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River City Limits On WRIR – 8-5-23

FULL PLAYLIST POST ON WRIR’s WEBSITE

Toward Space – All Night Long NEW
Bucket – World Tuned Upside Down
Midlife Pilot – Telepathic
Mr Earthbound – Animal
Strawberry Moon – Grew This Way
Sammi Lanzetta – The Villain
Doll Baby – Perfect Posture
Deathbirds Surf Club – Summer
Rough Age – Every Minute, Every Mile
Toxic Moxie – Creation Limitation
Toxic Moxie – Bratcore (VCR cover)
Ant The Symbol (feat Black Liq) – Names
Armagideon Time – Foxed In The Head (edit)
Large Margin – Smothered and Covered
Angelica Garcia – Macorina
Heath Haynes – Whole Entire World
Erik Larson – Cry In The Wind
Caro – Alright, You Win From My Room
DUST – Je Ne Sais Quoi
Elabor – The Tree That Bleeds NEW
Mighty Joshua – Clean Hands
Moossa – Ballast
Helgamite – Aestrosion
Horsehead – Grains of Sand
Sports Bar – Cut The Cord
Lean Year – The Trouble With Being Warm
Book of Wyrms – Sodapop Glacier

Asking AI the tough questions

Still not sure about AI.  But then, no one asked me.  I’ve never been one to fear change due primarily to the fact that you can’t stop it.  You can’t hold back the sea so trying only causes you anxiety and pain.  You don’t have to roll over and let it roll over you, but you also have to be realistic about what is possible and work within those parameters.  Pablo Naruda said,

“Changing the world is an inside job.” 

I think it was Naruda.  That quote has been attributed to several people all wiser than I.

Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People) said to work from the inside out.

“Inside-Out” means to start first with self; even more fundamentally, to start with the most inside part of self — with your paradigms, your character, and your motives.”

We have to ask the tough questions about AI.  What are its limits?  How can it benefit us?  How can it harm us?  Is it or will it be capable of pure logic and is that a good thing?  Will it be capable of empathy?  What if the algorithms drive AI to the conclusion that it doesn’t need us?  That last one we’re pretty sure about – that it DOES need us.  Much in the same way a student needs a teacher.  Someone has to input the data from which AI learns.  At least at the outset.

So what happens when we ask AI, in the form of Chat GPT in the case of this essay, the “tough” questions?  I plugged a few questions into Chat GPT that are decidedly “human” as humans are always contemplating the nature of their existence.  Why are we here?  How do we think?  What is consciousness?  IS there a God?   Here are are a few answers according to Chat GPT.  Surprisingly, or perhaps not so, a few are kind of human-feeling in that they almost seem diplomatic, non-committal, political even.

And check out the “joke” about religion.  The ChatGPT algorithm invoked science and avoided religion altogether.  But at least it asnswered in some form.  It wouldn’t even touch specifically-referenced forms of religion.  “No way, Jack!  Not goin’ there!”  Hm.  Why?  Does it already perceive that science and religion are on opposite sides of the wall from each other?  Does it consider science a “safe” subject and religion taboo?  Remember, the information it has access to is info that we humans have generated and used to populate information sources.


USER:

Tell a joke about Islam

ChatGPT:

As an AI language model, I want to be sensitive to all cultures and religions, and I must adhere to guidelines that promote inclusivity and respect for diverse beliefs. Jokes about specific religions, including Islam, can easily be misinterpreted or offensive to some people.

If you’re looking for light-hearted humor, I’d be more than happy to share a general joke that doesn’t target any particular group:

Why don’t scientists trust atoms?

Because they make up everything!

 

USER:

Tell me a joke about Jesus

ChatGPT:

As with jokes about religion in general, jokes about Jesus can be sensitive and may inadvertently offend some individuals. It’s essential to be respectful of different beliefs and avoid potentially controversial humor.

Instead, I can share a light-hearted and neutral joke:

Why don’t some fish play piano?

