Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Where does the concept of right and wrong come from, for Atheists
I was asked a few questions by a friend.
This is my answer:
Where does the concept of Evil come from for atheists?
Well I think that the concepts of Evil/right/wrong etc are innate human things. I don’t thing that any right minded person Theistic or Atheistic needs any “lawgiver” to neither tell them right nor wrong. My Moral compass is based on being a good human being.
If you look at the ten commandments which are Gods basic laws, I challenge any Theist to tell me they need god to decree these laws in order follow the ones that are actually pertinent to daily life and acutally make you good people.
1: you shall have no other god before me
2: you shall not make for yourself a carven image and bow down before it, for I am a jealous god
3: You shall not take the lords name in vain
4:Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy
5: honour your father and mother
6: You shall not murder
7: You shall not commit adultery
8: You shall not steal
9: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
10: you shall not covet anything that is your neighbours
so of those, numbers the first four are not moral codes to live by.
The final six:
I honour and love my father and mother
I have not and will not murder
I shall not commit adultery. I cheated on my ex-girlfriend and have paid the price for it, I shall not do it again. It was not my atheism that caused my actions. Nor my lack of a god, it was however a product of bad communication and unaddressed flaws in our relationship.
I shall not steal. I did as a kid, and I was religious then.
I shall never bear false witness against my neighbor.
The last one, well that one is very difficult isn’t it. But I don’t think anyone on the planet is innocent of this one.
These are not things you need a god to tell you. These actions and ethics are innate.
Where does right and wrong and moral law originate and who do you think should decide where the line is drawn?
As mentioned before I think that moral law originates within us and not from a deity.
But who should decide where the line is drawn. Well that is far more difficult a question.
The line is drawn by humans and always has done. Whether we have had the church as our lawmakers before or not, it is still fallible people who have decided what is right and what is wrong. I do think that when god (through the church and biblical standards) was making the decision there was a lot more evil done in Gods name and the mass evil these days is still done in gods name.
I mean all gods not just the Christian one.
Anyone can grab Stalin as an evil atheist, but the very vast majority of evil men in history have been religious and have done evil in the name of their god. So is this the biblical standard you are referring to?
I believe it is. The standards of the bible are horrific, the number of god endorsed genocides are well within the standards of modern day genocides. I do not want the biblical standards to be the laws within which we live.
I don’t want homosexuals being killed
I don’t want tattooed people killed (both of which are suggested within the bible in consecutive passages.
I don’t want woman who expose their hair harmed
These examples go on and on and on.
Your question goes to the bible too. Who decides where the line is drawn with the bible?
The bible has so much evil in it that are put before Christians as laws to live by. Who decides what to follow? Surely if it’s the word of God you have to follow it all? But that is not the case, not even a little, I would hazard that you as a “good Christian” follow as much of bible law as I do, and most likely you avoid like the plague the vast majority of its laws.
I certainly 100% don’t think that Christians are as mean and cruel as certain parts of the bible.
Again, who decides what to follow? The Vatican, with their incredible history of evil and insanity? They are the perhaps the most insidious institution in history and they are the highest representatives of Christianity.
I don’t think its them who should decided the moral rules of the world.
In fact just like an atheist who’s moral compass decides how he/she lives, so you as a Christian decide how you will live. You don’t need the bible, or god, or your religious leader to tell you how to live. You as a good person know to treat people right, to not kill etc
I believe theists along with their atheist brethren are as good as each other, but atheists don’t have examples of evil put before them as if they are examples of a high moral standard.
Most people with even an elementary knowledge of Christ will admit that killing is inconsistent with his teachings. And yet here today we have thousands and thousands of people killed in his name, the same goes for Mohammed, and the vast majority of his followers abhor killing as much as Christians do.
So how does it happen that people are killed in the name of both these great and holy men? Its because of humans tainted by religion, evil people put in position of power supposedly with “gods” blessings. Therefore when they tell others to kill in the name of Allah and of Jesus… they do.
A quote that means so much to me is this:
“Evil men do evil, good men do good. But for a good man to do something evil, you need religion.”
This is true, I imagine the pious and religious men who tortured and killed during the crusades and the inquisition, were good men. I am sure they did not enjoy their work, for the most part.
I am sure that the men who burned witches were the same
The men who christened then smashed newborn baby’ skulls in, in south America. They were good people.
ALL of these people were good people and without religion would not have done these things.
So you asked who decides where the line is drawn. We do, ordinary people do. We are fallible and will make errors and we will make bad decisions. People will be harmed and there will be evil and suffering in the world. But it wouldn’t be any better if it was the church making these decisions, but it could certainly be worse.
