YannickJoker
That blog is still hilarious.
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Posts in chronological order
john bodega
"It's genuinely hard for me to believe that anybody who has thinks of the stuff he says and does as mostly typical or normal"
Ah, but define normal! I think of it as something that belongs to the norm, and since I'm calling upon my own sample group (the people I've met in my life) to make that call, the fact is that my 'normal' might not be the same as someone else's. Fact is, I've met a lot of very emotional people who have big highs and deep lows in their moods. I do not like a lot of things that Brian May has said, but really - if I am to measure him against the same yardstick that I would use for any old shmo, then he doesn't come up all that different. A lot of people have said a lot of dumb things; if time were not so precious, I could spend my days attempting to mete out the appropriate judgements on these people, or at the very least pontificate on the reasons that I dislike their behaviour, but I've made the choice to not bother. Vive la différence.
There is the whole issue of whether or not our celebrities should be held to different standards; maybe it's legitimate to say that they should be better people, and that their blogs shouldn't be full of as much crap as Brian's is. But, I don't subscribe to that notion. I don't look to him for an example of a better human being; I look to him for good guitar work. Frankly, it doesn't bother me that he's a poor debater or that his morals aren't the same as mine, because he is just one man on the other end of the planet. His words and actions have literally as much effect on me as the hobo that lives nearest to his estate.
Perhaps he should clean up his act, and perhaps he is a role model to some - but not to me. All that really interests me when it comes to Brian May is the guitar playing. His blog (and I've read the whole thing) is entertaining sometimes, but that's all.
Ah, but define normal! I think of it as something that belongs to the norm, and since I'm calling upon my own sample group (the people I've met in my life) to make that call, the fact is that my 'normal' might not be the same as someone else's. Fact is, I've met a lot of very emotional people who have big highs and deep lows in their moods. I do not like a lot of things that Brian May has said, but really - if I am to measure him against the same yardstick that I would use for any old shmo, then he doesn't come up all that different. A lot of people have said a lot of dumb things; if time were not so precious, I could spend my days attempting to mete out the appropriate judgements on these people, or at the very least pontificate on the reasons that I dislike their behaviour, but I've made the choice to not bother. Vive la différence.
There is the whole issue of whether or not our celebrities should be held to different standards; maybe it's legitimate to say that they should be better people, and that their blogs shouldn't be full of as much crap as Brian's is. But, I don't subscribe to that notion. I don't look to him for an example of a better human being; I look to him for good guitar work. Frankly, it doesn't bother me that he's a poor debater or that his morals aren't the same as mine, because he is just one man on the other end of the planet. His words and actions have literally as much effect on me as the hobo that lives nearest to his estate.
Perhaps he should clean up his act, and perhaps he is a role model to some - but not to me. All that really interests me when it comes to Brian May is the guitar playing. His blog (and I've read the whole thing) is entertaining sometimes, but that's all.
john bodega
"it's evolved into me seriously wanting to personally eat a cow a month just in general resistance to his tactics"
I already do.
I already do.
Donna13
I like to analyze people - not that I am qualified to do so - but, in my opinion, Brian is not suffering from too big an ego (whatever that means - I'm not sure), but rather from feelings that he is smaller in importance than others.
When someone's overall intentions are good, you do get the feeling you want to help them.
I haven't looked up his web site for a while.
When someone's overall intentions are good, you do get the feeling you want to help them.
I haven't looked up his web site for a while.
GratefulFan
Zebonka12 wrote:
A lot of people have said a lot of dumb things; if time were not so precious, I could spend my days attempting to mete out the appropriate judgements on these people, or at the very least pontificate on the reasons that I dislike their behaviour, but I've made the choice to not bother. Vive la différence.
==============================
It's hard to go wrong with tolerance and perspective. Still, I think what gets me is what I see as as misuse of position and power, however limited the impact in the grand scheme of things. Brian's status and high profile give him a largely one sided platform that he uses far too often to abuse people directly and indirectly who for one reason or another can't really defend themselves. It's a class of behaviour and a sort of injustice that I think a lot of people respond to viscerally, and I think that's an important human reaction to have in the mix wherever these issues are found. Poison public discourse is something we need much, much less of. That in particular I guess I don't see as a small thing.
A lot of people have said a lot of dumb things; if time were not so precious, I could spend my days attempting to mete out the appropriate judgements on these people, or at the very least pontificate on the reasons that I dislike their behaviour, but I've made the choice to not bother. Vive la différence.
