hollywood That'll get you fired!!

I can't pass up the opportunity to share the song "Wernher von Braun," from one of my favorite (yes, ancient - early 60's) singer/songwriters, Tom Lehrer.

Thanks, Mara. My father loved Tom Lehrer, which is how he came to my attention. It became my "tradition" (with mom's help) for a few years to give my dad a Lehrer record or a Spike Jones collection for Xmas or his B'Day. I even learned quite few of Lehrer's songs - among the first I learned "by ear." For those who don't know Tom Lehrer was a mathematician who taught at MIT, Harvard, Wellesley, and the University of California, in addition to working at Los Alamos National Laboratory. His musical satire was a very popular side-line.

Since we're on a "nuclear" kick, here's a few more from Tom Lehrer.



 
I grew up listening to his album That Was the Year That Was (1964), and still have it on CD :)
Who's Next is one of my favorites, and it amazes me how timely some of these remain.

My first Lehrer album was "Songs by Tom Lehrer." (1959)

When my daughters came home with their "new" math lessons in the 1990s/2000s I was reminded of this one:


And let's not forget the other "big hit":



And this one remains very timely:

 
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Who's Next is one of my favorites, and it amazes me how timely some of these remain

Townsend is a highly underrated songwriter. I did an "in a row" binge of The Who a while back.

Tommy - Live at Leeds (extended version) - Who's Next - Quadrophenia

If I had to pick one album to be a favorite of all time it would probably be "Quadrophenia." It definitely had an impact on me when it came out; I was 15.


Won't Get Fooled Again

We'll be fighting in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worshiped will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgment of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around me
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
And I'll get on my knees and pray

We don't get fooled again

Change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that's all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners were all flown in the last war

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the changes all around me
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
And I'll get on my knees and pray

We don't get fooled again
No, no

I'll move myself and my family aside
If we happen to be left half alive
I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky
For I know that the hypnotized never lie

Do ya?

Yeah

There's nothing in the street
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye
And the party on the left
Is now the party on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the changes all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
And I'll get on my knees and pray

We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again
No, no

Yeah
Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss
 
Seeing the world as how it is is different from accepting it as how it SHOULD be. With this mentality of yours there would be no change for better in the entire human history.

I'm guessing we might be getting into the realm of playing on words, but here it goes anyway.

To change the world you need a plan. For that plan to have a chance to work, you need to see the world the way it is. Then you come up with how you envision how you'd like the world to be and make a plan on how to get between where it is where where you'd like it to be... and act on that plan. So in part, your point is part of the solution, but you need all three parts for it to work.

.... of course that assumes that sprinking fairy dust (aka wishful thinking) isn't a viable strategy.
 
To change the world you need a plan. For that plan to have a chance to work, you need to see the world the way it is. Then you come up with how you envision how you'd like the world to be and make a plan on how to get between where it is where where you'd like it to be... and act on that plan. So in part, your point is part of the solution, but you need all three parts for it to work.
Of course we need to be aware of the reality in order to be able to change it I never denied that. Confusing the reality with what is right is what I took issue with. But for this particular problem ( second chances ) I believe it is a matter of mindset rather than a problem in need of an elaborate plan. Though you could argue changing the mindset requires some degree of planning. This is one of those problems that no one person can fix alone no matter the plan. It's a mindset that needs to be implemented in society through whatever medium, whatever symbiotic relationship in jobs, families, and friends. It's a team effort. We could start by making those around us more aware of the issue.

But I have a question for you : even if you don't have a plan, should you go with the evil flow of the world? If you know something is wrong but you don't have the means to change it, should you make peace with that evil in your mind? Will you accept it?
 
But I have a question for you : even if you don't have a plan, should you go with the evil flow of the world? If you know something is wrong but you don't have the means to change it, should you make peace with that evil in your mind? Will you accept it?

It's kind of a moot question. If I don't have the means/ability to change it, I don't see it mattering whether I accept it or not. Apart from my own thoughts, nothing changes whether I accept it or not.

You're also assuming the world is filled with evil. Take for instance, the original concept of whether people deserve a second chance. Either positions in itself isn't evil. While there is evil in the world, it isn't as common as some believe, but that also depends on what you determine what is evil. If you're going to think not giving someone a second chance as evil, then you've got a whole bunch of monsters hiding under your bed.

