Song of the Moment: Mind Your Manners

[verb_to_trust]

What does the gun going off behind Stone symbolize?

[stip]

Can we have some more hints? I'm still not getting it.

I want to receive oral sex from a minecraft cat while watching YouTube. Why are you not getting this?

When is your birthday? We'll make this happen

[McParadigm]

Not until February. Christmas is closer.

[stip]

Have you been a good boy this year?

[McParadigm]

I minded all of my various manners and manner-related behaviors.

[evenslow]

Can we have some more hints? I'm still not getting it.

I want to receive oral sex from a minecraft cat while watching YouTube. Why are you not getting this?

I can get you YouTube but make no promises about the rest.

[McParadigm]

I am so committing minecraftidelity this fall

In the mouth

Of a cat

[IlluminEddie]

thanks for clearing that up. I was uncertain for a while.

Not surprised.

and your objection is that the song/video doesn’t concretely address a problem with domestic spying and American fiscal policy. You want this DTE to be Bushleaguer.

No, my objection with the song and video is many places have said this is a video and song about “questioning hypocrisy”… yet, the band itself is being quite hypocritical.

Not that type of song. Not even that type of video. I get that you really hate obama and think this is a disastrous presidency. That’s fine. Think what you want. I’m not going to debate that with you here. But you asking this song to help you emotionally unload all your issues with the president, and it’s just not designed to do that.

No, it’s that type of song. It’s a song about standing up for something. My question to Ed, who clearly lives in a static 2003, is who are you standing up to? It’s a decade later, bro. Your guy, the guy you are pushing for is tapping phones, monitoring this message… right now. “Big eye, big eye… ahhh whatever.”

I think you’re right.

Yeh.

I am pretty sure I do. Where we differ is that I do not think it is a sign of an impending apocalypse. I’m also not hording gold.

I don’t think it’s a sign of the impending apocalypse either. I’m also not hording gold. Yet, I think QE-to-infinity is quite a big deal… bigger than you realize.

Do you?

Yes. I do.

What is your background here, since you are claiming so much expertise? I have a phd in political science, am an associate professor of American Politics, an author, and teach courses in, amongst other things, political economy. And Eddie has a GED, I think. So together we add up to quite a bit.

I don’t know why you felt the need to call someone out. I already stated you were being extraordinarily patronizing… But, let’s get this straight…. We were discussing QE and economics. I’m a PhD in economics. You are not. I’ve worked as an economist, professionally. You have not. You’re a poly sci guy. Ed is a highschool drop out.

My point stands – 100% correct.

That eddie didn’t write the song YOU wanted him to write is not a valid critique of the one he did right.

“write”… yeh,… you’d be right, but I don’t agree. He wrote a song about standing up for something political, in the face of others (like stip) scolding you. Ha ha.

He wrote a song about speaking up. Yet, you (and I’m quite sure he would too) want that to be shut down. It’s hysterical.

you seem to be angry that eddie has not reprised the totality of two albums critical of an administration, and several large tours worth of public comments, into a two and a half minute song that avoids concrete details while trying to address larger themes about agency against a backdrop of a collapsing world (in the video). At least wait until you get an album and a tour until you level that complaint. Maybe you’re right. But the amount of vitriol you seem to have over this seems a bit premature, no?

Nah, I’m not angry about anything. I’m simply stating to you, Eddie has never once… not once, disagreed with a single thing the current President has done. Ever. He’s had the chance for years. You had a chance to point out I’m wrong about 600 times in our discussion to state 1 thing. 1 thing… he’s said anti-Obama, or ever Obama’s agenda or policy. You didn’t. Because you can’t.

I can say this before tours, before the album. I figure this song, one in which there was prime opportunity, presented a chance to do the alternative. He did not.

Elections are about the aggregation of group preferences. It is juvenile narcissism to reduce voting to ‘WHY DON’T I GET TO BE THE PERSON WHO PERSONALLY DECIDES WHAT HAPPENS’. Beyond that i’m not sure what you’re arguing here.

You are more likely to die in a car crash than decide an election. You continue to ignore why this subject was brought up. One vote does not matter. No matter how bad you want it to. It’s 100% not narcissistic to say it doesn’t matter… because ummm… it doesn’t.

I’m typing this in word cuz it is a big post. This is just a reminder to me to go back and add the eye rolling emote here.

ahh, here we are

Quite mature.

[LetMeSleep]

Dear Mr Stip and Mr Harmless,

After reading many a posting regarding the meaning of MYM the song and now a few regarding the meaning of MYM the video, can you please answer if your original thoughts of the song's meaning have altered or been confirmed?

