Wednesday, July 18, 2007
after watching the latest installment of the '7 up' documentary series last night i am reminded of something i was thinking about the other day as i pondered the rock egomania i have encountered in my life. for those of you unfamiliar with the '7 up' series, it is a series of docs about a group of people whose lives have been chronicled every seven years; starting at age seven then fourteen, twenty-one etc. with the current one being '49 up'. it is a nuanced and complicated portrait of human life. which brings me to the rock egos. let me start by saying that what follows is NOT about perry farell. he doesnt fit this category. but i have personally experienced this syndrome most often, but not exclusively, with lead singers. now i know that i am smarter than the average bear. and when i was younger i got alot of info from the world that supported that notion. it is easy to stand out in the rock world if you are interested in educating yourself and reading etc. but thankfully, i have had the good fortune to spend a good deal of my lifetime not being the smartest guy in the room. and not only has that made my life richer, but it has kept me aware of the limits of my brain. what i have often seen is reasonably bright people get a crazy amount of success, and believe that it was their special power that brought them that success; they are smarter than... or more creative than...etc. but at the same time there is a part of them that knows they are not as powerful as they pretend. and that is where they operate from. their power must remain unchallenged for them to continue to rely on this frail self image and so you see them remove anyone who might be considered an equal. so often their best 'friends' are their make up person or their videographer; obsequious and often on the payroll but always powerless and unchallenging. people who are willing to eat it when the boy-king (or queen) needs to re-assure himself of his power by intimidating his lesser companions or having a tantrum. his world view is therefore able to get more warped and further removed from reality with no one to help inform him of this distance and, of course, no one to blame but himself. life doles out hard lessons to almost everyone. during those times, some of us learn some difficult truths about ourselves and our world while some just insulate themselves more and more from those truths and instead choose to fire their friends.
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56 comments:
EA--
Speaking of "boy-kings", Ludwig II's story is pretty incredible. His Bavarian castle (which Disney stole the model from) is definetly worth a visit. The guy's dining room table lowered into the kitchen and then was raised back fully served so he never had to see the help.
Different era, same result.
KV
(PS--wasn't thinking of Perry reading your post, I was actually thinking of Dave--weird choices from him lately)
I was thinking about Dave too . . .
Eric-
regarding your George Orwell post, and then I mentioned the french story with paste jewels, it is by Guy De Maupassant, entitled "The False Gems". The link is long, but it was BC (before copyright) so it's all over the web. On a side note, I am the jane's xine guy from many moons back. Sorry to hear about Help Wanted. Please do some kind of touring.
ah, it's funny what a little success will do to a brother... with my limited experience in this area, i know exactly what you're talking about, first-hand, in my own brain, the old ego doing its bit. hard lessons indeed.
also, hello... spoke with you on and off via phone for a while when i lived in l.a.
Interesting commentary on many fronts. Other than "ego" I imagine there are several reasons why celebrities and the sort acquire close friends such as make-up artists and the like, other than the "ego's" role in having lesser "classed" friends. For instance, "trust" could be a reason, a sense of "intimacy" perhaps even a "grounding effect" wherein the persons life is so unreal he/she needs a "commoner" to feel real in order to escape the false reality of "hollywood" types.
Anyway, Eric hope you got some more info on the histroy Channel production of "Vampires Secrets."
I do have a question for you however, without getting too personal. I was jogging listening to both deconstruction and PB and some of the lyricas really got me thinking...what keeps you here? Specifically in the U.S.? I assume you have resources beyond your fan base, god knows, if you have a dollar you honestly have more than me thanks to student loans, thats what happens i guess when you obtain two master degrees. But, with your "interests" and presumed means, why not move to South Africa or something, where you could literally, even now after apartheid, live like a king (meaning a higher standard)? Or in Spain or like places? What keeps you here?
Ive always tried and becoming Ego-Less.
In my experiences of 18 years, ego just tends to look bad, and just really stifles your progress.
The beatles somehow remained ego less, paul mccartney with his billions of dollars seems ego less, but there is even jimmy page who cant seem to make fun of himself. Good Riffs Thow.
Ego Is Bullshit Anyways.
