Google, are you reading this? (Image source via stock.xchg)
When writing songs and blog posts, I am always on the hunt for the exact right words. Often I head to a thesaurus because I can’t remember the precise word for the concept I’m thinking of. The problem is that usually the thesaurus doesn’t give me the word I’m searching for, so I have to search lots of different words until I finally (hopefully) get that word that has been eluding me. I need a thesaurus that can accept multiple words and kick back a list of possibilities that are “averaged equivalents” of those words.
Example
Maybe these are bad examples, but it could work something like this:
Omit or limit to certain attributes, topics, languages, etc.
Select language difficulty range (e.g. low, medium, high)
Does something like this already exist? If not, does anyone have the desire and/or know-how to build one? Google, I know you’re indexing this, but are you reading it?
It’s an interesting concept. The wars between analog and digital rage on because they are systems separated by technologies that both have pros and cons. As technology progresses, what new pros and cons will we have to debate against older systems? Initially I answered with the following:
Realizing there’s much more to this debate than just a tweet, I thought I’d talk more about it here.
We Need Better Words to Describe How We’ll Make Music in the Future
In my original tweet, I used the phrase “Cerebral vs. Digital” to describe the future debate I imagine will happen. Maybe my choice of opposites wasn’t perfect. Better words can probably be found. This concept of diametrics I have in mind could be expressed in a variety of ways.
Cerebral vs. Physical
Solitary vs. Collaborative
Internal vs. External
Each of those word combinations is describing the same contrast of ideas. But how to best describe it?
In the (maybe not so distant) future, musicians will have the ability to directly output music from their heads. Technology will be developed that will allow artists to simply think/imagine/hear the music in his/her head and output this as audio and/or notation. This cerebrally generated “audio feed” could be routed (maybe even wirelessly) to a recording device to be documented, distributed, and sold. Theoretically, this process could happen as a live performance. The signal could be routed to a sound system for a concert, to an internet connection for worldwide streaming, or even directly injected (almost telepathically) into the head of a “listener” outfitted with the proper “receiver” device.
The possibilities are fantastic. Composers could direct an entire imaginary orchestra as they hear it in their minds. Dancers could dance to their own music in real time. Musicians could play exactly what they intend to play. Singers could sing in whatever voices they can imagine. Handicapped artists suddenly would be unrestricted by their handicaps.
This technological breakthrough in music will follow a path familiar to video games. With the Wii, Nintendo brought wireless motion-sensing accelerometer action to everyday people. The developers of Guitar Hero and Rock Band banked a lot of cash by making it really easy to “play” popular music without having to learn an instrument. Microsoft’s Kinect for Xbox removed the need for a controller, allowing the person to become the controller. I don’t know who will create the first mind-controlled music technology, but somebody’s going to do it.
Brace Yourselves
Cool meant something totally different back then. Don’t judge.
As with any change, it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Unfortunately, music will experience yet another Regrettable Period in which we have to learn how to use this new technology properly. I predict some gross and unsavory abuse of the technology, much like the ubiquity of terrible synthesizers in the 1980s or prevalence of auto-tuned vocals since Cher started believing in life after love. But some lucky artist is going to enjoy the honor of being known as the one that mastered this wonderful new system, thus becoming the “Grand Master Flash of whatever-this-thing-may-become-known-as.” Someone will figure out how to use it right, but it might take some time. In the meantime, wear earplugs.
Why We’ll Argue About This
At first, this newfangled gadgetry will be heralded as the end of “real” music and musicianship. The critics will say it’s too easy and not authentic music. Traditional composers and invested players will complain that no one has to learn how to write or play anymore. And much in the same way that digital was derided as a poor substitute for analog, purists will say that this cerebral form loses something in the process. Those arguments all might be right, but there may be a bigger issue lurking.
When the process of making music becomes entirely internalized it will be really great because of it’s purity and singularity of thought, but will it simultaneously suffer from lack of external influences? When digital recording became popular, the question was often asked by one artist or engineer to another: “Was this all done ‘in the box?’” – meaning: was the audio signal created, mixed, and mastered on the same computer? Early on, music created entirely in this fashion lacked the beneficial effects that analog systems inherently imparted upon the audio signal. Today, the line has been blurred by better technology, so it’s harder to tell if something was recorded analog or digital. Only engineers with “golden ears” can hear the difference (even then I suspect shenanigans). At any rate, the question still remains: What benefits will be lost due to the signal remaining “in the box” of your head?
