FOOD & LIQUOR 2

 Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor 2:

The Great American Rap Album Part 1

Atlantic Records - Released September 2012

"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country."

—Marion Barry, former mayor of Washington, D.C.

I have been reluctantly preparing myself for the 2012 presidential debate on Wednesday, October 3, between Governor, Mitt Romney and President, Barack Obama.  Even though I understand not much will change (despite the 2008, and a newly revised, campaign slogan by the incumbent) I, nevertheless, decided to at least humor myself in this presidential poker-face process of 2-Card Monte. 

"When elephants and donkeys fight, it’s the grass that suffers"

So everyday it’s a little CNN, some Fox News, a knee-slap (to keep from crying) from John Stewart’s Daily Show and a steady page turn from Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear & Loathing: On The Campaign Trail ’72.  Thompson’s take on political campaigns is so incredibly insightful and necessary, but a hopeless and empty suggestion for those satisfied with pulling a lever for the lesser of two evils.  My only proposition for those folks is maybe…, just maybe they bought Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Part 1.

Lupe has been extremely critical of his Chi-town homie in the oval office and you don’t have to be Cornel West to understand what that will do to one’s popularity.   So if you are looking for an Obama Shuffle on Fiasco’s latest CD, you might as well be the wrapper on a Kim Kardashian condom because neither seal will ever be broken. 

The CD, at times seems somewhat oversimplified as a verbal window inside American politics starts with a 2 minute into......

“Ayesha Says” This poetic public service announcement sets the stage for the total antithesis of what your local Rap/R&B fm station is trying to sell you and your children.  The topics range from Trayvon Martin, to police brutality, to food and liquor stores (of course), sterilization clinics; and the new retirement age in Chicago all of which just scratches the surface of this soliloquy.  Did I mention this was track 1?    I’m not sure where you rest with Jay-Z’s conundrum “do you listen to music or do you just skim through it.”  If the latter is the case, track 2

"Ital Roses" will be as far as you get.  On this track, Lupe confronts his critics who bark: “Lupe, you just rappin' about the same shit.” to which he responds “that’s ‘cause nothing has changed, bitch..,” sort of like tomorrow’s election (as I digress).  Where Lupe and I disagree is his attempt to “dumb-down” the music for those NOT willing to really listen to some of the MOST NECESSARY lyrics since the golden era of Hip Hop.  And, the music on “Roses” certainly dumbs-down to propel the message. However, from the early record sales, the sort-after audience clearly isn’t listening, which totally defeats the musicial intent. 

“Around My Way” is the balance that I was PRAYING for throughout this LP. This will probably bang in the clubs and underground streets (mainly) because of the legendary sample of Pete Rock’s “T.R.O.Y”.  The sample created more friction than friendship between two of Hip Hop’s finest, which is unfortunate, especially since this is one of the few songs where a thesaurus isn’t necessary – but an open mind is and it should’ve started with the sample.

Hip Hop icon, Pete Rock

Immigration, the Catholic Church and Katrina residents are all front and center and Lupe is relentless in his conviction. Ironically, if a moderator for tomorrow’s debate wanted to kick off an honest discussion about America, they could simply cue the horns that start this track.

“Audubon Ballroom” I’m not even sure how to summarize this single and I really don’t like the music.  However, the historical context of Dr. King, Malcolm X, all the way to Erykah Badu is clearly drawing the line between Hip Hop and rap and rap is being slain, like King and X.   

Black America! Trap America!/80s Babies! Crack America!/Rap America! Bad as Erykah!/From the era of family tearing up/But we just won big, can't be undid/Form a whole culture in just one kid/Miami dope boys, Oakland militants/Harlem Renaissance it's our deliveranceExplain

“Lamborghini Angels” This song almost benefits from the Hip Pop music, because after the 10th spin you will wonder aloud, what’s happening? I imagine the minister of music at church won’t be rocking this one at rehearsal. The pastor in the song who allowed this theme to happen probably wouldn’t allow this (CD) to happen; and if you are dancing to this song in a club at some point you will have to ask yourself…. Is this really happening?

