I think the term ...Political....
On the Bho..
Has about as many meanings here...
As...it has ...Members...
Course we could ..debate that..... .
Or...would that be a political topic..? :0/
quote:
Originally posted by prooftheoryquote:
Originally posted by From Greylock to Bean BlossomKE, I don't know what other meaningful current discourse could be had on slavery.
There are lots of other things related to slavery that could be discussed such as whether it is appropriate to have the Confederate battle flag painted on your banjo head and whether that indicates a support for slavery.
Yup. One is going on right now. But it's banjo oriented. And civil. And while the topic accepts the fact that slavery existed, has neither denigrated either side of the issue.
And since I know some black guys who are members here, I really hope they will throw their thoughts into the topic.
But for sure, any discussion of the confederate flag's appropriateness as an ornament would get the padlock real fast, while a discussion of some great-great-great Grandpa's banjo that was played in the Civil War would be allowed.
It's just something we all deal with. We all love an instrument that is very controversial in many different ways, and it seems the banjo will always be controversial. It's the American way of things.
regards,
stanger
After further thought, it seems Stanger's right. Unless you have an abidingly strong interest in the banjo, there are probably more appropriate places for interacting socially. I appreciate the friendships (and recipes) over the years, but my heart's not into banjo anymore.
quote:
Originally posted by KEAfter further thought, it seems Stanger's right. Unless you have an abidingly strong interest in the banjo, there are probably more appropriate places for interacting socially. I appreciate the friendships (and recipes) over the years, but my heart's not into banjo anymore.
I don't know what bearing that should have on any friendships you've made here. This is pretty much the most I've ever seen the banjo even mentioned in the off topic forum.
quote:
Originally posted by KEAfter further thought, it seems Stanger's right. Unless you have an abidingly strong interest in the banjo, there are probably more appropriate places for interacting socially. I appreciate the friendships (and recipes) over the years, but my heart's not into banjo anymore.
I'm shared your lack of interest in the banjo until very recently. I've gone through a long spell of difficulties of different kinds, and they robbed me of all inspiration to play my banjo as a way of escape and relief from them, so I quit contributing to this forum like I once did.
But I still missed reading about my friends here, so I've always checked out BHO once in a while, just to stay in touch with the people.
And over the past year or so, my interest in playing slowly began to recover. I just spent a very long day yesterday, playing the banjo with a friend, swapping back and forth, gossiping, and complaining about how much I've forgotten. It was a great way to spend my time!
And I've gone through these spells of indifference before, many times. But the fires of my love for the banjo only damped down, then and now, and I've always become more active again in the end. I bemoan my losses when it happens, but when I return to playing, those losses always inspire me to get back what I lost. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, but the mental therapy playing my banjo gives me is still the same either way.
regards,
stanger
I’ve enjoyed catching up on this discussion. Special hat tip to @stanger for so eloquently nailing exactly how I feel about the banjo. One example:
“We all love an instrument that is very controversial in many different ways, and it seems the banjo will always be controversial. It's the American way of things.”
So true, but in defense of the banjo’s controversy, I don’t think historical facts really ever need to be controversial. History just is. Everywhere around the world, history is usually a rollercoaster ride of sadness and joy. We have the banjo today because several black men or women loved that plucked twang sound so much that they recreated it while living in the dirt of their slave plantations. White musicians also loved that same sound, so they started playing it too without originally giving proper credit for the idea behind it. But now in 2018 I see that credit being given, and that’s cool as hell.
Every time any one of you casually explain to a non-banjo civilian that its origins are black, while also educating them on the brilliance of Earl Scruggs or the Grammy awards won by Bela Fleck, you’re coloring in the amazing history of this instrument to people who really had no idea. Society likes to mock Appalachian culture by citing the banjo, which is ignorant. In centuries past, society liked to mock black culture by citing the banjo, which was also ignorant. It was ignorant because the banjo is beautiful. History is truth and the truth shall set you free, non-banjoists of the world.
History is not simply facts. It changes with new discoveries and is re-imagined from time to time. An example might be the claim that Columbus discovered America, which for quite some time was taught as fact to all schoolchildren, even though further evidence indicates an earklier arrival by certain Vikings. I might point out, too, that explaining that the banjo's origins are black is also a relatively recent historical development.
I'm not faulting the fact that there are certainly some historical facts that have been thoroughly proven, and I am always glad when some of those facts finally enter the too-numerous thick skulls of society, but have to point out that much of history is fluid and can be a bit like "flavor-of-the-month." Napoleon called history "...a set of lies agreed upon." Voltaire called it "...a pack of tricks we play on the dead," and Henry Ford claimed "History is bunk." I'll also point out Heywood Broun's thoughts about the past: "Posterity is as likely to be wrong as anybody else."
The “facts” of history are always subject to change as research uncovers new sources and new information. Further, even when facts are agreed on, the hows and whys of how those facts develop are constantly subject to argument and interpretation. An easy example. Fact: Napoleon lost the Battle of Waterloo. But—why he lost it is an ongoing discussion, and will continue to be. That’s just the nature of history.
