states of mind: from absurdistan to zion

reesetee commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

Nice list, rolig. Although it has quite a different slant, you may want to pinch from my "Long, Strange Trip" list. :-)

September 3, 2008

rolig commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

Thanks, reesetee! I like your list, and may just do a little borrowing from it. I am trying to keep my list to places (some real, like america and san francisco) that have come to exert some power over the imagination, that symbolize some ideal (utopia), horror (third reich), delight (shangri-la) or frustration (kakania and absurdistan).

September 4, 2008

whichbe commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

Feel free to grab-up stuff from Displacemattes, too.

September 4, 2008

reesetee commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

Yes, I understand, rolig--yours is a far more symbolic and targeted list than mine, which is just a big mishmash of fun-ness. :-)

Whichbe, thanks for pointing to your list--hadn't seen it before!

September 4, 2008

rolig commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

Funness is best when mished and mashed.

Thanks for the permission to purloin, whichbe!

September 4, 2008

bilby commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

Hoo aboot cyberspace?

October 11, 2008

bilby commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

I'm watching Scottish football at the moment :-7

October 11, 2008

Prolagus commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

I'd suggest Brokeback Mountain, Far West, and Klondike.

October 11, 2008

rolig commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

Bilby, I'm not yet convinced that cyberspace is a "state of mind" as I understand it, a place that exerts some power over the imagination or that symbolizes some state of being.

Prolagus, remind me what Far West refers to – is this a Tolkienian reference? (But your suggestion does make me realize that I forgot Far East and Orient, both toponyms with imaginative and symbolic power. I'm not sure that Brokeback Mountain belongs here, but then I'm a little out of touch. Can you give me an example of how it might be used as a "state of mind"? I'm more persuaded by Klondike as a locus of the imagination.

October 12, 2008

Prolagus commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

In Italy (only in Italy?) we use Far West to mean the American frontier dream.

In Brokeback Mountain, the place becomes a symbol of the only chance that the two men have to meet and love each other, so it's more than just a "place". I really loved the way they always referred to B.M. in the movie.

October 12, 2008

rolig commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

Prolagus, I agree that in the Proulx's short story, Brokeback Mountain becomes a symbol of the men's love. For this list, I am looking for places that have transcended their original context and, in a sense, entered the language. Some of the places I have listed are no longer very familiar to most English speakers (e.g. Armida's Castle - though as someone educated in Italy you are probably familiar with this Tasso reference), but at one time (200 years ago) they would have been readily recognized. When gay couples start saying things like, "Scranton was our Brokeback Mountain," then it goes on the list.

In America we don't say the "Far West", we normally just say "the West", or, if we are referring to the world of coboys and Indians, sheriffs and bad guys, we say the "Wild West" and that should definitely be here. Thanks!

October 12, 2008

chained_bear commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

Or the Old West. :) Cool list, rolig! (but you knew that already!)

October 12, 2008

trailingedge commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

Interesting list rolig. Would the burbs, nowheresville, the back country fit in?

October 13, 2008

rolig commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

Thanks for the suggestions, c_b and trailingedge! All added, plus a couple more that your suggestions suggested.

October 13, 2008

Durvin commented on the list states-of-mind-from-absurdistan-to-zion

Suggestion: Ubekibekibekistanstan.

December 28, 2012