About
Content
Store
Forum

Rebirth of Reason
War
People
Archives
Objectivism

Post to this threadMark all messages in this thread as readMark all messages in this thread as unreadBack one pagePage 0Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Forward one pageLast Page


Post 60

Saturday, October 9, 2004 - 9:31amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
UH...I have to agree with Barbara about the Lyrics to Tom Sawyer...I love the song, but never really cared much for the lyrics. I could say that lyrics and poetry are different, and that something sung can have a different effect, but...I don't like them as lyrics, either.
Rush does have great lyrics in other songs, so I am going to blame Tom Sawyer's "eh" lyrics on the fact that an outsider contributed to them (Pye Dubuois.)

If the group would indulge me...I'd like to present another Rush song from HOLD YOUR FIRE. I picked "Mission" because of its relevance to the recent discussions. This one is about the creative process, with a twist...the lyrics seem to suggest that the writer is confessing his lower stature compared to the "greats," but could this also be a common sentiment felt
most artists, including the "greats"?

(And Barbara, I will confess that I am not very well read on poetry, no real reason, just not one of my main interests, and my own music tends to be instrumental for that reason.)

Side note: The last 4 lines are what grab me...

Mission
Hold your fire keep it burning bright
Hold the flame 'til the dream ignites
A spirit with a vision is a dream with a mission.
I hear their passionate music
Read the words that touch my heart
I gaze at their feverish pictures
The secrets that set them apart.
When I feel the powerful visions
Their fire has made alive
I wish I had that instinct
I wish I had that drive.
Spirits fly on dangerous missions
Imaginations on fire
Focused high on soaring ambitions
Consumed in a single desire.
In the grip of a nameless possession
A slave to the drive of obsession
A spirit with a vision is a dream with a mission.
I watch their images flicker
Bringing light to a lifeless screen
I walk through their beautiful buildings
And I wish I had their dreams.
But dreams don't need to have motion
To keep their spark alive
Obsession has to have action
Pride turns on the drive.
It's cold comfort to the ones without it
To know how they struggled
How they suffered about it.
If their lives were exotic and strange
They would likely have gladly exchanged them
For something a little more plain
Maybe something a little more sane.
We each pay a fabulous price
For our visions of paradise
But a spirit with a vision
Is a dream with a mission.
(Edited by Joe Maurone on 10/09, 9:44am)


Post 61

Saturday, October 9, 2004 - 7:39amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Barbara writes: "The lyrics posted here and in other parts of SoloHQ, presented as good poetry -- are gaaawd awful! Have none of you ever read real poetry?"

I also find it interesting that when attempting to defend the *music* they post lyrics. Personally I could never even get close to the lyrics since I would first have to close my ears to all the noise.


Post 62

Saturday, October 9, 2004 - 9:37amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Fortunately my taste in music no longer required the approval of others. There was a time when it did, when it was important for me to like or profess a liking for, a certain genre. In some circles I "shouldnt" like Emminem but dammit I kind of do, though Busta and LL are good at times. Or why I probably "shouldnt" be as thrilled by Whittman or Walcott(the Caribbean one) as I am, (bec their metaphysics are just so wrong!!!). Some time ago I threw away my rubric and template. Life is rich and there is so much to enjoy.

Post 63

Saturday, October 9, 2004 - 5:49amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
>LOL, Jeanine. But you know that I am a neither a Randian, nor a Jungian, but a Floydian, so I will "shine on...you crazy diamond."

Joe,*

Who the Hell, d'you think you are?
A superstar?
                      Well, how right you are!
Well, we ~all...~ ~shine...~ ~on~,
Like the ~Moon...~

                          and the ~Stars...~
                                                  and the ~Sun!~
Well, we ~all...~ ~shine...~ ~on~,
On and on and on, on and on!

 
[Uh, don't you mean 'crazy emerald'?  Though I'm a little verdegrised and not sure I have my book in order here.  But anyway,]

Better recognize your brothers,
(ev'ryone you meet).
Why in the world, are we here
...surely not to live in pain and fear!;
why on earth are you there.
...when you're ev'rywhere!;
come and get your share!!


and a warm, dry, "cave beare" to you, plebs!

