0961: "Eternal Flame"

[crs.one]

The comic is suitably tasteful and mournful, but at the same time also a subtle dig at apple/mac. It's basically perfect.

You see what you want to see. I doubt Randall intended a dig, but if you are that passionate about your disdain that you want to take the death of Steve Jobs and use it for your passion... enjoy your moment.

"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

[Colin OOOD]

Really, Ii you do it for fun, I think it's a bit of a stretch to consider you an "artist" in the same league as Randall, who certainly does not do it just for "fun".

Art is HARD WORK. If you enjoy it you're NOT DOING IT RIGHT.

pff.

Yeah, sounds ridiculous, and that's because that's not what I said.

What I said is, Randall's art is serious business. He built his life around it. He makes his living off it. He quit NASA to dedicate to his comics. With that in mind, it shouldn't be too hard to see why I think it's unfair to place a person like that in the same level as a person who likes singing because it's fun, much like I wouldn't compare constructing a skyscraper with building a dog house.

But yes, art is hard work. If you don't enjoy it, it's possible that you're not doing it right. But if you think making art is all fun and games and easy cash, well, pff.

Firstly I apologise for my clumsy quoting in my previous post, which no doubt was the reason why you omitted your own quoted words from your reply to me above. I have reinstated the quote so it's easier to keep track of the discussion.

Secondly, I've spent the last three hours writing a long involved reply, but I'm going to delete most of it now because it all boils down to playpen balls. Damn straight I think Randall does XKCD for fun - it oozes out of nearly every panel. I'm willing to bet that the thought that his little comics provide him with a living gives him no small amount of joy. Does Mr. Munroe place himself on the same level as a person who likes singing because it's fun? I don't know but I suspect he does; from his comics and his writing he doesn't seem one to place himself on a pedestal. So why should we do so to him - or to any artist? Or to ourselves?

...and have you seen some of the dog houses you can get these days? Some of them really are works of art! Check out http://www.oddee.com/item_97267.aspx to start with.

Anyway, I've seen your website and listened to some of your music; I thought I'd return the favour and give you the opportunity to listen to some of my own work via the Sendspace link below. They're fairly simple pieces but many people seem to like them; strangely enough although I make my living from writing, performing and engineering music for myself and others, it's the pieces with perhaps the most commercial potential which are the ones I'm happiest to give away. If you're interested in more of what I do (in conjunction with 3 good friends) then plug the second half of my user-name into Soundcloud.com in the first instance - be warned that you do so at your own risk, other content contains repetitive beats and you might not like it (which, of course, doesn't mean that it's 'bad' ). I have a great time being an 'artist', by the way
http://www.sendspace.com/file/3ag0fx

Oh, and while I'm here:

It's likely that he had the idea for this comic for quite some time, and the comic only came out so well because the idea matured over time. This time, he was pretty much obliged to wait before posting...

Would you care to reconsider this statement in the light of published information?

[dmm]

When I saw this comic, I didn't know Jobs had died. And I don't use Macs. So I was afraid it was a posthumous tribute by Randall to himself.

[Kirby]

Is anyone kind enough (and skillful too) as to make a Windows 7 spinning thingy version? I'd greatly apreciate it.
Source:

Here's what I've managed to come up with:

eternal_microsoft_flame2.gif (28.18 KiB) Viewed 1215 times

[frinklabs]

While watching the spinning pizza wheel of death at an Apple conference a couple of years ago, the presenter asked if anyone had any questions to fill time while waiting.

I asked if the spinning pizza wheel of death had an official name -- he said it was called the "non-determinate progress indicator"

[SirMustapha]

Damn straight I think Randall does XKCD for fun - it oozes out of nearly every panel. I'm willing to bet that the thought that his little comics provide him with a living gives him no small amount of joy.

I didn't mean that Randall doesn't enjoy doing xkcd, but fact is, the comic became big. And honestly, many of the comics look to me like anything but product of fun. In fact, many look like "oh, shit, I have 15 minutes to post a new comic, come on, let's do this".

Does Mr. Munroe place himself on the same level as a person who likes singing because it's fun? I don't know but I suspect he does; from his comics and his writing he doesn't seem one to place himself on a pedestal. So why should we do so to him - or to any artist? Or to ourselves?