When i was reading this blog ( which is one of my favorites that uve done) i had one of my former bass players in my head, hes a douche, fuck that guy.
But is having a little pride okay?
I thinks its okay to be proud of your work, but havig not affect your personality.
E and others-
Did you see the Danieal Baldwin special last night? sounds like a familiar story-
Ryan
Really interesting observations on others and yourself. Yours would be a worthwhile book.
Be well,
SR
I also think u might be talking about axl rose, he kinda went coocoo didnt he?
9906267 - smac
Ego can either be used (viewed) as a tool or a weapon. Ego makes us brush our teeth and choose our clothing. Ego is not always an evil entity that lurks within. Read Ayn Rand's Foutainhead. Wheather you agree with Ayn or not, the book illuminates the qualities of ego.
Like capitalism, in the wrong hands, ego can turn you into something of a monster (bush). In the right hands everyone prospers.
What about MLK's ego? or Rod Serling's for that matter.
If our own ego is in check, is empowered not at the expense of others, than nobody can effect you. Not any bitchy primadona who made clumsy use of their greatest gift which is ego.
I'm going to commit hygiene now. Bye.
Irie heights y'all.
With respect and kindness,
Mike
P.S. Eric, the entertainment industry is notorious as being shallow and abusive. I have a friend who is a casting agent. She says that the directors absolutely humiliate the cattle call actors looking for work.
I have worked on movie sets and in bands in Los Angeles. It is a weird world. Especially if you are sensitive, compassionate and humane. i have been removed from the LA scene about 6 years now to Eugene. It is different here. The musicians are actually reachable and their is way less negativity towards newcomers, pettiness, clique behavior, etc when interacting and jamming with popular musicians and unknown musicians alike.
My wife is a musician from Wi. and she has observed that the LA music scene may have demented me a little regarding a healthy musical attitude. I had some unlearning to do. It is no wonder having been submerged in the Los Angeles music scene for so many years. Meaning that there were so many musicians whose priorities were other than music. Fame, money, sex, whatever. Bands working real hard however not jamming with any other bands. No co mingling. No sharing on a personal level. Total elitist posturing. And we are talking about playing music!
That is something I admired in the Janes-peppers-fishbone-thelonious crew. Y'all helped each other big time. That was great to witness. Looks like some of y'all did pretty well. But that crew also became wanna-be untouchables (primadonnas) in a way. My friend told me with near tears in his eyes saying, "never meet you heroes" after Flea belittled him. It took him hours to get the courage to tell Flea thank you for the music. This is not a blast on flea. Flea may have been having a bad day or moment. My friend may have been creepy. Flea is a dream come true to me in terms of his contribution to the musical conversation. In terms of the free spirit. He is in my marrow. And he was fine when I jammed with him. Still, I think there is some truth to the statement "never meet your heroes".
In the trenches many bands are stealing equipment from each other, hording contacts, Stealing mailing lists, etc. No mutual benefit. And we are talking about just wanting to play music. Like c to g to a minor. That's it. And all that baggage comes with it. L.A. is a freak example and should not be used as a measuring stick for the rest of the world.
For some muusicians music is a rockstar rat race for others it is a shamanistic necessity. A seer's tool.
R & K
Mike
When I auditioend for The Panic Channel last T-day, I met Dave. Given, I know he has this public persona and I haven't seen or talked to him since then, however, at the audition he was wearing a fair amount of make-up. During and after we played, he was very kind and sweet; said very little, but what he did tell me was a huge boost to my confidence as a musician. Super nice guy. Like I said, I really couldn't say due to my very limited contact. Of course, Perk and Steve were just great.
Though, again, I don't know him supe rwell so it's hard to say how much of 'public' Dave and real Dave are similar.
EA - When I read the Jane's oral bio I think I recall reading somewhere that you were going to give up music before you met Perry and started Jane's?
Also, any advice to a recent LA transplant/musician (11 months) that is somewhat disillusioned with not meeting anyone in this city that 'clicks' to start a band with?
Thanks
keith
EA,
Reading your post reminded me of the archetypal VH1 series, Behind the Music.
Have you ever considered writing and publishing fiction and/or nonfiction?
