I just finished reading Michael Eric Dyson’s Know What I Mean? Reflections on Hip Hop. It is a brilliant, insightful discussion on hip hop and its history, it’s problems, and how it relates to society as a whole. Anyone who is interested in what hip hop really is about and where it’s going needs to read this. My particular favorite parts of this book are the discussion of the older generation’s hatred of hip hop (just as the previous generation’s parents hated Soul, Funk, Rock, etc), and why that has hurt hip hop and caused (or at least reinforced) some of the problems found in the hip hop culture today (materialism, misogyny, violence). If hip hop was embraced by the past generation when hip hop was at it’s best, in terms of social and political statements, then it could have, in my opinion, a very different culture today. If they fostered and nurtured the creativity instead of blasting it, then maybe the hip hop youth wouldn’t have rebelled, or at least not as much. Of course, the shunning of the new by the old isn’t the only cause of the current state of hip hop, many factors are to blame, such as Reagan era economic policies, the introduction of crack into the urban centers of America (which was ignored if not helped by the CIA), and the prejudiced justice system, among other things.
In the last chapter, before the Outro written by Nas, Dyson talks about Nas’ symbolism in releasing a hip hop record that states hip hop is dead. This wasn’t to be taken literal, it was commentary on how clever rhetoric was “replaced by the mindless redundancy of themes we’re all too familiar with: women, weed, wine, cars, and jewelry. The thug persona has replaced skillful exploration of thug’s predicament: hustling in a culture where crime is the only option of the economic vulnerable.” The movement started by Nas is a response to this mass-marketed culture. So is hip hop dead? By saying so Nas proved the exact opposite (which was no doubt intentional). He brought it to the forefront of musical discussion. It made people think about what was actually being put out by record companies. Conscious rappers like Common, Kanye West, Talib Kweli, and others are heard more. People started blasting Nas for saying it was dead. Others agreed. His mission was (at least) partially successful. People were talking. Of course the consumer is the real judge. The hip hop culture will always be there. The question is, what image will be shown to the masses. On September 11th people have a choice of which hip hop they want, an album by 50 Cent or and album by Kanye. Do you want the thug persona, or someone that explores broader social issues (such as blood diamonds in Kanye’s song Diamonds from Sierra Leone) and that skillful exploration of the predicament?
Some More Thoughts on Ubuntu
I must say I’m really enjoying Ubuntu on my laptop. I use my laptop a lot now. Before, with XP, my laptop was running slow (even after reformatting), but with Ubuntu it runs at least twice as fast, if not three times. I don’t use it for much, mostly just browsing the net, blogging, and talking with people on IM (using Pidgin). I would like to get into DVD ripping and burning on it, as well as some graphics editing. I’ve not found anything similar to DVD Shrink or DVD Decrypter on Linux yet, but haven’t really looked. So if anyone has any suggestions on those pieces of software, I’d appreciate some direction.
What is great about Ubuntu is I can find out how to do anything with just a few searches on their forums or on Google. I can find packages I need with ease via the Synaptic Package Manager or via GetDeb.net. I had my mom briefly look at Ubuntu and she could even find her way around things. It really is that easy. That being said though, it still has some catching up to do in order for a casual user from the world of Windows to be able to use it. I know nothing about command line, but that’s ok, because I can always find the command I need by searching, but most people don’t want to spend the time searching for something they should just be able to do. (Again, the package manager and Add/Remove programs helps a lot in that area). For a world run on Windows though, many users will not switch because it requires the terrible thing of learning something new. Most casual computer users don’t want to learn. They use computers to make their lives easier, and learning something new is not easy. I think if Linux gets to a point that people start learning it from an earlier age (say, Linux in the classrooms) then it would be easier to migrate more users to Linux. It’s the chicken and the egg though. You need more users to be a force, but you can’t get more users unless they know how to use it (or even know about it to begin with). I doubt I would have stuck with it if I didn’t’ get my wireless to work. I did, however, and am thankful for each moment on the OS. I doubt another OS will ever make it back on this laptop (though, a different flavor of Linux isn’t out of the question, just out of curiosity).
