The people investigating JFK's assassination were the Warren Commission. A German Number One might be "Ze von!" (in a really bad German accent, with apologies to Walter).
Last week, we talked about hating people, and I came to the conclusion that I didn't really hate people, but actually it's "all just an act to paper over insecurity, a tragic lack of self-confidence and a Grand Canyon of loneliness in perpetual conflict with an innate desire to be on my own".
Just as I thought I'd talked myself out of misanthropy, C replied...
You're in good company Rol, I think nearly all the best people I know are people-haters, which doesn't really make a lot of sense and yet somehow it does!
And then I remembered the postcard at the top of this page, which Louise bought me some time ago; it's pinned on the wall next to my desk. You may find it interesting to note that Louise ordered two copies. There's also one pinned up on the wall next to her desk. Make of that what you will...
I can't understand What makes a man Hate another man Help me understand
Not that MC. Here's MC Flux, psychologist, neuroscientist and science communicator from the University of Colorado, as quoted in the Grauniad. He says annoyance is “moderately negative, and moderate arousal... it’s basically a flag, saying: ‘Something is wrong, and I should probably do something about it.’”
Now, I'm tiptoeing around this subject because I don't want to get onto anger until I've read sweary Dr. Faith's next book on my reading list, Unfuck Your Anger. And clearly anger is the next step on from annoyance. However, it should come as no surprise that our old friend the amygdala is the main culprit responsible for such emotions. Healthline says,
Anger starts with the amygdala stimulating the hypothalamus, much like in the fear response. In addition, parts of the prefrontal cortex may also play a role in anger.
Frustration, such as facing roadblocks while trying to achieve a goal, can also trigger the anger response.
Now we know what's going on in our brain... but we've still not answered the big question: why are people so annoying? Or should that be: why do I find people so annoying? Are they the same question... or two very different questions?
That Guardian article I mentioned earlier highlights four key answers to the first question: "uncouth habits, inconsiderate acts, intrusive behaviors and norm violations". I think a lot of these come down to what I'd label a lack of empathy, emotional awareness... or just plain arrogance. And once we get onto the subject of arrogance, I need another post. Or ten.
Meanwhile, therapist Julia Kristina has an uncomfortable answer to the second question...
Those unfavourable qualities, habits, or tendencies of someone else we react negatively to are really just our own shortcomings that we have turned our back on and refuse to own up to.
They always clap on the wrong beat They're wearin' loafers on their feet Greedy awful people!
Ouch. I think I'm going to have to come back to that one as well. But just in case anyone here thinks of me as an annoying person, I consulted Indeed for some tips on how to eliminate my own annoying behaviour...
Be an active listener
This is actually really easy if you don't have much to say for yourself.
Louise does sometimes get embarrassed when we're out in public (not often, to be honest) as she claims I speak louder than I need to. I don't think I do, but then I am partially deaf...
Many annoying people don’t even realize they’re being annoying in the first place. Annoying people might violate various social norms, be incompatible with others, try too hard to make others laugh, or even take a phone call while in a quiet library.
Did you know that you could even be the “irritating person” because you’re too positive?
Oh, yes. I knew this.
This type of positivity is known as toxic positivity—and it’s a real thing.
You don't need to tell me twice. There's a post in that as well.
To keep myself amused through the long, lonely sleepless nights, I often try to predict who will get most votes each week in this feature. I was pretty certain last week that The Angels with a tough boyfriend would be the winners, but you lot surprised me with an equal amount of love for the doo-woppers and the South African 80s soul stars (among others). I guess it really is true what they say about opinions. But that's just my opinion.
This week... as far as I'm concerned, at least... there can be only one winner. To the point where I almost didn't bother featuring this band name. However, then I wouldn't have had the excuse to play something by the band in question, and that would have been a tragedy.
FELT #1
Our first Felt hail from Huntsville, Alabama in the year of 1971, when they released their eponymous debut album of psychedelic blues rock. They then disappeared for 41 years before returning in 2012 with its follow-up, Felt II: Psychedelic Memoirs. I'm looking forward to the next one in 2053.
Fantastic Felt Fact! Their guitarist was called Stan Lee.
FELT #2
The singularly monikered Lawrence (I do know his surname, but as he has never used it, and I don't want to upset him by doing so myself) is one of the great unsung heroes of the indie-pop world. Except in certain circles (particularly the blogosphere) wherein he's very well... erm, sung.
Lawrence formed Felt in 1979, named after a particularly distinct lyric in the Television song Venus. They went on to release exactly 10 singles and 10 LPs, fulfilling Lawrence's goal. He then promptly disbanded the group, but continued making music under the pseudonyms Denim, Go-Kart Mozart, and mostly recently Mozart Estate. Last year, he told The Grauniad, “I’d rather be a tramp than reform Felt or play my old songs.”
Here's one of Lawrence's finest moments...
FELT #3
American alt-rock from the early 2000s, with an obvious debt to Robert DeNiro...
FELT #4
Early 00s hip hop from US rappers Slug & Murs...
There were a couple more Felts out there, including a short-lived band formed by Aussie musician Richard Pleasance, but I couldn't find any tunes by them on the interweb.
I Felt there was an obvious winner this week. I'll be interested to see if you Felt the same...
Dipping my toe tentatively into Top Tens again, lest this blog get done under the Trade Descriptions Act. One of the main reasons I quit was because I always ended up with too many options for whatever topic I picked and I hated leaving anything out. So I'm just going to go with the first ten songs I think of and call this Volume 1 of Songs About Being In A Band. When I think of more, or you do, I might run a second post.
I always thought this was about his years as a member of the Drive By Truckers, but the interweb tells me he actually wrote about a band they went on tour with called Centro-Matic.
The downside of being in a band... and not doing as well as you'd hoped.
It's all my fault
Yes I'm to blame
Ain't got no money
Ain't got no fame
1. Art Brut - Formed A Band
Surely the most joyous expression of what it must be like to start your own band after dreaming about it for so long. I can never understand why Art Brut weren't bigger than The Beatles. (Please don't answer that.)
And yes, that is his singing voice. It's not irony, and it's not rock 'n' roll... he's just talking... to the kids.
War, war is stupid and people are stupid... but not you guys, because you solve Saturday Snapshots every week! (Well, as I type this there are two still oustanding... but I'm hoping someone will solve them overnight). I may be a man without conviction, but I appreciate you playing along every weekend... and I think we can all agree that C is this week's undisputed Karma Chameleon. Well done, C!
10. Tomorrows' last page.
The placement of the possessive apostrophe is important as it indicates more than one Sunday.
Mrs. Reagan's son would be Nancy's Boy... which always reminds me of an old Spitting Image sketch about Larry Speakes, of which the title of this song is the punchline. But I can't find it on youtube, sadly.