I became an atheist in 2005, I was with a friend and we were discussing religion, I said to him that I cannot believe in that a god would send the vast majority of the world to hell and suffering. Because that is what Christianity believes. Can you? Can you believe in a god that would send all the Buddhists, the Muslims, the atheists, the homosexuals, the people who are living in the jungles of the amazon, the Khoi-san who are worshipping the sun, the vast hordes of human beings who were in existence before Christ and Judaism. I cannot believe in such cruelty.
This is my answer:
Where does the concept of Evil come from for atheists?
Well I think that the concepts of Evil/right/wrong etc are innate human things. I don’t thing that any right minded person Theistic or Atheistic needs any “lawgiver” to neither tell them right nor wrong. My Moral compass is based on being a good human being.
If you look at the ten commandments which are Gods basic laws, I challenge any Theist to tell me they need god to decree these laws in order follow the ones that are actually pertinent to daily life and acutally make you good people.
1: you shall have no other god before me
2: you shall not make for yourself a carven image and bow down before it, for I am a jealous god
3: You shall not take the lords name in vain
4:Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy
5: honour your father and mother
6: You shall not murder
7: You shall not commit adultery
8: You shall not steal
9: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
10: you shall not covet anything that is your neighbours
so of those, numbers the first four are not moral codes to live by.
The final six:
I honour and love my father and mother
I have not and will not murder
I shall not commit adultery. I cheated on my ex-girlfriend and have paid the price for it, I shall not do it again. It was not my atheism that caused my actions. Nor my lack of a god, it was however a product of bad communication and unaddressed flaws in our relationship.
I shall not steal. I did as a kid, and I was religious then.
I shall never bear false witness against my neighbor.
The last one, well that one is very difficult isn’t it. But I don’t think anyone on the planet is innocent of this one.
These are not things you need a god to tell you. These actions and ethics are innate.
Where does right and wrong and moral law originate and who do you think should decide where the line is drawn?
As mentioned before I think that moral law originates within us and not from a deity.
But who should decide where the line is drawn. Well that is far more difficult a question.
The line is drawn by humans and always has done. Whether we have had the church as our lawmakers before or not, it is still fallible people who have decided what is right and what is wrong. I do think that when god (through the church and biblical standards) was making the decision there was a lot more evil done in Gods name and the mass evil these days is still done in gods name.
I mean all gods not just the Christian one.
Anyone can grab Stalin as an evil atheist, but the very vast majority of evil men in history have been religious and have done evil in the name of their god. So is this the biblical standard you are referring to?
I believe it is. The standards of the bible are horrific, the number of god endorsed genocides are well within the standards of modern day genocides. I do not want the biblical standards to be the laws within which we live.
I don’t want homosexuals being killed
I don’t want tattooed people killed (both of which are suggested within the bible in consecutive passages.
I don’t want woman who expose their hair harmed
These examples go on and on and on.
Your question goes to the bible too. Who decides where the line is drawn with the bible?
The bible has so much evil in it that are put before Christians as laws to live by. Who decides what to follow? Surely if it’s the word of God you have to follow it all? But that is not the case, not even a little, I would hazard that you as a “good Christian” follow as much of bible law as I do, and most likely you avoid like the plague the vast majority of its laws.
I certainly 100% don’t think that Christians are as mean and cruel as certain parts of the bible.
Again, who decides what to follow? The Vatican, with their incredible history of evil and insanity? They are the perhaps the most insidious institution in history and they are the highest representatives of Christianity.
I don’t think its them who should decided the moral rules of the world.
In fact just like an atheist who’s moral compass decides how he/she lives, so you as a Christian decide how you will live. You don’t need the bible, or god, or your religious leader to tell you how to live. You as a good person know to treat people right, to not kill etc
I believe theists along with their atheist brethren are as good as each other, but atheists don’t have examples of evil put before them as if they are examples of a high moral standard.
Most people with even an elementary knowledge of Christ will admit that killing is inconsistent with his teachings. And yet here today we have thousands and thousands of people killed in his name, the same goes for Mohammed, and the vast majority of his followers abhor killing as much as Christians do.
So how does it happen that people are killed in the name of both these great and holy men? Its because of humans tainted by religion, evil people put in position of power supposedly with “gods” blessings. Therefore when they tell others to kill in the name of Allah and of Jesus… they do.
A quote that means so much to me is this:
“Evil men do evil, good men do good. But for a good man to do something evil, you need religion.”
This is true, I imagine the pious and religious men who tortured and killed during the crusades and the inquisition, were good men. I am sure they did not enjoy their work, for the most part.
I am sure that the men who burned witches were the same
The men who christened then smashed newborn baby’ skulls in, in south America. They were good people.
ALL of these people were good people and without religion would not have done these things.
