David Foster Wallace on Ambition | Blank on Blank
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 เม.ย. 2013
- "If your fidelity to perfectionism is too high, you never do anything." - David Foster Wallace
Interview by Leonard Lopate, WNYC
March 4, 1996
Interview originally aired on the Leonard Lopate Show
www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/1996...
Executive Producer: David Gerlach
Animator: Patrick Smith
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"Perfectionism is dangerous because if your fidelity to perfectionism is too high, you never do anything. You sacrifice how gorgeous and perfect it is in your head for what it really is"
I felt this on such a deep spiritual level.
Lol he put it in such a perfect way.
Same problem the schizoid a’la Guntrip has. Read The Schizoid Phenomenon and Object Relations
why the need to do /create something (if it doesnt come close to how you want it to be)?
Sooooo true
In my opinion, perfectionism is almost always linked with the fear of failure. So once you accept that the first draft will always be imperfect and give yourself the permission to fail, your art starts to grow.
One of my regrets in life was not taking a writing course from David Foster Wallace while I was a student at Illinois State in the late '90s. But at the time, I was unaware of how great a talent he was.
That would have been something else.
jrm78 what makes you think he would have accepted you into his class?
Oh my god, sorry you missed out on that man.
Shaka, when the walls fell
@@justmeeagainn Jesus Christ dude that is pretentious af
For starters you dont know anything about him, so you have no academic or intellectual basis to judge him on and furthermore I sincerely doubt that he picked his students, for most students the fact that you'd have to write at a very high grammatical and linguistical level to get good (or even just average) grades was probably enough of a turn-off.
This guy makes me think that sincerity is the only thing you need to produce something good
God I love the sound of this man's voice. It soothes me like a lullaby.
He’s also very persuasive
Me too. I recently listened to his “This is Water” speech and a recording of “Consider the Lobster” and it is incredible
Fun fact: Paul Thomas Anderson, filmmaker behind There Will Be Blood, Boogie Nights and Magnolia was taught briefly by DFW.
That explains PTA's writing. He's one of my favorite filmmakers.
Rest in peace you brilliant man.
@Steve Olson what? Why would you ever do that?
I like to think this world would be a better place if he was still alive. Then again he’s contributed beauty though words that’s unmeasurable. You are missed Mr. Wallace, but not forgotten.
"But there's also the drugs? "
"... Dh-..... Ye....."
Killed me lmao
😂 me too
I never imagined his voice is so soft and gentle!!! I could listen to him all day!!!
Jason segel potrayed him so well in " End of the tour " got the voice right and everything damn
I like to think this world would be a better place if he was still alive. Then again he’s contributed beauty though words that’s unmeasurable. You are missed Mr. Wallace, but not forgotten.
I randomly clicked on this video (not knowing who this guy was) and was happily surprised to find that he was a former English professor at my college.
He was very intellectual, I hope you had a class with him, if not, oh well. Although I do suggest you read some of his works.
I discovered this guy watching a Charlie Rose interview on youtube a couple of months ago. Instantly bought Broom of the System. It's great! he's great!
he's not just a professor. He was a philosopher, famous writer, and all around amazing guy.
Shakespeare, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and David Foster Wallace. Easily one of the ten best writers to ever live. It seems like folks in this thread don't know who DFW was?
love DFW as much as the next guy...but woah there partner
come back to this every couple months.. just remarkably therapeutic
The way you take interviews and segments from conversations of diverse creative people and put them to drawings is inspiring.
Whenever someone tells me they're going on a cruise, I suggest they read "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again."
Lol. I read it while on a cruise. Definitely exposed/ruined the hedonistic factor and I’ll probably not cruise again.
@@brendaandrus I also liked the essay in Consider the Lobster about why Tracy Austin's memoirs were insipid.
he used the phrase "grammar nazi" in 1996
Yes. It's funny how millennials and younger generations seem to think they've invented the wheel. Most of the memes and shit you are spreading around, aren't all that new and creative. There is truly little new under the sun.
+Probus Excogitatoris Funny how you take a simple comment and just really put your own narrative and intention behind it. Guessing you have some built up aggression against millennials.
Probus Excogitatoris ever thought it's kind of funny and cool that these terms were even being used 20 years ago?
Pause Films Nope, just pointing out facts... but it seems like I unintentionally touched a sore spot :)
"younger generations seem to think they've invented the wheel"
what?
Sold on this channel in seconds. Such fantastic interview candidates on here.
awesome Channel 👍
I love DFW. I miss him so much. I got so emotional watching this that I had to pause it a few times. I have such difficulty these days reading Infinite Jest and his collections of essays because I can't remove the image of his death from my mind. Goddamnit, David.
Me72 David's my favourite writer. Simply put I really like his work. I'd feel just as sad if Cormac McCarthy died or if Lemmy died or if Paul McCartney died, etc. In a way I'm pleased I didn't know David because if I did the pain of his death would have been even worse.
