Building the Perfect Beast

Back in the mid 80’s Don Henley released a solo album. Ten years before Hell Froze Over. Buildings the Perfect Beast was introduced to me by a friend. We sat at his house one night listening to a cassette version on a cheap boom box. Later we drove to the mall in my car listening to it in the open air of the vehicles T-roof. Youth was a high all unto itself. We thought we could rule the world. 

The song that first got my attention was the Boys of Summer. Even though I haven't seen it in years I still associate the music with video and remember Josh Paul banging on the drums.  I have nothing but fond memories of that time period. I remember being hooked at the very beginning. The song begins with an rhythmic anticipation and a simple guitar twang that pulls you in. As if to say it's time to pay attention.

The second song to really catch my attention wasn't All she wants to do is Dance, like one might expect. Truth is I really never cared to much for that one. Yes it's got a nice hook from the start but it just doesn't click with my psyche. Building the perfect Beast, grabbed my attention and holds it to this day. The subject matter is a reflection on mankind and were we are going. It starts off stating that the perfect beast is the top predator killing "the things we don't eat" It goes on to refer to planned greatness rivaling the gods of Olympus and a reference to Walt Kelly's earth day poster from 43 years ago, "We have met the enemy and he is us". It closes speculating on our life spans getting longer and longer and us gaining a deeper understanding of our world. These would be the references to Methuselah and digging deeper into Pandora's box. I find it to be a stunningly great song in lyrics, rhythm  and execution. This is definitely my favorite on the album.

I am of the opinion that A month of  Sundays should always be played directly before Sunset Grill. One song flows into the next like Jackson Browne's The load out and Stay. It's like one story leads right to the next. A month of Sundays is a beautiful reflection song about times gone past. The Sunset Grill  is the kind of place you'd like to go and do the reflection. 

If I was going to a desert island and could only take 3 albums with me They would be Building the Perfect Beast, Pink Floyd's The Wall, and The Beatles Rubber Soul.

The Bafflement of Failure

I see apps showing up in the Apple and Android stores and think to myself what's the point? The app is free and does some cutsie thing and does it in a social way (read expects you to share it on Facebook, Twitter, etc). Somehow these people manage to convince people with more money than brains that if they build it, the people will come. It just takes a few more dollars.

Seriously?

I have found humans to be basically selfish. We all have ulterior motives for our actions that may not be apparent up front. Some so that they can get into heaven. Some hoping for fame. Some, like myself, for the endorphin rush when you know you've helped someone else and made the world just a little bit better.

For this reason "Social" is a failure. "But what about Facebook?", I hear you cry (or maybe that's just a voice in my head).  Well let us take a peek at the Facebook model. Advertising. You yourself can pay Facebook so that your personal post is ensured to get to all your 'Friends'. But don't actually be selling something because then they expect you to pay more...a lot more.

Be weary of snake oil salesman who tell you it's a social app. Yes people might use it. But you'll never make a return on your investment. Better to buy Yahoo stock while it's still under $40. Ms. Mayer will take that company places. After all she's a geek with a plan.

The Erosion of Society

There is trend in North America of spreading out as far and as wide as possible. This has the effect of requiring transportation to go from place to place. It also allows for Mega-stores. Neither are necessarily bad in their own right. It is the way that the engineers and designers have chosen to implement the scheme.
People are encouraged to own a house. Banks advertise the low interest rates and show Mom, Dad and the kids all smiling as if out of some Stepford Wives nightmare. This only spreads building and more importantly people further away from each other.
Homeowners now have to maintain the own property. Trim the lawn, make sure that the property generally stays in good repair so that they may continue to live in it. To this end the homeowner is now required to own a vehicle to get a lawnmower and because they are not built to last, intentionally, in a year or two it will have to be replaced. The reason for this is because labor has become so expensive that it is cheaper to just purchase a new item rather than fixing the old.
Labor is so expensive because everyone has to buy a house, a car, a lawnmower and on and on. While this stimulates the economy it makes people busier which gives them less time to socialize face to face. People who don't socialize with others tend to become less trusting of others. This is encouraged by the isolation developed from driving one ton vehicles around.
The solution to this ever growing problem is simple. Design things around personable interaction. Make use of public transportation more convenient then a personal vehicle.  How? well first public transit should be closer to buildings rather than farther away. Sidewalks should be cleared before roads, except routes used by public transportation. This would also give people much needed exercise. It's not a complete solution but following this pattern would be a good start.
Unfortunately this will most likely not happen anytime soon because it would completely destroy the economy as we now no it.

But maybe that's a good thing. ;-)