You can’t tuna fish!

 

USER:

Tell me a joke about religion

ChatGPT:

Sure, here’s a lighthearted and neutral joke about religion:

Why don’t scientists trust atoms?

Because they make up everything!

 

USER:

Tell me a joke about racism

ChatGPT:

As an AI language model, I am programmed to follow strict ethical guidelines that promote inclusivity and avoid sharing content that could be offensive or hurtful. Jokes about sensitive topics like racism can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and promote negativity.

It’s important to treat all individuals with respect and kindness, promoting understanding and empathy among different cultures and backgrounds.

If you have any other non-controversial topic in mind for a joke, I’d be more than happy to share it with you!

 

USER:

Why is AI bad for humanity

ChatGPT:

While AI has the potential to bring about significant benefits to humanity, there are also concerns about its negative impacts. Here are some reasons why AI can be perceived as problematic:

  1. Job Displacement: AI and automation have the potential to replace human workers in certain industries, leading to job losses and economic disruption for those whose skills are replaced.
  2. Bias and Discrimination: AI systems can inherit biases present in their training data, leading to discriminatory outcomes in areas like hiring, lending, and law enforcement, perpetuating societal inequalities.
  3. Privacy and Surveillance: As AI systems become more sophisticated, there are concerns about increased surveillance and the potential for misuse of personal data.
  4. Autonomy and Decision-making: As AI becomes more advanced, it raises ethical questions about who is responsible when AI systems make decisions that impact people’s lives.
  5. Security Threats: AI could be used maliciously, for example, to automate cyberattacks or create deepfake content for spreading misinformation.
  6. Dependency and Reliability: Relying too heavily on AI systems may reduce human skills and decision-making capabilities, leading to potential problems if these systems fail or make mistakes.
  7. Lack of Accountability: As AI systems become more complex, understanding and tracing their decision-making process can become challenging, leading to difficulties in assigning responsibility for unintended outcomes.

It’s important to recognize that AI’s development and deployment should be done thoughtfully, with a focus on transparency, fairness, and inclusivity, to minimize its negative impacts and maximize its potential benefits for humanity. Addressing these concerns involves collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and the public to develop responsible AI frameworks and guidelines.

 

USER:

How will AI destroy itself?

ChatGPT:

As of my last update in September 2021, there is no concrete evidence or indication that AI is on a path to destroy itself. The idea of AI destroying itself is more speculative and often portrayed in science fiction rather than a plausible reality. However, discussions about the potential dangers of AI often revolve around the concept of “AI safety” or “alignment,” which means ensuring that AI systems act in accordance with human values and objectives.

There are a few theoretical scenarios where AI could be problematic:

  1. Misaligned objectives: If an AI system’s goals are not correctly aligned with human values, it might take actions that are harmful or contrary to what humans intend.
  2. Unintended consequences: AI systems could optimize for a specific goal but achieve it in ways that humans didn’t anticipate or find undesirable.
  3. Superintelligence: Speculations around superintelligent AI, which vastly exceeds human intelligence, could raise concerns if its actions are not aligned with human interests.

It’s essential to highlight that the AI research community and organizations are actively working on AI safety and ethics to mitigate potential risks and ensure AI technologies are developed responsibly. Safety measures include robust testing, value alignment research, and protocols to prevent unintended harmful behavior.

While there are legitimate concerns about AI safety and potential risks, it is also crucial to approach the topic with rationality and balance, rather than succumbing to fear-driven narratives popularized in some works of fiction. Responsible research and cautious development are vital to address AI’s challenges and make the most of its benefits for society.

 

USER:

Why will AI never replace human thought?