For me, the original message has only further been diluted, has become murkier after seeing the video. There seems to be a lot of shadow boxing at indirect targets. And is Pearl Jam now a multimedia outfit where a video is needed to expound what a lyric cannot completely convey? Since when were videos necessary to carry a message? And does this indicate that the lyrics were not effective enough? Or maybe, once again, I am missing the point.

Of course, you cannot conclusively answer the above. Only the writer of the lyric and the concept designer of the video can truly answer that.

Sound regards,

LMS

Oddly, I am growing to not hate this track and I'm feeling that I will be able to stomach it within an album context.

Edit: I haven't read the entire thread response nor the LB thread response since the video hit. Apologies if this has been covered.

I'd say it clarified certain things. Actually it confirmed some suspicions I had. Given the album artwork (and the single artwork, to be honest) it made sense to think of MYM as a polemic against religious fundamentalism. But the bridge, which had little to do with organized religion and more about questions of individual power and self-worth (I wish there was a word that summarized all that up I could just use. alas) I started thinking that the song was about something a bit beyond that, and that the religious stuff was symptomatic of a larger concern--a combination of passivity and acceptance in the face of an impending real world apocalypse. One where no one gets saved. Even the mind your manners stuff (which I am increasingly thinking is a pretty excellent lyric) is less about 50s style conservativism and more about the social prohibition about questioning the status quo that elites try so hard to foster. That was a little stretch in the music--implied, but not at the fore. It seems a lot clearer in the video.

Cheers Stip. I can certainly see this in the whole package as you have explained but I also feel that it backs up my feelings/opinions on the song too. Maybe within the context of a whole album I might feel that the lyric is more successful. That you are seeing a greater theme/cohesion emerging brings me greater hope that this album does indeed have some inspiration behind it (as after hearing MYM, FD + LB I have not been optimistic about LB).

[harmless]

Ed attacking George Bush has set a cruel, cruel precedent (no pun intended). He has to make every album a concept piece attacking every politician that exists until he dies. (Is it just me or does anyone else believe Ed may not believe in public spying, or the plight of Orang Utans in Borneo? Hey, the Pussy Riot being in prison thing is still going, and now they're locking away gay people. Quick Ed, explore it in song before the jamily values are compromised!).

[LetMeSleep]

What does the gun going off behind Stone symbolize?

It's one of the 2 guns Dave A bought. Matt took it in the back of the head.

Spoiler: show

Hint: Don't hold grudges, take action. (that was a joke btw)

[harmless]

It makes me think of Sandy Hook.

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

It appears to be off topic at the moment, but MYM came up on shuffle while i was driving home tonight, and the song is so damn good. I totally love it

[LetMeSleep]

It makes me think of Sandy Hook.

I'm with you on this Harmless. Since the damn dinner plate appeared I've only thought of Sandy Hook and various other gun crimes. That ultimately may have restricted my interpretation.

I also feel that this Ed we are listening to is a totally different man to the one who wrote RA and ST. Parenthood has changed him. That could be why his anger is less seething.

[IlluminEddie]

Ed attacking George Bush has set a cruel, cruel precedent (no pun intended). He has to make every album a concept piece attacking every politician that exists until he dies. (Is it just me or does anyone else believe Ed may not believe in public spying, or the plight of Orang Utans in Borneo? Hey, the Pussy Riot being in prison thing is still going, and now they're locking away gay people. Quick Ed, explore it in song before the jamily values are compromised!).

Nah, he just needs to be careful about being considered a blind partisan drone. In other words, a dolt who thinks he knows what he's talking about, but just follows a political parties line, which gets all of it's directs from corporations and special interests. Ironically, whom, the said dolt is preaching in his songs about rallying against.

Put even more simply: Ed simply needs to seem more independently minded, and not almost seem to be funded by the Obama admin.

[digster]

Ed attacking George Bush has set a cruel, cruel precedent (no pun intended). He has to make every album a concept piece attacking every politician that exists until he dies. (Is it just me or does anyone else believe Ed may not believe in public spying, or the plight of Orang Utans in Borneo? Hey, the Pussy Riot being in prison thing is still going, and now they're locking away gay people. Quick Ed, explore it in song before the jamily values are compromised!).

Pretty much this. Just because Ed has been specific in his lyrics before doesn't mean they have to be specific every time, nor does it mean he's not being critical because he's not being specific. The best political songs he ever wrote were written when a Democrat (Clinton) was in office and there were no allusions made to him.

[harmless]

Dear Mr Stip and Mr Harmless,

After reading many a posting regarding the meaning of MYM the song and now a few regarding the meaning of MYM the video, can you please answer if your original thoughts of the song's meaning have altered or been confirmed?