So you asked who decides where the line is drawn. We do, ordinary people do. We are fallible and will make errors and we will make bad decisions. People will be harmed and there will be evil and suffering in the world. But it wouldn’t be any better if it was the church making these decisions, but it could certainly be worse.
I became an atheist in 2005, I was with a friend and we were discussing religion, I said to him that I cannot believe in that a god would send the vast majority of the world to hell and suffering. Because that is what Christianity believes. Can you? Can you believe in a god that would send all the Buddhists, the Muslims, the atheists, the homosexuals, the people who are living in the jungles of the amazon, the Khoi-san who are worshipping the sun, the vast hordes of human beings who were in existence before Christ and Judaism. I cannot believe in such cruelty.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Piracy
I pirate...
I do, I pirate lots and lots of music.
I do it and I believe that not only am I helping these artist but I am helping "educate" my friends.
The way I see it is this:
I get music from the internet, from various sites and I dont pay for it.
I also get music from Music stores, which I obviously pay for. The discs I buy are inevitably, old favourite bands as well as new little bands who really need all the help they can get.
So I have music. some of it paid for some of it not.
Then what do I do with it?
I give it away, I give it to friends, and other people I respect in order for them to learn a little bit about what I like .. and LOVE.
Then they give what they love to their friends etc etc
Where do artists make their money. I mean famous ones that actually make a decent living from music, the ones who put their music out there. They make it from concerts, not from CD sales.
I alone have created a passion for The National with at least 50 of my friends, of which I would say ten have bought an album (I have bought all of them) and about 15 have gone to see them live, excluding myself.
This is the modern advertising, this is the future.
Word of mouth is the most powerful tool for promotion, what I do... is even better than that.
Sure, some people disagree, the law for one. But I love music so much and I think what I do is a good thing.
Brr
I do, I pirate lots and lots of music.
I do it and I believe that not only am I helping these artist but I am helping "educate" my friends.
The way I see it is this:
I get music from the internet, from various sites and I dont pay for it.
I also get music from Music stores, which I obviously pay for. The discs I buy are inevitably, old favourite bands as well as new little bands who really need all the help they can get.
So I have music. some of it paid for some of it not.
Then what do I do with it?
I give it away, I give it to friends, and other people I respect in order for them to learn a little bit about what I like .. and LOVE.
Then they give what they love to their friends etc etc
Where do artists make their money. I mean famous ones that actually make a decent living from music, the ones who put their music out there. They make it from concerts, not from CD sales.
I alone have created a passion for The National with at least 50 of my friends, of which I would say ten have bought an album (I have bought all of them) and about 15 have gone to see them live, excluding myself.
This is the modern advertising, this is the future.
Word of mouth is the most powerful tool for promotion, what I do... is even better than that.
Sure, some people disagree, the law for one. But I love music so much and I think what I do is a good thing.
Brr
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
702 music review
What are 702 playing The Age of Adz, by Sufjan Stevens for?
I cannot fathom it, they have a listener group my moms age... and me to be fair. But I dont listen to it for music reviews.
The album is Experimental/mental and an extreme challenge to those who are listening to it, it is not I repeat, not for a one time listen on a geriatric radio station. That is what Joss Stone is for.
The host of the show said "... is a bit too ambitious and he is using too many instruments."
What.
the.
fuck.
He reminds me of that King who told Mozart there were too many notes in some opera. Sure that was a movie, but the sentiment is there.
so is the idiocy.
I love the album, I listened once. Went "hmmmm not so sure buddy"
listened again and the tracks just started to grip me and hold on tight. It is a dischord that has not hit so hard since some old Jazz favourites that my aunt and uncle play.
It is a work of genius.
I of course understand some people not liking it, that is not the problem. The problem is the forum for debate was 702.
I cannot fathom it, they have a listener group my moms age... and me to be fair. But I dont listen to it for music reviews.
The album is Experimental/mental and an extreme challenge to those who are listening to it, it is not I repeat, not for a one time listen on a geriatric radio station. That is what Joss Stone is for.
The host of the show said "... is a bit too ambitious and he is using too many instruments."
What.
the.
fuck.
He reminds me of that King who told Mozart there were too many notes in some opera. Sure that was a movie, but the sentiment is there.
so is the idiocy.
I love the album, I listened once. Went "hmmmm not so sure buddy"
listened again and the tracks just started to grip me and hold on tight. It is a dischord that has not hit so hard since some old Jazz favourites that my aunt and uncle play.
It is a work of genius.
I of course understand some people not liking it, that is not the problem. The problem is the forum for debate was 702.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
WC Post Orgasmic Chill
SA Post World Cup
You may have noticed the WC in South Africa was a roaring success. I believe it was, although some might have not noticed it through the vuvuzelas, which I love incidentally.
