Jackson Free Press

About three months ago, my best friend called me with one of her fabulous ideas. These ideas come at least twice a year and previously involved both a foray into a foreign country and, just once, the purchase of a new cat. This cat would later attempt to kill me in a feline leukemia vaccination-induced fever as I skipped a college class rushing it to the vet. Let's just say that all of these fabulous ideas come with a price.

Fortunately, the latest idea didn't require medical care and came disguised as Motley Cruë tickets. The tickets arrived wrapped accompanied by a burned CD inscribed with the words "Listen. Learn. Appreciate. I love Nikki Sixx so much it hurts." She's funny like that.

For the past two weeks, every time I saw her she worriedly stated, "It's going to be loud." My response, "let's not speak of it," did nothing to quell her fears I would fail to love Motley Cruë so much it hurts. Despite all evidence to the contrary, I really don't like things that are loud. I'm a Billie Holiday girl at heart. I prefer slow, soothing background jazz to "in your face" guitar, 200-foot video screens and midgets in top hats. But I was willing to try.

I was also willing to try because as much as I love jazz now, there was more than one night in my life spent hanging out of a car window screaming "take a walk on the willlllld siiiiide." If you were born in the '70s, you know you've had one too. They also usually involved a few Milwaukee's Best and the accidental discharge of a weapon. But that's only if you're from the Delta.

The rest of her fabulous idea included a night on the town with four girlfriends, a limo, and so many teased bangs we would have burst into a flaming ball of 1980s hair and shame if someone standing within a hundred yards deigned to strike a match.

I arrived at the "Pre-Concert Hair Party" fully prepared to be a rock star for the evening. Although this may be shocking, I am not a rock star upon waking. It does take some preparation. Saturday night this preparation included huge earrings, black boots and a ripped "Flashdance"-style t-shirt.

We congregated at my friend's apartment, watching Motley Cruë videos and singing "Girls, Girls, Girls" until her boyfriend kicked us out. This led to us standing in a line for the concert, waiting to be frisked, while debating with the biker in front of us the best way to conceal a bottle of Crown Royal. I have one of those faces. Obviously, my face says, "Hey, I don't know you, but I'd like to discuss shoving large objects into my bodily orifices."

He went with the crotch. I gave him a thumbs-down for originality and pointed out that the security guards were wearing plastic gloves. This was not a good sign for any of us, especially our orifices.

Fortunately, my entrance into the concert was a success, and the plastic gloves proved an empty threat. We arrived at our floor seats and tried not to explode with anticipation.

After 30 minutes, the band was introduced. I pulled out my ear plugs. The lone male who bravely decided to join this Rock Star Party spent the first five minutes attempting to shove large pieces of foam into my ears. He was very successful.

The lights went down and the music began. For the next two hours I stood on a chair with my hands in the air screaming like I was in the eight grade. They were, after all, Motley Cruë. There were midgets in top hats. There were boobs. In fact, there were flying boobs. Three women, wearing black outfits that hid all of their bodies except for their breasts, which spilled out of holes, swung out over the stage for a full thirty minutes while simultaneously doing acrobatics. Showing, ultimately, how important the female body truly is to the "rock star." It was badass. I also wanted to bathe directly afterwards.There was cursing. Tommy Lee got half-naked. I pushed my way to the front row and seriously thought about removing my shirt or propositioning security to get back stage. I realized in that moment the power of the "rock star." For two hours I let go and reveled in it.

When the lights came on, the magic went away. I wandered back to my original seat wishing for more rock star. More flames and shooting pyrotechnics. More flying boobs and midgets.

In all my silent wishing I forgot to remove my ear plugs. This made it hard to hear when the two males sitting in front of us turned around and began speaking. Their lips were moving, but I wasn't hearing a thing. Right after I mimed "I have a banana in my ear" and giggled to myself, I hurriedly removed one ear plug so I could hear what they were saying.

Then I heard the question I have been waiting to hear my whole life. I heard the question that drives Vince, Nikki, Mick, and Tommy to drag their arthritic bodies around the world. I heard the question that all rock stars long for in their alcohol-induced slumber and drug-laden stage performances. I heard the question driving all people who are narcissistic, full of themselves and desperate for recognition. I heard the question I have been hoping and praying would one day be uttered from someone's lips.

I heard the question, "Hey, aren't you that Ali girl?"

"Yes. Yes, I am 'that Ali girl.' That is me. That. Ali. Girl."

