The Who's Roger Daltrey says the internet is destroying our brains, society, and civilization

[captaincranky]

He's absolutely correct, in many respects. At least in the sense that social media is toxic and destructive to many individuals.

That said, the internet is a valuable tool toward self betterment, depending on how you use it.

If you use it for gaining topical knowledge about your personal interests, it's the best tool available.

If you use it to try and gain friendship or followers, or find out what Kim Kardashian powders her a** with, you need to get a life..

If you use it as a hacking /scamming tool, you need to be put in jail.

 

[captaincranky]

Although the man never wrote a single piece of music you'll remember, he managed to survive 15 years with one of the most toxic bands ever (Towshend and Moon were constantly casuig ****, and getting distracted with side-projects / drugs).

Pete Townshend has ceased touring. (AFAIK), However, he stated that Daltrey is the only person he would consider touring with, should the occasion arise.

FWIW, Daltrey has had throat surgery and is back in reasonably good voice.

 

[wiyosaya]

The internet is a tool and how it is used determines its usefulness. IMO, there are a vast number of useful sites out there with a substantial amount of knowledge and information that is good information. Personally, I don't use sites like Tweeter and Fakebook as to me, they are useless sites - of which there are probably far more useless sites, IMO, than there are useful ones.

And I get what he is saying about sites that pay singers/songwriters a measly fee for each time one of their songs is streamed. In that respect, I think he is off-base because even when the Who were something big (personally, I consider The Who of a dying class of supergroups that actually had talent and produced great music - along with Led Zeppelin, The Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, Yes, the very early Rolling Stones, and perhaps a few others) it was also difficult if not impossible for any group to land a big recording contract like The Who did. The Who made it big because they were lucky enough to get that recording contract, but I cannot imagine what it was like in that day and age for a truly talented artist to "make it".

As I see it, much of today's internet is only interested in one thing - money. IMO, until the world comes to the point where it values something other than money and power, nothing, absolutely nothing will change. Its all about selling something to them. There is much more to life than selling stuff, making money, and becoming king/queen of the hill.

 

[wiyosaya]

Although the man never wrote a single piece of music you'll remember, he managed to survive 15 years with one of the most toxic bands ever (Towshend and Moon were constantly casuig ****, and getting distracted with side-projects / drugs).

The man knows from experience how hard it is to stay sane in this Brave New World of Instant Social Media Crap™

I guess you have never listened to a Classic Rock Radio Station - I assume you know what a radio station is? I would be surprised if any such station is not playing something by The Who - For example - "Won't Get Fooled Again"

OK Boomer

Are you trying to prove the man right?

 

[bexwhitt]

He may be old, He may be shouting....but that doesn't mean he's wrong.

Social Media has done more damage to Western Democracy than any bomb or bullet.

Social media is not the internet

 

[Jpe1701]

I think we see more of the crappy parts of humanity online because it's so much easier to stay anonymous online than in the real world.

 

[captaincranky]

@wiyosaya You know me, constantly trying to expand your musical horizons:

(My subtitle, "Jesus goes to Texas}

Alfred Noyes poem

That's it for now, I'm officially out of RAM. (I gave the system a "CCleaner enema"). Annnnd, he's back....

I posted "Baba O'Reilly to keep this "on Topic".

We are after all, oftentimes in, "Techspot Wasteland". .

 

[captaincranky]

I think we see more of the crappy parts of humanity online because it's so much easier to stay anonymous online than in the real world.

I use an alias to avoid having my house burned down. You know because of my attitudes and opinions.

 

[kiwigraeme]

Now listen up kids - it was fine in my day to worship the rock n roll god of pagan excess . Pete used to love smashing guitars - than kids only dreamed about owning .
Man did we smash up a few hotel rooms - as for Pete - - maybe that groupie is quite young - so what ?
Yeah kids those were the good days getting high on speed - travelling to a neighbouring village on our modded vespas for fights ( TBF lates 70s England was a bit drab )

So do as I say (TBF he can have an opinion )

All those musicians that "Mediocre Pub Band" ripped off - were cheated out of royalties , or just had to sell the rights in the 50s to feed themselves .

Through most of history performers made money performing - Those Black artists The RS took riffs from performed 10 or 12 times a week . Mozart died poor .
The Who does really well at the expense of new bands - as old songs can resurface .
Everyone knows that the money from Streaming/YT/Album sales just to cover costs ( excess for top few )
it's tours , merch, promos & tie-ins , adverts ( using music ), TV & Movies etc - rich peoples birthday parties .

Plus does Daltry know just how much new music is put out every week in so many styles ?

The starving artists/actor/performer is a cliche/meme because it's been like true for a longtime .
Oh I am going to run away with the Circus to become mega rich said no one ever, They run away as hicksville is Friday night football, pickup surfing and shooting out road signs -. It's exotic/romantic/an adventure and those trapeze artists are flexible with great thighs ( for either sex )

 

[wiyosaya]

Now listen up kids - it was fine in my day to worship the rock n roll god of pagan excess . Pete used to love smashing guitars - than kids only dreamed about owning .

Amen!

Man did we smash up a few hotel rooms - as for Pete - - maybe that groupie is quite young - so what ?
Yeah kids those were the good days getting high on speed - travelling to a neighbouring village on our modded vespas for fights ( TBF lates 70s England was a bit drab )

So do as I say (TBF he can have an opinion )

All those musicians that "Mediocre Pub Band" ripped off - were cheated out of royalties , or just had to sell the rights in the 50s to feed themselves .

Through most of history performers made money performing - Those Black artists The RS took riffs from performed 10 or 12 times a week . Mozart died poor .

