Enjoyed this quote from legendary Kinks guitarist Dave Davies, which was part of an interview promoting his new solo album:

>> "These are really challenging and exciting times to live in. I wanted to make an album that would be hopeful and inspiring yet raw and above all honest. I think with the use of positive imagination and creativity we can truly change the world for the better. Inspire and uplift. Entertain but still ask searching questions about our inner as well as outer lives.

"In this wonderful new era which is emerging, I believe we will finally be able to see through the lies, the crap that has surrounded us for hundreds, probably thousands of years, and to at last reveal our true essence. Our true souls. Our divinty. This is a time of revelation, a time of purification, a time of emancipation. Of liberation for the soul.

"Through music, energy and communcation, it's my job as a mystic, teacher, musician and entertainer to reveal. To heal, to help uplift and illuminate the mind and heart. Love, peace and oneness!"

As for his health, Davies says he's doing great and is "looking forward to the future with much optimism and anticipation." <<

It's kinda hippy-dippy-ish, but his upbeat outlook is infectious, especially coming from a person who's suffered several years of ill health ~ I agree with the gist of what he's saying ~ it's because of our burgeoning technology that "the lies and the crap" are being seen through more and more, and it's becoming progressively more difficult for self-appointed authorities and experts in all walks of life to maintain the kind of control they used to take for granted. Just one more reason ~ maybe the biggest reason ~ that the Internet is a very, very good thing overall.

Anyway ... here's more about Dave's new album:

http://www.imwan.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10609

I agree. I think we tend to hear a lot about the bad of technology in that that is what makes money - reporting bad news. Technology in itself is not good or evil. It's the intent it's used with.

And I think that Linda is the greatest positive influence on the InterNet!!

Thanks Linda!

Honestly, I don't see this as hippy-dippy-ish. Then again, maybe living ten miles from Woodstock makes me immune to that sort of thing.

Not only is technology making us more aware, I truly believe that people are simply becoming more "in touch" with their true selves and that they are more and more willing to stand up for what they know in their hearts is "right." I guess I'm idealistic, but I truly believe that most people are good at their core.

One of the things we were discussing in one of the sexism threads is that we would all benefit from assessing society's expectations of us (specifically with regard to gender roles - but it applies to race, religion, nationality etc as well.) After looking at these societal "expectations," we should dismiss those things which go against our core humanity and just strive to be more human. Who needs some antiquated concepts and beliefs (many of which are in place to benefit those in power,) defining who we are "supposed" to be? They are bad for the individual and for society as well.

I really sense that Dave is saying something similar.

I particularly agree with his comment about using "positive imagination and creativity" to "truly change the world for the better." This is a factor that has played into most of my Psych papers in school and my Professors seem to love the perspective. I truly believe that creative people are the ones who enrich our lives and world the most, and it's a shame that many artists live and die in poverty. To every person who has followed her/his dream in trying to make the world a better place, even if it meant sacrificing financial security, I offer a hearty "thank you" and hope that society will wake up some day, recognize every person for his or her cotribution to that society (even if they aren't wealthy businesspeople) and starts taking care of one another.

I guess I have a hippie mindset after all, don't I?

It's kinda hippy-dippy-ish, but his upbeat outlook is infectious
***********************
Yes it is. I've been infected and hope to remain a carrier.

get a haircut, ya hippies!

Let's invite Dave to join IMWAN!

And here's the video for the first single from the album. Dave is cool, period, but for a 60 year old he's out-of-this-world cool!

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Wow, Davies is back. Okay, it's not Ray, but still. That was a really good tune. Dave's sounding a lot like Robert Pollard these days.

Very cool, I'll be checking this out.

Ray's last album, "Other People's Lives" was released in 2006. IIRC much of it was recorded in pre-Katrina New Orleans. A lot of it was inspired by his being shot when he was mugged a couple years earlier.

When Dave had his stroke he moved in with Ray. They famously fight like mad dogs but when things get bad, the blood will out.