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Messages - SkinnyDevil

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1
Science, Culture, & Humanities / Re: Music
« on: June 02, 2010, 08:09:33 AM »
Here's one for you. Takes a minute to get rolling, but then.....

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVtYG3tYg0M&feature=related[/youtube]

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Science, Culture, & Humanities / Re: Music
« on: May 04, 2010, 09:11:53 AM »
Oh I dunno , , , maybe as an extra on one of our DVDs , , ,

Excellent!!!

3
Science, Culture, & Humanities / Re: Music
« on: April 30, 2010, 05:31:29 AM »
Crafty - When do we get to hear those 6/8?

OK...a nod to Willie on his birthday. Good for a relaxing time AFTER the training....

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7vaYOIKWYY[/youtube]

4
Science, Culture, & Humanities / Re: Music
« on: April 16, 2010, 06:01:53 AM »
CCP - Sorry you've had such a bad experience. The industry is big and multi-faceted. I'm a professional musician (don;t hold it against me - hahaha!) and have not ever come across this sort of thing at all, but then I'm not in Nashville, either. Nor am I a country music artist. She can always write songs & start over, though.

Robert - A polymeter is when you simultaneously play 2 (or more) different meters, like Steve's 7/8 guitar riff while the drums are playing in 4/4 I mentioned. A polyrhtyhm is simultaneously playing 2 (or more) different rhythms (say, sub-dividing the beat by 2 for one, and sub-dividing the beat by 3 for the other). There are other relationships between rhythms that are just as much fun!

Check out the Robert Johnson song that Rory performs in the other video. Bizarre changes, but there is an underlying thread that attaches them.

5
Science, Culture, & Humanities / Re: Libertarian Issues
« on: April 12, 2010, 06:48:30 AM »
Anarchists and libertarians are not the same.

Anarchists can range from "left" (communalists) to "right" (individualist). To somewhat oversimplify, the gripe is not government, it is against heirarchical authority structures in general. As such, "the state" is immediately targeted as bad ju-ju, but so are, say, certain business models & what are viewed as exploitative economic or social systems.

Libertarians also have a wide range of beliefs, but are minarchists, not anarchists, and view government, in the worst light, as a necessary evil.

What laws do libertarians want? Very few, and only those that protect individual rights (generally speaking).

How to enforce? A libertarian gov would be limited to core functions: military (whether standing or not), police, and courts. Some of that might even be farmed out.

6
Science, Culture, & Humanities / Re: Music
« on: April 10, 2010, 05:44:28 AM »
CCP - Interesting story. I'm a bit confused as to why they would go to all the trouble & expense of theft (physical & otherwise) when it's cheaper and easier to pay a royalty. Did you piss someone off? How did they know Katherine was able to write?

Crafty - The second song (Steve Vai's "Attitude Song") has major sections in straight 4 (sometimes double-timed) and a cool polymetric approach over the main riff where the drums play a 4/4 behind the 7/8 guitar riff.

The first song (Tool's "Aenema") is a bit more bizarre. The song starts with a guitar riff that sound like a non-lilting 6/8 (or a 3/4 if you're inclined to stress the quarter) at one speed (the "illusion" to which I refer above), but then sounds like a shuffled 4/4 (12/8) when the drums enter (the "actual"). They do this by a rather complicated process (as opposed to using the 8th note as a pivot, as in a metric modulation). Some have argued that the song uses hemiola, but the guitar doesn't change it's phrasing or stress. It is simply rhythmic sleight of hand.

Of course, that's just the first 30 seconds (hahaha!). They continue their rhythmic explorations throughout the song (is that mid-section a slow 12 or a quick 3? Depends on your perception, as they give reason to hear it either way).

Frank Zappa liked that sort of rhythmic illusion, too, as well as others. You just don't often hear that sort of rhythmic complexity on the radio, (though a few songs by Led Zeppelin are good for rhythmic fun). You can get equally bizarre examples listening to certain traditional African musics, certain Latin musics, and even several 20th century classical composers who were influenced by & experimented with "primitivism".

As an aside, it's this rhythmic complexity that stops most people who cover old Robert Johnson songs from getting it right. Rory Block, however, does an amazing job. Check her version of Johnson's "Terraplane Blues" and dig those changes!

If I were in CA, we could chat for quite a while about poly-rhythms, poly-meters, metric modulations, & other more advanced rhymthic devices. I'm sure you are far more able to employ these ideas in a fight scenario than I.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmR0_epz5OQ[/youtube]

7
Science, Culture, & Humanities / Re: Music
« on: April 08, 2010, 06:02:16 AM »
Just realized that my wording on the bit about complex rhythms came off as sounding at least a touch arrogant and "know-it-all".