+HarryIsTheGamingGeek lemmy died
matoranman I know. I was depressed for a whole week. You?
it didnt hit me very hard to be honest. hang in there bud
matoranman I'm all right now. I've had long enough to grieve. I did go on one helluva Motorhead binge though.
David Bowie?
This seems to be eternally in my sidebar as I come back to it consistently over the years. His thoughts on perfectionism are so vivid it chokes me up. If only Id heard this sooner instead of learning the hard way.
I hear you
One of my favorite authors! He left us too early.
This video helps me when I'm having trouble with essays or feeling cruddy, it's great motivation :)
He sounds so smooth and sure and articulate and engaged. The presentation here and graphics are very fine.
About half way through Infinite Jest. Sad we couldn't have more of you DFW
MORE FAMOUS WRITERS PLEASE!!!!!! This video was so good!!!!!
I have/had (not sure yet) the same problem, I saw it written somewhere and it encapsulated it so perfectly.
Paralysis through analysis.
it was probably in ij
it should be written in words of fire: FINISHED IS BETTER THAN PERFECT
Been reading him for a bit. First time I’ve ever heard him. I’m in the middle of Consider The Lobster and I know when I get back to the book I’ll hear the words in his voice now.
I adore this! It's just fantastic.
Keep up the awesome work guys!
How could someone this intellectual and inspiring end his life?.. his words inspire me a lot..:(
Depression is real
He seems like a person that learned a lot and is set towards certain goals and wpuld be an excellent guru of sorts to learn upon
@@DPhoenixPoet good for the insight but he left a mark and did what he could to his best ability. He could have been greater but he had faults that he couldn’t overcome
Profound. Everything he gives his insight on is so profound to me.
Damn, I’m seriously in love with this man
I think I speak for everyone when I say...we'd all like to see more David Foster Wallace on this channel. Even though I'm sure radio footage is limited and such.
Thank you. My heart is now filled with joy. Yay.
This is one of the most important figures out there, especially because of his foresight on post modernism
The first 30 seconds of this video really resonate with me and have driven to me change that sort of aspect
I have to say that I don't watch TV or sports. I therefore have the time to search for and discover amazing videos like these. The animation blended with the inspiring interviews gives a very cool sense of amazement even. Keep up the good work!!!
I watch sports and have also read infinite jest. Turns out you can be interested in multiple things :)
Watching TH-cam all day doesn't make you better than anyone else.
TH-cam is tv
This song at the end is a frickin' JAM!
Love this! One of my favorite writers and ANIMATION (which is my life!)
This is really cool. I hope you do more like this.
I think the important thing to remember about that quote you post in the description, is that he spent years struggling with that. Struggling with perfection is far better than disregarding it.
Agreed. I love the graphics! Wonderful animation.
I find 3 things funny in this interview: 1. The interviewer bringing the drug factor out the blue in the middle of a totally different topic. 2, The fact that FW considered annoying and frustrating reading people who write only to show off that they're clever, and you see a lot of arrogant comments in this video, by probable FW followers, who seem to be doing precisely that. And 3, the fact that Foster Wallace, of all people, Foster Wallace is saying that it is annoying to read such people. The irony there!
I was thinking the exact same thing! DFW loves words and has and incredible vocabulary, but come on, he was trying to be clever and impressive with that exhaustive vocabulary! Give me a break.
No, that's not what david foster wallace meant by 'clever'. Verbose and 'clever' are two separate things. By clever, it would be appropriate to say he meant writing which plays around with ideas but doesn't really have anything to _say_ .
"3, the fact that Foster Wallace, of all people, Foster Wallace is saying that it is annoying to read such people. The irony there!" Thank you, I was hoping someone else had the same thought.
Is your name Pot? Stop yelling at the Kettle for being hot.
Yeah I think he's great but he was clearly just projecting an insecurity he had about his own intentions for writing.
Really fantastic, thanks for sharing.
I had to rewind the first 20 seconds like five times.
Djobo Kuwali Facts, lol. And dope profile pic, Basquiat the man ✊🏾
Absolutely wonderful.
Holy fack . This is not only really intriguing to listen on an "intellectual" base but also in the way his voice sounds so damn smooth.
BRING THESE BACK!!!!
very little on ambition here.
You don't hear it?
+Ken McCarthy if your ambition is to get high and watch tv...
+Blank on Blank suuuuper pretentious reply there friendo
it's that late allready?
I'd agree. More about acknowledging one's limitations (at least that is what I took from the video).
I wonder what he thought of Paul Thomas Anderson as a student in his class.
What, really?
@@katelinmarie5360 "I called him once. He was very generous with his phone number. He said “Call me if you got any questions,” and I called him a couple times … I ran a few ideas by him about this paper that I was writing. I was writing a paper on Don DeLillo’s White Noise … I’d come up with a couple crazy ideas, and I don’t remember the conversation well, but I just remember him being real generous at like, you know, midnight the night before it was due … I’d love to go back and read [White Noise] again." - PTA on DFW
Just read about that, sounds like PTA really had a great awakening in DFW's english class.
