Not that it’s any of your business

Several people have noticed a ‘hardening of the attitude’ in some of my recent material and have asked what’s behind it. Well, long story short, I’ve been making a concerted effort to streamline my life and focus on what’s really important. In other words, I’m doing what most people do to get themselves out of a rut:

I’m reading Nietzsche. I’m listening to KISS. And I’m saying ‘no’ to nitwits.

Like I said, the usual stuff. But thanks for asking.

P.S. My wife doesn’t understand the connection between Frederich Nietzsche and KISS. And I don’t understand why she doesn’t understand it. Consider…

From Nietzsche’s book, Thus Spoke Zarathustra:

In the loneliest desert...the spirit becomes a lion who would conquer his freedom and be master in his own desert. Here he seeks out his last master: he wants to fight him and his last god; for ultimate victory he wants to fight with the great dragon.

And from the KISS song War Machine:

Wanna bite the hand that feeds me, wanna turn the tides
Set the demons free and watch ‘em fly
Strike down the one who leads me, I’m gonna take his place
Gonna vindicate the human race
Better watch out ‘cause I’m a war machine

See? Only difference is Nietzsche put his blood and fire on the page; KISS put theirs on the stage.

- Thus spoke Blairathustra

Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2006 at 04:05 PM

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(5) Reader Comments about Not that it’s any of your business

John Thomas says...

Hmmm… I’ve been listening to the new P.O.D. cd (old Black Sabbath mixed with Bob Marley) and reading Jack L. Chalker (science fiction) and Brian Eno’s diary (right now he’s touching on his work on David Bowie’s “Outside” cd, a great and twisted cd).

So, what the hell does that say about me right now?

Posted on 02/06/2006 at 12:28 PM

Pete says...

Funny comparison. Wasn’t Nietzsche reputed to be very anti-semetic, whilst Gene Simmons (writer of War Machine) is a jew?

Posted on 02/09/2006 at 12:52 AM

Blair Warren says...

Hey Pete,

You make an interesting point and one I’m embarrassed to say I hadn’t considered till you mentioned it.

Guess that’s because long ago I came to understand that Nietzsche’s reputation as being anti-Semitic was *greatly* exaggerated, if not outright false. (Apparently he gained this reputation in part because his sister - who *was* anti-Semitic - edited and distorted many of his manuscripts after his death. Nietzsche also reportedly denounced his sister’s beliefs in this regard.) Of course, there is some debate about this and I do not claim to be a scholar on the matter, but regardless, this was, and is, my understanding.

I probably also failed to make this connection because, for good or ill, I tend to give little thought to other people’s religion or ethnicity as I’ve found these distinctions to have little relevance to people as individuals.

My comparison between Nietzsche’s excerpt and KISS’ lyrics was based solely on the “spirit” being conveyed (i.e. don’t take crap from anyone, especially those who claim to be “above” you) and nothing more.

Still, if I offended anyone with this comparison - especially Mr. Simmons - it *was* completely unintentional and I apologize.

Pete, thanks for pointing this out and allowing me to clarify my thoughts.

Oh, one more thing worth considering…

According to their own accounts, over the years the members of KISS were also reputed to be many things that later turned out to be utter nonsense; except for their being the hottest band in the land. Turns out that was true.

Posted on 02/09/2006 at 06:36 AM

Joel says...

Blair -

I doubt anyone would take your comparison the wrong way. It seems pretty clear to me at least. Still probably a good idea to CYA - just in case.

Rock and Roll!

J

Posted on 02/09/2006 at 08:28 AM

REX says...

Some encouragement for the troublemaker within us…

“So long as men praise you, you can only be sure that you are not yet on your own true path but on someone else’s.” ~Friedrich Nietzsche

Posted on 02/19/2006 at 10:02 PM