“Strange Fruition”

“Now I can’t pledge allegiance to your flag
Cause I can’t find no reconciliation with your past
When there was nothing equal for my people in your math
You forced us in the ghetto and then you took our dads…”

If you ever wondered why Lupe doesn’t vote, the opening line proudly addresses that query, which you would think would be enough.  Nah!!! Casey Benjamin’s hook isn’t even enough to referee the right and left jabs, of corruption and metaphorical mishaps terrorizing this track.  The music is insane and a clear indication of why the pop-laced tracks isn’t remotely necessary.   

That’s why my sounds and sermons are so full of wrath
Baptize your mind, let your brain take a bath
Swim inside the river get delivered from the craft
Of the witches in this business that be livin’ off your sad
Hatin’ on your happiness you hit ‘em off with laughs
Smile ‘til they surrender, then you kill ‘em off with glad
Hello evil, I’m back! 

“Form Follows Function” This is one of my favorite tracks, I suggest rolling the windows down, turning the bass up and letting the lyrics invade your soul.  If this track doesn’t do it for you “Hood Now” will be on before you circled the block. And, that really simple song is a light-hearted look at the invasion of Hip Hop into America’s railroaded culture.  “Hood Now” is probably the most harmless joint on the CD; unless of course a presidential debate is your barometer for truth.

And if that is the case it would be difficult to explain the difference between the hood Trayvon was wearing and the hood in the Judge’s chambers if Zimmer is freed; neither of which Mitt or Barack will mention in their debate.

And, that’s “Hood Now!”

1 love,

Ray Lewis

OFF THE RED HOOK

40 Acres & a Mule - Release summer 2012

Film is incredibly democratic and accessible, it’s probably the best option if you actually want to change the world, not just re-decorate it.

- Banksy

There probably isn’t a more diverse city in the Western Hemisphere than the 5 boroughs that make up New York City.  I mean how many places do you know that have people who pay $700 a month to park a boat; yet live walking distances from people who came over on a boat to get paid $700 a month? Despite the obvious diversity there is no other city that is painted with a more monolithic stereotype/label than the people that call NYC home.  And, there is no other filmmaker casted with those colossal lenses than Shelton Jackson Lee; or as his courtside fans and foes adorn him, Spike.

I really like Spike Lee and many friends (and foes) attribute my appeal as a “typical” New Yorker – thus making it that much tougher to trade wits with unarmed people.  The fact of the matter is there are few filmmakers that have earned a noteworthy living tackling polarizing topics that divide one’s moral fabric or test one’s inner soul.  Spike Lee simply doesn’t get enough credit for that.  What's worse is he probably won’t until his head stone is carved. How fittingly sad! You could probably guide a child through their formative years with an honest discussion about these titles alone: “Jungle Fever”, “Do the Right Thing”, “She’s Gotta Have It”, “Bamboozled” “How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company” and “Malcolm X” and you wouldn’t even be halfway through Lee’s directorial credits.  That not-so-fictional discussion with a child is the not-so-coincidental centerpiece of Lee’s latest morality check, “Red Hook Summer”.  

The harmless credits unfold when a young boy, Flik Royale (Jules Brown) from suburban Atlanta migrates to Brooklyn for the summer. This seasonal trend is atypical of the 40 Acres and a Mule mantra (especially) when you consider that the only people that ever owned 40 Acres in New York were slain so “we” can go to Braves games and celebrate Columbus and Thanksgiving holidays with limited interruptions.  The plot erupts when Flik’s grandfather Da Good Bishop Enoch Rouse (Clark Peters) -- a spiritual leader of a small corner church -- named A Little Piece of Heaven -- has a huge part of his past exposed. Literally!

The plot rolls uphill for a while and in typical Spike Lee fashion it’s extremely wordy and has a really weak and awkward ending.  However, there are moments in heat of "Red Hook Summer" when you could hear a pin drop on the carpeted theatre floor, as patrons search their soul looking for clues of where their morality rests…, or unrests as it were.  Deacon Zee’s (Thomas Jefferson Byrd) insightful wisdom and self-serving proclamations of Wall Street shares of MAC (Apple), along with the street justice from a notorious corner drug dealer probably doesn’t do anything for the moral arch Dr. King preached of; but it sure makes for one interesting debriefing once the credits starts to roll. 

