consciencelessness

no actually i think actually i'm going to read this book about sociopaths instead of the sontag. the sontag will wait. i think it's too dense for me at the moment. i'm feeling too flighty for sontag!

i was going to read this richard powers book but i think it would be just too good for right now. too eloquent, too admirable. i do like what mr powers does. i read the first few pages this morning and, yeah, it's going to be good. i think it would distract me from writing and depress me. i will read it after november.

so, yeah, i'm on to sociopaths. i am prompted to read this book in part because of this local news. the crime - triple murder - happened 3/4 of a mile (give or take) from our house, back in february. the shooter pled guilty, showed zero remorse, and will get life in jail.

it's a horrifying crime but i am comforted by the fact that at least one of the victims was known by the perp. that is to say, it was not a random crime. it doesn't make the crime less of a horrorshow but i don't think i personally know anyone at the moment with a predeliction for killing folks. this makes me feel somewhat safer.

i don't know if this sort of personality - the lack of conscience - is at all penetrable from a psychological or sociological standpoint and i certainly would want to keep a considerable distance from such an individual, but on intellectual level i am deeply fascinated and curious.

i'll sit in a plush chair, smoke a pipe, sip brandy, and read this pop-sociologic text. i relish a safe distance!