Yes! I get into spats about Eminem all the time with people. He is very misunderstood, and the games he plays with the media remind me of Bob Dylan. Just watch any of the documentaries. Running circles around the critics, the politicians, even his fans.
The greatest teachers destroy peoples' preconceptions, not help to construct them. By teacher I don't mean that Eminem intends to teach, but he certainly is teaching, anyway, isn't he?
Sorry it's taken me so long to drop a comment here, Daniel. I have to admit I was never a blog reader until I started one, and now, well, still not so much. It's rewarding, but it's a lot to keep up with.
On the subject of Free Will--have you ever read Krishnamurti? If not, do. One thing that he points out, with inarguable clarity, is that our sense of self, the "I", is really just a cluster of memories which react out of previous conditioning. As long as we are letting thought dictate our sense of self, and our reactions, there is no free will.
Perhaps we are only free in the absence of will?
Anyway, last thing, on the subject of Jed: Has a little boy, 3 months old, named Joaquin. Living in Missoula, MT, just finished his phd in conservation ecology, has conducted field research in Yellowstone and Thailand, worked in Borneo for a couple years, taught a seminar in Africa, and otherwise isn't a whole lot different than he's ever been. Beautiful wife. Me and him and Than and my brother are still close, and have clan gatherings once or twice a year. Jed and I spent six months in South America together in 1998, and spent three weeks backpacking the Brooks Range in Alaska two summers ago, so we're doing our best to keep the friendship strong despite the demands of adulthood.
Take care, keep up the art, and in closing:
"That's pretty much the gist of it, parents are pissed but the kids love it. Nine millimeter heater stashed in two seaters with meat cleavers, I don't blame you, I wouldn't let Hailie listen to me neither..."
Hey, Matt! Sweet, thanks for commenting! I'm glad you started your blog. Your thoughts are wonderful.
Everybody is a teacher, everybody is a student. Just depends on the moment. And the audience.
It is a lot to deal with online. I'm lucky to have as much time as I do as it ties in well with my work. I need to build relationships to spread meaningful awareness of what I'm doing.
Facebook has been somewhat helpful in reconnecting, at least establishing awareness of my existence with previous classmates and current connections.
I'm really just trying to make the world a better place in my unique way.
I love the idea that we are a collection of memories. And yes, we are only free when we let go of control.
I'd somehow heard about the work down in South America Jed was involved with, cool to know you were too. I'm glad he stuck with nature so strongly as he was the one who fostered my love of our world.
Thanks again, man. I'll let you know when I get a chance to read Krishnamurti.
Excellent post and conversation here in the comments! I appreciate your life view so much, Daniel. If everyone had this kind of outlook can you imagine what the world would be like? I guess John L. wrote a song about that did't he?
I remember when my son started listening to Eminem, he was about 9 and all I could hear was the "F" word. But you are right, when I listened I heard him. And I love the movie 8 Mile.
Yes! I get into spats about Eminem all the time with people. He is very misunderstood, and the games he plays with the media remind me of Bob Dylan. Just watch any of the documentaries. Running circles around the critics, the politicians, even his fans.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest teachers destroy peoples' preconceptions, not help to construct them. By teacher I don't mean that Eminem intends to teach, but he certainly is teaching, anyway, isn't he?
Sorry it's taken me so long to drop a comment here, Daniel. I have to admit I was never a blog reader until I started one, and now, well, still not so much. It's rewarding, but it's a lot to keep up with.
On the subject of Free Will--have you ever read Krishnamurti? If not, do. One thing that he points out, with inarguable clarity, is that our sense of self, the "I", is really just a cluster of memories which react out of previous conditioning. As long as we are letting thought dictate our sense of self, and our reactions, there is no free will.
Perhaps we are only free in the absence of will?
Anyway, last thing, on the subject of Jed: Has a little boy, 3 months old, named Joaquin. Living in Missoula, MT, just finished his phd in conservation ecology, has conducted field research in Yellowstone and Thailand, worked in Borneo for a couple years, taught a seminar in Africa, and otherwise isn't a whole lot different than he's ever been. Beautiful wife. Me and him and Than and my brother are still close, and have clan gatherings once or twice a year. Jed and I spent six months in South America together in 1998, and spent three weeks backpacking the Brooks Range in Alaska two summers ago, so we're doing our best to keep the friendship strong despite the demands of adulthood.
Take care, keep up the art, and in closing:
"That's pretty much the gist of it, parents are pissed but the kids love it. Nine millimeter heater stashed in two seaters with meat cleavers, I don't blame you, I wouldn't let Hailie listen to me neither..."
Hey, Matt! Sweet, thanks for commenting! I'm glad you started your blog. Your thoughts are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteEverybody is a teacher, everybody is a student. Just depends on the moment. And the audience.
It is a lot to deal with online. I'm lucky to have as much time as I do as it ties in well with my work. I need to build relationships to spread meaningful awareness of what I'm doing.
Facebook has been somewhat helpful in reconnecting, at least establishing awareness of my existence with previous classmates and current connections.
I'm really just trying to make the world a better place in my unique way.
I love the idea that we are a collection of memories. And yes, we are only free when we let go of control.
I'd somehow heard about the work down in South America Jed was involved with, cool to know you were too. I'm glad he stuck with nature so strongly as he was the one who fostered my love of our world.
Thanks again, man. I'll let you know when I get a chance to read Krishnamurti.
Peace.
Excellent post and conversation here in the comments! I appreciate your life view so much, Daniel. If everyone had this kind of outlook can you imagine what the world would be like? I guess John L. wrote a song about that did't he?
ReplyDeleteI remember when my son started listening to Eminem, he was about 9 and all I could hear was the "F" word. But you are right, when I listened I heard him. And I love the movie 8 Mile.
"...when I listened I heard..."
ReplyDeleteExactly. Yeah, that was a moving movie. And Brittany Murphy's got that quirky cute thing going on.