Potential Musical Influences
People – The comradery, inspiration, ideas, criticism, differing views, and friction found when people work together often makes for better music. Being alone can lead to dead ends and boring or bad music. Collaboration can make beautiful things.
Hardware – Though they are inanimate objects, the instruments and devices used to make music come with their own inspirations, challenges, rewards, frustrations to overcome, and occasional good glitches. Sometimes a piece of gear has to be conquered and relinquishes its magic upon defeat.
Criticism – The critic is the archenemy of the artist, but every good story needs a villain. Without judgement, no work is ever as best as it can be. Words are often revealed for their folly only after they’ve left the head.
Movement – Music and movement are very strongly related. When making music, movement is both part of the instigation of sound, but also a reaction to the sound being created. Performance and dance are like cousins. So if movement is not necessary for the creation of music, what effect will that have on the final product?
Good Things Will Happen
A lot of things can go wrong in this new system, but a lot of things can go right too. Eventually we’ll work out the kinks. We’ll figure out the typical pitfalls. We’ll master this medium like we have with all the others. One day amazing music will be generated using nothing but musicians’ brains. I’m hedging a bet it will be the direct output of some ridiculously young Mozart’s mind that will blow us all away. Perhaps this new interface will teach us something about how our brains work. Maybe it will allow us to communicate more precisely on ever deeper levels. What if it develops into a new universal language? Hmm.
To keep people thinking and doing something about the tragedy of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, I’ve setup something I’m calling Download & Donate. The idea is this: download a free song of mine and then donate to a relief charity that’s working to put Japan back together. No catch. One act of good [...]
To keep people thinking and doing something about the tragedy of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, I’ve setup something I’m calling Download & Donate. The idea is this: download a free song of mine and then donate to a relief charity that’s working to put Japan back together. No catch. One act of good will to help inspire another act of good will.
To get started, simply download the FREE MP3 of my song “A Tragic Story” by clicking the album cover. The ZIP file should begin downloading immediately. If not, right-click and save the file. Let me know if you have trouble downloading.
Help our fellow humans in Japan by donating to one of the reliable charity/relief organizations listed on this page Google has compiled. The link will take you to http://www.google.com/tsunami_relief.html.
Thank you for your donation!
The Tragic Story Behind “A Tragic Story”
In the days and weeks after Hurricane Katrina ripped up the southern states on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, many people were talking about what to do, what should’ve been done, and how they would have handled things differently. I overheard conversations and debates, in which both the victims and repairers of this tragic story were criticized for every decision, word, thought, and effort. From the safety of comfortable living rooms, self-righteous judgements were freely doled out by “armchair experts” watching the action unfold on the evening news via large screen televisions. Condescending words were spoken about the “foolish” residents that made their home below sea level in New Orleans, the “short-sighted” poor that didn’t prepare for such obvious disaster, the “disobedient” stranded that did not, could not, or would not evacuate, the “welfare hand out” dependent that had no family to turn to, and the “whiny” beggars that had lost everything. Harsh judgements were also placed upon the leaders at all levels of governance that suddenly found themselves at the helm of a rescue operation for one of the largest natural disasters the United States has ever faced. A hurricane had pummeled millions of our fellow citizens and we were kicking them while they were down. I felt ashamed to be an American.
Though the hurricane had died in August of 2005, just days after its own birth, the storm continued to rage on around me and within me. Out of this terrible noise of argument, bigotry, hatred, and judgment came the song, “A Tragic Story,” as featured on my debut EP Somewhere Between Nicaragua & New York.
At first, I resisted writing about these events. I’m terribly afraid of how others perceive me (a paralyzing character flaw that often impedes my forward progress). I feared I might write horrible lyrics that sounded sappy, opportunistic, topically trendy, or tragically ironic. (Maybe I did?) Multiple times I caught myself toying with a lyric or composing a melody in my head that somehow dealt with Hurricane Katrina, but every time I intentionally cast them back. It seemed that no matter how hard I fought the urge, the song kept fighting back.
On July 15th of 2006, nearly a year after the hurricane, I could keep the song contained no longer and found myself writing the music and lyrics for “Katrina” (as the song was originally titled). Once I finally gave in to the process, the songwriting happened quickly. Below are the lyrics of that final struggle. You can listen to the track via this SoundCloud player as you read along.
Old faces, restless broken souls
All these old faces and young ones without homes
Though the waters rise and our spirits fall,
the Lord our God, He is watching over it all
and He’s watching us now.
We say,
“Oh, what a tragic story!
But only they can be blamed.
But oh, what a different song we should have sang
when the floodwaters came.”
