<ul> <li>The first explainer for the ending of the book that Kate reads in the episode was <a href="http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/ijend">What Happens at the End of Infinite Jest? (or, the Infinite Jest ending explained)</a> by the late, lamented Aaron Swartz. He also wrote a blog post <a href="http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/finij">On Finishing Infinite Jest</a>.</li> <li>“And here, really, is the enigma of David Foster Wallace’s work generally and Infinite Jest specifically: an endlessly, compulsively entertaining book that stingily withholds from readers the core pleasures of mainstream novelistic entertainment, among them a graspable central narrative line, identifiable movement through time, and any resolution of its quadrumvirate plotlines.” - <a href="https://lithub.com/four-theories-toward-the-timeless-brilliance-ofinfinite-jest/">Four Theories Toward the Timeless Brilliance of Infinite Jest</a></li> <li>“Perfect, however, ‘Infinite Jest’ is not: this 1,079-page novel is a ‘loose baggy monster,’ to use Henry James’s words, a vast, encyclopedic compendium of whatever seems to have crossed Mr. Wallace’s mind.” - Michiko Kakutani, New York Times 1996 <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/13/books/books-of-the-times-a-country-dying-of-laughter-in-1079-pages.html">BOOKS OF THE TIMES;A Country Dying of Laughter. In 1,079 Pages.</a></li> <li>“Long after publication Wallace maintained this position, stating that the novel ‘does resolve, but it resolves … outside of the right frame of the picture. You can get a pretty good idea, I think, of what happens’. Critical reviews and a reader’s guide have provided insight, but Burns notes that Wallace privately conceded to Jonathan Franzen that ‘the story can’t fully be made sense of’.” - the Wikipedia article for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Jest">Infinite Jest</a></li> </ul> Fuzzy started this podcast because he couldn’t find an existing podcast that worked through Infinite Jest. There must have been something in the zeitgeist, because Fuzzy’s brother pointed us at <a href="https://blubrry.com/jest_friends/">Jest Friends</a>, a podcast that started around the same time as this one. They’re only about halfway through, as they’re reading around 50 pages a week. Good luck to them!

 The first explainer for the ending of the book that Kate reads in the episode was What Happens at the End of Infinite Jest? (or, the Infinite Jest ending explained) by the late, lamented Aaron Swartz. He also wrote a blog post On Finishing Infinite Jest. “And here, really, is the enigma of David Foster Wallace’s work generally and Infinite Jest specifically: an endlessly, compulsively entertaining book that stingily withholds from readers the core pleasures of mainstream novelistic entertainment, among them a graspable central narrative line, identifiable movement through time, and any resolution of its quadrumvirate plotlines.” - Four Theories Toward the Timeless Brilliance of Infinite Jest “Perfect, however, ‘Infinite Jest’ is not: this 1,079-page novel is a ‘loose baggy monster,’ to use Henry James’s words, a vast, encyclopedic compendium of whatever seems to have crossed Mr. Wallace’s mind.” - Michiko Kakutani, New York Times 1996 BOOKS OF THE TIMES;A Country Dying of Laughter. In 1,079 Pages. “Long after publication Wallace maintained this position, stating that the novel ‘does resolve, but it resolves … outside of the right frame of the picture. You can get a pretty good idea, I think, of what happens’. Critical reviews and a reader’s guide have provided insight, but Burns notes that Wallace privately conceded to Jonathan Franzen that ‘the story can’t fully be made sense of’.” - the Wikipedia article for Infinite Jest Fuzzy started this podcast because he couldn’t find an existing podcast that worked through Infinite Jest. There must have been something in the zeitgeist, because Fuzzy’s brother pointed us at Jest Friends, a podcast that started around the same time as this one. They’re only about halfway through, as they’re reading around 50 pages a week. Good luck to them!

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13 - I Guess It Wasn't Infinite Because It Ended (pg 908-981)

We went ahead and read 1.5 weeks’ worth to get back on track. <ul> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_John:_A_Book_About_Men">Iron John: A Book About Men</a></li> <li>The movie we refer to is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_of_the_Tour">The End of the Tour</a>, based on David Lipsky’s memoir <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Although_of_Course_You_End_Up_Becoming_Yourself">Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself</a>.</li> </ul> For next week, read to page 981 if you’re reading along (that is, finish the book).

We went ahead and read 1.5 weeks’ worth to get back on track. Iron John: A Book About Men The movie we refer to is The End of the Tour, based on David Lipsky’s memoir Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself. For next week, read to page 981 if you’re reading along (that is, finish the book).