I know music and painting have been part of your life (as well as writing lyrics, etc.) . . .
Seems like writing would be good outlet for your thoughtfulness.
Powerful, insightful words.
KV- didnt know the castle of the magic kingdom was modeled after any real palace. good stuff.
i wasnt writing about dave. im surprised how many of you thought that.
mr. hayes- ...as in phil?
drew stiles- spoke off and on over the phone? hmm. im not remembering this. which doesnt mean much considering there are huge swaths of my life i dont remember.
vol- i think trust and intimacy and the like are exactly the reasons that the boy-king would tell you are the reasons he likes these people. but i would still say that the deeper motivations are the ones i spoke of in my post.
we are looking into the vampire secrets thing. thanks.
about living somewhere else, i showed your post to my wife because i have been harping on this for a while. i am restless and want to live somewhere else. at least for a little while. belles work is keeping us here right now. but we also need a combo of things in place to want move. food, culture, climate, surf, beauty blah blah. interstingly enough, one of the places we were considering is the area of spain around san sebastian. bilbao, food and surf. i guess the short answer is im not sure what keeps me here and if it will continue to keep me here.
george d- i think that having a bloated sense of self-importance doesnt mean you cant make great art. i think it just means that you have a limited and false world-view and that you are probably a prick to live with.
Eric--
Phil I am. Remember, I was going to be a teacher? Been there, doing that. :)
misterhayes@hotmail.com
take care.
-Phil
Hi Eric, your certainly welcome with the "Vampire Secrets." The song I think is "Gimme." It is played midway through the program in a segment about a teenager who kills his girlfriends paretns or something to that extent. It is very faint, so much that you will probably laugh thinking, how the hell did that guy hear that? I'm sorry to that the album has been pushed back, I was really looking forward to it.
I surfed for some 20 years. Need to get back at it, I really do. Barbados has very good surf, nice and clean. Spain too, though it can be a little windblown. Problem with spain is today your losing some 40% of you buying power thanks to the Euro. (which is why I may teach English there next year, just to have an excuse to "get away.") Capetown, while you literally could live like a king for about 300k, in what would be a 6 million dollar home here in the US, you'd need a high tech security system which would cost you alot, plus, I dont know man, too many great white attacks. (I have a fear of sharks).
Anyways, let me know though about vampire secrets if you would please. It would mean something to me.
As far as the boy-king, I dont know of whom you were referring too, and so you seem like an honorable, knowledgeable guy, so, I'll take your word for it.
All ego, like relationships and the like, is imaginary. What was it Frank Black sang, "Hold onto to your ego, ...'cause I know that your gonna lose that fight." Not a really good song, but, a good message. Concerning the struggle of the individual western civilized man. Kind of like the soft-white belly of a former champion...I think in retrospect.
Here's something to ponder: if desire is pain, one who desires lack of desire must really suffer.
ryan- who is danieal baldwin?
sr- thanks for the thought. i always believed that i would write a book someday when i grew up. my wife wants me to do it. the idea is daunting. i might gather up the balls to take a run at it one day.
mike - i hear you. i think you are absolutely right. in fact, it is the selfish megalomania of the great people of history that is sometimes the most ffascinating part of their story to me. especially when they have done great good. these parts of their stories are far more interesting than when we are told they are simply 'saints'. but like i said in my post, i think they generally have a false belief in their own power and have an accompanying childishness in their emotional/intellectual/human development.
EA,
Great post. I personally believe (after becoming a parent a year and 1 month ago) that how one is raised will most likely determine what one would be like in the face great success or failure. Of course there are outside influences that always shape a person, and things that can always deter people off the path to being a generally good human being, but ultimately if one is raised in a loving, uncontaminated and supportive environment, then that person would likely shine in a positive way if they were one day going to be a rock star or a teacher or a scientist or whatever. Don't mean to sound preachy, it's just so upsetting to me to observe the way certain spoiled hollywood types act and how our media obsessively digests all this crap and then vomits it out for all of us to see, hear and read. I'm very passionate about this subject. Simply, learn from great people and one can be a great human being, hands down. Hope all else is well! Later on, Matt
about 6 years ago, we met as a result of having a mutual frien named 'Bill' (winky winky). a dude named Tavis introduced us. called you a few times, very difficult period for me. you were always helpful, telling me things like, 'sometimes i'll be feeling crazy and then i'll remember i'm hungry. so i'll eat a burrito.'
it's all good, found you randomly through myspace which led me here - i'm liking your blog.
c. brian wrote "I know music and painting have been part of your life.
