Lex Fridman on Leonard Cohen

[ThanksfortheTrouble]

we can only be glad that leonard did not live to experience this shameful deterioration in the human condition, especially amongst his fans.

I think that Leonard Cohen would ‘just let it go by’.

As he says:

“ You were born to judge the world
Forgive me but I wasn't”

Ian

[Geoffrey]

I think that Leonard Cohen would ‘just let it go by’.

well, if he was as apathetic as you believe, perhaps that is why he was known more as a lady's man than a man's man. people who fear social rejection usually dislike getting involved with things, and thus shy away from voicing an opinion. in psychology we call this condition 'doxophobia', often caused by a dominant mother, or someone having been ridiculed at some point - could be many reasons. good of you to bring this up
----------------------------------
i believe that you heard your master sing

[ThanksfortheTrouble]

I think that Leonard Cohen would ‘just let it go by’.

well, if he was as apathetic as you believe,

That’s curious, Geoffrey. I wonder why you believe I believe he was apathetic.

In context, in ‘Bird on the Wire’, doesn’t

“If I, if I have been unkind
I hope that you can just let it go by”

suggest positive qualities of hope on the author’s part and of compassion and forgiveness on the part of another, rather than apathy on the part of either?

I prefer to believe the former.

Ian

[its4inthemorning]

Leonard will be forgotten by most...but not by all. There will always be those who will use the gift of human intelligence to study what was said and written by those that came before them, but historically, that has always been a small group. In 20-30 years, how many will know of the great classical composers and writers and poets? Far, far fewer than now, I surmise. And yet there will be some. And those few will be the writers and poets and musicians of the future--the ones who studied and interpreted what came before them, not the masses content to run with the crowd and listen to music devoid of message and melody, and to read doggerel. And unless censorship and authoritarianism prevail, they will be the ones who move literature and art forward for future generations. I hold my breath, because this is far from a sure thing.

4

[Geoffrey]

Leonard will be forgotten by most...

I agree with most of what you write, but Elvis will be remembered for much longer than Leonard. I never met Elvis, but after studying interviews and other footage, I would put his IQ at approximately 90, higher than the 70 to which he is generally accredited but still lower than 100 - which is the average scoring.

Leonard I did meet several times, and using his processing speed as a baseline, I calculated that his mental capacity and cognitive reflexes put him in the region of 135/140. Therefore, one can assume that intelligence is not a crucial component in guaranteeing an influence on future generations. In any case, when the universe closes down, as will eventually happen, all matter will be obliterated - and the work of every writer, poet and musician will be gone.

[its4inthemorning]

when the universe closes down, as will eventually happen, all matter will be obliterated - and the work of every writer, poet and musician will be gone.

Memo to Universe:

"I loved you when our love was blessed
I love you when there's nothing left
But closing time."

4

[Geoffrey]

That’s curious, Geoffrey. I wonder why you believe I believe he was apathetic.

A sociologist competent in behavioural science is often able to accurately access a subject's subconscious convictions simply by 'reading between the lines' as it is called in layman's terminology. The way a person writes or speaks reveals information that can betray what is unintentionally being communicated, but this is bordering onto neuropsychology - and to go into detail would demand too much time.

We often try to fool others, even ourselves, by conveying a message that is not entirely true. A conscious example might be 'The lady doth protest too much, methinks' from 'Hamlet' - but in your case I think an underlying desire to protect Leonard's honour was unwittingly revealed. I am not infallible, and admit I could be wrong - it's just the impression I was given.

[AlanM]

check out this resource: https://iep.utm.edu/fallacy/

I have finally finished reading this article, albeit not exclusively.
I did find it very interesting, but not intriguing enough to take it up as a full time study.

My favourite example is:
I never generalize, because everyone who does is a hypocrite.

I love how the pomposity of the statement turns on itself.

Thank you again for the link.

Alan