Don’t wait to give them higher ground.
No, don’t you wait to feed their hungry mouths.
Though the waters rise and our spirits fall
the Lord our God, He is watching over it all
and He’s watching us now.
We say,
“Oh, what a tragic story!
But here’s what we would have done.
But oh, what a different song we will sing
when the floodwaters come.”
Rescue the tired, the sick and depressed.
Give them, give them your very best.
Though the waters rise and our spirits fall
the Lord our God, He is watching over it all
Though the waters rise and our spirits fail
the Lord our God, He is with us all the while
and He shall prevail.
I don’t know what you believe about God, whether you believe that He exists or not, gets involved in our lives or doesn’t. But I do know that we are all related (that’s Biblical and scientific), so it does us no good to stand by while our brothers and sisters struggle. My hope is that we move forward with humility, recognizing all human beings as people, that handed a different set of circumstances, could very well be us. Or as it has been said, so very poetically, many times before:
“There, but for the grace of God, go I.”
One day the waters will rise. One day the floods will come to us. Our troubles may not come in the form of a hurricane, but we are certain to face trials some day. I hope that when that day comes, someone will come and rescue me.
THE ROAD from Road of Resistance on Vimeo. My friend Jared told me about this video called “The Road” that his friends put together. Four guys traveled to Burma (officially known as the Union of Myanmar) in 2006 to document the atrocious acts of genocide being carried out by the Burmese government against the Karen [...]
My friend Jared told me about this video called “The Road” that his friends put together. Four guys traveled to Burma (officially known as the Union of Myanmar) in 2006 to document the atrocious acts of genocide being carried out by the Burmese government against the Karen people. I could warn you about the graphic nature of this video, but the whole point of the film is to expose the evil that is happening. While some of the things shown in this video may be visually offensive, the fact remains that real people are being systematically tortured, raped, and murdered. Like the filmmakers stated, I hope that this film disturbs, keeps you up at night, and moves you to action.
While this story may seem like a problem far, far away, I’ve learned that problems like this are never just someone else’s problem. Much like the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan is cause for concern for us here in the U.S., so too is the genocide in Burma “our problem.” This is true for us if for no other reason than if and when we find ourselves in the midst of such troubles someday. Personally, I find the genocide in Burma of particular interest for a couple reasons.
A Thailand Connection
Burma directly neighbors Thailand, a country I visited in 2004. The things I saw there changed my outlook on life. I hardly dare to write of some of the events I witnessed during the short 9 days I was there. While Thailand has myriad challenges to overcome, the connection to Thailand for the Karen people is crucial. Thailand is a gateway in and out of Burma.
Fort Wayne, Indiana, which is sort of my hometown, is also home to the largest population of Burmese refugees. Fort Wayne (or Little Burma) has become the unofficial new home of the Karen people. They have come to Northeast Indiana to find refuge and escape what is happening on the other side of the world, yet many of them still have friends and family back in Burma. Real people with enormous hurts, needs, and struggles from exotic lands far away are living right here in the Midwest, but many of us have little knowledge of what they are running from or even that they have come here to live.
Action in Fort Wayne
I urge, the citizens of the greater Fort Wayne area, my neighbors, to act with compassion for these displaced refugees. We have a huge opportunity to love, support, and help a people group that has escaped extermination only to be ignored. We may not be able to fight battles in Burma, but we certainly can help those that have come here. On this blog post, I want to compile a list of programs, services, and ministries that aim to help the local Karen people. If you know of an outreach, volunteer opportunity, or fundraiser, please leave a link in the comments below and I’ll include it as an update to this blog post.
NOTE:Please do not leave a comment below if you are an ignorant, ethnocentric bigot. You can try to post racist comments if you want, but I simply won’t publish your stupidity. I recommend leaving the U.S. at least once before making generalized statements about foreigners/immigrants (and no, Spring break in Cancun doesn’t count).
Links & Ways to Get Involved
I’ll update this post by linking and embedding related resources here. I cannot verify the quality or reliability of these links, but offer them as a resource. If you have a good link or resource, please leave a message in the comments. Thank you!
Fort Wayne Baptist Church – Mission to the Burmese
The City of Fort Wayne is home to the largest Burmese population in the United States, and the largest Burmese Christian congregation worships at Fort Wayne Baptist Church.
