Thoroughly Modern Norway

[vinteuil]

Well I interpret Varese's remark as in sympathy with progressive thinking in terms of scientific enquiry, discovery, invention, and politics, which is probably just wishful thinking on my part!

...it can in fact be read as a decidedly sniffy remark - "We (artists) are in touch with the times; the people (the rest of you lot) are way behind the times." Not a pertick'ly attractive stance...

.

[Serial_Apologist]

...it can in fact be read as a decidedly sniffy remark - "We (artists) are in touch with the times; the people (the rest of you lot) are way behind the times." Not a pertick'ly attractive stance...

.

I read it as a lament.

[ardcarp]

I forgot to mention in my OP that Norway recently switched off its FM radio signal. This was mentioned on You and Yours today (where there was some bloke banging on about the advantages of digital). Most Norwegians are FURIOUS about this (a) because many (most?) cars don't have DAB radios and (b) because vast areas of Norway cannot receive a digital radio signal.

We need to learn from this. In rural Britain, there are many places where you can't get a mobile phone signal, let alone DAB radio. In fact in a few places you can only get Radio 4 on Long Wave! Our government has apparently decided to turn off our FM signal when '50% of listeners are using digital radio'. Exactly how do you calculate that? We all know that the boundary between facts, statistics and damned lies is very flaky, and I dare say the government will choose the figure that suits it best. What I cannot understand is why the rush, or indeed the need to turn off the FM signal?

You and Yours: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09kq14w
about 11min 45sec from start

[Richard Barrett]

Well I interpret Varese's remark as in sympathy with progressive thinking in terms of scientific enquiry, discovery, invention, and politics, which is probably just wishful thinking on my part!

Varèse's politics unfortunately don't bear very close scrutiny and were certainly not "progressive" in the sense of his thoughts on other matters. But you're right of course in saying he didn't only have art in mind. How many people still in the 21st century haven't replaced a Newtonian view of the world with one based on Einstein's special and general relativity (which are until you get into the mathematical detail no more difficult to understand)? How many people are aware of what's going on under the bonnet of their computer to the degree they might about what's going on under the bonnet oftheir car>

[Beef Oven!]

Varèse's politics unfortunately don't bear very close scrutiny and were certainly not "progressive" in the sense of his thoughts on other matters. But you're right of course in saying he didn't only have art in mind. How many people still in the 21st century haven't replaced a Newtonian view of the world with one based on Einstein's special and general relativity (which are until you get into the mathematical detail no more difficult to understand)? How many people are aware of what's going on under the bonnet of their computer to the degree they might about what's going on under the bonnet oftheir car>

Have you tried to fathom what's going on under the bonnet of a contemporary car? A computer is the easier option, IMV.

[Richard Barrett]

Have you tried to fathom what's going on under the bonnet of a contemporary car? A computer is the easier option, IMV.

Well, I know how to put in oil and windscreen washer fluid, fill the radiator and replace the battery. I can dimly remember changing spark plugs as well. And I more or less know which bit is which. I don't think I'd have much idea with one of these hybrid machines though.

[Beef Oven!]

Well, I know how to put in oil and windscreen washer fluid, fill the radiator and replace the battery. I can dimly remember changing spark plugs as well. And I more or less know which bit is which. I don't think I'd have much idea with one of these hybrid machines though.

Ok, you'd be fine with an Escort MKI

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Ok, you'd be fine with an Escort MKI

Or:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n77yEvuFDsg

[teamsaint]

or one of these

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... or this classic ...

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