David Foster Wallace on Ambition | Blank on Blank

"If your fidelity to perfectionism is too high, you never do anything." - David Foster Wallace
Interview by Leonard Lopate, WNYC
March 4, 1996
Interview originally aired on the Leonard Lopate Show
www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/1996...
Executive Producer: David Gerlach
Animator: Patrick Smith
Subscribe for new episodes every other Tuesday (it's free):
kzbin.info_c...
Watch the previous episodes:
Larry King on Getting Seduced
• Larry King on Getting ...
Jim Morrison on Why Fat is Beautiful
• Jim Morrison on Why Fa...
Follow us on Twiiter & Facebook @blankonblank
Check out blankonblank.org
Music
Jason Bitner

[@roxanne4820]

"Perfectionism is dangerous because if your fidelity to perfectionism is too high, you never do anything. You sacrifice how gorgeous and perfect it is in your head for what it really is" I felt this on such a deep spiritual level.

[@trevorw109]

Lol he put it in such a perfect way.

[@Maxmaxmax63]

Same problem the schizoid a’la Guntrip has. Read The Schizoid Phenomenon and Object Relations

[@Stoney-Jacksman]

why the need to do /create something (if it doesnt come close to how you want it to be)?

[@DashaTheDivineDivah]

Sooooo true

[@trojecan]

In my opinion, perfectionism is almost always linked with the fear of failure. So once you accept that the first draft will always be imperfect and give yourself the permission to fail, your art starts to grow.

[@jrm78]

One of my regrets in life was not taking a writing course from David Foster Wallace while I was a student at Illinois State in the late '90s. But at the time, I was unaware of how great a talent he was.

[@sdrw7389]

That would have been something else.

[@justmeeagainn]

jrm78 what makes you think he would have accepted you into his class?

[@LCInstrumentals]

Oh my god, sorry you missed out on that man.

[@towelierg-400smarttowel9]

Shaka, when the walls fell

[@felixeisenmenger1914]

@@justmeeagainn Jesus Christ dude that is pretentious af For starters you dont know anything about him, so you have no academic or intellectual basis to judge him on and furthermore I sincerely doubt that he picked his students, for most students the fact that you'd have to write at a very high grammatical and linguistical level to get good (or even just average) grades was probably enough of a turn-off.

[@John_Smith_Dumfugg]

"But there's also the drugs? " "... Dh-..... Ye....." Killed me lmao

[@Flore-162]

😂 me too

[@BrandonScottFox1]

God I love the sound of this man's voice. It soothes me like a lullaby.

[@taasinbinhossainalvi9173]

He’s also very persuasive

[@mitchwebster5088]

Me too. I recently listened to his “This is Water” speech and a recording of “Consider the Lobster” and it is incredible

[@Andres-is3lj]

This guy makes me think that sincerity is the only thing you need to produce something good

[@sdrw7389]

Rest in peace you brilliant man.

[@shanetobin3609]

@Steve Olson what? Why would you ever do that?

[@jeffkit5507]

I like to think this world would be a better place if he was still alive. Then again he’s contributed beauty though words that’s unmeasurable. You are missed Mr. Wallace, but not forgotten.

[@loganrandall780]

Fun fact: Paul Thomas Anderson, filmmaker behind There Will Be Blood, Boogie Nights and Magnolia was taught briefly by DFW.

[@themoreyouknowfools4974]

That explains PTA's writing. He's one of my favorite filmmakers.

[@lumos2230]

Jason segel potrayed him so well in " End of the tour " got the voice right and everything damn

[@chloelee784]

I never imagined his voice is so soft and gentle!!! I could listen to him all day!!!

[@NJGuy1973]

Whenever someone tells me they're going on a cruise, I suggest they read "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again."

[@brendaandrus]

Lol. I read it while on a cruise. Definitely exposed/ruined the hedonistic factor and I’ll probably not cruise again.

[@NJGuy1973]

@@brendaandrus I also liked the essay in Consider the Lobster about why Tracy Austin's memoirs were insipid.

[@matthewosmesfin265]

come back to this every couple months.. just remarkably therapeutic

[@LushDepths]

I randomly clicked on this video (not knowing who this guy was) and was happily surprised to find that he was a former English professor at my college.

[@onecentnickel]

He was very intellectual, I hope you had a class with him, if not, oh well. Although I do suggest you read some of his works.

[@dickydmcd]

I discovered this guy watching a Charlie Rose interview on youtube a couple of months ago. Instantly bought Broom of the System. It's great! he's great!