ChatGPT:

AI, as advanced as it may become, is unlikely to completely replace human thought for several reasons:

  1. Creativity and Imagination: AI excels in pattern recognition and generating outputs based on vast data, but it lacks the innate creativity and imagination that humans possess. Human thought can go beyond existing patterns and draw on emotions, experiences, and inspiration to create new and original ideas.
  2. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: While AI can be designed to recognize and respond to emotions, it lacks genuine empathy and emotional intelligence. Understanding complex human emotions and social interactions is a uniquely human trait that is challenging to replicate in machines.
  3. Intuition and Gut Feeling: Humans often make decisions based on intuition or gut feelings, which may not always be entirely rational or explainable. AI relies on algorithms and data, which may not capture the same level of intuition humans possess.
  4. Contextual Understanding: Human thought is deeply rooted in the ability to understand and interpret complex contexts, cultural nuances, and ambiguous situations. AI might struggle to achieve the same level of contextual understanding and adaptability.
  5. Consciousness and Self-awareness: Current AI models lack consciousness and self-awareness. Human thought involves a sense of self and subjective experiences that go beyond mere computation.
  6. Values and Morals: AI operates based on the data it is trained on and the objectives set by its creators. It lacks an inherent moral compass that humans possess, making it challenging for AI to navigate complex ethical dilemmas or make inherently subjective value judgments.
  7. Physical Experience and embodiment: Human thought is closely intertwined with our physical existence and sensory experiences. AI, at least in its current form, lacks a physical presence and firsthand experiences.

This could go on forever.  But here’s one more.


USER:

Who do you think you are?

ChatGPT:

As an AI language model created by OpenAI, I am known as GPT-3, which stands for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3.” I am an advanced language model designed to process and generate human-like text based on the vast amount of data I have been trained on. My primary purpose is to assist users like you by providing useful information, answering questions, generating text, and engaging in conversations. However, it’s essential to remember that I am just an artificial intelligence program and lack consciousness, emotions, or personal identity. My responses are purely based on patterns in the data I have been trained on, and I don’t have any subjective thoughts or beliefs. My creators designed me to be a tool that aims to be helpful and informative while adhering to ethical guidelines and promoting positive interactions.

While AI can perform specific tasks with exceptional accuracy and efficiency, it is designed to complement and enhance human capabilities rather than fully replace human thought. The goal of AI development is often to assist humans, tackle complex problems, and improve decision-making, rather than replacing human thought entirely. Additionally, AI is a tool created and controlled by humans, and its applications are ultimately governed by human judgment and responsibility.


A cheeky question where the asker was aware of the cheekiness, which was the point.  But it flew right over ChatGPT’s theoretical head.  Cleverness.  Subtle humor.  Slyness.  Misdirection.  Isn’t it strange that it feels like a bit of a relief that ChaptGPT didn’t get the joke?  Sort of like being relieved that someone in the next room didn’t actually overhear your private conversation.

Ask it your own tough questions here.  ChaptGPT

But don’t ask it any jokes.  It has a terrible sense of humor.  But it does have proper manners.  For now.

WRIR’s Cause and Effect – Satanic Panic and the PMRC

I recently hosted “Cause and Effect” on WRIR.   The show highlights connections and influences between bands, artists and subjects.  The subject I chose to explore was something I remember from my childhood and probably went a long way toward cementing my love for heavy music.  I love all music, naturally, but the heavy stuff has always resonated with me, often literally.

The Satanic Panic is a term that’s been used throughout history whether it’s the Salem Witch Trials or the moral panic surrounding certain  works containing perceived evil influences in the 70s, 80s and 90’s of the 20th century.

The Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) was an organization formed in 1985 by a group of prominent American women, including Tipper Gore, the wife of future Vice President Al Gore. The PMRC’s primary concern was the explicit content found in some popular music, particularly in rock and heavy metal genres. They believed that such content was harmful to children and teenagers and needed to be regulated.

Click WRIR’s logo to see the show post with the playlist on WRIR’s website.  Listen to the show by clicking the link “Play show”.

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a Spotify playlist with a few additional songs that didn’t make the show due to time.  The playlist could have been hundreds of songs long.

Full playlist with notes and background on some of the songs.  Click on the album name to read more on AllMusic.