Eric,
I was unaware you painted. Is there any samples?
Here are a few of my paintings. Painting is a very back burner thing for me, though amazing as a sanctuary. Like a pilot lite.
http://creativitysaves.blogspot.com/
Everything is in oil. The pics don't really translate my style of piling up on the paint. Sometimes straight from the tube. I am not trying to sell or promote. I am simply sharing.
Hope you enjoy.
R & K
Mike
"... but it has kept me aware of the limits of my brain."
Sharon Begley writes: "One of the cardinal assumptions of neuroscience is that our mental processes stem from brain activity: the brain creates and shapes the mind. Not the other way around. But the data reported here no suggests there may be a two-way street of causality, with systematic mental activity resulting in changes in the very structure of the brain."
-- "Train your Mind, Change Your Brain: how a new science reveals our extraordinary potential to transform ourselves."
For a long time, the plasticity of a young brain has been known; but "pruning" - atrophy of the cortices, synaptic connections, dendrite production, etc. - normal & inevitable after a certain age. But the axiomatic assumptions of that 20th century cognitivist model are being experiencing significant challenges from the recent work on neuroplasticity. WOrk since 2001, at the Laboratory of Affected Neuroscience, suggests that "brain systems", like math, music, language, emotive skills, etc., might have malleability throughout life - a cognitive potential that individuals can exploit under certain conditions, such as learning to concentrate attention.
just a thought.
I actually wanted to address something else posted here:
Mike makes the point that ego, like capitalism, can be used for good & ill.
My understanding was that capitalism requires socio-economic inequality (i.e. poverty) in order to create wage dynamics, which are requisite in any market. With no inequality there'd be no competition.
Capitalism is a system the world could have or not have; my ego, as a sense of self, is not something I feel I have too much choice in experiencing.
That said, I think I know what you mean when you say "If our own ego is in check, is empowered not at the expense of others," but it seems unnatural to conceive of myself in isolation from others, not that others 'empower' me; but I depend on them for so much - context, for example, which defines me, in some sense, in any given moment.
Ego, in terms of an adaptive cognitive habit developed in our evolutionary ancenstral chain obviously confers advantage; but only insofar as ego seems to be qualified by competition.
aloha.
Dante touched on this subject, Eric. Read experts from the "Inferno" section.
Wik
i rarely experience other's success as based on their intelligence. it's generally based on timing and either their belief in themselves (in whatever applicable way) or their commitment to faking it 'til they make it.
ego is a volatile reference point. we use it to define and separate ourselves. and while our subtlety and uniqueness deepen the spectrum of humanity, at our core, there is no separation.
thanks for the inspiration.
solar
Thanks Dominic for your insightful post and reflecting on my comment. Real interesting what you have to say.
Dominic wrote "My understanding was that capitalism requires socio-economic inequality (i.e. poverty) in order to create wage dynamics, which are requisite in any market. With no inequality there'd be no competition."
Though life, like capitalism is not an equal system. How are the practicing crack head and the hard working entrepreneur equal? In the vast ocean is the big fish and little fish also equal? Isn't Darwin’s survival of the fittest theory all the proof we need that capitalism is a mere reflection of the often-brutal wider world?
Yes I agree with you Dominic when you write, "With no inequality there'd be no competition." I would just add that with no inequality there would be no dynamic biosphere for us to eat or be eaten.
Upon observing other sytems across the globe and expanding the ages, it can be stated with confidance that Socialism, Communism, etc is perfectly equal to capitalism in the sense that they are all prone to and plagued with corruption.
Thanks again Dominic. You rock!
Respect and kindness,
Mike
To answer my own question, how are the practicing crack head and the hard working entrepreneur equal?
The two co-exist on the poetic landscape as complete equals.
