Buber and Brautigan

27 Aug 2023 ~ Chris Cocca ~ Leave a comment

I have a theological degree, but that’s not what this post is about. And we can’t reduce what Buber is saying to a single line, however pithy. But it does remind me of Brautigan’s beautiful “I Was Trying to Describe You To Someone.” They’re sort of saying the same thing.

“When two people relate to each other authentically and humanly, God is the electricity that surges between them.”
Martin Buber

I Was Trying to Describe You to Someone – Richard Brautigan

17 Dec 2020 ~ Chris Cocca ~ Leave a comment

I first read this years ago. I stays with me.

Electric Juxtapostion: “I Was Trying To Describe You To Someone” and “City of Electric Light” by Richard Brautigan and Chad VanGaalen

7 Jun 2011 ~ Chris Cocca ~ Leave a comment

I came across Brautigan’s story on Flickr. It made me think right away of Chad VanGaalen’s beautiful song. Begging your pardon as I channel my inner teaching assistant: What do you make of this juxtaposition? Different crafts and media, both discovered and shared on the internet, both hewn here in bits of data and binary code. Are these pieces complimentary or contrary? Which one speaks to you more? Is one enriched by its presentation with the other? Are both? I should point out that the video was made by a fan. The scan of Brautigan’s story was, too.