What is Digg?136 Comments
- themulf, on 10/12/2007, -7/+58I saw this a few months ago, very smart man.
- PuyoDead, on 10/12/2007, -6/+49I'll always stand by the statement that Zappa was one of the most brilliant minds, and composers, of our time. Even if you don't like his music (not everyone can appreciate it), you have to agree that he really was ahead of his time.
Pun intended. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+40Who was that monkey from the Washington Post?
"Incest has only been a problem in the last 20 years." My eyes just rolled so hard I think I ruptured something. It's good to know that incest was not a problem until 1966.
LOFL at Zappa owning him -- "I love it when you froth like that" - Bobski, on 10/12/2007, -2/+33The very best moment , I think, for Zappa was on the Joe Pine Show. Damn few of you are old enough to remember Pine, but he was quite an institution in his time. Anyway, Ol' Joe asked Zappa "You wear long hair, does that make you a girl?" To which Zappa accurately replied, "You have a wooden leg, does that make you a table?"
Absolute classic. - nepawoods, on 10/12/2007, -2/+32Unfortuneately, he never got the recognition he deserved.
- CurtHowland, on 10/12/2007, -4/+32Zappa was wonderfully intelligent.
But he missed an opportunity to say something which, since I'm not there, I get to say he should have said:
"Popular opinions have no need for the protections of the First Amendment." - bbatsell, on 10/12/2007, -1/+28You also could have seen it 20 years ago, when it first aired. That doesn't mean that it shouldn't be seen by people who had not previously seen it, and, apparently, quite a few people disagree with your assessment.
- jabberwonk, on 10/12/2007, -3/+29John Lofton. VERY conservative republican.
Has a blog called "The American View - God, Family, Republic"
http://www.jabberwonk.com/flinker.cfm?cliid=z6i53
Best part of the Zappa interview is when he notes that starting with Regan, the country is aimed down the road towards a fascist theocracy. Talk about foresight and have a clear picture 20 years ago. - buyer687, on 10/12/2007, -4/+29" We are a democracy..."
Technically, no, U.S. is a Representative Republic. - GopherGod, on 10/12/2007, -4/+28The impression I got after watching that, being 25 (5-6 yrs old when aired), is that I am glad the world has progressed from that time period.
It is mind blowing watching these geezers argue with Zappa about banning music sales because of lyrics.
It would be interesting to see what he would say not about Bush, and his invasion of Iraq. - Toupee, on 10/12/2007, -5/+28You know, it's funny. One day I found this really horrible anti-marijuana propagandistic booklet laying around my house from like 1988. There was a phone number on the back and I was bored enough to call. I was surprised that someone actually picked up. After being transferred around for a bit I eventually ended up with what I understand to be a pretty high-up priest fellow. We argued for nearly half an hour about marijuana and other topics; my point largely being that his organization could find more productive things to do than spread lies about the only drug in the world that no one has ever died from using, ever. Eventually, the guy admitted that he too used to be a smoker. Until, ya know, he saw the light and all that nonsense.
I realized some months later, when I found that video, that it was exactly the same organization that Zappa was talking about in that video. Zappa's a great guy. - daldredge, on 10/12/2007, -3/+26No - we vote for people who SAY they have strong religious beliefs however their actions, and this applies to both D's and R's, show they are just SAYING words they don't really believe.
They use religion not because they believe it, they use religion because it helps them get/keep power. - francto, on 10/12/2007, -2/+24This is precisely one of the things Zappa would say is wrong with the world if he were alive today. (Oh wouldn't it be great if he were alive today!)
Issues and arguements that have real consequence and importance can not always be explained, absorbed and analysed through a 2 minute video bite. If we lose the ability to do this then we are in trouble.
If you were being sarcastic then I apologize. - ckohler, on 10/12/2007, -0/+19"Free speech doesn't protect the speech you like, it protects the speech you hate." - Larry Flynt, 1988
- Jowitz, on 10/12/2007, -3/+21Wow, I am really glad this has finally made front page. It has been on digg several times, but I don't think it has ever been on the front page. I never knew how well-spoken Frank Zappa was before this.