R&K
Mike
"Isn't Darwin’s survival of the fittest theory all the proof we need that capitalism is a mere reflection of the often-brutal wider world?"
sure. brutish, nasty, & short, and all that. Do you, then, accept the strong preying on the weak in other ways? - because it "is a mere reflection of the often-brutal wider world."
How is it capitalism, which reflects the 'often-brutal' side of human nature, be less monstrous in 'the right hands'?
d
ps. who gets to decide whose hands are right?
1) Do you, then, accept the strong preying on the weak in other ways?
Accept and appreciate this world as is. Resist, self-educate and create positive change whenever possible. (My definition of positive) Fill up with empathy and enthusiasm.
If you mean something like, “Mike - You are walking down the street and you see a bully beating up an old lady, would you accept it?” No I would not accept this. I would help to the best of my ability, despite what the bystander apathy rates were in my girlfriend’s sociology book.
- Do you not accept “the strong preying on the weak in other ways”? What are your consuming habits? Energy consumption habits? Factory farm food? Do you pay taxes to the US gov’t (military)?
- If you do not accept “the strong preying on the weak in other ways”, how do you exercise your non-acceptance?
2) How is it capitalism, which reflects the 'often-brutal' side of human nature, be less monstrous in 'the right hands'?
Ultimately, you have a good point. Sad for us humans.
However, some capitalists have done amazing philanthropy. Gates eradicating polio in Africa. I am sure there is thesis papers out there highlighting why Bill Gates is malign towards the people of earth and earth itself. Or that his money would have been better used equally distributed to the masses. On the masses terms. Unfortunately that playing field doesn’t often produce people like bill gates. Meaning that playing field does not produce computer revolutions that connect the whole world and are now finally starting to better monitor elections, igniting millions of businesses and bringing desperate relief to millions of self educators. It is complicated. Bringing us back to Darwin. To be fair, now that I think about it, communist Russia did get the first man into orbit. Though in general, I believe more innovation came from corrupt capitalist societies than corrupt communist societies.
Your question makes me think of William Hearst, whose politics I would not have supported. Though I am grateful that at least his money preserved what is now basically the only undeveloped land from the bay area to Tijuana. As a Californian and earthling, this suited my interests. Or what about Mulhalland, who went to war with the people of central California over water? His water scheme made L.A. the emerald city it is today. The water war also created the San Fernando Valley. Mulhulland was a horrible insider who made all his fat cat friends rich with elite information. Still I lived in one of those water boom suburban homes until I was 18. I drank that water. A lot of it. How would those insurgent farmers who were blowing up water lines feel about me washing with their looted water?
I agree with you. When I turn this a certain way it is clear that there are no right hands due to the human limits, and conflicting interests.
3)“Who gets to decide whose hands are right?”
You do.
Eric, when i was a kid i used to be your fan in México City. jaja, i´m still enjoying Jane´s/Deconstruction & Polar Bear Stuff...
why "learn difficult truths about yourself" when you can audit them..you are right on the money with your comments..painfully so..
Hello, Mr. Avery.
First time I actually read one of your articles, and it won't be the last time.
About the subject... I'm a hardly-known drummer and bass player, and I've had my share of 'the rock scene' in my country. When I started playing music I wanted to be a rock star. I wanted to tour and get fucked-up, bang some girls and talk shit about my parents... I don't know, that kind of thing.
As I grew up and I actually started doing small tours, small venues, good and bad audiences, I had the opportunity to see and live many of those things... and I actually didn't like it. It didn't fit well with the "remove-your-ego" thing I was trying to apply to my life. I remember seeing my lead singer kissing everyone's ass just to get a gig in a better place. I remember him dating some chick he met at a show for like 2 months and then telling me secretly "I think she wants to have sex with me... do you know where can I find a good motel?" . Pathetic.
Currently I'm still playing, but thanks to those experiences (and many others) I'm a little 'out' of the whole "scene". I just don't like it. People behave in pathetic ways yet they think they're incredibly cool. And the worst part is that there're actually people who BELIEVE those others are cool. Kind of a circle.
That's my comment for today. I'll be visiting you every now and then. I'd like to invite you to read my blog, but I don't know if you read Spanish. Anyway, you're obviouly free to take a look.
