I had the occasion to spend some time this afternoon with a friend who, in spite of serious ongoing health issues, is launching a new social venture intended to bring resources to third-world farmers. When discussing his decision to launch something incredibly ambitious at this point in his life, when his heart is only functioning at something like 20-percent, he referenced the video for the song Lazarus, off of David Bowie’s last record Blackstar. He said he felt like Bowie in the video, who we see writing as if possessed, trying to get as much work as possible done before the end of his life.
In the wake of Bowie’s passing, we all talked about these last songs of his, which were clearly about his impending death, but this was the first time I’d had an opportunity to discuss them with someone who, in his own words, faces the prospect of death daily, and it was really an incredibly thought provoking conversation. It was so thought provoking, in fact, that I was still thinking about death, and the lasting legacy we all leave behind, this evening when I went out walking the dog and stumbled across the following. I don’t know if it’s a reference to the Bowie album, as there’s additional “r” at the end, but, from now on, every time I see it, I’ll be reminded of Bowie, this friend of mine, and the conversation we had about the fleeting nature of life, and the things we’d still like to accomplish in this world.
[note: There is apparently a fascist metahuman in the DC comic universe by the name of Blackstarr, so I suppose this could be an homage to her. Hopefully that’s not the case, though. We need less fascism and more Bowie.]
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We don’t talk about death enough in this culture.
Rachel Berkowitz of Chicago was Blackstarr, enemy of Super Girl, member of the Suicide Squad.
For others who might be interested, here is the history of Blackstarr.
Read more:
http://www.writeups.org/blackstarr-supergirl-dc-comics/
Mos Def and Talib Kweli…
That’s “Black Star”, KJC. Two words. One R.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mos_Def_%26_Talib_Kweli_Are_Black_Star
My favorite part of the Lazarus video is that Bowie wears the same outfit he did on the cover of “Station to Station”.
Bowie’s best material in two decades and then he dies. Death of course is the greatest impetus, the event which makes us truly who we are. Death gives us the completion which forever eludes our intrinsically fragmentary existences. How one negotiates one’s death is of the greatest importance to how one lives. Are you cowering in terror in front of the ever present danger of the void? Do you worship the emptiness which is itself empty? Do you welcome the respite of the void? Do you live in denial, forever deferring the thought until it inevitably crowds into your awareness? Death both grants and commands us to make meaning, to uncover significance in this incomprehensible world before you blink out of it. If technology is ever successful at erasing death out of the transhuman bourgeoisie, the human race will enter a phase of consummate meaninglessness the likes of which have never been seen before. Hail Death, long may you reign!
“I’m closer to the Golden Dawn
Immersed in Crowley’s uniform
I’m not a prophet or a stoneage man
Just a mortal with potential of a superman”
– Quicksand
Those symbols aren’t ones I recognize from the Bowie album.
This is part of a rebranding effort on behalf of Kurt Vonnegut’s asshole.
Some interesting reactions to this important post by a well known author.
Kurt Vonnegut’s asshole:
https://www.scienceleadership.org/blog/the_use_of_illustration_in_kurt_vonnegut-s-breakfast_of_champions
“That’s “Black Star”, KJC. Two words. One R.”
yes. i thought we were speculating on typo.
There’s still lots I would like to accomplish, but at least some (much? most?) just won’t be possible. So much of what we accomplish depends on the right timing, luck, etc. I grew up thinking anything was possible, but eventually had to admit that it really isn’t. Will I get a huge, six figure book deal? No. Will I be able to bring the races and genders together in harmony? No. (Seriously, I used to think I would write the One Book that would do that. I know, I know–pitiful). It is really depressing, and trying to find meaning in it all is exhausting.
The only thing I want to accomplish is the release of “Six Pack Songs Vol. 2.”
I am dying of cancer. I watched Bowie’s last video a couple times. The first time made me uncomfortable as he skillfully recreates the bandages, shots, pokes, and pain of active treatment that I am so familiar with. The second time, I was struck that he came out of the same coffin/wardrobe that he retreats into upon death. It is comforting for me to think that when I die, I will be going back to the same place I was before being born. I have no memory of this being a bad place, so maybe it will be ok.
Lita, I’m so very sorry to hear about your cancer. I hope the time you have remaining here is happy, pain-free and rewarding.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us here.