Thomas M. Disch - One of His Last Interviews

I was saving this for later in the month - but, alas, life can surprise us, and death, even more. Tom Disch´s untimely death last 4th caught me (caught us all) by surprise. I had just read The Word of God, and Matt Staggs asked me if I wanted to interview the man, or, as Tom called himself jokingly (or not), God.

I´m a long time fan of Disch´s work (and I was just beginning to re-read Camp Concentration to write a mega-review of his work), so of course I wanted to interview him. I sent some questions to Matt, but not normal, run-of-the-mill questions: I wrote questions to God (who else?).

Two days later (July 1st), I´ve got in my webmail the following subject: GOD ANSWERS FABIO. And he answered my questions. Shortly but with great wit and humor. He was polite, considerate, and funny - what more could I ask for? (now I know what I would ask him: to not die.)

Below, the interview.

PWT: For (P.K.) Dick, it was that kind of laser beam that caused the epiphany in him; and for you, what made you discover you are God?

Tom Disch: My self-discovery as God. I cleaned the bathroom mirror (such a lot of toothpaste splatter!) and lo and behold: I am that I am!

PWT: Are you THE God in an all-encompassing way, or one of a multitude of them? If so, how are things going between you and the other divinities, such as The Lord, Allah, Ahura-Mazda, and Vishnu?

TD: Oh, there are many gods as I explain in The Word of God. Mostly I self-commune. Other gods can be a big bore. Devils are much more fun at Scrabble, or card games, or just a bull session.

PWT: What does a God do? (besides curing people, as you did with Michael Moorcock, which was a - pardon my English - hell of a job)

TD: One major things that god is provide the substratum of Existence. So if you enjoy existing, you must be grateful.

PWT: Do you agree with Jean-Paul Sartre when he said that "L'enfer, c'est les autres", ("Hell is other people")?

TD: No Exit (the play providing that quote) is so retro! Lesbians seem to terrify Sartre The old fartre!

PWT: Regarding the question above: Is Philip K. Dick in Hell?

TD: Read The Word of God. It tells you exactly where in hell to find him.

PWT: Will you ever forgive us Brazilian for not going to your speech n Rio in the early 1990s? (and, on that note, will you save us, the half-dozen early true believers who were there?)

TD: Alas, all those millions are now beyond redemption. And you? Not only are you saved, but you will have some of that delicious coconut-style bread for breakfast--forever! For what it's worth, most of the nordamericanos are doomed to eternal night as well. The proof of it is on the Nightly News.

PWT: What are you next plans (both in godliness and in writing)?

This last question returned unanswered. I thought he had just forgotten it. On a second thought, maybe not.

Sadly, there isn´t anything I can do for Tom now, except for helping to keep his memory alive. Expect soon a review of his works here.