Take care,
JM
speaking of ego's, i am going to see the police sunday night. from what i hear, Sting has one of the biggest ego's around. such a turn off. but still going to catch the police live.
matt volpe- i hear you. throw in some good genetic predisposition and a little serendipity and your chances are about as good as they get.
mike- drawing and painting were my first interests in life. still are as a fan. i havent done either in years. the only paintings that ive dona are with my folks and im convinced they only keep them as potential blackmail material.
thanks for your link. your work made matisse and clemente come to mind. dont know if you are a fan of either of those guys.
drew stiles- right. ok. i actually just spoke to tavis the other day. he is in town. i might see him over the next few days.
dominic - great post. i can tell someone is about to start grad school. your writing is in perfect fighting shape.
i think from some of our talks, i know that you are more convinced of the distinction between brain activity and mind than i am. so we will leave that one alone.
but i really liked the ego-capitalism-market-context(!) thing. i have become more fond of the idea of inequality than when i was younger. to bring it back to the post a moment, i enjoy not being the smartest in the room. i know now that i bring variety of thought (as you brought here) and that is of great value to any dialogue. i had to stop vying for the top spot in order to get here though. i know from talking to you that you have become interested in global markets. we should probably just talk on the phone about this, but, i remember reading in tofflers 'third wave' about the free flow of market response between supply and demand that was stilted and unidirectional in the soviet system. china seems to be wrangling with these simultaneously.
mark - thanks will check the dant reference. i dont know much about his great work.
chromatic- i agree completely. i have not experienced that either. although if you ask the types of egos that i am speaking about, they often do believe that; or something similar.
balmori- gracias y bienvenidos(?).
chris- my friend taylor played a few gigs with a police cover band. i went to see them at a mexican restaurant in topanga a few months ago. i was reminded that, and sting may be a colossal prick to live with, but, the man wrote some great songs.
mike- btw, just for the record, flea is a friend of mine and he is a really authentic person; admirably so. so remind your friend that any human interaction is fraught with potential misunderstandings; especially one as brief and shallow as one between an artist and a fan. i dont think anything but misunderstanding could get in the way of flea being just the guy your friend would want him to be.
i just want to say eric, "dreams are the influence of mankind". being a rock star is a dream for some, skateboarder , actor or whatever it is. People in general want to achieve what they believe is godgiven , or a special power as you said, an empty talent that some achieve fortune, fame . On top of that you have an evil media that exploits all of it. i think as imperfect humans , we all have a frail self image, and were all trying to find purpose or convince ourselves we are special in some way. i am in no way smart, well spoken or grammar worthy,but I have sabotaged myself in the record industry trying to make it by having an ego or thinking my art would change the world in some way, or i could change the way of thinking how music is done,then you get caught up thinking your smarter than the game, but thats my frail self image, needing the acceptance and leaning on empty talents to take me to success, but in the end i am still alone and figured out one thing, .......reading the bible taught me nothing.
Eric,
Could I get your advice on something? I am very happy with my life and the way things have turned out. I have a beautiful wife/Soulmate, a son that I adore and cheerish and I'm feeling pretty healthy. The one thing I haven't been able to achieve is getting my old bandmates together for atleast one last show. Its been something like 12 years since we last played together but I've been practicing this whole time I want to show people who heard us back then to hear us now. I've tried getting the band back together but it never works out. There are ego issues, espcially mine, but the real issue is that a couple of the other guys just don't have the motivation or desire.
If I could get you, Dave and Steve or Tyler to join my band for a show or two then I can stick it to my old miserable band mates. They are not just boy-kings they are baby-kings. It would be a great favor and I'll owe you big time.
4-track recordings
My Space
If for some reason you guys can't join my band because of contract issues or whatever I'll understand but could you answer a couple of questions instead?
1. Do you know who the bass player was on Lenny Kravitz's "Are you going my way" album? He didn't play on all the songs but on the more groovy ones.
2. Do you think you will ever make another album with Dave?
3. Do you think it is possible that we are all just figments of a single imagination and if this illusion ended we would realize that we are all just one thing, alone, in the cold distance?
