Colophon

“The Velvet Howler is a pretty bird. He warbles as he flies.”
~Appalachian Folk Song

The Velvet Howler is a small independent news analysis and internet resource. If you think of the internet as various animal parts, you can think of the Howler’s writers as grinders. You can think of the Velvet Howler as a hot sausage stand. If you love hot sausage in the real world, wait till you taste the digital version.

There are a few things that worry me about that analogy. For example, what are you giving us in exchange for the sausage? Does this make us a soup kitchen? What does that make you?

There is a saying in Swedish: Every important decision should be made in the space of twelve breaths. While I respect Swedish insights, I cannot help but wonder if that has any truth to it, or relevancy for that matter. Intuitively it seems connected to this page, but I feel like it’s just one particle in the electron cloud. On that note, let’s change the format.

Why is the Velvet Howler?

The Velvet Howler is because it always was. Bryan and Mark aren’t satisfied with the insights presented by other blogs. They only capture parts of the whole and deny us the entire truth of what it means to be alive at the beginning of this new century. We want to give you the pie, not just a cherry. Perhaps our efforts will only create a constellation, but that begs the question of art vs. artifice.

What is the difference between art and artifice?

For the Howler, the difference is clear. Art moves us beyond the confines of the human condition whereas artifice deepens our connection to the deception of false identifiers. We won’t always post what moves you, but we will move.

What does this all mean?

Sometimes the truth must be baited with libations. To find truth you must sometimes deny your comrades, sometimes you must sink to the underworld, as Odysseus did when seeking the blind prophet Tiresias’ wisdom at the River Acheron in Hades. He sacrificed a ram for Tiresias and had to beat off the spirits of Elpenor, Ajax, Achilles and even his mother. Finally he met with Tiresias and obtained his truth. Only through determination can truth be drawn out. It is a cautious mistress.

How can I find truth?

We appreciate any questions, comments or hot tips and article suggestions you may have, even if we don’t immediately reply to you. To get in touch, drop us a line at the following e-mail address:

comments@velvethowler.com

Sincerely,
The Velvet Howler