I was among a group of South Africans that absolutely without doubt expected the WC to be fantastic, I am in some circles naïve, in others stupid, in still others I am a lefty pinko liberal black lover. However in some circles I am just a normal guy who has faith in a Country that has succesfully run numerous large sporting events.
The tone of this article is more the post-orgasmic chill that is descending, or not, in South Africa. Its an interesting time to be here.
There are a number of things that lead you to believe that its all gone to “kak” again. Such as the traffic nightmare returning, ALL roadworks were paused for the WC so that there was as little traffic as possible. Julius Malema has started talking again, He being the leader of the ANC Youth League, and quite possibly the dumbest human being to be in any sort of public awareness, I included Paris Hilton here... her and her marijuana.
More important to me is the Obsession South Africans have with Being Proud of the country. It really is an obsession. We have this insistence on telling everyone that we had a great conversation at the Licensing board, the Traffic Police Station and Home Affairs. There is a tangible desire to since the WC that we keep everything going in that direction, from the smallest thing all the way up to govt. That is not always easy, what with the govt. suddenly post WC trying to get some sort of censorship on the press.
But there are other things, for instance LEADSA which is an initiative created by a corporation that, despite my disregard for all things “positive” created by corporates, is a great initiative, whereby they encourage every South Africa to “Lead” South Africa by their behaviour. Just today I saw a BillBoard that said “Fight Corruption Dont Bribe Traffic Police” which on the face of it is quite comical, but actually its a pretty cool thing to say and to get people to think about. Every South African has bribed a cop at some stage, whether we were a little pissed on the way home and slipped a 20 into his/her hand or whether it was a cop being unreasonable and there being no way to get out of a possible dangerous situation.
There is the other side of things that is great for South African Football. Every South African supports an English Team, for me it is... for my sins, Liverpool. But most are getting their act together and are finding a local team, I do speak more for the whiteys like myself regarding local teams as most Black South Africas do have a team already. My best mate here, who is a German, and I are finding our local team to support, to buy tickets Merchandise and to therefore support the team. These things all make a difference. So hopefully with a few thousand more supporters SA Football will gain a little money and will help our national team up a few more rungs in the international ladder. Which I certainly believe we deserve to be.
You may have noticed the WC in South Africa was a roaring success. I believe it was, although some might have not noticed it through the vuvuzelas, which I love incidentally.
I was among a group of South Africans that absolutely without doubt expected the WC to be fantastic, I am in some circles naïve, in others stupid, in still others I am a lefty pinko liberal black lover. However in some circles I am just a normal guy who has faith in a Country that has succesfully run numerous large sporting events.
The tone of this article is more the post-orgasmic chill that is descending, or not, in South Africa. Its an interesting time to be here.
There are a number of things that lead you to believe that its all gone to “kak” again. Such as the traffic nightmare returning, ALL roadworks were paused for the WC so that there was as little traffic as possible. Julius Malema has started talking again, He being the leader of the ANC Youth League, and quite possibly the dumbest human being to be in any sort of public awareness, I included Paris Hilton here... her and her marijuana.
More important to me is the Obsession South Africans have with Being Proud of the country. It really is an obsession. We have this insistence on telling everyone that we had a great conversation at the Licensing board, the Traffic Police Station and Home Affairs. There is a tangible desire to since the WC that we keep everything going in that direction, from the smallest thing all the way up to govt. That is not always easy, what with the govt. suddenly post WC trying to get some sort of censorship on the press.
But there are other things, for instance LEADSA which is an initiative created by a corporation that, despite my disregard for all things “positive” created by corporates, is a great initiative, whereby they encourage every South Africa to “Lead” South Africa by their behaviour. Just today I saw a BillBoard that said “Fight Corruption Dont Bribe Traffic Police” which on the face of it is quite comical, but actually its a pretty cool thing to say and to get people to think about. Every South African has bribed a cop at some stage, whether we were a little pissed on the way home and slipped a 20 into his/her hand or whether it was a cop being unreasonable and there being no way to get out of a possible dangerous situation.
There is the other side of things that is great for South African Football. Every South African supports an English Team, for me it is... for my sins, Liverpool. But most are getting their act together and are finding a local team, I do speak more for the whiteys like myself regarding local teams as most Black South Africas do have a team already. My best mate here, who is a German, and I are finding our local team to support, to buy tickets Merchandise and to therefore support the team. These things all make a difference. So hopefully with a few thousand more supporters SA Football will gain a little money and will help our national team up a few more rungs in the international ladder. Which I certainly believe we deserve to be.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Official ....
