Signs & Lists

It isn't the Apocalypse, but musically speaking, it could be a sign of End Time.

Elton John announced that he wants to make a hip-hop album with producer Dr. Dre. Oh, my stars and garters.

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, John said, "I want to bring my songs and melodies to hip-hop beats. I love these beats, but I have no idea how to get them."

"I want to work with Pharrell, Timbaland, Snoop, Kanye, Eminem and just see what happens," John said in the Sept. 7 issue. "It may be a disaster, it could be fantastic, but you don't know until you try."

Right.

I'm all for trying new things -- I do it all the time. And I'm all for the disaster/fantastic angle. But I also remember when Sir Elton did a duet with Eminem in 2001.

Ick. And yes, I like Eminem.

Don't get me wrong. I am a fan of the Elton, both old and new. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is still one of my favorite albums.

I'm just hearing more disaster than I am fantastic.

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A fellow blogger (thanks, Rex) directed me to a site that was started by six friends who were having a discussion about the end of our civilization. They decided to post their reason and ask others to contribute as they see fit.

"We felt this way not because of the inevitable dimming of our sun, or an errant asteroid, but rather because of the idiocy of our times," they wrote. "Frankly, we are tired of the fake optimism, superficiality, non-talented celebrities, doped-up athletes, dishonest and illiterate politicians, corporate thieves, wife-beaters and evangelical terrorists rampant in the world today and we decided that one way of making ourselves feel better would be to list them for all the world to see and to add upon."

An interesting premise and one obviously designed to generate more discussion. However, can I get a show of hands for those who disagree with the number 1 reason that our civilization is doomed -- Paris Hilton!

Hmmm. No one is raising their hand.

The rest of the list is a mix of political, cultural and weird indications why our civilization is doomed. I'm particularly fond of number 35 -- glow in the dark Taiwanese pigs and the fact that I don't glow in the dark -- and reason number 1,619 -- a horrible proposal to remake the Thundercats.

This is fun! Of course, several people put "Lists" and "The Blogosphere" as the real reason our civilization is doomed. Glad I could contribute.

"I've got a full bladder, half an idea of where I'm going; it's Tuesday, and I am wearing sunglasses." -- Bloo