You'll find most of the world is just trying to get by. Most people do what they do for their own reasons, not to hurt others.

We could start by making those around us more aware of the issue.

I've never really understood this perspective. The news, social media, chat rooms, websites and heaps of other sources already do this.... How is raising awareness awareness anything more than clicktavism? How is that not another form of acceptance. Isn't that a case of "that sucks, I agree with you" and do nothing and move on to the next cause to get offended with. What's the difference between raising awareness and doing nothing? Without action aren't you just accepting evil in the hope someone else fixes the problem?

Apart from making yourself feel better, what is it that you think that your raising awareness will actually do?
 
It's kind of a moot question. If I don't have the means/ability to change it, I don't see it mattering whether I accept it or not. Apart from my own thoughts, nothing changes whether I accept it or not.
Actually things change whether you accept it or not. you evaded my question, will you accept it? you can make peace with it and assume it "ok" in your mind or you can choose not to be part of it. Just because you don't have the power to change many things doesn't mean you should accept them. You are not seeing the bigger picture. It's not only you. If a lot of people like you won't accept it in their minds and they stand by it, it's eventually going to get heard. Now how that being heard is gonna change anything? I'll get to that in a bit.
You'll find most of the world is just trying to get by. Most people do what they do for their own reasons, not to hurt others.
Doing things for your own reasons at the cost of others, specially their lives is evil. Hitler massacred people because of his "own reasons". Something this obvious doesn't need clarifying really :) . Same thing with capitalism.
Apart from making yourself feel better, what is it that you think that your raising awareness will actually do?
There are 2 root problems with this perspective : 1. The old-school way of thinking that bringing change and achieving something is triggered by pushing a "physical button" which actively triggers tangible physical results and chain of effects almost instantly. 2. Thinking that raising awareness equates to nothing.

All the big issues in humanity have been dealt with by first raising awareness about them. All the anti- racism campaigns and "active" work you see right now, what do you think they are? It's only raising awareness. Anti- racism movies are raising the awareness nothing more. Racism is not extinct but it is not as sever as 200 years ago only and only because of the increased awareness. The reason is not because a certain iconic hero or figure had risen in history and changed it for good with one "plan". Sure there are names that stand out but in no way that is the whole equation to solving the problem, never has been. It's gradually going away because more and more people are becoming aware of the issue. and by becoming more aware they will change their actions, hence how they treat other ethnicities. It is shocking to me that you see awareness as accomplishing nothing. If I become aware that giving second chances is the right thing to do, then I will give second chances to people that I want to hire. See the simple equation ? becoming aware = action that brings tangible results.
 
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Actually things change whether you accept it or not. you evaded my question, will you accept it? you can make peace with it and assume it "ok" in your mind or you can choose not to be part of it.

I think this can be a damaging way of thinking.

Isn't it a very "my way or the highway" kind of thinking? Either raise awareness or you're ok with happening?

There would be tens of thousands of issues that need fixing in this world. Do you raise awareness for each and every issue, or do you assume it's ok and choose not to be a part of it? Wouldn't that by definition make you and every other human in existance part of the greater problem?

Doing things for your own reasons at the cost of others, specially their lives is evil. Hitler massacred people because of his "own reasons". Something this obvious doesn't need clarifying really

Sure thing bud, if you want to change what was said and twist it to an example of who went out of their way to hurt others.

There are 2 root problems with this perspective : 1. The old-school way of thinking that bringing change and achieving something is triggered by pushing a "physical button" which actively triggers tangible physical results and chain of effects almost instantly. 2. Thinking that raising awareness equates to nothing.

All the big issues in humanity have been dealt with by first raising awareness about them. All the anti- racism campaigns and "active" work you see right now, what do you think they are? It's only raising awareness. Anti- racism movies are raising the awareness nothing more. Racism is not extinct but it is not as sever as 200 years ago only and only because of the increased awareness. The reason is not because a certain iconic hero or figure had risen in history and changed it for good with one "plan". Sure there are names that stand out but in no way that is the whole equation to solving the problem, never has been. It's gradually going away because more and more people are becoming aware of the issue. and by becoming more aware they will change their actions, hence how they treat other ethnicities. It is shocking to me that you see awareness as accomplishing nothing. If I become aware that giving second chances is the right thing to do, then I will give second chances to people that I want to hire. See the simple equation ? becoming aware = action that brings tangible results.

