Became a recluse and bought a computer. Set it up in the home
February 16, 2016 10:12 AM Subscribe
"Whatever you think, y’know, 45 percent – nearly half the country – is not interested in computers, doesn’t fucking want access to them, can’t afford them. That’s British. Why does everyone have to be online? That’s not English to me."
An interview with Mark E. Smith of The Fall from Channel 4 News last night. NME coverage.
Is the 45% statistic true? Where does he get that statistic?
posted by chonus at 10:29 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by chonus at 10:29 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
The writer of that Dangerous Mind article doesn't realize that most Youtube captions are autogenerated and just are bad in general.
posted by I-baLL at 10:30 AM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by I-baLL at 10:30 AM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
Became a recluse and bought a computer. Set it up in the home
For some reason my brain tried to fit that title into the "Woke up, fell out of bed" part of the Beatles' A Day in the Life, and failed miserably.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:34 AM on February 16, 2016 [31 favorites]
For some reason my brain tried to fit that title into the "Woke up, fell out of bed" part of the Beatles' A Day in the Life, and failed miserably.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:34 AM on February 16, 2016 [31 favorites]
It's a put-on. He's an early adopter of computer technology according to Eat Y'Self Fitter
posted by borges at 10:34 AM on February 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by borges at 10:34 AM on February 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
I'm typing this comment from the inside of a bottle of HP Sauce.
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 10:42 AM on February 16, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 10:42 AM on February 16, 2016 [7 favorites]
it is in the car boot moving away
posted by robocop is bleeding at 10:43 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 10:43 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Mark E. Smith: made with the highest British attention to the wrong detail.
posted by sobarel at 10:47 AM on February 16, 2016 [18 favorites]
posted by sobarel at 10:47 AM on February 16, 2016 [18 favorites]
Where's the cursor? Where's the eraser?
posted by ZipRibbons at 10:49 AM on February 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by ZipRibbons at 10:49 AM on February 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
Is the 45% statistic true? Where does he get that statistic?
If you read the NME link, it's an inaccurate quoting of a 2006 (pre-iPhone!) statistic about the percentage of households which didn't have broadband. More recent stats show only 14% without broadband. You could argue that even that 14% stat overstates the case, as internet access on phones over the air is removing the need for home broadband for many.
posted by w0mbat at 10:49 AM on February 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
If you read the NME link, it's an inaccurate quoting of a 2006 (pre-iPhone!) statistic about the percentage of households which didn't have broadband. More recent stats show only 14% without broadband. You could argue that even that 14% stat overstates the case, as internet access on phones over the air is removing the need for home broadband for many.
posted by w0mbat at 10:49 AM on February 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
i see krishnan dressed down :)
posted by andrewcooke at 10:51 AM on February 16, 2016
posted by andrewcooke at 10:51 AM on February 16, 2016
WHAT'S A COMPUTER?
EAT Y'SELF FITTER!
posted by thatwhichfalls at 10:53 AM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]
EAT Y'SELF FITTER!
posted by thatwhichfalls at 10:53 AM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]
Not totally wired after all.
posted by octobersurprise at 10:55 AM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by octobersurprise at 10:55 AM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
Where does he get that statistic?
the technical term is "he pulled it out of his arse."
charmingly
hmmm.
posted by andrewcooke at 11:01 AM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
the technical term is "he pulled it out of his arse."
charmingly
hmmm.
posted by andrewcooke at 11:01 AM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
everytime I see Mark E Smith these days I think; bloody hell Stephen Hawking's let himself go.
posted by silence at 11:05 AM on February 16, 2016 [23 favorites]
posted by silence at 11:05 AM on February 16, 2016 [23 favorites]
...it's an inaccurate quoting of a 2006 (pre-iPhone!) statistic about the percentage of households which didn't have broadband. More recent stats show only 14% without broadband. You could argue that even that 14% stat overstates the case, as internet access on phones over the air is removing the need for home broadband for many.
Except, having those things does not equate to being interested in computers or wanting one. The fact is, it's nigh-on impossible to conduct daily life anymore without having to use a computer of come sort for whatever reason. And, having broadband simply follows-on from that.
Hell, I have a computer and broadband, etc. I have to have it for work. But, if you asked me if I was in any way interested in computers, computing, or having a computer, I'd have to say "Hell no." I have one because I'm required to, in order to ply my trade. But, I'd just as soon not. Alas, as I said, that's pretty much impossible these days, unless you truly wish to live as a hermit in a box down by the river.
posted by Thorzdad at 11:06 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Except, having those things does not equate to being interested in computers or wanting one. The fact is, it's nigh-on impossible to conduct daily life anymore without having to use a computer of come sort for whatever reason. And, having broadband simply follows-on from that.