==============================
It's hard to go wrong with tolerance and perspective. Still, I think what gets me is what I see as as misuse of position and power, however limited the impact in the grand scheme of things. Brian's status and high profile give him a largely one sided platform that he uses far too often to abuse people directly and indirectly who for one reason or another can't really defend themselves. It's a class of behaviour and a sort of injustice that I think a lot of people respond to viscerally, and I think that's an important human reaction to have in the mix wherever these issues are found. Poison public discourse is something we need much, much less of. That in particular I guess I don't see as a small thing.
GratefulFan
Donna13 wrote: I like to analyze people - not that I am qualified to do so - but, in my opinion, Brian is not suffering from too big an ego (whatever that means - I'm not sure), but rather from feelings that he is smaller in importance than others.
When someone's overall intentions are good, you do get the feeling you want to help them.
I haven't looked up his web site for a while.
==============================
Who doesn't suffer from self doubt. It's not much of a pass for abusing people. We're all works in progress dependent in part on honest feedback from those around us. Does he get enough of that? Who knows.
When someone's overall intentions are good, you do get the feeling you want to help them.
I haven't looked up his web site for a while.
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Who doesn't suffer from self doubt. It's not much of a pass for abusing people. We're all works in progress dependent in part on honest feedback from those around us. Does he get enough of that? Who knows.
Thistle
@ GratefulFan
I do see the way you're thinking, I really do, but although it may seem here on QZ that I'm all gentle and against the unfair treatment of others, I do also tend to have an eye for an eye attitude. I know that this is not socially acceptable, but it's in my make-up. As an example, I was watching some reality vet programme on TV yesterday, it was set in Australia. There was a wee Terrier who had been the victim of a hit and run and was in a really bad way. It's head had been run over, it's skull was damaged and one of it's eyes had been pulled out. The reason it got onto the road in the first place was some bastard had stolen it's lead while it was waiting for it's owner to finish some shopping. Anyway, after a really big and brave fight to overcome the head trauma, the vets then discovered it had a fractured spinal cord, and that was the end. I really wanted to kill the bastard who had stolen the lead. I mean, REALLY.
Back onto Brian, these wee animals can hardly defend themselves, so why should we worry, even if Brian becomes abusive towards those who mistreat others or wildlife? Surely they deserve all they get?
I do see the way you're thinking, I really do, but although it may seem here on QZ that I'm all gentle and against the unfair treatment of others, I do also tend to have an eye for an eye attitude. I know that this is not socially acceptable, but it's in my make-up. As an example, I was watching some reality vet programme on TV yesterday, it was set in Australia. There was a wee Terrier who had been the victim of a hit and run and was in a really bad way. It's head had been run over, it's skull was damaged and one of it's eyes had been pulled out. The reason it got onto the road in the first place was some bastard had stolen it's lead while it was waiting for it's owner to finish some shopping. Anyway, after a really big and brave fight to overcome the head trauma, the vets then discovered it had a fractured spinal cord, and that was the end. I really wanted to kill the bastard who had stolen the lead. I mean, REALLY.
Back onto Brian, these wee animals can hardly defend themselves, so why should we worry, even if Brian becomes abusive towards those who mistreat others or wildlife? Surely they deserve all they get?
Micrówave
[QUOTE]The fact is - his work, particularly on Sheer Heart Attack and A Night At The Opera, redefined the bounds of what can be done with the electric guitar. He IS an innovator, one of the greatest musicians of our time, a doctor of science and, above all, a true gentleman.[/QUOTE]
"redefined what can be done with the electric guitar"?
Hell, I can do that. Give me a guitar, a tube of polygrip, and a rubber hammer. I hate when people throw out worthless gratification, such as this. (no offense, Bob, I'm speaking in general)
There's at least 100 guitarists I could name right now that "redefined" something on guitar.
I'm sure Avril Lavinge (sp?) redefined something on her Squier Signature Series... but I'm not convinced it's groundbreaking.
Fact is, Brian didn't win BEST GUITARIST EVER on Votenumberone.com.
"redefined what can be done with the electric guitar"?
Hell, I can do that. Give me a guitar, a tube of polygrip, and a rubber hammer. I hate when people throw out worthless gratification, such as this. (no offense, Bob, I'm speaking in general)
There's at least 100 guitarists I could name right now that "redefined" something on guitar.
I'm sure Avril Lavinge (sp?) redefined something on her Squier Signature Series... but I'm not convinced it's groundbreaking.
Fact is, Brian didn't win BEST GUITARIST EVER on Votenumberone.com.
john bodega
"Still, I think what gets me is what I see as as misuse of position and power, however limited the impact in the grand scheme of things. Brian's status and high profile give him a largely one sided platform that he uses far too often to abuse people directly and indirectly who for one reason or another can't really defend themselves"
And 5 years ago, I'd have agreed with you. 5 years ago, maybe his name still carried a bit of oomph, but not anymore. A lot of my musician pals treat him with proper rock-god respect as far as the music goes, but when it comes to Brian May the Person - he's become a bit of a joke, at least among people that I talk to. The thing about using your profile to further a cause or promote an opinion is that you can easily make your name worthless, if you run it into the ground. Despite what people think, celebrity as a resource is finite.