My apologies in advance. Farthest thing from what I intended to convey. Just a pet theory is all.

To be more clear, I probably should have also included that the primal musics I was referring to are those that accompanied pre-fight rituals as well as rituals that simulate combat. This much is true (at least in some cultures), but whether or not the complex rhythmic structures were designed as a means of giving a fighter who employs said structures and advantage is not something I've ever seen any fighter, instructor, or musicologist discuss in any detail, and is certainly nothing I can prove.

It's just a pet theory that if you imply one rhythmic pattern and attack using another that stems from the first, you then posses a tactical (if extremely transient) advantage.

Those whose combat skills are superior mine (probably most of the folks here) are in a much better position to assess the value of such a theory.

8
Science, Culture, & Humanities / Re: Music
« on: April 08, 2010, 05:41:27 AM »
Robert - Nice video!

Marc - I don't suppose you recorded that Jimi show?

CCP - I'm totally lost. I must have missed your earlier posts. Are you saying Taylor Swift somehow stole your songs? If so, why not just file an infringement suit? It costs you about $50 and all you need are your copyright registration numbers which you can retrieve directly from the Copyright Office in DC if you no longer have them. Very simply process.

Sooo....what shall we work out to today? How about something in an ODD TIME SIGNATURE so you can REALLY work on timing and that pesky predictability. Rhythms embedded within rhythms...imply one rhythm while really employing another...then strike. Ever wonder why sophisticated rhythmic structures were used in music typically considered primal, base, and un-developed? Now you know.

Give a listen, contemplate, grok. Have fun at your next training!!!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_Xsd_aCVNs[/youtube]

or

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0-OvL2pHsM[/youtube]




9
Politics & Religion / On-Line Tax Revolt
« on: February 25, 2010, 05:26:51 AM »
Liberal or conservative, republican, democrat, indie, etc......if you are fed up with our current tax system and advocate some system of reform (FairTax, Flat Tax, no tax, etc.), join the 66,000 and growing on-line revolt. Free, fast, & easy:

http://www.onlinetaxrevolt.com/

10
Politics & Religion / GARY JOHNSON - 2012???
« on: December 27, 2009, 09:59:20 AM »
I wasn't sure where to put this, so...

I liked Ron Paul & I supported Ron Paul. But I said at the time I thought Gary Johnson would be a better candidate (although they disagree on several issues). I just hope he's serious about a run in 2012:

http://ouramericainitiative.com/

11
Science, Culture, & Humanities / Re: Music
« on: November 25, 2009, 07:50:34 AM »
Great stuff!

Here's one for sparring - "Fight Song":

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C64FBkb_gRg[/youtube]

But after your session of unadulterated violence, you can cool down while indulging your sensitive side (hahaha!):

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWU8XWksg_0[/youtube]

12
Science, Culture, & Humanities / Re: Hefner: The Loin in Winter
« on: November 10, 2009, 07:11:01 AM »
Hef has always been a personal hero of mine. Not for the reasons most would think, but because he saw a road he wanted to travel and through sheer force of will, traveled that road.

13
Science, Culture, & Humanities / Re: Music
« on: November 10, 2009, 07:04:59 AM »
Not good workout music, but Sting is a brilliant & well-rounded musician, the likes of which we rarely see:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFAleFnbRgw[/youtube]

I hadn't seen this video before, but I love old Skinny Puppy. Better than "real ultimate power" for getting pumped (hahaha!!!):

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS-gGYaA8F0[/youtube]

Geez, Marc, I didn't know you'd seen Jimi live. I am forever jealous.....

14
Science, Culture, & Humanities / Re: Music
« on: November 05, 2009, 08:57:40 AM »
Query: What's your favorite music to...

1) Workout to?

2) Fight to?

15
Politics & Religion / Re: Coulter may be on the money
« on: January 27, 2008, 10:53:50 AM »
  I am thinking of registering as a Crat just to vote for Obama

Hahahaha!!!!

Nice!

16
Politics & Religion / Re: The 2008 Presidential Race
« on: January 04, 2008, 08:58:02 AM »
I still think Hillary will walk away with the dem nomination. The real fight has all along been on the republican side, but I still don't think Huckabee is in the fight despite Chuck Norris).

I told my buddies who support Thompson (but feel he will lose badly because he refuses to run an actual campaign) that he would break the top 3 in Iowa &/or NH, and that he will do better, on average, than most others. Why? Because candidates run primarily to achieve 1) name recognition, and 2) to put their ideas forth. Thompson already has name recognition, and whether it is true or not, he certainly has the reputation for being the most conservative. To hit the road too much allows everyone to take a real close look to see if it's true (which is why Huckabee will fall flat on his face by this time next month). Thompson has nothing to gain by running hard at this time. His supporters will vote his way unless they are given a policy-related reason not to, and I suspect only Romney would stand to gain from that.