The Burmese Advocacy Center, 501(c)3 Not-for-Profit, was formed in February of 2008 by an assemblage of individual volunteers who had consistently given their time to assist the growing Burmese population of Fort Wayne but were also aware of the need for a combined and united effort to better serve their community. The Burmese Advocacy Center provides free translation and interpretation assistance to Burmese residents for essential appointments and documents. In addition a variety of classes and information sessions will be held to help Burmese residents become confident and productive residents of Fort Wayne. Call for current schedule. The Burmese Advocacy Center also provides free cultural education to businesses, agencies, and other community groups.
Friends of Burma grew out of a very meaningful experience Neil and Diana Sowards had when they visited Burma in 1985. Neil’s parents had worked in Burma as missionaries for over 30 years but he had never visited there. Friends of Burma is dedicated to helping the Christians of Burma in whatever way they want to be helped. About 80% of the Protestants are Baptists, so much of our work is with the Baptists. Friends of Burma was first attached to First Baptist Church of Fort Wayne, Indiana and then to South Wayne Baptist Church. Christians number about 11/2 million in a country of about 50 million, most of whom are Buddhist. Evangelistic Christianity came to Burma with Adoniram Judson in 1813. Since 1966 no foreign missionaries have been allowed to reside in Burma, so all work is carried on by nationals.
The following paragraphs are from an entry in my journal on June 14, 2008, which I am posting it here as a public reminder to myself. The great problems of the world are not the result of the actions of an easily-fingered cast of evil-doers, but by the failing of average everyday folks like me [...]
The following paragraphs are from an entry in my journal on June 14, 2008, which I am posting it here as a public reminder to myself.
The great problems of the world are not the result of the actions of an easily-fingered cast of evil-doers, but by the failing of average everyday folks like me to imagine anything different than the current set of circumstances. We grossly mistake the root of our troubles by demonizing a select few, whose ignoble traits are glaringly obvious, and which conveniently distract attention from our less conspicuous, yet equally ugly inclinations.
If we only dared to believe that life could be different and then acted on that very realistic hope. Though life’s grinding would not cease, its sting could be lessened or alleviated. Whether it be for the fear of change, love of the status quo, a lack of imagination, care, or hope, the problem lies within us, not outside.
If we wish to get better, this is how we must diagnose and treat the disease which afflicts us all: by believing that it must be fought and then continually conquered in our own hearts, minds, and spirits first.
Maybe this is the entire war? Perhaps the conflict is always within and only truly winnable there – never on the foreign soil of other people’s minds. Aren’t our own selves all (or really more) than we can control anyway?
Are we completely giving over ourselves to the notion of creating a better world? Or have we designated some portions of the battle as someone else’s job? Do we see any problem as someone else’s issue or do we recognize them all, no matter how grand or insignificant, as our own?
With each dollar we spend, smile we give, and trust we offer, we ultimate cast our votes in small, but critical measures for the type of world in which we wish to live. We are creating this world by the manner in which we think and do.
Is our world full of fear, distrust, greed, and anger? Or are we, by conscious belief and action, redefining a new order of life? Are we giving birth to something beautiful or giving in to what we think is inevitable? Are we proffering hope or hopelessly accepting that nothing will change, knowing that as such, we will always get what we have always got? Are we willing to accept the outcome of our decisions?
My buddy Stevan Sheets just posted a blog featuring a video by a guy named Scott Greene (who just happens to be from near my hometown). In the video (see below), Scott asks Oprah via an “open letter” if he can use her “O” brand in a product he wants to call H2O. He claims [...]
My buddy Stevan Sheets just posted a blog featuring a video by a guy named Scott Greene (who just happens to be from near my hometown). In the video (see below), Scott asks Oprah via an “open letter” if he can use her “O” brand in a product he wants to call H2O. He claims the recognition of her well-known brand could raise awareness and real money to bring clean water to people around the world that need it. He thinks it may even be able to solve the world’s water problems entirely.
It’s an audacious goal with great potential. There are lots of details to iron out, but for right now he’s just trying to get the idea in front of Oprah and her people to start the conversation.
I think he’s on to something – using the oft-maligned powers of consumerism, celebrity, and crowds to bring about positive things. Using these forces to do good is like charitable kung fu. His idea to use a QR code to give the consumer information about where the money is going is quite tech savvy too. I’d like to see this project hit two birds with one stone and make the water bottle as “green” as possible. One thing at a time though.
If you want to help get the idea out there, repost, comment, and “Like” the video. You might also write a blog, update your Facebook status, or tweet about it.
Here’s the video:
Links to water related charities listed in the video annotations:
My cousin Aaron is the pastor at LaOtto Wesleyan Church, the church I attended while growing up. He’s enrolled in some correspondence courses and was asked by a professor to solicit answers from friends and family about their thoughts on “the state of biblical preaching.” When he sent me a message on Facebook requesting that [...]
