Thoughts on Bourdain

[GtrSmoker]

I hope most of you are familiar with the late Anthony Bourdain. He was a chef, author, bon vivant... and host of some of the most entertaining travel/food shows man has ever seen. A couple of years ago, Mr. Bourdain, who had struggled for years with depression and addiction, took his own life.

I liked to think of myself as one of his kindred spirits. He was one of the few people who managed to somehow find a substantial audience while staying pretty doggone true to himself. Marc Maron is another.

Anyway, back to Bourdain... apparently, there’s a new documentary about him, which I hope to see in the near future. I also brought him up I passing to a fellow pipe smoker who I’ve befriended via another form of social media. This guy had heard of Bourdain, but wasn’t familiar with him.

So I encouraged him to track down a few episodes of one of Bourdain’s shows. There have been a few, but the most recent are called No Reservations and Parts Unknown. Do yourself a favor and check him out.

He was a true one-off, and our society is truly a little sorrier without him around anymore.

 

[Blackhorse]

He really, really liked Vietnam.

 

[RSteve]

I have great compassion for those who suffer with mental illness, as did A.B.,and I believe I've seen every episode of No Reservations and Parts Unknown, but he abandoned his responsibility as father and husband by not getting help for his illness. Offing himself was the easy way out.

 

[RSteve]

He really, really liked Vietnam.

Yes, he did. Today, I think I might also, not so much in '68-69.

I came to the full realization that the Vietnam I experienced way back when....had really changed when I was exploring a dance, the Dominican batchata, on YouTube. This video is from Hanoi.

 

[ftrplt]

I understand these latest documentaries featuring him have him speaking with/thru a "cloned" voice! Most of his words are not his, but appear to be! Quite a bit of controversy over this with friends, family, other "bon vivants." FWIW FTRPLT

 

[RSteve]

I understand these latest documentaries featuring him have him speaking with/thru a "cloned" voice!

I really find that quite objectionable.

 

[ftrplt]

Not trying to hijack this thread...How some ever, may I recommend Stanley Tucci's "Looking for Italy" series on CNN (the only thing I would recommend on CNN!). The current series has 6 segments; the show has been picked up for another season. Tucci does not try to copy/emulate Bourdain; but the show is superb!! I must warn you that you will want to hit your favorite Italian hangout after watching the show!!! FTRPLT

 

[RSteve]

I recommend Stanley Tucci's "Looking for Italy" series on CNN. The current series has 6 segments; the show has been picked up for another season. Tucci does not try to copy/emulate Bourdain; but the show is superb!! I must warn you that you will want to hit your favorite Italian hangout after watching the show!!! FTRPLT

Very enjoyable.

 

[GtrSmoker]

I really find that quite objectionable.

Agree… I haven’t bothered to read up on it yet.

But it’s been done before recently… not necessarily with “cloning” the voice. But a recent Miles Davis doc that ran on PBS (and is available now on either netflix or prime) had portions with “Miles” narrating. I also saw a Hendrix doc a few years ago with Bootsie Collins providing the voice of Jimi.

In both those cases at least, I’m pretty sure they used interviews, letters and whatnot for the bulk of the narration. So it’s close to “in their own words” … I imagine that is the case here too.

but, like I said, I haven’t read up on it.

Now as far as mental illness, yeah… going out like that is horrible for those left behind.

My mom’s mom committed suicide when my mom was 17. This was late 40s, so the treatments were minimal and primitive. But she’d been institutionalized, shock treatments even.

Anyway, when she decided to cash out, she waited until she was home alone with my mom’s little sister, who was 14 at the time. My grandfather had gone out for whatever reason, and told my aunt to keep an eye on her.

So my grandma sneaks out of the house, and jumps off a nearby bridge. It took a few days to find her. My mom held on to the news clippings.

But just think about my aunt for a second: she was 14 and had been left “in charge.” She never forgave herself. She carried that guilt her entire life. She passed about a decade ago herself, and had her own struggles with mental health. I think about that poor girl often. My daughter is that age, and I struggle too… but I’d never put her in that kind of situation. Just terrible.

that’s a case of the selfishness you described being increased exponentially.

 

[Timbo]

From what I've heard, they've used a synthetic voice simulation of Tony to read aloud words he wrote but never spoke on a recording. So it's not too bad a thing but is a slippery slope I think. Using it with good excuse will become using it to get someone to say something they'd never say.

A heart rending story Gtr, I know it is selfish but people at the extreme of ending their life aren't exactly thinking the straightest. Not excusing them, just trying to bring a bit of perspective.

 

[RSteve]

Using synthetic voice simulation with good excuse will become using it to get someone to say something they'd never say.

I can only imagine how it could be used in a political arena.

 

[Timbo]

I can only imagine how it could be used in a political arena.

Sadly in Aus, we're well beyond satire. No matter what stupidity you could fake our pollys saying, a good chunk of us would believe it and back it fully.