How to be a Good Fan: You Like this, I Like That…Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off…

On August 22, 2013August 22, 2013 By James CastroIn Games, Movies, OpinionsLeave a comment

In my “Just War” philosophy course in grad school, we learned that during any kind of conflict there comes a time where combatants start to see the situation as “us” versus “them.” Viewing an opponent this way essentially dehumanizes them and makes it easier for people to do horrible things to each other they wouldn’t do in any other circumstances.

While that might seem like a strange opener for a series about fandom, the same holds true for disagreeing fans. We all fall victim to it, but recently I’ve started to catch myself doing it and tried to curtail it when I feel it creeping in.

I remember during what James Rolfe calls “The Bit Wars” between Sega and Nintendo; I was in the Sega camp. But I don’t remember hating Super Nintendo. I just never played it and vehemently disagreed with comments disparaging Sega’s games or systems. I still do. I had loads of fun on Sega CD and 32X!

It’s gotten much worse with Xbox and Playstation fans. I’ve had both systems from previous and current generations. I prefer Playstation simply because I’ve found it to be more reliable, more a fit for my gaming needs, and more consumer-friendly. I admit I have sunk down to the “us versus them” mentality, especially when the now recanted Xbox One specs were announced. But the truth is both are good systems for their fan bases, both have a good line up of games, and we NEED both to keep competition healthy. Monopoly is always bad for the consumer.

Here are some thoughts on one opinion versus another opinion and ways that have helped me avoid “Us Versus Them” situations:

Realizing Nothing is Perfect: I love my PS3. I had a launch system that lasted 5-6 years in the same time my bro-in law had 3-4 Xboxes that red-ringed. That being said, I know lots of people apparently had disc read problems with launch PS3s. Even when mine died, it did so while a disc was in, and I had to take the #*%^@#$%@&$ apart to get the disc out. PS3 isn’t perfect, just a better fit for me. Because Xbox is a better fit for you doesn’t make you wrong, just different from me. Everything has issues and we enjoy them in spite of them.

Even the chaos god of perfection isn’t perfect…poor, poor chaos god…

Understanding That a Difference of Opinion is OK: It’s good to truly enjoy something. If you immerse yourself entirely into the world of whatever your love may be (Star Trek or Star Wars, Final Fantasy, Mario, Legend of Zelda, X-Men etc…) it’s good for you. Any kind of learning exercises the mind. I even think it’s ok to drive your friends crazy with your enthusiasm. You’ve learned ALL this stuff; you want to share it. Your friends always have the right to say, “You know I’m a little tired of hearing about Spiderman…,” and if they do, that should be respected. Going a step further, it’s even ok for them to say, “You know I really don’t like Spiderman…” If they do, even though it may seem incomprehensible to your obsessed brain, it is OK too. It doesn’t matter what it is, how popular, how important it is to your day, if someone else isn’t interested or doesn’t like it…they don’t like it and they aren’t crazy for having that opinion. Recently I’ve seen TONS of this. I was shown three episodes of Game of Thrones. It was like a high-production value, fantasy realm soap opera to me. I didn’t care for it. I’ve had family and friends get me to watch some of Dr. Who. It was mediocre sci-fi TV to me; I just couldn’t get into it. I like Joss Whedon, but I don’t feel like trying Firefly right now. I’m not WRONG for these beliefs. Certainly not just because someone else thinks these are the greatest things ever. If you absolutely despise Warhammer, or history, or boxing, or Lovecraft it doesn’t make you wrong just because I love them. Again, what fits for you, isn’t necessarily what fits for me. And judging each other because we don’t share obsessions doesn’t help anyone.

The Running Man audience. Definitely the worst kind of obsessed, bad fans!

Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off: Debating is good. If you want to explain to me WHY Christopher Nolan’s Batman films weren’t a pretentious drag that essentially told the same story three times (someone tries to make fear take over Gotham, so the city destroys itself…) feel free. I will explain why I feel how I feel. We can show counterpoints, logic, and conclusions — we can attempt to persuade through example. It can be fun. It can be enlightening. It’s almost always mentally stimulating. It’s a debate, and it’s good. Arguing is bad. Arguing is what occurs when respect and logic abandon a discussion in favor of bias and hostility. If we’ve both made our points, repeating them or insisting, “You just don’t get it,” “You need to see it from the beginning,” or “I’m not surprised you don’t like it, you’re into stupid stuff like XXXX” doesn’t add to the discussion. Once points are made and opinions finalized, if neither side budges, in the terminology of the Napoleonic Wars, we should both be allowed to “leave the field with our weapons and colors.” It’s a sign of respect of each other and our opposing opinions and an acknowledgement that we’re agreeing to disagree.

