.
I just noticed an amazing parallel...the great philosopher Ayn Rand was worshipped by her followers to point of cultism. The "inner circle" had very strict rules about what could and could not be said about her. But there was some hidden nastiness and the truth finally came out in several biographies published after her death in 1982, and later much more freely on the Internet.

The funny thing is, there is still an "official" Ayn Rand organization where everything is strictly the party-line, and then there's the "open and tolerant" organization in which everyone else, the non-cult followers, the sane people, gather and criticize openly.

It is this latter which reminds me of the org.

The official, the regulated, and the unofficial, the free. The org is where the negative is permitted, and I believe we are all the stronger for it.

Prince has always had a theme of "eliminate the negative," and now he doesn't even say "fuck" anymore. Well I beg to differ...the negative flows freely here, and it hardens the steel of the positive. The org is the REAL community.

People who prevent themselves from being criticized hamper their own growth.

teller said:

Very good, very eloquent points. Prince needs his own in-house Org to keep him on track. Think what might have been prevented: 75% of "NP Soul", 85% of "Rave Un2" and 60% of "Emancipation".

Well put as always, teller.

The people here are a community. Whether admitted or not, Prince and his influence brought them here, brought us all together.

There is every facet of the spectrum: Love, hate, adoration, contempt, obsession, and "no longer a fan" types. There are old-schoolers, newbies, and party-crashers.

Over time, there were/are many forums/websites dedicated to Prince, but none even begin to compare to the feel of prince.org. It's been around for a long time, it is unique, and it allows the viewpoints of even those it may not agree with. This leaves for complete discussion of whatever topic is at hand.

It's true that sometimes I wish people would be nicer when presenting ideas or views (the people spoken of here, just may read it), because it can be quite hateful - instead of posting what is on their mind in a peaceful, yet direct manner.

In the end though, you are right, it only makes those who stick it out stronger in their convictions.

It makes me sad that Prince can't really participate in this very cool community, due to his own hangups and the people who buy into our fame-obsessed culture. And, honestly, the people here who would love to get an opportunity to attack him for various things.

If Prince would get over himself and participate in the Org, and if people here could get over having him present, he would see what a great community has formed around his music (though not exactly ABOUT his music). But he would have to be able to cope with the reality: people aren't drones, they won't be assimilated, and you've got to take the bad with the good here. It isn't Positivity Land. But it is pretty cool. And very real.

I just don't know if he could function here. But hey, maybe he'll come and prove me wrong some day. I think, I hope, that if he came at us with a good attitude, he would be welcome.

tackam said:

yeah. we're not s'bad. he'd love us just the same...the kool-aid heads are the ones he'd probably worry about the most, tho'...

If I were Prince, I don't know if I could stand all the talk about ME all the time. Sheesh...that would have to fuck with your head. So maybe it's a dangerous venue, creatively...

teller said:

that's why we steer him away from talkin about himself and get him 2 spill on one of our other non-prince subjects, like...uhhh...


this'll take a while

teller said:

I think one would have to separate the self from the product based on oneself in order to handle sites like this.

hey! .. don't be hatin' on prince!

sorry, seen this and just had 2 leddit out:

teller said:

jumps up on the table...vive le org!!!

tackam said:

I think the above concept works both ways.

There are some people around here who would need to begin seeing Prince for what he truly is - which is simply an extremely gifted, talented man who happens makes music for a living.

There are some people on here who don't seem to understand that Prince is not a some sort of god or prophet, he is not their personal spiritual guru or a messiah, he is not perfect, he doesn't have the all the answers to the world's problems, and he doesn't walk on water or cure disease by his touch or glance. But some people on here act like he is and does all those things, and those kinds of deluded folks would never be able to discuss anything rationally with him.

I would imagine it would be extremely difficult for Prince to interact in any constructive or worthwhile manner with people who have elevated him to a level that he 1) doesn't deserve or even WANT; and 2) can't see or accept him for the person he is.

While I do see your point to an extent, I don't think it's totally a matter of Prince needing to "get over himself" or adjust his own attitude. If he started visiting the Org on a known basis, he'd be asking for a boatload of hassles what w ith some of the fanatics around this place. And unfortunately, those types seem to be the most vocal and enthusiastic (and scary), more so than the 'normal', regular type folks who truly do see him realistically and would probably conduct themselves wonderfully if they had a chance to interact with him.

AmethystAngelMN said:

I mostly agree with you. Dealing with the 'fams' would be a hassle, and I can't imagine him spending time in the forums that are devoted to him.

But. . .my impression is that he does need to get over himself. In the very brief time I've spent talking with him, he was very cool and "normal" for the most part, but he struck me as being very, very accustomed to being the center of attention and the leader of the conversation. Not consciously, or in a really obnoxious way. It was just obvious that he knew who the rock star was. And that just wouldn't fly at the org (except in the PMAM forum). But I'd love to be wrong.

tackam said:

I understand what you are saying and I've no doubt you're right. He's lived the life of an idolized celebrity for a very long time. I'm sure anybody's personality would be affected by that.

AmethystAngelMN said:

That's just it. You can hardly blame him; it's just his reality.

Maybe if I were a famous star Prince would have the time of day for me. And yet I am a star...

teller said:

feelin tempted 2 sing out "we are all a star"...

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

:LOL: no, not everyone...just me!

teller said:

Some musicians are very approachable. If you look around at the various web sites you will find quite a few who post and reply to fans on a regular basis.

I was really taken back by how much Billy Corgan posted on the smashing pumpkins site over the past few years. He at times responded directly to fans questions and provided alot of insight to Machina.

I came across Peter Rauhofer's screename on the back of one of his mix CDs and IMed him for the hell of it, we ended up talking for almost 45 min. He told me how his grandfather was from Findlay, Ohio, how he's really into photography as well, and mentioned his essential mix cd that was soon to be released at that time.

This whole "prince is really just normal people like you and i" stuff gets old. We know they're normal people. Sometimes they're the ones that need to put the superstar attitude on the shelf for a bit.

On one hand, the rehersals were cool in that its probabbly the closest any of us will ever get to Prince, and the only time we'll ever have a chance to say something to him. But at the same time they were insanely controlled. Noone in their right mind was gonna ask Prince a blunt question and ruin the moment. Who really wanted to take the chance of asking him something that might piss him off and have him walk off the stage?
[This message was edited Mon Mar 31 20:07:36 PST 2003 by Tom]

teller said:

I hope I'm wrong but I think he'd love to talk about himself nonstop...

Very true teller, I wonder what the little guy must think to this place lol

AmethystAngelMN said:

I agree with you !

I like the Org, I visit it everyday.

But it is not a perfect place at all, I always have to sort out the goods from the garbage, have been insulted a few times etcetera.

None of us know Prince, and we all make something of him, whether it's good or bad. When you take the power to put someone on a pedestool, you can kick him/her off too. I think it's good he isn't a part of this community. Too dangerous !

And now... Oprah's Book Club !

Has anyone read "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand ? It's my all time favourite. It's a great gift, especially for creative people ! I will read it again this summer.

dawntreader said:

I am ALWAYS pushing Ayn Rand on people here.

<---Ayn Randologist

Does Prince even visit the Org?

teller said:

Push ! Until you get 2 higher ground lalala...