Life-altering and philosophical? Not so much.

Loved it so much it hurt? Definitely.

Previous Comments

ID

71888

Comment

Boy, if it turns out we die and return in a different form; I'm requesting to come back as a sober and drug-free rock star or rappers. This way I can avoid winding up on Behind the Music or broke or so stoned out of my mind that I don't remember sleeping with the women or what I did with the millions I made; but still have the benefit of countless women showing me things they usually wouldn't show a guy they just met, throwing themselves blindly and callously at and on me, and giving me willy nilly their most precious gifts. I wonder if old Rock Stars or Rappers receive the same benefits? Maybe I dodn't have to die and come back. This is not a criticism of my friend, however. I like her honest mindset and storytelling. Besides, I know plenty men who would show up butt-naked if they thought they could get a mere sniff of Beyonce.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-03-30T11:33:03-06:00

ID

71889

Comment

Besides, I know plenty men who would show up butt-naked if they thought they could get a mere sniff of Beyonce. I am officially rolling on the floor. I love it when a man uses "butt naked" and "sniff" in the same sentence. Love it, Ray!

Author

Lori G

Date

2006-03-30T14:41:21-06:00

ID

71890

Comment

Why do we revel in such depraved experiences? Is the "rock star" you spoke of the missing piece in your life? My guess is that you what you felt there was the same carnal enticement that renders all humanity senseless, and in the worst of cases causes them to commit horrendous acts such as pedophilia and rape. It's good to see the progress the women's lib movement made; now the woment get to be acrobatic objects of carnal lust. Oh well, wherever you find your worth.

Author

ReadsomeKierkegaard

Date

2006-03-30T17:23:06-06:00

ID

71891

Comment

As Julia Roberts said in "Pretty Woman": Big mistake. HUGE.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-03-30T17:37:49-06:00

ID

71892

Comment

Well, ReadsomeKierkegaard, I usually agree with you pretty much. First of all, let me say I was mostly joking or trying to be funny, which is most of what I do here unless the issue is truly a serious one. No sir or mamn, whichever it is; I'm not a wanna be rock star or rapper. It's amusing, amazing, funny and even sad what we human will do in the process of seeking pleasure or fun. Most of the things I joke about I wouldn't and couldn't do. I attempt to comment upon them without hurting, chastizing or telling others what to do. I also attempt to show the vulnerability of many of the populace. Now, I realize you're smarter than me and everyone else here, so could you tell me how liking or lusting women equate to molesting little boys or raping women? I have like women my whole life and never considered rape or pedophilia. Clearly, I wouldn't and couldn't do either. Remember I said I had to be sober and drug-free. Are you a minister or the likes. Help me out. Help me find my way. What should I have said in response to this article?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-03-30T17:41:55-06:00

ID

71893

Comment

I'm pretty much on the same plane as Ray, This in no way was to be looked into so deeply. It's motley crue: Kickstart my heart's lyrics do not require much thought. And that is what most people appreciate THE Crue for, one could argue the various sex tapes released by various band members but that is another subject. I pretend to bet well read but enlighten me ReadsomeKierkegaard, who is kierkegaard? What do i have to learn from him on the Ali column page? I shall find out and let this article be what it is, which Ali is good at putting into words which is that which we wish we could.

Author

*SuperStar*

Date

2006-03-30T17:49:39-06:00

ID

71894

Comment

ReadsomeKierkegaard, you got me doing thinking now. A rare occurance. Tell me how the impulse or feeling of lust or affection for a woman or women is a senseless and inhumane act. I need help at understanding this. How is my singing or rapping (which will probably be terrible) likely or surely to make women an acrobatic object of carnal lust? Aren't we supposed to feel carnal lust for each other, at least at some point?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-03-30T17:54:17-06:00

ID

71895

Comment

You have also made me make more errors than I usually do. I can't really respond until I fully understand what you're talking about.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-03-30T17:58:21-06:00

ID

71896

Comment

Oh, for the love of... There's this wonderful apocryphal story about Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre, where Camus walks into the bar Sartre is drinking in, slaps him on the shoulder, and says "You hate all of us, you bastard." So my advice to everyone here is don't read some Kierkegaard. His insights range from "the crowd is untruth" to "the sickness unto death is despair." He is the kind of guy Dostoyevsky parodies in Notes from Underground: A self-important weenie who believes that the rest of the world should suffer through his depressive episodes with him. And yes, I am well aware of the fact that sometimes that person is me. As far as feminism goes: The first wave is predicated on the idea that men don't get to pass laws telling women how to live their lives. The second wave is predicated on the idea that men don't get to tell women how to live their lives. The third wave is predicated on the idea that straight white women don't get to tell women of color and lesbians how to live their lives. From where I'm standing, you're at least two waves behind. Get with the program! Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-03-30T17:58:27-06:00