: Methinks any kind of debating with this guy…likely won’t be fair…

With all there is out there to become a fan of, no one can ever be a fan of everything, and even amongst the closest of relationships there are bound to be differences, sometimes VAST differences, of opinion. If we all agreed on everything, imagine how dull life would be. But it’s important, no matter how much you love something, how much you devote your life to it, and how much you know about it to respect the opinions of others who may be neutrally disinterested or actively opposed to it — even if they insist on sinking to the negative level — take the high road…people who take the low road probably do so often, and it won’t be in anyone’s best interest to pursue them into the depths.

And finally, maybe most importantly, share the things you are a fan of with those you care about as long as they are receptive, but not if they suggest they are not. Our interests are a big part of showing who we are. But people don’t necessarily need or want converting. Respect that and respect them for their opinions, even if they directly oppose yours. You’ve said poe-tay-toe, they’ve said poe-tah-toe…so yeah…

And just for fun…Christopher Walken’s sings!

Story of the Month: Close Encounters with the Microsoft Helpline

On August 20, 2013August 20, 2013 By James CastroIn Games, Opinions, Story of the Month1 Comment

We’ve been talking a lot about things that make geeks mad. Bad movies. Bad fans. Bad practices. So I thought I’d tell a story that happened to me, something that usually makes nerds mad, but has a pretty happy ending.

When XBOX 360 and PS3 came out I opted for the PS3. I’d had both PS2 and Xbox and wasn’t as into the Xbox so I stuck with PS.

My brother in law received an Xbox basic model from his brother as a gift and had the system suffer catastrophic hardware failure, aka the “Red Ring of Death.” (I think he has had 3-4 console vines snap for similar reasons while swinging from the Xbox tree). He upgraded to an “elite” or “pro” or something and generously offered the DOA machine to me if I wanted to call and deal with Microsoft to get it repaired. I gratefully accepted, it’s not every day someone gives you a current gen console for basically free after all and it was awfully nice of him.

Honestly it took me a couple weeks to get it sorted out. I was playing Oblivion at the time and couldn’t be bothered. But after a while I decided to give it a go. So I set it up, plugged it in, and sure enough…Red Ring! I went through the motions a couple times, checking connections, etc. but still…Red Ring!

So, saying a small prayer to the helpline gods, I called the number provided and connected…to Microsoft helpline.

Now I’ll say I usually don’t mind the helpline, or even automated responses…but I loathe the automated responses that make you talk to them. Let me hit numbers, but talking to Hal 9000 always has done nothing but infuriate me. I’d rather have called Skynet than deal with what Microsoft provided…

It rang only once and what answered was a thing of putrid, rage-inducing evil. It was a voice halfway between cartoon character and sleazy Bill and/or Ted. It was clearly a corporate-created personality designed to “relate” to the adolescent video game audience:

Voice of corporate-designed evil: Hi! I’m Maaaax. Let me know how I can help you todaaaay.

In response I made this expression:

Appalled Me: You have got to be f*ckin kidding me…

So Max began to walk me through auto repair:

Max: Try unplugging it…and plugging it back in. Did that help? Say ‘yes’ or ‘no’…

Me: No…

Max: Nooooow try unhooking the connection from the baaaack of your Xbox and reeee-connecting it. Did that help? Say ‘yes’ or ‘no”… (as though the idiot needed to repeat these advanced commands at this point)

To my horror, I found that the power was connected in the back of the Xbox with these wire attachments that are a pain to get off with two hands, let alone one hand and the world’s most annoying computer assistant growling his dude-voice in your ear.

While fiddling with the stupid thing I happened to, as anyone might, utter a profanity…

Annoyed Me: Sh*t…

Max: I’m soooorry. I didn’t get thaaat. Can you say it agaaaain?

Exceedingly Annoyed Me: I said SH*T!

After going through the motions with Max a few more times, the smarmy bastard finally relented…

Max: Sorry I couldn’t heeeelp you. I’ll connect you with a customer service rep now.

I still hate Max.

