Ruth Gallanter responded to the question: “What is your favorite form of information?” She said, “Asking questions.” I pursue the quest for new questions. In my podcast interviews (“I’m probably wrong about everything” on YouTube live), I query “what question remains unresolved for you?” I called on google for the most important question that James Joyce asked. It responded by adding a question mark to this line: “In Ulysses, James Joyce wrote, ‘The supreme question about a work of art is out of how deep a life does it spring?’”
My friend and preeminent Joyce scholar, Roy Benjamin wrote: “You need to be careful ascribing things said by characters in Ulysses to Joyce. The quote about art is said by the theosophist A.E. (aka Aeon). Stephen, the Aristotelian, disagrees with the aesthetic theories of the A.E., the Platonist. What makes it tricky is the question of irony and how ironic Joyce is being. Stephen in chapter 9 of Ulysses does not like A.E.’s romantic, Platonic, theosophical idea of art. Being an Aristotelian, he recoils from the phrase ‘formless spiritual essences’ (U 9.49). He comes up with his own theory using the ‘dagger definitions’ and acknowledging the here and now of space and time. So was Joyce a Platonist or an Aristotelian? More of an Aristotelian, but the fact that the chapter is titled ‘Scylla and Charybdis’ suggests that he didn’t entirely identify with either side. In any case, since computers have no sense of irony, AI misinterprets the text much like Deasy who ascribes to Shakespeare Iago’s advice to ‘Put but money in thy purse’ (U 2.239). Joyce liked to outsmart his readers and, in this case, he outsmarts AI.”
Roy’s 2023 book “Beating the Bounds: Excess and Restraint in Joyce’s Later Works” examines the role of boundaries and limits in Joyce’s later works, primarily Finnegans Wake, but also Ulysses. Roy explains and reconciles Joyce’s contrary tendencies to establish and transgress limits and shows the Wake’s relevance to many different fields of thought, including philosophy, geometry, and aesthetics.
Roy wrote, “The most important question I ponder is ‘To be or not to be.‘ As for Joyce, there’s a picture taken of him by (I think) Vincent Cosgrave in which he has a very serious and profound expression. Someone asked him what he was thinking and he said, ‘I was wondering if I could get him to lend me five pounds.’” 
Maybe Joyce’s most important question was to his wife early in their relationship, “Do you want to take a walk?” This lead to Joyce writing the enchanting Molly Bloom passage, “yes I said yes I will Yes.” Our own Lisa Robins performed this passage at Bloomsday Psychedelia in 2024 and got major praise in the James Joyce Quarterly. See it on Beyond Baroque’s YouTube channel. And back to FINNEGANS WAKE, Joyce asked, “Is that answers?” (FW page 512) and “Were you or were you not? Ask yourself the answer, I’m not giving you a short question” (FW page 515).
Ulysses is considered one of humanity’s greatest books. It explores the patterns of human thought, celebrates the strength of spirit needed to endure everyday life, and encourages an appreciation for differences between people. Sounds like pure uncut Venice to me: Tribal Commonality & Intercosmic Community. All who wander are not lost . . .
Wander and wonder? I recommend probing two new Joyce books:
Philosophical Allusions in James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake by Robert Baines is the first study to offer comprehensive explanations to some of most profound metaphysical references in Joyce’s avant-garde masterpiece.
Gabriel Carey’s James Joyce: A Life reveals her deep, lifelong interest in Joyce and her fascination for Irish literature. Oddly, Edna O’Brien, herself one of Ireland’s great writers, also published a book by the same name James Joyce : A Life in 1999. Both are exciting reads. Edna passed on July 27, 2024. The new engaging documentary entitled Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story, covers her bold and vital life. With R.D. Laing, O’Brien experimented with psychoanalysis and LSD, which loosened up her language. Edna O’Brien’s most important recurring question seemed to be “what does it mean to be a woman in a restrictive society, particularly within the confines of the Catholic Church in Ireland?”
How do humans really gauge the importance of book and printed word? “Literature is the question minus the answer” wrote Roland Barthes. Jorge Luis Borges nailed it: “I have always imagined Paradise as a kind of library.”
That’s what I feel every time I go to Angel City Book & Records 218 Pier Ave. Rocco and Tim open up their pearly gates of books and music to provide a community space for learning, love and laughter. Their support for writers and re
aders is never-ending and generous. I am grateful, and so is Paul Wyld. Check out his new book on our own Rock poet. I highly recommended: Jim Morrison, Secret Teacher of the Occult: A Journey to the Otherside by Paul Wyld.
