What influences you the most? [Archive]

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Iskatehard

07-09-2009, 11:19 PM

Well?

I mean.. Answer however you want. What forms of art, maybe? What musicians, or books, or films, or whatever have played the biggest roles in making you what you are?

Religion perhaps? A specific person? Some form of idea?

And fuck, I know. We are ourselves essentially.. But there are a lot of outside forces that play part in crafting your mind, if you will..

For me... There have been a lot of things, I have to say.

The musician Elliott Smith has played a big role in my development, I have to say. Honestly, I've learned a lot from his words, and I feel it plays a major role in me figuring up what I want/need to really be happy..

Also, music group Modest Mouse has done a lot for me, I think... Something about them.. Their music has lead to me thinking about certain topics.. Which in return has really "helped" me in concluding on quite a few different things.. And it spans a lot, I think. From religion preference/spiritual belief to what I feel about relationships with others, and such..

Annddd... The film "Fight Club" (I understand there is a book, but I honestly thought the film was much better and got a message across much more effectively). I really do love this film.. And it's played a major key role in the developing of how I see certain aspects of society as a whole, and how we approach relationships between ourselves and mere objects..

So.. You? What's help you in this way?

Iskatehard

07-09-2009, 11:36 PM

Note

I'm not sure if this matters or not.. Bit I think there is a significant difference in "inspire" and "influence".

So.. Let's try not to discuss specifically what inspires this..

I mean this as in.. A statement like "Rodney Mullen.. Because he skates good, and I want to skate good myself.."

Try not to get too specific on activity, I suppose.. If that even makes sense

Marevix

07-09-2009, 11:53 PM

Phish introduced me to the concept of extended improvisation within composed pieces, and has influenced my clean guitar playing as well as my solos. They have also turned me onto other styles of music I didn't previously appreciate, which has redefined how I use bass and keys as instruments.

Iskatehard

07-10-2009, 10:57 PM

Hm, might be off topic.. But fuck it, I might as well go ahead and ask..

I've heard a lot about Phish and how good the music of theirs is.. But I've only listened to a few tracks, and I didn't like them very much.. Can you suggest any specific songs or maybe an album to check out? With all I hear, I feel I have to be missing something, and I probably just didn't check the right songs out

Ezio

07-10-2009, 11:28 PM

Music usually alters my mood and forces me to open my mind to a lot of different things. Some groups that enjoy in particular are Binary Star and Atmosphere. They've both given me great stories to think about, new perspectives on controversial issues, and made me feel more...I don't know, motivated to live I guess? My life kind of sucks and there isn't much I control other than my music and skating. They're both really important to how I feel on any given day.

PatrickGB

07-11-2009, 01:07 AM

I forgot what the film was called but it was first a graphic novel set in Iran. It's basically about a girl standing up to people and her growing up with the war happening.

It really made me think.

Dr. Foundation

07-11-2009, 06:51 AM

Ynot

07-11-2009, 06:59 AM

Music. not certain genres or artists, music in general.

as for Phish albums, i suggest getting the studio stuff and then some live shows, just so you know how the songs were originally before you delve into their longer jams.

some stuff Marevix sent me was "A Picture of Nectar", "Rift", and my personal favorite "Junta". but yeah, if you want live shows, ask Marevix and i'm sure he could hook you up with some.

Fudopi

07-11-2009, 12:43 PM

daytona

07-13-2009, 05:26 PM

My desire to be a SEAL influences me in almost every way. whenever i feel like i did a half-ass job on something, i realize i cant be a SEAL unless i give 100% on everything i do, so i correct myself. just even small things like that.

I'm kind of the same. I've recently come back to the idea of trying to become an Army Special Forces soldier. More specifically, try to become a sniper and expert marksman. The reason being, I think this can be an excellent opportunity to make something out of my life and prove that I'm not a lazy-fuck teenager.