While on hold, I heard voices in a Central Asian language speaking as though it was a radio news report. I don’t speak any Central Asian languages, but I kept hearing the name “Bhutto,” which I was familiar with from the news and ascertained I must have been connected to Pakistan, where Benazir Bhutto had sadly just been assassinated. When the customer service rep picked up I was relieved to hear a human voice. He had a heavy Pakistani accented but easy enough to understand:

Rep: Hello, sir, how can I help you?

Me: Yes, hello, I have an Xbox 360 that has had the hardware failure and I wanted to get it repaired.

Rep: Yes, sir, very good sir. Have you tried testing connections, checking power supply, sir?

Me: Oh yes, I went through all of that with the automated service.

After briefly running through some of the troubleshooting the rep got me to the repairs section.

Rep: OK, sir, I will send request to have your machine repaired. You will receive box. Inside box will be label. Simply put machine in box with label and it will be sent in for repair.

Me: Thanks. About how long will it take to get the box, and how long do repairs usually take?

Rep: Yes, sir, box will arrive in couple days. Repairs usually take a week or two.

Me (after receiving reference numbers, etc): Well thank you, I’ll look for the box and have it sent off.

What he said next really made me think…

Rep: Yes sir, thank you sir. Oh and sir? I would like to thank you for being courteous with me on the phone. And not curse at me.”

Me: No problem. It’s not your fault the thing’s broken.

Rep: Yes, sir, thank you again sir.

After I hung up I started to think… I wonder how many calls he gets from angry teenagers whose game machines cost more than he makes in a week trying to earn a living? Even though I’m not a supporter of outsourcing, it’s not his fault for finding a job. It’s Microsoft (or their contractor) who chose to send the calls abroad. Despite all the abuse the poor guy must usually endure, he was still helpful on the phone. And just by being decent someone who I never met it might have helped him have a bit of a better day.

It once again shows the value of one of the greatest modern axioms:

Coda: The fate of the repaired Xbox.

I ended up trading in the Xbox after a couple months. I tried Mass Effect and Dead Rising and couldn’t get into them (didn’t like them on PS3 either btw…) So if nothing else, the helpful customer service rep who finally helped me get the Xbox repaired, helped get me some good trade-in credit too. Whoever ended up with it should be grateful they didn’t have to call Max…plus they might have been a bit more aggressive with the customer service rep!

How to be a Good Fan: All Paths to Fandom

On August 14, 2013August 14, 2013 By James CastroIn OpinionsLeave a comment

Accepting All Paths to Fandom

It’s interesting that people judge your level of interest based on when and how you first discovered said interest. This feels like it’s been around forever and pertains to any kind of fan. I remember in middle school “true” Nirvana fans looked down their noses at the ones who just liked Nevermind. It was the “pop” album. The “sellout” album. And a great album. Instead of sharing the interest with the newcomers and welcoming them, they were thought of as “posers” and not really into the grunge scene.

Recently I’ve seen it occur with other things. I’ll give some examples of a few that I’ve found through other means, and I believe it doesn’t make me any less of a fan than those who have been with it from first release, day one:

Warhammer/Warhammer 40k: I admit freely that the Space Marine PS3 game got me into it. From there, I played the Dawn of War games, started reading the books, collecting miniatures (I have four 40k armies and two fantasy armies) and playing practice games. It doesn’t make me any less of a fan that I found it through the video game, and since discovering the world and hobby, I’ve done my best to learn all about it. I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m still a fan of it and love every aspect of the world and gameplay.

This game was wicked and brought the uninitiated into a new world of sci-fi adventure!

The Dresden Files: A friend at my previous job recommended the TV show to me based on our similar interests. I thought the show was a great, fun, and an innovative take on fantasy and magic + detective story. So I picked up the first book and was hooked. I’ve read all of them but the last one (I’m in the midst of another reading marathon right now…). They’re obviously different from the show, but like Jim Butcher himself said, the show is the show, the books are the books, they aren’t the same thing and are to be appreciated differently. Just because I found the books due to the show, doesn’t mean I appreciate the books any less than someone who found the books first.

Good show and terrific books. To be enjoyed for what they are.

Frank Sinatra and The Ink Spots: I first heard lots of Frank Sinatra music in the mediocre rom/com What Women Want. I loved what I heard and got a box set right after I saw the film, and I still periodically listen to it as great background music that is also a blast to sing along to. The Ink Spots I first heard in Fallout 3. Loved the tenor and melodies and they introduced me to the world of 30s and 40s jazz. I actually remember listening to a new Ink Spots song on YouTube and seeing a comment “God I’m so sick of people who found them because of Fallout showing up here…” Even then, all I could think is “Why? Can’t anyone appreciate good music?”

