rama
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Post by rama on Apr 10, 2011 13:50:41 GMT -5
Great posts today!!!
Q3, I'm sending out positive energy to the universe for your dream concert to become a reality. It seems like good marketing to me!
NoAngel, you put into words the qualities in Adam that make me still here after 2 years. I have never been so invested in a singer before. He is more than an amazing singer. He is a positive role model and more!
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Post by LindaG23 on Apr 10, 2011 13:54:44 GMT -5
First of all, NoAngel when I read your essay this morning I actually felt a guiet Amen because I agreed with everything that you said. You are beautiful and your thoughts are powerful. The morning progressed, other valid views were presented and as usual reading Atop has lead me down a thoughtful and contemplative path where old premises are challenged and new concepts are forged. Then came your powerful essay MWP which I did not take as opposition to NoAngel's but a counterpoint, a different approach, to the need to speak out and act against injustice. Out of all the thoughts presented, here is the concept I wish to speak to. We have a powerful myth in America: the myth of the individual and his self-determination, of equality of opportunity--that if each of us just tries our hardest we can be anything we want to be and do anything we want to do. The word progress by definition is a continuum. At any time in history, one can pick a social value or political injustice and ask has progress been made toward an improved condition? Sometimes the steps are small and in the pressing concerns of the present seem unacceptable but positive movement is being made. However, we need incentive to move forward and create a better world and often these incentives are our myths and as myths go, more progress has been realized because of the existence of "American Dream" than can be measured. It tells us that we are the architects of our lives and our future regardless of the starting point of the process. Life is not a level playing field and there will always be, despite how much we wish it otherwise, those who have a harder path. Chance alone creates obstacles which seem insurmountable at times, to say nothing of natural disasters. Certainly, as you stated MWP, "underprivileged groups aren't really playing at anything, they ARE victims, they are victimized by history and by the rest of our culture, and they don't need to do anything special to earn that distinction. There is simply no hiding from the fact that ... this is an unequal country." But it is also equally true that there are many opportunities in this country for positive results along the continuum of progress and often those results are achieved when we try our hardest to be what we want to be. If you hold the standard to be history then it is clear that enormous strides have been and will continue to be made as long as our goal are clear. Both of you have pointed out two paths to achieve a better world, through example (Adam) and through action (Jacob). I just wanted to point out that the focus is an improving world and not Utopia. I consider myself an optimistic, constructive realist. Phew, long ass post. I think I need a nap. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2011 13:55:55 GMT -5
Q3, I love the way you think....  NoAngel.. Spot on! When I think of Adam, the first word that always come to mind is 'grace'. Thank you both for making my Sunday morning reading something I look forward to every week!  ETA: I see lynneville likes the way you think too, Q3! Cannot ever have enough big dreamers ;D Catzmadam, sending you love and light  Gelly, Gelly, Gelly....where do you store all those photos and other goodies we see daily?? Oh, dayum, I look forward to your posts. OT away!!  {{slinks back to thread..only starting}}
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Post by SusieFierce on Apr 10, 2011 13:56:48 GMT -5
We all love Adam's relentless positive attitude. Sometimes we are guilty of thinking, "He is BLESSED with a positive attitude." Or, "He is blessed with a supportive family." Or, "He is so lucky to be in his position, and see all his dreams come true." Or, "He is blessed with a natural talent." In reality, Adam has always had battles to fight, as we all do. He has always worked tirelessly for the opportunities he has made for himself. He meets just as many asshats every day as all the rest of us. He gets sick, he gets tired, he beats his head against walls, he gets his heart broken, he gets disrespected and maligned unfairly, just like everyone else. He CHOOSES to maintain a positive attitude of gratitude. He CHOOSES to find the positive in people and circumstances. He CHOOSES to speak words of encouragement and appreciation. He CHOOSES to be non-judgmental of other performers and to find joy in their work. He CHOOSES to be collaborative instead of egocentric. He CHOOSES to look forward with excitement, not backwards with regret. He CHOOSES to learn from experience and incorporate it into his art. We sell him short if we don't recognize that Adam is who