While we're on the subject, does anyone remember a one-off BBC1 play about the meeting between Robeson and Nye Bevan in Wales in the early 50s? Shown late 80s/early 90s, I vaguely recollect.

Incidentally, not knowing who Paul Robeson was IS a crime. There are things people SHOULD be aware of, even if only dimly. The alternative is a world in which the likes of MSP get lauded for their "intelligence" just for chucking a few vaguely-understood historical refs in their dull stadium rock, when that stuff should just be general knowledge. In other words, the world we actually live in.

I was ridculed at work recently for watching documentaries. This was from someone who on the day of the last election told me to shut up about politics because they are not important to her. I wanted to trot out the old adage about women dying so that she owuld have a vote but figured that there was very little point.

Now my worry is that this person is responsible for my organisation's dealings with the media, which can be quite tricky at times.

At the moment I just despair at the level of stupidity that I come across on a daily basis - people who know nothing about modern history and how the world is shaped by past events.

I think you're right Paul Robeson was not just a great entertainment figure but was one of the most important figures in the world civil rights movement and people should know about him.

Just as importantly people have no idea who Hitler was, what the Nazi regime represented, how important the fall of the Berlin Wall was.

We seem to applaud stupidity - just look at how the nation has taken Helen from BB to it's heart.

>We seem to applaud stupidity - just look at how the nation has taken Helen from BB to it's heart.

Just as the only thing that seems to interest anyone about Brass Eye is the celebrity hoaxes designed to (hey!) make celebrities look stupid. Forget the often excellent sketches, or the brilliantly subtle digs at current affairs pomposity, missed by every last imitator who laughed loudest at Morris saying "Builders or blacks for example" without knowing why.

Another thing. The Radio Times feels it can barely mention an informative programme in its Choice section without slipping in a red-faced "If this sounds too much like O-level history, don't worry".

>
>>
>>
>Just as importantly people have no idea who Hitler was, what the Nazi regime represented, >

That's not actually true though is it?

missed by every last imitator who laughed loudest at Morris saying "Builders or blacks for example" without knowing why.

It re-assures you to think that only you and Morris himself knew why it was funny. You dream of the day when he turns to camera and shoots his mucky white sins all over the lens, declaring that you are the only one who really 'gets' him.
Unfortunately for you, most averagely intelligent people knew why they were laughing and knew exactly why it was funny. Just as most averagely intelligent people know that XFM is a pile of shite but don't feel the need to cry into the bossoms of other muppets everytime something upsets them.

>
>missed by every last imitator who laughed loudest at Morris saying "Builders or blacks for example" without knowing why.
>
>It re-assures you to think that only you and Morris himself knew why it was funny. You dream of the day when he turns to camera and shoots his mucky white sins all over the lens, declaring that you are the only one who really 'gets' him.

Isn't TV Go Home facking great?

>Unfortunately for you, most averagely intelligent people knew why they were laughing and knew exactly why it was funny.

Recent press reports suggest otherwise.

>Just as most averagely intelligent people know that XFM is a pile of shite but don't feel the need to cry into the bossoms of other muppets everytime something upsets them.

I'm not a regular listener. And is the word you're struggling to remember "bosoms". If so, use a dictionary. Fathead.

Justin, you cunnt. I've never seen TV Go home. What was that reference in aid of. Do they say 'mucky white sins'? I made that up in my back garden whilst studying your mums deformed spine.

>Justin, you cunnt. I've never seen TV Go home.

Well, you'd love it.

Do you like the program or are you having a mediumly sly dig? Either way, I'm going to have to find out about it now.

>Either way, I'm going to have to find out about it now.

Curiosity is a good thing.

not knowing who Paul Robeson was IS a crime.
There are things people SHOULD be aware of, even if only dimly.

i knew nothing of Paul Robeson before i started reading this thread and it's not done me any harm up until roundabout now.
i don't see how being dimly aware of
this person would change my life one jot unless the million dollar question on WWTBAM was "who sang ole man river?" and i was in the hotseat. and what would that make me? a rich pub quiz bore, that's what.
if, on the other hand i knew more about robeson i might appreciate, or even gain inspiration, from him.
is it really enough to have a dim view of hitler, to know he was a baddie or, for the neo nazis in the house, a goodie. much better to have an informed opinion, or no opinion at all.
i'm sure there are important people, places and events that you have never heard of and never will. there's not enough time to be aware of everything, let alone understand it and do something about it.
general knowledge doesn't make the world go round.