<smooch*>,
     you earned it,

(Better get yourself together, darlin';
...join the human race;
how in the world you gonna see?,
...laughin' at fools like me...
)

Jeanine Shiris Ring, Charmed Mistress and Certified Lunatic

...rock on, "Floydian."     ;o
I know you're different, and you know I'm the same.    >:)


Post 64

Saturday, October 9, 2004 - 6:21amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
>Jeanine (I mean, Pyrophora--no, I mean Heraclitia--or rather, >Pythagoras)-

LOL!  My identity is an epistemologist's nightmare.  'Jeanine' is not, of course, my legal name.  I have at least 3 correct names in various variants.  If I do get a legal name, it may not be Jeanine.  It's not my dressing up (nor my trashing down) name either.  And it only gets worse from there.

But I then I think that the ego is an a contingent object of consciousness.  I think Sartre proved it beyond reasonable doubt, anyway.

I'll add Heraclitia to my appellations.  Besides, 'Pyrophora' isn't as neatly classical as it looks, and I could use a Hellenic name in good standing.  As the good natural philosopher just said, the way up and the way down are one and the same.

But you shouldn't figure me for a Pythagorean, any more than for a neo-Platonist or Gnostic... I just said there are congruences.  The line of thought usually identified as 'Platonic' which Rand called 'mysticism'- for which she's laughed at, and wrongly, by mainstream historians of philosophy, really descends from Pythagoras (and Parmenides, and Empedocles), who borrowed his imagery from the 'Orphics' and his mathematics from their Near Eastern equivalents.  I don't support copyright laws, and don't object to his xeroxing... but they could at least give credit where credit's due (Plato, at least, did... see the Ion and Symposium).  Especially when they were graceless enough to fuck with the lyrics  after pirating it, perfect Mort Liddy style.  Then they got the rip-off junk mass-marketed by pandering to the LCD (as their chief salesman confessed in print).  It's a familiar story that still gets me burning occasionally.

It's Pythagoras who owes me a name or two, not the other way around.  I'll take payment in hard or soft currency, thank you.

As for Nietzsche, he desires no followers! "Go away from me and say you never heard of Zarathusra... Do not follow me, follow yourself!"  I respect Nietzsche too much to swear his oaths.  I can profess I've sworn no allegiances, public or private, to the dancing philosopher.  Nor to Zarathustra or Ahura Mazda, for that matter.

And no, I'm no metalhead... the closest I come is some appreciation for Aerosmith and Rage.  I will be on the lookout for Ratt though, and thank you for the recomendation.   Actually, it is a very personal gift, for the aesthetically like minded to help in breaking me in to a new genre.  You have my sincere intellectual gratitude.

Like I said... I'm no metalhead... I confess I'm inspired on the ~far~ other side of the musical spectrum.  I go for Joni Mitchell, Indigo Girls, Tori Amos, Sarah McLaughlan.  Sappy music.  I have some Lilith Fair tapes, even if the organizers are bigoted cretins.  But perhaps I can offer the following to disclose the same universals in different particulars (sorry for the moderate realism... but then I am a peripatetik, ain't I?):

"For the seasons, they go round and round,
   as the painted ponies go and up and down.
we're captured on the ~Carousel of Time~.
We can't return,  we can ~only~ look,
                                                               behind
                                                      from
                                        where      
                          we        
came.               
And go 'round
                        and 'round
                                          and 'round
In the circle game." (Joni Mitchell, L.o.t.C.)

Oh, and your deep interpretations are fine;
like Roark, "walk naked in full sunlight".

"cave beare"!

Heraclitia, Logical girl

P.S.  On beans.  Msr. Pythagoras followed the Orphics; beans are unholy, evil, nasty things.  It became a peculiarity of many of the ancient authors who followed Pythagoras... you have to read the original texts to get a sense at how upset many philosophers got about the whole bean-eating thing... it was the Hellenic equivalent of Jewish fights over kosher laws.   It makes much more sense in the original context.  (I have got to swear off Mexican food) 


Post 65

Saturday, October 9, 2004 - 2:51pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
deleted

(Edited by Irfan Khawaja on 10/19, 4:29pm)


Post 66

Saturday, October 9, 2004 - 9:25pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Rick, shall we post the musical notes instead of the lyrics?

Post 67

Saturday, October 9, 2004 - 9:54pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Jeanie wrote:
[Uh, don't you mean 'crazy emerald'? Though I'm a little verdegrised and not sure I have my book in order here. But anyway,]

Are you questioning my Floydian pedigree? I guess we're even for the Jean M. Auel reference. Though if you prefer emeralds, Dorothy, just listen to Dark Side of the Moon, and start the disc at the same time the lion roars at the beginning of THE WIZARD OF OZ...we're off to see the Wizard!

