The Los Angeles Times is the last of the major "metro" US newspaper websites that I frequently visit. I'm a news junkie, as many know, and I used to visit 3 or 4 different newspaper websites, daily. But first the Washington Post, and then the New York Times disappeared behind complex paywalls that, as a relatively impecunious international reader, weren't worth my trouble to overcome. That left, basically, only the LA Times. Perhaps my frequent deletion of cookies prevented me from noticing it, or perhaps they've only changed its implementaion recently, but the LA Times' paywall has been popping up more often, now, too. And the consequence is that basically I quit going there, just as I quit going to the NYT or WP in the past.
I'm not opposed to paying for web content in principle – I consume NPR as a donating "sustaining" member, and I've donated to other websites that use that "donor-based" pay model, where I value the content. But I much prefer the "voluntary donor" model of pay-for-content than the "sneakily block some content while teasing other content" model that has become nearly universal at US newspapers, for example. So my reaction to being repeatedly harrassed by these paywall widgets is to go find my web content elsewhere.
I have no idea if my reaction is anywhere near typical. But my own reaction can't be unique. And my consequential, rather low-key boycott of the paywalled media can't be unique, either. And so I am really not surprised at the sustained, long-term decline of US newspapers. Like Hollywood and the music industry vis-a-vis the pirates, this is really an example where the industry itself, in its retrograde movements to protect its traditional revenue streams, is destroying itself rather than adapting.
Dang if I’m not utterly blown-over-infatuated with this track, at the moment.
I basically have been listening to it all day. More than that, I’ve been reading the lyrics, too – like I would study a new, compelling poem. This is rap/hip-hop at the level of lyric poetry – in my opinion, of course: musical tastes are entirely subjective. But even if you don’t like the track, read the poetry. It’s good. That good, in my opinion: half cinema-noir, half lucid gnostic fantasy, a kind of philosophical dreamscape littered with the detritus of too much living.
What I’m listening to right now.
Doomtree, “Beacon.”
Doomtree is from Minneapolis. There’s an official video that goes with the song, but I don’t actually like the video, so I found a non-official recording with just the album cover for the youtube, above. I would urge you NOT to watch the official video, until after you’ve listened a few times, and read the lyrics, and formed your own opinion about what the song is about – the video cheapens the narrative. It doesn’t fit. I’m very glad I didn’t watch the video the first time I heard the track.
Lyrics.
[Dessa] I took it for a kiss, but it couldn’t have been, could it? I see now what it is, we were just biting the same bullet You called it in the air it landed it on its edge when the crowd gathers around you turn tail I turn heads Shavin down the puzzle piece tryna make a clean fit Take what is lovely leave before the rain hits It’s a heartbreaker for starters, as you age not too much changes practice doesn’t make perfect, just makes the game more dangerous
[Stef] Start repo negative sleep nauseous barf party for sure intelligent creep stalking awkward Flush flustered rush for doors advance fire-plan handy with the way out routes explored Cover catching up careful with your care We don’t go there, naw We keep locks and keys steadily swallowed never be followed, none of em dare Channel up your anger leave it here kindly disappear Mind your mannerisms I can’t be flattered back The patterns the concern lessons prolly turned to fact By now you’d surely drown yourself before you’d help me with this sail I’m the wind crossed fingers for the win Up to ten til they hammer in the very last nail Challenging like every last stalemate Deal… with it No mission ends Precision lack of friends Happily recommend nothing to no one, ever
[Cecil] I know, I know I know, wake up, wake up But I don’t go there, go there She knows the way home I know, I know I know, wake up, wake up But I don’t go there, go there She knows the way home
[Cecil] You know your way home? You gonna be all right? Yeah, but I had faith that you’d see the light and ride with me or kiss me goodbye Now you got me feeding kites into the night sky Covered them with nightlights – like, did you see the beacon? I swear I let those kites fly around all weekend, no? Well someone must have cut the lines or something, no? Or maybe something, oh, you weren’t looking …Ok Plan B just panic run up the stairs and shut the door to the attic and don’t come up for air until you’re torn from her fabric completely… and just like magic, you’re all in one piece again But, I’m nothing like I used to be… elusive and reclusive Now I’m just both times a hundred… exclusively Truthfully, I was blind to the deep end until that piece of us went and died that weekend
[Cecil] I know, I know I know, wake up, wake up But I don’t go there, go there She knows the way home I know, I know I know, wake up, wake up But I don’t go there, go there She knows the way home
[Sims] Then it flashed forward, but I asked for it Rip out the doubt, I’m way too south I gulped it up, I laid back peeling off the layers the mantra saying “fear can’t stay here – self, see you later” Fire chakra dissolve to ether I have to meet her, I know she knows the way I’ll have to die twice, no novocaine See the Eye of Horace, I am Osiris I meet the devil, it ain’t the first time He kills me quick like I am nothing Scream St. Peter, I need you now cousin I see the owls coming, they float me safe I learn their grace, they help me heal under stars, peeling off my skin to rid my scars it’s the first time I am reborn, but I am not me No identity, and I am finally free< /span> I am my brother, I am my father I am the sun, I am the water I am an ion, I am everything I am the vapor, a cloud of smoke I am a cheap laugh, but I get the joke I am a brief flash, the abstract
I’ve been feeling more creative, lately.
Firstly, I made a rather creative dinner tonight, that came out quite deliciously: a tricolor rotini pasta alfredo with brocolli and cranberry and nutmeg. An unusual combination that I was quite pleased with.
Secondly, I’m trying to draw something every day. I’ve been messing with my pastels. Today, in about 10 minutes, I did the below self-portrait, while listening to this song. So now, every time I see this picture, I will think of this song.