Like most artists his work was only appreciated after he was dead.

The Who does really well at the expense of new bands - as old songs can resurface .
Everyone knows that the money from Streaming/YT/Album sales just to cover costs ( excess for top few )
it's tours , merch, promos & tie-ins , adverts ( using music ), TV & Movies etc - rich peoples birthday parties .

Plus does Daltry know just how much new music is put out every week in so many styles ?

The starving artists/actor/performer is a cliche/meme because it's been like true for a longtime .
Oh I am going to run away with the Circus to become mega rich said no one ever, They run away as hicksville is Friday night football, pickup surfing and shooting out road signs -. It's exotic/romantic/an adventure and those trapeze artists are flexible with great thighs ( for either sex )

I thought cow-tipping was the thing to do in hicksville. My how the times have changed.

 

[kiwigraeme]

Amen!

Like most artists his work was only appreciated after he was dead.

I thought cow-tipping was the thing to do in hicksville. My how the times have changed.

I have no idea -I hate cow tipping - pranks on the innocent always annoy me.

Maybe someone can fill us in
Driving to the levy,
Wife swapping parties,
Line dancing ,
Church working Dos and fetes

Quien Sabe ? as the bean picker said ( is that racists or an ok commentary ?)

 

[captaincranky]

Oh I am going to run away with the Circus to become mega rich said no one ever, They run away as hicksville is Friday night football, pickup surfing and shooting out road signs -. It's exotic/romantic/an adventure and those trapeze artists are flexible with great thighs ( for either sex )

Speaking of circus performers involved with "art erotica", Google "hegre", "Magdalena", and "Julietta" together. The two ladies are twins. You can thank me later..

Any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me.

 

[captaincranky]

Through most of history performers made money performing - Those Black artists The RS took riffs from performed 10 or 12 times a week .

If, "RS" refers to the Rolling Stones, while it's true they performed a ton of songs from earlier black blues players, writing credit was given to the original artist on every "borrowed" tune. It was Jimmy Page who did all the un-credited ripping off.

Townshend's "Tommy", was his own, although a lot of it consists of traditional British martial music, marches. and anthems.

As for "morality", during the 60's and 70's bras were unheard of, and the waistline of young ladies hipsters, was only about 4" or so, above their camel toe. If you even photographed one of them in their "Saturday might best" today, you'd likely be locked up for "child pornography". (Or at least be looked at quite askance).

 

[p51d007]

Streaming doesn't pay enough?
But the hundreds of dollars some acts charge to watch them live, that's ok?

 

[kiwigraeme]

If, "RS" refers to the Rolling Stones, while it's true they performed a ton of songs from earlier black blues players, writing credit was given to the original artist on every "borrowed" tune. It was Jimmy Page who did all the un-credited ripping off.

Townshend's "Tommy", was his own, although a lot of it consists of traditional British martial music, marches. and anthems.

As for "morality", during the 60's and 70's bras were unheard of, and the waistline of young ladies hipsters, was only about 4" or so, above their camel toe. If you even photographed one of them in their "Saturday might best" today, you'd likely be locked up for "child pornography". (Or at least be looked at quite askance).

I agree - I like The Rolling Stones - they freely admitted to using these influences and their admiration - my point was music has not always been lucrative . The Who were in a golden period - selling Vinyl, 45s 33s, cassettes and later CDs + streaming etc
I when to primary in the 70s - Miss - can you you come over and give me some help? - as she leaned over your desk - braless in a loose top and tight jeans - they must of been aware of their effect on us .

 

[Bp968]

The problem here is he lacks nuance, like everything in the media today. The "internet" isnt the problem, social media is. Its the rise of social media (specifically twitter, FB, etc) that are causing the problems. All of those services reward meme's, they reward confrontational posts and divisive posts. Heck twitter even outright limits how much you can say, almost ensuring viral posts lack context and naunce.

If you don't agree with me your clearly an *****/racists/homophobe/transphobe/nazi/communist/cancel culture etc etc etc. And good luck providing citations/data/context and nuance in 280 characters.

People use social media to design their own personal echo chambers so they only have to hear what they want and what reinforces whatever world view makes them happy (and makes them feel smart).

 

[Todd Sauve]

No, it is more like Rap and Hip Hop are destroying civilization.

 

[Todd Sauve]

OK Boomer

Your response is an excuse to display your lack of knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Try again, and this time put your brain in gear first.

 

[captaincranky]

No, it is more like Rap and Hip Hop are destroying civilization.

And the web is serving that garbage up in full measure.. Nor shut Yo mouf ******..

 

[captaincranky]

Your response is an excuse to display your lack of knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Try again, and this time put your brain in gear first.

I want him off my lawn too.

 

[captaincranky]

I when to primary in the 70s - Miss - can you you come over and give me some help? - as she leaned over your desk - braless in a loose top and tight jeans - they must of been aware of their effect on us

Indeed they are, and have been for centuries. "World's oldest profession", and all that. However, it hadn't been weaponized until the 2020's

 

[NumberSix]

He also thought Brexit was a great idea and look how that worked out for him.

 

[captaincranky]

He also thought Brexit was a great idea and look how that worked out for him.

Well, so did a lot of other people, and I seriously doubt Daltrey's signature is on the paperwork.

 

[ChrisH1]

So true. Why can't people just destroy their brains, society, and civilization the way God intended it, the way we did it when he was young, I.e. with ultra-loud rock-and-roll, rebellion and drugs?

 

[NumberSix]

Well, so did a lot of other people, and I seriously doubt Daltrey's signature is on the paperwork.

The difference being he was told the impact it would have on musicians and then when it became a reality he was bleating like a plonker.