I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree on McCoy. I truly like his stuff.
I first met McCoy circa in early 1994 in Upper St. Clair, south of Pittsburgh. We ate a meal together and afterwards he proceeded to read Kipling's "The Ballad of East and West" in the most annoyingly sing-song voice which he could muster. I was transfixed... who is this guy, I thought.
But I admit he's not for everyone. I can remember being the only one laughing at his remarks in a room full of people whose reactions ranged from slightly troubled to deeply offended.
I have to say that as a huge Bogart fan, this one remains my fave in his current repetoire.
It seems to me like you've brought Aesop's fable into a larger societal context where culture is appreciated as much as productivity. When the ants stop to really think about the cricket's contribution to their life, they perceive the value.
It also reminds me of the licensing controversy of the original Napster. I remember Rush Limbaugh was reading some really goofy comments from people about how violating copyrights on a large scale should be legal. One comment from some hippie chick was "Music should be FREE -- like the wind!" Well, then why shouldn't food be free "like the wind?" I understand that the angst on her side of the debate was primarily directed toward those 'orrible corporations, but the remark was consumer-focused, sort of like "Here's how it works: you make music, I get it for free... understand?"
Anyway... don't want to kill it via over-analysis. But I do think you should make it into a kid's book, dude.
"It seems to me like you've brought Aesop's fable into a larger societal context where culture is appreciated as much as productivity. When the ants stop to really think about the cricket's contribution to their life, they perceive the value."
Paulo, what you wrote above, was right on the money.
I understand however if other people draw other allegories from the story, After all, it's a fable.
To me, the moral somebody draws says more about them than about me.
But you got the moral I intended when I wrote the piece.
Jimbo
P.S. You blogged that I taught you more than I will ever know, back when we lived with Leo, Mr. Science and Squeaky.
I couldn't image WHAT that was, except that if you have a problem in your life as bad as Squeaky, the solution is to have her put to sleep ...
All I'll say for now is that if Mr. Aesop ever met a creature like Squeaky he might have to revise quite a few of his animal stories. It would have the effect on him that Einstein's theory of relativity had on the world of science.
Speaking of... do you know the current whereabouts of Mr. Science?
is this a live feed from denver?
ReplyDeleteWaterboarding is not torture. This guy is torture.
ReplyDeleteI suppose we'll have to agree to disagree on McCoy. I truly like his stuff.
ReplyDeleteI first met McCoy circa in early 1994 in Upper St. Clair, south of Pittsburgh. We ate a meal together and afterwards he proceeded to read Kipling's "The Ballad of East and West" in the most annoyingly sing-song voice which he could muster. I was transfixed... who is this guy, I thought.
But I admit he's not for everyone. I can remember being the only one laughing at his remarks in a room full of people whose reactions ranged from slightly troubled to deeply offended.
I have to say that as a huge Bogart fan, this one remains my fave in his current repetoire.
Maybe I didn't get to the punch line. I checked out after a minute or so.
ReplyDeleteA whole minute? Bravo!
ReplyDeleteMost detainees only last 14 seconds.
Now tell me where you’re hiding the food ...
LOL. What's up, Jimbo?
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me like you've brought Aesop's fable into a larger societal context where culture is appreciated as much as productivity. When the ants stop to really think about the cricket's contribution to their life, they perceive the value.
It also reminds me of the licensing controversy of the original Napster. I remember Rush Limbaugh was reading some really goofy comments from people about how violating copyrights on a large scale should be legal. One comment from some hippie chick was "Music should be FREE -- like the wind!" Well, then why shouldn't food be free "like the wind?" I understand that the angst on her side of the debate was primarily directed toward those 'orrible corporations, but the remark was consumer-focused, sort of like "Here's how it works: you make music, I get it for free... understand?"
Anyway... don't want to kill it via over-analysis. But I do think you should make it into a kid's book, dude.
@ james mccoy:
ReplyDeleteNow that's funny!
(I'll give you another try.)
"It seems to me like you've brought Aesop's fable into a larger societal context where culture is appreciated as much as productivity. When the ants stop to really think about the cricket's contribution to their life, they perceive the value."
ReplyDeletePaulo, what you wrote above, was
right
on
the
money.
I understand however if other people draw other allegories from the story, After all, it's a fable.
To me, the moral somebody draws says more about them than about me.
But you got the moral I intended when I wrote the piece.
Jimbo
P.S. You blogged that I taught you more than I will ever know, back when we lived with Leo, Mr. Science and Squeaky.
I couldn't image WHAT that was, except that if you have a problem in your life as bad as Squeaky, the solution is to have her put to sleep ...
All I'll say for now is that if Mr. Aesop ever met a creature like Squeaky he might have to revise quite a few of his animal stories. It would have the effect on him that Einstein's theory of relativity had on the world of science.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of... do you know the current whereabouts of Mr. Science?