Toxins

Conspiracy theories aside, the recent study on Public Administration is very good to illustrate some perceptions. And the truth is, even though in the majority of cases it’s hardly possible to honestly compare Public/ Private, there’s still a very negative perception about Public Administration.
And being so, it’s (almost exclusively), ideology.

David Lynch talks ”Twin Peaks” | David Lynch | The Q&A | DVD | Entertainment Weekly | 1

«Would you ever be tempted to work in TV again?
No. I’d go onto the Internet, because Internet is the new TV.»

*Spoiler Alert*

Y: The Last Man is a great comic book. Brain K. Vaughn’s (BKV) work received several accolades both from the industry and the fans.

The story mechanism is quite simple and pretty usual in North-American comic book industry, i.e., starting with some teenager fantasy and applying a reality template (the most famous examples being Spider-man, Batman or Captain America).

But BKV sought to distinguish this story from the get go. His research (homework) is very interesting and the post-apocalyptical scenario offered is well constructed. The technical, political, social, cultural e scientific aspects are all accounted for. The entire work can be enjoyed from a voyeuristic dimension, allowing the exploration of the mentioned aspects in the U.S.A., first, a little all over the world, later on. That alone is a good reason to collect that comic (and it was what first attracted me).

There’s also the interesting plot: what caused the death of every creature with a Y chromosome (apart from the main character and his pet monkey, that is)? And, whether you like or not BKV’s explanation so far, the plot is very well structured and… it works.

And like that, with the collection nearing its end, number #58 reached the stands. In this comic BKV managed, in my opinion, to create this year’s most intense comic moment (and, perhaps, from most recent years).

BKV’s writing has also accomplished something else: the characters gained lives of their own and ceased being mere props to the plot or to the main character (Yorick). The character’s individual voyage has since become the most interesting side of the series, even eclipsing the other mentioned dimensions. Starting as an inconsequent teenager, Yorick suffered a tremendous learning and transformation process; and now there are few traits of his former self left. And that can perfectly be seen in his initial quest. In the beginning Yorick held on to a romantic ideal, reflecting a naive view of the world. Even with all his doubts, the choice was to see it through and it eventually became his grail.
When he finally found it, realized what it really was: an illusion, something he held on amidst all the chaos and death; something that gave him hope and a reason to live. That which should have been solely a mean, became an end. He understood that in the end. It was just too late.

The same can be said about 355. She too was changed, and stopped being just a tool, an instrument without will or decision; to become a reflexive and free woman. She realized her role sooner, but decided to help Yorick until the end. Until it was too late.

And it was precisely when they both admit, face to face, their wishes, that BKV shows the bastard he is (in a good way). In three pages BKV killed hope and illusion. In three pages, BKV demonstrated the impossibility of love stories. In three pages BKV ended the story. It’ll go on for a few more issues. But it has already ended.

And, on another note, it has been a while since a cover reflected a story so well.

«I missed our bathroom conversations.»

We’re losing ground! This can’t be!
On the other hand, it’s significant. If cyberpunk seemed like a response to the optimistic authors of 50’s and early 60’s sci-fi, the resurfacing of steampunk could very well be a response to reality’s closer and closer resemblance to cyberpunk fiction.

steampunk

cyberpunk

Recently the research centre I’m affiliated with, was asked to present the research originals from its members.
But how can originals be presented in this historical period?
How can you physically present the very first version of something that exists in a metaspace? How can one obtain the physical exemplar of something that, by leaving that said space, physically (as in the discipline) becomes a copy?
Well, maybe I’m left with, on the scheduled day, resting my head on the desk and ask them to take it away.