ps. nother– You should read Rappers and Bloggers: Separated at Birth by Josh Levin. One of the most enjoyable pieces written on blogging I’ve ever read. To wit: “Public Enemy’s Chuck D once said that rap music was the black CNN. After busting a cap in Eason Jordan’s ass, what are bloggers now if not the white CNN?”

Saul Williams

Russell Simmons

We can talk about how the rappers have been blogging in their own way, for years.

Thank you for acknowledging my post, I shouldn’t be surprised that you are listening to us, but I’m surprised nonetheless. You are slowly chipping away at my ingrained cynicism/skepticism built up from years of listening to radio DJ’s disingenuously ask for requests, while they simultaneously flip on their pre-programmed music list. This is, alas, a perpetual conversation we are having, and it is always nice to realize that the other party is listening. As Emerson tells us, “Conversation is a game of circles,� and you are doing your part to complete the circle. When I’m engaged in this Open Source conversation- to quote Emerson once more- I “enjoy the cloven flame whilst it glows on our walls.�

I want to say that I do believe the hype when it comes to the impact of blogging. Unfortunately, I still feel a disconnect to the blogging world that Chris mentions so frequently. My connection come from this website and that’s great, but it would be even better if you used the site as more of a porthole to the blogging world that influences all of you. All I’m talking about is a link section to the blogs and websites that Chris and the producers are checking out. Kind of like the staff recommendation section at our local bookstore. Considering my lack of time, I would simply like some cyber-space directions from my new cyber-spacy friends. �

Suggestions for shows on Art:

Thearter- A conversation with Ed Siegel from the Globe concerning the state of Theater, the New Rep, August Wilson, ext. The greatest African American playwright just died and you guys haven’t talked about it.

http://www.witness.org/ puts the camera in the hands of human rights defenders.

Rap music should be given respect in the Monday series, it is the voice of black youth, it is the rebel music that Jazz was in the past. In fifty years there will be a middle aged progressive white man like Chris on the radio giving props to the great rappers in the same way that Chris gives props to Bird and Mingus. Terry Gross has beaten Chris to the punch on this.

I’m going to shut up for now but I plan to have fun thinking of potential shows discussing anything but the news.

I agree. We should do more art shows. Would you like to pitch us some? Are there particular artists you’d like to hear on the radio? (We had on graphic novelists Chris Ware and Charles Burns the other night, in case you missed it.) There was also a recommendation to do a show in our race series about black artists whose work addressed contemporary concerns about race, which we really liked and which I will be looking into.

Other than that, what would you like to hear?

OH, and some Philosophy wouldn’t hurt either.

You do Rock though Chris – you do rock.

http://civilities.net/RadioOpenSource

I could hold off on all of the aural extensions for now– would be very difficult to follow.

I may possibly make it tomorrow at lunch. What time?