From: hampday@earthlink.net
Date: Fri Mar 25 2005 - 18:02:11 GMT
Arlo (and all punk music devotees):
> I appreciate your willingness to answer some critical questions . . .
Your requests have exceeded my "willingness", Arlo.
This dialogue is proof-positive that my Mother was right when, in the
tradition of her Southern upbringing, she admonished me never to discuss
politics or religion if I wished to maintain a friendly relationship.
Obviously, there's a time and place for such discussion. But it isn't here
in the DM.
That's why I've made it a policy in the past to avoid participating in the
socio-poitical polemics that are so prevalent here. The only reason I
joined in the debate on Nihilism was its significance to the subject of
Philosophy -- particularly as this group seems to understand and interpret
it. I thought it appropriate to provide a real-life illustration of
nihilism's effect on the values and behavior of our culture. Inasmuch as I
could draw upon my music background (though admittedly deficient in the pop
genre) and had rather strong feelings with regard to the usurption of this
art form by activitists seeking to make political statements, "punk rock"
seemed eminently suited for this purpose. I had no intention of triggering
a prolonged debate on the "degeneracy issue", nor had I any idea that it
would ignite such furor within this group.
But now, having apparently succeeded only in offending my audience, it's
clear to me that this is an emotional issue to several of you, and that it
was a mistake for me to have attempted to support Platt's arguments. I've
urged Platt to desist and have also reached the point where my own
enthusiasm for this subject is exhausted.
I suppose you could call this "chickening out" on my part; but as I still
find these discussions of intellectual interest, particularly when they
involve philosophical concepts, I'd prefer to keep in good standing with
this forum. And that means refraining from offering ideas with emotional
implications that may rub people the wrong way or be seen as imposing my
values on them.
Although I stand by my statements, I'm sorry if I've offended anyone, and
respectfully decline further comment on the socio/political/sexual
connotations of what passes for music in our generation.
Happy Easter to you all,
Ham
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