"Don't Forget Love" [Neil Young: The Barn Interview] + Comments of the Moment
Crazy Horse, 2021
Neil Young - Don't Forget Love [The Barn Interview]
Which brings us to our Comments of the Moment. First from post " Comments of the Moment: Neil Young's "The COVID Years", Joe Rogan, Spotify and Vaccine Disinformation " by Dan:
I have intentionally avoided the onslaught of posts concerning this issue until now. [ed See here, here and here]
I’m beginning to understand what the underlying issues are that have created this onslaught of anger and polarization. The pandemic has certainly played a part, as it has encroached upon our status quo within our daily lives. This past two years have allowed people the opportunity to reassess their lives, and reconsider the choices they’ve made through the years. Meanwhile; there’s been an upheaval of social unrest that impacted so many people, in very different ways.
There’s an increasing number of people who have been disenfranchised from their lives by so many different events that many are feeling left behind from what seems like an apathetic government. This apathy has begun to reveal the fact that the government has spent decades treading water in the comfort of their own status quo.
With social media, some people are discovering that there are others who think the same way they do, and this creates these thought platforms that presume that what they think…. is right, and therefore everyone else…is wrong. Creating the mythology of US vs Them. When someone becomes convinced that they’re the one who knows the truth, and what is right, this is when society begins its painful decline. They then finds others that agree with them, and you have the beginning of a movement. As that movement grows, others begin to feel threatened, and that creates conflict.
We’ve arrived at a crossroad. Will love overcome hate, or will we collapse under the weight of turning our neighbors into the enemy? Many of the recent posts here suggest that many people have already started attacking one another. I found some of them to be unnecessarily cruel. Yet there were just enough that contained enough love, peace, and understanding to convince me that there is still hope. For those of you who feel anger, hate, and rage towards others who disagree with you, I implore you to take some time out to search for your better selves, and reconsider how your anger will affect your children, friends, neighbors and family.
Words are powerful and they can do more harm than good. Take the time to allow yourself to have independent thought for just a moment, without all the opinions you hear from others, because your life may depend on it.
Your stance on different issues don’t have to separate you from anyone else, and taking the time to reassess your position while listening to other perspectives does not pose a serious threat to you. You don’t have to change your mind, but you may find common ground where you hadn’t noticed it before; just by listening to each other.
Peace to all
Thanks so much Dan for sharing these wise and calming words during these volatile times. Might history some day note that some of the real true hero's were those who kept their heads level, voices low, minds open, conscious' clear and actions controlled.
To which Ian/MR added:
Dan,
I just want to validate your sentiment. Incivility, spite, and cruelty are discouraging under any circumstances. The world needs more people more willing to communicate and understand one another. We need more patience. We need compassion. I don't have unlimited patience, but I try my best.
If change comes, I don't think it will come quickly. The need to nurture a culture of acceptance, understanding, and all those other worn (but warm) cliches is why I've begun including my new signature, which I will try to be consistent about from here on. Of course, it's also a tip of the hat to the new album. The last song on Barn, in my opinion, really is about the need Dan is speaking to.
"Don't forget love."
Thanks Ian and Dan for trying not to forget love. We'll get through this. We always have. We always will.
not forgetting love,
thrashers
Labels: album, interview, neil young, song
by thrasher@PermaLink: 2/01/2022 05:45:00 PM
13 comments
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13 Comments:
So I was trying to stay away from comments. Currently much work and I cannot say anything about controversy without losing my shit.
So, why am I here? Dan, Ian and Dionys discussed civility. I had a very difficult experience on MLK day that is relevant. I was walking our cairn terriers around our local park and we were attacked by a bull mastiff, which almost killed one of our dogs. I had to smash the mastiff with my body. The owner of the dog dropped the leash before the attack, she did not try to stop her dog. The details are just as awful.
When I tried to get her name as my dog was bleeding all over the street, she refused and walked away quickly.
Our dog is now ok after surgery. Police tell me not to "interfere" with a dog attack. Can you imagine dropping that leash?
Nothing about politics. It was just awful.
I am so sorry that happened! I am glad it was not worse!
There has been a confrontational, aggressive coyote nearby where I hike, always have my knife. And I picked up a walking stick which doubles as a defensive weapon, made by nature. I wear boots & have kicked attacking dogs.
Your aggressive Pacifist Brother in Seattle
@ Abner - oh dear?! So sorry to hear this. seems terrible.
incidentally, we've been trying to stay away as well, but ...
good luck w/ your dog. hope he makes full recovery. got to ask, the dag's name?
@ Our aggressive Pacifist Brother in Seattle - vigilance is key.
