Tales of True Adventure for Rugged Men Not Unlike Yourself
Ringo Starr was more than just a lucky drummer who hooked up with The Beatles. This video makes the argument that his originality, technique, skill, patience, and influence all add up to making him an unqualified genius of his instrument. He was, by all meaningful ways, the FIRST rock and roll drummer.
Also want to add that something about this guy reminds me of Lurker.
Massively influential, but hard to mourn his passing. Long but informative obit here.
This is Life, a simple computer game designed by John Conway in 1970. It has three rules:
– Birth rule: An empty, or “dead,” cell with precisely three “live” neighbors (full cells) becomes live.
-Death rule: A live cell with zero or one neighbors dies of isolation; a live cell with four or more neighbors dies of overcrowding.
– Survival rule: A live cell with two or three neighbors remains alive
It has fascinated people for years.
”I first encountered Life at the Exploratorium in San Francisco in 1978. I was hooked immediately by the thing that has always hooked me — watching complexity arise out of simplicity.
Life ought to be very predictable and boring; after all, there are just three simple rules that determine the position of some dots on a grid. That really doesn’t sound very interesting until you start tweaking those rules and watching what changes.
Life shows you two things. The first is sensitivity to initial conditions. A tiny change in the rules can produce a huge difference in the output, ranging from complete destruction (no dots) through stasis (a frozen pattern) to patterns that keep changing as they unfold.”
– Brian Eno
More here.
0:00 Cut-Out Witch
3:01 Wrong Turn On
4:52 I Am A Scientist
7:45 Rally Boys
9:33 Game of Pricks
I’m currently reading Closer You Are: The Story of Robert Pollard and Guided By Voices, so here’s a little GBV for you. I must say, His Bobness is looking rather healthy these days.
Some algorithm is making sure I see ads for this everywhere I go. I’m sure the flashing light will trigger a previously undiagnosed seizure disorder.
For what ails ya’
Buzzcocks on Top of the Tops in 1978, because we could all use some today.
Also, there’s this! Available in January.
I will not search for pocket records on ebay. I will not search for pocket records on ebay.
Just now easing into Phoebe Bridgers’ new one, which came out in June. She’s the real deal. Sorry (not sorry) for all the lyrics lately.
Day off in Kyoto
Got bored at the temple
Looked around at the 7-Eleven
The band took the speed train
Went to the arcade
I wanted to go, but I didn’t
You called me from a payphone
They still got payphones
It cost a dollar a minute
To tell me you’re getting sober
And you wrote me a letter
But I don’t have to read it
I’m gonna kill you
If you don’t beat me to it
Dreaming through Tokyo skies
I wanted to see the world
Then I flew over the ocean
And I changed my mind
Sunset’s been a freak show
On the weekend, so
I’ve been driving out to the suburbs
To park at the Goodwill
And stare at the chem trails
With my little brother
He said you called on his birthday
You were off by like ten days
But you get a few points for tryin’
Remember getting the truck fixed
When you let us drive it
Twenty-five felt like flying
I don’t forgive you
But please don’t hold me to it
Born under Scorpio skies
I wanted to see the world
Through your eyes until it happened
Then I changed my mind
Guess I lied
I’m a liar
Who lies
‘Cause I’m a liar
So this is it, the only material The Nerves officially released. One lousy EP in 1976, which, in mint condition, can now fetch upwards of $600 on eBay.