[@prede89]

he's not just a professor. He was a philosopher, famous writer, and all around amazing guy.

[@heathkrida]

Shakespeare, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and David Foster Wallace. Easily one of the ten best writers to ever live. It seems like folks in this thread don't know who DFW was?

[@skygeneralmonkey1856]

love DFW as much as the next guy...but woah there partner

[@jeffkit5507]

I like to think this world would be a better place if he was still alive. Then again he’s contributed beauty though words that’s unmeasurable. You are missed Mr. Wallace, but not forgotten.

[@mandymonkey99]

he used the phrase "grammar nazi" in 1996

[@probusexcogitatoris736]

Yes. It's funny how millennials and younger generations seem to think they've invented the wheel. Most of the memes and shit you are spreading around, aren't all that new and creative. There is truly little new under the sun.

[@PauseFilms]

+Probus Excogitatoris Funny how you take a simple comment and just really put your own narrative and intention behind it. Guessing you have some built up aggression against millennials.

[@LoliconSamalik]

Probus Excogitatoris ever thought it's kind of funny and cool that these terms were even being used 20 years ago?

[@probusexcogitatoris736]

Pause Films Nope, just pointing out facts... but it seems like I unintentionally touched a sore spot :)

[@jodawgsup]

"younger generations seem to think they've invented the wheel" what?

[@Voltanaut]

I love DFW. I miss him so much. I got so emotional watching this that I had to pause it a few times. I have such difficulty these days reading Infinite Jest and his collections of essays because I can't remove the image of his death from my mind. Goddamnit, David.

[@Voltanaut]

Me72 David's my favourite writer. Simply put I really like his work. I'd feel just as sad if Cormac McCarthy died or if Lemmy died or if Paul McCartney died, etc. In a way I'm pleased I didn't know David because if I did the pain of his death would have been even worse.

[@matoranman]

+HarryIsTheGamingGeek lemmy died

[@Voltanaut]

matoranman I know. I was depressed for a whole week. You?

[@matoranman]

it didnt hit me very hard to be honest. hang in there bud

[@Voltanaut]

matoranman I'm all right now. I've had long enough to grieve. I did go on one helluva Motorhead binge though. David Bowie?

[@KM-zm9tu]

very little on ambition here.

[@BlankonblankOrg]

You don't hear it?

[@JoeCorneli]

+Ken McCarthy if your ambition is to get high and watch tv...

[@jakesibley897]

+Blank on Blank suuuuper pretentious reply there friendo

[@nososha]

it's that late allready?

[@csqw]

I'd agree. More about acknowledging one's limitations (at least that is what I took from the video).

[@dantoledano4780]

The way you take interviews and segments from conversations of diverse creative people and put them to drawings is inspiring.

[@WickedTwitches]

Sold on this channel in seconds. Such fantastic interview candidates on here.

[@tonykelsi8865]

awesome Channel 👍

[@colloredbrothers]

I have/had (not sure yet) the same problem, I saw it written somewhere and it encapsulated it so perfectly. Paralysis through analysis.

[@maxlambie7788]

it was probably in ij

[@brandonterzic]

it should be written in words of fire: FINISHED IS BETTER THAN PERFECT

[@TristanIRL]

One of my favorite authors! He left us too early.

[@bhn7731]

He sounds so smooth and sure and articulate and engaged. The presentation here and graphics are very fine.

[@sonchik6324]

Damn, I’m seriously in love with this man

[@ts4gv]

Dude. The kick drum in the first bit of music sounds fucking amazing.

[@DannyMcCaffrey]

This seems to be eternally in my sidebar as I come back to it consistently over the years. His thoughts on perfectionism are so vivid it chokes me up. If only Id heard this sooner instead of learning the hard way.

[@burntoast4269]

I hear you

[@adombovic]

About half way through Infinite Jest. Sad we couldn't have more of you DFW

[@definitelynotdia7532]

Been reading him for a bit. First time I’ve ever heard him. I’m in the middle of Consider The Lobster and I know when I get back to the book I’ll hear the words in his voice now.

[@djobokuwali4316]

I had to rewind the first 20 seconds like five times.

[@SOLE_II_SOUL]

Djobo Kuwali Facts, lol. And dope profile pic, Basquiat the man ✊🏾

[@deltagraph]

This video helps me when I'm having trouble with essays or feeling cruddy, it's great motivation :)

[@yungyosef]

MORE FAMOUS WRITERS PLEASE!!!!!! This video was so good!!!!!

