Update April 16: here's a column in Broadcasting & Cable by Paige Albiniak that makes the points I really wanted to make here without being incendiary. You should probably read it instead of what's below. Perhaps it is all in the title. Hers was "Tim Robbins' Beautiful, Impossible Media Dream". I went the direction I did because I like focusing on the possible...
Actor Tim Robbins who has starred in two of my favorite movies, Bull Durham and The Shawshank Redemption gave the keynote at today's NAB (National Association of Broadcaster's) confab and railed against the machine.
"We are at an abyss as an industry and as a country," Robbins said according to an article on Broadcasting and Cable's web site. From the article:
Ditching the chance to give his views in an exchange with TV critic David Bianculli, who appears on National Public Radio and in the pages of Broadcasting & Cable magazine, Robbins described that abyss using expletives that would not be allowed on free over-the-air radio or television by the Federal Communications Commission. These included the common vulgarity for copulation, known as the f-bomb, and, "Die, you Nazi c___suckers."
He also called on the industry to turn away from reporting on all the stuff that people really care about, like pictures of Britney and Paris with their skirts half way up their thighs when they step out of cars when they weren't wearing any underwear. Robbins says the focus reduces the variety of voices delivered on any given issue and distracts the public and that it takes no energy and requires little thought.
Grow up, Tim Robbins and DEAL WITH REALITY. I wrote about 40,000 words last summer on the topic of whether capitalism is self-destructive (anyone interested in a link can e-mail me). The correct conclusion is no, but people sometimes are. With all things in the system called planet earth, the blessing is usually the curse and it's no different with Capitalism. The advantage is, it plays to the strength of the human condition. The weakness is, it plays to the weakness of the human condition. That's the way it is, and in 13,000 years or so of recorded history, the way human nature works is that a system always arises that both plays to our strength and our weaknesses. Capitalism is among them. That will not be changed by cursing out the NAB.
It may suck that people are interested en masse about things which require no energy and little thought, but that doesn't change this: en masse people are interested in things which require no energy or little thought.
Of course rantings like Die, you Nazi c---suckers...also no energy and little thought. So Mr. Robbins, you freaking hypocrite who takes advantage of the capitalistic system of things, as well as the antics of Britney, when it Suits you...please say hello to Paris Hilton for me next time you run into her.
If Gorman and I were to play "Oddsmakers" a la PTI on this one, I'm sure we'd both agree the odds of Robbins being invited back to give an NAB keynote are ZERO.
So as not to *just* be a total excuse to post a (clothed, no private parts exposed) picture of Ms. Hilton, B&C is giving comprehensive coverage of the NAB show here.
“Idealistic” is way too kind.
The guy is an elitist self-important blow hard chucklehead.
“Idealistic” is way too kind.
The guy is an elitist self-important blow hard chucklehead.
I’m in a “kinder, gentler, less cynical” phase
I'm in a “kinder, gentler, less cynical” phase
I was there, I saw it happen. He was great. It was clear, once things began unfolding, that he did not expect to be interviewed by Bianculli. He had a speech prepared, and it had to be given.’
What is astonishing is that the NAB, under current Prez ___ Rehr, invited Tim to speak. What was he thinking?
I predict he is canned before the end of May.
I was there, I saw it happen. He was great. It was clear, once things began unfolding, that he did not expect to be interviewed by Bianculli. He had a speech prepared, and it had to be given.'
What is astonishing is that the NAB, under current Prez ___ Rehr, invited Tim to speak. What was he thinking?
I predict he is canned before the end of May.
I was there, I saw it happen. He was great. It was clear, once things began unfolding, that he did not expect to be interviewed by Bianculli. He had a speech prepared, and it had to be given.'
What is astonishing is that the NAB, under current Prez ___ Rehr, invited Tim to speak. What was he thinking?
I predict he is canned before the end of May.
What was very interesting was to watch the audience reaction. At first, there was just a smattering of applause. By the end of the speech, he got an enthusiastic standing ovation from nearly 1/2 of the crowd. The rest sat there is stunned silence.
