CRAIG CONLEY (Prof. Oddfellow) is recognized by Encarta as “America’s most creative and diligent scholar of letters, words and punctuation.” He has been called a “language fanatic” by Page Six gossip columnist Cindy Adams, a “cult hero” by Publisher’s Weekly, a “monk for the modern age” by George Parker, and “a true Renaissance man of the modern era, diving headfirst into comprehensive, open-minded study of realms obscured or merely obscure” by Clint Marsh. An eccentric scholar, Conley’s ideas are often decades ahead of their time. He invented the concept of the “virtual pet” in 1980, fifteen years before the debut of the popular “Tamagotchi” in Japan. His virtual pet, actually a rare flower, still thrives and has reached an incomprehensible size. Conley’s website is OneLetterWords.com.
We have a problem with Broadway plays requiring answers from the audience, because when we go to the theatre, we wish to be passively entertained. From Together, 1965.
All the while, I presumed every reference was strictly 'pataphysical. I could verify the existence of Gary Barwin and his works first-hand, but surely tomes such as the one-letter-words dictionary, How To Be Your Own Cat, the Hexopedia, et al, were to be found only in the so-called imaginal realms (as if this ain't one). Was I ever staggered to find you've actually materialized such marvels! (Which is perhaps the most 'pataphysical aspect of all.) You know, I would have been grateful for your recent kind words about my own video no matter what, but in context of discovering your work I could not be more honoured. I am going to have a blast exploring your vibrant, distinctive, and superbly fun creations.
Don't miss Mr. Venright's deadpan video, in which he shares his 117 steps to instant gratification. It's a total scream.