TOM CLARK: Swallowed

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

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 | by efo

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

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

People chatting and taking pictures with their coffins after the experience: photo by Jean Chung for The New York Times, 26 October 2016

People chatting and taking pictures with their coffins after the experience: photo by Jean Chung for The New York Times, 26 October 2016

Palms (Mare Island): photo by efo, 17 September 2016

6 comments:

mistah charley, ph.d.31 October 2016 at 06:31
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?
Sandra31 October 2016 at 06:48
I think that is business but anyhow to think about death once in a while can be good too...
Hilton31 October 2016 at 15:37
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.
billoo31 October 2016 at 20:44
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
TC1 November 2016 at 00:06

Spoorloos / The Vanishing (1988), directed by George Sluizer, from the novel The Golden Egg by Tim Krabbé, Dutch-French original, captioned, full film
TC1 November 2016 at 05:45
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.)

Monday, 31 October 2016

Swallowed

6 comments: