A two-fer-one Kerouac related heavenly birthday

 

Stanley Twardowicz (L) and Peter Orlovsky

Two important Jack Kerouac figures were born on today's date -- July 8: painter Stanley Twardowicz in 1917 and long-time Allen Ginsberg partner Peter Orlovsky in 1933. Twardowicz appeared in one Kerouac novel, Satori in Paris, under his own name. Orlovsky appeared in several Kerouac works: as George in The Dharma Bums, Simon Darlovsky in Desolation Angels, Simon in Book of Dreams, and Paul in Beat Generation.

You can read more about each in our remembrances HERE (Twardowicz) and HERE (Orlovsky).

Happy Heavenly Birthday to Messieurs Twardowicz and Orlovsky.

Broken Ted Joans link fixed

My great friend Richard Marsh alerted me that the link to 15 of Ted Joans' poems in yesterday's post didn't work. I think I have corrected that problem, so if like Richard you were stymied to find 15 of Joans' poems to read, check out https://www.afropoets.net/tedjoans.html.

That link works for me. You need to scroll to below the bio (which itself is worth reading) to get to the poem links.

Happy reading.

Happy Heavenly Birthday to Ted Joans

                                                     

Jazz poet and trumpeter Ted Joans was born this date -- July 4 -- in 1928. He appeared in one of Jack Kerouac's works, The Subterraneans, as John Golz.

Joans moved to NYC in 1951, where he met and became friends with Kerouac, Ginsberg, et al. Click HERE for the Wikipedia page on Joans, which states that Joans once shared a room with Charlie "Bird" Parker. Joans is credited with saying, "Jazz is my religion, and Surrealism is my point of view." HERE is a link to an obit in SFGate. In that obit you'll find this gem of a story:

Mr. Joans was born July 4, 1928, in Cairo, Ill. His father was a musician who worked aboard the riverboats of the Mississippi River, and he instilled in his young son a strong work ethic and love of jazz.

"The story goes that he gave Ted a trumpet when he was 12 years old and dropped him in Memphis with the words, 'OK, son, go make a living,'" recalled Gerald Nicosia of Corte Madera, a friend of Mr. Joans' for 40 years.

According to editor Ann Charters in a note on page 211 of Jack Kerouac Selected Letters 1957-1969 (1999, Penguin Books), Joans was present at the poetry reading on February 15, 1959, at the Artists Studio in Manhattan where Fred McDarrah took the famous picture of Kerouac reading from On The Road, standing on a stepladder, arms outstretched (see below).

You can read 15 of Joans' poems HERE.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mr. Joans.

ChatGPT attempts to write like Jack Kerouac

Image produced by starryai to the prompt
Jack Kerouac and artificial intelligence

I asked ChatGPT3 to write about cats in the style of Jack Kerouac and this is what it came up with:

Meow, my feline-loving friends! Gather 'round as I share my thoughts on those enigmatic creatures we call cats. These little beings, with their mysterious eyes and untamed spirits, are the true embodiment of freedom. They roam the streets like lone wanderers, masters of their own destiny. Their purrs are like jazz melodies, soothing the weary soul. Cats are the epitome of cool, effortlessly lounging on windowsills, basking in the sun's golden glow. They are the beat poets of the animal kingdom, living life on their own terms. So, embrace the essence of the cat, with its independent spirit and untamed heart. Let them inspire you to live boldly, with curiosity and grace. For in the eyes of a cat, you'll find a reflection of your own wild, untamed soul.

I'm not impressed. Too conventional and not an em dash or neologism to be seen. To be fair, I then asked ChatGPT to write about cats in spontaneous prose and it came up with the following:

Cats, oh cats, mysterious creatures of the night, slinking through shadows, eyes gleaming with untamed curiosity. They leap and pounce, agile and graceful, like dancers on a moonlit stage. With fur as soft as whispers, they purr melodies that soothe weary souls. Independent and untamed, they embody the wild spirit within us all. Their mysterious gaze pierces through the mundane, inviting us into a world of wonder. They are enigmas, masters of their own destinies, reminding us to embrace the unpredictable, to explore with boundless curiosity. Oh, cats, you are the embodiment of freedom, a testament to the beauty of the untamed soul.

Not much better, eh? In the future ChatGPT will have learned more about writing like Kerouac (in part from users like me giving feedback), so expect improvements.

If you're interested in the dangers of AI, check out this podcast by Lex Fridman where he interviews physicist Max Tegmark:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcVfceTsD0A&t=258s.

