Re: [Harp-L] what is ODBG ? (was creativity)

[Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On May 13, 2007, at 10:53 AM, BRATGIRLBABY63@xxxxxxx wrote:

> I have a smile on my face too, Fernando... but I have  to agree  
> with Tom.
> ODBG "Old Dead Black Guys" and "Old Dead Blues Guys"  both sound a bit
> ..."disrespectful" to me. For some, it's a quick easy way to  refer  
> to a certain group

Guess we've got to give Little Walter the business for his song "Dead  
Presidents."  And what of the movement in university literature  
programs during the 90s in which it became increasingly popular to  
disparage middle aged professors for studying "dead white guys."   
It's one thing to be respectful to our fellow human beings and to  
expand the literary cannon but c'mon guys how exactly did we all get  
so sensitive?  The next thing you know, we'll have to change the  
labels on bug spray, which is the last bastion of plain speaking  
language.  If you get a chance read the labels and read  
advertisements for exterminators. It's quite refreshing.  I just  
discovered a giant hornet nest on my deck and reached for the can.   
The label says something like "Kills hornets and wasps instantly from  
20 feet."  Of course if it was WASP spray, perhaps that'd be an  
entirely different situation.  :-)  Old Dead Blues Guys is simply a  
short hand for a certain type of music.  It's descriptive and playful  
all at the same time. Have fun with it.

Bob