12 - Gaudeamus Igitur (pg 802-907)

<ul> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greeble_(psychology">Greebles</a>) are fascinating</li> <li>We speculated about the audiobook in Episode 8 (An Imaginary Nuclear Process) and covered the versions in the <a href="http://terriblephotosofpeopleilove.com/2019/10/8-imaginary-nuclear-pg-538611.html">show notes for that episode</a>. It is read by the voice actor <a href="https://www.seanprattpresents.com/">Sean Pratt</a>.</li> </ul> Ignore what we say at the end of the episode and read to page 907 if you’re reading along. That’s right, we’re going for it!

 Greebles) are fascinating We speculated about the audiobook in Episode 8 (An Imaginary Nuclear Process) and covered the versions in the show notes for that episode. It is read by the voice actor Sean Pratt. Ignore what we say at the end of the episode and read to page 907 if you’re reading along. That’s right, we’re going for it!

11 - Just an Endnote (pg 728-801)

This week is a special minisode, just a half-week segment on the <a href="http://infinitesummer.org/archives/168">Infinite Summer Reading Schedule</a>. Look, life happens. But then somehow we managed to talk about half as many pages for about the same amount of time as always. Is it possible that we’re just two old friends who like getting together once a week and yammering? Maaaaybe. Here’s the button that Fuzzy gave Kate: <img alt="DFW Button" src="http://terriblephotosofpeopleilove.com/dfw_button.png" width="3024" height="3024" class="mt-image-none" style="" /> <ul> <li>Erica sent us the article <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/feb/26/infinite-jest-david-foster-wallace-20th-anniversary-20-things-need-know">Infinite Jest at 20: 20 things you need to know</a> which contains the factoid about the extra 600 pages and the VHS of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beethoven_(film">Beethoven</a>), but she can’t guarantee there aren’t spoilers.</li> </ul> For next episode, read pages 728-801 if you’re reading along.

This week is a special minisode, just a half-week segment on the Infinite Summer Reading Schedule. Look, life happens. But then somehow we managed to talk about half as many pages for about the same amount of time as always. Is it possible that we’re just two old friends who like getting together once a week and yammering? Maaaaybe. Here’s the button that Fuzzy gave Kate: Erica sent us the article Infinite Jest at 20: 20 things you need to know which contains the factoid about the extra 600 pages and the VHS of Beethoven), but she can’t guarantee there aren’t spoilers. For next episode, read pages 728-801 if you’re reading along.

10 - Half the Reading, All the Talking (pg 686-727)

<ul> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brocken_spectre">Bröckengespenstphänom</a></li> <li>Fuzzy’s review of <a href="http://fuzzyco.com/news/reviews/books/house-of-leaves.html">House of Leaves</a></li> </ul> Despite what we say at the end of the episode, just read from pg 686 to 727 for next episode, if you’re reading along.

 Bröckengespenstphänom Fuzzy’s review of House of Leaves Despite what we say at the end of the episode, just read from pg 686 to 727 for next episode, if you’re reading along.

9 - Some Rustling in the Background (pg 612-685)

<ul> <li>OK, so there’s a 2012 audiobook of <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Infinite-Jest-Audiobook/B007P00API">audiobook of Infinite Jest</a>, that’s 56 hours, but it <a href="https://www.thehowlingfantods.com/dfw/infinite-jest/why-i-cannot-recommend-the-infinite-jest-audio-book.html">doesn’t have the endnotes</a>, so <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/audible/comments/62fbc8/questions_to_those_who_readlistened_to_infinite/">they released</a> a <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Infinite-Jest-Part-I-With-a-Foreword-by-Dave-Eggers-Audiobook/B00C4Z7FB6">three-part audiobook</a> in 2013 where the third part is an extra 7 hours of <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Infinite-Jest-Part-III-The-Endnotes-Audiobook/B00C2D0B4S">just the endnotes</a>. </li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR_NcqD-Gfs">The Lobster</a> is on Netflix</li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imbA6Nkb8e8">Even Cowgirls Get the Blues</a> is 19% on Rotten Tomatoes. Oof. </li> <li>Erica pointed us at <a href="http://www.brickjest.com/">Brickjest</a> which is Infinite Jest in Lego. I didn’t scroll all the way to the bottom for fear of spoilers.</li> </ul> For next episode, read pages 612-685 if you’re reading along.