Wow, a thread about what it’s not supposed to be about, imagine that. Lol
quote:
Originally posted by stangerquote:
Originally posted by KEAfter further thought, it seems Stanger's right. Unless you have an abidingly strong interest in the banjo, there are probably more appropriate places for interacting socially. I appreciate the friendships (and recipes) over the years, but my heart's not into banjo anymore.
I'm shared your lack of interest in the banjo until very recently. I've gone through a long spell of difficulties of different kinds, and they robbed me of all inspiration to play my banjo as a way of escape and relief from them, so I quit contributing to this forum like I once did.
But I still missed reading about my friends here, so I've always checked out BHO once in a while, just to stay in touch with the people.
And over the past year or so, my interest in playing slowly began to recover. I just spent a very long day yesterday, playing the banjo with a friend, swapping back and forth, gossiping, and complaining about how much I've forgotten. It was a great way to spend my time!
And I've gone through these spells of indifference before, many times. But the fires of my love for the banjo only damped down, then and now, and I've always become more active again in the end. I bemoan my losses when it happens, but when I return to playing, those losses always inspire me to get back what I lost. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, but the mental therapy playing my banjo gives me is still the same either way.
regards,
stanger
Good to see ya Mike..chemo brain took my memory of what little pickin knowledge I had. Can’t seem to even take her out of the case anymore. Maybe some day I’ll find some inspiration. - Karyn
quote:
Originally posted by KEAfter further thought, it seems Stanger's right. Unless you have an abidingly strong interest in the banjo, there are probably more appropriate places for interacting socially. I appreciate the friendships (and recipes) over the years, but my heart's not into banjo anymore.
I thought it was just me. Good to see ya!
quote:
Originally posted by HoosierGalquote:
Originally posted by stangerquote:
Originally posted by KEAfter further thought, it seems Stanger's right. Unless you have an abidingly strong interest in the banjo, there are probably more appropriate places for interacting socially. I appreciate the friendships (and recipes) over the years, but my heart's not into banjo anymore.
I'm shared your lack of interest in the banjo until very recently. I've gone through a long spell of difficulties of different kinds, and they robbed me of all inspiration to play my banjo as a way of escape and relief from them, so I quit contributing to this forum like I once did.
But I still missed reading about my friends here, so I've always checked out BHO once in a while, just to stay in touch with the people.
And over the past year or so, my interest in playing slowly began to recover. I just spent a very long day yesterday, playing the banjo with a friend, swapping back and forth, gossiping, and complaining about how much I've forgotten. It was a great way to spend my time!
And I've gone through these spells of indifference before, many times. But the fires of my love for the banjo only damped down, then and now, and I've always become more active again in the end. I bemoan my losses when it happens, but when I return to playing, those losses always inspire me to get back what I lost. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, but the mental therapy playing my banjo gives me is still the same either way.
regards,
stanger
Good to see ya Mike..chemo brain took my memory of what little pickin knowledge I had. Can’t seem to even take her out of the case anymore. Maybe some day I’ll find some inspiration. - Karyn
You, too, Hoosier.
Your lack of interest in the banjo was only natural, I think, considering your need for chemo. That's always a big fight and more important that playing the banjo.
Playing can be therapeutic, but not if it's really frustrating when the meds kick in.
regards,
stanger
quote:
Originally posted by stangerquote:
Originally posted by KESlavery is surely no more inherently political in today's world than celebrating Independence Day. Sure, both were political issues at one time. We literally fought wars to settle both those issues, roughly 150 and 250 years ago, respectively.
If slavery is a divisive issue, I would like to see someone on the 'pro' side step forward.I don't know if this is a pro se response or not. I'm just a member who's been here for a very long time.
The thing is: This is a banjo specific website. Period. Anything we discuss here has to have a connection to the banjo.
If the topic of of a post has to do with slaves playing banjos, it's allowed. But if the topic is slavery, with no banjo mentions at all in it, it's not allowed.
When I first joined BHO many moons ago, Eric allowed political/religious discussion, but the topics always ended up in flame wars, so he put a strict ban on both, and some others as well, like name calling.
Even that didn't work, because there was a huge fight on here that went on for a couple of years over import vs. domestic made banjos that wove in and out of politics.
But eventually, that fight burned itself out after a bunch of members were banned. Some returned, some not, and some were never banned because they dropped out of the fight. Af ew former members started up their own banjo sites, imitating this one, and allowed politics, but they all burned out in the end too.
The point if this is simple. This website is only about banjos.
It's very easy to find another website if a person wants to argue about politics or the hot social topics of the hour.
This is the place where we are all brothers and sisters of the banjo, where our common love for the instrument can be shared and celebrated. A good respite from heated times.
Take it for what it is, and have a good time while you're here. We argue, but our arguments are never over things that will cause any great hard feelings among us. I like it like that. The Hangout didn't get as big as it is because it is the place it is.
regards,
stanger
Well said!
