This Saturday!

 

(continued)

But is that science? That would seem to be an issue of some fundamental importance.

For starters, it's worth noting that some of the most prominent philosophers of modernity (here designating largely the post-medieval era) were not primarily concerned with the vexing nature of material substance, a condition revealed by the inheritance of the very word itself. While mechanics has always been an important area of study, one that would go on to produce all the accoutrements of the scientific experimental apparatus, it was yet one aspect among many of what was once called natural philosophy, and it was far from the most important one. 

It has likely long been apparent to those of a more rarified sensitivity and an inquiring disposition that if the results of any systematic inquiry are to have anything intelligible to say at all, they will directly and inescapably bear in no small measure on questions of human value, morality and ethics, and that considerations exclusive of these matters are to a certain degree vacuous and devoid of relative significance.  

How often must the wicked, corrupt or evil succeed in their plans to sequester yet more wealth, power and influence for themselves; how many of the exceptionally good, just or noble must ultimately fail before we can definitively conclude that there is no moral system at work anywhere in the universe? 

What are we to make of a 'world system' that churns with such relentless fervor to overturn our most basic human, or even sentient, impulses?

But, if we are also good empiricists, could we not admit that there might still be some overarching ethical structure buried somehow in the nature of material process, just not one that happens to coincide much, if at all, with anything like human ambition? 

The same observations could result in either case, or from any number of cases. 

Hume considered that the world would go on happily with or without us, and in terms of evidence there seems precious little to outright refute that idea. 

We may even derive some unexpected consolation from it: for which is worse? The mere fact that the good appear to fail and bad to win, or the even more basic fact that the universe, taken as a whole, has absolutely no interest in the outcome of such meaningless contests?  

Even more synths

Are 'Friends' Electric?

It's cold outside And the paint's peeling off of my walls There's a man outside In a long coat, grey hat, smoking a cigarette Now the light fades out And I wonder what I'm doing in a room like this There's a knock on the door And just for a second, I thought I remembered you So now I'm alone Now I can think for myself About little deals and S.U.'s Things that I just don't understand Like a white lie that night Or a sly touch at times I don't think it meant anything to you So I open the door It's the 'friend' that I'd left in the hallway 'Please sit down' A candlelit shadow on a wall near the bed You know I hate to ask But are 'friends' electric? Only... mine's broke down And now I've no-one to love So I found out your reason For the phone calls and smiles And it hurts that I'm lonely And I should never have tried And I missed you tonight So it's time to leave You see it meant everything to me...

 

You know, sometimes I wonder what would happen if I started singing over my own tracks... Worth a try maybe?

 

In this vintage performance you can much more clearly make out the synths :) The main riff is played on a Minimoog on top of what looks like some kind of a stage piano (can't quite make it out); then there's what's clearly an ARP Odyssey alongside an RMI Electra-piano for the chorus... If you watch the video I just linked to you will discover the connection between this charming and distinctive instrument and the very same Roedelius Selbstportrait series shared a few posts below! What a neat coincidence!

The story of our lives

Is it this thing?

No, it's actually something else. 

Something you just can't quite put your finger on...

This is what fascism looks like

More stitches at the hospital. My assailants have since been charged with aggravated battery, but several important lingering questions remain distressingly unanswered: Why have I been seeing so many loose groups of more or less identically dressed teens riding CTA buses lately causing trouble and with no apparent intention of paying fares? And why do they always seem to get on just a few stops after I do? Just another "young person trend" or... I don't know... is anybody running them? Who are their parents? What sorts of neighborhoods do they come from? Home values? More or less than mine? They wouldn't happen to have any possible ties to right-wing, or even foreign, political action groups, would they? 

I would, of course, post their full names and addresses to this forum (probably in addition to others) at my earliest convenience, should that turn out to be the case. 

After all, in today's digital world, just about anything ought to be possible. If anyone reading this has any information regarding the true identity of any of the bus passengers or their possible connections, please feel free to get in touch. 

Bear in mind, however, that any Kremlin trolls will be sent to the gulag without further delay :)