Most obituaries compress a life, but in just a couple of minutes, this piece manages to expand one. If it is, in fact, an obituary--perhaps it's different kind of reflection. This lovely mix of poetry, news, and music makes me think differently about the tragedy of a life cut short, and it challenges the cookie-cutter narrative into which we usually place such stories. I couldn't mistake this piece for anything else I've heard.
I like pieces that are trying something different. This piece stands out not on the reporting or commentary but in it's the sum of the individual elements; angelic vocalizing, a potent reading of a poem (my favorite line: "and leave me simpler than at birth.").
If you use this piece, you'll need a strong introduction else it might be confusing.
Great feel, different piece. Not your usual PR fare. I adore reports like this. Though, this isn't truly a report as it is a commentary on how we distill a life into a short phrases, perhaps a paragraph if we're feeling generous. Having said that, it does spend a bit of time talking about the train accident itself. Then, a voice says, "you couldn't even find the driver's body, it had been atomized." Then with a few broad strokes we all start to get to know the driver, held at least partially responsible for the accident.
Comments for Simplify Me When I'm Dead
Produced by Miranda Diboll
Other pieces by Miranda Diboll
Rating Summary
2 comments
Lawrence Lanahan
Posted on May 09, 2007 at 12:56 PM | Permalink
Review of Simplify Me When I'm Dead
Most obituaries compress a life, but in just a couple of minutes, this piece manages to expand one. If it is, in fact, an obituary--perhaps it's different kind of reflection. This lovely mix of poetry, news, and music makes me think differently about the tragedy of a life cut short, and it challenges the cookie-cutter narrative into which we usually place such stories. I couldn't mistake this piece for anything else I've heard.
Hans Anderson
Posted on April 03, 2007 at 05:43 AM | Permalink
Review of Simplify Me When I'm Dead
I like pieces that are trying something different. This piece stands out not on the reporting or commentary but in it's the sum of the individual elements; angelic vocalizing, a potent reading of a poem (my favorite line: "and leave me simpler than at birth.").
If you use this piece, you'll need a strong introduction else it might be confusing.
Great feel, different piece. Not your usual PR fare. I adore reports like this. Though, this isn't truly a report as it is a commentary on how we distill a life into a short phrases, perhaps a paragraph if we're feeling generous. Having said that, it does spend a bit of time talking about the train accident itself. Then, a voice says, "you couldn't even find the driver's body, it had been atomized." Then with a few broad strokes we all start to get to know the driver, held at least partially responsible for the accident.