Now That it is Official
I shall let you all in on the news I mentioned before. The school board voted Monday night and I’m now under a 9 month contract with a school district to be the ISS (In School Suspension) teacher. It’s one step closer to being the social studies teacher I’ve wanted to be since high school. What’s even better is I finally have full health insurance, dental, vision, and even life. On top of that, since I am certified, this year counts towards my retirement in the education system. Well, that is it. Wish me a successful school year.
Hip Hop is Dead
I just finished reading Michael Eric Dyson’s Know What I Mean? Reflections on Hip Hop. It is a brilliant, insightful discussion on hip hop and its history, it’s problems, and how it relates to society as a whole. Anyone who is interested in what hip hop really is about and where it’s going needs to read this. My particular favorite parts of this book are the discussion of the older generation’s hatred of hip hop (just as the previous generation’s parents hated Soul, Funk, Rock, etc), and why that has hurt hip hop and caused (or at least reinforced) some of the problems found in the hip hop culture today (materialism, misogyny, violence). If hip hop was embraced by the past generation when hip hop was at it’s best, in terms of social and political statements, then it could have, in my opinion, a very different culture today. If they fostered and nurtured the creativity instead of blasting it, then maybe the hip hop youth wouldn’t have rebelled, or at least not as much. Of course, the shunning of the new by the old isn’t the only cause of the current state of hip hop, many factors are to blame, such as Reagan era economic policies, the introduction of crack into the urban centers of America (which was ignored if not helped by the CIA), and the prejudiced justice system, among other things.
In the last chapter, before the Outro written by Nas, Dyson talks about Nas’ symbolism in releasing a hip hop record that states hip hop is dead. This wasn’t to be taken literal, it was commentary on how clever rhetoric was “replaced by the mindless redundancy of themes we’re all too familiar with: women, weed, wine, cars, and jewelry. The thug persona has replaced skillful exploration of thug’s predicament: hustling in a culture where crime is the only option of the economic vulnerable.” The movement started by Nas is a response to this mass-marketed culture. So is hip hop dead? By saying so Nas proved the exact opposite (which was no doubt intentional). He brought it to the forefront of musical discussion. It made people think about what was actually being put out by record companies. Conscious rappers like Common, Kanye West, Talib Kweli, and others are heard more. People started blasting Nas for saying it was dead. Others agreed. His mission was (at least) partially successful. People were talking. Of course the consumer is the real judge. The hip hop culture will always be there. The question is, what image will be shown to the masses. On September 11th people have a choice of which hip hop they want, an album by 50 Cent or and album by Kanye. Do you want the thug persona, or someone that explores broader social issues (such as blood diamonds in Kanye’s song Diamonds from Sierra Leone) and that skillful exploration of the predicament?
Funny Video About Comments
Check out this funny video about comments on websites. Reminds me of Digg or Slashdot comments, or anytime someone says something criticizing Apple.
Is a Switch Coming?
I installed Movable Type 4 on another site of mine and imported all the WordPress posts from this blog. I’m kind of tired of WordPress and the direction it’s going (It seems WordPress (as in .org) has went from being what’s best for the community to what’s best for the users of WordPress.com, the for profit version, which hey, you’re a business, that’s your job to make money, but don’t hide behind a facade of benevolence when you make decisions thinking about your profit margin instead of the community). I don’t know if MT will be any different, especially since it just became open source, but I think MT could be a suitable replacement. There’s going to be a large learning curve and I’ll lose all Google juice for a while, but I’m not a business that’s trying to make tons of money off my website. I do it for fun. I guess it all depends on whether MT will be fun to learn or frustrating. There is always Habari, but they have a long way to go before I can even consider using them.