Great group, no matter how you found them!

It’s this last judgment I see constantly. I’ve even seen a meme “I liked the book before it had the movie poster as a cover.” Reading that one I think the same thing, “So? Does that somehow make you better or a bigger fan, who for some reason appreciates the book more? We’ve both read and enjoy them.” I go back to something James Rolfe said when discussing MonsterVision, “to be a fan of anything, you have to be exposed to it first.” Maybe some fans don’t spend as much time in used bookstores, or scrounging through old records, or browsing the Web, or didn’t grow up in a house where reading, playing games, or listening music was something they “did.” It DOES happen after all.

So why, because I found out about something via adjunct media, does it make me less of a fan? I’d like to think that people who share common interests, who reach the same destination, can be more open and accepting rather than exclusionary no matter how they got there. We don’t need to take the hipster route of fandom! If someone says to me, “Oh I love Lord of the Rings I read them all right after I saw the movies!” I don’t roll my eyes and judge them because they saw the movies first. My first thought is, “How did you like them in comparison? What do you wish they should have included/left out of the film? Read anything else or seen any other films in the genre, maybe I’d like what you’ve found!”

Thinking on those terms expands the culture instead of limiting it. And the more we expand it, the more there is for all of us to enjoy!

How to be a Good Fan: Introduction

On August 8, 2013August 8, 2013 By James CastroIn OpinionsLeave a comment

We’re all fans of something. It doesn’t matter what; we can be fans of sports, food, TV shows, video games, books, characters, just about anything. I personally have been a fan of numerous things including history, comic books, art, bands, and games. I still am a big fan of too many things to count, though admittedly I only throw myself completely into a few. After all, there are only so many hours a day to spend on one’s obsessions.

There has been a move recently away from being a “fan” and being a “good fan.” Too many people nowadays are what I think of as “bad fans.” These are the people who are belligerent and haughty with their fandom, and not only obsess about certain things, but belittle, attack, or denounce those who don’t share the interest or, even worse, dislike the interest.

These kinds of fans I mostly run into with the “geek” subculture. Though I have seen them in the limited experience I’ve had in the sports subculture as well.

I feel it necessary to mention something about the “new geek” subculture. All my life I’ve been considered a “nerd” for whatever that’s worth. I’ve never been into sports or popular culture much. I grew up in the Save by the Bell, Real World, and Beverly Hills 90210, and never enjoyed a full episode of any of them. Except for Tai Kwon Do and recently boxing, I never played sports and spent most of my time reading, drawing, or playing with action figures into my teens (I admit that happily. It’s fun and ya know what? Still is!) Thus, during school, several of my friends (who shared similar interests) and I were labeled by the @55holes of the world as “dorks” and “nerds.” I distinctly remember a kid in middle school asking me and my buddy Mike where our “neon-colored pocket protectors” were. I’m not sure the insult there, since I never wore neon and never owned a pocket protector, but it speaks to how we were viewed.

Nowadays due to internet and tech culture, “geek” has become cool. While “back in the day” geeks banded together because of distinct lack of “cool” perception from the popular culture, they have become a section of the popular culture and, much to my dismay, have adopted many of the negative features popular culture has always had; negativity, exclusionism, derision, and segregation. People “aren’t enough” of a geek or “aren’t real” geeks. People are “geek posers” or “faux geeks.” While I was growing up, the geek groups tended to be more accepting to people — we were outcasts, how on earth could we exclude other outcasts? So you had comic dorks, video game dorks, and school dorks all crowded together. Today, these groups have broken up and even actively dislike other “geek factions,” a lot like various denominations of a church that don’t get along. We’ve all interpreted the nerd scripture differently, and not only are those who disagree with us WRONG, they aren’t welcome in our presence.

This brings me back to fandom. It feels like geek fans have completely lost control recently, and many have gone from being “good fans” to being the worst of “bad fans.” I think of the difference as being the difference between “patriotism” and “nationalism.” Patriotism I have always seen as a positive. It’s a feeling of pride and stating, “Despite all its flaws, I love my country.” Nationalism is pejorative, a negative and superlative view of, “Not only do I love my country, but my country has no flaws, and is not only BETTER than yours but the BEST there can be.” This breeds nothing but hostility.