ID

71897

Comment

Uhm, that was addressed to Readsome, not to anyone who responded after him. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-03-30T18:00:38-06:00

ID

71898

Comment

I got to go for today, Read.... However, could you think over tonight also how well procreation would proceed without some carnal lust. I know it could still happen but I'm wondering how many would still do it. I'm old but not too old to still learn. I need all the help I can get.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-03-30T18:24:26-06:00

ID

71899

Comment

All is fair in love. In the land of the blind, a one-eyed man can be king.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-03-30T18:26:26-06:00

ID

71900

Comment

Ray, Tom, Super, et al. I think Soren has lost his sense of humor somewhere in a book. Basically, Soren, I get my idea of self-worth from the ability to string a few simple words together and maybe get you to chuckle. I mean, beyond the self-worth I feel for just getting to carry around a vagina. Because that makes me way cooler than you. Unless you are woman, then you are just MISSING THE POINT. I would like to invite you to a little link on the top of the page called "Ali Greggs' blog". See, in that blog we live by my rules...and I fear that what I wish to really say to you requires that we "step outside", if you will. I'd like to not defile Donna's page with a list of where your mother went wrong.

Author

Lori G

Date

2006-03-30T21:36:11-06:00

ID

71901

Comment

How much funnier would this column have been if I had added the phrase "then I checked to make sure I was wearing my shirt" at the end of it? Because, I think that would have truly ROCKED.

Author

Lori G

Date

2006-03-30T21:53:42-06:00

ID

71902

Comment

Ali your experience at "The Crue" reminds me to "Never Grow Old......never. Now at 47 I certainly don't run around in Spandex but I would feel very comfortable at the Crue concert as well as the Mississippi Symphony Orch and have been to many such before. Never Grow Old.......now where are these sex tapes with band members that Ray was talking about??....I mean, you know...

Author

ATLExile

Date

2006-03-30T22:12:00-06:00

ID

71903

Comment

Ray, Tom, Super, et al. I think Soren has lost his sense of humor somewhere in a book. Actually, my guess is that Reak got his Kierkegaard from the Internet. Or maybe Bill O'Reilly. Just a wild guess. And, Ray, you are friggin' priceless.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-03-30T23:05:02-06:00

ID

71904

Comment

Well, you know, if all the good minded people without carnal lust neutered themselves we could adopt all those babies the HORRIBLE people were having OUT OF WEDLOCK and the world would be a better place, right? Have I mentioned today I need to get laid?

Author

Lori G

Date

2006-03-30T23:14:43-06:00

ID

71905

Comment

I think I suffer from that Seinfeld thing where I get "stupider" when I don't have sex. What I just wrote made no sense to anyone but the people living in my head.

Author

Lori G

Date

2006-03-30T23:30:35-06:00

ID

71906

Comment

ReadsomeKierkegaard, read some Heidegger, you wuss. Anyone can read Kierkegaard when they have one of those depressing, tiresome summers after grad school, not that I've been. Kierkegaard would not make the sort of clumsy conflation you did, to equate camp with pedophelia, or have I read you wrong? There is a difference between raping children and going to a Motley Crue concert, even if there is an undercurrent of violence against women at said concert. You might find a sympathetic audience to the idea if you expressed it in terms that made sense rather than hyperbole. Do you not realize how suspicious it sounds to women when you equate casual, and tacky, sex play, which resulted in no actual sex act here, with the most depraved crimes of conscience? Do you not realize that you accelerate the sexual revolution with such talk? The poor, deranged Motley Crue fan might as well seduce an animal, since it's all just a hop, skip and a jump. But why mince words here? I am convinced that all such blather is homophobia, plain and simple. Perhaps I am over-influenced by Rick Santorum and his ilk, but then again, they are setting the national agenda, however temporarily. Rick Santorum was the homophobe who said that marriage is such a slippery slope that gay marriage would open the door to polygamy, pedophelia and "man-dog love." To that, I say, if marriage is THAT fragile, we probably ought to let it go. Except, of course, that there is no need to let it go, because gay marriage has nothing to do with bestiality, unless you're so afraid of your anus that you have those kinds of bizarre fantasies when two men live together. Be a good monkey, please. The fact that Motley Crue does engage in bestiality is beside the point. ;)

