In the book, Murray and Jack talk about death, questioning whether "the specter of death" makes life more precious... what do you guys think about this question? Also, "A person has to be told he is going to die before he can begin to live life to the fullest." Do you think this is true or false? What are your opinions on these questions?

Hey White noisers!

So we're nearing the end of our book so what do you think of the ending or of the book as a whole? Comments comments comments!

Hi guys, I just wanted to note something interesting from the first part of the novel, where Henrich, of course, is discussing what he really wants to do in life. He questions whether he really wants to go to Montana, or anywhere for that matter, or if its all just activity in the brain and a random neuron that fired or misfired. This is odd way of looking at things, things you would not normally question. What I really like about this is the way that Henrich, or Delillo, brings it all back into his main point about his insane chessmate, Tommy Roy Foster. He questions whether Foster really did want to kill all the people, or whether it was just a random misfire in Fosters brain; I find this to be a very interesting point. Do we really know what we want?

Also, I think it is interesting how Jack describes human nature's fascination with destruction and ruin in other parts of the world. Without normally noticing it, this really is a hidden and almost sick fetish within practically everybody- we all watch the news and we are intrigued by catastrophes on TV. I have been noticing that Delillo brings up many points that people usually don't see in themselves, or notice or think about in general.

Something I found bizzare and couldn't figure out was the long comparison the two professors were making between Hitler and Elvis. Have any of you made any connections with this? What do you guys make of this whole comparison?

Hi guys, c'est moi, Erica. Anyways I just wanted to comment on White Noise so far, and I have to say that I am enjoying it thoroughly, haha. I love Delillo's style of writing and also the content within the books.
I just wanted to note some areas that I especially liked/ found witty within the book... First of all I think its great how Dellilo shows his characters has being controlled by/only believing what the weatherman tells them or, what the "radio tells them." I thought the conversation between Jack and Heinrich was brilliant, when discussing the possibility of rain. Because the radio said it was not going to rain, Heinrich would not admit that it was raining out, even though he could obviously see and touch the rain.
Also, what was even more brillian was the conversation of the "here and now." Without ever really thinking it, "'Now comes and goes as soon as you say it.... your so-called 'now' becomes 'then'"... as soon as someone says it. I love this questioning of time, its not something you usually read in highschool books.
Delillo further comments on how radio or media controls people when Steffie says to boil the water. When questioned why she responded "It said on the radio." Because the radio said it, it is only normal to do it and not question why any further. People don't even realize how much they follow what the media says without even questioning why, and Delillo exposes that here.
Also, to follow up on what Dana was saying about appearance, I think it is hilarious that J.A.K transforms himself into a Hitler Prof. Here, I think he is being ironic towards professors and people who take themselves very seriously; he is bascially showing that J.A.K. is a fraud, just like many other teachers. The fact that he can't even speak German adds to the fake-ness of the whole thing. I also think the fact that he writes his name J.A.K. is even more funny just because it pokes fun at people who do that, and it literally spells out his name at the same time. Collge-on-the Hill is pretty funny too, its the generic college, plainly located on a hill.
Anyways, thats all for now. This book is great, I love it.