 OK, so there’s a 2012 audiobook of audiobook of Infinite Jest, that’s 56 hours, but it doesn’t have the endnotes, so they released a three-part audiobook in 2013 where the third part is an extra 7 hours of just the endnotes. The Lobster is on Netflix Even Cowgirls Get the Blues is 19% on Rotten Tomatoes. Oof. Erica pointed us at Brickjest which is Infinite Jest in Lego. I didn’t scroll all the way to the bottom for fear of spoilers. For next episode, read pages 612-685 if you’re reading along.

8 - An Imaginary Nuclear Process (pg 538-611)

Show Notes: <ul> <li>Tay Zonday’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwTZ2xpQwpA">Chocolate Rain</a> and the classic caption “I move away from the mic to breathe in”</li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVLAAMZeraQ">Eric Andre on Hot Ones</a></li> <li>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect">Dunning-Kruger effect</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impostor_syndrome">Imposter Syndrome</a></li> <li>Kate is taking a vacation from IJ with Demi Moore’s memoir <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Out-Memoir-Demi-Moore/dp/0062049534/">Inside Out</a></li> <li>Fuzzy has queued up <a href="https://www.doomtree.net/dessa/">Dessa</a>’s memoir <a href="http://store.doomtree.net/product/dessa-my-own-devices-paperback">My Own Devices</a></li> </ul> For next episode, read pages 538-611 if you’re reading along.

Show Notes: Tay Zonday’s Chocolate Rain and the classic caption “I move away from the mic to breathe in” Eric Andre on Hot Ones The Dunning-Kruger effect Imposter Syndrome Kate is taking a vacation from IJ with Demi Moore’s memoir Inside Out Fuzzy has queued up Dessa’s memoir My Own Devices For next episode, read pages 538-611 if you’re reading along.

7 - The Dunning-Kruger Effect (pg 465-537)

A shorter episode than we’ve been doing so far, and a shocking reveal two-thirds of the way through the podcast. Are there any show notes? Not really. We still haven’t actually made Kate’s shirt. For next episode, read pages 465-537 if you’re reading along.

A shorter episode than we’ve been doing so far, and a shocking reveal two-thirds of the way through the podcast. Are there any show notes? Not really. We still haven’t actually made Kate’s shirt. For next episode, read pages 465-537 if you’re reading along.

6 - Challenging the Audience (pg 391-464)

Show notes: * Kate mentioned reading two articles about women reading DFW: <a href="https://electricliterature.com/men-recommend-david-foster-wallace-to-me/">Men Recommend David Foster Wallace to Me</a> and <a href="https://www.thecut.com/2015/08/david-foster-wallace-beloved-author-of-bros.html">Why Literary Chauvinists Love David Foster Wallace</a> * The video for the The Decemberists song “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJpfK7l404I">Calamity Song</a>” features the game of Eschaton from this section. * Kate mentions the classic <a href="http://www.thehoyde.com/">Steve Delahoyde</a> video <a href="https://vimeo.com/26776921">238 Miles</a>. * We didn’t mention it in the podcast, but off-air Kate saw that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/books-bill-gates-is-reading-now-david-foster-wallace-2019-9">Bill Gates is reading “every word” written by DFW</a>. For next episode, read pages 391-464 if you’re reading along.

Show notes: * Kate mentioned reading two articles about women reading DFW: Men Recommend David Foster Wallace to Me and Why Literary Chauvinists Love David Foster Wallace * The video for the The Decemberists song “Calamity Song” features the game of Eschaton from this section. * Kate mentions the classic Steve Delahoyde video 238 Miles. * We didn’t mention it in the podcast, but off-air Kate saw that Bill Gates is reading “every word” written by DFW. For next episode, read pages 391-464 if you’re reading along.

5 - Get Into It (pg 317-390)

We’re not broken yet, but we’re a little bowed. <ul> <li>An <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/david-foster-wallace-in-recovery-an-excerpt-from-the-new-biography">excerpt from a DFW biography</a> that Fuzzy mentions in the podcast.</li> <li>The photo Kate sent Fuzzy to express her mood: <img alt="Kate's Mood" src="http://terriblephotosofpeopleilove.com/image0000001.jpg" width="768" height="1024" class="mt-image-none" style="" /></li> <li>It was <a href="https://www.vogue.com.au/fashion/news/the-most-inspiring-coco-chanel-quotes-to-live-by/image-gallery/b1cb17be7e20734d0b255fbd5a478ed4?pos=1">Coco Chanel</a>.</li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slade_House">Slade House</a></li> </ul> For next episode, read pages 317-390 if you’re reading along.