Or Bill Burr, he was also a student in his class.
@@boxking2832 WHAT
this is great work!
This made my week. David rocks and you guys rock too. ^-^
New favourite channel
beautiful job! great animation for the greatest mind of the 20th century!
Just found this channel - Great content! I love PBS Digital Studios :D
Just came here to say that Jason Bitner did an awesome job on the music! I know it's just the background vibes, but damn! I love the music in this one. Video is great and of course the interview content is cool but the music really captured my attention on this one and I don't normally notice the tunes in these short "blank on blank" videos.
this was beautiful
Great writer there is something special about moon in virgo's ability to analyse and put that i analysis into practical use. Simply not matched. 2022 anyone.
The animation is awesome, so stylish and nice.
thank you for this !
Dude. The kick drum in the first bit of music sounds fucking amazing.
I'm always humbled and humiliated reading Wallace. I cannot begin to imagine how chaotic it was inside his towering intellect. May he rest in peace.
so glad I have smart enough friends to put me on to a channel like this.
Beautiful vanity - fun take; thanks!
I like this animation - great job :)
Love this channel
Aaaand... subscribed. Thank you!
Cool. You guys should do one of these on Kubrick.
this is inspirational!
thank for this video.
Love the animations!
this is unreal. amazing
love love love this
This makes so much sense.
He is still the best!
Thank you!
If David Foster Wallace walked into a bar he would be adorned but if he represented the feeling he would be scrutinized until he explained it.
Absurdly awesome :)
For sure a legend
DFW is amazing. Really sad to see him go.
The dead stop when the interviewer dropped the "D" word. Wallace maintained his entire life that he never had a drug problem. He drank, sometimes to excess, but never drugs. Just because Infinite Jest is wrapped around the drug culture doesn't me it's his life he used as a model. I saw the same pause in the German TV interview when the cameraman accused him of "pontificating." It's the pause of disappointed offense.
He definitely sounds like a stoner.
Wallace was on prescription medications, for depression; some shortcoming of, negligence or mismanagement of may have attributed to his suicide.
Alcohol is a drug
He used a variety of drugs and openly admitted to it.
the phrasing in these comments is way above par for youtube and very flattering if viewed, as it should be, as a reflection on DFW@@JP51ism
The brilliant minds are always the most tortured. RIP to one of the best.
I like how he disagreed to the questions mostly until he said yes to the drug question.
his voice is so soothing
I was stunned just by the opening
The poster to 'The End of the Tour' seems very inspired by this video.
ha truth
Such a fantastic movie
Rest in peace David wish I could have met you.
The music at the end ❤️
I don't know why but this reminds me of a Dr.Katz episode, the pacing feels alot lIke it and the music too. Fits well. RIP to this great mind.
Dr Katz is tight.
you just earned yourself a sub!
Gosh... I had no idea he had such a soft voice... Wish he was still around...
Love him
Does anyone know the name of the song that plays in the background in the beginning of the video?
the first thing i read was the short story Girl With Curious Hair. a fabulous starting point. it's a great story.
He had flaws such as being a quasi-sexist but he really was a beautiful soul. Who doesn't have flaws really? His work is summed up simply as "what it means to be fucking human." Infinite Jest blew my mind and it still does. Rest in peace you beautiful man.
There’s also such a sharp moment when the interviewer goes “There’s also the drug thing” and DFW just sort of resigns himself to a “yeah”. He always hated how people thought of him as a “Drug” or “Psychedelic” writer when his prose always cut deeper than that
Quasi sexist should be taken lightly as accusations in today’s environment of toxic feminism which is seen in many modern films with a female lead.
@@Gettothegone lol
@alexanderthegreat1270 I think that's a bit diminishing towards psychedelic writers. Wallace was truly terrified of his drug history being used a celebrity marketing thing. The cultural need to elevate an artists suffering above others kind of grossed him out in his own words- understandbly so.
is the quasi sexist a new word you learned in your backward school or something 🤦
I would have risked an imperfectly placed semi colon, (and the subsequent "C" grade) for the chance to have taken his class. RIP David!!
Is it just me or did DFW always sound like he had just been coming off of a cold in every one if his interviews.
Tea & Book talks learn to suspend your judgement
Tea & Book talks I think the deduction here might be that's just how he sounded
Tea & Book talks drugs
@@princessjellyfish6057 Drugs make you soft spoken?
He has the voice of someone who has just been crying.
‘Ambition is like your bank account , you always think there’s more in it than there actually is ‘ - Dylan Moran
PBS has some of the best programming.
That was great.
i love how you draw him
Well.. an interesting guy. There are thousands of words I could use to describe David Foster Wallace, but I can’t come up with a better one than (interesting).