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2006-03-31T02:14:50-06:00

ID

71907

Comment

It seems to me that ReadsomeKierkegaard has some sort of issues withih himself that need to be checked out by some sort of professional help. I, along with everyone love to read Ali Greggs columns. She brings happiness and truths in such a way that you always can "put yourself right there with her" as she writes. ReadsomeKierkegaard, I noticed that you haven't tried to defend yourself. Are we hitting close to home? And why did you pick such a difficult username? I am having tocopy and paste to just save time rather than spell it out.

Author

lance

Date

2006-03-31T02:46:34-06:00

ID

71908

Comment

As my cousin Tally, who unfortunately dropped out of school in the first grade, would say, ReadsomeKierkegaard didn't "learn us nothing."

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-03-31T09:20:39-06:00

ID

71909

Comment

And why did you pick such a difficult username? Because he's trying to sound intellectual? ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-03-31T12:52:39-06:00

ID

71910

Comment

I finally did read some Soren Kierkegaard. Among many things, it seems he mounted an attack against Christendom or the Christian Church or Faith. We, all, know Christendom, as often written and discussed, have imperfections or unanswered questions. However, most of the admonishments I've heard against lust or carnality are based in Christian principles. I certainly agree lust and carnality have to be controlled, just as the author did in this case, and are inappropriate in some situations. Readsome...., can you tell us exactly what Kierkengaard views were as to lust and carnality. I noticed his girlfriend, Regine, I think was her name, married somebody else after he broke off their pending marriage. He reportedly, later asked her husband if he could still talk to her after marriage to the other guy. I wonder if the lack of lust on his part had anything to do with his failure to follow through with the marriage? Enlighten us!

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-03-31T13:29:49-06:00

ID

71911

Comment

I, along with everyone love to read Ali Greggs columns. She brings happiness and truths in such a way that you always can "put yourself right there with her" as she writes. Why, Lance. I didn't know you cared. I'm blushing. ;) But, seriously. That's nice. It means a lot. Thank you.

Author

Lori G

Date

2006-03-31T20:13:53-06:00

ID

71912

Comment

You're very welcome Ali. You, as well as all of the JFP staff are very unique in your own ways. Your (Ali) style of writing is so easy to read and relate to. I encourage everyone that I meet to go online and read this "internet newspaper". The articles are very diverse. If you need to vent about something that is passionate to you, there is always something here that you can identify with. And if you just want to know that you are not alone in you thought process about something, then there's something here for that too. But here you get everything. Not just the easy topics. KUDOS to the JFP dream team!

Author

lance

Date

2006-04-01T09:47:09-06:00

ID

71913

Comment

To belief in faith one must suspend reason in order to have faith in something above reason. In order to suspend reason one must believe the absurd. MY guess is TH, that the connection to kierkegaard is not through the teaching/writings, but through the use of distancing oneself from their works through pseudonyms. Readsome is nothing more than a person who cannot argue/prove their points, but they have no points to prove. Just a troll if you will.

Author

*SuperStar*

Date

2006-04-04T13:33:45-06:00

ID

71914

Comment

Wow, what a great example of what a non-sycophantic post can do. First of all, I tried not to pass judgement on anything but the nature of the concert, I speculated on Ali's experience of "The Rockstar" and, made a pretty common sense statement about how lust and carnality are the main driving forces in many horrible human acts. If any of you took the time to investigate the habits of pedophiles, bestialist, etc, you would find that they didn't just jump into these extremes, they mostly started subtley and then progressed. Sexual appetite is like hunger except that it only grows with consumption instead of diminishing. I wrote my post in response to the romanticizing of the concert because I had a group of my ninth graders who went and they made the comment "there were flying boobs everywhere!" I was appalled. Not only is the "Man Show" showing them how to relate to women, now they have visual, first hand experience in the 9th grade of women saying, "Here you go, look and lust, engorge yourself." Since the 60's there's has been an increase in carnal-related crime and moral depravity. Sex is over-discussed, over-promoted, and over-commercialized. Some people (the majority) are simply numb. I am reminded of the "Love Clinics" of "Love in the Ruins," by Walker Percy. I don't mean to pass judgement and if I have offended any, well, maybe you need more offense in your life. Kierkegaard was an off the cuff name I chose, any good existentialists would do, but may I also reccomend some Flannery O'Connor, Walker Percy, Lewis, Camus, and other non-fatalist, non-nihilistic, non-hedonistic authors and thinkers. Progressivism has been at work for years, and where is it taking us??? No one can argue that morality and authenticity are not on the decline. Have a great day, and good luck Ali, but physical love is a hollow proposition if it is mereley causual indulgence. Last post as Readsome... so, goodbye. Forgive any spelling errors etc.