We’re not broken yet, but we’re a little bowed. An excerpt from a DFW biography that Fuzzy mentions in the podcast. The photo Kate sent Fuzzy to express her mood: It was Coco Chanel. Slade House For next episode, read pages 317-390 if you’re reading along.

4 - F the Endnote (pg 243-316)

Week 3… wasn’t that bad. We do have some content warnings this week: there’s talk of suicide and drug addiction. Show notes: <ul> <li>Kate mentioned that she’s started to use an <a href="https://infinitejest.wallacewiki.com/david-foster-wallace/index.php?title=Pages_157-181">annotated wiki</a>.</li> <li>A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansard_roof">mansard roof</a></li> </ul> For next episode, read pages 243-316 if you’re reading along.

Week 3… wasn’t that bad. We do have some content warnings this week: there’s talk of suicide and drug addiction. Show notes: Kate mentioned that she’s started to use an annotated wiki. A mansard roof For next episode, read pages 243-316 if you’re reading along.

3 - Things Can Be Enthralling (pg 169-242)

We did it! We started the book and came back for a second week anyway! Because we’ve recorded a few more than we’ve released, I mentioned the Pre-Taped Call In Show and if you’ve never seen that Mr. Show sketch, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrlS9_n8GX4">you should</a>. New things this week include our email address: podcast@terriblephotosofpeopleoflove.com - as we note in the episode, we probably won’t respond if you send us email. So… there you go. For next episode, read pages 169-242 if you’re reading along.

We did it! We started the book and came back for a second week anyway! Because we’ve recorded a few more than we’ve released, I mentioned the Pre-Taped Call In Show and if you’ve never seen that Mr. Show sketch, you should. New things this week include our email address: podcast@terriblephotosofpeopleoflove.com - as we note in the episode, we probably won’t respond if you send us email. So… there you go. For next episode, read pages 169-242 if you’re reading along.

2 - A Critical and Unkind Eye (pg 95-168)

We got started! This week we read pages 1 to 94 of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316066524/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0316066524&linkCode=as2&tag=defectiveyeti-20">Infinite Jest</a>. <ul> <li>We using the <a href="http://infinitesummer.org/archives/168">reading schedule</a> from Infinite Summer.</li> <li><a href="http://noahginex.com/">Noah Ginex</a> composed our theme music.</li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/davestinton">Dave Stinton</a> gave us our name.</li> </ul> For next episode, read pages 95-168 if you’re reading along.

We got started! This week we read pages 1 to 94 of Infinite Jest. We using the reading schedule from Infinite Summer. Noah Ginex composed our theme music. Dave Stinton gave us our name. For next episode, read pages 95-168 if you’re reading along.

1 - How Do We Want to Do This? (pg 1-94)

Before we dive into this thing, Kate and Fuzzy thought we should introduce ourselves. “This thing” being a reading of <a href="http://www.davidfosterwallacebooks.com/">David Foster Wallace</a>’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316066524/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0316066524&linkCode=as2&tag=defectiveyeti-20">Infinite Jest</a>. We’re indebted, even before we begin, to: <ul> <li>The website Infinite Summer for their <a href="http://infinitesummer.org/archives/168">reading schedule</a>.</li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/davestinton">Dave Stinton</a> for the suggestion of our name.</li> <li><a href="http://noahginex.com/">Noah Ginex</a> for our theme music.</li> </ul> Some show notes: <ul> <li>Jeri’s Grill is at 4357 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL. It’s pretty good for what it is.</li> <li>Fuzzy mentions a couple of other podcasts: <a href="http://372pages.com/">372 Pages We’ll Never Get Back</a> and <a href="https://www.idontevenownatelevision.com/">I Don’t Even Own a Television</a>. Both are great.</li> <li>Kate mentions <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Confederacy_of_Dunces">A Confederacy of Dunces</a> which Fuzzy liked and Kate did not.</li> </ul> For next episode, read to page 94 if you’re going to read along.

Before we dive into this thing, Kate and Fuzzy thought we should introduce ourselves. “This thing” being a reading of David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest. We’re indebted, even before we begin, to: The website Infinite Summer for their reading schedule. Dave Stinton for the suggestion of our name. Noah Ginex for our theme music. Some show notes: Jeri’s Grill is at 4357 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL. It’s pretty good for what it is. Fuzzy mentions a couple of other podcasts: 372 Pages We’ll Never Get Back and I Don’t Even Own a Television. Both are great. Kate mentions A Confederacy of Dunces which Fuzzy liked and Kate did not. For next episode, read to page 94 if you’re going to read along.

0 - Foreword, As It Were

Kate and Fuzzy are reading Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace and talking about it.

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