Facebook update: Soandso McNodody has invited you to join The Official Site to Remove Julius Malema as the Head of the ANCYL
... you to join "If we get 1 quatrillion members bob Mugabe will resign as President of Zimbabwe"
WTF is this shit.
Seriously, what a load. Does anyone actually believe that if they join these groups, that they'll somehow be making the world a better place?
Just like Bono. Which brings me to this ultimate wanker. Bono a man who insists the population of Ireland must give away their money to nameless African Leaders, but lives in a Tax Haven.
I am losing focus.
If someone sends you an "Official" facebook group invitation that is not started by some wank shit like Xfactor or Kazakhstan's Got Talent (I might join that actually)
Dont fucking join it, its shit, it makes you look stupid
Look at the picture, it has this "Rainbow Nation bullshit" attached to it, with those black white coloured indian hands all together looking like they are having some sort of RA RA RA chant.
"Julius out he's a bad man"
"ON 3"
"JULIUS OUT HE'S A BAD MAN"
"Well done team rainbow"
Fools
Sunday, May 30, 2010
I love swearing. I really do.
Its something that is underrated and hated and judged unfairly.
I recently watched a doccie called "Fuck" which highlighted the hypocrisy of people who judge others who use that particular word. Its an excellent show.
Most important for me is that some people really believe swearing is a cheap way of making an impact when, you need to be really smart to use it well.
I attach my first example of brilliant swearing.
I love it for two reasons, the second guys response to the first guys assertion uses only one word, but uses it twice. Secondly he uses the word "literally" which with its double meaning really adds a lot of humour.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
I hope Colin and Lauren Daniels' marriage didnt fall apart
I did an odd/creepy thing.
I went for a run a few months ago and found about 40 dvd's lying naked in the road.
Now the chance that they would be cool, is almost zero. Its like Demetri Martin Says "finding something in your hair is never going to be a good thing, its not like its going to be a treat or something"
They all had the same Print on the surface of the DVD:
Colin & Lauren Daniels
22nd March 2009
Wedding DVD
Each line had a different font, which a major pet peeve of mine. But, it was pretty cover and she looked hot, so I thought I'd take a look.
Facebook stalking is one thing. Watching a perfect strangers dvd. Thats fucked up!!
Anywho, nice flower arrangement. But seriously making the photos into a video. That sucks. Leave them as jpegs, that way people can delete all the photos of other people and just keep the ones the like.
Also. Music was Mediocre.
Barry Louis Polisar - All I Want is You
Amelie
David Gray - Now and Always
Some dodgy Piano Guitar Duo
A really nice French Song
Mama Cass Elliot - Dream a Little Dream of Me
Actually, its not that bad, I think I am so negative because she reminds me of my brothers AWFUL ex girlfriend... and she is a giantess
The Groom wore a beautiful tie
hopefully tossed away dvds dont mean a tossed away marriage.
I went for a run a few months ago and found about 40 dvd's lying naked in the road.
Now the chance that they would be cool, is almost zero. Its like Demetri Martin Says "finding something in your hair is never going to be a good thing, its not like its going to be a treat or something"
They all had the same Print on the surface of the DVD:
Colin & Lauren Daniels
22nd March 2009
Wedding DVD
Each line had a different font, which a major pet peeve of mine. But, it was pretty cover and she looked hot, so I thought I'd take a look.
Facebook stalking is one thing. Watching a perfect strangers dvd. Thats fucked up!!
Anywho, nice flower arrangement. But seriously making the photos into a video. That sucks. Leave them as jpegs, that way people can delete all the photos of other people and just keep the ones the like.
Also. Music was Mediocre.
Barry Louis Polisar - All I Want is You
Amelie
David Gray - Now and Always
Some dodgy Piano Guitar Duo
A really nice French Song
Mama Cass Elliot - Dream a Little Dream of Me
Actually, its not that bad, I think I am so negative because she reminds me of my brothers AWFUL ex girlfriend... and she is a giantess
The Groom wore a beautiful tie
hopefully tossed away dvds dont mean a tossed away marriage.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Interpol
Interpol have a new song!!
Its called Lights, its the first single from their unreleased new album.
Slow, and steady. Very much like Wrecking Ball or Lighthouse.
Download it for Free from their website:
http://www.interpolnyc.com/
Its called Lights, its the first single from their unreleased new album.
Slow, and steady. Very much like Wrecking Ball or Lighthouse.
Download it for Free from their website:
http://www.interpolnyc.com/
The dog-arsed mouths of the people who hate our country
You know those people.
The ones who stand in the line at woolworths and tut at the people who dont know how to use the "next customer please" system.
I have been dealing with a number of people recently who, despite the tsunami of goodwill coming our way from the World Cup, constantly moan about South Africans, the Government and the "I'm not racist, but the blacks..."