he is due to his will and his choices, not due to his circumstances and luck. This is one of the many ways following Adam has impacted my life. After reading and watching just about everything Adam that exists out there in the public domain, okay, in some cases multiple times, LOL, he lives these choices so remarkably well. He walks the walk, and he reminds me to walk it with him, and he shows me that, for the most part, doing that pays off and makes his own life better. His countenance and energy nearly always reflect light rather than darkness; people who meet him and who work with him actually feel inspired to make remarks about how much they like Adam the person, and fans who see what he is about really love him, enough to contribute to his charities, buy what they didn't know they wanted, and even buy what they definitely know they don't want, thinking of some tour merch here, LOL, and who will stick with him for the long run.And like you said, the reason his choice to act the way he does is so inspiring is because it hasn't been easy. That has been obvious even in the time I have been following him. That being said, without taking anything away from Adam, having the will to choose to be positive itself is more of a struggle for some people than for others. I have seen this in the lives of my family members. I do not know Jacob or his circumstances and/or how hard this might be for him personally. I know he faces prejudices that are full of hate, and that shows like AI make him more of a target for them, and so I hope he keeps Adam's force field up during his AI experience and beyond. I have nothing against Jacob, or earlier Pia; they both, by contrast, just highlight some of the things that make Adam so remarkable to me. This scratches a little of the surface, I think, about one of the uncanny things about Adam is that the whole package elicits such devotion. I mean, we've all said a hundred times how much we've loved and respected other artists during our lifetimes, but have never become so completely enamored with everything about them. We might follow them closely, see all their movies on opening day or buy all their music as soon as it's released, but to actually discuss them endlessly and follow their every move seems to be a first for the vast majority of us. Bottom line, all these components ARE fascinating and it's a incredible, fun-filled ride. Going back to the point about Jacob ... ITA MWP with your insights, definitely. And IF he had put forth one incredible performance after another, I could understand his feelings, especially in the light of some very mean feedback he has apparently been getting. But he didn't. Same with Naima, who was my favorite at one point, but I have to admit, she struggled vocally with her performances. Jacob was one of my early sentimental favorites as well, but his OTT, at times, not great performances were what put me off. Either way, it's an interesting discussion. Oops!! Got to get going; off to see the Fallbrook production of "Jesus Christ Superstar," with the Adamesque Judas.  |
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Post by rabbitrabbit on Apr 10, 2011 14:01:46 GMT -5
The impression I got from his comments was that he was talking about one specific thing: American's voting patterns this season with respect to race. Jacob just wants to be held to the same standard as everyone else--he shouldn't have to be adam-tastic if nobody else is.) One other comment about Jacob, and then I'll shut up: you're right that what Adam did took wonderful courage, but I think what Jacob did takes a whole lotta courage as well. To speak out, for everyone to hear, against a perceived in justice is sometimes even hard than acting out against it, because you know what the response will be: defensiveness. A few people have used the phrase "playing the victim," and I totally understand what you're saying with that, and I don't mean to call anyone out. There are many instances, such as the one Cassie described in her educational experience, where this "victimhood" really does seem self-damning and counterproductive. But I'm very wary of that phrase as it's applied to minorities (and the poor) in this country. IMO these underprivileged groups aren't really playing at anything, they ARE victims, they are victimized by history and by the rest of our culture, and they don't need to do anything special to earn that distinction. There is simply no hiding from the fact that, as you, NoAngel, of course readily agree, this is an unequal country. We have a powerful myth in America: the myth of the individual and his self-determination, of equality of opportunity--that if each of us just tries our hardest we can be anything we want to be and do anything we want to do. But as Adam's experiences in Hollywood in the decade leading up to his radical decision to go on Idol prove, the playing field is not level, no matter the talent involved. Adam took big steps, and when they didn't work out for him he said fuck-it, and took an even greater leap. Good for him. Great for us. But I'll be looking in Jacob's mirror until those giant leaps are no longer necessities for