Morrison asked a timely question many years ago: “How can I set free anyone who doesn’t have the guts to stand up alone and declare his own freedom?” Those seven letters (f-r-e-e-d-o-m) evoke the essence of Venice. Local author/musician Wyld delves deep into Morrison’s search for freedom, and his exploration of the Occult and Hermetic mysteries, music and drugs. He probes Jim’s cosmic connections in Venice. Paul quotes Christina and Stanislav Grof, who wrote in The Stormy Search for the Self: “There are certain situations in life that are particularly conductive to peak experiences. This often happens in extraordinary natural settings.” Wyld continues the flow, “Venice became this locale for Jim.” We nurture these epiphanies in everydayness all the time in Venice. Just by asking questions, one may attain enlightenment, or just have fun being serious about not being serious.
“Since new media are new environments that reprocess psyche and society in successive ways, why not bypass instruction in fragmented subjects meant for fragmented sections of the society and reprogram the environment itself?” -another key question from McLuhan, in The Nation Magazine, 1964 “Notes on Burroughs.”
My comrade Keith Nightenhelser writes: “Consider Montaigne’s motto in the form of a question, ‘Que sais-je?’ [‘What do I know?’ but note that this French verb for ‘know” includes in its range ‘know how’ and ‘be able,’ and thus even ‘be possible,’ making a simple translation tough]. I don’t know the answer to the question which the paragraph I am now writing raises in me (which is, “how common in Europe around Montaigne’s time was it for a motto to be in the form of a question?”), but I’d like to learn more.” So Venice stand up for your rights to learn more.
Bob Marley (celebrate his birthday Feb 6) was a fan of Curtis Mayfield, who wrote the hit “People Get Ready” for his band The Impressions in 1965. Marley’s ska tune “One Love” quoted its lines, and questioned them, too. Mayfield declared there to be “no room” on his train for the “hopeless sinner”, so Marley pondered whether they might be forgiven: “Is there a place for the hopeless sinner?”
James Joyce wrote in FINNEGANS WAKE: “Mr.Trickpat, if you don’t mind, that is, aside from sings and mush, answering to my straight question?” (FW page 487). In 2009 Bob Dylan and Robert Hunter co-wrote the song “I Feel A Change Coming On.” Bob sings “I’m reading James Joyce, Some people they tell me, I got the blood of the land in my voice.” In the new movie A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, get a load of this exchange: Joan Baez: “Well you finally got it.” Bob Dylan: “Got what?” Joan: “Freedom from us and all our shit. Isn’t that what you wanted?” Bob doesn’t answer and rides away. Jokerman?
Here’s a joke question: What’s the difference between a bum and a hobo? A bum asks for a spare cigarette. A hobo inquires, “Smoking alone?”
Does humor belong in the BeachHead? Frank (Does Humor Belong in Music?) Zappa wrote: “Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the ‘basic building block of the universe.’ I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the ‘basic building block of the universe.'” Elizabeth Hull and Ken Jackson declared, “The only stupid question is the one that is not asked.” in their 2005 book, Requirements Engineering.
And, how about our own Rock Guitar God, Jesse Ed Davis? He was homeless in Venice in the early 80’s. He played guitar with everyone: Bob Dylan, John Lennon, George Harrison, Jackson Browne, Albert King, Johnny Cash, Harry Nilsson and many more. “Why don’t we know more about Jesse Ed Davis? I see his name all the time. I’m an avid reader of rock music books and jazz and blues and country and I never see anyone discuss him meaningfully,” asked Professor Douglas K. Miller. Good question! Well, Doug dug in and wrote his outstanding new book: Washita Love Child: The Rise of Indigenous Rock Star Jesse Ed Davis.
Let’s plunge deeper into metaphysical waters, and include one more McLuhan question. To the line, “A book is the death of a tree,” McLuhan replied, “What is a TV program the death of? I like the question considered by Chuang-Tzu: “Am I a butterfly having the dream of being a human? Or a human having the feeling that I am a butterfly?” Consider what film critic Amy Nicholson asked in her review of the new Joshua Oppenheimer film THE END in the LA Times: “You leave thinking about the question the characters never bring themselves to ask or sing: ‘What’s the difference between being alive and living?’”
Opdracht GPD; componist John Cage , kop
*23 juni 1988
John Cage, whose first concert was at the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club in 1932, quipped, “That’s a very good question, I would not want to ruin it with an answer.” Rebecca Solnit wrote, “But just because the question can be answered doesn’t mean that I ought to answer it, or that it ought to be asked.”
Personally, I will surrender to the pen of the genius writer Clarice Lispector: ”I only achieve simplicity with enormous effort. So long as I have questions to which there are no answers, I shall go on writing.”