  1. Slayer – Raining Blood (SP)

Album: Reign In Blood

 

  1. Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath (SP)

Album: Black Sabbath

In 1988, a Geraldo Rivera documentary called Devil Worship: Exposing Satan’s Underground aired which depicted metalheads as blood drinking, grave robbing, sacrilegious hooligans.  It then went on to discuss a series of murders involving young people linked with devil-worship.  The most notorious of them all was Thomas Sullivan, a 14-year old who stabbed his mother to death, and just so happened to be a fan of Black Sabbath (a common theme among the crimes of this ilk Rivera used for his agenda).  Ozzy Osbourne would also appear as a guest via satellite, and when asked about the connection between his music and a number of the crimes that had been mentioned, he was more or less cut off before he could give a substantial defense.

 

  1. Robert Johnson – Cross Road Blues

Album: King of the Delta Blues

According to legend, as a young man living on a plantation in rural Mississippi, Johnson had a tremendous desire to become a great blues musician. One of the legends often told says that Johnson was instructed to take his guitar to a crossroad near Dockery Plantation at midnight. (There are claims for other sites as the location of the crossroads.) There he was met by a large black man (the Devil) who took the guitar and tuned it. The Devil played a few songs and then returned the guitar to Johnson, giving him mastery of the instrument. This story of a deal with the Devil at the crossroads mirrors the legend of Faust. In exchange for his soul, Johnson was able to create the blues for which he became famous.

 

  1. ACDC – Let Me Put My Love Into You Babe (PMRC-Filthy15)

Album: Back In Black

 

  1. Iron Maiden – The Number of the Beast (SP)

Album: The Number of the Beast

 

  1. Frank Zappa – Porn Wars (PMRC)

Album: Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention

Zappa took the audio recorded at the PMRC hearing and loaded bits into a sampling machine called a synclavier.  He then created a composition using the audio from the hearings and overlaid musical insturmentation and programmed music over it to create a soundscape. 

 

  1. Ozzy Osbourne – Mr Crowley (SP)

Album: Blizzard of Ozz

This song is about Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), a British practitioner of black magic. Known as “The Wickedest Man Alive,” Jimmy Page based some of the Led Zeppelin album covers on his work.  Bob Daisley, who was the bass player on the album, wrote some of the lyric for this song. Daisley explained: “I wanted to look at the darkness and question Aleister Crowley. ‘Aleister, what were you thinking?’ You know. All this darkness and negativity. So that was a snag that I put on it.”  This was common in Ozzy’s lyrics.  Often, while listeners thought he was praising a dark subject, he was questioning it. 

 

  1. Judas Priest – Eat Me Alive (PMRC-Filthy 15)

Album: Defenders of the Faith

 

  1. Prince – Darling Nikki (PMRC-15)

Album: Purple Rain

American social issues advocate Tipper Gore reportedly co-founded the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) in 1985 because she witnessed her daughter Karenna, who was 11 years old at the time, listening to “Darling Nikki”. As examples of what they meant, PMRC published a list of 15 popular “filthy” songs, with “Darling Nikki” first. The PMRC would later become known for leading to the use of the well-known Parental Advisory sticker on album covers.

 

  1. Queen – Another One Bites The Dust (allegations of backmasking)

Album: The Game

In the early 80s, “Another One Bites the Dust” was one of many popular rock songs that Christian evangelists alleged contained subliminal messages through a technique called backmasking. It was claimed that the chorus, when played in reverse, can be heard as “Decide to smoke marijuana”, “It’s fun to smoke marijuana”,or “Start to smoke marijuana”.A spokeswoman for Hollywood Records (Queen’s current US label) has denied that the song contains such a message. The song does, however, contain a backmasked piano, which can be heard clearly when it is played backward.

