See, this is why I like your 'Stack so much, Lara: I too have thought a lot about this song and the issues you raise. I'm a longtime atheist and former experimental psychologist who's had more than a few things happen to me that I can't explain logically or understand rationally. In trying to get to a deeper place of understanding, I briefly explored a few Skeptic websites; what I found was predominantly scientism—the idea that science alone is capable of uncovering and explaining the workings of the universe and all within. Hell, we still don't understand how consciousness arises and works!
Back to the music. Like you, I'd previously been fairly dismissive of this song as a lyrical miss ... but I suspect that you may be right about Neil's self-awareness.
I find that Neil liked to poke fun at himself more than anybody else. Maybe it helped keep him grounded and level, I don't know. But songs like this make me wonder. :) Thanks for reading, as always!!
The effort, energy and pashion that went into creating today's report made me smile. Bravo. Bit swamped to drill down on the song ( which I usually do ). Review tonight :)
One contribution from moi - The totem ( inukshuk) - the long hand points in the direction traveller should go to reach their destination. It's not just decorative.
I didn't know that! I remember crossing the Andes in Peru (which of course is not Canada but still). As we crested a ridge, we came across a plateau of inukshuk-like structures as far as the eye could see. Each traveler who'd passed that point had left a single stone on a single structure; and there were easily tens of thousands of them. It was one of the most profound moments of my life.
See, this is why I like your 'Stack so much, Lara: I too have thought a lot about this song and the issues you raise. I'm a longtime atheist and former experimental psychologist who's had more than a few things happen to me that I can't explain logically or understand rationally. In trying to get to a deeper place of understanding, I briefly explored a few Skeptic websites; what I found was predominantly scientism—the idea that science alone is capable of uncovering and explaining the workings of the universe and all within. Hell, we still don't understand how consciousness arises and works!
Back to the music. Like you, I'd previously been fairly dismissive of this song as a lyrical miss ... but I suspect that you may be right about Neil's self-awareness.
I find that Neil liked to poke fun at himself more than anybody else. Maybe it helped keep him grounded and level, I don't know. But songs like this make me wonder. :) Thanks for reading, as always!!
Concerns - " Media messiahs preying on my fears " ( et al )
Coping mechanisms - " I've got ( religions ) "
" That's why I believe "
---‐---
Deeper song than I once thought. Thanks again.
The effort, energy and pashion that went into creating today's report made me smile. Bravo. Bit swamped to drill down on the song ( which I usually do ). Review tonight :)
One contribution from moi - The totem ( inukshuk) - the long hand points in the direction traveller should go to reach their destination. It's not just decorative.
I didn't know that! I remember crossing the Andes in Peru (which of course is not Canada but still). As we crested a ridge, we came across a plateau of inukshuk-like structures as far as the eye could see. Each traveler who'd passed that point had left a single stone on a single structure; and there were easily tens of thousands of them. It was one of the most profound moments of my life.