Through high school and most of my life, I haven't done anything really that great. I haven't amounted to anything great. I've become really lazy and my grades reflect my laziness. I can't even get a job. I held a job for one month but got sick of it and basically quit. I've been lazy my whole life, but for my senior year, I'm going to try and turn it all around and try to reach my goal of becoming a Special Forces soldier once I graduate. The chances of it happening are slim, so I know I have to work hard and push myself harder than I ever have. I don't know if it's influencing me or inspiring me, but whatever, it's pushing me to try and do extremely well in preparation for the road that lays ahead after I graduate.

sobrien

07-13-2009, 05:36 PM

My well being usually influences just about every decision I make. Other than that, my desire to be well off as an adult.

Marevix

07-13-2009, 06:07 PM

I'm kind of the same. I've recently come back to the idea of trying to become an Army Special Forces soldier. More specifically, try to become a sniper and expert marksman. The reason being, I think this can be an excellent opportunity to make something out of my life and prove that I'm not a lazy-fuck teenager.

Through high school and most of my life, I haven't done anything really that great. I haven't amounted to anything great. I've become really lazy and my grades reflect my laziness. I can't even get a job. I held a job for one month but got sick of it and basically quit. I've been lazy my whole life, but for my senior year, I'm going to try and turn it all around and try to reach my goal of becoming a Special Forces soldier once I graduate. The chances of it happening are slim, so I know I have to work hard and push myself harder than I ever have. I don't know if it's influencing me or inspiring me, but whatever, it's pushing me to try and do extremely well in preparation for the road that lays ahead after I graduate.

My brother was in Special Forces until he injured himself. If you aren't willing to push your mind and body past the limits, don't even consider it. Think of two weeks in a -30/-40 F forest with no food.. My brother had to do it twice, in addition to everything else.

PartyMoshSkate

07-13-2009, 06:15 PM

honestly? Religion and the movie Crank. Not Crank like "fuck, chop his wrist off!", more in the sense that some times the whole world IS against you and you're responsible for cleaning up the shit in your life

daytona

07-13-2009, 06:19 PM

I'd be willing to do it. The training seems tough enough as it is. And if I could make it through that and be a part of the Special Forces, I'd have the mindset to do whatever I felt I needed to achieve. If I can overcome my laziness in the next year and become extra productive with my life, I'm definitely going to get into the Army and try to take the training courses that will help me become eligible for Special Force. Plus my mom's friends with a colonel that I could talk to about this stuff if I need help figuring it all out.

Marevix

07-13-2009, 06:58 PM

as for Phish albums, i suggest getting the studio stuff and then some live shows, just so you know how the songs were originally before you delve into their longer jams.

If it's at all relevant, Phish usually plays songs live for years in advance before they are released on any studio recording. Guyute was played for at least three, maybe four or five years (not sure) before being recorded on "Story of the Ghost".

Poopdeck

07-13-2009, 07:23 PM

My upbringing, southern I guess. I am influenced by the south in such a way that I am extremely laid back, nonchalant, last minute. I just don't give a rip, I am so far behind the times of every other 19 year old I talk to. I don't watch TV, I don't listen to much new music, and it's not because I try to be odd, I couldn't care less if someone thinks I'm odd for those reasons. The things I like... skateboarding, camping, being outside, building crap, traveling, reading... all of it has been influenced by the southern lazy vibe.

I'm pretty happy about that.

Chupacabra.

07-13-2009, 07:30 PM

punk rock

Iskatehard

07-13-2009, 07:31 PM

My well being usually influences just about every decision I make. Other than that, my desire to be well off as an adult.

Well, of course..

But what has played role in you developing what you think is "well being" and what you need to be "well off"? I'm sure most people can say their well being is a big factor in all of their decisions.. But "well being" means so many different things, it really doesn't say much on its own.

And Poopdeck.. You think it's the lazy vibe?

I mean, don't get me wrong.. I've lived in the south US all my life as well, and I certainly know how some people take things, if you will. There really is a large sense of appreciation for the nature among people here, especially when compared to other places in the country. Camping, reading, traveling, and all you named off... They're fucking great, I have to say. No doubt in my mind about that..

