South Koreans during a mock funeral service in Seoul on Saturday. Such
funerals have become popular in South Korea as a way to gain more
appreciation for life.: photo by Jean Chung for The New York Times, 26 October 2016
South Koreans during a mock funeral service in Seoul on Saturday. Such funerals have become popular in South Korea as a way to gain more appreciation for life.: photo by Jean Chung for The New York Times, 26 October 2016
South Koreans during a mock funeral service in Seoul on Saturday. Such funerals have become popular in South Korea as a way to gain more appreciation for life.: photo by Jean Chung for The New York Times, 26 October 2016
At millennial zombie skool, practice makes perfect
medium-to-big-box items
and at graduation there is a rush of delight
when they open your box
and you get to climb out and selfie yourself.
A mystical religious society
contributes funding,
and this is only one of the many ways
the modern funeral industry
is tirelessly at work to profit from your body.
Swallowed (San Francisco): photo by efo, 25 September 2016
Swallowed (San Francisco): photo by efo, 25 September 2016
Swallowed (San Francisco): photo by efo, 25 September 2016
After an instructional lecture and video, participants sit beside coffins and write their last testaments: photo by Jean Chung for The New York Times, 26 October 2016
After an instructional lecture and video, participants sit beside coffins and write their last testaments: photo by Jean Chung for The New York Times, 26 October 2016
Maze (San Francisco): photo by efo, September 2016
Maze (San Francisco): photo by efo, September 2016
Maze (San Francisco): photo by efo, September 2016
Participants lie in closed coffins for 10 minutes: photo by Jean Chung for The New York Times, 26 October 2016
Participants lie in closed coffins for 10 minutes: photo by Jean Chung for The New York Times, 26 October 2016
Bugs (Richmond, California): photo by efo, 29 September 2016
Bugs (Richmond, California): photo by efo, 29 September 2016
Bugs (Richmond, California): photo by efo, 29 September 2016
Participants after emerging from their coffins on Saturday. Many say they feel strangely refreshed, having gained a new perspective on life.: photo by Jean Chung for The New York Times, 26 October 2016
Participants after emerging from their coffins on Saturday. Many say they feel strangely refreshed, having gained a new perspective on life.: photo by Jean Chung for The New York Times, 26 October 2016
Peristalsis (inside a quonset hut): photo by efo, September 2016
Peristalsis (inside a quonset hut): photo by efo, September 2016
Peristalsis (inside a quonset hut): photo by efo, September 2016
People chatting and taking pictures with their coffins after the experience: photo by Jean Chung for The New York Times, 26 October 2016
6 comments:
when my aunt died from cancer a couple years ago we wondered what to do with her remains - she expressed zero interest in discussing it - "not my problem"
we finally decided on cremation
i looked into donating her body - given her condition, and the time frame in question, no medical school would take her - however, commercial body dissassembly operations would have - see for example the smarmy hypocrisy of www.sciencecare.com/ - but there's a certain lack of dignity in what actually happens to one's remains when they are processed that way - perhaps i should try to develop more non-aversion, rather than indulge my squeamish tendencies
life is like a beanstalk, innit?
I think that is business but anyhow to think about death once in a while can be good too...
How did the two of you meet? Oh, we met when we both took a spin in our coffins. It was so romantic. That became our first date.
Fascinating post, Tom. Profit from your body. Haven't read the book but it does look very interesting:
https://newleftreview.org/II/39/perry-anderson-the-world-made-flesh
Spoorloos / The Vanishing (1988), directed by George Sluizer, from the novel The Golden Egg by Tim Krabbé, Dutch-French original, captioned, full film
In case you're pressed for time, the fun in a box occurs at 1:35:48.
Stanley Kubrick, who directed The Shining, said Spoorloos was the most terrifying film he'd ever seen. He contacted the Dutch director, Sluizer, and suggested cuts.
A remake done in Hollywood in 1993 is comparatively safe, comfortable, and almost as evasive and hello-kittyish as this cozy korean playacting version of the death experience, naturally.
(The balled-up kleenexes soaked with millennial crocodile tears do make a nice touch, though, I thought.)
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