household name to all paranormal enthusiasts.

Thanks for talking to me today. First, can you tell us about your early years as a psychic? When did you first identify yourself as a psychic? How did you know that you had sharpened abilities that others did not?

You know, there wasn’t any specific day that I had an epiphany about being psychic. It was a part of who I was/am. So, it wasn’t like there was an event. One of my first memories is waking up, in the middle of the night. I would wake up due to the “noise”. Upon opening my eyes, I saw shadowy people around me. And they were all chatting. Not TO me, but just AROUND me. I started to listen. I’d “overhear” stories. Eventually, I’d go back to sleep. Upon waking in the morning, I would relay the stories back to my mom over breakfast. Often, what I found out was that the “stories” that I heard were those of loved ones that passed long before I was born. My mother would recognize the names and knew the events that I’d heard. I do feel I have a predisposition to what I do, although I believe everyone is psychic. But, it really didn’t dawn on me until my 20′s that maybe I was a bit more “dialed in” than others.

Was there ever a time when the possible stigma of being a psychic caused you to think twice about “outing” your abilities?

Absolutely. I think that’s human nature. It happened a couple times. I remember being 14 or 15 and really struggling. Then again in my later 20s after I’d really committed. At that point, I was more concerned about the stigma brought on to my family.

How would you define “psychic” or “psychic abilities?”

A psychic is someone that is able to gain relatable, verifiable information from other than the 5 physical senses.

Psychics are frequently turned to in paranormal investigations, what is the role of people with psychic abilities when it comes to paranormal investigation? What can they accomplish that scientific investigation cannot?

A good friend said that psychics are best used as “drug dogs” on investigations. I think that says it all. Psychics are often utilized to tap in to energies that may not be obvious to all those investigating. OR they may have an insight as to WHEN something can, in fact, be captured using equipment.

Every so often people hear of psychics assisting in police investigations of missing children, homicide, etc. Have you ever been approached by a police department for the same reasons? Do you feel that this is an area that psychics should be utilized more often?

The police don’t typically approach me, however, I am approached by families of those victims. And yes, I absolutely think that psychics could and SHOULD be used more in that capacity, but I understand the stigma of utilizing them. It’s too bad, but some departments believe that if a psychic can find evidence OR a missing person, that it makes the police look like they weren’t doing their job. When, in fact, it’s the other way around. That they were open to using all resources necessary to get a job done.

Obviously, a person who publicly declares themselves a psychic is going to attract a level of disbelief and skeptics who will confront him or her of fakery. How do you explain yourself to those who do not believe in your abilities? Have you ever converted someone?

I don’t explain. I respect their right to their belief system and appreciate their conviction. About converting anyone. . . I think I have. However, they have been OPEN to the possibility of truth.

Where do you see psychic research and abilities in the future?

I really, REALLY believe in the next ten years we will make great strides in understanding how psychic ability works. We’ve come SO far in the paranormal world with folks making their own equipment; those same people are branching out and making equipment to examine psychic work as well. It’s a natural progression. I’ve been approached on several occasions by “engineery”  — is that a word? — type people to work with them as a test subject to take measurements while doing readings and I’m super excited to see what we can accomplish!

What advice do you have for those who would want to hone their own abilities, or perhaps test their own hidden talents?

Really, read everything you can get your hands on. Read books on those psychics that came before you in history. Study up on Edgar Cayce. He’s an amazing individual who allowed himself to be a heavily documented subject. Then, find books on technique. And read up on how working psychically affects those that do it on a regular basis. And, of course, you can check out my book: Picture Yourself Developing Your Psychic Abilities! I really tried to put in all aspects of psychicism. History. Technique. Expectations, etc. From there, it’s just practice, practice, practice. I get asked all the time about trusting what you receive and that really only comes from doing the actual work.

What’s next for Tiffany Smith Johnson?

Gosh. So much. I’m super excited to be a part of TWO shows that will air by the end of the year. I was asked back on the second season of “Psychic Kids” (A&E) AND am super stoked to be part of a brand NEW series premiering on TLC in Nov. tentatively called “Ghost Intervention.” And, of course, I’m working on a third book that is really the silly side of being a psychic. Funny stories both personally and thing I hear professionally. Of course all names, etc. will be changed to protect those involved!