For me, the original message has only further been diluted, has become murkier after seeing the video. There seems to be a lot of shadow boxing at indirect targets. And is Pearl Jam now a multimedia outfit where a video is needed to expound what a lyric cannot completely convey? Since when were videos necessary to carry a message? And does this indicate that the lyrics were not effective enough? Or maybe, once again, I am missing the point.

Of course, you cannot conclusively answer the above. Only the writer of the lyric and the concept designer of the video can truly answer that.

Sound regards,

LMS

Oddly, I am growing to not hate this track and I'm feeling that I will be able to stomach it within an album context.

Edit: I haven't read the entire thread response nor the LB thread response since the video hit. Apologies if this has been covered.

I'd say it clarified certain things. Actually it confirmed some suspicions I had. Given the album artwork (and the single artwork, to be honest) it made sense to think of MYM as a polemic against religious fundamentalism. But the bridge, which had little to do with organized religion and more about questions of individual power and self-worth (I wish there was a word that summarized all that up I could just use. alas) I started thinking that the song was about something a bit beyond that, and that the religious stuff was symptomatic of a larger concern--a combination of passivity and acceptance in the face of an impending real world apocalypse. One where no one gets saved. Even the mind your manners stuff (which I am increasingly thinking is a pretty excellent lyric) is less about 50s style conservativism and more about the social prohibition about questioning the status quo that elites try so hard to foster. That was a little stretch in the music--implied, but not at the fore. It seems a lot clearer in the video.

Cheers Stip. I can certainly see this in the whole package as you have explained but I also feel that it backs up my feelings/opinions on the song too. Maybe within the context of a whole album I might feel that the lyric is more successful. That you are seeing a greater theme/cohesion emerging brings me greater hope that this album does indeed have some inspiration behind it (as after hearing MYM, FD + LB I have not been optimistic about LB).

Actually Stip, I'm a bit late saying this but I think those things, self-identity, self-esteem and self-reliance etc., go hand in hand with organised religion, and gaining freedom from it. The lack of people taking a real risky stand on these social justice issues is why I've veered from the religious path. Also the realisation that pride isn't a sin, and what I often took for humility was actually self-hatred and doubt. So I still have no trouble reconciling song and video. I'm late saying all this but thought I'd say it anyway.

[IlluminEddie]

Ed attacking George Bush has set a cruel, cruel precedent (no pun intended). He has to make every album a concept piece attacking every politician that exists until he dies. (Is it just me or does anyone else believe Ed may not believe in public spying, or the plight of Orang Utans in Borneo? Hey, the Pussy Riot being in prison thing is still going, and now they're locking away gay people. Quick Ed, explore it in song before the jamily values are compromised!).

Pretty much this. Just because Ed has been specific in his lyrics before doesn't mean they have to be specific every time, nor does it mean he's not being critical because he's not being specific. The best political songs he ever wrote were written when a Democrat (Clinton) was in office and there were no allusions made to him.

I am in no way asking for him to be specific. For example, naming Obama. He doesn't need to do that at all.

What I am saying is, look at current events. NSA, drones, etc. Ummm... this is directly relevant to the "best political songs he ever wrote were written when a a Democrat (Clinton) was in office". The difference, of course, is he didn't go and publicly fund raise for Clinton.

That... there... is the point.

[harmless]

Ed attacking George Bush has set a cruel, cruel precedent (no pun intended). He has to make every album a concept piece attacking every politician that exists until he dies. (Is it just me or does anyone else believe Ed may not believe in public spying, or the plight of Orang Utans in Borneo? Hey, the Pussy Riot being in prison thing is still going, and now they're locking away gay people. Quick Ed, explore it in song before the jamily values are compromised!).

Pretty much this. Just because Ed has been specific in his lyrics before doesn't mean they have to be specific every time, nor does it mean he's not being critical because he's not being specific. The best political songs he ever wrote were written when a Democrat (Clinton) was in office and there were no allusions made to him.

I am in no way asking for him to be specific. For example, naming Obama. He doesn't need to do that at all.

What I am saying is, look at current events. NSA, drones, etc. Ummm... this is directly relevant to the "best political songs he ever wrote were written when a a Democrat (Clinton) was in office". The difference, of course, is he didn't go and publicly fund raise for Clinton.

That... there... is the point.

There are fucking current events in this video, just maybe not your favourite ones. Just as there were other world issues when Ed wrote about rolling models in blood. Hey, don't lose hope though, there is a huge eye and radio antenna on the album art, maybe spying will be covered.

[digster]

I'm still not really sure what the point is, beyond stating the obvious point that Ed never, as far as we know, raised money for Clinton. Okay, and?