Wednesday, February 2, 2022

THIS JUST IN--

If the last dollar you spent on a CD or LP was during the Clinton administration, while you continue to "buy" all your music at those free "record shops" you can find with a few keystrokes on your computer, you should probably shut the fuck up about Spotify's royalty payments.

Also, if you are currently NOT a physician or scientist and have gone to a dentist, or asked your doctor "Why does it hurt when I pee," or basically avoided rickets, scurvy, polio and measels your entire life, you should probably shut the fuck up about vaccines.

Oh and one more thing, if I find your comment disrespectful or borderline cuckoo, no one will see it.


 


36 comments:

Charles Hodgson said...

No.
My choice, my opinion, and I'm entitled to it after two years of world-wide hysteria and fear-mongering.
Neil Young is just another pitiful, terrified old man, who should get out of the rest of our way, and let us get on with our lives.
I will never spend another cent on any of his "products".
I will also save a lot of dusc-space on storing his music, which will create more space for free-speech loving, non-authoritarian music makers. Thanks for that, Neil.
Maybe you should check out who exactly he sold his songwriting rights to for megabucks before passing judgement on the rest of us? If you do, you will find that he is also a total hypocrite.

Charles Hodgson said...

...my piss is still a strong powerful jet, thank you very much.

Sal Nunziato said...

Charles Hodgson,

"No?"

Did you read my post?

Two separate ideas--

The first had nothing to do with Neil Young.

The second had nothing to do with Neil Young.

But nice rant.

Strummer62 said...

Thoroughly agree !!! triple vaxxed and always buy "physical' copies of the music I want, got to support my favourites so they can keep making more and new artists so they can keep going, there is nothing better in this world than a bricks and mortar music store

A Music Fan said...

I am vaccinated, but other than getting some publicity what did Neil Young accomplish? Even if Spotify gets rid of Rogan, do you really think he wouldn't go to another platform?

And staying on Apple? Apple carries podcasts by Sean Hannity. By Tucker Carlson. And many many others that Neil Young (and me) would think is dangerous.

Not to mention that Neil supported some of Reagan's policies back in the 80's.

Not to mention that Neil pulled his music from Spotify already once before back in 2015. Then he changed his mind.

Not to mention that Neil has railed against all digital platforms (other than his own) over the years.

Yep, get vaccinated. I'm all for it. And Neil Young? I could care less what he does.

Sal Nunziato said...

“Yep, get vaccinated. I'm all for it. And Neil Young? I could care less what he does.”

Yep. And yep.

A Music Fan said...

Sal, I'm being serious: do you really think you're going to convince anyone who isn't vaccinated to get vaccinated? (I don't.)

Sal Nunziato said...

A Music Fan,
No. But I can use my space to vent my frustration.

kevin m said...

I continue to buy music but through iTunes. Since 2006 when I bought my first iPod, I've spent approximately $10k on the service for music downloads. The royalty payment to the artist may not be as high as buying a CD (I honestly don't know), but it has to be better than the ridiculous formula that the streaming services pay the artists.

buzzbabyjesus said...

I'm vaxxed and I just bought Elliott Smith's entire catalogue on CD.

neal t said...

Neil gave us a pretty cool video of CH playing new album in a barn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbmkek5j6Vs

A Music Fan said...

From Democrat Bari Weiss:

Last week, Canadian-American rock god Neil Young made a clarion call against free speech. Displeased by The Joe Rogan Experience’s Covidian contents, Young demanded that Spotify remove Rogan’s podcast—or remove him. Days later, Young’s music was off the platform, though you can still stream his songs on Apple (ignore their forced Uyghur labor in Xinjiang) and on Amazon (but don’t read about the company’s infamous working conditions in James Bloodworth’s book “Hired.”)

Keep on rocking in the free world, Neil.

Of course, Spotify is a private company; they’re under no obligation to platform anybody. So while this campaign doesn’t breach Rogan’s First Amendment rights, it is a clear stand against the cultural norm of free speech. And those standing passionately against speech—a growing list that includes Joni Mitchell, Harry and Megan, the comedian Stewart Lee, the singer India Arie, and Young’s old bandmates, Crosby, Stills and Nash—are all apparently liberals. Strange, that.

How can any artist possibly create without free speech? How are they supposed to be artists if they’re scared that making a mistake or taking a risk that another artist doesn’t like will get them kicked off the very platform that allows them to share their art in the first place?

Anonymous said...