Post 68

Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 12:22amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Jeanine, you wrote about Chris the Slut:

"And he is cute."

He's more than cute. He's adorable!

You quoted a few lines of poetry -- or lyrics, I'm not sure which -- at the end of some of your posts to Atlantis II, that I very much liked. But I can't remember what they were. Do you know what I'm referring to? If so, please quote them again.

Barbara

Sanction: 4, No Sanction: 0
Sanction: 4, No Sanction: 0
Post 69

Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 11:23pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Joe, the music needs to stand on its own. Most music that I listen to has no lyrics. Even when there are lyrics, the music can stand on its own. If you're talking about music you need to describe the *music* -- the progression of notes, the melody, the tempo, the volume, the rhythm -- how all these come together to create an emotional experience. If there are lyrics then you also need to discuss whether or not and how the lyrics and the music complement, reinforce, or fight each other.

Words and music are two different things.

Here's another thought: notice how those who discuss rock seldom if ever discuss various artists' interpretations of the music while for those who discuss serious music the specific performance opens a whole new world of analysis and enjoyment. Just as you should be able to appreciate the music regardless of any words that might be associated with it (and vice versa) you should also be able to appreciate the music and the performance separately.


Post 70

Monday, October 11, 2004 - 1:00amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit

Rick, as a composer of instrumental music myself, I sympathize with you. And in many of my posts, I have attempted to describe the music itself, though the problem of translation is always present (talking about music is like dancing about architecture; hearing is believing.)But I think the main reason we post lyrics is to convey the fact that not all rock music is SLIPKNOT, about degradation and filth. Whether it's artistic or not, I'm not starting that again, but we are also arguing the morality of the lyrics in these discussions, so it only makes sense to print our examples.

Post 71

Monday, October 11, 2004 - 1:01amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit

Rick, as a composer of instrumental music myself, I sympathize with you. And in many of my posts, I have attempted to describe the music itself, though the problem of translation is always present (talking about music is like dancing about architecture; hearing is believing.)But I think the main reason we post lyrics is to convey the fact that not all rock music is SLIPKNOT, about degradation and filth. Whether it's artistic or not, I'm not starting that again, but we are also arguing the morality of the lyrics in these discussions, so it only makes sense to print our examples.

Sanction: 4, No Sanction: 0
Sanction: 4, No Sanction: 0
Post 72

Monday, October 11, 2004 - 5:16amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Jeanine, I am curious about something. I am not doubting whether or not he chooses his words carefully. For that I believe he does. You have a lot of great knowledge on this So I guess my additional question to you is do you think that Eminem is trying to get a point across that all of the things he is talking about is corrupt and should be changed? And do you think that he would be successful?

He seems, to me, to never make any point. Without that point he seems to just be lingering out there in some false persona.


Also James I would recommend to you the artist Sigur Ros and the album Ágætis Byrjun. This is some contemporary music that you may enjoy.
(Edited by Jeffrey M Lewis on 10/11, 11:45am)


Post 73

Monday, October 11, 2004 - 5:28amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Jennifer, I there was no dig included in my posting, thats not my style. I listen to many bands that include a similar decay. [subhumans, mysfits, dead milkmen] and thank our lucky stars we have the freedom to listen to it. by far these make me the person I am today. despite this fact, art is extremely important to me and i feel cheated when I see someone appears to me to have no understanding of his own metaphysics or when he his metaphysics [appear to me] to be corrupt.

See I am at fault the otherway, I put a lot of responsibility on the artist. I feel that it is his job to discover more about himself through his art. This way i can disolver more about myself. I guess I just do not relate to Eminem and I was very interested in the topic and wanted to post some of his harsher lyrics.

But I would like to find out more on what others think of an artists responsibility is? Any ideas out there.
Thanks, JML

Post 74

Monday, October 11, 2004 - 12:54pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Joe,

Thank you for including those lyrics. i never got past the lead singers voice with Rush but always respected their music. But never read their lyrics. I am going to have to go back through and read them. I still don't think that i will listen to them. and i don't think anyone disagreed with your statement on pink floyd. Thank goodness, I think there would have been a real mess if that had occurred. Roger waters is by far one of the most creative artists in contemporary music.

thanks again for the lyrics.

Post 75

Monday, October 11, 2004 - 5:28amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Jennifer, I there was no dig included in my posting, thats not my style. I listen to many bands that include a similar decay. [subhumans, mysfits, dead milkmen] and thank our lucky stars we have the freedom to listen to it. by far these make me the person I am today. despite this fact, art is extremely important to me and i feel cheated when I see someone appears to me to have no understanding of his own metaphysics or when he his metaphysics [appear to me] to be corrupt.

