This weekend reached the climax of X Factor , a TV talent show. I have never watched this programme, indeed I have worked hard to avoid it. It offends both my musical tastes and represents to me a perfect example of how the media is dumbed down in Britain. Yet in spite of having never seen it, I know who won, because the BBC ( and it's not one of their programmes) announced it on their TV news this morning.
The result was announced on the front page of the nation's largest selling paper, it was one of the most popular topics on twitter and apparently it attracted one of the largest viewing figures of the year. I assume that the World Cup attracted the highest.
Now I'm not a fan of singers who belt out ballads, especially when they have not written the song. Immediately after on TV , Elton John was interviewed, he attacked X Factor culture from the viewpoint of the performer. To Elton, TV appearances and stage managed panels, are no substitute for learning the craft by doing live appearances touring. In music like in many areas of life you have to pay your dues and learn your craft, all the glitz and hype of X Factor can replace the road.
Key Quotes
"Anyone who believes that exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist."
(Kenneth Boulding)
"Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. "
(Raymond Chandler)
"Live simply so that others can simply live." (unknown)
"I cannot live without books" (Thomas Jefferson)
"Sport is war without the shooting" (George Orwell)
"New York is a great city to live in if you can afford to get out of it" (William Rossa Cole)
The secret of a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits (Patterson Hood)
(Kenneth Boulding)
"Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. "
(Raymond Chandler)
"Live simply so that others can simply live." (unknown)
"I cannot live without books" (Thomas Jefferson)
"Sport is war without the shooting" (George Orwell)
"New York is a great city to live in if you can afford to get out of it" (William Rossa Cole)
The secret of a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits (Patterson Hood)
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