topic Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns in Community Chat

Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

golding76 — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 04:18:43 GMT

Under the "TV and Movies" forum, there is a thread about the PBS coverage of Joni Mitchell's recent ceremony receiving the Gershwin Prize for 2023. It is an excellent show honoring the highly esteemed American singer/songwriter/musician.

One aspect of the focus on her gifts to the world was her prescience when it came to understanding cultural and environmental concerns. Her "Big Yellow Taxi" was released in April 1970. Yes, exactly 53 years ago. What an incisive and knowing eye Joni had and still has, most likely.

"Big Yellow Taxi"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2595abcvh2M

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

Isobel Archer — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 22:05:25 GMT

@golding76 wrote:
Under "TV and Forums," there is a thread about the PBS coverage of Joni Mitchell's recent ceremony receiving the Gershwin Prize for 2023. It is an excellent show honoring the highly esteemed American singer/songwriter/musician.

One aspect of the focus on her gifts to the world was her prescience when it came to understanding cultural and environmental concerns. Her "Big Yellow Taxi" was released in April 1970. Yes, 53 years ago. What an incisive and knowing eye Joni had and still has, most likely.

"Big Yellow Taxi"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2595abcvh2M

Yep - They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

golding76 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 22:09:12 GMT

Isobel, not sure if you are supporting or undermining with your quoting some of the lyrics. The reason I write that is that you and I often disagree on matters.

Hope your remark was a "Yay, Joni!"

It is good to hear from you, though.

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

50Mickey — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 22:29:53 GMT

She was decades ahead of her time. One of my favorite Joni Mitchell songs is The Circle Game. It is so beautiful and now that I am in my 70's it has an even more profound meaning.

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

Isobel Archer — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 22:47:33 GMT

@golding76 wrote:
Isobel, not sure if you are supporting or undermining with your quoting some of the lyrics. The reason I write that is that you and I often disagree on matters.

Hope your remark was a "Yay, Joni!"

It is good to hear from you, though.

I agree and disagree.

The DDT line for example. Interesting that after we eliminated malaria here we suddenly realized that we had to ban DDT everywhere and consign hundreds of thousands of people to death each year from that disease - and apparently we have found nothing else that can kill that mosquito. But hey it's all good - WE are not suffering anymore and those that are are now just collateral damage to saving the environment.

And bringing it forward, WE want electric vehicles and if that means that slaves and children must mine cobalt for the batteries - hey just more collateral damage in saving the environment.

If we want to be global, we need to care about everyone not just ourselves. Just my thoughts - I know they are umpopular.

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

golding76 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 23:03:04 GMT

I appreciate your observations and comments. We probably cross on a Venn diagram of opinion more often than we might know.

[I'm not certain I expressed this well, but my intention was to say that we are probably very often in a common zone together.]

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

jbinrwc — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 23:17:02 GMT

@50Mickey wrote:
She was decades ahead of her time. One of my favorite Joni Mitchell songs is The Circle Game. It is so beautiful and now that I am in my 70's it has an even more profound meaning.

That song has been going around in my head since I watched the show. Also one of my favorites. I turned 73 in December so I can relate to your comment. I saw her in concert in early 1968 or 1969 and have been a fan ever since.

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

50Mickey — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 00:00:16 GMT

I will be 73 this month. I still think to myself how can this be? But like the song says "We can't return we can only look behind from where we came."

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

qbetzforreal — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 02:03:49 GMT

Big Yellow Taxi was a commentary on what was happening at the time it was written in 1970.

In 1996, speaking to journalist Robert Hilburn, Mitchell said this about writing the song:

I wrote 'Big Yellow Taxi' on my first trip to Hawaii. I took a taxi to the hotel and when I woke up the next morning, I threw back the curtains and saw these beautiful green mountains in the distance. Then, I looked down and there was a parking lot as far as the eye could see, and it broke my heart […] this blight on paradise. That's when I sat down and wrote the song.[3]

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

Lucky Charm — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 03:02:48 GMT

I think you have to look at the whole picture. Her first trip to Hawaii. There were more? On a sailboat?

I read once that a flight from coast to coast is like driving an SUV nonstop for 30 days. So flying to Hawaii?

But, I'm guilty! I travel! For pleasure!!