Making movies and protesting are all forms of action. So is trying to change the hearts and minds of people into living life differently. You did mention as I said before, action is what changes the world. Raising awareness without action or a plan doesn't make it happen. Sure you can cause some noise and get some attention until no one cares anymore as they've moved on to the next cause.

Sure, racism is on the mend... but Trump and the Wuham flu. Less than a year ago Chinese hate is as high as ever. I'm sure everyone's aware of the evils of racism and hate.

How do you stop it being a fad for people to care about something until they move to the next fashionable topic.

But you do raise an interesting point. It might have to start somewhere.
 
Isn't it a very "my way or the highway" kind of thinking? Either raise awareness or you're ok with happening?

There would be tens of thousands of issues that need fixing in this world. Do you raise awareness for each and every issue, or do you assume it's ok and choose not to be a part of it? Wouldn't that by definition make you and every other human in existance part of the greater problem?
That is actually putting words in my mouth. When did I say not raising awareness = being ok with it? and I did not say assuming it's ok AND choose not to be a part of it. I said assuming it's ok OR choose not to be a part of it. that one little word changes the entire meaning.

It seems I have not been clear enough about what "choosing not to be a part of it" means. So I will make a simple example. Imagine there's nothing you can do about racism in the world. Not even what you think changes anything ( Which I don't buy btw, but for the sake of argument let's say that). Now you choose not to be part of the racism that is going on ( that decision is happening in your head mind you). By choosing not to be part of the racism, you will treat other ethnicities equally or you will try not to judge others by the color of their skin am I right? You see how only by choosing a side( not to be part of it) only in your mind, you are getting direct tangible result? So whatever YOU personally think = action that brings results. Humans ACT on what they believe and what they don't. This is an inseparable formula of humanity. You can not separate belief and action just to make a point.

You talked about the futility of awareness and how you think except for making you "feel better about yourself" it accomplishes anything. So I tried to explain how becoming aware = direct action that brings tangible results. Of course being aware without the action equates to nothing (which I never said btw) But that almost never happens in real life. If somebody is getting aware of something there is a high chance they will act on that something. I made the example of racism for you. And the example of second chances. There're so many things that we're capable of changing even a little just by becoming aware of them. I'm sure you can come with so many examples yourself.
Sure thing bud, if you want to change what was said and twist it to an example of who went out of their way to hurt others.

Actually I quoted you word for word with that:
Sweetie said:
You'll find most of the world is just trying to get by. Most people do what they do for their own reasons, not to hurt others.

This has one of two implications: Ignorance, which is believing doing things for your own reason can not cause any harm to others. Or, people who cause evil don't have their own reason for doing so. Which is it?

Raising awareness without action or a plan doesn't make it happen.
That kinda goes without saying which I explained above. And this equation rarely happens because of the reason I explained above.
Sure, racism is on the mend... but Trump and the Wuham flu. Less than a year ago Chinese hate is as high as ever. I'm sure everyone's aware of the evils of racism and hate.
Regardless of the political or social changes about racism, people's awareness about the matter will bring action. If you personally choose not to be a racist regardless of Trump's decisions, you personally will see to it that you don't treat others based on their skin color. Am I right? I call that change. I call that an act which is accomplishing something tangible.
How do you stop it being a fad for people to care about something until they move to the next fashionable topic.
True, people sometimes move on to the next fashionable thing for so many reasons, attention is one reason for instance. But that is not always the case. Big issues like racism have never been a fad. It's a serious struggle that's been going on for centuries. and the world ( as in each individual's point of view about it) has made noticeable progress since. I don't think people are contributing to anti-racism because it is fashionable. People are doing it because racism is causing serious damage in society, in-order to stop that damage people are being active about it.
 
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I remember very clearly things I did 30 and 35 years ago. The guy could easily have told his bosses at Boeing that there's an article out there that could come back to bite him (and them) in the ass. So let's get ahead of it and write something that addresses how "my" (his) views have evolved and how different the world is now. So I have no sympathy for him.
An interesting example of that is Jay Leno who, after the recent tragedy in Atlanta, put on his big boy pants, made a public apology for all of the Anti-Asian jokes that he made over the course of his career, and reached out to the Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA) which had criticized him in the past. Now, we obviously don't have a window into the man's soul so I can't speak to his motives or timing, but at least he finally stood up and did the right thing.
 
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