[@22mae]

How could someone this intellectual and inspiring end his life?.. his words inspire me a lot..:(

[@ciscohour5884]

Depression is real

[@nickgeffen8316]

This song at the end is a frickin' JAM!

[@jamesbnorman1]

Profound. Everything he gives his insight on is so profound to me.

[@manoneal1724]

Thank you. My heart is now filled with joy. Yay.

[@radbro24]

The first 30 seconds of this video really resonate with me and have driven to me change that sort of aspect

[@AngelBug8580]

I adore this! It's just fantastic. Keep up the awesome work guys!

[@andrewsmith6305]

Just came here to say that Jason Bitner did an awesome job on the music! I know it's just the background vibes, but damn! I love the music in this one. Video is great and of course the interview content is cool but the music really captured my attention on this one and I don't normally notice the tunes in these short "blank on blank" videos.

[@Cybrus07]

Absolutely wonderful.

[@comicsgrinder]

Agreed. I love the graphics! Wonderful animation.

[@c.galindo9639]

He seems like a person that learned a lot and is set towards certain goals and wpuld be an excellent guru of sorts to learn upon

[@c.galindo9639]

@@DPhoenixPoet good for the insight but he left a mark and did what he could to his best ability. He could have been greater but he had faults that he couldn’t overcome

[@TheOnlyGimmeturben]

This is one of the most important figures out there, especially because of his foresight on post modernism

[@pvrunner8]

I think I speak for everyone when I say...we'd all like to see more David Foster Wallace on this channel. Even though I'm sure radio footage is limited and such.

[@thebrazillian8]

BRING THESE BACK!!!!

[@julianblake8385]

I find 3 things funny in this interview: 1. The interviewer bringing the drug factor out the blue in the middle of a totally different topic. 2, The fact that FW considered annoying and frustrating reading people who write only to show off that they're clever, and you see a lot of arrogant comments in this video, by probable FW followers, who seem to be doing precisely that. And 3, the fact that Foster Wallace, of all people, Foster Wallace is saying that it is annoying to read such people. The irony there!

[@memegimygimy1526]

I was thinking the exact same thing! DFW loves words and has and incredible vocabulary, but come on, he was trying to be clever and impressive with that exhaustive vocabulary! Give me a break.

[@pranitsinha1075]

No, that's not what david foster wallace meant by 'clever'. Verbose and 'clever' are two separate things. By clever, it would be appropriate to say he meant writing which plays around with ideas but doesn't really have anything to _say_ .

[@ExtremelyTastyBread]

"3, the fact that Foster Wallace, of all people, Foster Wallace is saying that it is annoying to read such people. The irony there!" Thank you, I was hoping someone else had the same thought.

[@NuthaMuthaLuva]

Is your name Pot? Stop yelling at the Kettle for being hot.

[@spencer1531]

Yeah I think he's great but he was clearly just projecting an insecurity he had about his own intentions for writing.

[@nameless-ls8ft]

I don't know why but this reminds me of a Dr.Katz episode, the pacing feels alot lIke it and the music too. Fits well. RIP to this great mind.

[@CatEnthusiast-gr3cv]

Dr Katz is tight.

[@The_Supervillain]

Really fantastic, thanks for sharing.

[@chilltowntv]

Love this! One of my favorite writers and ANIMATION (which is my life!)

[@coreypajka2860]

This is really cool. I hope you do more like this.

[@exv092]

I have to say that I don't watch TV or sports. I therefore have the time to search for and discover amazing videos like these. The animation blended with the inspiring interviews gives a very cool sense of amazement even. Keep up the good work!!!

[@TylerCloke]

I watch sports and have also read infinite jest. Turns out you can be interested in multiple things :)

[@acex222]

Watching KZbin all day doesn't make you better than anyone else.

[@ciscohour5884]

KZbin is tv

[@1dbanner]

I'm always humbled and humiliated reading Wallace. I cannot begin to imagine how chaotic it was inside his towering intellect. May he rest in peace.

[@dogboydog]

The animation is awesome, so stylish and nice.

[@justaguy4886]

this was beautiful

[@bennovonarchimboldi9635]

Holy fack . This is not only really intriguing to listen on an "intellectual" base but also in the way his voice sounds so damn smooth.

[@baptistewxpolpodcast3339]

thank you for this !

[@hghbunger927]

I think the important thing to remember about that quote you post in the description, is that he spent years struggling with that. Struggling with perfection is far better than disregarding it.

[@juxtapost_]

I wonder what he thought of Paul Thomas Anderson as a student in his class.

[@katelinmarie5360]

What, really?

