The recent “sanitation” of Roald Dahl’s books comes to my mind repeatedly when thinking of this subject. Not to mention the absurdity of Elizabeth Gilbert pulling her next book after intense pressure from those who haven’t even read it - all based on rumour and innuendo, a whipped up mob of ignorance and group thinking manipulated by a few. And, I suppose, if you want a real hornets’ nest, think about J. K. Rowling and her fall from grace due to her opinions on a certain touchy subject.
Personally, I think the right of free speech is paramount with the exception of white supremacy. And perhaps a few other inane and genuinely dangerous subjects, but I’m pressed to think what they are. I suppose the crap Trump spouts should not be welcomed, but damned if I know how to shut him up without making things worse.
None of this excuses actual predatory behaviour by old men, or even young men, towards females of any age. There’s an ocean of difference between saying or espousing something and carrying out whatever garbage you’ve expressed. But one can lead to the other, and the words of some influential voices can encourage others to be ugly, so . . . Where do we go from here?
A lot of his label mates have disowned him pretty quickly, maybe they are onto something. Granted we have become such a guilty until proven innocent society, so who knows anymore
I’ve seen glasses smashed into people’s faces and skulls quite a few times and it differs a lot. I’ve seen a bottle smash off someone’s head and leave no obvious injury (probably a bruise later) i also saw someone smash a glass against the wall and a shard slashed someone’s throat open (actual spurt of arterial blood) standing quite a distance away from them.
Drunk and/or coked up people seem to love just striking the person in front of them with whatever is in their hand sometimes.
I feel like a lot of people either didn’t know, or are just finding out now and struggling to figure out the whole “separating the art from the artist” thing.
Yeah very probably, I didn’t know but I wasn’t into that scene, he didn’t hide it though, a lot of long term friends and fans must have known, same ones who are now telling everyone what a great guy he was, same ones who would, rightfully, condemn Epstein, Glitter, Saville…
I felt really sick when I read that link, I actually had to turn away.
When I saw the news I mentioned it to my 16yr old daughter who listens to the pixies, nirvana etc.
My wife asked who he was, a record producer and a good bloke I said. I’d watched a few youtube vids of him in his studio and he came across as a decent man with principles. It’s very difficult to know what to think anymore.
Heaven help us when the AI generated fake news articles/images about global political issues get really started.
Yeah well said. I’d really liked his output musically and the recent YouTube vids he’d done as well as an interview or two where he showed contrition (an appealing character trait) but this stuff that’s systematically been posted in every obituary I’ve read of him (all pointing to this same article/page) has dulled my opinion of him somewhat
Most of my favorite artists I’ve met I was surprised how big of goobers they are. I wouldn’t recommend meeting them or getting to know anything about their personal beliefs. They communicate with you through their art. Nothing more. If you want vaccine advice, read stuff by an immunologist.
I wasn’t sure where to post this, maybe it needs its own thread, anyway. Spotify.
I’m not keyed in at all to news or social media but I had a sense that something was off about Spotify.
I was told by freinds on Saturday that Ek the owner has invested heavily in the development of battlefield AI.
This along with their willingness to take advertisements for ICE recruitment in the US, let alone the shoddy way they treat artists. I saw one quote where he said that the cost of creating content was close to zero, is enough to make me stop my almost 20 year long subscription where I’m now paying £20 a month.
I floated the idea to the family and the push back was astounding.
And it is this that leads me to think that there really isn’t any hope at all. Here I am, a 56 year old man trying to convince a 17 and 19 year old that having someone investing in killer robots as the same person who provides your vibes is maybe not a good thing and they just couldn’t see the problem, or at least, quickly weighed it up and decided it was not worth losing their playlists for.
In a parallel universe, or even a not so distant past, the teenangers would’ve been demanding that I stop giving my money to these bastards but now they are so on the hook with the tech that they can’t see beyond it. Even my wife, smeared my argument by saying I don’t use it and am always complaining about the cost, neither of which are true.
It really killed me.
Anyway, to the point of the thread, should I separate the actions/investments/views of the owner because my kids like his platform?
ps I suggested an alternative which was the Quboz. No joy.
Hi mate, I’m in the same boat. I really want nothing to do with Spotify but my daughter loves it, has loads of playlists and won’t switch to another platform (not like either iTunes or Amazon are any more ethical anyway I suppose).