The movie which is playing in limited theatres (imagine that?) probably won’t win an Oscar or a screen actor’s nominee…, Hell, I would be surprised if it gets a nod a the Trumpet Awards -- and that bar is so low I think I was nominated for standing next to an exit once. 

Of course if you go to the movies to jot down dating tips from Steve Harvey or to see Madea break-dance in a dress, please save your money, as “Red Hook Summer” won’t enhance any of those satirical stereotypes although many of the targeted audience is exactly the same and can be easily found in this hidden gem.   

Man, I can remember when you could count the number of trees that lined the streets in Red Hook on one hand.  And, now with gentrification, mobilization, and globalization the only thing you can still count on one hand is the number of weeks "Red Hook Summer" will be playing in a theatre near you.

Furthermore, if you are looking to place blame for that fact or the monolithic approach to the culture’s music, quizzical fame, education, or rising apathy,

I think it’s the community at large that is on the hook!  Here’s hoping that if that long-awaited Mule for those 40 Acres ever arrived it isn’t sitting outside of a Spike Lee Joint.


  
1 love,
Ray Lewis

A SLAVE’S TRADE

Most people seek after what they do not possess and are enslaved by the very things they want to acquire.   -- Anwar El-Sadat

Lebron James X - released Fall 2012

I like Lebron James and the reasons I like him are varied.  Most of the working class -- which James clearly isn’t -- would definitely leave their 9-to-5 "hustle" if a better opportunity presented itself.  For example, if I were making $75k working at Xerox in a damp Ohio-based cubicle and IBM offered me $150k to do the same job in a warmer climate, alongside my best friend, that decision [while probably not televised] wouldn’t be that difficult.  I would simply pack my cubbyhole and take my briefcase to South, Beach. I’m positive there wouldn’t be 10 people in the country mad at me for leaving Xerox and even fewer would consider burning my desk after my departure.  The homegrown Lebron James exit from the Cleveland Cavaliers was dramatically different. 

There has never been a player who has entered the NBA with the hype and hoop dreams of a Lebron James and actually exceeded the fanfare expectations, until now.   Certainly there has been hype surrounding many NBA players. Take for example, Patrick Ewing, who was the first-ever lottery pick, and the human version of the NBA’s Mega Million. In 1986, Gotham City hit the lottery and for over a decade St. Patrick’s Day had a double entendre in New York City.  While the not-so-Irish Ewing endured a nice Hall of Fame career, he was NO Lebron James. Wilt Chamberlain who spent 3 years at Kansas University and one year “touring” with the Harlem Globetrotters, because NBA rules (at that time) didn’t allow players to enter the league before their 4-years of college eligibility was completed. Wilt too was a highly-touted prospect.  In one NBA regular season game, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points -- a feat that probably will never be duplicated. And, Wilt was no Lebron James.

Sprinkle in a coddled Kobe, an actual King name Bernard, a very special Kevin Garnett, a White House-groomed Grant Hill, the wizardry of a Magic Johnson, an epic rebounder named Moses Malone, a fashion-plated, often imitated Julius Dr. J" Erving, an admirable, Admiral David Robinson, or the fabulously famous, Chris Webber all of whom entered the league on a red carpet fit for a King and none of them compare to Lebron.  In fact, when the NBA written words of King James are complete, he will probably be the best player who has ever lived (some are already making that case).  And, if you think that statement is outrageous, wait until you read your credit card statement if you plan to purchase James’ new shoes – scheduled to be released in the fall of 2012.