I was in Durban for a few days last week and I dropped a friend off at the new airport. Its wonderful, a few hiccups. It was only 2 hours old when I arrived, so thats not a big surprise. It is however beautiful and will be a joy, mostly because we dont have an unpronouncable volcano down the road. I was shocked by the number of people who complained about the exhorbitant amount of money spent on the highly neccessary building. Airports are expensive!!
These are the same people who would have complained if it was ugly and the worlds visitors would have had a bad first impression.
It annoys me that I need to defend the country against the tidal wave of negativity from its inhabitants.
anyway.
get positive and enjoy our beautiful country.
(or go to goddam Australia)
The ones who stand in the line at woolworths and tut at the people who dont know how to use the "next customer please" system.
I have been dealing with a number of people recently who, despite the tsunami of goodwill coming our way from the World Cup, constantly moan about South Africans, the Government and the "I'm not racist, but the blacks..."
I was in Durban for a few days last week and I dropped a friend off at the new airport. Its wonderful, a few hiccups. It was only 2 hours old when I arrived, so thats not a big surprise. It is however beautiful and will be a joy, mostly because we dont have an unpronouncable volcano down the road. I was shocked by the number of people who complained about the exhorbitant amount of money spent on the highly neccessary building. Airports are expensive!!
These are the same people who would have complained if it was ugly and the worlds visitors would have had a bad first impression.
It annoys me that I need to defend the country against the tidal wave of negativity from its inhabitants.
anyway.
get positive and enjoy our beautiful country.
(or go to goddam Australia)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Artistic Integrity Part TWO of TWO
Lets consider the past, when artists had “sponsors” or “patrons”
Almost any artist in the past you can think of made something “for” someone because they paid them.
Its an extraordinarily difficult argument as, we would not have mozart had the Royals of Austria and a number of patrons not paid him to do his Art. Also backing the theory of backers being good is that, as artists get wealthier they get to choose who sponsors them and who is the KFC of their time.
Still, I cant help thinking that the sponsors of these modern day “Artists” are of such a low caste that it makes the artist look a putz.
Compare Lady Gaga and Die Antwoord.
I was sent a music video done by Lady Gaga and Beyonce. Telephone I think it was called.
I was watching it, as it was kicking up a stink for being “...a disgrace to feminism” which was utter tosh. Its a cool video. However every time you see a phone it has a Virgin Mobile Screen shot.
Its awful and I cant help thinking that its unnecessary for a couple of musicians who are that wealthy to sell out.
Followed by Die Antwoord who are currently taking over the world as “real South Africans”
I do not enjoy their music but I do have respect for them despite their Ad-Alignment. They live their Characters. Its a double edged blade, I find their dedication impressive but pretentious in its existence, the only thing keeping them from being “sell-outs” is their dedication. You can see how I could become confused with my own opinion.
So that said, I think the conclusion of the argument (I can do that, its my blog) is that it is very difficult to discern between being corporate wankers and ... not being corporate wankers.
Its safer to not have adverts using your Artistic image. But if you have to, please, dont promote a goddam fast-food chain.
Also, have some taste and dont listen to bloody Parlotones.
Jesus, if you think that its great that SA music is getting some airtime overseas, maybe consider the impact of these talentless fools. Send Kobus instead. At least then they'll think we are hard as fuck.
Almost any artist in the past you can think of made something “for” someone because they paid them.
Its an extraordinarily difficult argument as, we would not have mozart had the Royals of Austria and a number of patrons not paid him to do his Art. Also backing the theory of backers being good is that, as artists get wealthier they get to choose who sponsors them and who is the KFC of their time.
Still, I cant help thinking that the sponsors of these modern day “Artists” are of such a low caste that it makes the artist look a putz.
Compare Lady Gaga and Die Antwoord.
I was sent a music video done by Lady Gaga and Beyonce. Telephone I think it was called.
I was watching it, as it was kicking up a stink for being “...a disgrace to feminism” which was utter tosh. Its a cool video. However every time you see a phone it has a Virgin Mobile Screen shot.
Its awful and I cant help thinking that its unnecessary for a couple of musicians who are that wealthy to sell out.
Followed by Die Antwoord who are currently taking over the world as “real South Africans”
I do not enjoy their music but I do have respect for them despite their Ad-Alignment. They live their Characters. Its a double edged blade, I find their dedication impressive but pretentious in its existence, the only thing keeping them from being “sell-outs” is their dedication. You can see how I could become confused with my own opinion.
So that said, I think the conclusion of the argument (I can do that, its my blog) is that it is very difficult to discern between being corporate wankers and ... not being corporate wankers.