Thrasher, the dog's name is "Scout." A female cairn terrier. Incredibly, at 18 pounds, she stood her ground with the Mastiff (140 pounds)... but, as we all find out, courage is often not enough. She is on her way to full recovery but will have permanent scars and some disfigurement (very slight). I learned an old lesson, actually several- the world is such that we cannot plan for all contingencies, much of life we never see coming. The illusion of control, which I think infects much of contemporary science and technology. But I need to shut up.
The idea of the song is beautiful and it is sterling advice. Let us not forget that we depend on each other in ways that we do not even understand. More than anything, I want to see the United States heal itself. Healing is itself a beautiful process.
All the best to you & Scout.
We never stop learning. Sorry again for the trauma. Know the feeling after our own incident last year.
While we fortunately suffered no injuries when the tree fell on our home, it's been emotionally traumatic nonetheless. But if we did learn anything from this, it did strengthen our thrasher love between us. We each drew on inner strengths we didn't know we had, worked together to minimize damage as quickly as possible.
having said that, the victory was overcoming fear of freezing and locking up. We were in a situation long ago where we feel we didn't rise to action. We froze and locked up.
no one ever discovers their inner strength until they're in the situation when no time to think or direct. Only action matters.
Long may Scout run
Sorry about your dog Abner. Not sure if Iowa has a conceal/carry law (I think you're in Iowa) but if you had a pistol you could have shot the bitch in the leg & claimed you were aiming at her dog. They say no animal's life is worth a human's but that's just not true. I hope Scout recovers quickly. Sending prayers your way.
Abner,
Alas there are many dog owners who use their animals as proxy weapons and machismo symbols. We had someone like that around our local park but luckily several other owners confronted him and got rid of him. He wasn't local - since I'm in the UK no firearms were required.
The other thing over here is many people got dogs during our various lockdowns for company or an excuse to leave the home but are abandoning them now that restrictions are being lifted. The local animal rescue charities are overloaded with strays at a time when their finances have been hard hit. Lot of fundraising happening now.
Good to hear that Scout got prompt veterinary attention and hope she doesn't get withdrawn and nervous when she sees other dogs when you get her out and about.
I don't own a dog myself, but I am reminded of my uncle's dog Tinker - a tiny wire hair terrier, who's favourite game was to go over the local park, run under the legs of any passing male dog and launch himself at their "inscruta-balls". Tinker had one ear but was one happy mutt.
Tony "Hambone"
‘DON’T FORGET LOVE’….. for your pets. The only ones truly capable of unconditional love.
Peace 🙏
These comments are basic proof of the good will within this community. I would really enjoy meeting all of you.
I now have listened to Barn several times through. "They Might Be Lost" is my favorite song because I think there is a universal embedded in the particular. whatever the people/persons lost, it has universal scope: we might be lost, I might be lost, and so on. Simple and powerful.
I hope everyone is well and Thrasher I think of you and Thrashette often. We had a tree fall on our house in 2018 and we never had to move out. But it was still very unsettling and difficult. We have been in this house for 32 years and I have put my life into it, we raised our children here. Very hard, "where we dwell" as Heidegger would say.
Thanks for the words, Dan, Ian, and Thrasher. Thanks for the posts.
Heartfelt wisdom, Dan. Humans are a destructive species. I wonder if we can save ourselves. Dog Help Us!
@ Abner : It would be so nice to walk the dog without fear of attack. The reaction of the other dog owner is troubling. Being a dog owner, my heart goes out to you and pup. Yes, it would be nice to have a meetup. We'd probably need to vote for which Neil Young songs / albums would be played. Get some guitars out and sing. Maybe ole Neil would let us have a party in the Barn! It does look a bit drafty for winter tho.
Our local aggressive coyote is larger than average on the West coast, and way more confrontational, even in daylight. I met one woman who had been confronted by it with her dog. Yes, a walking stick can come in handy up here in the woods.
Your brother in Seattle
Alan, thanks. I have an idea. I went to Des Moines yesterday and bought some bear spray. If that mastiff comes around again, I'll soak his block head in toxic waste!
Friends, Scout went to the vet this morning and is just about fully recovered. Stitches came out. She is a little weak but in good spirits. Last night I made a big fire in the woodstove and she passed out next to the warmth. There is nothing like a wood fire.
great news Abner on Scout coming around.
and totally with you 100% on wood fire stove. after being away from our home for past months, one of the 1st things thrashette & I did when we moved back was crank up the wood stove. January was a cold month for us. Must say not much better than a cold, snowy night, a fireplace, and a nice beverage w/ some good tunes. Tunes like a full neil & Horse concert stream.
actually we just described tonight's plan. :)
@ Abner : So happy to hear that Scout is recuperating and resting next to the wood stove. Our animal companions are so precious and deserve the best we can give them.
Peace 🙏
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