My cousin Aaron is the pastor at LaOtto Wesleyan Church, the church I attended while growing up. He’s enrolled in some correspondence courses and was asked by a professor to solicit answers from friends and family about their thoughts on “the state of biblical preaching.”
When he sent me a message on Facebook requesting that I answer the question, I didn’t know how to respond. The topic seemed so open-ended and nearly unanswerable. Still, I wanted to help my cousin out, so I spent an hour typing out my thoughts (which are mostly questions). I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this. Below is my reply.
Aaron, here is my answer.
Determining the state of biblical preaching today is difficult for two reasons.
1. Definition
Our discussion is troublesome if our topic is not defined. What exactly is “biblical” preaching? This raises many more questions than it answers.
Does “biblical” preaching imply a certain methodology that uses the Bible as it’s primary source? Or is it a specific type of preaching that is defined by biblical scriptures?
Does “biblical” preaching include or exclude certain interpretations of the Bible? If so, are some right and some wrong?
Are there various forms of biblical preaching? If so, are some right and some wrong?
How does “biblical” preaching differ from other types of preaching? Is it the practice of placing dependence upon the bible during the sermon? Or does it mean that the Bible is the focus of the preaching? What about Christ-centered preaching?
Is the Bible the only source from which we should draw sermon material? If we do make such a severe line in the sand and say that only the Bible should be used as source material, then what about all other sources (e.g. divine inspirations/epiphanies, modern parables, personal experiences, extra-biblical stories, contemporary context, biblical commentaries, and any other spiritual or nonspiritual texts)? Must we exclude them entirely? What are the implications upon our ability to communicate scripture with certainty, meaning, and context with our congregants?
What about preaching to tribes for which there is no Bible translation? How then do we preach? Can we only preach to a group of people if a Bible in their language exists? What about the dark ages when only priests had access to the Bible in a foreign language and the people could not understand the text?
Furthermore, was Jesus Christ a biblical preacher? By what definition? Does that definition differ from the definition we use for ourselves today?
What about this bit of wisdom from St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” – Is that not biblical?
2. Data
We both lack data and are surrounded by it.
The general public has unprecedented access to data at that touch of a finger. The available data regarding biblical text is abundant, accurate, cross-referenced, downloadable, translated, paraphrased, and rich with commentary. More than ever before, we know (or can know, if we do a little research) so much about the Bible, it’s authors, the location and times it was written, and the precise meanings of various books, passages, and even specific words.
In stark contrast, we know very little about the state of biblical preaching within the church universal because the data is hard to quantify, collect, and interpret. Most churchgoers spend their entire lives attending less than a handful of churches. Their ability to judge their church in light of all the churches of the world and give a commentary on a topic as far-reaching as “the state of biblical preaching” is not a good barometer for the church universal. Even though I travel for a living and have had interactions with hundreds of churches from various denominational backgrounds over the course of just a few years, I would hardly consider myself able or willing to look upon the church universal and pass judgement about wether or not she is practicing “biblical” preaching.
A better question to ask ourselves might be:
Considering all the biblical data we have access to, have we become more like Christ?
Better still:
Considering all the biblical data I have access to, have I become more like Christ?
Old Books Are Fun
All this talk about old books makes me think of my friend Andrew, a book buyer/seller for Bruce McKittrick Rare Books in the Philadelphia area. Katie Nelson and I were able to stop in and see Andrew and his family on our last tour out east. He showed us some of his new favorite curiosities that the shop had on the shelves. This little beauty is a book of hours printed in Paris in 1528 for the use of Salsbury (sp?). Asking Price: If you have to ask, you can’t afford it.
Twitter is a great service, but I’ve been thinking that its full potential is still untapped. Could we use its nearly ubiquitous presence to help crowd solve problems in real time? Think of a service similar to dialing 411 or ChaCha, but free and with a larger answer base. I haven’t heard of anything like [...]
Twitter is a great service, but I’ve been thinking that its full potential is still untapped. Could we use its nearly ubiquitous presence to help crowd solve problems in real time? Think of a service similar to dialing 411 or ChaCha, but free and with a larger answer base. I haven’t heard of anything like this, though there may already be some sort of method being employed. Even so, I propose using a hash tag like #solve when you need an answer.
