12 -The Michigan Daily - Monday, May 6, 2002

ARTS


'Daily Afflictions'

By Maureen McKinney
Daily Arts Writer
Between the realms of the opti-
mistic pursuit of self-help and well-
being and existentialist notions of
darkness and doubt, there exists a
chasm that is rarely bridged.
This divide seems logical when
one considers the seemingly unend-
ing positive energy of self affirma-
tion and the unlikelihood of
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exploration of themes of self-doubt
and uncertainty about one's place in
the world. Ifa meeting of these two
minds were to occur, what would the
end result be? And would it be, dare
we ask, funny and enlightening?
Enter Andrew Boyd. In his latest
book, "Daily Afflictions," Boyd has
managed to construct an alternative
set of instructions that revel in self-
criticism and dysfunction and do so
in an extremely amusing way.

author to pay a visit to A21
Boyd's adeptness at humor can be a at the University of Michigan, inter-
potential double-edge sword for it is estingly enough. It was here that he
possible that some may dismiss his experienced, as he put it, "an explo-
book as merely a witty take on the sion of becoming who I was". Boyd
world of self-help. This became deeply
book is, however, much involved in acts of
more than that. As political and intellec-
Boyd explained in an ANDREW BOYD tuat rebellion while in
interview, his goal is to At Shaman Drum Ann Arbor, and he
"inject humor and Bookshop recounted several
irony while maintain- instances of these
ing the seriousness of Friday, May10at8p.m. protests during the
his views on personal interview. One rather
philosophy and enlightenment." amusing story involved Boyd and
Boyd uses subheadings to divide his other fellow students taking over a
ideas into short and succinct chap- lab that they believed was keeping
ters on various topics. My personal military research classified illegally.
favorite was "The nurturing power According to Boyd, he and his
of dysfunctional families." While cohorts entered dressed in lab coats
the cleverness and wit with which and calling themselves "the Nuclear
Boyd writes are undeniable, the real Saints of America," stated that they tional philosophies found in his lat-
significance lies in the unique and had come to perform military est book, itis hard to imagine him
insightful wisdom that he puts forth research and refused to leave until it at a standard and yes, sometimes
for the reader. was done. boring book event. As is to be
Boyd began his pursuit of social Given Boyd's outlandish stories of expected, Boyd has his own unique
activism and writing while studying student protest and the unconven- take on the average book reading.

Boyd refers to his book readings as
more of "happenings", or to use a
phrase of his that I found particular-
ly intriguing, "stand-up tragedy."
The event will involve Boyd, a.k.e 4
Brother Void, in a monk costume
performing a comic church service
complete with affliction therapy
This process will include "transfor-
mative therapy," in which audience
volunteers experience a laying of the
hands for their specific affliction
Boyd explained that the goal is tc
create tantric energy and an interac-
tive environment in which the bool<
acts as a sacred text and "scripture
of performance". The event will alsc
include a guided meditation.
This description is sure to garnet
some skepticism, but I strongly
encourage readers to keep an open
mind. Boyd's innovative approach
will assure that the audience will, at
the least, have an experience unlike
any they have ever had at a book read-
ing. And you never know, they could
leave feeling enlightened as well.
Boyd will be presenting his
"stand-up tragedy" at Shaman Drum
Bookstore on Friday, May 10 at 8
p.m. and his cleverly presented web-
site, dailyafflictions.com, also mer-
its a visit.

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