Author

ReadsomeKierkegaard

Date

2006-04-04T14:05:02-06:00

ID

71915

Comment

Not only is the "Man Show" showing them how to relate to women, now they have visual, first hand experience in the 9th grade of women saying, "Here you go, look and lust, engorge yourself. Umm isn't that when you are suppose to get experience in all that? The man show is gone, sadly joe rogaine and some other dufus rode it into the ground. How i loved household hints from adult film stars when i was in 9th grade. If there were a JFP segment like that Ali would do it, YEAH!!!!!

Author

*SuperStar*

Date

2006-04-04T14:20:33-06:00

ID

71916

Comment

ReadsomeKierkegaard writes: Some people (the majority) are simply numb. First evidence I've seen that you've actually read any Kierkegaard, because that's exactly what he believed. I thought it was elitist foolishness the first time I read it, and I still think it's elitist foolishness now. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-04-04T14:45:15-06:00

ID

71917

Comment

At the risk of sounding ignorant, can i get a pronunctiation, have never run into kierkegaard in conversation and don't want the deer in the headlights look when i do. Ki-er-ke-gaurd ker-ke-gard

Author

*SuperStar*

Date

2006-04-04T15:10:06-06:00

ID

71918

Comment

Intellect always seems to mess up a good lustful moment. Consider the poor man who stopped to ask "is it good?" When it is, you won't have to ask. And that the truth, Ruth. ReadsomeSatisfiedpartner.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-04-04T15:26:22-06:00

ID

71919

Comment

Superstar-- 'kir-k&-"gär(d) And Tom, lord knows we wouldn't want you of all people to succumb to elitist foolishness.

Author

Rex

Date

2006-04-04T15:39:57-06:00

ID

71920

Comment

woops wrong key there 'kir-ke-"gär(d)

Author

Rex

Date

2006-04-04T15:41:03-06:00

ID

71921

Comment

I apologize for my latest effort at trying to be funny! I probably failed. Don't look for the Readsome... I referenced. To my knowledge it doesn't exist. To quote my grandson, "I will be good from now on."

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-04-04T15:52:43-06:00

ID

71922

Comment

Ray-I want a t-shirt with that on it. "I will be good from now on." Then on the back it could have a picture of two fingers being crossed. ;) K is a fool. If you notice I did make a sarcastic statement about the obvious importance of "women" to rock stars. That wasn't because I truly believed it...it was because I thought it horrendous...but as an adult, I can choose to take that offensively or let it entertain me. I guess since I bought the tickest I chose to be a good American and let it entertain me. Viva la sense of humor!

Author

Lori G

Date

2006-04-04T15:58:20-06:00

ID

71923

Comment

And you know, the whole outfits-with-boobholes idea is so over-the-top stupid that it almost comes full circle and turns into feminist social commentary. Anyway, there's nothing less feminist than some prudish man coming in and telling a woman what she is and isn't allowed to do. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-04-04T16:22:42-06:00

ID

71924

Comment

Well, now, Read... probably had a good point about trying to keep the 14 year old from seeing any or too many boobs before they graduated from High School. Those things have a way of preventing boys from concentrating on their lesson. How many of us fellows would have graduated on time had we matriculated at Hooter High? I vote for the women wearing whatever they want to. Go on with the feminist social commentary. We'll be watching! And loving it!

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-04-04T16:42:55-06:00

ID

71925

Comment

How mature of you Ray.

Author

OEParker

Date

2006-04-04T18:37:22-06:00

ID

71926

Comment

Okay, maybe this name will be easier for you guys to respond with. I am glad there are so many people engaging in this conversation... that is the point. But there seems to be a lopsidedness to it all. The comitatus of Tom Head? By the way, when you say "Elitist," do you mean one who has standards? I believe you are off on your nominative. I had a presupposition about this paper and so far.... right on. (that last bit is too ironic...politically speaking.)

