I left the theater last night feeling both heavy and empty. This documentary caused me to laugh the hardest I have laughed in quite awhile. At the same time, however, it forced me to reflect upon life in a profoundly sobering way.
The subject of the documentary, a flamboyantly articulate septuagenarian, began life with a clear and particular dream of what he was to become in life. He worked hard towards that end. While in pursuit of his goal, he happened to make an industrial video which was far removed from his ideal. In the end, this one, humorously absurd blip on his biographical radar suddenly became the reason why millions of people now know this man.
We all set out on a course which is purposed to lead to our dreams. This documentary and its portrayal of this man’s life makes one wonder, “could I, too, veer so far off my intended course?” None of us dream dreams and set ultimate life-goals with an understanding or even, perhaps, an inkling that we may not only fail to come close to them, but we may achieve the exact opposite.
My advice: do not find contentment in your aspirations; find contentment and let that contentment birth forth your aspirations. Contentment is an end in and of itself.
I’ve never liked Coldplay. I’ve always been indifferent to Coldplay. That is until I heard the uncanny similarities between one of their hit songs (bonus points for anyone who can name the Coldplay song, because I can’t) and Kraftwerk’s “Computer Love.” Kraftwerk’s song is my favorite song in the entire world. My indifference towards Coldplay quickly froze in to a solid block of dislike. Yesterday, that solid block of dislike petrified into absolute disdain. Check out what NPR has covered.
Is Coldplay capable of writing their own hit songs? I’m sure they can, but they almost certainly can’t write songs with any musical merit by themselves.
Note: to be fair, it is now my understanding that Coldplay “sampled” Kraftwerk. Nevertheless, my last two sentences remain unaltered. Further, if you really love an artist, do you pay homage by simply using one of their melodies as the melody for one of your completely unrelated song (I fail to see how the Coldplay track references Kraftwerk even slightly except via melody). I would submit that Coldplay has merely taken an amazing melody, re-couched it in a completely different song and sold it to a multitude of people who may never know who is Kraftwerk. Paying homage would have meant magnifying Kraftwerk’s melody. Instead, Coldplay has taken their glory. Of course, if the melody is truly sampled, Kraftwerk only have themselves to blame as they would have had to approved such a use.
A particularly pertinent and poignant pontification.
Soundboard.
Best soundboard clip by far: “Do I want No.”
5 detainees released.
Cheney and Gonzalez indicted for prisoner abuse.
And, FoxNews.com’s “Most Read” story.
The Jazz Man brought to my attention this mind-blowing site: You3b.
You can watch and post three videos at once. This is something I’ve always wanted to do, and have tried with two once before.
I made one. It’s called The Carpenter Sandwich. Enjoy!
I can’t stop watching this Ariel Pink video. Awesome music, even better video. Simply brilliant. Allow me to introduce Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti “Politely Declined”
please visit his site.
Please vote on your favorite:
1.
2.
see also, Sun Ra.
FOR EVEN MORE FUN, PLAY BOTH AT THE SAME TIME USING TABS(but, if you’re adventurous, don’t start them at the same time.) YOUR MIND WILL BE BLOWN.
Can you detect my vandalism? EDIT: The answer is “no” because I have been caught. No more funny Nim Chimpsky quotes.
Also, ironic jingosim for fun. And not ironic jingoism for your critical consideration.
Finally, why Robert Smithson is pertinent to my interests:
New “leftist” news source. ProPublica.
Here’s what some artistic genius has to say about it:
Is it just me, or does this seem contextually backwards?