Ah, so much disingenuousness, so little time.
Bari Weiss may be a registered Democrat (and I don't know that), but it doesn't matter one's political party when it comes to trying to do your part for the rest of your community. Vaccinations help one get thru the disease easier -- that is a fact. If that's the only fact you go with about the vaccination "controversy", then that should be enough to recommend them. But, of course, there's also doing what you can to minimize spread, for those more vulnerable than you. I'd hate to think what these folks would've done when the polio vax came out, or when the government imposed blackouts on the west coast during WWII (to avoid enemy detection); "Why should I have to turn my lights off??!!!" "Why should my kid get a vaccination, he isn't exhibiting any symptoms??!!" It's narcissism to the nth degree.
You can knock Neil Young's knock at Spotify as quizzical, given his contradictory course of action elsewhere. But Weiss has her head far up if she thinks it's OK for Rogan to promote stupidity in a deadly crisis. Given her admitted extreme advocacy for Israel, would she be OK with Spotify offering up Hitler's speeches, or those of other extreme antisemites? She might be, but I doubt it.
I must add that I, like Weiss, hate so much of the cancel culture mindset. But Rogan didn't say some peppery joke, or advocate for some classic book that's thought outdated, or some other bullshit "outrage" that the oversensitive glom onto to earn their social justice warrior points. He's dismissing a pandemic.
C in California

Joe said...

A Music Fan makes an interesting argument about free speech. Certainly, if I say that I don't like folks of a certain religion, color or ethnicity, it may be hate speech but I still have a right to say it.

You hear the argument that you can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater since such action may result in injury to one or more individuals. Free speech with possible dire consequences.

I wonder if we lose sight of the fact that a pandemic is not a normal time. Your action or inaction may jeopardize both you and others that come within contact of you - - and as we have seen, a chain reaction that could result in multiple deaths. People who spread misinformation about the pandemic, can cause people to act or not act in ways that could result in death of innocent people, who may not even had read the misinformation but came in contact with someone who did. I cannot support that type of free speech. Sorry.

Sal Nunziato said...

"People are fucking idiots."

You are absolutely right, "A Music Fan," which is way Rogan is so dangerous. He has an obnoxious amount of followers who are ignorant enough to listen to false information. That somehow, a third-rate comedian/reality TV host has anyone coming to his defense over scientists and doctors proves what you said, people are fucking idiots and the idiots are putting innocent lives in danger.

Also A Music Fan, 13 years of this blog and I've never seen you comment. Are you a music fan, or did the "bell' ring?

A Music Fan said...

As long as you recommend to your readers to stop using YouTube because they carry Hitler speeches, I'm good.

Sal Nunziato said...

You're missing the point!

You're comparing history to a podcast.

But, I'l never learn to not try and vreason with unreasonable.

I think you're time is done here, Music Fan.

Thanks for playing.

Crab Devil said...

At least a couple of these responses do recognize that the original post was to express some annoyance at a certain pair of double-standards that are currently making the rounds. Yet there has been quite a backlash from respondents who, though implying themselves to be freedom fighters, come across as brat-like paranoids and/or batshit-crazy authoritarians. I mean, what kind of person would you have to be to think that Neil Young has been preventing people from getting on with their lives?

Note #1: While I fully agree with Joe and with C in California, I would add that, in this context, to link the name Bari Weiss with the term "Democrat" ought to count as an instance of bad faith. It'd be like calling Eric Clapton a health policy advisor. But Bari Weiss is not worth citing in the first place. She does, after all, think that the cynical, mercenary promotion of disinformation (of falsehoods that have previously been debunked by multiple credible sources) is equivalent to exercising free speech and/or to "making a mistake." She even thinks that any kind of nonsense hosted by Spotify is to be cherished and defended so long as Apple and Amazon have any flaws of their own.

Note #2: My MAGA-addled brother urged me to listen to the famous Joe Rogan episode that featured Robert Malone -- all 3+ hours of it, including pitches and commercials. Now, it's conceivable that Joe Rogan is less dishonest in some episodes than in others. In this case, however, I noticed so many factual errors, so many types of flawed reasoning and sneaky rhetorical tactics, so many flat-out lies from Joe Rogan alone, to say nothing of the self-serving gibberish that was coming from the blowhard guest himself, that I was moved to write a 20-page (mostly single-spaced) critique for my brother to read at his leisure. But all of that was for my actual brother. I wouldn't do the same for just any idiot who could listen to Joe Rogan, or at least to the famous Robert Malone episode, without noticing any of the factual errors, flawed reasoning, sneaky rhetorical tactics, or flat-out lies.

Sal Nunziato said...

"At least a couple of these responses do recognize that the original post was to express some annoyance at a certain pair of double-standards that are currently making the rounds."

Thank you, Crab Devil.

Anything Should Happen said...

I see your point. I expect people to write in and go on about whatever view they take without listening to the reverse argument.

How dare you speak ill of Neil Young. How dare you defend Spotify. The fact that you didn't is irrelevant.

Away from this, You and I have a vastly different opinion of Spotify, but I fully understand your thoughts and I'm sure that you see mine.

Can I add to this list, people that moan about the Rock And Roll Fame nominees at this time EVERY year? Having said that, why Toni Basil isn't on the list, I know not why.

Sal Nunziato said...

@Anything Should Happen,

I am a dying breed. I spend money on records and downloads. I love physical product. There is plenty to hate about Spotify, but for me personally, it's more of a resource. I read about something, I am interested, it's there on Spotify. If I dig it, I'll buy it. Always do.
My issue is more about those who "stand up for what's right" while so obviously not doing what's right. We both know people who haven't paid for a single note of music in years. That's fine. I've done it. Guilty! But I am not putting on some bullshit righteous stance either.

