Lester Bangs

Lester Bangs, the original punk. Where would the music of today be without characters like this? He is truly the definition of real punk and rock and roll. He didn't give a shit. He was doing what he thought, and if anyone opposed him, fuck them basically.

It is people like this that take their alternate views on this highway of a world and make side streets, cultersacs, avenues and round abouts. They make the dull coulorful. They inspire cult of followers to spread their varied words.

His attitude was one of a "fuck you" nature, and basically you could stick it up your ass if you didn't like what he was about.

Whilst he interviewed the most well known rock icons, he had an opinion of them which really bought them back down to earth. He thought of these people as just another person that could simply play music. So he thought of the most confronting and sometimes offensive questions to ask them to bring them back down to earth so he could ask them the questions he wanted.

His individuality shines in my eyes and he sets a good picture of what true Music Journalism is all about.

Lester Bangs.

I salute you Sir.

Holocaust Denial

Psychotic, delusional, and ignorant.
What has the world come to when one of the most distinctly disturbing moments in history can be reduced to the title of a hoax?
Not only is it one of the most recognisable moments in history but the holocaust, for most people, is too confronting to comprehend, let alone deny. These accusations that the Holocaust has merely been blown out of proportion and was never as ravenous or devastating as the Western world has become accustomed to thinking are delusional and irrational, and are impossible to counter with modern persuasion techniques, as the complete and utter hilarity, and craftsmanship behind these accusations are so farfetched that they cannot process in the mind of any other human being.

The denial groups claim that "Stories of the Holocaust were a myth initially created by the Allies of World War II to demonize Germans," and even go to the extent of saying that "documentary evidence of the Holocaust, form photographs to the Diary of Anne Frank, is fabricated."

Facebook, being an extremely accessible site, is allowing groups like this to emerge in the "groups list" so everyone can become aware of these groups and ,make it into a big social joke. Being on Facebook, these groups are able to project their views to millions, which is sad and vile. Facebook is facilitating the proliferation of holocaust denial, making it accessible to anyone who desires. It goes beyond the matter of free speech.

Facebook Spokesperson's Barry Schnitt assured the public that they were monitoring these groups and if the discussion turned to hatred, the group would be removed." Too little too late is what many reacted with over this, as the group is steadily gaining a following. Even the slightest glance at this group would lead a person to consider their views, and hence provide a hot bath where these denial groups can flourish and continue their radical outlooks.

Thinking

I was sitting in class looking out the window.

I suddenly thought, "What am I thinking about?" But as I said this, I couldn't think of what I was thinking about. I know I was thinking about something, but I didn't realise, and the only thing I was thinking about when I asked myself this question was the question I had just asked myself.

This turned into some mass confusion.

I think our brain is controlled by the sub conscious thoughts which we have, and as soon as we start thinking of what is really going on in our head, the sub conscious is suppressed.

Someone Else

Have you ever taken a step back and really thought what it would be like to be someone else?

I was sitting in class the other day looking at my teacher and I went into this really peculiar state where I swear I actually became my teacher, and lived out her whole life within the confines of a 55 minute lesson.

I was sitting there thinking, "I wonder what it would have been like to grow up as her, and what it is like now." This sent my mind on a frenzied journey through time and space.

It was quite interesting really. Whilst my teacher was talking about the conditions under which gaseous exchange occurs in fish, I was swimming around her reef of experiences and troubles. Making myself comfortable in her past, present, and future and asserting myself as a part of her ecosystem.

Now, I quite often think about this. Walking around school and town looking at people and wondering what it would be like to be them. Wondering who they are. What makes them laugh, cry, and what makes up who they are.

School

Lily Pads

Lily Pads. The support system of the pond. They provide a safe haven for all types of insects, along with sustenance to maintain their life as they know it. They sometimes flail and wither with age, and outside weather conditions. But some stay strong and provide this same security to many life cycles of insects and small animals. Like a system of lily pads, the complex nature of the social network in today's society is ever changing. Some groups of people like to swing on swings, some like to run for extended periods of time, some even just like sitting. But the commonality between all groups is that they share the same story, the same interests, the same weaknesses, they are only as strong as their weakest member.

Each group has it's specific dynamics and expectations on which they live their lives. Sitting at school myself, I witness a vast array of different groups, all sitting in the playground like lily pads in a pond. They have all the same characteristics. "A group of people who all share the same interests and enjoy the company which each gives each other."

Sometimes I just spend my lunchtimes observing the way people interact, and how they do things differently to me. It is quite interesting as I get to see many different things unfold in front of me.

It was actually really funny and interesting the other day when a brave Year Sevener started busking in the middle of the quad for money for a snap stick ("a fruity flavoured ice treat") and everyone crowded around. The next thing that happened was extraordinary. There were kids from all different year groups and friendship groups there getting in on the action, but the way they acted was all the same. No matter if they knew each other, hated each other, or would never speak, they were all working together to make this poor kid feel the worst he could for trying to follow what he loves. This really shows the basis of human nature, that when someone steps out of the norm, they are noticed, not always in a good way. Also when the person has no lily pad, they have no sustenance, or safe haven to flourish into who they want to be.

So go and find your lily pad. Make it strong, and flourish.

Concrete Jungle

Dignity
Sightseeing
The Happy Crowd
The Concrete Jungle

The concrete jungle of Sydney is a place where you observe a realm of human existence which cannot be seen in a country town in which I live. The sheer insignifigance of the individual is highlighted throughout the main streets and back alleys, and confronts you on every wall and advertisement. The crowd in the town I live in is seen as a diverse range of talents, qualities, and cultures. Although this is still quite right within the enormous crowds wandering the Sydney streets aimlessly, a person's individuality is watered down by the sheer population living in the city. The crowd seemed like an enormous gerry can of words and tones. The motives of the suited men rushing to their concrete boxes is unknown to a country boy such as myself. They seem eager to get through life, but what for? To die? To make money for their retirement in which they are unable to carry out their dreams as they are immobile? Or is it for status within the world?

The trip to Sydney was a plunge into a different world with characteristics of paranoia and claustrophobia.

Very eye opening, and terrifying.