Up until quite recently the world of spam has been all "Hello, I'm a the son of a Nigerian Diplomat" and "SAVE 82%: VIAGR*, AMBIE*, CIALI*, XANA*, RIVOTRI*, LEVITR*, CIPRO, MERIDI*, CELEBRE*, VALIU*". The trend at the moment, however, seems to be for these emails to contain an apparently random selection of words sitting at the bottom of them or sometimes acting as the sole content. Previously I had thought this random and disjointed text, though beautiful in its own way, to be the result of random text generators bunging together words and extracts from other texts in an attempt to trick junk mail filters into believing that theses inbox swamping annoyances were written by real people.
That was before I came across and purchased the book Tarantula. It was then that I discovered that the musician, poet, artist, genius, epitome of cool and author of this particular book, Bob Dylan, is actually responsible for this apparent nonsense and may in fact be the most prolific spammer in the world.
To prove my point, compare this extract from Tarantula:
aretha/ crystal jukebox queen of hymn & him diffused in drunk transfusion wound would heed sweet soundwave crippled & cry salute to oh great particular el dorado reel & ye battered personal god but she cannot she the leader of whom when ye follow, she cannot she has no back she cannot . . . beneath black flowery railroad fans & fig leaf shades & dogs of all nite joes, grow like arches & cures the harmonica battalions of bitter cowards, bones & bygones while what steadier louder the moans & arms of funeral landlord with one passionate kiss rehearse from dusk & climbing into the bushes with some favorite enemy ripping the postage stamps & crazy mailmen & waving all rank & familiar ambition than that itself, is needed to know that mother is not a lady . . . aretha with no goals, eternally single & one step soft of heaven/ let it beunderstood that she owns this melody along with her emotional diplomats & her earth & her musical secrets
With this:
with Pickup. This replica rugged men who played during era leather helmets knickers. Measures inches long The line popular monster trucks. Finely detailed right down shocks that comprise takes backseat one. Stark colors logos liberal Few cars general sportster loved With vivid hood roof side panels doors makes great addition kids toy Rooftop Santa pitter patter feet rooftop jolly gents return Sixth series much moment holiday lore. Spread good cheer reason not satisfied within days full refund asked Alba. fits Nascar racetrack fix smoking Soccer
or this:
best places learn about animals and exercise wellkept local zoo. Heres how most visit: Choose right time plan Remember manners Learn includes trivia ready next trip summer days these fun ideas: Explore: Go Bug Safari Teach kid ride bike Play Best Backyard Plan night Easy Summer Meals Not all foods are created equal. healthy delicious dishes tonight: Grilled Salmon Salad Lowfat Potato
possible avoiding holes bottles littering Santa
Answers variety commonly asked valid Guide: Federal State These forms available PDF format. order view and/or print
both taken from my very own inbox.
It seems quite clear that all three above extracts are written by the same person and that that person is Dylan. Obviously not content to be releasing what looks like will be an excellent album, to be recording a fantastic weekly radio show and to be continuing the Never Ending Tour, he also feels the need to distribute his surreal prose to the email clients across the world. However, I, for one, am very happy that he has decide to do this and will now set about analysing these message to see what hidden ideas and meanings they contain - to dig out what truths they contain about Dylan's philosopical and religious stances, I will return when I have found them. Goodbye.
I am an investigative journalist.