This post about Jack Kerouac was generated using artificial intelligence

I asked artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT3 to write a 250 word blog post about author Jack Kerouac. Below is what it came up with. AI scares the bejeezus out of me and intrigues me as well, and it ought to be on your radar screen both for its potential value and its inherent dangers. By the way, I didn't edit the below post whatsoever -- it is exactly as ChatGPT produced it. So from now on, you won't know -- unless it's confessed to -- when a piece of writing was produced in part or in whole by artificial intelligence. Think about that for a second.

Title: Exploring the Literary Legacy of Jack Kerouac: A Pioneer of the Beat Generation

Introduction: In the annals of American literature, few names evoke the spirit of rebellion and counterculture quite like Jack Kerouac. An iconic figure of the Beat Generation, Kerouac's raw and unfiltered prose captured the essence of post-war America and revolutionized the literary landscape. Through his acclaimed novel "On the Road" and his spontaneous writing style, Kerouac left an indelible mark on generations of readers and writers alike.

The Beat Generation and Kerouac's Influence: Emerging in the 1950s, the Beat Generation sought to challenge societal norms and explore the complexities of human existence. At the forefront of this movement was Jack Kerouac, whose groundbreaking novel "On the Road" epitomized the restless spirit of the era. Inspired by his own cross-country journeys, Kerouac's work showcased the quest for freedom, self-discovery, and the rejection of mainstream culture.

Spontaneous Prose and Kerouac's Writing Style: Kerouac's unique writing style, known as spontaneous prose, was a defining characteristic of his work. He sought to capture the unfiltered flow of consciousness by writing without self-censorship or revision. This experimental approach created an intimate connection between the reader and the narrator, immersing them in a world of restless energy, jazz-infused rhythms, and profound introspection.

Legacy and Cultural Impact: Kerouac's literary contributions continue to resonate with readers and writers today. His exploration of existential themes, the pursuit of authenticity, and the rejection of societal expectations have inspired countless artists across various disciplines. His work not only influenced subsequent generations of writers but also had a profound impact on popular culture, music, and film.

Conclusion: Jack Kerouac's legacy as a literary pioneer of the Beat Generation endures, remaining relevant and influential in the present day. Through his trailblazing prose and unyielding commitment to capturing the essence of life's journeys, he expanded the boundaries of literature and challenged conventional norms. As we continue to navigate an ever-changing world, Kerouac's words remind us of the enduring power of self-expression, adventure, and the relentless pursuit of our true selves.

Remembering Philip Whalen

 

Philip Whalen (L) & Jack Kerouac

Today we remember Beat poet Philip Whalen, who died on this date -- June 26 -- in 2002 at the age of 78. He appeared in several Jack Kerouac works: as Warren Coughlin in The Dharma Bums, and Ben Fagan in Desolation Angels and Big Sur.

Whalen was a force behind the San Francisco poetry renaissance of the mid-50s, and was one of the poets who read at the famous Six Gallery reading on October 7, 1955.

To get a sense of Whalen's place in Kerouac's world, I highly recommend reading John Suiter's Poets on the Peaks: Gary Snyder, Philip Whalen & Jack Kerouac in the North Cascades. This is my favorite Kerouac-related book of all time (a gift from my great friend, Richard Marsh).

Whalen was a Buddhist, close with Lew Welch and Gary Snyder (who all met at Reed College in Oregon), and a much greater piece of the Beat Generation puzzle than he gets credit for, especially the West Coast aspect. You can read a brief bio and some of his poetry HERE. Whalen and Kerouac were also close, evidenced by the more than two dozen letters from Kerouac to Whalen included in Jack Kerouac Selected Letters 1957-1969 (Penguin Books, 1999). Here is an excerpt from a mid-August 1957 letter to Whalen:

Got your letter about the malefic flashes and forms just in time to stick them into my article ABOUT THE BEAT GENERATION where I catalog the visions experienced by members of our generation to try to show the general religiousness of "beat" (including Lamantia's and Allen's and all)--(my own, Gary's, etc.)-- (p. 67)

RIP, Mr. Whalen.

I provide a Jack Kerouac quote and you figure out the book (13th in a series)

                                                     

This is the 13th in a series of posts where I provide a quote from one of Jack Kerouac's books and you figure out which one. Post your answer as a comment. Here's the passage:

Strictly speaking, there is no me, because all is emptiness. I am empty, I am non-existent. All is bliss.

Good luck!

Oh, and remember our policy on comments (over there on the right).