I previously posted a piece from Stephen Fry on religion, but I’ve recently learned that he’s quite the technophile. Check out his blog. There’s some pretty interesting content there. Earlier today I came across this interview he gave about technology. I think he makes some incredibly salient points about how far things have come and acknowledging that what keeps him (and me) interested is that you just don’t know what’s coming next. Enjoy.
March, 2010
26
Mar 10
take it back from whom?
For years I’ve heard the cry, “we need take back our country!” My question is simple. “Take it back from whom?”
Implicit in the phrasing “our country” is a very serious and disturbing sense of ownership and entitlement. I’d like to get a definition of exactly who makes up the “our” group.
Before you read too much into this piece, it is not an attack on Republicans, per se, but if in calling out the vitriol leads me to there, so be it. The acerbic rhetoric has been escalating for years. For some time before, but definitely after 9/11 the politics of persuading through fear has gone wilder than drunk coeds on spring break.
Recently, we’ve witnessed Joe “You Lie! Wilson during the state of the union in January. Just yesterday Bart Stupak, who had been threatening to block the health care reform bill in the House of Representatives because he believed it provided federal funding for abortions, was hecked with “baby killer!” by Republican Rep. Randy Neugebauer on the floor of the House.(Neugebauer has subsequently clarified, if you will, why he shouted that phrase. Clean up on Aisle 9!)
I understand there is a throng of small government people out there who fear that the federal government is becoming this all-controlling entity. I’m sure most of us could sit down and, in a manner of minutes, enumerate a few government initiatives or programs that seem invasive or expansive. I’m not one of these people who feels the government can or should cure all ills. However, I do feel there’s a role for the government to play in making sure that people with smallest of means are treated just as fairly as those with the most.
This is what is particularly interesting about the protesters. Most appear to be low, to middle-income individuals. I can’t help but wonder if this hostility terribly is misplaced, and the federal government has simply become the easy target. Unfortunately, I fear that there’s something a little more disturbing lurking behind the patriotic sloganeering. Why are people so angry? The hostility is open and raw. No longer are feelings being veiled behind nuanced, code words. It’s in your face with a extra heaping of spit in your eye.
What seems to be at the heart of this “I’m taking back my country” movement is fear. Whether real or imagined, it’s clear that this groundswell of Tea Party picketers believe that their freedom is eroding…quickly. It’s amazing that, given all the mess that we’ve experienced in the last decade, fear of being reduced to serfs on a manor overflows just a year into Obama’s presidency.
People have been freely tossing around terms like socialism, communism, totalitarianism. I was listening to one exasperated caller after another on C-Span last Sunday during the health care reform votes. It became very clear that most of these callers were merely repeating slogans and sound bites they heard from Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh, or some other pot-stirring commentator. I have a profound affinity for intelligent people. Accordingly, I admit that I harbor a fair amount of loathing for ignorant people. Just because you disagree with me–even passionately–does not translate to ignorance. It’s when you cannot stand on your own two feet and defend your position that I lose respect for you.
Is Obama moving too fast, and risking our financial future? That remains to be seen. Is there a chance that this administration is going to run this Titanic into a glacier and sink the country? Highly unlikely. In my opinion, the fear-driven actions of the uninformed and uneducated could prove to be far more destructive than a shift in how health care is delivered in this country.
18
Mar 10
it can be risky trying to be relevant
image by Alfa Afrodita
I was listening to music on one of my Pandora streaming stations the other day while cooking dinner. I heard a song come on with an “of the moment” sound, but the voice was clearly Whitney Houston. I couldn’t dry my hands fast enough so that I could touch the track pad to give the songs a thumbs down. I think the “I must be getting old” gene has kicked in because I am increasingly dismayed with today’s mainstream R&B stylings. It’s all synthetic music, and very few people can actually sing. Let me say it this way. Starting a song with a riff and repeating it throughout is not singing — that’s just annoying breathing with notes (and not always the right ones). I think what bothers me the most is when established R&B stars think it’s clever to take on the latest music fad–be it T-Pain’s autotune foolishness or trick beats. Now, I’ll be the first one to say that I’m a sucker for a good beat, but I also appreciate the art and craft associated with a delivering a good vocal performance.
I can’t lay this all at the feet of T-Pain, Kanye, Pherrell (whom I love). This cross-over has been going on for years. I’ll spare you the histrionics of rock musicians taking their cues (read stealing) from blues and gospel music. I’ll stick with contemporary R&B. As soon as hip hop was recognized as a legitimate mainstream music genre, R&B singers and producers went crazy for rap hooks and awkwardly inserted lyrics. Jodi Whately did a cut with Rakim called Friends. It was probably one of the better blends of R&B and hip hop, but it felt corny and formulaic. As much as that song was at least catchy and memorable, many others have failed miserably.
In fairness, it’s not just hip hop that has influenced (affected) R&B. Well, at least what I consider lasting R&B. Teddy Riley and Pharrell dramatically altered the sound landscape in their respective times. Now, it seems even the smallest producer is impacting music and you see copy-cat songs popping up left, right and center.
Of course, all of this likely smacks of me being a bit of a musical purist…and maybe I am. I honestly think, there’s room for all the new styles cropping up. My 14 year-old son constantly reminds me of that. However, as mentioned above, I can’t imagine the mainstream R&B music coming out today having a lasting impact on its listeners. I am encouraged by a number of neo-soul artists who are making an earnest attempt to infuse raw talent back into music making. Although, Musiq threw me for a loop with his latest CD.
After that dreadful song by Whitney, a classic song by Maze, Golden Time of Day, smoothed my nerves. It got me to thinking. That there are a number of groups that have thrived over the years without succumbing to the pressure to change their style to fit the musical flavor of the months. Maze is definitely one of those groups. I popped on YouTube to listen to Golden Time of Day, and came across this 17 year-old clip of Frankie Beverly. Check out what he had to say about staying true to your style.
I wish more individual performers and groups would heed Frankie’s words. Ok, now onto what had me swaying while I made red curry chicken with chickpeas and potatoes. It should be noted that this song was made in 1978. It sounds just as beautiful and soulful over 30 years later.
I think this issue in the music world can easily be carried over to our personal lives. So often we are tempted to try out or add on the latest “thing” in the hopes of being/remaining relevant. We don’t see the many wonderful things our style and experience can lend to world. Whether it’s in the workplace, with our kids, friends, or in our relationships, we discount how people come to rely and appreciate demeanor and character. I guess a lot of us are worried about getting older and losing our edge. With that concern, many of us lose sight that older is not synonymous with out of style or irrelevant. In fact, instead of calling me older or mature…just call me classic.
18
Mar 10
let’s settle the debate
Here’s a real Hatfield/McCoy issue — the origin of House music. I think it’s fair to say that all of my friends from New York believe House started in the Big Apple. Meanwhile, a large number of friends from Chicago and other parts of the country attribute the origin of the genre to Chicago. So, here’s your chance to weigh in on the topic.
Where did House music originate?
If you’re really interested in House, I invite you to check out this documentary — “History of House.”