some. And I'm actually totally impressed with Jacob for calling us on it, and on the striking, and not in a good way, voting record on Idol this year. (One thing to note: if, as may well be, contestants have thus far been voted off in exactly the correct order according to their abilities, and they just happen to have been all the minorities on that stage, then the onus falls on the judges: I simply cannot believe that they were incapable of finding minority contestants who were better than that.) thanks midwivespal! I was reading NoAngel's and Cassie's thoughtful and eloquent commentary, and while I totally agreed that Adam's choices empowered him personally and helped him with the viewers, I was feeling a bit uneasy about the criticism of Jacob's statement, but didn't feel really like diving into it because I wasn't watching idol and hadn't seen it in context. But you've done a great job of laying out the issues and pointing out unconscious priviledges. Not referring to anyone here, but just general patterns of discussion, a common dismissal of someone (Jacob) who brings up the topic of racism is to find fault with their tone and timing. It's always uncomfortable to talk about. How and when someone talks about it in no way negates the reality of what they are experiencing and seeing. In the same vein, I've often seen it expressed that idol will never again have a female winner because of the voting patterns. (Didn't Lindsey talk about this recently?) With a viewership that if I understand correctly is increasingly tween girls and 40+ women, there seems to be a pattern of voting for the safest, cutest, most middle-American guy. Many have argued that a female contestant has to be head and shoulders in ability over the male contestents to even get noticed. This, combined with the fact that judges commentary is often counter-productive, confusing, or not adequate to coaching the contestents to better performances is why I have always felt uncomfortable (even rewatching Adam's performances) and have chosen not to watch the show. I'd characterize idol as a reality show, not a talent competition -- the show has no monetary need to produce successful idols, correct? It makes it money off ad revenue. Some contestents are able to make the format work for them, others, regardless of their talent or ability to be marketable in the real world, have a harder time. As someone who got started on her own artistic career entering and winning juried blind competitions where my name, race, age, appearance, even gender was usually not known to the professional jurors, shows like idol kind of kill me inside, although I completely recognize that being a professional entertainer your visual persona and ability to connect with an audience are as important as your voice and creativity. I guess what I'm saying is anyone calling out idol and the idol voting audience on it's biases is only telling it like it is. |
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Post by Q3 on Apr 10, 2011 14:02:16 GMT -5
I just launched the Adamtopia Blog -- link at top of the page.
I christened it with NoAngel's amazing article from today. "Looking at the Man in the Mirror".
I will move over the rest of the best of ATop and old PF articles this week.
Just one really odd coincidence. I picked 1988 for today's Twitter countdown -- and featured the 32 #1 songs from 1988 including "Man in the Mirror". Can anyone tell me how that happened????? Cause it is just a bit freaky!! And NoAngel and I do not coordinate!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2011 14:06:15 GMT -5
I just launched the Adamtopia Blog -- link at top of the page. I christened it with NoAngel's amazing article from today. "Looking at the Man in the Mirror". I will move over the rest of the best of ATop and old PF articles this week. Just one really odd coincidence. I picked 1988 for today's Twitter countdown -- and featured the 32 #1 songs from 1988 including "Man in the Mirror". Can anyone tell me how that happened????? Cause it is just a bit freaky!! And NoAngel and I do not coordinate! |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2011 14:07:17 GMT -5
mycharitywater final amount is 323000 USD (16150 people served).  |
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Post by cookie on Apr 10, 2011 14:09:42 GMT -5
mycharitywater final amount is 323000 USD (16150 people served). VIVLITE- I haven't been here at the same time with you since the avi finally went up. You look gorgeous! |
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Post by littledarkangelpf on Apr 10, 2011 14:11:30 GMT -5
I just launched the Adamtopia Blog -- link at top of the page. I christened it with NoAngel's amazing article from today. "Looking at the Man in the Mirror". I will move over the rest of the best of ATop and old PF articles this week. Just one really odd coincidence. I picked 1988 for today's Twitter countdown -- and featured the 32 #1 songs from 1988 including "Man in the Mirror". Can anyone tell me how that happened????? Cause it is just a bit freaky!! And NoAngel and I do not coordinate! ^^This |
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