Bombast, Bloviation and Pretentiousness
Gaddafi: A Living Myth
With Libya in the news, perhaps it's time to revisit Gaddafi: A Living Myth, the 2006 opera that was billed as an "all singing, all dancing, free-spirited version of the Dictator's life."
Here's a catalog of contemporary reactions.
Speaking before the September premiere of his new commission, Gaddafi: A Living Myth, English National Opera artistic director John Berry averred that it could "redefine opera".
The piece, written by members of Asian Dub Foundation, was billed in advance as a venture of extraordinary audacity, addressing contemporary politics in music that would set our old friend the Classical Music Establishment by its ears.
Some of us had doubts long before the premiere. In December 2005, writing in this paper about the state of affairs at English National Opera, I said: "A commissioned opera from Asian Dub Foundation has had to be put off - and it's not hard to guess why."
When it was finally unveiled, there was not much pleasure to be had from seeing this gloomy prognostication confirmed.
The critics did their worst: "Cliche and bombast ... "repetitive and incoherent ... laughably wooden" ... "as cynical as Simon Cowell" ... "embarrassingly redolent of sixth-form earnestness" ... "long stretches of jaw-dropping banality" ... "risible moments that look and sound like a Middle Eastern version of Springtime For Hitler". Worst of all, almost every review used the word "brave".
Alas, I cannot find a video of the actual production. Here are two of the creators discussing it.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jan 23, 2020 -
Comments (0)
Category: Bombast, Bloviation and Pretentiousness, Crowds, Groups, Mobs and Other Mass Movements, Dictators, Tyrants and Other Harsh Rulers, Music, Avant Garde, Twentieth Century, Twenty-first Century, Cacophony, Dissonance, White Noise and Other Sonic Assaults
Radiorama, “Vampires”
Their Wikipedia page. Don't abandon this until the actual "singing" starts.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Dec 23, 2019 -
Comments (1)
Category: Bombast, Bloviation and Pretentiousness, Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, Music, 1980s, Fictional Monsters
Have an airport nice day
In 1991, the New York Port Authority launched a $90,000 program to teach its employees to be friendlier to tourists. As part of this program employees "were encouraged to repeat the following mantra as a send-off to visitors: 'Thank you. Have an airport nice day.'"
Minneapolis Star Tribune - Aug 12, 1991
Posted By: Alex - Thu Apr 19, 2018 -
Comments (2)
Category: Bombast, Bloviation and Pretentiousness, 1990s
The Empire of the Sahara
In June 1903 a French sugar millionaire, one Jacques Lebaudy, a dapper little man with a sharp nose and a shrill high-pitched voice who was said to have a personal fortune of some pounds 3m, recruited a dozen Breton sailors and landed them on the coast of Spanish Morocco, commanding them to go forth and establish an empire. Lebaudy then informed the French authorities that he was henceforth to be addressed as Jacques I, Najin-al-Den, Emperor of the Sahara, Commander of the Faithful, King of Tarfaia, Duke of Arleuf and Prince of Chal-Huin.
Full account here, including his inglorious death.
Wikipedia entry here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri May 12, 2017 -
Comments (5)
Category: Bombast, Bloviation and Pretentiousness, Dictators, Tyrants and Other Harsh Rulers, Eccentrics, 1900s, Africa, Europe
Gender Neutral Pronouns
The use of gender neutral pronouns such as ze and xem, amongst others is being encouraged on the campus of the University of Tennessee. Administration wants to be welcoming and all inclusive to new students and I quote, “We should not assume someone’s gender by their appearance, nor by what is listed on a roster or in student information systems,” #down the rabbit hole.
Posted By: Alex - Sat Aug 29, 2015 -
Comments (12)
Category: Ambiguity, Uncertainty and Deliberate Obscurity, Bombast, Bloviation and Pretentiousness, Universities, Colleges, Private Schools and Academia
Zero Tolerance Extends To Parents
Superintendent Jay Foster of Senatobia Schools in Mississippi pressed disturbing the peace charges against parents who did not follow his directions to hold applause till the end of the graduation ceremony. Not only were the offending parents removed from the audience, missing the rest of the ceremony, but they now each face a possible $500 fine. Apparently zero tolerance now extends to parents as well.
Picture from Yahoo images
Posted By: Alex - Wed Jun 03, 2015 -
Comments (8)
Category: Annoying Things, Bombast, Bloviation and Pretentiousness, Surrealism, Can’t Possibly Be True
Hippie Wisdom from Donald Sutherland and Rod McKuen
Mad Men is over. But you can still savor that era with lots of videos such as these two.
Is that the actress's real voice?
Posted By: Paul - Wed May 20, 2015 -
Comments (3)
Category: Bombast, Bloviation and Pretentiousness, Movies, Music, Bohemians, Beatniks, Hippies and Slackers, 1960s
Steal This Record!
What other ethical choice do you have, if you support Barbara Dane's point of view?
I do feel sorry for her husband, though, working in the coal mine without any shoes. Ouch!
Still, if you insist on purchasing this CD and supporting the vile capitalist system, the link is below.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Mar 14, 2015 -
Comments (8)
Category: Bombast, Bloviation and Pretentiousness, Business, Music, Bohemians, Beatniks, Hippies and Slackers, 1970s, Nausea, Revulsion and Disgust
Gospel Rap
"Halfway down the stairs I see a major stain on my shirt." That's keepin' it real!
Posted By: Paul - Fri Sep 12, 2014 -
Comments (5)
Category: Bombast, Bloviation and Pretentiousness, Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, Music, Religion
Roadways and The Thought
Not all poems benefit by being set to music.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Apr 28, 2013 -
Comments (3)
Category: Bombast, Bloviation and Pretentiousness, Music, Twentieth Century
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |