Karen O and The Great God Pan

In The Crock of Gold by James Stephens the God Pan is explaining the difference between  knowledge and wisdom to a Shepherd Girl. In answer to her question - "What is the beginning of wisdom?" He replies - "It is carelessness."

     Not 'careless' in the sense of being clumsy and breaking things - hearts, appointments, words. But rather 'not caring less', is my take on this. Maybe. Anyhow in my last post I name dropped Hugh MacLeod whose recent book is impressively titled "Ignore Everybody". A simple enough sentiment but one that is challenging to live out for most of us. In his book he gives 40 pieces of distilled advice that can point you towards finding your own creative niche. It reminded me of that great quote from Dr Seus which goes - "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter".
     My drive to embrace this ethos has been challenged recently on the couple of times that I have mentioned the fact that I love the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and that their two London concerts of 2009, were the absolute highpoint of my year. People have become uncomfortable, almost as if they were embarassed on my behalf and quickly changed the subject. This now only serves to prompt me to plough enthusiastically onwards as they slowly back away.
     Anyway this blog is not a soapbox for me to mount in order to explain why they are my favourite band (I do that here music and book reviews). Go and discover them for yourself if you do not know em. Or then again don't bother. I could not care less.

John Luxton