Recently I was in Washington, D.C. and was wondering what a certain building near the Washington Monument was. (It was beyond my sight at the moment, but it happened to be the Department of Commerce.) I wish I could have snapped a photo of the building and tagged it with #solve via my phone. Then within minutes the Twitterverse would have returned the an answer like:
I’m not sure about the answer being tagged #solve or #solved. Using different tags for questions and answers could help separate them, but it might be nice to see them together as well. What do you think?
This type of crowd sourcing could be used to identify objects (architecture, species, products), solve math problems, translate phrases, get pricing information, etc. The potential is limitless. Let me know what ideas you have for this proposed use of Twitter or if you’ve know of some sort of method already in use. Either way, start using the #solve hashtag to solve your problems now!
Recently, I set my Facebook status to “Scott thinks our financial system has reached a point of no return.” A friend wrote me the following email. So what do you mean by our financial system has reached a point of no return? What do you think can be done? Just curious. I am not very [...]
Recently, I set my Facebook status to “Scott thinks our financial system has reached a point of no return.” A friend wrote me the following email.
So what do you mean by our financial system has reached a point of no return? What do you think can be done? Just curious. I am not very educated on political things, but I would like to know your thoughts.
I wanted to offer my perspective, but quickly realized I would have to be thorough in my response. Below is my lengthy answer. Caveat: By no means, would I consider myself a trained economist. I’m sure others have greater insight into these things. These are just my opinions. I could probably stand to be educated a bit more. By “point of no return”, I think I mean 2 different things. 1. We’re setting bad precedents. Politically, we (and by we, I mean those in our gov’t) are making bad decisions that are setting bad precedents for our future. Many of the programs of the “New Deal” that were set in place during the Depression were intended to be short lived programs. Some of the programs were designed as permanent reforms, but many of them were simply designed as course correcting measures. Unfortunately, those programs designed to get us out of the Depression became institutions of our financial and political worlds and still exist today (70 years later). The recent bout of government bailouts for private corporations might be a somewhat logical temporary fix to help us keep our heads above water, but if our own history is any indicator, these temporary fixes will end up as permanent fixtures of our system. There’s a joke in the church that kind of relates to this idea. It’s said that any new church event that’s halfway successful automatically becomes the “First Annual” event. Meaning, if it worked once, why stop? So, I believe that we’re setting into place a fix that will ultimately become a “right” in the future. What happens in 1 year, 5 years, or 30 years from now, when corporations get themselves into trouble? Won’t they cite the events of today and say, “You bailed them out, why not us?!” 2. The damage has already happened. I think the damage inflicted upon our economy by foolish investments is so deep, reaching the highest levels of our financial system, that the repercussions cannot be abated. We can throw money at the problem, but that will only treat some of the symptoms, not cure the disease. Grievous errors have been made and someone (we) will have to pay for it. Our leaders may try to patch things with temporary fixes and then paint the turd gold by claiming how they helped us “avert disaster.” But whether we suffer in the short term with a full blown recession/depression, or suffer in the long term with higher tax burdens, greater national debt, more centralized government, and fewer liberties, the truth is clear: we will suffer for our mistakes. As for the what can be done: I’m not sure what the best answer would be, but I know several things for certain. 1. To quote my friend Andrew, “Lack of oversight is not the answer to a problem caused by lack of oversight.” Unbridled power is not a solution. This article will make you shiver: http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/20/news/economy/treasury_proposal/index.htm?postversion=2008092011 2. We should not operate under the assumptions of privatized profits and socialized losses. This cross breed of capitalism and socialism will only benefit the rich and powerful. This article has a really good podcast: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94686428 3. Don’t panic. Despite the grim outlook. The key to a positive economy is our attitude. If everyone (or even some of us) begin to panic and pull everything out of the system, we’ll certainly whip ourselves into a frenzy. I don’t mean to instruct everyone to just relax and get blindsided by a coming storm, but simply to temper our natural tendencies to panic.
Returning to a House Not long ago, Katie, Hoss, and I drove the 21 hour stretch from Florida to Wisconsin. We had been on the road playing shows and recording music for nearly two weeks. We had to hurry back to Wisconsin to drop Hoss off at his apartment before Katie and I headed on [...]
Not long ago, Katie, Hoss, and I drove the 21 hour stretch from Florida to Wisconsin. We had been on the road playing shows and recording music for nearly two weeks. We had to hurry back to Wisconsin to drop Hoss off at his apartment before Katie and I headed on to another gig in northern Wisconsin. After what seemed like ages, we finally pulled into Oshkosh. As we made our way toward his place, Hoss said a funny thing:
I live here.
