airplanes, hair, media, and too many songs.
“A new medium always attacks established media: “it never ceases to oppress the older media until it finds new shapes and positions for them,” wrote McLuhan {Marshall}. While the blog appears benign- like an open door to the internet with someone saying “come on in, let’s chat” – its emotive, frank and honest style has made those skeptical of network news interested in information again, albeit a different kind of information.
And so arrives the blog’s social effect, its true message: an assault on the supremacy of TV, radio, print, even internet news purveyors. And, an assault on objectivity. The blog is beginning to pull at the veil over the eyes of the masses to reveal “truth” for what it is: subjective, and impossible to deliver through a corporate media machine seeking to deliver the myths of ‘neutrality’ and ‘balance.’” {taken from adbusters} {this makes me feel hopeful}
So the words fly. They are small birds, above an enormous ocean. Their movement, erratic and quick. Rising and falling above the tumbling water. Perhaps these forums out here are impacting society more than we imagine. One would like to believe so. {I know i would} As this discussion spirals into mathematical theories of logic, we find ourselves with an enormous river to cross.
I ask now, after all of the debate {neither side really willing to give in to the other} what do we do? Is this not a glaring microcosm of the political ideologies battling it out in the bullring of America? Since I [and many like-minded folk i presume} will never conclude that the oppression of people is acceptable, what do we do? how can we ever argue with those of you, who believe that "god" is the final word? i will not go on and on about logic here [as we've already done} but i question how we come to any sense of agreement. any ideas?
Alas, i run out of time today. Tonight, WE fly. Another trip to California. Another birthday for me. Yesterday, as I was cutting my hair, leaning forward over the sink, I noticed a growing area on the top of my head, where the hair seems to be thinning, at an exponential rate. I suppose this happens now. This hair situation.
While still early in my thirties, I have certainly hiked up from the base of the hill. No longer thirty, but “in my thirties.” I live here now, on this perpetual mountain. Somehow, although i thought this would bring anguish, i actually find it rather funny, and endearing. At this stage of the game, i like this growing older business. Not quite as sour as i expected.
So another birthday, that will see me recording. Perhaps I should make it a goal to have more unfinished records than anyone I’ve ever met. With the recording of this one, I will have a four song ep that needs a bit more recording and mixing. A full length that needs to be mastered and released. Another full length that needs to be mixed and mastered. A collection of b-sides that needs a bit more recording and mixing. And the new one. That makes 5. five. Damn. My goal, is to release them all this year. How’s that for flooding the market?
Yes, I am slightly overwhelmed by all of this. Problem being, that I’ve been met with a lack of money and resources. Combine that with the fact that I am constantly writing, and you have surplus. Maybe I need to take an economics class. Ugh.
Wish me luck on the bloody plane. My how I despise flying.
Posted by jeff pitcher at November 24, 2004 02:45 PM
....................................
I received a link to your site today, and I feel somewhat surprised by my strong reaction as I read your blogs. I kept finding myself thinking, "Instead of sharing every last bit of political analysis that goes on inside you, complaining and attacking those who may live in something that now does admittedly feel like "Jesusland," nonetheless, I just found myself wishing you would stop pondering and complaining and actually start DOing something, ANYthing, to make this world a better place for someone. I don't know, volunteer somewhere, do something more proactive with your elitist crabbiness. I'm sorry,I know this is rude. But you remind me of so many people who pride themselves on not being "mainstream." I guess what I am saying is, get over yourself. Every day I work with special ed kids at a school, and I am every day blown away that these kids aren't complaining, feeling sorry for themselves. They have these beautiful, sensitive hearts. Just today one of them tried to give his dollar for the bus to this homeless guy and said he'd walk instead. Its simple, I know, but just, think about forgetting yourself for awhile, and how "broke" you are. You have a lot to be grateful for. I don't like Bush either, but DO something instead of just being another whiny voice in the choir.
Posted by: Alex at November 24, 2004 09:40 PM
how quickly you assume to know so much about me. how truly absurd.
Posted by: jefferson pitcher at November 25, 2004 07:59 AM
Not quite sure exactly when the mentioned birthday happens, but here's a shot-in-the-dark "HappyHappy!" in advance/late! :) Have a good trip, the both of you.
Posted by: Michelle at November 25, 2004 10:33 PM
John Frusciante released 6 albums this year, each one better than the next. Of course he has the money coming from being in the Chili Peppers (his "day job") and has to suffer thru touring with the Peppers and dealing with that bullshit. But I think you would like his work. Pretty experimental, but worth the listen nonetheless. He recently did a bunch of shows with Michael Rother of Neu!/Kraftwerk.
Anyways it is really exciting and inspiring he has released so many. I will cross my fingers that you can do the same somehow too.
Posted by: Andrea at November 28, 2004 02:07 PM
Hi Jeff.
You don't know me, and though I've been reading your blog for some time now, I've never posted. I've been invisible this entire time learning about you and your journey through the websites of you and your friends (Andrea, Keri, etc.) and it's been very interesting.
I would just like to say that now that I know you're not like so many other bloggers I've been exposed to (whiny shitbags) I think I'll share my IDEA with you. (It’s awesome, so it gets caps.)
Since we are constantly wondering about what the hell is happening in the middle of the country (insulated as it is from much of the activity on the edges), I think we (or I, you don't need to tag along, I know you're busy) should take a page from the Mormons and begin a program to send liberals into the heartland. In short, progressive missionaries.
My thinking is this: it's hard to change your mind about people and their beliefs/lifestyles without direct positive interaction to prove your belief inconsistent with reality. Constantly confronting a belief with experiential data that negates a belief requires a ton of effort to maintain said "inconsistent" belief.
Also, I believe that many more "liberal" (which is a really sucky descriptor, by the by) people live without a true understanding or appreciation of "Christian values". I don't think that many people could parse all of them out from a lot of other "value lists". Just the obvious ones.
Here's the other thing, it's hard to live within a community as an example of the thing that is feared and not get bothered, harassed, or actually killed, so I think it is up to "advocates" to act as pioneers.
We'll have bumper stickers made that say "Marry a Virginian", "Have children in Montana". "Gently and consistently push the possibility that there are many edges to life and often we only see our own" may be a little too long.
Anyway, that is my IDEA. I could have written it more cleverly, but I have a paper due in 35 minutes, so don't judge it's usefulness by my lack of writing prowess.
Have a good day everyone.
Posted by: Clare at December 1, 2004 05:28 PM