Its safer to not have adverts using your Artistic image. But if you have to, please, dont promote a goddam fast-food chain.
Also, have some taste and dont listen to bloody Parlotones.
Jesus, if you think that its great that SA music is getting some airtime overseas, maybe consider the impact of these talentless fools. Send Kobus instead. At least then they'll think we are hard as fuck.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Artistic integrity Part ONE
Artistic integrity in the modern age
What does it mean and is it different from the past?
I have been having this discussion recently with a friend. It was a difficult question to answer and it started because I insulted The Parlotones.
It stands that I still think they are a bunch of sell out wankers with a penchant for 13 yr old girls and “ladies with cats”
An excerpt from a recent news site:
"Ending their year on a positive note, South African alternative rock band, The Parlotones has nabbed yet another lucrative deal. This time, the Johannesburg-based band has signed a deal that sees fast-food chain KFC funding the production of their new music video."
lets grab some words from that:
"positive note"
"ALTERNATIVE"
"Lucrative deal"
"Fast-food chain"
and a sentence
"funding the production of their new music video"
I refuse to be apologetic about this.
They are evil corporate shills, they are not artists and they and their fans deserve each other.
So they sold their souls to KFC for a the opportunity to film a music video... and I assume a great wad of cash. They have in the past sold their slutty souls to a number of different corporations. Fuji and Multichoice come to mind.
Now this friend said that it was not a problem and that I am just sensitive because I do not like their music. This is true, I do not like their brand of Pead-Oedipal Pop. However I think I would have had a little sympathy had they not been in a KFC ad.
There is little good to be said for artists in advertisements, as far as I am concerned. If you are in an advertisement, you lose your artistic licence. You have sold your image for a few bucks.
The difference between me (who has been in a few commercials as a “model”) and them is that they have sold “themselves” they have sold their identities to the highest fast-food bidder.
Why is it that they have aligned themselves with that brand of cultural barrenness? Couldnt they have pursued ... I dont know ... something with value to them as artists?
Maybe they could have gotten their manager (who I think is Kahn himself btw) to approach ... gosh this is difficult. There is almost nothing that they can go for considering their image. Maybe cat sellers.
The make Pead-Oedipal Pop and the Kahn wears fucking emo make-up. Its difficult to approach rolex isnt it.
That said, is it acceptable if the “artist” does a promo for a brand he/she considers appropriate to their “brand”? I dont know that it is. I am NOT an artist so I dont suffer from artistic driven poverty, but I think that if you sell your soul to the highest corporate bidder. Then you are no longer an artist, but a product aligned with that particular corporation.
According to “friend” and this was a spectacularly stupid statement . “That is like saying a sportsman is not a sportsman if they are in an advert”
Insanity, a sportsmans ethical code is on the field of their play. Not in the public realm. That statement is a no go.
... Next, Die Antwoord, Lady Gaga and Mozart
O Fortuna
So
O Fortuna by Carl Orff. I suggest the BBC philharmonic.
Listen with headphones. I highly highly recommend this as the music has many little nuances that you will need to hear.
1:36 the main chorus starts with MASSIVE drums, its great. really great with loud speaker
then finally at
2:12 the final drum plays and its like thunder, beautiful.
Please do listen
I really wanted to play this song for you guys somehow. Alas there are no (none that I can find anyway) widgets that work properly.
I might just pop the Amazon one on, even if it only gives 30secs, at least it'll give an idea of the awesomeness of this track
O Fortuna by Carl Orff. I suggest the BBC philharmonic.
Listen with headphones. I highly highly recommend this as the music has many little nuances that you will need to hear.
1:36 the main chorus starts with MASSIVE drums, its great. really great with loud speaker
then finally at
2:12 the final drum plays and its like thunder, beautiful.
Please do listen
I really wanted to play this song for you guys somehow. Alas there are no (none that I can find anyway) widgets that work properly.
I might just pop the Amazon one on, even if it only gives 30secs, at least it'll give an idea of the awesomeness of this track
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wankers in Restaurants
Ok
I work a couple of nights in a restaurant and I think this needs to be said:
If you are a customer in a restaurant and you do any of the following things you are a wanker and a kak human being.
* You are OF the last tables and it is closing time but you just keep on chilling.
* You tip less than 10% (unless you get crap service)
* You give the waiter a massive smile and a big thumbs up and say "WOW great service" and still undertip. This does NOT pay his/her bills.
* You ignore the waiter when they come to the tables for specials.
* You start talking during specials, or answer the phone.
* You arrive later than your booking. This is a problem, stations are set out for a specific reason. So that you'll get the waiters undivided attention for at least a portion of time. Picture this:
You have a booking for 6 people at 7:00
you arrive at 7:30
another table has a reservation for 4 people at 7:30
they arrive at 7:30.