I have noticed that any discussion of banned inlay materials and endangered wood used for banjos can often come dangerously close to political discussions.
quote:
Originally posted by HoosierGalquote:
Originally posted by stangerquote:
Originally posted by KEAfter further thought, it seems Stanger's right. Unless you have an abidingly strong interest in the banjo, there are probably more appropriate places for interacting socially. I appreciate the friendships (and recipes) over the years, but my heart's not into banjo anymore.
I'm shared your lack of interest in the banjo until very recently. I've gone through a long spell of difficulties of different kinds, and they robbed me of all inspiration to play my banjo as a way of escape and relief from them, so I quit contributing to this forum like I once did.
But I still missed reading about my friends here, so I've always checked out BHO once in a while, just to stay in touch with the people.
And over the past year or so, my interest in playing slowly began to recover. I just spent a very long day yesterday, playing the banjo with a friend, swapping back and forth, gossiping, and complaining about how much I've forgotten. It was a great way to spend my time!
And I've gone through these spells of indifference before, many times. But the fires of my love for the banjo only damped down, then and now, and I've always become more active again in the end. I bemoan my losses when it happens, but when I return to playing, those losses always inspire me to get back what I lost. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, but the mental therapy playing my banjo gives me is still the same either way.
regards,
stanger
Good to see ya Mike..chemo brain took my memory of what little pickin knowledge I had. Can’t seem to even take her out of the case anymore. Maybe some day I’ll find some inspiration. - Karyn
And you. too K!
regrds,
stanger
Long ago, when I was new here (and one of the reasons I rarely post here) is that what you can or can't say around here depends more on who you are than what you say.
I had replied to a long time poster who was upset about Don Imus being fired for something he said on the air. The poster was wailing about censorship and the death of free speech.
I replied that the Imus situation was not a matter of free speech, that as an employee of CBS (iirc), they could fire him for anything he said or did if they so chose.
My post was promptly removed my a mod. When I asked why, he replied "You said 'free speech', that makes it political" Even after I pointed out that what I actually said was "not a matter of free speech" and thus NOT political, and that the original poster said lots of political stuff in her post, her post remained up.
So, yeah, we're all created equal, but some of us are more equal than others.
quote:
Originally posted by G Edward PorgieHistory is not simply facts. It changes with new discoveries and is re-imagined from time to time. An example might be the claim that Columbus discovered America, which for quite some time was taught as fact to all schoolchildren, even though further evidence indicates an earklier arrival by certain Vikings. I might point out, too, that explaining that the banjo's origins are black is also a relatively recent historical development.
I'm not faulting the fact that there are certainly some historical facts that have been thoroughly proven, and I am always glad when some of those facts finally enter the too-numerous thick skulls of society, but have to point out that much of history is fluid and can be a bit like "flavor-of-the-month." Napoleon called history "...a set of lies agreed upon." Voltaire called it "...a pack of tricks we play on the dead," and Henry Ford claimed "History is bunk." I'll also point out Heywood Broun's thoughts about the past: "Posterity is as likely to be wrong as anybody else."
He would know. He was an antisemitic who successfully rewrote history about dancing and violin playing. He also perpetuated the "simpler times" fallacy and promoted his version of "values" as historical and "traditional."
Yes, Ford was sometimes a real crud (I'd use stronger language if I could get away with it). But he's certainly not the only one who altered facts and attempted to force his own so-called "values" on others.
Like almost all things, even historical "facts" and certainly the people involved in both the past and present are never as cut-and-dried as people would like them to be. I think one human trait that's too often ignored is that Homo Sapiens is genetically guarenteed to have an agenda of some sort or another.
Ford was a Nazi.
Seems like a simple discussion to me.
Question-- would religious songs be permitted on the Hangout if played on the banjo? What about cartoons? I saw one with The Little Banjo Boy getting kicked out of the manger for example.
Gospel music posts have always been okay....As have Christmas songs. Cartoons would depend....not if they implied religious commentary. Discussion about the religious implications of the music would not be permitted.
Math blogs are pure, because numbers don't lie...
It's not just forum topics at the Hangout. EVERYTHING in life is becoming political, including purchasing and entertainment choices and one's personal decisions about health or food or any consumption. It is becoming inescapable, everywhere that you go. This awful trend is disrupting friendships, romances, and families. This is terrible and there are reasons for this, but we can't discuss that here because the issue is---------political.
I hid a post commenting (incorrectly, I might add) on moderators’ decisions. That’s a rule violation. If you have a problem with,, or question about, a mod’s decision—contact that moderator off list. You all don’t know the mods’ politics or religious beliefs Nor do we know each others.
I can't say that I agree with shutting down a topic before a violation of the rules exists. I think only the rule breaker should suffer the consequences of their actions.
Everyone turn in their drivers license because you might speed in the future.
Turn in your firearms because a criminal might misuse one.
...And my favorite... The employer who reprimands everyone instead of dealing with the real problem person.
Oh well.
Edited by - gottasmilealot on 02/19/2021 06:53:13
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