As for Toni Basil, if she gets in before Haysi Fantayzee, then I've lost all hope.

just2cents said...

i'll go with an old addage -

I May Not Agree With What You Say, But
I'll Fight To The Death Your Right To Say It.

Anonymous said...

I don't think A Music Fan was, as Sal said, "missing the point". What Crab Devil calls 'bad faith' is what I call disingenuousness. And clearly A Music Fan continued with that tactic, in implying I compared Hitler to....anything; I just pointed out that Bari Weiss, I suspect, wouldn't be cool with Spotify allowing his content or that of his more virulent followers. I followed up that guess with admitting that I didn't know her position, tho, only suspected it. So....A Music Fan was being disingenuous.
C in California

Jobe said...

Let's see, I've listened to Neil Young thousands of times and have never listened to Joe Rogain ever. I guess that's why there's an off button?

Anonymous said...

Even Jon Stewart thinks your stance is ridiculous. But stay in your bubble, and don't allow conflicting views. Guess that's the new American way! I'm thinking back in the 60's, you would have been on the side of Nixon?

Sal Nunziato said...

Hey Anonymous Troll,
I gave you the space. Please provide evidence of your claim.

Anonymous said...

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/592832-jon-stewart-calls-overreaction-to-joe-rogan-spotify-a-mistake

Sal Nunziato said...

So Jon Stewart thinks it’s an overreaction. But he also calls for engaging in conversation. Is tossing Hitler and Nixon into a conversation about the safety of Americans really engaging? You play dirty. And the bottom line is, you’re wrong. I don’t mind being corrected or informed, but Stewart is not anti vaccine.

Keep Rogan on the air. But allowing misinformation and lies that can literally kill people is where it should end.

And really, why the anonymity? If I knew all the answers I’d be posting my name and address.

Anonymous said...

The point is NOT whether someone is anti-vaccine or not (by the way, Rogan believes many SHOULD get vaccinated...does that make him anti-vaccine?). You are correct: Stewart is not anti-vaccine. But a few months ago, he went on Colbert's show and talked about how the virus was likely the result of a Chinese lab leak. Happy to send you the link for that.

The truth is, we still don't know the cause. Although it seems most scientists lean in the other direction.

But my point is that people with a platform were being de-platformed on YouTube and Twitter last year for saying exactly what Jon Stewart said on Colbert.

Why? Why were they de-platformed?

You and I are both vaccinated.

You and I agree that Rogan is a chump.

Where we part company is that you think Rogan shouldn't be on Spotify.

I think Jon Stewart is correct.

And the Neil Young parade is nothing but a charade by a handful of mostly old rockers, who forgot that they were raised in an era and believed in dissent.

Let's agree to disagree.

Anonymous said...

By the way: I don't know all the answers. But I know stifling dissent is anti-democratic.

Sal Nunziato said...

When did I say Rogan shouldn’t be on Spotify? When? Spotify should stop Rogan from promoting lies. Big difference. Try posting a naked vagina on Instagram. Can’t do it. But somehow it’s okay to support potentially deadly information? This isn’t censorship. Would you allow me to perform heart surgery on you because I read about it on the internet? Jesus!

Sal Nunziato said...

And stand up for yourself! This anonymous crap is well…crap.

Anonymous said...

You didn't answer my question. People with audiences were kicked off some social media platforms last year for spreading what was determined by these companies at that time to be a lie. And it may not be a lie. It may be the truth. We don't know. Should they have been kicked off? I just want to see how far your censorship goes. And, yes, Neil Young and his very old musician friends want Rogan off of Spotify. If you support Neil Young, then you support what he's advocating.

What if ivermectin turns out to be safe and effective against covid? I don't think it will, but we don't know yet. Is it irresponsible for Rogan to be advocating for this treatment? You and I agree that it is. But, again, we part company on the cutting off of his microphone. He has a right to be wrong. Just like you do, which you are here.

Sal Nunziato said...

You didn’t answer my question. Who are you?

Jobe said...

I'm befuddled. Why does it matter where the virus came from? It's here now, we have to plan our lives around it. Bill Maher has been giving plenty of good reasons week after week of why life should go on. I don't agree with him on every facet of his stance, but he does make a compelling argument defending his opinion. If you want to inject Ivermectin into your body that's your choice. It has not been approved by the FDA. I remember some idiot suggesting that taking bleach could be a cure too. Joe Rogan can say what he wants to. That doesn't mean that myself and the people I know are gonna listen. I still have the freedom of choice to not pay attention that anything this buffoon says. Besides what are his credentials when it comes to medicine? I am in agreement with you Sal that Spotify should stop promoting his lies. Oh and as far as Neil, Joni, David, Stephen, and Graham go remember a few years ago their big hit "Kill Yourself" and the backlash they faced because of it? All those people who took their message literally and offed themselves because some rich rock stars told them to. Oh wait.....that didn't happen? Guess people made up their own mind.

Michael Giltz said...

Hahahahahaha.