The most important question a butterfly would ask is likely “Where is the best source of nectar to feed on?” Easy, the Venice Heritage Museum every third Thursday at 3pm, free. We do live oral history of Venice culture – fun, engaging conversation. Tune in, drop by and ask some questions. What is the next question please?
Addendum: RIP: the master of all Venice historians, Jeffrey Stanton. A true blue character and outstanding contributor to my annual Venice Film Fest. He writes in his essential book VENICE CALIFORNIA ‘CONEY ISLAND OF THE PACIFIC’ – “Venice must have been the most wonderful place to grow up in during the years 1910-1940. I’m sorry I missed it. I only wish we could be allowed to rebuild the amusement piers and restore Venice to what it was during its peak popularity.” Through his books, research, and discoveries, future generations will continue to explore and grow. Dear Jeffrey, we will miss you. You helped make Venice the most wonderful place. RIP: Emily Winters = GEM (Geo Earth Mother) whose wonderful art graces Venice murals. Her creations are rooted in community and vital involvement in neighborhood. Thank you Emily, We love you.
At recent gatherings I have asked, “What is the most important, most impactful question starting with the letter W in one word?” “Is it who, when, why, where or what ?” So what W word resonates strongest for you? Ruth said “why.” Yeah, why did I leave out “whose” and “which”? “One never knows, does one?” – Fats Waller. I wrote in chalk on a local bulletin board “Why ask questions?” Somebody added the word “not” so it read “Why not ask questions?” Is this co-creating regenerative graffiti art? “Talent alone won’t make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: ‘Are you ready?’” contributed Johnny Carson. So Venice, are you ready? . . . to join in . . .
Upcoming Laughtears.com events rsvp Gerry Fialka pfsuzy@aol.com for info
***Feb 13 – Suzy Williams & Steve Weisberg VALENTINES DAY CONCERT at UnUrban, 7pm
***Sun, Feb 16, 2025–22nd Annual VENICE FILM FEST at Beyond Baroque 681 Venice Blvd, 6pm: Award-winning feature documentary 
THE SOUND OF PAINT by Joshua Enoch Williams – colorful and engaging portrait of Vincent Digaetano, painter and musician on Ocean Front Walk for over 20 years – the struggles and triumphs of this Venice houseless artist. https://venicebeachhead.org/2024/09/20/the-sound-of-paint-joshua-films-vinny/ PLUS MORE short films (including “Sponto Beats”) & killer live music. Facehook: .https://www.facebook.com/events/948840926767303
*** Sun, March 16, 2025 at Beyond Baroque 681 Venice Blvd, 6pm – FREAK OUT HOT SPOTS! Celebrate Frank Zappa with Domenic Priore & Dan Konoske who delve deep into the cultural significance of Frank Zappa’s 1966 “Freak Out! Hot Spots!” map. Plus LIVE MUSIC at 6pm – Sabbagh Rockin’ Teenage Combo – 15-year-old guitar hero Kylan Sabbagh leads his parents Kahlil Sabbagh & Ginger Smith in 6 killer Zappa songs. The FREAK OUT HOT SPOTS map, produced as bonus material companion to the Mothers of Invention’s debut album “Freak Out!”, offered a satirical depiction of Los Angeles’ cultural landscape, highlighting nightclubs, record stores, and other countercultural venues. This map mocked LA’s mainstream glitz and celebrated the underground scene that Zappa was a part of. His criticism of authority, shaped by the Watts riots and his own personal encounters with the police—including a notable arrest in 1965 where he was set up by undercover officers—left Zappa distrustful of law enforcement and fueled the anti-authoritarian views often expressed in his music.
+++ Join in JAMES JOYCE, Marshall McLuhan and CARL JUNG Reading Groups. Carl Jung believed the metaphorical language of alchemy could give us insight into human experience. Learn to understand Jung’s concepts and relates alchemical processes to passages from literature, works of art, case studies and dreams, many of which can be directly related to themes in Finnegans Wake. Our weekly online discussions every Monday, Tuesday & Wed, at 1:30pm (pacific, for 40 minutes). Occasional Saturdays we go from 1 to 2:30pm. LZS (Laughtears Zoomin’ Salons) probes the hidden psychic effects of human inventions and how they shape behaviour. Arts, literature, film, activism, new media, poetry, funk, jazz, avant-garde, new media, performance art, politics, coding, tales, cosmic wisdom, jokes and more.
+++ Tune in Gerry’s podcast interviews on the YouTube channel LIVE https://www.youtube.com/@improbablywrongabouteveryt6781/streams
“I’m Probably Wrong About Everything”