The Smithian

April 27th, 2013

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[meaningful glance]

Reblogged from Bareback Wanna Be Slut

July 19th, 2012

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March 26th, 2012

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“You know, you do need mentors, but in the end, you really just need to believe in yourself.” —Diana Ross

She was born on this day (1944) in Detroit, Michigan.

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art: photo by Harry Langdon, 1975

January 14th, 2012

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January 12th, 2012

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September 25th, 2011

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'...When the country’s first broadcast network focused on African-Americans launches at noon Monday, it will do it not with new, original shows, but with "The Wiz," Sidney Lumet's 33-year-old "Wizard of Oz" update featuring Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Nipsey Russell. The choice offers a hint at the largely safe, comforting approach of the new network, which counts Martin Luther King III among its founders. Bounce hopes to establish its identity with an early slate of films that includes old and new classics, inspirational stories, and showcases for African-American icons. It will also air specials, sports, documentaries and faith-based programs.'

April 26th, 2011

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Studio 54 opened on this day in 1977.

April 25th, 2011

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…narcissism and hostility in popular music…the words “I” and “me” appear more frequently along with anger-related words, while there’s been a corresponding decline in “we” and “us” and the expression of positive emotions…Defining the personality of a generation with song lyrics may seem a bit of a reach, but Dr. DeWall points to research done by his co-authors that showed people of the same age scoring higher in measures of narcissism on some personality tests. The extent and meaning of this trend have been hotly debated by psychologists, some of whom question the tests’ usefulness and say that young people today aren’t any more self-centered than those of earlier generations. The new study of song lyrics certainly won’t end the debate, but it does offer another way to gauge self-absorption: the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The researchers find that hit songs in the 1980s were more likely to emphasize happy togetherness, like the racial harmony sought by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder in “Ebony and Ivory” and the group exuberance promoted by Kool & the Gang: “Let’s all celebrate and have a good time.” Diana Ross and Lionel Richie sang of “two hearts that beat as one,” and John Lennon’s “(Just Like) Starting Over” emphasized the preciousness of “our life together.” Today’s songs…are more likely be about one very special person: the singer.

more, here.

…narcissism and hostility in popular music…the words “I” and “me” appear more frequently along with anger-related words, while there’s been a corresponding decline in “we” and “us” and the expression of positive emotions…Defining the personality of a generation with song lyrics may seem a bit of a reach, but Dr. DeWall points to research done by his co-authors that showed people of the same age scoring higher in measures of narcissism on some personality tests. The extent and meaning of this trend have been hotly debated by psychologists, some of whom question the tests’ usefulness and say that young people today aren’t any more self-centered than those of earlier generations. The new study of song lyrics certainly won’t end the debate, but it does offer another way to gauge self-absorption: the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The researchers find that hit songs in the 1980s were more likely to emphasize happy togetherness, like the racial harmony sought by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder in “Ebony and Ivory” and the group exuberance promoted by Kool & the Gang: “Let’s all celebrate and have a good time.” Diana Ross and Lionel Richie sang of “two hearts that beat as one,” and John Lennon’s “(Just Like) Starting Over” emphasized the preciousness of “our life together.” Today’s songs…are more likely be about one very special person: the singer.

more, here.