People don't pay attention

When I was in the fifth grade Randy Newman came out with a song called "Short People" and there was all sorts of wangst about it in the media, about how it is an evil song and blah blah blah.

See, people heard these lyrics:

Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
`Round here

And didn't bother to listen to the rest of the chorus that continued:

Short People are just the same
As you and I
(A Fool Such As I)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(It's A Wonderful World)

The media, as ever its wont, leapt upon the contraversy, and apparently we as a nation were too stupid to catch the very obvious scarasm inherent in the song. (Except for me of course. I was precocious. /smugness.)Seriously, even as I ten year old, I remember thinking, 'huh? But he's saying all men are brothers. It's a joke.'
People were up in arms about how evil and mean this song was, and missed the point entirely, that being prejudiced against anyone for any reason is just stupid and useless. I mean come on, Randy Newman is, what, five feet tall? But no, people just wanted to rant and wangst and didn't pay attention. And it was the Seventies, where any entertainer worth his salt was all about love and brotherhood and peace and drugs happiness and stuff.

Why do I bring this up? Because the same attitude seems to crop up, much to our amusement, on many a Live Journal community. (slightest of HPB spoilers, but nothing you probably don't already know. I've not read the book yet, and I don't feel spoiled, so it should be safe)

People read something, get insulted, and don't bother to assess what they've read before responding, and the next thing you know, there's all sorts of whinging back and forth.

It is very amusing sad.

People don't pay attention

When I was in the fifth grade Randy Newman came out with a song called "Short People" and there was all sorts of wangst about it in the media, about how it is an evil song and blah blah blah.

See, people heard these lyrics:

Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
`Round here

And didn't bother to listen to the rest of the chorus that continued:

Short People are just the same
As you and I
(A Fool Such As I)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(It's A Wonderful World)

The media, as ever its wont, leapt upon the contraversy, and apparently we as a nation were too stupid to catch the very obvious scarasm inherent in the song. (Except for me of course. I was precocious. /smugness.)Seriously, even as I ten year old, I remember thinking, 'huh? But he's saying all men are brothers. It's a joke.'
People were up in arms about how evil and mean this song was, and missed the point entirely, that being prejudiced against anyone for any reason is just stupid and useless. I mean come on, Randy Newman is, what, five feet tall? But no, people just wanted to rant and wangst and didn't pay attention. And it was the Seventies, where any entertainer worth his salt was all about love and brotherhood and peace and drugs happiness and stuff.

Why do I bring this up? Because the same attitude seems to crop up, much to our amusement, on many a Live Journal community. (slightest of HPB spoilers, but nothing you probably don't already know. I've not read the book yet, and I don't feel spoiled, so it should be safe)

People read something, get insulted, and don't bother to assess what they've read before responding, and the next thing you know, there's all sorts of whinging back and forth.

It is very amusing sad.

Signs on the roadways

Our major roads now have these big electronic signs that tell everyone to report suspicious activity for a safer New Jersey

I appreciate the need for this, and logically I see where the big signs make sense, but every time I drive past one I can't help but think that they should just have it say "Big Brother is watching you" and have done with it.

Signs on the roadways

Our major roads now have these big electronic signs that tell everyone to report suspicious activity for a safer New Jersey

I appreciate the need for this, and logically I see where the big signs make sense, but every time I drive past one I can't help but think that they should just have it say "Big Brother is watching you" and have done with it.

Scrabble anyone?

It is 4:15pm EST.

Does anyone want to play Scrabble with me? I leave at five, so we'd have to start soon.

Scrabble anyone?

It is 4:15pm EST.

Does anyone want to play Scrabble with me? I leave at five, so we'd have to start soon.

(no subject)

Dear Mercury, God of the Post:

Can you please make my Harry Potter book be at my house today when I get home? I know the lovely people at Amazon.co.uk estimated it getting to my house by Thursday, but I'd really like it to come today. I really want to find out what happened so I can join in all the discussions on LJ. As it is, I've managed to spoil myeself a bit, being unable to resist a couple of posts. So, for example, I know who winds up with whom, romance wise. (and for the record, it was pretty bloody obvious.) I am afraid that by the time I get the book, no one will be talking about it any more.

Please? I'll totally leave an offering at your temple or whatever it is you gods like for people to do. I mean, my sun sign is ruled by your planet and stuff, so I'm all yours, if you could just get me my book. Thanks.

Love,

charliesmum

(no subject)

Dear Mercury, God of the Post:

Can you please make my Harry Potter book be at my house today when I get home? I know the lovely people at Amazon.co.uk estimated it getting to my house by Thursday, but I'd really like it to come today. I really want to find out what happened so I can join in all the discussions on LJ. As it is, I've managed to spoil myeself a bit, being unable to resist a couple of posts. So, for example, I know who winds up with whom, romance wise. (and for the record, it was pretty bloody obvious.) I am afraid that by the time I get the book, no one will be talking about it any more.

Please? I'll totally leave an offering at your temple or whatever it is you gods like for people to do. I mean, my sun sign is ruled by your planet and stuff, so I'm all yours, if you could just get me my book. Thanks.

Love,

charliesmum