Madness Takes Its Toll, or:
Maxie Tries Not To Burst Into Flames
Maxie Tries Not To Burst Into Flames
The corrosive madness which is Pacifica appears to be having an effect on Maxie Jackson.
'At the end of the day...'
'What is this about...?'
'What is this all about...?'
Well... it's about Pacifica. What it is. What it isn't. Decades ago Samori Marksman said, on the record, that Pacifica 'Isn't what people think it is.'
Though the details, the particulars, have varied over time, that characterization, negative in form, applies to all of Pacifica.
Negative in form.
Negative in effect.
A corrosive cluster of systemic failure, talentless, directionless, snarling and squabbling, struggling to no end.
That, children, is Pacifica's Mission Statement.
~ 'indigopirate'
ps: I've provided a fairly representative bit of 'discussion' preceding Maxie's thoughts and reactions. Here is the longer extract. If you prefer to cut to the core of his thoughts re the madness, which are much shorter, dive in here (at ~19:09)
What's it all about? This:
ReplyDeleteDemocrats and the Iron Law of Institutions
http://www.tinyrevolution.com/mt/archives/001705.html
“ The people who control institutions care first and foremost about their power within the institution rather than the power of the institution itself. Thus they would rather the institution “fail” while they remain in power within the institution than for the institution to “succeed” if that requires them to lose power within the institution.
- Kim Kaufman
The notion of the 'Iron Law of Institutions', or 'The Iron Law of Oligarchy' as originally phrased, is a valid observation as to inclination or disposition – as a 'tendency'. It is however no more than that, and its common evocation is as rationalization for failure. In that sense, yes, it's infinitely applicable to the scum that has been Pacifica for many decades.
DeleteIt's an effectively empty cliché masquerading as 'insight' in a sense similar to the way sloppy notions of 'entropy' are sometimes invoked as 'explanations'.
Reality is that the dynamic between individuals and their goals or 'ideals' are complex and that there are no overarching 'Laws' or sacred principles which obtain.
If, however, you have a collection of talentless dunderhead scum constituting your organization the odds of anything meaningful let alone interesting let alone consequential emerging from their 'process' are, oh, uh, uhm, pretty fucking shitty.
Pretty Fucking Shitty has long been synonymous with Pacifica.
It's a statement of Identity, actually.
Isn't it, now?
~ 'indigopirate'
ps: Could it be changed? Yes. It would require more talent and effort, however, than anyone with such talent and considering any such effort will entertain as a possibility, for the simple reason that their talent and effort are better brought to bear elsewhere.
Duh.
Calling it a "Law" is somewhat of a metaphor. I know these people and I'm confident that many of their decisions are based on what's good for them, not what's good for the institution. That plus plenty of incompetence, a heaping of lazy and perhaps some other defects.
DeleteKim
There is a lot of truth in these comments. There are those in Pacifica who are happy with the way things work now. They really see no problem with the programming. I have in fact heard some members say they would rather Pacifica fold than become more like other media. You know, the ones with an audience.
ReplyDeleteThere is no accountability. Many of the people in PNB and local boards have been around for years even decades. They gloat about their experience but the state of the network shows they have nothing to gloat about and should have been replaced a long time ago. Their resistance to change and overt hostility to anyone attempting change drives people away because they don't have any personal stake in Pacifica. If Pacifica doesn't want their help, they will go elsewhere. The sad part is the structure is basically sound but without accountability, it degenerates into the mess we see now with the PNB meetings and local boards which have been effectively reduced to the sole function of electing directors.
I don't know the answer. What do you think Chris? Should Pacifica just go back to the way it was when you were running WBAI or is there a way to fix the system to make it more accountable to the members?
And more accountable to the employees and vendors.
DeleteI sincerely mean no offense, and simply my 2 cents, but what is there to save?
ReplyDeleteAn original worthwhile mission and ideals betrayed and abandoned over four plus decades ago?
Long, long, long, long gone.
A random collection of talentless opportunistic delusional scum with no other accomplishments, no other opportunities?
[Yes, yes, there's the very very rare occasional exception, but who are we kidding, really?]
The only things of value are five frequencies and ancient archives.
The organization, the people, the people who control it are worse than useless, their sole purpose for many many many years being to fight off any change until now, there's nothing left, really.
There is nothing to save here, with the possible exception of the archives, which we may reasonably assume will at some point find a new home.
As for the foundational principles they have long had no home here.
Indeed, Pacifica has long been the enemy of its foundational goals and principles.
Far more importantly they can be found, scattered, and reborn within the wide spaces of the internet.
It ain't 1949, when KPFA first went on air. Not anymore, not by a long shot.
Let other flowers bloom :)
~ 'indigopirate'
I'm researching a comedian named Dick Davy who used to open for jazz performers and also used to do pieces on WBAI - curious if you knew him or of him. If so, I'd love to talk with you on my podcast, Comedy on Vinyl.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Jason Klamm
jason@stolendress.com
Sorry, Jason, I am unfamiliar with Dick Davy. Perhaps he came to WBAI after I left—I hope someone else here reads this and can help you.
Delete