Distrust that particular flavor
Known primarily as a novelist, Gibson has, over thirty years, been approached by different publication to share his insights into contemporary culture. The resulting essays are collected here for the first time.
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2012–2025years
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- Cool, I've been listening to the last 1.5hr or so of Idoru recently (sequel to Virtual Light). I really like Rez's bodyguard Blackwell.
Gibson's description, in Idoru, of Slitscan's audience is one of my favorite pieces of Gibson's writing, which is always about "the now" of when he wrote it. That particular description happens to be a really, really good description of the modern GOP.
I also recommend his collection of non-fiction magazine writings and paid talks, "Distrust that Particular Flavor". The important thing about Gibson is that his heart shines through all his work, and -- boy, oh boy! -- does this 2025 world need more heart!
Thanks popping up on my radar. Who knows where fate will lead us?
Peace be with you, brother. May you be blessed with all healing, health, and prosperity!
- And not a minute too soon ;-)
William Gibson pays a very nice tribute to Borges in an essay for $MAGAZINE that is in his "Distrust That Particular Flavor", which I wholly endorse, as I do every single last thing I've read or listened to of his or involving him.
Portraying the now in the guise of "the Future" is the art of it.
- I'll never forget that the first mp3 I ever downloaded was WG's self-read (and quite edited) Neuromancer audiobook -- must've been late 90's or early 00's. It is four pairs of 45min files and features an excellent techno soundtrack by U2's The Edge. I had never heard of the novel before he released the mp3s for free due to his publisher deciding they needed a more professional version. I have listened to it hundreds of times as programming background sound, such that I can still wow my fam by repeating entire random sections of it.
Much later, I have listened to his latest two books, The Peripheral and Agency many times (with teenage daughter), and love them as they are more actual sci-fi. That said, his previous trilogy (Pattern Recognition, Spook Country, and Zero History) are our favorite of his now, though they are barely what most would consider sci-fi. All his books are really capers and weave in his unique, poignant, and heart-oriented perspectives on our modern world.
It is worth noting that his collection of non-fiction articles, Distrust that Particular Flavor, is thought-provoking and simply wonderful.
- Agreed. Speaking of underrated works from cyberpunk authors, you may be interested in William Gibson's non-fiction essay collection Distrust That Particular Flavor. My hot take: I think Gibson's non-fiction is much stronger than his fiction.
EDIT: Ooh, that collection includes Disneyland with the Death Penalty: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disneyland_with_the_Death_Pena...
- Here’s a list of all the books I’ve read over the past 10 years.
My general advice is to read classics.
[2] https://taylor.town/eschew-the-new
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Here are some audiobooks that I think HN folk would enjoy:
• Guns, Germs, and Steel: https://www.amazon.com/Guns-Germs-Steel-Fates-Societies/dp/0...
• The Anthropocene Reviewed: https://www.amazon.com/Anthropocene-Reviewed-Essays-Human-Ce...
• Snowcrash: https://www.amazon.com/Snow-Crash-Neal-Stephenson/dp/0553380...
• How to Win Friends and Influence People: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/1...
• Distrust That Particular Flavor: https://www.amazon.com/Distrust-Particular-Flavor-WILLIAM-GI...
• A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again: https://www.amazon.com/Supposedly-Fun-Thing-Never-Again/dp/0...
• Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynmann!: https://www.amazon.com/Surely-Youre-Joking-Mr-Feynman/dp/039...
• Faster: https://www.amazon.com/Faster-Acceleration-Just-About-Everyt...
• How We Got To Now: https://www.amazon.com/How-We-Got-Now-Innovations/dp/1594633...
- Software Unscripted and Data Skeptic are great podcasts, but honestly, I don't think there's a whole lot of other quality audio technical content about software. And I haven't had much luck listening to courses while driving.
[1] https://taylor.town/podcasts
Rather than limiting yourself to "career" content, maybe try enriching yourself with some classic literature and non-fiction?
I personally love listening to essay collections on readtrips! I highly recommend Gibson's Distrust That Particular Flavor and any collection from David Foster Wallace.
[2] https://taylor.town/eschew-the-new
Rather than listening, also consider taking the time to dictate some essays or short stories! Phones have very good speech-to-text nowadays, and you could probably knock out an entire first-draft of something :)
