Exploring everything from why Star Wars is overrated to the significance of tribute rock bands, author Chuck Klosterman has developed a career for himself in dissecting how pop culture shapes our personalities.
Having contributed to GQ, The Washington Post, The New York Times Magazine, and other various publications as well as being the best-selling author of Sex, Drugs, and Coco Puffs; Fargo Rock City; Killing Yourself to Live; and others, Klosterman uses his work to explore the little things in life and what makes them matter so much.
Klosterman will bring his acute sense of reality into the perspectives of OU students, as part of the Kennedy Lecture Series Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.
“I think he is going to connect very well with our students by tying together current pop culture issues in relation to everyday experiences,” said Andrew Holzaepfel, associate director of programming for the Performing Arts and Concert Series.
The event will begin with a lecture from Klosterman, followed by a Q-&-A session afterwards and a book signing at the end. Copies of Klosterman’s books can be bought at the event. Bookstores on campus are also selling his publications.
“It's mostly extemporaneous, although I do intend to conduct a psychological survey at this particular event,” Klosterman said. “I was also told that the timing of my speech conflicts with a local class on the History of Rock and Roll, so maybe I'll compensate by explaining the complete 61-year trajectory of rock music in less than 61 seconds.”
The event came to fruition about a year ago after several students suggested to Scott Moody, the chairman of the selection committee for the Kennedy Lecture Series, that the series bring him to the campus. They believed Klosterman would attract students ranging from athletes to journalism and communication students, Moody said.
“I probably do six or seven of these talks every year, but it's never totally familiar,” Klosterman said. “Every school is different. I can never predict what the crowd will be like. Sometimes the entire audience is aspiring writers. Sometimes the entire audience is alcoholics. Sometimes it's both.”
No matter what audience he attracts, however, it should be a given that the event will provide a lot of laughs, Moody said.
“Be prepared to laugh so hard that you will leave with pains in your rib cage and belly,” Moody said.
And as far as what Klosterman believes people should expect for the show, he only had two words:
“A dragon.”
wa054010@ohiou.edu
If You Go
What: Chuck Klosterman
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday
Where: Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
Admission: Free
