Random thought

One thing I find puzzling and fascinating is the way the romantic idea of the genius, and perhaps specifically, some version of the romantic idea of the poet, is somehow still a recognisable component of the idea of the rock star - and how oddly that sits with the business aspect, and the "macho" aspect, and the "big production" aspect (dozens of trucks of equipment for a tour, and who knows how much power to amplify the music to stadium volume). It's such a strange, disparate cluster of ideas (and facts) that make up what we think of as a rock star - a fascinating example of how culture reworks certain themes.

Maybe it's particularly visible when the band you're reading about is Radiohead, and the star in question is Thom Yorke - the lives (and works) of romantic poets are clearly the template for much of the hagiography that surrounds the band, and the man - and who could blame the journalists, when the material they get to work with - the known facts of Yorke's life - include such elements as treating your depression by taking long walks in the more picturesque parts of the British countryside, and hiding in hedges during rainstorms.

(I'm not sure where I'm going with this. I think I'll just leave it at that, for now.)

The MAD Doctrine, again

Okay. I do think the ending really is an ending now, so that's nice. But I've just discovered that the last few pages before that actually still need some cleaning up. That is a bit annoying.