People put Randall on a pedestal because they need heroes. They need someone to embody the "nerd is cool" movement. Randall fits the bill, that's all. And I don't think that Randall puts himself on a pedestal, but he certainly put his comic on a very important place in his life. Proof of that is the "family cancer" thing: if xkcd was just for fun, he would either stop doing it for a while altogether, or he would carry on straight without much trouble (as a sort of therapy, I don't know). But no: he was unable to produce comics, but went to great lengths to keep the schedule, even recurring to those "five minute comics". Doing a comic apolosiging to his fans for his family problems? Does that look like fun?

...and have you seen some of the dog houses you can get these days? Some of them really are works of art!

Well, yes, but they won't kill hundreds and cause millions in damages if they collapse. Now, if Randall woke up one day and decided to simply stop doing xkcd completely, people here would go freaking nuts.

It's likely that he had the idea for this comic for quite some time, and the comic only came out so well because the idea matured over time. This time, he was pretty much obliged to wait before posting...

Would you care to reconsider this statement in the light of published information?

I don't think it really negates what I said. I didn't think Randall had this comic drawn before Jobs died -- I only suggested he had the idea for it some time ago, and only came to draw it last week. We have all been there: we have an idea on a flash someday, leave it on the back of our mind for some time, and when we come to put it in practice, it's a lot more mature and full-fledged. That's what I think that happened here. If I had suggested that Randall had this comic somewhere in his drawer, just waiting to be posted, that would have been way too cynical, even for me.

I'll definitely check out your music for sure. It's always great to cultivate politeness and civilised discussion in here, especially with those I disagree with the most.

[SpringLoaded12]

SirMustapha, it looks like I might have to start disagreeing with you again for your own sake, because now that I said I agree with you it looks like a dozen other people stepped up to disagree. Maybe if I switch back the others will go away? I feel like they're invading my territory

[toastking]

This was a really tasteful and intelligent tribute, something Steve Jobs himself would've been proud of. It's a lot better then any of those cheesy "iSad" ones.

[SirMustapha]

Anyway, I've seen your website and listened to some of your music; I thought I'd return the favour and give you the opportunity to listen to some of my own work via the Sendspace link below. They're fairly simple pieces but many people seem to like them; strangely enough although I make my living from writing, performing and engineering music for myself and others, it's the pieces with perhaps the most commercial potential which are the ones I'm happiest to give away. If you're interested in more of what I do (in conjunction with 3 good friends) then plug the second half of my user-name into Soundcloud.com in the first instance - be warned that you do so at your own risk, other content contains repetitive beats and you might not like it (which, of course, doesn't mean that it's 'bad' ). I have a great time being an 'artist', by the way
http://www.sendspace.com/file/3ag0fx

Before it gets too old: congratulations on your work. It's really good, you should be proud of them. I also listened to some of your electronic stuff on SoundCloud -- I know it's a collaboration, but Bristolian Rhapsody drove me wild. Congrats!

[Colin OOOD]

Before it gets too old: congratulations on your work. It's really good, you should be proud of them. I also listened to some of your electronic stuff on SoundCloud -- I know it's a collaboration, but Bristolian Rhapsody drove me wild. Congrats!

Thankyou very much!

[addams]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_spiral

I have other things to think about. But, The rainbow spiral keeps coming up this morning. I have too many programs running in the background.

Then, last night I was sent this:


“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.”

Steve Jobs

I seem to be moved more than makes sense. I did not know the man. If, we ever met it was casual. I am like that woman on Saturday night like. "He looked like a man."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1zGvQ9WcWg

So, That rainbow spiral is an Eternal Flame, to me, now.

Not just for Mr. Jobs. Others as well. Other smart, capable, funny, Human Beings.



There was a woman named Judy. She was one of the finest examples of human flesh that I have ever seen. She said,(In that,'This is an order, Don't Fuck With Me.'' way.)

"You test every word you say. Is it truthful? Is it necessary? Is it kind?!"
Judy.



I May be over qualified to be a maid. But, it is a fucking challenging job.

I wonder how hard Jobs was to work for? Anybody know?

What did his maids think of him? Was he a busy guy? Run in take a shower run back out again?

That stupid spiral thing was, just, one more thing this morning.
The sun shines today. Maybe I should go out and enjoy it.

[delro92]

Is anyone kind enough (and skillful too) as to make a Windows 7 spinning thingy version? I'd greatly apreciate it.
Source:

Here's what I've managed to come up with:

eternal_microsoft_flame2.gif

Sorry for the (very very very very) late response... Thank you very much!