Mediocrity...

Ah, music. A defining facet of every human culture for as long anyone can remember. Truly inspirational, don't you agree? Then why does it seem that Santa visits more often than the airing of anything that would actually don the honour of being called 'music'?


If ever I ask someone to listen to a song and they say, "Oh my God this is really cool, what is it?", chances are they're not gonna know the band since it was recorded pre-millenium (or it's Dan Patlansky).


I purchased Dan Patlansky's new album yesterday at the Kirstenbosch gig. Those that have had the pleasure of witnessing him handle a Fender Strat won't disagree when I say he's one of the best blues/rock guitarists alive. If you haven't yet, do yourself a favour and see this man live.


These days, music is combined with something else; clubbing, dining, a picnic at Kirstenbosch, work and now running and even swimming. And I am yet to understand the thought process (if any) behind hanging Bose earbuds out the shirt collar with the other end of the cord dangling hopefully in the pocket. But to be honest, I think it does well to compliment the 'prep' look, bru.


So it appears that no-one listens to music for the sake of music anymore. Am I missing something or is music dying? Am I just being old fashioned and resisting change or is there actually something greater at play?


The 2010's and the famous Internet have brought about a monoculture of mediocrity in which its subscribers are enslaved to a world created by computer masterminds of the 80's/90's. If you want to delve into the depths of computing and learn the ways of the internet, it's easy enough but sure as hell you'll be doing it their way. You've missed the boat.


The cultural benchmark propagating through the internet is essentially an average of approximately 2 billion people so how anyone can ever be expected to achieve anything above dead average when this 'mid-culture' defines their pinnacle is beyond me.


Ah yes, another blissful Monday.


     -tS

"I spy with my little eye..."

Music, mayhem, miracle, motorbike, meandering, mother, morbid, magic, mental, mathematics, mountain, marvelous, metal, moon - while not all can be seen, are but a few thought-inspiring words beginning with an 'm'. But encapsulating them all: the Matrix.


The Matrix is going on 13 years, but the concept and the questions have been lingering for a lot longer. The purpose of this blog is not to find the answer - since that's impossible - but at least to ask the right questions. In essence I hope to inspire people to take even just a minute out of their lives to ponder something extraordinary.

"There is no spoon" - The Matrix '99

-tS