But I've never really considered any of those as "lazy", you know?

stinkingfish

07-13-2009, 07:35 PM

I forgot what the film was called but it was first a graphic novel set in Iran. It's basically about a girl standing up to people and her growing up with the war happening.

It really made me think.

persepolis?
http://www.aegee-ankara.org/v2/images/stories/persepolis.jpg

cornh0lio

07-13-2009, 07:35 PM

Could someone explain Fight Club to me? I remember most of the movie but I was really stoned and half-distracted so I think I missed the message.

Iskatehard

07-13-2009, 07:46 PM

Could someone explain Fight Club to me? I remember most of the movie but I was really stoned and half-distracted so I think I missed the message.

Oh man, fuck. Yeah I'll try to help you out on it.. It's really important, I personally feel.

I guess it says a lot of things.. But what I really got out of it is that the relationships we end up building between ourselves and material objects is more often than not stupid, if you will.

I suppose some quotes from the film would best describe what I mean.. For example, "The things you own end up owning you".. "If you don't know what you want, you'll end up with a lot you don't".. And my favorite "Only after we've lost everything are we truly free to do anything".. And "I see the smartest generation ever, and they're pumping gas and waiting tables... We work jobs we hate, so we can buy shit we don't need"

Basically, if we focus so much on what we own, we often lose sight of what we are. We don't understand ourselves in ways, I'd say. We end up busting our asses to have this and that, when it really doesn't matter. We can be happy without the expensive "edgy" furniture, or the newest car, or such.. And people often lose sight of the fact that we're NOT our jobs, or the car we drive, or the house we live in, or how much money we have in our bank accounts...

It's really sort of hard to explain, in ways.. And I really guess you'd have to watch the film again to get it best.. Hell, watch it 10 fucking times. Because honestly, every time you watch it, you'll notice something new in it, shit you missed before. It's such a piece of art in itself. And the narration.. The best I've ever seen in a film, no doubt.

And there is a primal sense to it.. Sort of suggesting that humans don't completely always really want to constantly build and progress. Sometimes they don't want to have a beautiful thing. Sometimes, rather, we just want to destroy shit and break stuff down, and just be more "basic". And it's such a shame because we're constantly surrounded by media saying that's wrong and unnatural. I think there was a quote that goes:

"Sometimes self development just isn't the answer.. Now self destruction..."

Might sound bad at first glance.. But worth thinking about.

There are other messages to be taken from it.. But I personally don't find any of them as powerful as what I mentioned above.. You however, might.

You can look up quotes from it and get ideas of what else is in there... Some being:

"No fear, no distractions. The ability to let that which does not truly matter, slide."

"In our eyes, losing all hope was freedom"

ect...

Really a "destroy before building" aspect to it, if you will...

An amazing film, for sure

stinkingfish

07-13-2009, 08:05 PM

Could someone explain Fight Club to me? I remember most of the movie but I was really stoned and half-distracted so I think I missed the message.

***spoilers *****
fight club is a story about a man who hatred for our consumerist society, creates a nihilist organization to express his repressed masculinity with his friend Tyler. (fight club). As the organization grows he expands fight club into a terrorist organization that goes against the corroboration. Fight club becomes bigger than he can imagine and when his from bob dies he feels guilty for being the father. He then feels he has to rebel against fight club, who is too powerful and the leader his friend Tyler just wanted control. He then figures out he is Tyler, or he birthed Tyler from his insomnia. He tries to stop their master plan, the destruction of credit. Tyler then becomes upset and fights him. the protagonist finally figures out he has to get rid of tyler in order to have control of him self. He finds peace in this.

***spoilers***

so basically, protagonist hates how society is based on consumption (having everything you don't need), so he destroys himself and finds peace in having nothing.

Chupacabra.

