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Monday 31 October 2016

Swallowed

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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 | by efo 
Swallowed (San Francisco): photo by efo, 25 September 2016

Swallowed | by efo
 
Swallowed (San Francisco): photo by efo, 25 September 2016

Swallowed | by efo

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 | by efo

Maze (San Francisco): photo by efo, September 2016

Maze | by efo

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 | by efo

Bugs (Richmond, California): photo by efo, 29 September 2016

Bugs | by efo

Bugs (Richmond, California): photo by efo, 29 September 2016

Bugs | by efo

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 | by efo

Peristalsis (inside a quonset hut): photo by efo, September 2016

Peristalsis | by efo

Peristalsis (inside a quonset hut): photo by efo, September 2016

Peristalsis | by efo

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 | by efo

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

Palms | by efo

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

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

6 comments:

mistah charley, ph.d. said...

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?

Sandra said...

I think that is business but anyhow to think about death once in a while can be good too...

Hilton said...

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.

billoo said...

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

TC said...


Spoorloos / The Vanishing (1988), directed by George Sluizer, from the novel The Golden Egg by Tim Krabbé, Dutch-French original, captioned, full film

TC said...

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.)