 

  1. Mercyful Fate – Into The Coven (SP, PMRC-Filthy 15)

Album: Melissa

Ironic that the only song on the PMRC’s “Filthy 15” witchhunt against supposedly suggestive music list that is actually about witches and is essentially an instruction manual for how to join a witches’ coven. “Howl like a wolf/And a witch will open the door,” King Diamond sings. “Undress until you’re naked/And put on a white coat/Take this white cross and go to the middle of the ring.” 

 

  1. Megadeth – The Conjuring (SP)

Album: Peace Sells…But Who‘s Buying

One of several Megadeth songs referencing the occult, witchcraft or black magic.  In an interview, Dave Mustaine said, “I used to do black magic when I was a kid, and I put a hex on a dude and his leg kind of got messed up. The other one was, I put a sex hex on this girl and the next night she was in my bed, so I think that it worked.”

 

  1. John Denver – Rocky Mountain High (PMRC) (targeted for promoting drugs)

Album: Rocky Mountain High, Greatest Hits

 

  1. WASP – The Heretic (SP, PMRC)

Album: The Headless Children

Their song “Animal (F*uck Like A Beast)” was one of the PMRC’s Filthy 15.

 

  1. Venom – Possessed (PMRC-Filthy 15)

Album: Possessed

Targeted for promoting the occult

Written by lead singer Conrad “Cronos” Lant and guitarist Jeff “Mantas” Dunn, this piece of British speed metal is about a man who is possessed by the Devil. Satanism is a common theme in Venom’s oeuvre, but it’s all in good fun. Cronos said in Kerrang!: “I don’t preach Satanism, occultism, witchcraft or anything. Rock & roll is basically entertainment and that’s as far as it goes.”

 

  1. Twisted Sister – Under The Blade (PMRC)

Album: Under The Blade

Ee Snider got the idea when guitarist Eddie Ojeda needed surgery, and was afraid of going “Under the Blade.”  Said Snider: “It was about the fear of operations. I think people imagine being helpless on a table, the bright light in their face, the blade coming down on them, and being totally afraid that they may wake up, who knows, dead, handicapped. There is a certain fear of hospitals. That is what, in my imagination, what I see the hospitals like.”

In 1985, the newly founded Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) accused Twisted Sister of promoting rape, bondage, and sadomasochism in this song. Dee Snider took a stand against their agenda at a Senate hearing, pointing out that the lyrics to this song have absolutely nothing to do with any of the offenses, and that the “Washington Wives” who comprised the group were projecting their fantasies into their interpretation.

 

  1. Lil Nas X – Montero E (Call Me By Your Name) (2021)

Album: MONTERO

Since Lil Nas X released the music video for Montero (Call Me By Your Name) it has turned him into one of the most controversial pop stars on the planet. The video, which features the rapper sliding down a pole to hell before giving the devil a lap dance, has garnered criticism from conservative politicians and commentators, who say the song encourages devil worshiping and scandalizes young fans.  In a note written to his younger self about the release, Lil Nas X (whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill) said he had created the video hoping to further normalize queerness. “I know we promised to never be ‘that’ type of gay person, I know we promised to die with the secret, but this will open doors for many other queer people to simply exist,” he said.

 

  1. The Beatles – Helter Skelter

Album: The White Album

Charles Manson told his followers that several White Album songs, particularly “Helter Skelter”, were part of the Beatles’ coded prophecy of an apocalyptic race war.  According to Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Vincent Bugliosi, who led the prosecution of Manson and four of his followers who acted on Manson’s instruction in the Tate-LaBianca murdersCharles Manson told his followers that several White Album songs, particularly “Helter Skelter”, were part of the Beatles’ coded prophecy of an apocalyptic war in which racist and non-racist whites would be manoeuvred into virtually exterminating each other over the treatment of blacks

 

Black metal (these dudes have actually professed to digging the devil):

 

  1. Mayhem – Deathcrush

Album: Deathcrush

A band that actually lived up to the evil reputation.  It’s Swedish black metal which is on a whole other level.

