Rue Morgue Podcast
RUE MORGUE PODCAST – THE GORE-MET VOL. I
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On this episode, we delve deep into the life and loves of Rue Morgue’s legendary columnist, The Gore-met!
It’s our most introspective, thoughtful and philosophical episode to date. (Surprising, considering this is one of the very few times I’ve ever seen him outside of standing in a puddle of his own drool!)
Endure.
:- FDBK
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The Gore-met is one my favorite columnist on Rue Morgue. It was really great hearing his back story. The Gore-met is still the man.
I remember my first exposure to the Gore-met was 15 years ago when I was a freshman in college perusing the alt.horror newsgroup. I had an excellent campus video store that complimented the Gore-met’s online recommendations, and thus broadened my tastes in horror films. Between his and Dr Walpurgis’ posts, I developed an appreciation for Euro-horror, particularly Fulci’s contributions. It was nice to eventually come across the Gore-met again via the pages of Rue Morgue magazine. Looking forward to listening to this interview.
James
I love this episode because of the social commentary. I do not think that much was said about it though. The question of “Are people becoming more violent?” is a topic I think needs to be addressed more in depth.
Violence goes back for centuries, such as the age of iron maidens and impalements as well as other numerous torturings enjoyed by many spectators. Unjust wars are still prevalent which sees the deaths of several innocent. Is it a coincidence that nations that have a history of violence have a great selection of horror movies? Is the media, movies and video games propaganda for desensitizing the public for such atrocities or is it art reflecting of our society? Is it as simple as either or? I think it does reinforce our values of fascism.
Media and movies were tamer back then, but why is eating someone’s face worse than the Manson murders? Maybe because it’s never been done before. When horror movies do something new, it’s refreshing. The first time I watched Hostel, I was in love with it, particularly because the gore was effective. The gore reminded me of Fulci. After several “torture porn” movies, I wanted something new. The reporting of real life horror looks for new sensationalism as well. People don’t talk about the everyday local news shooting, they want to talk about a mother who eats her babies brain.
We are living in the facebook/youtube era where everyone has a channel and information is spread instantaneously. When outrageous news become stale, sensationalism will be reported.
“I love this episode because of the social commentary. I do not think that much was said about it though. The question of “Are people becoming more violent?” is a topic I think needs to be addressed more in depth.”
You are correct, sir. This is perhaps a great topic for an entire show. I’ll put some thought into it.
I wanna respond to a few of the points you raised but I’ll reserve the comments for an upcoming episode. Thanks for the Feedback!
:- Feedback.
The best book I’ve read on the subject is Jeffrey A. Kottler’s The Lust for Blood, which goes deep into the subject. Really fascinating and insightful read. I interviewed him about it in #112.
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Lust-Blood-Fascinated-Violence/dp/1616142286/ref=la_B001HD3FDS_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1345138599&sr=1-31
I think the difference is the Internet. It’s such an impersonal world anymore. People just aren’t people anymore. We used to hear about horrible things happening to people and feel bad for them. Now there are TV shows like Tosh.0 where we SEE horrible things happen and we LAUGH at the victims. Why not? They’re not real, they’re on my screen.
You watch a real person get beheaded through the same portal you watch a Hostel movie. The line is blurred.
Obviously, there’s always been horrible behavior. But more and more it’s not crimes of passion or financial need . . . the desired outcome is the behavior itself.
(Also read as: Son, in my day we killed people for a REASON. And we had to walk 10 miles in three feet of snow, uphill both ways to do it! Now get the hell off my lawn!)
Thanks for the suggestion. This is a juicy topic I might revisit on the podcast at some point so I’ll keep this book in mind.
That was more fun (or gore fun, as it were) than I thought it would be.
Great interview! Very interesting to get an insight into someone I only knew from his gruff Fulci-worship ages ago; it’s like the story of an internet asshole making good. Of course, I always attributed the Gore-met’s grumpiness to be what happens when you’re dealing with forum trolls and kids…
Speaking of kids, I wonder how much of our callousness in the face of real brutality can be attributed to a sort of stunted juvenile outlook on life. Whether it’s because most internet commenters are actually very young or very immature in spite of their years (not to mention the power of anonymity and electronic distance/detachment)…
I’ve noticed that as I’ve gotten older (and I’m only 33) I certainly have very little interest in real death and violence or even reality-based violence. I wish I could quote Guillermo Del Toro when he discussed the purpose of horror movie violence for him and in the films he makes, but I think it had to do with the fetishism of violence and what that implies directly or indirectly about the filmmakers’ depiction of characters and consequences (particularly problematic with respect to sex, gender, race, etc.). If you can track it down, I recommend listening to the Del Toro interview I’m to which I’m referring; it was a podcast done for “Pan’s Labyrinth”, it was in 4 parts and I got it off iTunes.
In the end, I think it boils down to maturity and sensitivity, both of which seem to me to be in short supply anywhere you go, online or off…
James
I didn’t think you were allowed near children, FB. You know, the whole court order thing…
This was one of the more fascinating episodes of recent. The Gore-Met and I had a similar first exposure to more explicit horror via VHS (I had a rich friend with the first VCR on the block whose parents let us watch anything…which we did), and it was fun getting to know the guy a bit more.
When the 2 of you delved into the topics of social responsibility and the desentiziation of our culture, there were many greta points made, and I agree with Feedback that movies/TV/video games DO have an influence over the way we live our lives and how we perceive reality on a daily basis.
THis episode made me feel guilty for all the crazy-violent, stress-relieving sessions that I frequently indulge in via my copy of “GTA IV” on my PS3. (My brother Scott, though, is the REAL sick bastard when it comes to that game. A true “artist” in the many ways of deviously dispatching the poor, preyed upon citizens of “Liberty City.)
I just feel that it’s a total catch-22. I cannot deny that these hyper-realistic violent images have a negative effect on society whenever someone of abnormal mental health who has been exposed to these types of entertainments is influenced to go on a violent spree and kill REAL innocent people, and yet I cannot advocate censorship of any kind, taking away MY freedom to choose what I want to watch or play, just because we’re afraid that these products may fall into the wrong hands.
It’s a no-win scenario. But I agree with the unfortunate assessment that we are, as a culture, getting worse.
Anyway, great show.