The Memory Palace
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Published
Jan 07,2011
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The Music: Scene 1: First song is “Brand New Day” by Worm is Green. Then a little bit of Gary Numan doing “Trois Gymnopedies,” then the second Gymnopedie (lost the name of the pianist). Scene 2: is a small piece from the score to Please Give, the (quite good) Nicole Holofcener movie. Scene 3 uses a piece from the soundtrack to Une Parisienne, the Bridgette Bardot movie and then goes back to Gymnopedie 2. Scene 4 starts with an excerpt of “My Wave, Your Shore” from an Angel Olsen EP (which you should own, by the way). That’s followed by “Drop” by Akira Kosemura and something from the 500 Days of Summer score, kind of smushed together. Scene 5 uses a piece of Michael Andrews’ score to the still-excellent You Me and Everyone We Know, and then back to the Kosemura. Scene 6: back to the Satie and then finishing on “Nag Champa” by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Carlos Nino.
The Footnotes: Since this episode was a total bear, I read a lot about and by Sidis while trying to wrestle it into submission. There’s a perfectly readable, proper biography called The Prodigy that’s out of print but probably at your local library. Turns out the Sidis fanatics (and they are legion) think the author is pretty harsh on W.J., but, you know, sure. To dive right into the deep end: run, don’t walk, to Sidis.net, a lovingly curated compendium of most things Sidis. Scans of many of his books and articles. Links to outside articles. It’s not one stop shopping, but it’s like the directory at the mall. Don’t be scared off by the fact that the web-design looks like someone clicked on the “Crazy Conspiracy Theory” template. It’s really well put together.
The Ephemera: If you do read some of his actual writings, Sidis comes off rather well. However singular and odd his interests and, I suppose, obsessions, are he writes clearly (he’s not raving) and he’s often kind of funny in a super-dorky way. “Notes on the Collection of Transfers” is unreadable. But that’s only because no one can care about transfers as much as the author does. I defy you to. But, that said, Sidis comes off like a genial, almost charming tour guide to the world’s most boring museum. It’s hard not to like the guy.
six scenes from the life of william james sidis, wonderful boy [ 14:22 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download15 Comments | Leave a Comment
I thought, “well this is going to be disappointing” with all the staunchness that any American can have in light of free things that one feels owed. “Disappointing” in that I waited for this and there is no way it could deliver.
IT DELIVERED! Genius on the order of Sidis. Bravo! A million props… genuinely this is a beautiful art!
Capital letters delivered, no less. Thanks.
You did such a great job with this Nate! I think this might be my favorite after The Brothers Booth. Hope there will be many more to come this year!
A very nice play. I have been looking into WJS’s life. He’s a distant relative of mine although I wasn’t born until after he died. I have a collection of his items that have been passed down in my family. It includes many of his transfers.
Too often he is depicted as a “burnout.” That was the family lore I was told. In reality, his interests shifted to social issues. He developed a number of ideas and plans which, unfortunately, never materialized.
You have a really good voice for broadcast, Nate, and fine enunciation.
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oh nate. this is beautiful, and so lovingly rendered. it is, as jaymes said, art unto itself. bravo. and the music. who are you?
This podcast is consistently one of the most beautiful things in my life.
Thank you. I just finished listening and I wonder at this life we live. So wonderful and yet so tragic. My adopted sister is like James. I on the other hand am happily plain. All my life I was jeolous of her. Now. Maybe not so much.
Bravo!
A friend of mine showed this to me,
I really enjoyed this podcast, you have a strong voice.
The song that you used is actually called “my wave, your shore”
but it makes no difference, I’m complimented that you used it.
cheers.
Hey–you’re right! (Which, you know, you’d know). Will change it. And thanks, Angel. Really love the tape.
Every one is better that the last, except for the Sisters Fox, which is the best of all. I always feel compelled to seek out more information about these characters I may never have heard of otherwise. Thanks Nate. Keep it up!
One of the best tellings of the Sidis story, which is a favorite! Well done!
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