>not knowing who Paul Robeson was IS a crime.
>There are things people SHOULD be aware of, even if only dimly.
>
>i knew nothing of Paul Robeson before i started reading this thread and it's not done me any harm up until roundabout now.
>i don't see how being dimly aware of
>this person would change my life one jot unless the million dollar question on WWTBAM was "who sang ole man river?" and i was in the hotseat. and what would that make me? a rich pub quiz bore, that's what.
>if, on the other hand i knew more about robeson i might appreciate, or even gain inspiration, from him.
>is it really enough to have a dim view of hitler, to know he was a baddie or, for the neo nazis in the house, a goodie. much better to have an informed opinion, or no opinion at all.
>i'm sure there are important people, places and events that you have never heard of and never will. there's not enough time to be aware of everything, let alone understand it and do something about it.
>general knowledge doesn't make the world go round.

If not knowing something in itself were a crime, all babies would be drowned at birth. What's far worse than ignorance is the idea that those who are passing on information are sad sociophobes with no lives. The media culture of today is re-inforcing that stereotype in the most insidious of ways.

I just looked at the first page with the 'Carry on' thing. Wasn't I quick?
Yeah, that looks quite funny, but my mind has far too much extreme filth in it already. Reading that everyday could cause something unwanted. I could get a weeping tumor on my tiny face. I'll ask mother if I can read it.

I agree with Justin and can really relate to what you were saying Jayne. The stupity of people around us, sometimes in responsible positions. I am from Oldham and know one of the local councillors. He is an out and out racist - and then we wonder why we are in a mess up here.

The whole alienation of people who watch documetaries and the like is a bit like the 'swat' concept at school and the underlying association of knowledge with the 'trainspotter' image.

I think it is generally perpetuated by those who have not got the humility or self awareness that motivates us to learn something and accept or be interested in what other people have to say. I think the 'shut up geek' reaction is a defence mechanism designed to hide their ignorance, and disqualify any need to find something out.

Those with similair ignorance gain great relief from a put down such as this - comfort zone. eg. Radio listeners without awareness of Paul Robeson upon hearing the DJ slag off the caller.

Phillipa Forrester's attitude on Robot Wars used to really piss me off. Constant knowing sideward glances to the camera in an attempt to dissociate herself. Interviewing the contestants with a dismissive mocking confidence. Completely underming the whole ethos of the show. (Not that I ever watched Robot Wars, god no, er...the remote control was missing that one time)

I, personally, do not know anything about Paul Robeson but will certainly find out if others think he is important. I don't think the ignorance itself is a problem, we are all ignorant of most of what the world has to offer. The real crime is when people just don't want to know, blinker themselves and justify it with this superior arrogance.

One of the corpse articles deals with this issue pretty well - trainspotting one I think.








Oh and, careful what you post, people might just play you like a tune. Toot toot!

>One of the corpse articles deals with this issue pretty well - trainspotting one I think.

Just looked - the article is called anal preventive.

>Phillipa Forrester's attitude on Robot Wars used to really piss me off. Constant knowing sideward glances to the camera in an attempt to dissociate herself. Interviewing the contestants with a dismissive mocking confidence. Completely underming the whole ethos of the show.

Wow! I must have really missed that. I always thought she was really good, seemed interested in what the roboteers were doing and entered right into the spirit of the thing (i.e. it's a load of people making robots to smash each other's up).

What was the ethos of the show?

Cheerio

>What was the ethos of the show?

"All the nice girls love a robot enthusiast."

> >
>Oh and, careful what you post, people might just play you like a tune. Toot toot!

Careful what you post? What are you worried about?

Justin? Someone? Who is Paul Robeson and why is he great?

>>What was the ethos of the show?
>
>"All the nice girls love a robot enthusiast."

"Build a robot, and you'll be tripping over twat for months."

Black American entertainer in the 40s who was ready to speak up about being a 2nd-class citizen, causing his career a lot of harm. Got called to testify before HUAC, and other indignities.

