Posts Tagged ‘ideas’
in search of [gonzo] November 26th, 2009
“some people will say that words like “scum” and “rotten” are wrong for Objective Journalism — which is true, but they miss the point.”
So wrote Hunter S. Thompson, when writing those words for Richard Nixon’s Obit in Rolling Stone Magazine. And Thompson spoke truth there. Never mind the infantile tantrums, the alcohol and 47 types of drugs he was on at one point or the other, or his movement to legalize drugs – those were all wrong. What was write though, was his passion about wanting to tell stories – stories that made you want to change how the system was – to reject the deal (The American Dream, in his case) offered by those who came before.
A critic of his work once said that his reportage was the least factual, but still the most accurate description of how things were. He wrote history with lightning – sometimes making it up as he went along – truth or lies weren’t the point – change was, principles were.
One might suggest / argue that he resorted to the drugs and alcohol as a protection-mechanism, but unlike your average junkie, he never degenerated to pure rejectionism.
I don’t have much to go by on Thompson. I’ve read the books and the articles, I’ve seen the movie.
We have plenty of loud-mouthed, opinionated journalists, and where there’s a dearth of loud-mouthed, opinionated journalists, there’s always Ms. Roy.
What we are missing is people passionate about causes, with the intelligence to understand the wider ripples that emanate from the public and political spheres – and people passionate enough to want to make a difference.
We’ve had two elections this year – I voted in both, and admittedly have done little to follow-up with elected representatives in actually [doing]. Perhaps it’s because I don’t know what it is that needs to be done – because I so far don’t have the golden braid of an idea that can actually make a difference.
If you know, though, or are actively doing something in this space, I would love to hear more about it. Drop a comment here, or drop me an email.
Tags: 26-11-2008, Gonzo, Hunter S. Thompson, ideas, journalism, politics
Posted in reflections | Comments (0)
waiting for the sun
February 4th, 2009
waiting for the sun, originally uploaded by s t e r n f a h r e r.
waiting for the sun, originally uploaded by s t e r n f a h r e r.
When Zarathustra had said these words he became silent, like one who has not yet said his last word; long he weighed his staff in his hand, lost in doubt. At last he spoke thus, and the tone of his voice had changed.
Now I go alone, my disciples. You too go now, alone. Thus I want it. Verily, I counsel you: go away from me and resist Zarathustra! And even better: be ashamed of him! Perhaps he deceived you.
One repays a teacher badly if one always remains nothing but a pupil. You revere me; but what if your reverence tumbles one day? Beware, lest a statue slay you.
You say you believe in Zarathustra? But what matters Zarathustra? You are my believers – but what matter all believers? You had not yet sought yourselves: and you found me. Thus do all believers; therefore all faith amounts to so little.
Now I bid you lose me and find yourselves; and only when you have all denied me will I return to you. Verily, my brothers, with different eyes shall I then seek my lost ones; with a different love shall I then love you.
And once again you shall become my friends and the children of a single hope – and then shall I be with you the third time, that I may celebrate the great noon with you.
And that is the great noon when man stands in the middle of his way between beast and the overman, and celebrates his way to the evening as his highest hope for it is the way to a new morning.
Then will he who goes under bless himself for being the one who goes over and beyond; and the sun of his knowledge will stand at high noon for him.
‘Dead are all gods: now we want the overman to live!’ – on that great noon, let this be our last will.
Thus spoke Zarathustra.
- Also sprach Zarathustra, Friedrich Nietzsche
Tags: flickr, ideas, life, Nietzsche, reflections
Posted in Photoblog, reflections | Comments (0)
separating man from myth
December 22nd, 2008
separating man from myth, originally uploaded by s t e r n f a h r e r.
separating man from myth, originally uploaded by s t e r n f a h r e r.
“One man caught on a barbed wire fence
One man he resist
One man washed up on an empty beach
One man betrayed with a kiss
In the name of love
What more in the name of love”
- Pride, U2
–
sometimes I wonder. Separating the divinity from the man, Jesus Christ still remains an extraordinary figure in history. And I always stop at the crucifixion. Why did he allow himself to be in that position? Surely he could have done more good alive rather than dead? Was he liberating mankind or placing a terrible burden on it?
Did he believe in earnest that, if always responding to hate and suffering with absolute and unconditional love, that they would not crucify him, that they would come to their senses? Did he ask the father to forgive them, when he realized that, in their murderous frenzy, their hatred, they saw nothing of the love or suffering, only their false rage?
Did he forsee that the symbol of his crucifixion would become a burden of guilt on all to follow? To remember when you felt rage, that rage had already been felt. When you felt hate, that hate had already been felt and dealt with, with love and forgiveness?
But here we are today, still not free from that hate or suffering that led to the crucifixion. Repeating mistakes over and over. Was it all futile? Which way is forward?
–
Tags: divinity, freedom, guilt, ideas, Jesus Christ, life
Posted in Opinion, Photoblog, Politics/Ideas | Comments (5)