In this series (I’m not sure how long it will be, but it’ll run and run…) I plan to lay out what I think the best ways are of being a “good fan” in the hopes of maybe getting it across that you can love, obsess, and immerse yourself into something without being a toxic individual to those who don’t share the interest or disagree with it.

The first topic will start next week with Accepting All Paths to Fandom.

The Pilkington Experience: Karl Finale

On July 31, 2013August 1, 2013 By James CastroIn Opinions, ReviewsLeave a comment

As a wrap up to my Karl Pilkington posts I thought I’d do a list of Karl Superlative Awards, a range of favorite moments from throughout the Karl library I’ve had the good fortune to experience so far:

Best XFM Feature: This was a tough one. Though Monkey News seems to be popular for me it was a toss-up between Rockbusters and White Van Karl but I think I have to go with the latter. While Rockbusters had several moments of genius and the reactions of Ricky and Stephen to the competition can be as hilarious as the “cryptic clues” and their answers, White Van Karl was consistently hilarious and didn’t have any of the antagonism Rockbusters picked up later. White Van also brought about some of the funniest moments in the history of the show.

Best XFM Karl Moment: Without a doubt…the horse in the house. Brought about by a White Van question about genetically enhanced babies, the horse in the house story became so legendary it was referred to without any explanation years later. While other stories Karl told are forgotten or require re-telling over the years of Ricky-Stephen-Karl broadcasting, the horse in the house is without a doubt the most memorable! (Though a VERY close runner-up is the “man-moth.”)

Best XFM Ricky Gervais Moment: During a series of links where Ricky and Stephen swap stories about past run-ins with police and firefighters Ricky tells a story of being out on a Saturday in the early 80s (dressed in period-typical new-wave clothing, gelled hair, etc) when a police car cruised by and one cop yelled out the window “You look like a couple of prats!” To which Ricky’s friends asked Ricky, “Is that an offense?” Hearing Ricky tell this one is a great moment in XFM story-telling.

Best XFM Stephen Merchant Moment: Almost the funniest overall moment in the whole XFM run is Stephen’s story of him, a girl he fancied, a guy she liked, a Volvo Estate, and a pig named Vera. If THAT doesn’t get your attention I don’t know what will. I won’t go into the details. No one can do this story justice like Stephen can.

Most Moving XFM Karl Moment: Karl’s stories of “bad gift giving” are remarkable, but one of the saddest stories from the XFM series is the story of him buying his mother a Victoria Plum figure, excited he found his gnome-figure loving mother the prefect present. When she saw it in the shops before Christmas she responded, “that’s bloody awful” dashing young Karl’s hopes that he found the perfect gift!

Best Ricky Gervais Show (HBO) Feature: Again Monkey News loses out. Karl’s diary is by far my favorite feature. Karl’s words, read by Stephen, animated in that style, with Ricky’s commentary/reactions was the perfect storm of humor.

Best Ricky Gervais Show (HBO) Moment: What Karl would do if it was the last day before the end of the world. Just thinking about that sends me into hysterics. The first time I laughed uncontrollably at the show.
Best Ricky Gervais Show (HBO) Ricky Gervais Moment: I’ve got to go with Ricky’s story of having a construction worker tell him “Oi Rick, not as fat as on telly!” because of Ricky’s analysis of the statement, “He was saying, ‘you’re still FAT but you look ever FATTER on telly.’” To which Ricky could only say, “Cheers mate!”
Best Ricky Gervais Show (HBO) Stephen Merchant Moment: Another tough one. It was a toss-up between Stephen’s night out at a club and his experiences in Rio. I’m going to have to go with Rio. Not only is the story hilarious (it involves Stephen going into the sea to “have a wee,” a wave taking him out to sea, pulling his trunks off, and washing him down shore away from his friends and in front of a beach full of lovely women) but Ricky’s response to Stephen’s question whether he would’ve saved him is also priceless, “I couldn’t have helped you. Not with your knob out and your glasses off.”

Most Moving Ricky Gervais Show (HBO) Moment: Fittingly the last moment of the last episode, which imagines the three of them still together in an old-age home, still laughing and re-telling their favorite stories.