Author

OEParker

Date

2006-04-04T18:41:11-06:00

ID

71927

Comment

"The worldly, temporal, busy, socially-friendly person says this: "How unreasonable, that only one should receive the prize, it is far more probable that several combined receive the prize; and if we become many, then it becomes more certain and also easier for each individually." Certainly, it is far more probable; and it is also true in relation to all earthly and sensuous prizes; and it becomes the only truth, if it is allowed to rule, for this point of view abolishes both God and the eternal and "the human being's" kinship with the divinity; it abolishes it or changes it into a fable, and sets the modern (as a matter of fact, the old heathen) in its place, so that to be a human being is like being a specimen which belongs to a race gifted with reason, so that the race, the species, is higher than the individual, or so that there are only specimens, not individuals. But the eternal, which vaults high over the temporal, quiet as the night sky, and God in heaven, who from this exalted state of bliss, without becoming the least bit dizzy, looks out over these innumerable millions and knows each single individual; he, the great examiner, he says: only one receives the prize; that is to say, everyone can receive it, and everyone ought to become this by oneself, but only one receives the prize." -Right from Tom's link above. Tom being the "worldly, temporal, busy, socially-friendly person." Seize the day, while inside, you decay.

Author

OEParker

Date

2006-04-04T18:47:12-06:00

ID

71928

Comment

OEParker, that name is much better. Thank you. Though if you find yourself looking for yet another alias, I recommend ReadsomeHead. Because everybody should. The problem with Kierkegaard is that he presupposes a universal set of ideals that apply to everyone. It's similar to Socrates' old "happy pig" argument, which ignored the fact that we're all happy pigs about most things, to a person, and what makes it possible to live happy lives is that we can pause our mental monologue about genocide in the Sudan long enough to enjoy a nice burrito. Or a nice screw. Yes, the crowd is untruth. That much he had right. What he had wrong was his belief that it is possible to be anything else but the crowd, and anything else but untruth. He objectified himself too much. He failed to understand his own fallibility, his own earthiness, his connection to the rest of humanity. You mentioned Camus. I think Kierkegaard should have read some Camus. That man had a much better understanding of things. Your post may represent the first time in my entire life that I've ever been called "worldly," "temporal," and "busy." I think I'm flattered. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-04-04T19:40:37-06:00

ID

71929

Comment

Tom, I think you've misread Kierkegaard if you believe he "presupposes a universal set of ideals that apply to everyone." His philosophy is focused not on universals, but on the experience of being an individual existing human being. Regardless, I don't see how readsomekierkegaard's comment had much to do with the article, nor with Kierkegaard's philosophy.

Author

Justin

Date

2006-04-04T23:54:30-06:00

ID

71930

Comment

Justin, I strongly disagree. Kierkegaard writes from the perspective of an individual existing being, and focuses on that, but he applies universals to condemn the outside world in very broad and uncharitable strokes. The article cited is only one of many possible examples of Kierkegaard's implicit universals. I'm not saying this condemns Kierkegaard, necessarily. Just that he seemed to rely very much on the common philosophical conceit of the unthinking Masses versus the supreme Individual, not recognizing that all Individuals are by definition parts of Masses as well. OEParker was the one who quoted "The Crowd is Untruth" (see his most recent post above), so if you don't think it's relevant to the discussion, maybe you should take that up with him. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-04-05T01:25:26-06:00

ID

71931

Comment

Kierkegaard does condemn the outside world inasmuch as he condemns a life lived solely in relation to the social and temporal (the aesthetic life). He condemns the aesthetic, however, not because it fails to conform to a set of universal norms, but because it leads to alienation. My main point, though, is that this was a humorous article, which doesn't seem to occasion a discussion on "depraved experiences," and that such moral condemnations miss the larger picture of Kierkegaard's philosophy.

Author

Justin

Date

2006-04-05T09:04:57-06:00

ID

71932

Comment

Didn't his argument of the crowd also say that the crowd is either all right or all wrong? You all seem to think it is all wrong, but it is wrong to say that only the outsiders are right..see happy pigs like tom said. At the very least interest is spiked and as soon as i finish painting my bathroom and reading a million little lies, i am going to delve into the depths of more inner thought than one can handle without going insane. Or i could just watch The Wall over and over until i "get it".

Author

*SuperStar*

Date

2006-04-05T10:14:06-06:00