After an Olympic Gold Medal, an NBA summer championship and an MVP Award (his third); Nike and James decided to capitalize on this story-booked season by releasing a pair of basketball shoes that will cost (the north side) of $300.00.  This will be the most expensive basketball shoe ever; or nearly half of that south, beach IBM check.  This is America and the products and services in this country will sell for whatever the consumer market is willing to spend.  And, quite frankly, we could end this conversation right here.  But, if you have lived in America for any significant amount of time and you understand that all consumers aren’t created or treated equally, I want to thank you for your continued attention. 

Lebron James is a black man from a fatherless inner city housing project and was born to a 16-year-old black teenage mom who (at 41) was recently arrested for slapping a valet at the Fontainebleau Hotel.

Or, in short Nike’s targeted market.

One would think that a black man with the socioeconomic background – or dare I say consciousness -- of this prostituted targeted audience would never let his name be associated with such a not-so-subtle exploitation, during a recession.  It’s clear James isn’t my son. That said, one of the reasons I like Lebron James is..., he probably knows that a liquor store in Beverly Hills and a package store in Brownsville – while on the surface are seemingly similar – amidst a deeper exploration are vastly different. The store in Beverly Hills is more of a resource for a dinner party, while the one in Brownsville is more of a medicine cabinet substitute for infrequent dinners.  Neither of which really matters – clearly not to James, or Nike. 

The original shoe King Michael Jordan (who no one will ever confuse with Martin Luther King Jr.) was once asked to offer a comment about the black kids that were shooting and killing each other over his storied shoe line that were priced north of $125 (at the time) – forgive us for not celebrating in retrospect. Jordan to my knowledge (and I’ve checked) has never uttered one single word pro or con on the subject  – even while countless kids (some with their parents) were rioting in inner city malls, while others were found slain on the Chicago pavement with their breathless body missing his Airs.  A spokesman of Klan Jordan once said “black kids shoot each other over cars, why don’t you go ask a Cadillac dealer how they feel?”  Tough crowd.

The dichotomies in this and many societies are vast, complex, unfair, ruthless, sad and often times very intentional. Which should shift most of this conversation to parental advisory.  Speaking of which, the once famed California Hip Hop group, N.W.A. had a song called F@# the Police!  And, at face value, I know many non-rap fans thought that song was counterproductive, unwarranted or just plain ignorant.  But, if I told that person that some of the LAPD finest used to round up “suspicious, NWA-looking” young boys -- see the Patriot Act for a more complete definition -- handcuffed them, and rode them in the back of the police car, then dropped them off in the middle of the night in a gang-infested neighborhood and told them to find their way back home…, that song should now have a totally different context.  To many Hip Hop detractors that fact either didn’t matter or wasn’t enough to justify the groups lyrics.  Ironically, neither were the spoken words of Oliver North.  Both of which continued to plague LA today.

One day Lebron James will no longer play basketball in the NBA and his jersey will undoubtedly be retired in a rousing ceremony.  Hell, there may be a statue (or two) erected in his name, who knows?  More than likely, there will be plenty of parades in his honor, down city streets donning his name. There is no question that those same streets will be littered with the blood of kids that wanted to look just like him – down to the Emperor’s new clothes – even if it killed them. And, the most befitting question King James will ever have to ask himself is:

“Money”, was it the shoes?

1 Love,

Ray Lewis

GOD HELP US

                Rick Ross God Forgives I Don’t Maybach Music Group Release July 2012

"When I don’t like a piece of music, I make a point to listen more closely."

                                                                                                 -- Florent Schmitt

I’ll start with a side bar:

I remember the days when kids (including myself) were afraid to do something that our parents’ would find out.  The motto of that day was simply, don’t embarrass your folks – kinda see where this is going?

When I was a kid, I used to throw rocks over a backyard wall.  If you ever lived in the Bronx you would understand that throwing rocks was like our version of the “Special” Olympics.  Naturally, I got caught and trust me, my head was way too big to be wrongly identified. I just prayed no one would tell my Uncle Eric.  Of course they did and that was the begining of the “closing ceremony”. 

Rick Ross, I sure wish you would've had a chance to meet my uncle.

Now let's get to the LP. Let’s say you were forced to (literally) choose between two teams of music artists.  