And I drive an SUV! Most likely, I purchased my last one this past week. We've driven our SUVs and trucks from 9 to almost 20 years.

Then only EVs will be available?

I guess, whatever.

I'm guilty! I'd built a home where only the buffalo roamed.

Okay, really where foxes, deer and raccoons had roamed.

Has Joni ever displaced an animal? Be honest Joni!

The song strikes a chord, tugs at the heartstrings, raises the blood pressure and then.... on to the next song.

Is it really an anthem for climate activism?

Unless, you walk the walk (Ed Begley, Jr.) to the Grammy's or Oscars......you're just blowing air out your mouth.

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

hckynutjohn — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 03:12:06 GMT

@Isobel Archer wrote:
@golding76 wrote:
Isobel, not sure if you are supporting or undermining with your quoting some of the lyrics. The reason I write that is that you and I often disagree on matters.

Hope your remark was a "Yay, Joni!"

It is good to hear from you, though.
I agree and disagree.

The DDT line for example. Interesting that after we eliminated malaria here we suddenly realized that we had to ban DDT everywhere and consign hundreds of thousands of people to death each year from that disease - and apparently we have found nothing else that can kill that mosquito. But hey it's all good - WE are not suffering anymore and those that are are now just collateral damage to saving the environment.
**************************************************
@Isobel Archer

Strongly disagree with about every word you said in this section of your post.

"Bringing it forward WE want electric vehicles". YOU not ME! Children now to you are: "Collateral damage"? As long as they are someone else's kids and grandkids.

"Saving the environment"? Uh huh! China, building a coal mine every day, and India putting out the 2nd highest amount of the stuff you say "will kill the planet"!

"If we want global"? I am interested in MY COUNTRY, not the globe. If you think the US reducing carbons by 26%, while China alone is putting out more than 36%, is saving the planet! And I didn't even mention India. Guess your math is different than mine.

What's your prediction? Next year/10 years/50 years? Mine is IDGARA, because I have lived through 3 predicted "ends of the world", what's 1 more?

hckynut 🇺🇸

And bringing it forward, WE want electric vehicles and if that means that slaves and children must mine cobalt for the batteries - hey just more collateral damage in saving the environment.

If we want to be global, we need to care about everyone not just ourselves. Just my thoughts - I know they are umpopular.

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

spiderw — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 03:32:51 GMT

Big Yellow Taxi has always been a favorite song of mine also Joni Mitchell's song "Woodstock" although I love the way Crosby Stills Nash and Young sing it too! I have been an environmentalist since I was a teenager and still am as a woman in her seventies. I'm not going to get into my reasons or emotions but I have always cared about the environment and haven't strayed from my cause. While the issue may be trivial to some, it is very important to me and for decades I haven't changed my beliefs. Joni Mitchell cared as did others and that line in her song Yellow Taxi sadly has been a reality . I am proud to be who I am and true to my beliefs, I will leave it at that.

I have taped the award show honoring Joni and look forward to seeing it.

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

VegasBusinessWoman — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 04:49:59 GMT

Well, fellow posters, we are the 73-year-old club, because I'm 73 as well. Also a huge fan of Joni Mitchell. She was in Vegas last year for a birthday gala at the MGM Grand. You couldn't get a ticket to save your life. Would have loved to see her one more time. I saw her in San Francisco when she was touring for her "Miles of Aisles" album. I was in college then and flew up there to see her and hang out in the Haight for couple of days.

Ah, youth . . .

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

Cookie2025 — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 10:47:57 GMT

@hckynutjohn wrote:
@Isobel Archer wrote:
@golding76 wrote:
Isobel, not sure if you are supporting or undermining with your quoting some of the lyrics. The reason I write that is that you and I often disagree on matters.

Hope your remark was a "Yay, Joni!"

It is good to hear from you, though.
I agree and disagree.

The DDT line for example. Interesting that after we eliminated malaria here we suddenly realized that we had to ban DDT everywhere and consign hundreds of thousands of people to death each year from that disease - and apparently we have found nothing else that can kill that mosquito. But hey it's all good - WE are not suffering anymore and those that are are now just collateral damage to saving the environment.
**************************************************
@Isobel Archer

Strongly disagree with about every word you said in this section of your post.