Best Ricky Gervais Show Episode: It was a tough one. Too tough to choose. I’m going to have to declare a tie between Insects and Karl’s Day though there were many others that came in REALLY close second…

Funniest Idiot Abroad Moment: I’ve said it before, ANYTHING to do with the bungee jump. From his “daring” land dive, to his lie about jumping in Africa, to Ricky’s discovery of and reaction to Karl’s lie. It couldn’t have been any funnier if it had been written!

Best Idiot Abroad “Wonder” Episode: This is another tie for me. Either Mexico, which features wrestling, the search for the jumping bean, and dancing to Depeche Mode outside Chichen Itza; or Peru, which has the stay with former cannibals, the news of the title of the show (NOT Karl Pilkington’s Seven Wonders like Karl thought it would be…) and Karl slyly getting out of going any further up Machu Picchu by declaring the view to be “magnificent,” a word Stephen had never before heard Karl use, raising his suspicions that Karl might be trying something sneaky.

Best Idiot Abroad “Bucket List” Episode: My favorite is Meet a Gorilla. It has the end of the bungee-jump runner, Karl’s shopping in the market, and his meeting a hippo-in-the-house.

Most moving Idiot Abroad Moment: By far Karl’s self-reflection during his climb up Mt. Fuji.

Best Book: Definitely Karlology. The most pure collection of Karl’s thoughts and experiences.

That’s my wrap up of all things Karl I’ve experienced thus far. I’m looking forward to The Moaning Life and highly recommend the above media for anyone who needs a good laugh!

For the best random interview, check this out!

The Pilkington Experience: Karlology

On July 24, 2013July 24, 2013 By James CastroIn Opinions, ReviewsLeave a comment

This is the book where Karl really comes into his own as an author. Though some of the material is repeated in some of the podcasts, unlike the previous books Karl sat down to specifically write a complete book of his thoughts on various topics. In Karlology we are treated to his musings on The Natural History Museum, the London Zoo, and the Tower of London.

Each chapter consists of Karl’s visit to a place of “culture,” usually a museum or gallery of some kind, and he then comments on what he’s seen. In the Tate modern he comments on street performers outside the location, what he thinks art is (“stuff to fill a space that would otherwise be empty” according to Karl), and his opinions on the art he sees in the gallery (such as dwarf sculptures and creepy videos).

Included in karl’s random thoughts are:

Medical words are too complex, that’s why doctors have bad handwriting.
Maybe humans and dinosaurs did live together but there weren’t many people so we haven’t found traces yet. “A bit like pug dogs – they’ve been around for years but I only saw one for the first time about nine years ago.”
Chinese surgeons are apparently the best because “they’re always dealing with kids with four legs or two heads in China.”
Extensive thoughts on stick insects, including, “If reincarnation does exist, I wouldn’t want to come back as a stick insect. I’d rather come back as a real twig: a least I wouldn’t have any enemies, and I’d be the real thing as opposed to an imitator.”
And of course, in relation to the astronauts’ short duration of time spent on the Moon “I suppose once you’ve seen one bit of the Moon, you’ve seen it all.”

In addition to the main text there are lists of facts concerning the topics covered each chapter, brief quotes from other individuals describing things they’ve learned, and occasional random incidents such as Karl’s Brain scan, his attempts at a Mensa test and “what can I learn from the news?” where Karl keeps a log of what’s reported on the news for a whole week. Though I’m sure more news was reported than he records, it really gives a good log of all the nonsense the “news” talks about, such as it being “talk like a pirate day” and fish born with two heads. He also mentions the Middle East war (surprisingly!) and comments “I don’t know how the can keep the anger up.” A great point I think…

Several of the thoughts in Karlology are heard in conversation during the “Ricky Gervais Guide to…” podcasts, but unlike previous efforts this book doesn’t have the feeling of a tie in. Though natural history, medicine, and art are topics in the “guides to” Karlology isn’t a collection of the podcasts in written form or Karl’s thoughts on the previous discussions, they are, instead, Karl’s pure thoughts on what he sees in the places he visits. In fact he covers stick insects again on Idiot Abroad giving the impression that he tends to stick with what he believes! Karlology may be Karl’s best book. Because it is Karl in his purest form, viewing familiar subjects (though Gunther van Hagens’ Bodies exhibit might not be exactly “familiar” it was something that many people visited) through his own unique lens. It’s highly recommended for Karl fans, and it would be interesting to see what people who don’t know Karl think of his commentary!

Here’s a nice clip of Ricky and Stephen talking to Karl about his book.

It’s available here!

Revenant Publications

Author: James Castro