Hell, I have a computer and broadband, etc. I have to have it for work. But, if you asked me if I was in any way interested in computers, computing, or having a computer, I'd have to say "Hell no." I have one because I'm required to, in order to ply my trade. But, I'd just as soon not. Alas, as I said, that's pretty much impossible these days, unless you truly wish to live as a hermit in a box down by the river.
posted by Thorzdad at 11:06 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
MES on desktop publishing and album cover design, 1996:
"People were plagiarising it so much, I just stopped," explains Mark, when I ask him about this shift in the packaging of The Fall's music. "My idea was just to get people's heads going, because they don't fucking read. But also, with computer graphics coming in, it became quite impossible to do that. If you're on a major label you can't do this [he arranges the contents of our table - notebooks, scraps of paper, fag packets, beermats - into a hasty collage], you can't do that and say: that's the back cover. The computer graphics and the art department can't handle it, because i t doesn't fit on the bloody computer, does it? That was half of it; the other half was why bleedlng bother anyway, because people are going to pinch ideas. I remember one guy from Liverpool, this fanzine guy, once said to me, 'There are more ideas on one of your inside covers than there are on three entire Echo & The Bunnymen albums.' I though that was cool, you know, it made me think."
posted by porn in the woods at 11:11 AM on February 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
"People were plagiarising it so much, I just stopped," explains Mark, when I ask him about this shift in the packaging of The Fall's music. "My idea was just to get people's heads going, because they don't fucking read. But also, with computer graphics coming in, it became quite impossible to do that. If you're on a major label you can't do this [he arranges the contents of our table - notebooks, scraps of paper, fag packets, beermats - into a hasty collage], you can't do that and say: that's the back cover. The computer graphics and the art department can't handle it, because i t doesn't fit on the bloody computer, does it? That was half of it; the other half was why bleedlng bother anyway, because people are going to pinch ideas. I remember one guy from Liverpool, this fanzine guy, once said to me, 'There are more ideas on one of your inside covers than there are on three entire Echo & The Bunnymen albums.' I though that was cool, you know, it made me think."
posted by porn in the woods at 11:11 AM on February 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
not interested in computers, doesn’t fucking want access to them, can’t afford them
Mmmm, one of these things is most definitely not like the others.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:17 AM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
Mmmm, one of these things is most definitely not like the others.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:17 AM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
I'm reminded of Mark E. Smith's appearance on the Coldcut "What's That Noise?" LP, in which he repeatedly intoned:
"I'M IN DEEP..."
posted by kuanes at 11:18 AM on February 16, 2016
"I'M IN DEEP..."
posted by kuanes at 11:18 AM on February 16, 2016
everytime I see Mark E Smith these days I think; bloody hell Stephen Hawking's let himself go.
even Shane McGowan got his teeth fixed
posted by thelonius at 11:31 AM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
even Shane McGowan got his teeth fixed
posted by thelonius at 11:31 AM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
Oh, please do turn on the captions:
"if it's me in your granny on bongos, it's the fall"
posted by Cheezitsofcool at 12:15 PM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]
"if it's me in your granny on bongos, it's the fall"
posted by Cheezitsofcool at 12:15 PM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]
Mark E. Smith: made with the highest British attention to the wrong detail.
Wrong place, right time?
posted by rhizome at 12:40 PM on February 16, 2016
Wrong place, right time?
posted by rhizome at 12:40 PM on February 16, 2016
It's actually 45 percent-ah.
posted by detachd at 12:51 PM on February 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by detachd at 12:51 PM on February 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
Became a recluse and bought a computer. Set it up in the home
Found my way downstairs and booted up
And looking up I notice it had crashed
[ha ah ha ah ha ah ha ah]
Got my code and popped my stack
Stalled my bus in μs flat
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 12:51 PM on February 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
Found my way downstairs and booted up
And looking up I notice it had crashed
[ha ah ha ah ha ah ha ah]
Got my code and popped my stack
Stalled my bus in μs flat
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 12:51 PM on February 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
I'll see the manager...
posted by porn in the woods at 2:15 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by porn in the woods at 2:15 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Fall fans invented the internet.
posted by GeorgeBickham at 2:19 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by GeorgeBickham at 2:19 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
The Fall used to be signed to the same label as Pavement in America. They left when Mark discovered that one particular executive was having e-mail discussions regarding the group's contract and Mark's "personal habits". "He told me I didn't understand, that we were from the bleak industrial wastes of North England, or something, and that we didn't understand the Internet. I told him: Fall fans invented the Internet. They were on there in 1982." - The Wire magazine, 1996
posted by porn in the woods at 4:40 PM on February 16, 2016
posted by porn in the woods at 4:40 PM on February 16, 2016
'There are more ideas on one of your inside covers than there are on three entire Echo & The Bunnymen albums.'