"Bringing it forward WE want electric vehicles". YOU not ME! Children now to you are: "Collateral damage"? As long as they are someone else's kids and grandkids.

"Saving the environment"? Uh huh! China, building a coal mine every day, and India putting out the 2nd highest amount of the stuff you say "will kill the planet"!

"If we want global"? I am interested in MY COUNTRY, not the globe. If you think the US reducing carbons by 26%, while China alone is putting out more than 36%, is saving the planet! And I didn't even mention India. Guess your math is different than mine.

What's your prediction? Next year/10 years/50 years? Mine is IDGARA, because I have lived through 3 predicted "ends of the world", what's 1 more?

hckynut 🇺🇸

And bringing it forward, WE want electric vehicles and if that means that slaves and children must mine cobalt for the batteries - hey just more collateral damage in saving the environment.

If we want to be global, we need to care about everyone not just ourselves. Just my thoughts - I know they are umpopular.

Not everyone wants to 'go global'.

Throw in the infrastructure/bridges unable to handle the WEIGHT of the electric cars ... and btw - where are the batteries going after they are expended ....

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

Lucky Charm — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 11:30:21 GMT

@qbetzforreal wrote:
Big Yellow Taxi was a commentary on what was happening at the time it was written in 1970.

In 1996, speaking to journalist Robert Hilburn, Mitchell said this about writing the song:
I wrote 'Big Yellow Taxi' on my first trip to Hawaii. I took a taxi to the hotel and when I woke up the next morning, I threw back the curtains and saw these beautiful green mountains in the distance. Then, I looked down and there was a parking lot as far as the eye could see, and it broke my heart […] this blight on paradise. That's when I sat down and wrote the song.[3]

I wonder if she was looking down at her hotel parking lot?

Or the runway her plane landed on?

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

Isobel Archer — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 11:30:42 GMT

@Cookie2025 wrote:
@hckynutjohn wrote:
@Isobel Archer wrote:
@golding76 wrote:
Isobel, not sure if you are supporting or undermining with your quoting some of the lyrics. The reason I write that is that you and I often disagree on matters.

Hope your remark was a "Yay, Joni!"

It is good to hear from you, though.
I agree and disagree.

The DDT line for example. Interesting that after we eliminated malaria here we suddenly realized that we had to ban DDT everywhere and consign hundreds of thousands of people to death each year from that disease - and apparently we have found nothing else that can kill that mosquito. But hey it's all good - WE are not suffering anymore and those that are are now just collateral damage to saving the environment.
**************************************************
@Isobel Archer

Strongly disagree with about every word you said in this section of your post.

"Bringing it forward WE want electric vehicles". YOU not ME! Children now to you are: "Collateral damage"? As long as they are someone else's kids and grandkids.

"Saving the environment"? Uh huh! China, building a coal mine every day, and India putting out the 2nd highest amount of the stuff you say "will kill the planet"!

"If we want global"? I am interested in MY COUNTRY, not the globe. If you think the US reducing carbons by 26%, while China alone is putting out more than 36%, is saving the planet! And I didn't even mention India. Guess your math is different than mine.

What's your prediction? Next year/10 years/50 years? Mine is IDGARA, because I have lived through 3 predicted "ends of the world", what's 1 more?

hckynut 🇺🇸

And bringing it forward, WE want electric vehicles and if that means that slaves and children must mine cobalt for the batteries - hey just more collateral damage in saving the environment.

If we want to be global, we need to care about everyone not just ourselves. Just my thoughts - I know they are umpopular.

Not everyone wants to 'go global'.
Throw in the infrastructure/bridges unable to handle the WEIGHT of the electric cars ... and btw - where are the batteries going after they are expended ....

I was pointing out some of the hypocrisy of "saving the environment" - apparently it was to subtle.

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

MikeMad — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 15:07:20 GMT

Personally, to avoid the political...my fave Joni Mitchell song is "Both Sides Now"....what a mastepiece !

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

FLgardener — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 14:45:52 GMT

@Isobel Archer , I thought your earlier post was brilliant. I wish a certain poster would revisit and read with more attention.

Re: Joni Mitchell Anticipated Future Concerns

bikerbabe — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 15:26:10 GMT

DDT is still selectively used in some developing countries. Mosquito resistance is well documented with overuse.