- Xinareiaz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+19Is the audio jumpy for anyone else? this version seems to fix it for me.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=F272-2A2FDo&mode=related&search= - BlogCruiser, on 10/12/2007, -2/+19Outstanding post with good stuff from Zappa! It's amazing what people can twist and thanks for the link.
- omnithought, on 10/12/2007, -0/+17Lofton needs to get laid.
I remember during the PMRC trials when Zappa was testifying, he said something like:
"There are more love songs than anything else. If music makes people do things, then why isn't everyone loving each other?"
It really shocked and pissed off Tipper Gore, John Lofton, and the other douchebags when they found out that these "evil rock stars" are actually intelligent, articulate, socially-minded citizens and not dumb, depraved idiots who can easily be swept aside.
And if anyone doubted his stance on theocracy, have you been paying attention lately? - DisposableRob, on 10/12/2007, -4/+21No, the biggest threat to America is apparently rock music. It leads to incest.
- diggittydo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+16The disturbing thing is that this law was drafted preventing the "7 dirty words" from being broadcast in network TV and radio.
We are regressing to the place where the founding fathers had purposefully left.
As PuyoDead said above: Zappa was ahead of its time, maybe even a visionary or maybe he, like the minority of people, could see through the propaganda *****.
- burtonbe, on 10/12/2007, -4/+18@Giever
You sir, have just made an extremely important point. Digg ought to modify or expand the moderation system. The digg moderation system seems to have been /designed/ as Thumbs Up = quality comment (good points, articulate, etc), Thumbs Down = low quality ("I agrees", pointless, etc)
However, people seem to /actually moderate/ based on Thumbs Up = I agree, and Thumbs Down = I disagree.
What is dangerous about this is that the popular comments are promoted, while the dissenting views are censured. I think this fosters "group think" and stifles critical thinking/discussion.
How could it be fixed? I'm not sure. Maybe by only allowing each user to moderate so many times per thread. Maybe by not having the dugg down comments "collapse." Maybe by only allowing comments to be moderated up. Maybe digg could go with a more "slashdot"-style moderation system. - halleyscomet, on 10/12/2007, -3/+17@cliffzdude
His points are obvious to you and me, but they are NOT obvious to a lot of people.
Aside from making good points, he made them WELL. In this example, he maintained his composure against a ranting, raving opponent. Not only did he remain calm and articulate, but he avoided looking like he was being brow beaten. A common consequence of remaining calm cool and collected in the face of a loon, is that you look like the loon has cowed you. Coultier is a master of this "debate" technique.
As for his music, that's a matter of taste. Some of his stuff is drek. All artists produce some crap now and then. On the whole though I find his music to be not only superior to what was out at the time, but to much of what's on the market today. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15His prediction: Reaganism is moving "America towards a fascist theocracy" is strangely truthful... Bush administration anyone?
- gmillerd, on 10/12/2007, -5/+18The little bit during this era on wikipedia is quite amusing:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Zappa#1990s - rancemo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13For those of you who say Zappa's music sucks; perhaps you have just heard the wrong albums/songs. He released 60+ albums, which cover a wide variety of genre and styles, but some of it is completely innovative and unique. There truly is something for everyone in his music, although most people won't immediately be able to comprehend it. Just give it a few listens before discarding it as suckness...
- halleyscomet, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13@andergriff
So, you have a PROBLEM with him standing up for the Freedom of Speech that the Founding Fathers codified into law?
What's wrong with standing up to those who would censor people in the name of their own personal religious values, despite all the effort the Founding Fathers put into preventing a government sanctioned religion?
From what I could see, Zappa was standing up for our country, advocating the youth of America get off their rumps and VOTE. Did you know it was common for him to end his concerts with advising the audience to vote? Standing up for freedom and Democracy sounds pretty damn American to me, thank you very much. - Osjpr, on 10/12/2007, -3/+15"i'll tell you waht....kiss my ass!" xD
- Bobski, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12@cliffzdude
Zappa's "time" is eternal. And for time-line's sake his "time" was the 60's and 70's, *not* the 80's as you so lamely point out. Just because you heard him in your childhood doesn't mean that's when he came into existence. He was around long before you were a twinkle in your daddy's eye. - G1980, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11This surfaces every few months, but it is slightly encouraging to see that genius get a little more of the recognition he deserved.