A "Tribe" birthed from the same struggle will never be divided

 

Team A: The Advancement of the Cultural

Team B: The Detriment of it




When commerce trumps The Game its the culture that suffers

 

I honestly believe even biggest Boss fan would have a hard time believing that Ross’ lyrics are nothing short of a reality series gone wild – thus making him a staple on Side B (no pun intended). However, if the cultural conversation involves bubbly, Benz’, and Bitches (with no parental advisory) well it’s hard to argue that anyone in the rap biz today goes “harder” than Rick Rosiey.  Here’s hoping he knows the difference between a compliment and an occupational hazard fact. Personally, I have reached the conclusion that without cars, crimes, & clubs, Rick Ross would be a really hairy mannequin.

If you are a fan of lyrical emcees you’ve probably stopped reading, but if you are a fan of equality and balance thanks for staying tuned.  I love music (Duh!!) and before I dismissed anyone for any reason I wanted to first LISTEN to the artist, then make a clear and accurate determination. 

This album was NO WHERE NEAR as horrible as I thought it would be.  It’s important to note that my expectations were slightly lower than the London odds on your grandmother winning the Gold in the Summer Olympics. But, the LP isn’t the worst I have ever heard.  And as long as Waka Flocka Flame continues to record, Rick Ross can rest well.

That fact, notwithstanding I would NOT have accepted a free or burned copy at gunpoint. I did however, do some extensive research and listened to the entire CD to (either) confirm or challenge my initial apprehension (something I have been praying that pro-Barack supporters would do).  As I digress.

Let me start with what I liked:  The music on this CD is really very good.  The production and some of the beats are simply marvelous.  In fact, I would purchase an instrumental version of the entire CD – ok so “purchase” is strong, but the gunplay wouldn’t be necessary if I did.

Andre 3 Stacks and counting...

“Sixteen” featuring Hollywood’s newest “Outkast” Andre 3000

This single is simply BANANAS!!!!!! The concept of needing more than 16 bars to tell a story is not going to challenge anyone’s cognitive dissonance, but this single would’ve have rode comfortably on ANY of the Outkast classics. A-3 stacks took a break from filming the Jimmy Hendrix bio pic to write the song, sing the hook and punctuate the strings. Andre is on another level – and cemented on the A Team. What frustrates me about Rick is, if this song is any indication of his lyrical skills then he is willing participating on Team B (the destruction of the culture).   And that really pisses me off!  I mean, at least we all know that anyone that is willing to answer to the name Waka Flocka Flame has already given up on the culture; on any semblance of relevance; he has given up on S.A.T. scores, and books with no crayons. In fact, I may have to create a whole new team for people like him.  Big Boss Ross has significantly more potential (I think).  Personally, I liked Ross better as a correction officer, even if his ex wife – the 50 Cent puppet – didn’t.

“Diced Pineapples” f. Wale & Drake

This is another example of putting $300k drapes on a project window, with the July Christmas lights on.  The music is cool, but trying to make sense of the lyrics is the equivalent of waiting for one of the VH-1 “Single Ladies” to sustain a meaningful relationship.   The song was inspired by a Ross doctor visit and the result was the suggestion of eating more fruit.  Draw your own conclusions.

"I Love My Bitches"

This is why kids throw rocks.  I truly believe this song is the missing plot to Hip Hop Wives of Atlanta – and clearly the absence of hands-on parents.  Again the music is cool, but the very loosely-termed lyrics are reprehensible.  Ross’ “self examination” conundrum on whether or not (and I quote) “he is a narcissist/because he wakes up to a bowl of lobster bitch” just makes choosing cultural teams that much easier. 

"3 Kings" featuring Dr. Dre & Jay-Z

 Let’s start with changing the title.  How about Two Men and a Baby.  I hope ‘Dre invested wisely.  He was never one to dazzle you with his rap rep, besides that fact it sounds like Ross wrote his line anyway – neither of which matters -- or helps.   Once again the music is good and Jay’s verse confirms two things:

a)     No matter what you think of Hov, he is clearly not wack (yet).

b)     Blue Ivy passed the blood test.