I think we were all struck by how odd this simple statement sounded. Of course he lives here; this is where his apartment is. But why did he live here? That’s what seemed so strange. We had driven thousands of miles, seen hundreds of towns and cities, and stopped at so many places, that it felt completely arbitrary to just leave Hoss here, in this town, a town that looked like all the others. Of all places, why Oshkosh? Why not somewhere else? But then again, why not Oshkosh? Why would any other town be better? Why would anyone specifically call a certain place home? What were we returning to? Whatever it was, we hadn’t needed it for 2 weeks, so do we need it now? In that moment, ‘home’ became a funny concept.
Mom & Dad’s House
Just a few days ago, my mom and dad put their house on the market. That’s a big move (literally) for them. They’re empty nesters – at least when I’m not crashing at their place in between tours. They are looking to find something more suitable for their lives now. I’m excited to see my parents trying something different, challenge themselves, make new connections. Moving after being stationary for so long is going to be tough, like finally walking after being bedridden.
Being the child with the most flexible schedule means I’m most likely to be pitching in to get it ready. I’m awfully daunted by the task of emptying a home that’s been accumulating stuff for 30 years and then prepping it for sale. Maybe an “AS IS” estate sale would be best. Just grab the family photos and make a clean break! Haha. I’m also a bit sentimental about giving up the only home that we kids have ever known. A lot has happened there. It’s been expanded and remodeled countless times to accommodate a growing and changing family of seven. It’ll be hard to let go.
Matt & Natalie’s House
This week I’ve been chilling here with my brother Matt in Indy. His house is a place where any night of the week you’re bound to find half a dozen or more people hanging out, eating, laughing, playing, and just generally living life together. Though it’s just Matt and Natalie’s house, it’s definitely become a home for several people (and a few animals), as well as me when I’m in town. It’s a ragtag bunch of characters whose lives all seem to intersect in a little house in the middle of Indiana and it’s a really beautiful thing.
Last night, as Matt and I sat on the front porch of his house, we talked about the big stuff in life: relationships, careers, church, money, family – a real heart-to-heart brother talk. Naturally, mom and dad’s house being up for sale was a big part of our conversation. We talked about what that home meant to us and what home really is. It made me think of a scene from Joe Dirt, where Joe can’t understand that an old cajun hillbilly is saying, “Home is where you make it.” This is a classic segment from a very funny David Spade movie. Warning: Joe Dirt is rated PG-13.
House ≠ Home
Being on the road so much has changed my perspective on what home means. I know that home is not a house, a building with beds and bathrooms, because I’m beginning to feel at home in most every place these days. Being a traveling musician, I don’t have a house or apartment to call my own. I keep a storage unit for some of the music equipment I don’t use regularly, so technically I’m a renter, but I don’t have a place for me. As lonely as that sounds, there is a certain non-revocable freedom when you realize that home is no longer a place, but a state of mind. Home for me has become wherever I am. As Metallica so eloquently put it:
“Anywhere I roam, where I lay my head is home.”
– from “Wherever I May Roam,” Metallica, Metallica
As Matt and I were talking about this last night, I was finally able to verbalize my thoughts on ‘home.’ I have learned to carry home with me. Home is having contentment, completion, and rest – the feeling that I have everything I need, want nothing more, and am at peace those around me, with God, and within myself. Home is the knowledge that there is no where to go, because here is where I am meant to be.
While on the road, I often camp out in my hammock. It’s a great way to camp because it’s easy, fast, and free. All I need is two trees. When I finally have that hammock strapped up around the trees, a wood fire burning nearby, and my shoes kicked off, I lay back, look up at the sky through the canopy of trees and breathe deep. At that point, I am home. There is nothing more to do, nothing more to get, and nothing more to achieve. I am just a human be-ing. Home truly is where you make it and I’m learning to make it everywhere.
Note to Reader: This is entry is meant mostly to serve as a reminder for myself, but if you find it helpful, that’s great. I was struck today (while shaving) that above all other things I am called to love. That’s my job. I’m not a musician; I’m a professional lover. For me to succeed [...]
Note to Reader: This is entry is meant mostly to serve as a reminder for myself, but if you find it helpful, that’s great.
I was struck today (while shaving) that above all other things I am called to love. That’s my job. I’m not a musician; I’m a professional lover. For me to succeed at my task, I must love endlessly on the people I meet along my path. Nothing else should carry as much weight in my life as the understanding to love the friends, family, neighbors, enemies, orphans, widows, aliens, and outcasts that God puts in my life. In doing so, I serve Christ and fulfill his desires for my life.