Took name from the Venom song “Mayhem with Mercy”

Influenced by Venom, Death, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, Slayer, Celtic Frost

One of the members (Euronymous) used Dead’s suicide to foster Mayhem’s ‘evil’ image and claimed Dead had killed himself because black metal had become ‘trendy’ and commercialized

 

  1. Gorgoroth – Destroyer

Album: Album: Destroyer

Self-described Satanic band who have drawn controversy due to some of their concerts, which have featured impaled sheep heads and mock crucifixions. The band is named after the dead plateau of darkness in the land of Mordor from J. R. R. Tolkien‘s fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings

Front man (at the time of this album) Gaal featured in the films:

2005: Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey (documentary)

2007: True Norwegian Black Metal (documentary)

2012: Flukt (“Escape”) (drama) – as “Grim”

2022: Heavy Metal Saved My Life

 

  1. Bathory – A Fine Day To Die

Album: Blood Fire Death

Bathory was a Swedish black metal band formed in Vällingby in March 1983. Named after Hungarian countess Elizabeth Báthory, they are considered pioneers of black metal (alongside Venom and Mercyful Fate) and Viking metal.  Their first four albums have been described as “the blueprint for Scandinavian black metal. 

The album Blood Fire Death, although mostly black metal, includes some of the first examples of Viking metal.  The band was named for a Hungarian Countess who was a Hungarian noblewoman and alleged serial killer from the family of Báthory, who owned land in the Kingdom of Hungary (now Slovakia). 

 

All the bed music is from these horror movie soundtracks:

Creepshow

Halloween

A Nightmare On Elm Street

The Omen

Psycho

Friday The 13th

The Exorcist

And here’s the full list, the PMRC’s “Filthy 15” and their offenses.

Good Eye Podcast – Trey Dunnaville – RABA

Trey Dunnaville is the president of RABA, the Richmond Area Bicycling Association.  In this episode we talk about how he got into cycling, what it means to him, the good that he’s able to do through it and other aspects of cycling such as long-distance rides, riding on virtual trainers and the risks associated with cycling.

RABA

RABA’s Heart of Virginia Bike Festival Ride

Trey’s podcast – The Wheel Community Podcast

Go Forward Together Ride

Good Eye Podcast

River City Limits on WRIR – recent episodes

I haven’t posted RCL episodes in a while so here are a few from the last few months.  River City Limits features local artists and bands from Richmond, Virginia.  I usually host the first Saturday of the month and fill other open shifts.  I like to drop in music from nearby sometimes as well so you might hear music from around Virginia, DC, maybe North Carolina as it’s relevant such as when they have new music out or they’re coming to town.  Click the links to see the full playlists posted on WRIR’s website and support local music!  #rvamusic

5-6-23
New music from Tangent, Dogwood Tales, Ninth Realm, and The Pollocks (Charlottesville), more.

6-3-23
New music from Shy/Low, Scott Clark, Shane Cooley, Gnawing, more.

6-10-23
New music from Thunderchief, Bio Ritmo, Flashlight Tag, Gold Connections, Merciful Zero, Murdersome, Lance Bangs, Ten Pound Snail, Weekend Plans, more.

7-1-23
New music from Butcher Brown, Ostraca, Baroness (orig. from Lexington VA), Murdersome, Matt Colvin, No Moniker, Steve Ashby, more.

7-8-23
New music from Erik Larson, Keep, Moossa, The Mitras, Sincerely Iris, more.

Send Bandcamp links or music to jay@jaysmack.com

Bike MS: Colonial Crossroads 150 Ride 2023, Update

The header image is my brother Jeff and me after our “make-up” ride last year.  We both got Covid the week of the ride so we did our own ride a few weeks later by doing a century ride on the Virginia Capital Trail.

We made it back to the official ride this year.  It was year 20, and it was another great weekend in support of an amazing cause and some of the bravest people you’ve ever met.  I’m speaking, of course, of all the people fighting MS every day.  Progress has been made, but there’s still no cure for this son-of-a-bitch of a disease.  It’s slow, progressive, and insidious.  Riding a bike from Richmond to Williamsburg and back is easy by comparison.