It's going to be a helluva fight. Ron Paul has FAR more than just the "crazy vote", plus $20 million in his pocket. Giuliani will doubtless do well outside of Iowa, Thompson will maintain a solid position, & Romney will come back hard. I suspect McCain is already gone (along with Hunter), and Huckabee will be dead in the water soon, so we're still looking at 4 strong candidates.

It would have been even more interesting if Gary Johnson had decided to run.

17
Politics & Religion / Re: Why we fight
« on: December 31, 2007, 12:04:52 PM »
Does this start to answer your questions Skinny Devil?

Yes, though clearly I need to ask more specific questions with regards to RP's position on foreign policy and warfare. I'll do so if I have any after reading the threads you cite above.

I'd like to point out, however, that with regards to the ratio of public debt to GDP, the Carter years were not as bad as today. The worst point in US history was a spike in 1940s & 1950s, actually (if I can figure out how to insert the chart I was just looking at, I'll do so). There was a mild spike during the Carter years, but it was VERY mild, with the Reagan years being the best (surprisingly). Percentage wise, the Clinton years were worse than right now, but the trend is moving up fast (in terms of rising debt as compared to GDP, which means the rise is bad).

The US is actually in pretty good shape as compared to other countries, but our current debt ratio is 64.7%, which is pretty lousy.

I was surprised to learn that JAPAN actually owns more of the US debt than CHINA. I need to cross-check those figures, of course.

18
Politics & Religion / Re: Why we fight
« on: December 24, 2007, 08:21:25 AM »
Per Crafty's directive, here is a re-post of the response in the "2008" thread (and I hope Doug will re-post his wonderful response):

Quote from: Crafty_Dog on December 18, 2007, 10:29:18 AM
Quote
Although I disagree with RP on War with Islamic Fascism (and that is a REALLY important disagreement) there is quite a bit I agree with him on-- and those too are REALLY important things.  (Trivia-- I voted for him when he ran for President on the Libertarian ticket)  Even though I won't be voting for him, I am very glad he is in the race and doing well.  He reminds us of our Founding Fathers and our Constitution.

Like you, I disagree with Dr. Paul on several key issues, as well. However, to my mind the over-riding issue is not the War on Islamic Fascism, nor is it immigration or health-care (to name a few that have been at the top of many a list). If the dollar crashes, no one will come looking for a job or looking to blow up buildings or will be much worried about doctor bills - Americans will be worried about food & shelter. While the economy is large & diverse enough (more so than in, say, 1929) to probably hold off a major depression, a dollar crash will wreck havoc on the daily lives of most people in the US. As one cynic put it, the only positive outcome of such a crash will be that when we recover from the massive stagflation, it'll be easier for those who still have homes to pay them off.

The dollar is more unstable now that at any time in American history. While I don't completely endorse a 100% return to the gold standard (I prefer a mixed standard for a variety of reasons) like Dr. Paul, his is currently the ONLY viable solution on the table. At $9+ trillion in debt (a large portion of which, as an extremely important aside, is held by China & Saudi Arabia), disastrous fiscal policies from all levels of government (including all those inflationary forces amplified by utilizing fiat currency rather than hard currency), our shift from fiat to debt-based currency rather than backed "commodity" currency, an increasingly loosening banking standards (de facto allowance of predatory lending, usury corruption, weakening reserve ratio lending & cash reserve ratios, etc.), the irrational Fed responses to current events, etc. - coupled with individuals refusing to take personal responsibility for their actions or acknowledging the impact our decisions have on a larger scale - it is likely that we're staring a major recession and possible depression in the face.

I should add that it's hard to fight any war when you're broke, not loan-worthy, and you're manufacturing base has left you out-sourcing your military hardware needs. I add that because even for those who find my initial statement in error (with regard to Islamic Fascism not being the over-riding issue), there is no doubt about there being a very real difference between a willingness to fight and an ability to fight (something no one on this forum needs me to take paragraphs to explain - hahaha!!!). Which is to say that even if said statement is incorrect (let's say a dollar crash makes it MORE likely that a terrorist will want to strike & try to strike), it changes nothing with regard to being trumped by monetary, currency, & fiscal realities and their impact on everything else. We have to fix those issues FAST or we will pay dearly.

So.....all that said, I'm wondering, Crafty, what it is about Paul's stance on terror that you disagree with? I keep hearing this from a variety of people, but don't understand exactly what it is about his stance on terrorism that puts people off. Given that you are more articulate than most of them (and have probably considered the issue with greater care), I'm very interested on your take, if you have a few moments.