Robert Seidman’s analysis missed the point. Tim’s speech was heavy on irony, and masterfully delivered.
What was very interesting was to watch the audience reaction. At first, there was just a smattering of applause. By the end of the speech, he got an enthusiastic standing ovation from nearly 1/2 of the crowd. The rest sat there is stunned silence.
Robert Seidman's analysis missed the point. Tim's speech was heavy on irony, and masterfully delivered.
What was very interesting was to watch the audience reaction. At first, there was just a smattering of applause. By the end of the speech, he got an enthusiastic standing ovation from nearly 1/2 of the crowd. The rest sat there is stunned silence.
Robert Seidman's analysis missed the point. Tim's speech was heavy on irony, and masterfully delivered.
Listen to it here: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/contents/media/Tim%20Robbins-NAB%20Keynote.mp3
Listen to it here: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/contents/media…
Listen to it here: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/contents/media…
“That’s the way it is, and in 13,000 years or so of recorded history, the way human nature works is that a system always arises that both plays to our strength and our weaknesses. Capitalism is among them.”
And another fiend with a simpleton’s understanding of Capitalism is heard from. Your inept tautology is breathtaking, truly. But among those who think as you do, you make a splendid cheerleader. You do your masters proud!
“That’s the way it is, and in 13,000 years or so of recorded history, the way human nature works is that a system always arises that both plays to our strength and our weaknesses. Capitalism is among them.”
And another fiend with a simpleton's understanding of Capitalism is heard from. Your inept tautology is breathtaking, truly. But among those who think as you do, you make a splendid cheerleader. You do your masters proud!
“That’s the way it is, and in 13,000 years or so of recorded history, the way human nature works is that a system always arises that both plays to our strength and our weaknesses. Capitalism is among them.”
And another fiend with a simpleton's understanding of Capitalism is heard from. Your inept tautology is breathtaking, truly. But among those who think as you do, you make a splendid cheerleader. You do your masters proud!
you’re a knucklehead NYCIC, Bill G is the MBA, I’m the college dropout. But give me ONE example of a utopian system that *didn’t* take advantage of human nature (or humans) that has ever exsited. I’m not asking for 2, 3, 5 or 10. Just give me one. One. Just one.
And no, the fictional Atlantis doesn’t count. Though it’s fun to think about.
you're a knucklehead NYCIC, Bill G is the MBA, I'm the college dropout. But give me ONE example of a utopian system that *didn't* take advantage of human nature (or humans) that has ever exsited. I'm not asking for 2, 3, 5 or 10. Just give me one. One. Just one.
And no, the fictional Atlantis doesn't count. Though it's fun to think about.
you're a knucklehead NYCIC, Bill G is the MBA, I'm the college dropout. But give me ONE example of a utopian system that *didn't* take advantage of human nature (or humans) that has ever exsited. I'm not asking for 2, 3, 5 or 10. Just give me one. One. Just one.
And no, the fictional Atlantis doesn't count. Though it's fun to think about.
I find it ironic in a discussion of free speech, diversity of view points and the destruction of society someone is afraid to use the word fuck or cocksucker. If we can’t say fuck, were all fucked if you know what I mean. Its not like he was saying it to be salicous, it was meant in irony. You demean rightfully political correctness and then implement it in your own writing and words. Perhaps you should listen to the actual speech which is now online at:
http://a330.g.akamai.net/7/330/2540/20080414194408/www.broadcastingcable.com/contents/media/Tim%20Robbins-NAB%20Keynote.mp3
and try to put your political bias in your pocket while you let the words sink in. He says some important things that need to be said. Oh and by the way he takes issue with the way people have been trained to diss the messenger rather than discuss the message, somewhat like your headline where you call Tim Robbins an “Idealistic Dope” I guess you really don’t have to look much farther than your own mirror to see where the problems lie and who is responsible for fixing them.