If you like Rick Ross, you will love this CD and there is clearly something to be said for giving people exactly what they want – even if what they want is a left hook.  The Miami clubs will be blazin' to this for the rest of the summer even if Sasha and Malia won't.   

I sincerely hope the first half of the album title is correct; if not waiting on line for this CD would be sillier than a first date at a San Francisco Chick-fil-A.

I’m here to tell you God forgives and so did my uncle.

1 love,

Ray Lewis

LIFE IS OKAY

                                         Nas - Life Is Good - Def Jam Records – July 2012


"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."
- Robert Heinlein

Whew! It’s hard to tell whether the title of Nas’ 10^th studio LP needs a question mark after the title or it’s simply a glass half full approach to the shit life hands you. The undisputed passionate, pragmatic poet from Queensbridge (who is typically immune to romantic matters of the heart) seems to be stuffing a world of introspection in the obvious void left by ex-wife Kelis.

Kelis' Inspiration

Esco’s penmanship rarely gets more personal than the throwback, Guy sample on “Bye Baby” which summarizes his marriage from courtship to courthouse. The nostalgic Guy sample (“Goodbye Love”) is creative and [lyrically] timely, but clearly NOT one of those jeep-jumpin’joints that has been a staple in the Nas catalog since the days of Illmatic and It’s Written.  In fact, this track flows like a heart-broken teenaged chick trapped in a room with a bowl of Häagen-Dazs and a zip locked dairy. That fact notwithstanding, Nas is still the same witty, wisecracking, jab-thrower that has made his work a signature on every emcee’s top 10 wish list. I sure hope Kelis has a sense of humor.

The Anthem to Marriage

SIDEBAR  -  If women REALLY knew the power they “sit” on they would truly understand that running this country from the would-be named Ovarian Office would be easier than a Wal-Mart greeter.

Never Personal

Now don’t for one second get it twisted; those thinking that Nas has remotely fell off; need to look no further than the spit-fire, storytelling track “You Wouldn’t Understand”. On this single you should understand, that rumors of his Nas’ rap demise have been vastly overstated. The Victoria Monet hook really doesn’t do any justice to the crime-riding riddles of the New York City streets. In fact the hook softens the story and invites a radio-rotation to the never-ending dichotomies of rap.

The Look of Love

The latter mentioned radio rotation is certainly amplified by the Rick Ross guest appearance on “Accidental Murders” which is an ode to fake gangsters (which is really ironic considering the guest star). If Nas is a true legend of the game, big boss Ross is the balance needed to keep the clubs hoppin’. Personally, I’d rather see the clubs elevated versus lowering the bar of legends. But, what do I know – I think a country with human rights SHOULDN’T need civil ones.

“Cherry Wine” features the late Amy Winehouse and just makes you wonder if “life is really so good” why must the gifted die so young. This is one of those rare rap examples where I believe the hook is actually better than the [spoken] verse. I sure hope he and Kelis mend their woes, as any rap legend wouldn’t want to make this a common occurrence.

“Back When” is the emcee’s thirst quencher and personally, I was anticipating much more of this. “Back When” is a classic, storytelling, window blaster, underscored with a MC Shane/Ronnie Gee sample, punctuated for those just landing from outer space looking for some historical Hip Hop context.



One of life's best medicines

This clearly isn’t my favorite Nas CD by any means, but if you are looking for a radio balance, then Life is okay and that’s Good.

1 Love,

Ray Lewis

LIFE, LIBERTY & FACEBOOK FOR ALL

In America the majority raises formidable barriers around the liberty of opinion; within these barriers an author may write what he pleases, but woe to him if he goes beyond them.

Alexis de Tocqueville

May 18^th - the No. 1 online social network raised as much as $18.4 billion in one of the biggest (IPOs) initial public offerings in U.S. history.

May 19^th - the birthday of the No. 1 social activist, who was slain for making his thoughts about racial equality in America public.  

Facebook Chief Executive, Mark Zuckerberg is a celebrated, heralded and modern-day innovator who is credited for bringing the world closer together, while standing behind a computerized podium.