[@BillytheEntertainer]

@@katelinmarie5360 "I called him once. He was very generous with his phone number. He said “Call me if you got any questions,” and I called him a couple times … I ran a few ideas by him about this paper that I was writing. I was writing a paper on Don DeLillo’s White Noise … I’d come up with a couple crazy ideas, and I don’t remember the conversation well, but I just remember him being real generous at like, you know, midnight the night before it was due … I’d love to go back and read [White Noise] again." - PTA on DFW

[@nicholasbarrett2204]

Just read about that, sounds like PTA really had a great awakening in DFW's english class.

[@boxking2832]

Or Bill Burr, he was also a student in his class.

[@DocMortsnarg]

@@boxking2832 WHAT

[@drewthefoo]

this is great work!

[@maxinebunnyx]

This makes so much sense.

[@jonfcartwright479]

Beautiful vanity - fun take; thanks!

[@jakisinfrance]

New favourite channel

[@enotswhat]

so glad I have smart enough friends to put me on to a channel like this.

[@Lanearndt]

beautiful job! great animation for the greatest mind of the 20th century!

[@matteobiserna1]

thank for this video.

[@mecsimoto7010]

this is inspirational!

[@TheBrandFire]

For sure a legend

[@warmishday6164]

this is unreal. amazing

[@sleepingwizard09]

Thank you!

[@jonathanneil5901]

Love this channel

[@hazyhillsblue]

This made my week. David rocks and you guys rock too. ^-^

[@evantsb]

Just found this channel - Great content! I love PBS Digital Studios :D

[@azolawentula9758]

Great writer there is something special about moon in virgo's ability to analyse and put that i analysis into practical use. Simply not matched. 2022 anyone.

[@BurntPuke82]

The brilliant minds are always the most tortured. RIP to one of the best.

[@user-yk9sk7pg6v]

I like this animation - great job :)

[@codacreator6162]

The dead stop when the interviewer dropped the "D" word. Wallace maintained his entire life that he never had a drug problem. He drank, sometimes to excess, but never drugs. Just because Infinite Jest is wrapped around the drug culture doesn't me it's his life he used as a model. I saw the same pause in the German TV interview when the cameraman accused him of "pontificating." It's the pause of disappointed offense.

[@goliaboi]

He definitely sounds like a stoner.

[@JP51ism]

Wallace was on prescription medications, for depression; some shortcoming of, negligence or mismanagement of may have attributed to his suicide.

[@GamingAttempt]

Alcohol is a drug

[@nara808]

He used a variety of drugs and openly admitted to it.

[@darwindeeez]

the phrasing in these comments is way above par for youtube and very flattering if viewed, as it should be, as a reflection on DFW@@JP51ism

[@gsjaeger]

Love the animations!

[@Patoman470]

I was stunned just by the opening

[@JablesII]

Aaaand... subscribed. Thank you!

[@baldanders]

love love love this

[@bestversion8159]

Thank you so much for the animation. I'd never have been able to follow this interview without the visualization of every single point made.

[@cal4837]

The music at the end ❤️

[@Draxtor]

He is still the best!

[@zachdavis6272]

Rest in peace David wish I could have met you.

[@dddebolt]

DFW is amazing. Really sad to see him go.

[@TheBookchemist]

Absurdly awesome :)

[@Voltanaut]

The poster to 'The End of the Tour' seems very inspired by this video.

[@5easy]

ha truth

[@palbo4]

Such a fantastic movie

[@Lions4322]

Cool. You guys should do one of these on Kubrick.

[@dixonyass]

That was great.

[@dane9027]

i love how you draw him

[@sclogse1]

Catchy music.

[@e.harris4002]

you just earned yourself a sub!

[@5piecekit]

I would have risked an imperfectly placed semi colon, (and the subsequent "C" grade) for the chance to have taken his class. RIP David!!

[@papaglenford]

the first thing i read was the short story Girl With Curious Hair. a fabulous starting point. it's a great story.

[@OlLioliviaterragni]

Love him

[@nancybabbage1169]

brilliant mind

[@rokeeffe91]

Gosh... I had no idea he had such a soft voice... Wish he was still around...

[@newsdocumentary3702]

I like how he disagreed to the questions mostly until he said yes to the drug question.

[@dulcemariasolis]

Very Nice, your video.

[@spencerj4677]

good stuff.

[@todaysnumberis4532]

I love you David

[@Misserbi]

If David Foster Wallace walked into a bar he would be adorned but if he represented the feeling he would be scrutinized until he explained it.

[@nonchalantd]

PBS has some of the best programming.