Thanks for talking with me, Tiffany.

Thank you!

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Johnson’s books are available on Amazon, or off of her website, www.readingsbytiffany.com. And, of course, as a friend of The Contrarian, when Tiffany Smith Johnson’s television show is set to air, I will immediately report it here.

A while back, we told readers about a new graphic novel called Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom, by artist-writer Bruce Brown. Well, Bruce tipped us off that it’s about to be published (I’ll be pre-ordering my copy today).

The book concerns the adventures of a six-year old boy named Howard Lovecraft, who gets his grubby kid paws on the dreaded Necronomicon and is whisked away to a frightening realm populated by tentacled monstrosities and other creepy creatures. Where was this comic when I was a lad?

Part of me was concerned that HP Lovecraft‘s visions had been adapted for a childrens’ narrative — not because I was worried about kids’ fragile, eggshell minds, but rather that such a treatment would run contrary to the misanthropic, cosmic horror at the heart of Lovecraft’s works. Then I saw the art:

There’s a cool interview with Brown over at the Lovecraft News Network (yes, there IS such a thing), where he explains why a Lovecraftian graphic novel aimed at kids is a perfectly reasonable idea:

LNN:  I don’t think it is a stretch to say that Lovecraft’s fiction is neither designed for children nor is it particularly accessible to them, yet this has not stopped his themes and motifs from lately being exported to them en masse in the form of projects like yours, which repackages them for a younger audience. What continues to surprise me in almost every case is just how well this transition works out. What is it about Lovecraft’s dark themes that allows them to be so successfully adapted at what are ostensibly polar opposite ends of the literary spectrum: heavy-handed adult “horror” and children’s literature?

Brown: Up till The Frozen Kingdom, I have not heard of anyone trying to adapt Lovecraft to children’s literature. However, I believe it was an incredibly easy fit. Think about it, he crafts these tales of scary monsters that come from the seas, outer space or simply that dark shadow in the corner of the room. If you consider older fairy tales, it seemed to make perfect sense.

I guess it kind of does. Now for a shameless plug: stay tuned for the full-length CD and digital release of Eldritch Musicks by The Contrarian, which is inspired by the likes of HP Lovecraft, Arthur Machen, Thomas Ligotti and. . . Blue Öyster Cult. We’re finalizing the artwork right now, but I expect it to be available by December.

So I’m finally getting around to reading Let the Right One In, by Swedish novelist John Ajvide Lindqvist. I positively adore the film, and have placed it on my top ten all time “horror” flicks. (Though I am a genre enthusiast, I treat horror cinema like I do heavy metal — so much of it is just atrocious, but the .01 percent that’s worthwhile has made an indelible impact on yours truly.)

I basically just started LTROI, so if any of our readers wants to snag a copy and beat me to the finish line, we can maybe discuss it here. Keep in mind that I typically read ten books at once (almost exclusively nonfiction), so I may fall behind. But I like this story so much that I figured I’d put it out there.

So far, the book version on LTROI is quite bit different than the movie, but in a highly complimentary way. The film centered largely on the spookily endearing relationship between young Oskar and Eli, which had enough implied ambiguity for the audience to fill in the blanks with their own childhood projections. The novel is far more explicit in its theme, which, as far as I can detect at this early stage in my reading, is predation in all forms. Lindqvist’s original work is far less romantic than the film it inspired. for sure. Even Oskar — a character with whom the film wants the audience to identify — is fairly unsavory. It’s this messiness that imbues the book with something more than the Bergman-goes-vampire feel of the flick.

It will be “interesting” to see if the American remake of the Swedish film delves deeper into the book. If they somehow manage to make it not suck, it could be another interesting interpretation of the source material — perhaps more literal than Tomas Alfredson‘s chillingly vague take. I am keeping any hopes in check, however, particularly due to the useless title change for the US version, Let Me In. Apparently, they’re setting it in Reagan-era Colodado. I would’ve preffered Bush I-era Schenectady. Just that much fucking bleaker.

Thoughts?

Anyways, if anyone’s hands are likely to become the Devil’s plaything, they are certainly mine. Still, I have not been entirely idle, and in my contrition over making you wait for me while I geek out alone at home (actual working hours don’t count — that was my hologram), I offer you a copy of my comic book. Send me an e-mail if you want one.
Hugs.