>Black American entertainer in the 40s who was ready to speak up about being a 2nd-class citizen, causing his career a lot of harm. Got called to testify before HUAC, and other indignities.

How did you get hold of my CV?

Seriously though,he sounds like a good man. Imagine XFM took the piss out of some black activist who phoned up to talk about him. It wouldn't happen. But put a nervous student on the end of the line and it's target practice for a muppet DJ. Still, this is the world we live in.

XFM is broadcast from the same studios as Capital FM.

'Nuff said.


(As a tiny slap to the culture of stupidity, can we all vote for Dean on BB. The whole nation thinks he's dull because he can string two words together, has a dry, understated sense of humour and doesn't voice every passing thought in a braying hoot. Boooooooring!)

Ethos?

I thought it was to give exposure to and reveal interesting aspects to engineering. Christ, they might even be trying to make it cool, god forbid.

Forrester WAS a pain in the arse , believe me, hard to describe her attitude but if you could imagine Jamie Theakston or that fucking oriental kids presenter doing it then you might get where I'm coming from.

I actually liked Craig Charles who seemed to enjoy it and had a laugh, his tongue in cheek puns were within the spirit of the show.

Don't ask what the spirit of the show was.

Nice bit of wordage. I have watched it a couple of times and I have to admit that Dean's not a bad bloke. But don't forget, he applied to be on a reality TV show.

>(As a tiny slap to the culture of stupidity, can we all vote for Dean on BB. The whole nation thinks he's dull because he can string two words together, has a dry, understated sense of humour and doesn't voice every passing thought in a braying hoot. Boooooooring!)

I will be abstaining. Yes, yes, I know this makes me part of the problem, and people died to give me the right to vote, but I just don't feel that any of the remaining housemates really represent me or my beliefs.

>I thought it was to give exposure to and reveal interesting aspects to engineering.

Right. Well, we're starting out from different points then, here. I thought it was 'Great Egg Race' crossed with 'Knockout' crossed with war games. A bit of light-hearted smasheroo at tea-time.

>Don't ask what the spirit of the show was.

I'll ask Steve Carsey (the original producer).

Cheerio

>I thought it was to give exposure to and reveal interesting aspects to engineering.

"Here we can see a classic textbook example of that old engineering standby: the spring-loaded bit of cardboard with some tin foil on it to make it look a bit like an axe, as first employed by Eiffel in 1861."

Fuck, wish I hadn't said that now.

Anyone see the Phoenix nights episode with Ray Von's robot wars competition?

DEATH...BY...CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!

Manual intervention of the Bouncers in destroying everybody else's robot. Toast Rack's description sounds similair to one of those - involved in the show mate???

By the way, the axe is no longer in vogue, self righting mechanism or you're fucking nowhere mate. Nowhere.

Srimech, surely?

NIcky Wire clearly doesn't know his Paul Robeson stuff either. The first line of "Let Robeson Sing" is "Where are you now?/broken up or still around".

No, Mr Jones. He's 24-carat dead.

With regards to the "sitting in your room reading books all day" comment, the perfect retort would surely be "well, you just sit in your room playing records all day, don't you?"

>With regards to the "sitting in your room reading books all day" comment, the perfect retort would surely be "well, you just sit in your room playing records all day, don't you?"

It would be if the presenter (Tim Lovejoy, in case anyone's interested - originally slated to be Ball's co-presenter on The Priory, I believe) actually spent any time listening to things before he played them. Of course, he couldn't actually care less about the records he plays at all, as can be heard whenever he attempts to interview anybody while clearly knowing nothing about them at all, particularly frustrating as they occasionally book decent bands. Tries to bring everything round to The Specials and The Clash, as he doesn't know much about anyone since. Blanket dismissal of anything involving women as "ladyboy music" and anything championed by the splendid John Kennedy (one of the few left on that station that actually gives a shit) as "weirdo music". Wretched, it is.

he doesn't even sit in his own room playing records. He has to borrow somebody else's. Maybe Dr Fox.

just to add to yr paul robeson information he was a black communist, possibly two of the worst things to be in the US at the time of McCarthy.

They stripped him of his passport and he was indeed a participant in the aforementioned trials (i'm not sure if he was found guilty of anything, but probably was).

There is a good documentary about him on the History channel occassionaly.