"Without deviation (from the norm), progress is not possible."
~Zappa - spectre_25gt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11Zappa for president! Oh, wait...
- Osjpr, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13"How is it he knows so much more than you or I?"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem - slowmo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11"Where do pricks like this guy come off lecturing the rest of us?"
This is you being jealous that you weren't invited to be on Crossfire, right? Either that or you resent the millions of dollars Zappa made as a paid performer. Im correct there as well, right?
"Is it something in the water where he grew up?"
This comment is summed up by the word "histrionics". Look it up.
"How is it he knows so much more than you or I?"
Even though it is a rhetorical question, I'll answer it. Zappa never claimed to know more than you or I. Don't feel threatened, after all, it was only a talk show... a bunch of "words" arranged specifically to get your goat. He got your goat, right? - kettlechips, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14Nobody said he had intelligent lyrics, but there was a smart guy underneath it all.
- Philodox, on 10/12/2007, -3/+13Hey there, people
I'm Bobby Brown
They say I'm the cutest boy in town
My car is fast, my teeth are shiny
I tell all the girls they can kiss my heiny
It's good to know that America was going through the same problems 20 years ago, and that as a nation it hasn't mananged to make any progress. Kind of makes you suspect that the people in control don't have a ****ing clue. - msauers, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12I blogged about this back in March and John Lofton himself posted a comment.
http://www.travelinlibrarian.info/2006/03/zappa-on-censorship.html - jabberwonk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Sorry about linking it through another site - here's the direct link to Lofton's blog.
http://www.theamericanview.com/index.php?id=2 - rancemo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Maybe that's what this country needs, a president that is dead and therefore can't do anything! Zappa for President!
- lordhidetora, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11very interesting. Zappas point on america moving toward a fascist theocracy, its the same thing that Marilyn Manson says. If anyone has looked into it.
- Beaker01, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10Man, I really miss that guy. The world is a lesser place without him.
- soundphan, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11Zappa Rocks
- carpespasm, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9I will state it again for all those nice digg nazis out there. Digg's home page has the things people like on it. if you don't like it, bury it. if enough people don't like it, it won't make it to the home page. you are obviously either in the minority who don't like it or you're not into zappa enough to try and get other people to learn about him. either way, this is not anything you're interested in, so please leave your bury and let the community decide.
Besides, just because you've seen it doesn't mean someone else has as well. let's give them a chance. - pushmouse, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Information is not knowledge.
Knowledge is not wisdom.
Wisdom is not truth.
Truth is not beauty.
Beauty is not love.
Love is not music.
Music is the best.
-Frank Zappa - Harmutt, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9"Wrong 20 years ago...wrong today."
Who? Zappa or the people [still] trying to supress art? - halleyscomet, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9I first saw that a few weeks ago.
I've since taken to using the phrase "Froth baby, Froth" where appropriate.
It really unnerves someone when they're expecting you to be cowed or perplexed to learn you're enjoying their rant and see it as a grand comedic piece. - Harmutt, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10Titties & Beer. I hope that Frank is enjoying unlimited amounts in the afterlife...
- deadbaby, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9I'm glad to see this on digg. ...and just in time for the 40th anniversary release of Zappa's first album:
http://stores.musictoday.com/store/dept.asp?band_id=1282&dept_id=9392&sfid=2 - kd1s, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Old Frank may look like he's orbitting Pluto, but in reality he's sharp as a tack. You knew Lofton lost when he had to resort to ad hominem.
Watch out where the huskies go indeed! - MasterSharma, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Is it just me or do the guys on crossfire seem like dicks... even when Jon Stewarts was on the show they were not very polite to say the least.
- sakabako, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7How about we just put a button on it that allows you to read comments that have been modded down?
- halleyscomet, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7@Harmutt
Naturally, nixfu was saying censorship is wrong.
No Red Blooded American would deny freedom of speech.
"I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to day it." -Thomas Jefferson -
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