Thanx!

19
Politics & Religion / Re: The 2008 Presidential Race
« on: December 19, 2007, 06:21:14 AM »
Although I disagree with RP on War with Islamic Fascism (and that is a REALLY important disagreement) there is quite a bit I agree with him on-- and those too are REALLY important things.  (Trivia-- I voted for him when he ran for President on the Libertarian ticket)  Even though I won't be voting for him, I am very glad he is in the race and doing well.  He reminds us of our Founding Fathers and our Constitution.

Like you, I disagree with Dr. Paul on several key issues, as well. However, to my mind the over-riding issue is not the War on Islamic Fascism, nor is it immigration or health-care (to name a few that have been at the top of many a list). If the dollar crashes, no one will come looking for a job or looking to blow up buildings or will be much worried about doctor bills - Americans will be worried about food & shelter. While the economy is large & diverse enough (more so than in, say, 1929) to probably hold off a major depression, a dollar crash will wreck havoc on the daily lives of most people in the US. As one cynic put it, the only positive outcome of such a crash will be that when we recover from the massive stagflation, it'll be easier for those who still have homes to pay them off.

The dollar is more unstable now that at any time in American history. While I don't completely endorse a 100% return to the gold standard (I prefer a mixed standard for a variety of reasons) like Dr. Paul, his is currently the ONLY viable solution on the table. At $9+ trillion in debt (a large portion of which, as an extremely important aside, is held by China & Saudi Arabia), disastrous fiscal policies from all levels of government (including all those inflationary forces amplified by utilizing fiat currency rather than hard currency), our shift from fiat to debt-based currency rather than backed "commodity" currency, an increasingly loosening banking standards (de facto allowance of predatory lending, usury corruption, weakening reserve ratio lending & cash reserve ratios, etc.), the irrational Fed responses to current events, etc. - coupled with individuals refusing to take personal responsibility for their actions or acknowledging the impact our decisions have on a larger scale - it is likely that we're staring a major recession and possible depression in the face.

I should add that it's hard to fight any war when you're broke, not loan-worthy, and you're manufacturing base has left you out-sourcing your military hardware needs. I add that because even for those who find my initial statement in error (with regard to Islamic Fascism not being the over-riding issue), there is no doubt about there being a very real difference between a willingness to fight and an ability to fight (something no one on this forum needs me to take paragraphs to explain - hahaha!!!). Which is to say that even if said statement is incorrect (let's say a dollar crash makes it MORE likely that a terrorist will want to strike & try to strike), it changes nothing with regard to being trumped by monetary, currency, & fiscal realities and their impact on everything else. We have to fix those issues FAST or we will pay dearly.

So.....all that said, I'm wondering, Crafty, what it is about Paul's stance on terror that you disagree with? I keep hearing this from a variety of people, but don't understand exactly what it is about his stance on terrorism that puts people off. Given that you are more articulate than most of them (and have probably considered the issue with greater care), I'm very interested on your take, if you have a few moments.

Thanx!


20
Politics & Religion / Re: The 2008 Presidential Race
« on: December 18, 2007, 09:46:41 AM »
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iY-dAdE8H0DRIJmiuNG9yqasmIgwD8TJHMHO1
The Associated Press: Ron Paul Tops $6 Million in One Day

I think it will be interesting to see if the other candidates from both sides of the aisle will inspire their supporters to action (at least getting off the couch and going to vote) the same way as Ron Paul inspires his supporters.

This is turning out to be an interesting race......

21
Science, Culture, & Humanities / Re: Music
« on: December 05, 2007, 08:49:20 AM »
I love the article RE: Josh Bell in DC. ...for SO many reasons!

Really dig that clip of Jimi, too.

Here's an underground wizard for flamenco fans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk5p_mA7jZs
YouTube - POM

And here's a classic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnamP4-M9ko
YouTube - Santana - Soul Sacrifice (Woodstock 1969)

22
Politics & Religion / Re: WSJ: Fred's Folly
« on: November 30, 2007, 05:55:37 AM »
It might have helped if Mr. Thompson, who stated his intention to trust in "the people" to give him a hearing, had offered those people something more than personality at the start of his tardy campaign.

Hahahaha!!!

In defense of Fred, he's pretty open about his ideas (even if he's not always very specific). As a rebuttal to the opening assertion of this article, Fred is hardly the first to say anything meaningful with regards to taxes. He stands in a field where only the top cash earners have said little about taxes (other than "I'd cut taxes" - whatever that means) and all the others have more radical ideas, from endorsing the Fair Tax plan (Huckabee, et al) to abolishing the IRS & income tax, and replacing it with nothing (Ron Paul).

Interesting debate the other night.

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