Someone can be as big a star as they wish, but at the end of the day they can still alienate themselves and eradicate a lot of their perceived influence. Maybe it seems like this because I'm on the other end of the world, but even among my online pals I'd find it hard to locate anyone who really took Brian May seriously as a statesman or an activist. Personally, I think it was "The Call" that ruined it for him. http://brianmayisaman.ytmnd.com/
I'm saying all of this as a lifelong fan of the music, and as long as you don't get him talking about animals I'm sure he's a really great guy. I tread similar water with my sister, with whom I agree on a great deal of topics; but the fact is that she is a lot more invested in them than I am, and is prone to emotional outbursts - and emotional people frequently say stupid things while trying to make a point. Enter Brian May's Soapbox.
And 5 years ago, I'd have agreed with you. 5 years ago, maybe his name still carried a bit of oomph, but not anymore. A lot of my musician pals treat him with proper rock-god respect as far as the music goes, but when it comes to Brian May the Person - he's become a bit of a joke, at least among people that I talk to. The thing about using your profile to further a cause or promote an opinion is that you can easily make your name worthless, if you run it into the ground. Despite what people think, celebrity as a resource is finite.
Someone can be as big a star as they wish, but at the end of the day they can still alienate themselves and eradicate a lot of their perceived influence. Maybe it seems like this because I'm on the other end of the world, but even among my online pals I'd find it hard to locate anyone who really took Brian May seriously as a statesman or an activist. Personally, I think it was "The Call" that ruined it for him. http://brianmayisaman.ytmnd.com/
I'm saying all of this as a lifelong fan of the music, and as long as you don't get him talking about animals I'm sure he's a really great guy. I tread similar water with my sister, with whom I agree on a great deal of topics; but the fact is that she is a lot more invested in them than I am, and is prone to emotional outbursts - and emotional people frequently say stupid things while trying to make a point. Enter Brian May's Soapbox.
john bodega
"Fact is, Brian didn't win BEST GUITARIST EVER on Votenumberone.com."
I am sure there's a purpose for citing a 'tarded internet poll in a discussion. I'm going to choose to believe it's satire or something.
I am sure there's a purpose for citing a 'tarded internet poll in a discussion. I'm going to choose to believe it's satire or something.
Donna13
I love Brian May! He is so cool and so talented. I think he is a good person.
But my point before was that this animal rights thing is not his field at all so he might feel powerless and much less than an authority. I don't think he has the power or the position to abuse here. If anything, he would feel like the underdog, I should think. If what he is writing really bothers anyone enough so that they have the desire to help him, why not write to him and mention it? I think he should get negative feedback and I bet he does already. It would be a lonely existence to surround yourself with a bunch of "yes men" and kiss ups. A real friend tells you what you need to hear, even if put in a kind or diplomatic way so as not to upset you.
But my point before was that this animal rights thing is not his field at all so he might feel powerless and much less than an authority. I don't think he has the power or the position to abuse here. If anything, he would feel like the underdog, I should think. If what he is writing really bothers anyone enough so that they have the desire to help him, why not write to him and mention it? I think he should get negative feedback and I bet he does already. It would be a lonely existence to surround yourself with a bunch of "yes men" and kiss ups. A real friend tells you what you need to hear, even if put in a kind or diplomatic way so as not to upset you.
beautifulsoup
Brian is human; and thus, multi-dimensional.
Catbert
I don't think Brian's stance on animal welfare is intended to be part of the current cultural "norm". I believe that, unfortunately, even now in the 21st century, the views he espouses are still way ahead of their time. It is still pretty much a taboo to value any animal life on an equal basis to human life. It was (or still is) the same for many human ethnic and/or social groups, ie they were(/are) also not really considered to be "human" either.
GratefulFan
I've heard Brian's comparison of the way we treat animals with past practices like slavery as well, and I think he's reaching. No matter how much more we come to learn about the sentience and physical, emotional and psychological lives of animals we will still always ensure human needs and desires are met. All species do this. Out of necessity the acts of acquiring food and ensuring physical security are played out in a particularly brutal way in the animal world. Our intelligence and highly developed abilities to morally reason and experience empathy means we can do much better than this, but how can that expand so far as to 'be equal'? If for some reason some choice had to be made the life of a badger is equal to the life of your child or your husband or wife, for example? Really?
The Real Wizard
A life is a life. Who exactly made us the superior species?