See I am at fault the otherway, I put a lot of responsibility on the artist. I feel that it is his job to discover more about himself through his art. This way i can disolver more about myself. I guess I just do not relate to Eminem and I was very interested in the topic and wanted to post some of his harsher lyrics.

But I would like to find out more on what others think of an artists responsibility is? Any ideas out there.
Thanks, JML

Post 76

Monday, October 11, 2004 - 4:03pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Jeffrey-

I don't believe Eminem has any political motivations, if that's what you mean.  What I believe he is doing is expressing a certain kind of personality at its extreme, and this is the excellence he strives for.  I think he considers the things he attacks hypocritical and understands them quite well, and that he is much more intellectual that he looks, though I do not know how educated.

But is he striking a blow against patriarchy?  I doubt it.  Is he striking a blow against middle class conformity?  Probably he enjoys getting some of his own back, but that's likely not his motive either... for he laughs at his fans as well.

The point is that I believe his way of approaching things is like mine: one first values passion, and when one discovers something one can put one's passion into, one uses reason to understand, shape, integrate, and direct one's passion.  Morality may itself be part of such an experience, and one might argue some moral principles are constitutive of any great experiences, but not the foundation. 

The fact that his particular excellence entails the use of things I would oppose on an ethical level in no way detracts from his aesthetic capabilities.

This is  strongly in conflict with one interpretation of Rand's esthetics, which holds a specific moral code implicit in the aesthetic heights.  It is less strongly in conflict with another interpretation, which holds that aesthetic and ethical value are distinct, but that aesthetic experience should respond to the ethical for the independent sake of a certain specifically valuable life.

I myself see  history and my own personal experience of happiness too contradictory to Objectivist formulations to be able to accept them. Objectivists, apologies to those who might want to defend a liberal Objectivism, at some level are going to place morality in art.  I respect that, but it is not a concern for my life.  But I can do my best to show that amoral or immoral pieces of art can be aesthetically excellent. Eminem is one case where I know what I'm doing... but it is actually the Bible, Dante, and Wagner that pose the most serious problems for a moralist aesthetic.

One can remain a liberal, and a libertarian without denying that Nazi rallies are grander spectacles than anything in American political life.  If art is the most important thing to you, the person prepared to deny that terrible beauty may be more of a threat than politically powerless neoNazis.

Personally, I think there are fires and wonders that Objectivists cannot experience as Objectivists in good standing... even if I would revere Rand's creation as one of the brightest fires.  But then, I don't think it's possible to experience every kind of passionate life in one mortality.

my regards,

Jeanine Ring


Post 77

Monday, October 11, 2004 - 4:04pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
That said, Jeffrey, let me ask a direct question, you say:

>He seems, to me, to never make any point. Without that point he seems to just be >lingering out there in some false persona.

What point should he be making?  What is the point of any brilliant intensity in life that that intensity itself?   Does one erect a skyscraper for the "point" it makes, or is the "point"; i.e., the articulated purpose, a means to understand what it is that one experiences in the magnificence of the skyscraper?  I do not deny the experiences of living life with purpose, but I see nothing to them but the intelligent discovery of life that is a reason unto itself.

How do you know that Eminem does not linger out there in some true persona?

my regards,

Pyrophora of Cyprus  {))(*)((}


Post 78

Monday, October 11, 2004 - 6:41pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit

This is strongly in conflict with one interpretation of Rand's esthetics, which holds a specific moral code implicit in the aesthetic heights. It is less strongly in conflict with another interpretation, which holds that aesthetic and ethical value are distinct, but that aesthetic experience should respond to the ethical for the independent sake of a certain specifically valuable life.


For the record, Rand's writings on aesthetics are fairly explicitly in favor of the latter interpretation. I don't have the exact quote (though I'm fairly certain it is from The Romantic Manifesto, which I don't have immediately available), but she states exactly that it is possible to evaluate and appreciate a work on a purely aesthetic level, without the need to hold a similar moral code. Note that two of the authors she lists as aesthetically “best” are Hugo and Dostoevsky, neither of whose works exhibit an especially Objectivist morality.

Post 79

Monday, October 11, 2004 - 11:44pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit

Joe M., I rather liked the last eight lines of the lyric you quoted from Rush's "Hold Your Fire."

Barbara

Post to this threadBack one pagePage 0Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Forward one pageLast Page


User ID Password or create a free account.