I'm not a Bunnyfan, but in Bill Drummond's memoir he mentions at length his appreciation of Brian Griffin's unique band portrait photography on their album sleeves.
posted by ovvl at 4:48 PM on February 16, 2016
I'm not a Bunnyfan, but in Bill Drummond's memoir he mentions at length his appreciation of Brian Griffin's unique band portrait photography on their album sleeves.
posted by ovvl at 4:48 PM on February 16, 2016
Not that unique. Brian Griffin did album covers for other bands too, like Depeche Mode. He was basically the photographer you called up in the late 80s if Anton Corbijn was busy. Also, he's the dog in Family Guy.
posted by w0mbat at 6:03 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by w0mbat at 6:03 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
This is how Coldplay happens, dammit.
posted by spitbull at 6:08 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by spitbull at 6:08 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Everytime I see Mark E. Smith mentioned I think of The Jazz Butcher's Southern Mark Smith and Pavement's Mark E. Smith.
posted by juiceCake at 9:05 PM on February 16, 2016
posted by juiceCake at 9:05 PM on February 16, 2016
'I was in any way interested in computers, computing, or having a computer, I'd have to say "Hell no." I have one because I'm required to, in order to ply my trade. But, I'd just as soon not', he commented on Metafilter.
(Joking aside, the ubiquity of computing is such that the idea of "being interested in computers" is as defunct as "being interested in radios". People don't own the device because of an interest in the devices, and haven't done for decades.)
posted by howfar at 12:43 AM on February 17, 2016
(Joking aside, the ubiquity of computing is such that the idea of "being interested in computers" is as defunct as "being interested in radios". People don't own the device because of an interest in the devices, and haven't done for decades.)
posted by howfar at 12:43 AM on February 17, 2016
"Whatever you think, y’know, 45 percent – nearly half the country – is not interested in computers, doesn’t fucking want access to them, can’t afford them.
CB Radio, on the other hand....
posted by rongorongo at 1:06 AM on February 17, 2016
CB Radio, on the other hand....
posted by rongorongo at 1:06 AM on February 17, 2016
the idea of "being interested in computers" is as defunct as "being interested in radios"
You know how to hurt a man.
posted by Devonian at 2:10 AM on February 17, 2016
You know how to hurt a man.
posted by Devonian at 2:10 AM on February 17, 2016
Much as I loooove The Fall- I go through biannual phases of Rabid Obsession- I haven't kept current with MES' exploits since hmmm... Imperial Wax Solvent. How does modern era Fall stack up when put alongside such unassailable classics as Hex Enduction Hour, This Nation's Saving Grace and Grotesque (After The Gramme)? I'm kinda hesitant to give the more recent stuff a spin, out of fear that I'll have to accept the fact that even The Gods succumb to the ravages of time and age...
I have to admit to a moment of horror upon seeing Mr Smith's name on the front page- after all the shitty turns of events that we've had thus far this year..well. Seriously, let's just not go there...
posted by Philby at 3:29 AM on February 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
I have to admit to a moment of horror upon seeing Mr Smith's name on the front page- after all the shitty turns of events that we've had thus far this year..well. Seriously, let's just not go there...
posted by Philby at 3:29 AM on February 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
The last album, Sublingual Tablet, is the best this current lineup has done. They added a second drummer which sonehow lightened up the sound. Lots of weird sounds and less of a focus on garage rock than Re Mit or Ersatz GB.
Actually its more like the stuff Imperial Wax Solvent but more confident. I like it a lot, but there are two anti technology rant tracks that i skip. Check out Auto Chip 14-15 on youtube.
posted by kittensofthenight at 10:27 AM on February 17, 2016
Actually its more like the stuff Imperial Wax Solvent but more confident. I like it a lot, but there are two anti technology rant tracks that i skip. Check out Auto Chip 14-15 on youtube.
posted by kittensofthenight at 10:27 AM on February 17, 2016
Also Philby they have an EP coming out today, and their label put up this spotify playlist as an intro to recent stuff. I don't have/want spotify so I don't know if its any good.
I'm a huge fan and if you feel like another Fall Phase is coming on PM, they have an active forum that records most of their shows and usually makes a best of comp for live tracks each year. Live they are still pretty powerful, even when MES has pissed himself.
As for the post:I feel like this video is really embarrassing, especially for Eleni. MES looks a lot like my chronically alcohol clients that have lost fine motor control. He's always had a conservative streak and I'm not surprised about his stupid immigrant opinions. On the other hand this interviewer also sucks. Have you seen that interview with Robert Downey Junior where he asks RDJ about his sons substance use and how it relates to RDJ's old problems? The interviewer is a complete prick.
posted by kittensofthenight at 12:34 PM on February 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm a huge fan and if you feel like another Fall Phase is coming on PM, they have an active forum that records most of their shows and usually makes a best of comp for live tracks each year. Live they are still pretty powerful, even when MES has pissed himself.
As for the post:I feel like this video is really embarrassing, especially for Eleni. MES looks a lot like my chronically alcohol clients that have lost fine motor control. He's always had a conservative streak and I'm not surprised about his stupid immigrant opinions. On the other hand this interviewer also sucks. Have you seen that interview with Robert Downey Junior where he asks RDJ about his sons substance use and how it relates to RDJ's old problems? The interviewer is a complete prick.
posted by kittensofthenight at 12:34 PM on February 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
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