General Chat / Interview with Joe Holland

If you're still open to questions Joe, I was wondering since you are an English lit major, what your favorite book is or if there's a book that you really identify with for some reason. And RCT related, you're seen by a lot of people as kind of a hero or godfather of parkmaking. Is this something you're proud of? Like, is it something you would list on a resume for example?

Aye, my favorite book... that's like asking me to choose between my imaginary children. Um, I've read so many amazing books and not many poorly written ones, so it's hard to choose one that I hold above all the rest. I really like the southwest literature of Cormac McCarthy's boarder trilogy, many of the classics, and Nietzsche for fun. Ah, yes, there actually is a book that I read almost monthly because it has such a good story and inspirational meaning: Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. It has acted as a guidebook for my life. Anytime that I feel lost or confused with the direction of my life I read the good 'ol story of Siddhartha and I'm back on track. It's only 152 pages which makes it easy to read in one sitting. I recommend reading it all at once also; it has a steady flow to it and sits with you better in the end.

To answer your second question I would have to say that I am not proud of being seen as a "hero or godfather of parkmaking." Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't appreciate the flattery, but Pride comes with such a pretentious state of mind. I try not to pride myself in any of my great accomplishments. I acknowledge them and accept them as my own and move on. I'm glad that I was able to contribute such a well respected legacy to the RCT community. It brings me much delight to know that I inspired so many other people with my parks. Would I put it on my resume? Hah, I guess it depeneds on what position I would be applying for.

J Holland

I've wanted to read Siddhartha for some time. It's buried somewhere in my massive wishlist. This may inspire me to bump it up closer to the top though. It sounds like it might read something like The Alchemist which is a book I quite enjoyed though the inspirational feeling I got from reading that left after a few days.

Awww, but The Alchemist is such a feel-good book. But I can see how it might fade after a while. It's very worthy, and all, but we live complicated lives, don't we.