It’s 2 and a half hours before my first presentation, “The Fountain Told a Lie,” and I think I’m almost kinda sorta ready for it. The Sheraton Centre in Toronto is where we are, and it’s been fun so far. I’ve learned that, yes, Fandom is every bit as weird as I figured it was, and there is no shortage of cloaks, hats, wands – I saw someone dressed as a broom this morning – but it’s all fun so far, even if I’m not very involved in anything other than the academic stuff.
Steve Vander Ark of the Harry Potter Lexicon is indeed an excellent speaker. Saw him this morning, and we’re heading back to see him again in about a half hour.
I came across this news article (HT to LaShawn) about the conference in which I am quoted. If you want to see the derision with which not-literary folks look at those of us who examine the literary aspects of the novels, check the comments undernearth the article. It’s fascinating and appalling.
Off to have more fun. I’ll write again later tonight.
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I’m not sure if I should say “best of luck” or “I hope it went well”. But you get the idea.
This is probably an awesome time to be at a Harry Potter convention.
I read the article, and it felt derisive enough before I even read the comments. The writer of the article does have a small point, though. Travis, I’ve read most of your work here, and listened to your podcasts. You’re insightful and articulate, and as far as I know, have never crossed the line into becoming innane. But I have to concede that ‘Freud and the Fetishistic Phantasy: Magic, Desire, and Loss in Harry Potter’ does warrant a little tongue-in-cheek cyncism.
Even if some of our commentary is off the wall, so what? We’re having fun.
If these folks think we’re so silly spending our time this way, what are they doing spending so much time on us?
I often think this is the downside to giving education to everyone, especially in the midst of pop-culture. Everyone has the mechanics of reading, but not the desire to think about what they’re reading, which is why the news is the way it is.
Don’t get me wrong; I think everyone has the right to an education. But my students in Intro to Lit or World Cultures often resent the hell out of the idea that there’s more to a text than simply the plot. I live and teach in Northwestern Kentucky/Southwestern Indiana, and as far as my students are concerned, books and movies are just for pure entertainment. And when they have to read the Koran for World Cultures, many of them are flatly appalled.
Dave, the problem wasn’t in teaching the unwashed masses to read; it was giving them the Internet so anyone can post an opinion for millions to view, no matter how ill-formed or ill-informed.
On the other hand, the same technology allows us to have a lot of fun right here, bouncing ideas off of each other.
I say, let everyone post who wants to (aside from the hate mongers and those who didn’t pass spelling in grade 3). Let whoever wants to read what’s posted, do so. Free world. And really, who cares what the ignorant say, as long as they don’t say it on my time?
Reyhan, yeah…I have moments when I think like you do. My dad’s favorite aphorism is that “it takes all kinds to make the world go ’round”. Of course, he might turn around and follow that up by saying that “homosexuals are why God invented white sharks and grizzly bears”.
Dave–
and follow it up with, “so that’s why I have this petition to give cheese the vote.”
Travis, I hope you’re going to see the talk by “logospilgrim”. I’d be really curious to hear how that hypothesis comes together.
Maybe logospilgrim will make an appearance here or on hogpro
Nicholas
Trish, if my dad could string all three of those together, I’d be copying it down as some of the greatest poetry I’ve ever heard…
I hope the proceedings from the conference are offered up electronically. My wife got a CD-ROM of Lumos’ proceedings for her birthday last year, and there are some fantastic essays on it.
Awesome mate! Good luck, and kick some Prophecy BUT!
Travis, I guess it’s time to drop the facade, and admit you just want to bask in J.K.’s glory. I know its hard, but the commentators have put forth an elegant argument. I was going to read some Tolkien tonight, but I think I’ll just watch some MTV Cribs instead. It’s really all the same.
cigar, I really do want to go to the logospilgrim presentation, but I think “J.K. Rowling’s Library,” which is on at the same time, is going to win out, because that’s sort of where I want to take this site once DH discussion dwindles.
Sean, yes, I’m abandoning in the conference, having realized that all I’m trying to do is prove I’m smarter than JKR because I’m jealous. Right.
Hey Travis,
How did the deconstructing presentation go? Did the audience connect? What’s their level of engagement? Are they as much into this stuff as we are here?
You’re going to have a busy afternoon. They’re going to love the Shadow/sociopath/sinner presentation. And you’ve saved the best for last. Shake them, move them, make them cry.
The Dumbledore Deconstruction presentation went beautifully. I’ll write up a quick post after another hour or so of work.
Travis, I’m glad that your Dumbledore presentation went so well. Looking forward to your post! I hope you’re having fun in Toronto!