(Disclaimer: By no means am I a Dylan expert. I have not heard everything he ever recorded nor have I read every lyric he ever penned. What I have heard and read, however, inspires and amazes me.)
Bob Dylan is an undoubtedly gifted artist. From his start in the 60’s up until present day, he has been one of the most influential figures in the last century, possibly ever. What makes Dylan so special, in my opinion, is not his sheer talent, but is indeed the way he uses it for a greater cause. A self-proclaimed “social commentator” as opposed to a political activist, his songs reflect whatever it is he sees as reality and brings awareness to issues the world would have otherwise ignored. One of his most famous songs- “Blowin’ in the Wind” became an anthem for the American Civil Rights movement. The lyrics easily lend themselves to any worthwhile cause:
Yes, how many years can a mountain exist
Before it’s washed to the sea ?
Yes, how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free ?
Yes, how many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn’t see ?
The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.
Some people think Dylan is overrated. I disagree! I think he is quite underrated. We should be studying this man in school. He is a master of all things poetic and played a large role in the shaping of this nation. Some of you reading this may think that’s a bit too much importance to be placing upon an artist, but what many people don’t realize is how very important art is. In this particular case, Dylan’s words and melodies took a snapshot of history and preserved it for the generations to come. You know what they say, “If we don’t learn from our mistakes, we’re doomed to repeat them.” Well Bobby gave us the tools to look back in time and remember what it was we got wrong and how we progressed as a people. Unfortunately, my generation has yet to produce Bob Dylan’s equal, that is why I so vehemently suggest we hold on to his timeless words for dear life!
The greatest gift his music and words have given us is the ability to apply our own analysis and get whatever profundity we need out of them. His songs are timeless and should never, ever, be forgotten.
And it’s all over now, baby blue.
Elaine
Hi.
So, I am currently reading a book called “the Shock Doctrine: rise of disaster capitalism” by Naomi Klein. I have not read all of it, I am currently lost somewhere in the third chapter. But it is sufficient that i feel the need to point at Milton Friedman, the guru of right-wing contra-revolution and laugh.
He is basically the guy who started the ideological movement of rightwing fanatics from University in Chicago, a group of dumbfucks that figure if you cause enough trauma to a country, you will subsequently have the opportunity to introduce a sort of *shock-capitalism* to said country because whatever opposition will be distracted by the trauma of war, invasion, ethnic cleansing, genocide, you name it. So then you have the window to introduce the ultimate free market, with deregulated toll barriers, tax cuts, privatization and the works.
So, this theory was first and foremost a theory, one of those “on-paper-only” “food-for-discussion” things. Until the coup in Chile 1973. Salvador Allende had been ruling the country for some time, democratically chosen and socialistic. Nationalisation, developmentarism, you name it. It was great. He got killed by Augusto Pinochet and his followers. The contra-revolution had started.
And the country which had been at a steady 3% unemployment got, thanks to Freidmans policy, as high as 30%. People got poor and had to spend (calculated) 74% of their paychecks on bread alone, something which before this capitalistic contra-revolution was less than 14% of their income due to price regulations. Over the course of 10 years, Freidman and his friends argued for more shock, more capitalism, less state interferance, saying it would fix everything. It didn’t. For everytime that puppet Pinochet deregulated and privatized, the people got worse off. Chile went from a stable planned economy in which its people flourished, to the laughing stock of the economical world. 307% Inflation, bitches!
Not until Pinochet got his mind twisted somewhat in the right direction and started nationalizing shit, Chiles economy got a little better.
So the point of this history lesson? It is to collectively (the best way) laugh at how the contra-revolution failed to do what it was supposed to, through free markets and privatization make the economy stable and the country rich, and instead it ruined the country completely.
No wait, that’s not funny, it’s infuriating and pathetic. Suppose we’re gonna have to keep fighting, then.
With this as my first entry to brbcoffee, I’m going to tell you about something rare, even for my hometown Bodø: Eagles. But not just that there are eagles though, most local people have seen an eagle, because everyone with an eye open can spot them from far away, gliding gracefully somewhere on the bright blue sky. To be even more specific, Bodø is widely known for their sea eagles, the most beautiful, majestic bird you can ever imagine roaming the horizon.
