..My favorite Marshall McLuhan antidote comes from Woody Allen's "Annie Hall."  .. ..
.. ..Where Woody introduces McLuhan to a self-absorved, all but properly informed "western culture" professor who, neither understands McLuhan or anything in reality - like most of the professors I've had. Great scene... ..
.. ..Thanks for the blog post... ..
.. ..Dr. Jay..
 

Thanks for the referal. A very good read.
 

Well. Mr. Burnett, McLuhan and Mr. Federman must be right.  A lot of people miss or "misunderestimate" the impact of your words because it's "all about" a great _sounding_ record and excellent production values.  If I didn't happen to agree with you on the matters you write about, I think I'd want you tarred and feathered.  I do mean that as a sincere compliment.  Yours, MAJ Tom and his Band of Deserters
...... 


 

..T Bone Burnett, you rock, peace, love, and freedom, stephanie....
 

Excellent read.  I've read a lot about McLuhan but this is possibly the clearest explanation I've seen yet.  Clarity is beauty!
Thanks
Ray
 

Thank you.

 

Excellent!  Mr. Burnette.  Thanks for the blog post.  You are greatly admired.
Polly

 

It makes one feel better when getting hooked on clear stuff like that. Thanks!

 

THANX
"T-BONE"...
......

HOPE YOU & YOURS
"FAIR WELL"
DURING THE ECLIPSE
&
WHAT IS YOUR
"NEXT PROJECT"????

AND, HERE IS SOME MORE
"FOOD-4-THOUGHT":

Mysterious, Glowing Clouds Appear Across America’s Night Skies...
from
..www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/07/nightclouds?npu=1&.....
......
PHOTO CREDIT: Mike Hollingshead
--Rich

 

The piece on the McLuhan Equation is absolutely fascinating.  Using this concept to anticipate any potential detrimental effects or trends of a new innovation is attractive, but the mindset of our society is sadly reactive, not proactive.  Whatever is developed MUST be available to the consumer as soon as possible without much consideration given to what effects or consequences it will have.  When possible, we try to do damage control after the fact.  Most times, we just bemoan the outcomes.
 

T-Bone..thanks for the link. A good bit of insight. This time when so much information is available, the B.S. overpowers the clear thought. The news no longer employs reporters but hires parrots. The art of research seems to be lost in favor of the "releases" the government media complex presents. We seem to be rapidly losing the ability to process the deeper thought or idea such as Federman's...
..
..
......
 

Interesting stuff reminds me of how your 'Seven times hotter than fire' tune started a journey of connections between ancient writing from across the pond and stuff I read from here in the Americas.The Aztecs  wrote of Seven Macaw the cunning demon whose feathers burned seven times hotter than fire. That also prompted me to discover the Mayan story of the three gods that were lured to the river by the three fairest maidens and given an intoxicating drink.Sound familiar? I cant leave out the Hopi who tell us that on 2/21/2012 we should look to sky and see their bearded white deity with his 144,000 rainbow dancers. Food for thought PEACE brother.

 

Thank you T-Bone for that ling to a lesson in 'it is what it is'. Andres Segovia, in quoting a great Spanish writer said: "The song of a piano is a discourse. The song of the cello is an elegy, the song of the guitar is a song." I'd like to add that a song of T-Bone Burnett is an art experience in any medium. 

Zen Chef 
.... 
......
 
 

Why do you keep leaving me shimmering for more ........ wow
 

interesting article.  i've been missing our conversations. 

isn't the message always one of the following:  love, hate or confusion?
 

I read this piece a little late in the day- some 2 years after it was written, but the observations here are no less resonant today, as we live still with the aftermath of the political decisions  made in the wake of 9/11 by an administration anxious not to be percieved as impotent in the face of aggression.By promoting a climate of fear it was able to annex public opinion, divert attention from the simple fact that Osama Bin Laden remains free, and pursue its real agenda ( oil, surely?) . Whether or not the liberation of an oppressed people was a factor, it is clear that the cultural and political reality in Iraq / Afghanistan is very complex, and to have imagined that history would see U.S. involvement as anything less than self serving and naive was monumentally arrogant. We do not need the benefit of hindsight to be aware of the dangers of the self certainty and total lack of humility which were the hallmarks of the Bush presidency. As we see the fruits of an abhorrent religious and cultural intolerance, which if not overt, was certainly implicit, must we somehow reconcile ourselves to the continuing  loss of life among soldiers ( not only American but European), as the current administration attempts to chart a responsible course through the chaos created by its predecessor?
The U.S. drives world events economically, and my own country has long had what is usually referred to as a "special relationship". Bearing this in mind I am grateful that we would now appear to have in President Obama a man who is both aware and respectful of the world beyond Americas borders, not only insofar as such  countries might impact American interests, but recognising the interconnectivity of humanity and our mutual reliance. He has the toughest job ahead, and will certainly make mistakes. However he is intelligent enough to be mindful of his own fallibility- and is this not the point?America, like a juggernaut , cannot turn at speed and not without skill , but for the first time in a long while I feel moved to hope for a better future. In an environment of fear, paranoia and suspicion hope is extinguished. It is an early casualty along with respect for others .Hello, Hope. Welcome back.
 

word...