I recently was in Orlando with my friends Lynn & Allison, Hoss, and Katie to work on my Christmas album. One of the songs that will appear on the album is “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” I’ve really been wrestling with the last verse.
He made me a watchman upon the city wall,
and if I am a Christian, I am the least of all.
In the weakness of my humanity, I could easily misinterpret the idea of being a watchman to mean that I’m an over zealous policeman, proudly standing guard over my society, all too eager to implement my understanding of swift justice whenever I deem necessary. All too often I find myself (and sadly, the church universal) somehow perverting my responsibility as a Christian to mean that I am to be the tattle-tale hall monitor of life, ratting out people, boycotting corporations and celebrities, enforcing the rules, keeping everyone in line with laws, doctrines, and my own interpretation of God’s directions.
This is the flesh speaking.
This is nothing more than the Liar using my base nature in a sophomoric knee-jerk response to add to the inevitable disharmony of life. What is truly ironic is that my self-righteous response is actually creating disharmony under the guise of Spirit-filled justice. If I buy into this, I am being fooled into perpetuating an “Us and Them” worldview that does not honor God. Like Peter, I am sorely mistaken that my motives are the desires of Christ’s heart, when in actuality I am being like Satan and impeding the work of Christ.
The only true conquerer of evil is to love like God. That is the message of Christ. To live a Christian life is honor Christ by loving others. Am I the least of all?
“Remove my spirit from darkness.
Love, become my hammer.*”
–lyric excerpt from “Ride A Black Swan,” Mary Star of The Sea, Zwan
*I found out that the lyric is actually “Love, become my heaven,” but I like my version better.
On a completely unrelated note, I found this link to pics of tiny cars. Makes me smile. I’d love to zoom around town in one of these things. The one pulling a small camper kills me. Link to the smallest cars you’ve ever seen.
I’ve been hearing more and more about how awful our economy is going to get and how smart it is to invest in gold because the dollar is unstable. Those selling this idea speak about gold as if it is our only hope – the only sure thing. I admire their passion for returning the [...]
I’ve been hearing more and more about how awful our economy is going to get and how smart it is to invest in gold because the dollar is unstable. Those selling this idea speak about gold as if it is our only hope – the only sure thing. I admire their passion for returning the dollar to the gold standard (thus removing our beloved dollar from the fiat category), but it makes me wonder why gold is a standard anyway. To me gold is almost worthless. I have no immediate need for gold in my life, so I find it difficult to presume that gold is the standard by which our money should be set. Sure it’s pretty, but so is Jennifer Lopez. Why not make her our standard? When I worked at Starbucks, I had a large African-American customer that asked me to add cream to his coffee. When I asked how much I should add, with a smile and wink he replied, “I like it the color of J.Lo’s skin.” I have to admit, it sure made the precise color of the coffee sound even more delicious. He created value in something quite mundane. Since then, I’ve often thought that using the color of celebrity skin tones would be a brilliant marketing ploy. Anyway, back to gold… The one area of my life where gold actually does have value is very utilitarian. Gold is an excellent conducting metal in electronic circuits, especially audio. In our era of abundant electronics, I would think that gold has much more value as a conductor than when it’s aesthetically employed. Even so, is that reason enough to make gold the thing by which all other things are valued? If so, why not make silicon our standard. Integrated circuits are the brains of our electronics. All of this has me thinking about why we even value things at all. When you remove the marketing hype and trend, which vary like the wind, surrounding the pricing of goods and services, existence is the only remaining thing of value. Why don’t we tie our money to something that is intrinsically invaluable to sustaining life? How about the value of a loaf of bread, a gallon of fresh water, a bottle of penicillin, a liter of blood? Even a barrel of crude oil makes more sense than gold. While we’re at it, why not get scientific about it? We could create a metric monetary system derived from a semi-universal constant, like say… the number kilowatts of energy produced by a one meter square solar panel (with x% efficiency) orbiting outside earth’s atmosphere and shadow precisely one astronomical unit (AU) from the sun? OK, maybe that’s a little difficult, but you get the idea. Or maybe the idea of tying our money to an element of the periodic table is right, but we’ve just picked the wrong element. Why not choose something like carbon, nitrogen, or oxygen, which are critical to building and sustaining life, thus assigning value to life itself by an objective and calculable method. I mean, why gold?
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21
P.S. I find it funny that the symbol for Gold is ‘Au’ and astronomical units are abbreviated AU. Is there a conspiracy here? Hmmm… hahahahahaha P.P.S. Just heard the Portland band AU on NPR. Some great stuff. AU can be found at myspace/peaofthesea.
#DJChat
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