Anyhow, I’ve been fishing with my dad and uncle these past few days, not paying much attention to these birds flying in the horizon, but today was not like the other days. Today this 1.5 meter wide, big bird flew straight down towards our boat. I experienced something I am sure only one in a million people get to experience, 3 meters away from our boat this majestic se eagle flies, probably hungry as hell, hence its being as close as this.
Everyone knows seagulls, these awfully noisy white and grey monsters, following boats and or nesting on your rooftops. They do anything, anything I say, to get their hands on food. Whatever kind of shitty eatable thing you throw to them, they will eat it. So obviously they where feasting in our fish guts, but the second the eagle appeared they became very aware of the danger in being in its attack zone. That pack of seagulls were therefore scattered in every direction as the eagle arrived.
Big and scary as it was, the eagle frightened the seagulls so much they did not dare to pick the guts out of the water before the eagle had taken its part. The second a seagull would try to outsmart it, the eagle would bash into it and force it away. You might say eagles are somewhat bigger than a seagull, this giving the big clawed bird the absolute advantage. This was the most amazing sight ever. I cannot put words on how cool, admirable, majestic and beautiful it was. Too bad I forgot both my cell AND my SLR… We did not get much fish though!
If I ever where to reincarnate or be able to change myself into an animal, I would definitely be a sea eagle. Being the king of the sky, hovering over the ocean, and flying into the sunset sounds like a fantastic dream I would do almost anything to be in.
As you were, soldier!
Steinar
It cannot be denied that Jamaica is the most naturally beautiful place I’ve ever seen with my own two eyes (as opposed to someone else’s own two eyes). The colors are so vivid; bright blue water, intensely green tropical forest, pink, purple, bright yellow flowers- it’s absolutely picturesque.
Yet, when I looked a bit closer, I saw shacks tucked neatly between the palm trees- shacks with holes for windows cut in the shambles of material representing walls. I thought to myself, “Huh, I wonder what those are? Must be old ruins from long ago…nobody could possibly live in those.” However, people do live in those. Many many people live in those four walls, more or less, of poverty totally unrelatable to someone like myself, a member of industrialized Western Civilization.
And so comes the biggest beef I have with Jamaica…
I never experienced the real Jamaica. Here comes little Ms. American, easily suckered into believing the mental attitude of Jamaica is to relax and not to “worry about a thing, cause every little thing is gonna be alright.” No, every little thing is not alright. And here I am, taking a luxurious vacation to this romantic, exotic island which in reality is a poor nation largely divided by old racial injustices and social class. In retrospect I feel borderline disgusted with myself.
Needless to say, I was not terribly impressed with Jamaica. The land is beautiful, the people are beautiful, but my experience did not feel genuine. Of course, the explosive diarrhea and vomiting as a result of the terrible resort food/water did nothing for my good opinion. I do not want to sound ungrateful or change anyone’s views on this country, the point of this blog is simply to document my opinions after traveling to this island. If I ever go back, I do not want to be catered to as the middle-class foreign folk looking for a relaxing, albeit hypocritical getaway. I want to get to know the real Jamaica.
Until next time, adieu adieu to you and you and you!
Elaine
Do you ever have one of those days where everything reminds you of a random song lyric? Today is one of those days for me. Instead of posting them randomly on Facebook, Twitter, etc. I have decided to condense them into a blog.
“I’m half alive, but I feel mostly dead.” <– Describes how I’m feeling.
“When people run in circles it’s a very, very mad world.” <– There’s an idiot in my house right now.
“It’s the remix to ignition, hot and fresh out the kitchen. Mama rollin’ that body got every man in here wishin’. Sippin’ on coke and rum, I’m like so what I’m drunk? It’s the freakin’ weekend baby I’m about to have me some fun. Bounce bounce bounce bounce bounce bounce bounce! Bounce bounce bounce…” <– No explanation needed. This song is simply badass.
I hope you enjoyed this blog. Look for my upcoming “Jamaica: A Review” blog soon.
Peace.
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