Author: Scott McKenzie

Palahniuk Ripped Off

Guitarist Steve Vai recalls asking Frank Zappa for advice. “What’s the one thing you would tell an aspiring musician?” the awe struck kid asked. Zappa took a piece of paper and scribbled something down. He handed it to the young musician who opened up the scrap and saw a name and a phone number. “Music…

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The oddity of death and remove, in today’s social media age

I’m currently reading The Largesse of the Sea Maiden, the posthumous collection from Denis Johnson. Expect a full review shortly. But in the meantime, I am struck by the odd, unrealistic disappointment that I will not ever be able to meet the man, get a signed book, or exchange social media messages. Our current pop…

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Montfort on the future

Nick Montfort, author of The Future recently sat down with Slushpile patron saint John Biggs for an episode of the Technotopia podcast. A professor in Comparative Media Studies/Writing at MIT, Montfort advocates a “future making” perspective. Instead of just trying to predict the future, he advises, folks should strive to shape and influence the future.

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McGowan asks B&N for apology

A number of sources are reporting that an appearance from Rose McGowan at the Union Square Barnes & Noble went south. Here is the Hollywood Reporter’s version. McGowan was appearing in support of her book, Brave. An aggressive questioner (heckler, according to some reports) went on for a period of time before security asked the…

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You still brag about that high school state championship?

So, here’s a book deal that will make you feel like you’ve accomplished almost nothing in your life. “The only member of the U.S. Armed Services to complete SEAL training, U.S. Army Ranger School, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller training, and only the 36th African American to become a Navy SEAL in its storied…

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