Civil Rights activist, Malcolm X, was labeled a separatist (amongst many other, less kind adjectives) and was subsequently murdered while standing on an actual podium. Malcolm’s grave was being dug while he was trying to establish a peaceful social network for all – contrarians had other ideas.  Obviously.

On the surface, both gentlemen couldn’t have been more different than..., (oh) black and white. However, their one commonality was their zest for communication by (well) any means necessary. Mark and Malcolm shared one other subtle similarity…, the government’s role in how their galvanization would be received by their target.  Target being the operative word. 


Zuckerberg’s platform freely allows people to compile, share and disseminate unlimited personal information of the most personal and inner most thoughts to a group of people, while dressed in flip-flops and PJs. At any moment, at any given time, you can find out whether your friend chipped a nail or their very last words before the final nail sealed their coffin. In any instant, you can follow friends [or even a foes’] journey through life without ever uttering a single word aloud or ever leaving the confines of your home (in some cases, cell). The irony in Facebook being called a “social network” is almost too knee-slapping funny to uncover here. Besides, I have a feeling any revelation to the contrary of a “social” network would be greeted by a chorus of boos by the most vigorous en-users. You could almost make a case that Facebook has become the 21th Century version of the Emperor’s New Clothes.

I’ve always thought the #1 rule in socializing was actually being in a space of two or more people enhancing all five of your senses (6 if you are a mom). It is really hard for me to remotely think that I’m really being social if I cannot see your facial expression, interpret your eye-contact, or study an accent and presume one's birth origin. In one's actual space you can absorb one’s perfume (or cologne), examine one’s hair style, or inspect the color scheme in an otherwise unspoken environment.  You cannot take for granted the involuntary thoughts you have when you witness the body motion or the posture of a stranger (assuming you didn’t grow up with George Zimmerman). What about a person’s accessories or how a crowd responds to an entrance in a room? I just love to watch a person’s head nod or ears raise to an unfamiliar song.


It seems as though we willingly traded in all of these interpersonal skills and gestures, and left the “hand-shaking” to dummy terminals. And, why wouldn’t we? After all, Facebook has allowed family members to stay in touch and share family portraits that would (otherwise) be buried on a shelf next to Christmas cards, phone books and encyclopedias. Now with a point and a click you can share unlimited files of personal places, things and ideas with someone you spent your entire life avoiding – even if NOW they actually believe you are all of a sudden “staying in touch.” Heck, you can even send a birthday card to a person you haven't seen or spoken to in 20 years, while not knowing their address. Brilliant, huh?

Well, while your newfound friends, family & foes are dancing with their newly and reacquainted stars, Facebook and the government are just tickled that 99.9% of its users never bother to read the agreement. It’s that type of apathy that allows the USA to still be considered a democracy. Come on, you knew they'd be at least one political digression.

Many users MAY be aware that all the information posted on Facebook is the property rights of Facebook. Perhaps they know and just don’t care. Perhaps. Who knows, maybe that aspiring artist understands that if they shared a not-yet-released single with a group of social networked friends via Facebook that FB now has just as many rights to the song as the artist – even if the artist later deleted their page. Ditto, for all pictures, comments or any other information that travels from one “dummy” to the next. You may close out a FB account, but rest assured FB won’t, in fact quite the contrary is true.

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

DID YOU KNOW

Facebook has assembled a formula that will calculate the value of each and every user? The key word is “VALUE”. Yep, every user has a price, which is based (among other things) on: the number of pictures you post, the number of comments you send, your occupation/industry, your age, sex, home value, income, marital status, voting alliance/political affiliation, vehicle ownership, religion, spending habits and of course the people you call friends. Care to guess who would have the most interest in such a concise & updated database full of their citizens?



Here’s a clue, it’s the same assembly of people that would prefer you delete May 19^th from your terminal.

Consider February 21, 1965 a friendly reminder. 

click on link for bonus beats:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWFrpUm3tTk

1 love,

Ray Lewis