At least one table is going to get crap service. This is your fault.
You're a wanker.
* You have a reservation for 4 people and 5 people arrive.
Are you stupid?
THINK about it!
A table for 5 takes up the space of a table for 6 and more than likely the table has been reserved and there is no space. So you'll have to sit at a table for 4 with another chair added. You'll get pissed off and undertip the waiter.
This makes you a Wanker twice over. Its like you grew an extra cock and are now furiously masturbating that one too.
* Food is brought to your table and a runner/waiter comes over and says "200gram fillet, MR, with vegetables and a Pepper sauce"
No-one replies. Did you forget your order? Are you stupid? The runner has no idea who you are or what you ordered. Fucking pipe up and say "Yes, thats me" or "Oh, yes Gillian over there ordered that"
Help out.
Follow this with a "Thank You"
* If you sit with your chair so far out that no-one can walk past you. This is not a lounge, sit properly.
* If you think its funny when your kids are rude to a waiter. Its not and I'll fucking tell them too.
* If your kids are watching a dvd or playing a video game at a table. Not only are you a wanker.. but a shit parent too.
* If the waiter is bringing the food and there are a number of you at the table, its complicated and they want to make sure everything is coming as it should IE, with veg, done MR etc etc
And you start ordering drinks. THIS IS NOT THE TIME!
* You walk into a restaurant without a reservation and go "I'll sit there"
No you fucking will not! Are you on drugs? This is my house, I have reservations and you can ask politely if you may sit there.
This is the end
there is probably more and I will add them later.
But here is a rule of thumb: If you would not treat your friends like that, do not treat your waiter like that.
Also (apologies for the plagiarism, credit the movie Waiting)
"Never fuck with people who handle your food"
I work a couple of nights in a restaurant and I think this needs to be said:
If you are a customer in a restaurant and you do any of the following things you are a wanker and a kak human being.
* You are OF the last tables and it is closing time but you just keep on chilling.
* You tip less than 10% (unless you get crap service)
* You give the waiter a massive smile and a big thumbs up and say "WOW great service" and still undertip. This does NOT pay his/her bills.
* You ignore the waiter when they come to the tables for specials.
* You start talking during specials, or answer the phone.
* You arrive later than your booking. This is a problem, stations are set out for a specific reason. So that you'll get the waiters undivided attention for at least a portion of time. Picture this:
You have a booking for 6 people at 7:00
you arrive at 7:30
another table has a reservation for 4 people at 7:30
they arrive at 7:30.
At least one table is going to get crap service. This is your fault.
You're a wanker.
* You have a reservation for 4 people and 5 people arrive.
Are you stupid?
THINK about it!
A table for 5 takes up the space of a table for 6 and more than likely the table has been reserved and there is no space. So you'll have to sit at a table for 4 with another chair added. You'll get pissed off and undertip the waiter.
This makes you a Wanker twice over. Its like you grew an extra cock and are now furiously masturbating that one too.
* Food is brought to your table and a runner/waiter comes over and says "200gram fillet, MR, with vegetables and a Pepper sauce"
No-one replies. Did you forget your order? Are you stupid? The runner has no idea who you are or what you ordered. Fucking pipe up and say "Yes, thats me" or "Oh, yes Gillian over there ordered that"
Help out.
Follow this with a "Thank You"
* If you sit with your chair so far out that no-one can walk past you. This is not a lounge, sit properly.
* If you think its funny when your kids are rude to a waiter. Its not and I'll fucking tell them too.
* If your kids are watching a dvd or playing a video game at a table. Not only are you a wanker.. but a shit parent too.
* If the waiter is bringing the food and there are a number of you at the table, its complicated and they want to make sure everything is coming as it should IE, with veg, done MR etc etc
And you start ordering drinks. THIS IS NOT THE TIME!
* You walk into a restaurant without a reservation and go "I'll sit there"
No you fucking will not! Are you on drugs? This is my house, I have reservations and you can ask politely if you may sit there.
This is the end
there is probably more and I will add them later.
But here is a rule of thumb: If you would not treat your friends like that, do not treat your waiter like that.
Also (apologies for the plagiarism, credit the movie Waiting)
"Never fuck with people who handle your food"
Welcome to my thoughts
So here I am.
Yes.
This blog is purely things I think about and each post will probably have little bearing on the previous one.
There will probably be politics, music, religion, movies and the odd rant.
Probably about those topics.
alright see you soon.
Yes.
This blog is purely things I think about and each post will probably have little bearing on the previous one.
There will probably be politics, music, religion, movies and the odd rant.
Probably about those topics.
alright see you soon.
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