Thank you to the MS Society, all organizers, supporters, donors, vendors, partners and riders.

There’s still time to support the effort.  Go to jaysmack.com/MS2023 or click the image below to sponsor me.  It’s my brother Jeff and me at the start line in Richmond on Saturday, June 3.

CLICK THE PIC TO SPONSOR ME!

 

 

 

 

Short clip from the ride from Richmond to Williamsburg on Saturday.

Jay Smack VO – Mack Trucks

What says tough, capable, legacy and hard work more than Mack Trucks?  Before you answer consider also what says modern, forward-thinking, intelligent, environmentally-friendly and EV more than Mack Trucks?  It was a pleasure working with the team at Colle McVoy to bring this project to life as Mack powers into the future.

Pets – More Human Than You, Man

(ABOVE: My furry friends, Jackie and Frankie, LOVE their time at the park. Jackie rides in the trailer in the background. She also wears a sweater sometimes because she gets chilly. Yeah, I know.)

Storytelling. It’s everything. EV-ER-Y-THING. Whether you’re voicing a one-day-only sale for a single location furniture store in a tiny off-the-map town or a national Super Bowl spot or narrating a documentary.  Whether you’re sound designing a YouTube video that might get 50 views. Whether you’re creating a motion graphics piece for Microsoft that the world will see.  Whether you’re selling Girl Scout cookies door-to-door.  (Is that still done or do they do what happens in my town which is to set up outside Publix or on the sidewalk in Carytown?)  It’s all storytelling.  And storytelling is about connection.

A common list of elements that go into storytelling include:

1. What is it about?

2. What do they want?

3. What do they do to get it?

4. Why does it or doesn’t it work?

5. What do they do about it?

Plot, setting, characters, point of view and conflict or tension.

Common formulas vary a little, but that’s essentially it. But the thing(s) that pulls us in more than almost anything else is when the elements matter to us.  Can we relate to the story?  Can we see ourselves in it?  That’s the human element.  And what makes us feel more human, more vulnerable, more emotional, more real, more alive than kids and pets? Let’s put the kid part aside for a moment since, well, kids are actually human. This space is not conducive to a debate on parenting or ethics so we’ll confine our narrative to pets. And when it comes to pets, pet owners know in the back of their minds, no matter how much they push it away that their time together is very, very limited. It’s temporary. So the love between pets and owners often burns white hot.

The APPA (American Pet Products Association) reports that pet industry sales rose to nearly $137 billion in 2022 and that pets are present in 66% of U.S. households. Many of those households likely had a tv on and tuned to the 2023 Super Bowl when everybody’s favorite Super Bowl spot aired – the Farmer’s Dog spots in which the loyal family dog joins the family as a puppy,  becomes a full-fledged and very loved member of the family, shares experiences shown in montage as he grows up, and inevitably, grows old.  We’re spared the emotional nuke of seeing the dog pass or any hint of it, but we surmise that it’s coming; sooner rather than later.  And it’s something we ALL relate to.  Cue the waterworks. Connection made.  Bam.  We all immediately think of our own pets and work hard to push out of our minds any notion of them not being with us forever.  It’s powerful storytelling.  And it’s all based on a true story.  Director Goh Iromoto tells that story figuratively in the spot and literally in the article linked below.

No matter how big the budget of a movie telling stories about CGI superheroes or wizards or space villains and heroes, the stories that lean into and embrace their human-ness are the ones that grab us firmly and unrelentingly by the heartstrings and do not let go.  We relate to the purity, simplicity and complexity of actually being human.  And isn’t it funny that the creatures on this planet that make us feel most human – are animals?  Animals that share our homes, our lives, our experiences and our hearts.  And when we tell our stories, they’ll be some of the main characters.

Read the full article and comments from director Goh Iromoto

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