Advanced ages, sounds

[imomus]

One of 2008's more interesting trends was a focus on older people as fashion models (in every sense of that word) -- that's the subject of my Moment piece this week. But before I paste a snap of the column, let me recommend a piece of radio that also makes old models sound more interesting than new ones. This time the models are synthesisers: the programme is Selected Radiophonic Works, a three-hour compilation of BBC radio pieces featuring the Radiophonic Workshop. There's some absolutely unmissable rare experimental radio in there -- like the sonic dantesque hell in Inferno Revisited, or Delia Derbyshire's amazing sequence of dreamscapes from 1964 -- and it's only online for another six days. Do not miss.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

how should I occupy myself while this 180 minute program plays?

[count-vronsky.livejournal.com]

Penile mummification, zoroastrian metaphysics, equestrian skullduggery, bet it all on tiddlywinks, computer maintenance as an alternative lifestyle, acne eradication, and 2000 words on the malaise of the sexual incompetent.

[count-vronsky.livejournal.com]

Oy, sorry, that ^^ was the result of too much eggnog last night (although it was non-alcoholic eggnog, go figure). Maybe it comes from being the youngest in my family, but I have always enjoyed being around older people. Even when I was a kid I always hung out with an older crowd. My theory is that we are all interesting from birth until the age of 12 or so, then we become uninteresting until we reach our late 30's, or maybe 40's. The middle period is all about sex, money, peer groups and hormones -- BORING!

[imomus.livejournal.com]

Light housework, computer chess, calisthenics, transcendental masturbation, basket-weaving, astronomical photography, whiskey drinking, pet care, librarianship?

[(Anonymous)]

stupid old people, they smell weird

[(Anonymous)]

The face of an old person is Fashion.

[(Anonymous)]

n.b. and PS — I am not saying that merely because I am getting increasingly more fashionable in that regard.

Also, I really need to get myself some kind of permanent, portable identity for commenting on LJ posts.

[kumakouji.livejournal.com]

[jenny-junkie.livejournal.com]

Ridiculous Captain Rabbit King! Aging is not for kids!

[electricwitch.livejournal.com]

homg, a post by you that actually fits within the window. THAT I SHOULD LIVE TO SEE THIS DAY.

[thomascott.livejournal.com]

Why you express so much antipathy toward values such as creativity, individuality and originality, when
these are the values that you personify in your work and in the persona you present?

[imomus.livejournal.com]

Well, wouldn't it be selfish only to vaunt the virtues that one exemplified oneself?

What really fascinates me is that what seems like the very opposite of these values can create something so successful, creatively speaking. In other words, we're so conditioned to think that individuality, originality, experimentation etc are the only routes to beauty and worth in the arts that we fail to notice how beautiful and valuable are the objects created by traditional cultures which embrace values like custom, obedience, rote, continuity, conformity, community.

We also fail to notice the paradox that our much-vaunted individuality, originality etc fails to prevent us all dressing either in a grey business suit or jeans and trainers and a t-shirt. Meanwhile, the "conformists" we mock are fucking outrageous dandies who fucking rock.

First I'm going to pierce my penis..

[thomascott.livejournal.com]

That binary-collapsing framing does explain the seeming paradox.
The stereotypical notion of rebellion, the sedition-by-numbers that 'individuality' usually comes couched in, is in fact the greatest conformity of all.

[kumakouji.livejournal.com]

I honestly believe this all boils down to is novelty. Grey business suits, jeans, tshirts and trainers are the modern examples of custom, obedience, rote, continuity, conformity and community yet they bore the hell out of us because it's what we're used to.

Traditional cultures are only interesting if theyre of our past or not our own. And individuality and originality in modern day society can still create fantastic stuff, such as this recent collection by Chanel:

Immaculate

[brokenjunior.livejournal.com]

I couldn't resist to post this picture here, which I took at Matsumoto eki some weeks ago. He looks so immaculate to me -- I can't wait to grow old now...

[malejested.livejournal.com]

http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/

[imomus.livejournal.com]

Um, thanks for that... It is covered in the article, though!

[malejested.livejournal.com]

Oops, I didn't realize you could click on through to the blog!

Small world

[kineticfactory.livejournal.com]

I just spoke to a friend (who plays in a band named Hong Kong In The 60s, and is into that sort of warm, organic electronic music, and works part-time at the BBC) and sent him the link to the documentary. It turns out that he was the broadcast assistant working on the programme.