4. What's your favorite color?
5. Should cover bands learn songs note for note?
Thanks for your time. I'm a huge fan of yours and I'm looking forward to hearing "Help Wanted".
Mr. Avery
I have been a fan of Janes since 4th grade (I was born in 94, probably one of your youngest fans, now going into 8th grade) and recently, by the great power of youtube, was introduced to Deconstruction. For years I have listened to Janes and while I always credited you as an amazing bass player who is one of the most underrated and most creative in biz, not until I bought the decon album off amazon and relistened to some of janes (strays included), did i realize your importance to the sound that was janes.
With you gone, the music became blander. I all of a sudden felt like I had fallen into a trap buying Strays a while back. There was a point when I loved it, but the more I listened to Ritual, I came to the realiziation that I may have liked the music, you needed to be in it to make it great music. I personally now think, that you and Dave where the rocks of Janes, and that Perk and Perry (both great musicians in their own right and probably some of the best in their type) are not as vital to the sound. Being a musician myself (guitar and bass) I realized how much better Deconstruction was than any Janes relapse.
That being said, I definetely look forward to hearing more of your work.
Sorry for going completely off topic on your post, you´ve probably heard things like this way too many times in your life, and are probably bored to death by them.
KO
"i think from some of our talks, i know that you are more convinced of the distinction between brain activity and mind than i am. so we will leave that one alone."
I'm definitely convinced that, like the particle-wave duality, there is a similarly mystical brain-conscious awareness duality. In short, I'm with Wittgenstein: there is no inner-outer ontological distinction. But that shouldn't suggest that I cannot speak validly and accurately about consciousness viz. Buddhist phenomenology; it also shouldn't suggest that one can't speak intelligently about brain processes & systems viz. biological/neuro-chemical processes. The more I study brain science the more I find how shakey it's assumptions are, which leaves room for the type of phenomena that are currently being observed to further the fact that an intentional mental process has the capacity to physically re-organize the brain to one's advantage."
"the free flow of market response between supply and demand that was stilted and unidirectional in the soviet system. china seems to be wrangling with these simultaneously"
I studied the breakdown of the Su with an economist at Sarah Lawrence.. really weird - a total free-for-all. THe state gave everyone a part of the assets; but with food and other basics in shortage the people ALL sold their state asset coupons for bread to "the oligarchs". the whole situation was like a state looting. before that, though, things were still weird in the absence of real markets. the thing about state-controlled economies is that they don't foster the kind of competition that you mention. If the central gov calls a provincial soviet or chinese governor and says: "How much wheat can your collective produce for the people?" Those governors, who are not motivated by profit, are not motivated to produce as much as possible. The real bitch of the problem in both China and the SU was when governors would overestimate their production to keep party bosses happy. the results were massive shortages and huge demand - the starvation of 20 million chinese during the Great Leap Forward.
The Chinese have very different problems now, but still really serious. THey have 300m people in cities happily forming a growing middle-class; but with 900m peasants in the country side, the gov is worried. These peasants have assulted police, burned cars, and publicly humiliated corrup local bosses. The Chinese now have to find a way to bring the other 900m people into the middle-class - otherwise, particularly in the internet age of wild-fire like instant messaging, the gov rightly worries about violent unrest forcing them to turn away form the "market reforms" they are slowly implementing.
There is a great quote form a Turkish economist at what used to be called Karl Marx University in Istabul; he says (paraphrased): Everything bad you have heard about markets is true: the entail war, inequality, struggle, and brutality. THe only thing worse than a market is no market."
Eric,
Great blog! My friend Phil Felix turned me on to your Deconstruction CD. Love it!! Wish you all the best on your current project and beyond.
-John
kinda slightly off topic, but on 7-up i love the bulgarian boy who is so utterly posh as a young schoolboy. he's obviously brainwashed by his aristocratic parents. he's going to be a lawyer but (to my knowledge) isn't sure exactly what that means. and as he ages he uses his 7-up fame to bring awareness to the people of his homeland. and albeit, he's still a bit full of himself, he thanks the documentary producer for giving him a voice that he couldn't have had with just his good breeding.
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