cyberpunk documentary and the woes of lost data

Yesterday my flash dive stopped working. Of course my novel was backed up, but not much else was. So I spent the day walking in the rain moping (a productive decision, I know). The flash drive is sitting in front of me now, and it strikes me how much like people these little things are when they die. The body's still there, but the soul of the thing has slipped away. That's the way data is. It can be copied endlessly for nothing, but it can also disappear into nothing.

But life goes on. I'll be painting the kitchen soon, but I wanted to post this video before I did. Interviews with Timothy Leary, and William Gibson on Cyberpunk. It's a fun film--I hope you enjoy.

Physical avitar

Here's a video I found on line that has the guy who made the physical avatar I talk about in cyberpunk apocalypse the publication. He explains how he orriginally made the thing out of junk he trash-picked.

One member of the Cyberpunk Apocalypse needs to read Sartre

It's a bit quieter than usual at the cyberpunk apocalypse house right now. Two of our roommates are out of town, and in truth I'm the only one awake here.
I've been sick, so I've contented myself to doing some minor work on the house (killing mold, moving compost, etc.) and, of course, working on my book.
I hope to have the text in good sorts when my health returns and I bicycle to Washington D.C..
But even if we walk on a lazy summer day, the world sprints around us. It can't be helped.
Earlier in the evening Sara brought home an interview of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone De Beauvoir on DVD from the library. Ross was excited. "Sartre's my favourite philosopher," he said. "I think."
I was also excited, because I didn't know a damn thing about either of them. So, the three of us watched it together huddled on the couch in front of the little TV. It made an impression on me. I'll have to read them, and about them. I think I'll start with Sartre, for no reason other than the fact that I'm slightly more drawn by him.. slightly more so than his counterpart.
Perhaps what struck me about the duo, was in their interview I seemed to find a simple answer for that question that plagues so many writers, myself especially: Why write? Why do anything really?
"Our job is to find meaning," said Sartre.
In a universe devoid of purpose isn't the search for meaning the only reasonable undertaking? Without meaning isn't all other action hollow?
I think I will try to find meaning first, then I will do the rest.

Call for Submissions

Daniel McCloskey is collecting work to put together and anthology called "The job that pays me." This publication will be a collection of sort pieces by creative people discussing what they do in exchange for money, or other goods that fulfil their basic needs. Less than ten pages would be preferable (12pt double-spaced if it's text). Shorter is better. Know (if you're doing something visual) that the publication will most likely be printed half sized (5.5x8.5). Give me what you got,Deadline is July 15th.

Email all submissions to danielpatrickmccloskey[at]gmail.com
with "JOB submissions"
If you get in I won't pay you anything, but I will give you a copy of the publication once completed.

Word Luck

This Tuesday, at 7 pm, we will be hosting an open reading at the house. Do come.