I’m 71 and I have reveled in the role of imposter for my entire life because “Momma, that’s where the fun is!” There isn’t any “real me” to know. It’s all just a dress rehearsal for whatever role I assume at that moment. I name-drop with impunity to puzzle the chumps; it’s the ultimate!
I adhere to the philosophy of T. F. Hodge when he so wisely remarked, “When you're way too real, fake people be like: "You're a trip. I want somebody with real game (lies).”
I was not familiar with imposter syndrome so I related this poem to Artificial Intelligence as the imposter, digesting our online writings, then producing work that read as if we had written it. I agree with the advice you offer in the last two paragraphs of your commentary.
David Cronenberg was a very interesting director and we don’t hear much about him now. I never saw ‘Video Drome’ - ‘Naked Lunch’ which I did see was silly. So much of the insights of some of these artists from that time is becoming lost under a sea of ludicrous acquiescence to the great god ‘Tech’ - and his concubine ‘Money’.
Great portmanteau "Funemployment", reminds of a quote, "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." And speaking of imposters, the quote is attributed to Confucius, Mark Twain, Marc Anthony, etc.
..and how do I know that I work hard, have interesting things to say, and my voice is unique enough?
To a degree-others tell me that. should I rely on them?
Thank you, Franco, for the poem, for propelling me into being ..whoever that part of me is, they all make me slightly dizzy, alightly nauseous, and like I should get off the carouselle. But maybe I don't really want to.
This is perfect timing. I just read the reads “imposter syndrome “ just the other day. Excellent poem. And thanks for giving me sci fi references to check out!
My buddy just recommended that film last month and I haven't got around to watching it. Just saw the trailer and wondered if it had any influence on the matrix or just that was the zeitgeist at the time, but it looked really interesting nonetheless. Love this piece, it really challenged me emotionally as I read it which is always exciting when reading something. I'll have to check out the story you had published that inspired this.
Thanks, Jozef. I think they just came out around the same time and didn't necessarily influence each other. I suspect by that point in the 90s a lot of William Gibson's work and the cyberpunk virtual-reality stuff that was happening in sci fi literature in the mid to late 80s was starting to influence film, and it was all reaching its zenith around the late 90s and culminated with the Matrix.
Neuromancer and its sequels are good, especially if you want the original cyberpunk stuff. But I kinda like his Bridge trilogy too, starting with Virtual Light.
Well done! Great read Franco! This poem has a deep connection to our current state of affairs!
Thank you Jo. Glad you enjoyed it!
“…somewhere in the fusiform face gyrus
of any local idiot!”
A LINE FOR THE AGES!!!
“…a jockey of compulsion, a tragic sentient spy,
natively running routines…”
SIMPLY FANTASTIC!!
I’m 71 and I have reveled in the role of imposter for my entire life because “Momma, that’s where the fun is!” There isn’t any “real me” to know. It’s all just a dress rehearsal for whatever role I assume at that moment. I name-drop with impunity to puzzle the chumps; it’s the ultimate!
I adhere to the philosophy of T. F. Hodge when he so wisely remarked, “When you're way too real, fake people be like: "You're a trip. I want somebody with real game (lies).”
https://youtu.be/vFe-p1gbKEc?si=hw1-B2bUgXDLtow-
Haha yes where's the real me, that's an eternal question!
A light shines on an imposter but is dimmed to a tarnish glow as it is rubbed with a cloth of disguise and a chemical reaction to deface.
Your eyes are clear. The sky is blue. But that too is a façade. Write on Franco.
Thank you, Richard!
I was not familiar with imposter syndrome so I related this poem to Artificial Intelligence as the imposter, digesting our online writings, then producing work that read as if we had written it. I agree with the advice you offer in the last two paragraphs of your commentary.
I love that interpretation KC. It's so
true tho, AI is a real issue for writers.
whoa, this kinda blew my mind. it's like an inception of watching the watcher of who you are.
:) thanks Elizabeth, glad you liked it
David Cronenberg was a very interesting director and we don’t hear much about him now. I never saw ‘Video Drome’ - ‘Naked Lunch’ which I did see was silly. So much of the insights of some of these artists from that time is becoming lost under a sea of ludicrous acquiescence to the great god ‘Tech’ - and his concubine ‘Money’.
Videodrome was crazy. I loved the Fly. And I think he has a film that just came out called the shrouds or something. I'll have to check it out.
Great portmanteau "Funemployment", reminds of a quote, "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." And speaking of imposters, the quote is attributed to Confucius, Mark Twain, Marc Anthony, etc.
haha, perfectly relevant. and it was probably none of them who said it first. probably some nobody living in obscurity.
..and how do I know that I work hard, have interesting things to say, and my voice is unique enough?
To a degree-others tell me that. should I rely on them?
Thank you, Franco, for the poem, for propelling me into being ..whoever that part of me is, they all make me slightly dizzy, alightly nauseous, and like I should get off the carouselle. But maybe I don't really want to.
haha, you know by doing it long enough and knowing what else is out there (and a little delusional self confidence doesn't hurt)
one would think so:)
Your wordplay is outstanding in this. My brain has come alive.
thank you, Scarlett!
only real ones know david cronenberg
haha, you know it! season of Cronenberg is coming, this fall.
only real franco fans know academic emulators
yes that is true! and have a signed copy.
This is perfect timing. I just read the reads “imposter syndrome “ just the other day. Excellent poem. And thanks for giving me sci fi references to check out!
thank you, Angel! I hope you enjoy them.
My buddy just recommended that film last month and I haven't got around to watching it. Just saw the trailer and wondered if it had any influence on the matrix or just that was the zeitgeist at the time, but it looked really interesting nonetheless. Love this piece, it really challenged me emotionally as I read it which is always exciting when reading something. I'll have to check out the story you had published that inspired this.
Thanks, Jozef. I think they just came out around the same time and didn't necessarily influence each other. I suspect by that point in the 90s a lot of William Gibson's work and the cyberpunk virtual-reality stuff that was happening in sci fi literature in the mid to late 80s was starting to influence film, and it was all reaching its zenith around the late 90s and culminated with the Matrix.
Yeah, that sounds about right. I should really check out some of William Gibson's work.
Neuromancer and its sequels are good, especially if you want the original cyberpunk stuff. But I kinda like his Bridge trilogy too, starting with Virtual Light.
I shall have read to read ‘Virtual Light’.
that was one of my favorites of Gibson's novels. I still have to read some of his later works though
Awesome, thanks for the recommendations Franco.
A lot of people suffer from this but shouldn't
This piece is so inspirational Franco.
Lots of imposters out there in the big bad world with a message to stay true to yourself.
Sounds fab the film will have to catch up with it.
thank you Karl! yes, a world full of imposters, all we can do is try our best to stay true
Just ordered a copy of that issue so I could read Academic Emulators. Looking forward to reading it now.
thanks, Victoria. I hope you like the story.