07-13-2009, 08:09 PM

stinkingfish

07-13-2009, 08:15 PM

It's really sort of hard to explain, in ways.. And I really guess you'd have to watch the film again to get it best.. Hell, watch it 10 fucking times. Because honestly, every time you watch it, you'll notice something new in it, shit you missed before. It's such a piece of art in itself. And the narration.. The best I've ever seen in a film, no doubt.

An amazing film, for sure

yeah I watched this movie atleast 10 times, and the book twice. so much stuff is in it.

Iskatehard

07-13-2009, 08:31 PM

Spoilers

I think he was more asking for the message(s) of the film rather than the complete rundown of events and spoilers..

Might suck for somebody interested in checking the film out, and then having some of the major points/twists ruined like that. Perhaps at least put *Spoiler or something in there so people know

stinkingfish

07-13-2009, 08:32 PM

I think he was more asking for the message(s) of the film rather than the complete rundown of events and spoilers..

Might suck for somebody interested in checking the film out, and then having some of the major points/twists ruined like that. Perhaps at least put *Spoiler or something in there so people know

oh yeah I just assumped everybody watched the movie. lol.

Poopdeck

07-14-2009, 05:58 AM

And Poopdeck.. You think it's the lazy vibe?

I mean, don't get me wrong.. I've lived in the south US all my life as well, and I certainly know how some people take things, if you will. There really is a large sense of appreciation for the nature among people here, especially when compared to other places in the country. Camping, reading, traveling, and all you named off... They're fucking great, I have to say. No doubt in my mind about that..

But I've never really considered any of those as "lazy", you know?

Maybe relaxed is a better term for it. I've been through the northern states many times, and it seems like people up there want things planned out to the minute, and it's hard to relax. Lazy makes some people think of couch potatoes, welfare, and unemployment, so I'll use the term "relaxed" from here on.

Add family to my list of influences. Seeing my mom go from a dirt poor single mother to a software engineer as I was growing up is pretty inspiring. I've walked both sides of the tracks as far as money goes, the experiences of my early years where it was just my mom and I, and in the same case when I'd visit my dad, he was single and in college, living off loans. Those were humbling experiences.

Iskatehard

07-14-2009, 06:17 PM

Shit, haha. Sounds like you might want to make a little life story in that other thread.

And yeah, I guess "relaxed" makes more sense, or something. It's so nice just to go out and find fun and entertainment in what's naturally there around you, rather than fucking having to spend this much money on this product and enjoy it for this much time and shit.. Fuck that. But hell, yeah, I still do it myself.. But it really is something to just get out and interact with the world itself, if you will

WhiteTrash

07-14-2009, 08:16 PM

I guess people I look upto, they can come from music, skateboarding, writers, friends, actors.

Iskatehard

07-14-2009, 11:22 PM

WhiteTrash

07-15-2009, 05:32 AM

haha that gave me something to think about, you might be onto something there^ ;)

PartyMoshSkate

07-15-2009, 05:59 AM

oh, and Chuck Palahniuk

Fudopi

07-15-2009, 08:12 PM

yeah I noticed that too though on the real.

I live in Michigan... and it's annoying as hell. Like today is Wednesday, people call me up and say "hey you got plans for saturday?"

muthafucka I don't know what I'm doin saturday, I don't know what I'm doin in an hour.

I just go with the flow an let shit happen.

stinkingfish

07-15-2009, 08:18 PM

Do people really look up to actors really? Or is it more so they look up to their characters they act as in media?

I mean.. I love Brad Pitt.. Amazing actor.. But sometimes it's like I completely push his name from the picture, and think of the roles he's had.. Most notably in Fight Club and Troy..

That man might be dumb as fucking rocks.. I don't know.. But his characters in above mentioned films are so in depth.. And damn near fucking perfect in so many ways. I would dare say I could sort of look up to the roles he played... But him himself?

I feel the same way, Actors always get credited for being so genius by playing somebody. The writer picks what actor says, the actor just says it right. In another hand, I seen pretty good actors get slammed because some dumb ass can't write good dialogue.