Pick of the Day, with Discussion

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April 6, 2020 - 9:47am

8,084 replies

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

Bolo24 says: An Idea, Perhaps? Since we're all going to have a fair amount of spare time on our hands for the foreseeable future, what about starting another thread where we all listen to the same show/release on a given day and then share impressions afterward? Folks can submit suggestions and one person (not me) picks what we'll all listen to - call it Deadnet Picks or something. Anyway, if this idea is deemed to have merit, I'd suggest one of the loyal regular posters take the lead and do the picking - y'all can decide who. Might be fun. If it does go forward, I nominate Dick's Picks 18 for the first listen. Been talked about here lately, and, had it been a single show rather than a compilation, we'd probably be talking about it in the same conversation as Cornell, Veneta, etc. Or perhaps even Gainesville?? Stay safe and healthy, friends - this planet needs as many Deadheads as possible.

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February 8, 2021 - 6:28am

#4571

rockthing

Joined:
August 2, 2020

STRIDER: 2/18/71 is one of…

STRIDER: 2/18/71 is one of my all time favorite tapes.

Sorry for the double post.
February 8, 2021 - 6:26am

#4572

rockthing

Joined:
August 2, 2020

gd1973-05-15impressions

Starting to have a hard time figuring out which show I should be posting about, but I saw two clear references to this one, so here's my 2 cents.

Sampled the GEMS, and the newest full length (?) master, but sticking with the powell-ladner shn. Even this, despite the constant hiss, sounds like there is some sort of filter compression of some kind. Still, I’ll take a bit a hiss to the muffled fluctuations of the noise-reduced alternatives. I’ve spent enough time listening to Nth generation tapes and incredible shows in horrendous sound quality, that this is no problem.

First impressions, very crisp. This impression may be enhanced by the compression of the tape source. Playin’ (not the song) is nice and crisp, too. Tight and professional as I’d expect from this era. Being an old soundboard it also feels kind of sparse without the air filling in the gaps, and the frequencies bouncing around off one another and blending in the venue. The isolation kind of feels lonely.

Ah, Box of Rain from back in the day. This is a treat.

Love that long, mellow Playin’ in the Band.

Been listening while doing work, so I’ll spare you the song by song impressions. Some of this is colored by the fact that I just listened to the raging Feb 6, ’69 Kiel show right before this.

Overall, low key, but solid, as I feel like I should expect from this period. Some interesting lyric alterations in a number of songs by both Jerry and Bobby. Early days in some cases, I think. Donna Jean seems to be fitting in nicely at this show, getting a bit more manic as the evening progresses, but seemingly in control of her voice. Fantastic set list. Casey Jones seems really early in the show. Love that little Jerry fill, Ga-get-get Ga-get-get, between vocal lines.

Right now checkin’ out this Greatest Story jam, which is something I’m not used to hearing. I was amazed when Jerry took a couple extra spacey choruses in the ’79 Goodbye to Keith and Donna show I wrote about most recently, but this is almost a certified jam, with Donna even piping in with some improvised vocal parts. Not sure I’ve ever heard a GSET get this far out… I mean, it’s not a Playin’ jam, but considering the song, this is pretty radical. Maybe I just haven’t heard enough of these early ones.

Good night to chill out and melt into your seat. Folding chairs and bleachers really would not cut it for the level of mellow they’re oozing out onto the crowd this lovely evening, though. I keep hearing some warm phaser-colored tones, but that may just be the condition of the tape. No, Bobby’s got some coloring effects on his guitar, I think.

My show, however, is interrupted before the He’s Gone jam gets going. Peeking at the set list now, mmmm… looking forward to continuation after a brief, but too long to post later because it seems like the topic will have changed, intermission.
February 8, 2021 - 6:21am

#4573

Strider 808808

Joined:
June 20, 2007

Cassady / Cassidy

Today would have been the 95th birthday of Neal Cassady. Yesterday was three years since John Perry Barlow checked out. Barlow died 50 years and three days after Cassady checked out. (2/4/68)
But all those cars Neal stole as a youth I can’t help but think, Neal Cassady didn’t die , he stole another body.
I’m giving Grateful Dead music a rest until February 18th, going to throw in my bid for 2/18/71 on its 50th anniversary. Excellent music should never be abused and relegated to background music. Smoking Ganga nonstop will send a person into the netherworld. Not stoned, not clear minded. Maybe dulled senses. Coastal fog. I try to keep my wits honed to a fine edge. CBD salve for pain is a different story.
February 7, 2021 - 7:10pm

#4574

proudfoot

Joined:
August 2, 2020

11 20 78

Taaaaaasty
February 7, 2021 - 3:41pm

#4575

bob t

Joined:
November 21, 2007

5/13/73 Des Moines...Nice Call Good Ole....

I think this one could end up in a May 1973 Box.... I haven't looked at the time length on all 3 of the shows but Kezar would have a tough time fitting on 3 Discs... So I don't see how it gets a Dave's release. But it you join them with 5/13/73 Des Moines and 5/20/73 . The sound clarity of the Betty Kezar show in my opinion is right there with 6/14 &15 1976 Beacons... Oh well.. Lots of snow here today in Rhode Island... Bob t
February 7, 2021 - 3:03pm

#4576

icecrmcnkd

Joined:
October 20, 2015

I like Drums/Space

The weirder the better.
February 7, 2021 - 11:27am

#4577

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

I’m going 3/21/92

Decent sounding Miller....
Was @, but never heard, so why not.

AFTERWORD:
Glad I finally checked this one out. Kinda typical for the era; overall good, but, not, quite, iiiiitttt!
Set 2A seemed a bit subdued? Decent first set if not a tad brief...Awesome midi/space weirdness if your into that kinda thing. Decent set 2B with the BP being the highlight...
Remember really diggin space at these shows and Candace had what to us (me and the “20” year old), to be a giant amoeba, slowing inching across the ?upper seats behind the stage. We had great vantage being opposite, direct center from stage, in the lower section of upper , I think?
But both nights I believe she gave us that ole warm fuzzy glow during these big weirdness jams.
Like trippin without lol. 3/20/92 is definitely way better, but this one like many for us the last couple years, could be a bit subdued, with great moments, and awesome drumzspace....
February 7, 2021 - 11:07am

#4578

Strider 808808

Joined:
June 20, 2007

Turtle Island / Terrapin!!

Gary Snyder is 90 years old. Lawrence Ferlinghetti is 101. City Lights Bookstore in North Beach,San Francisco is such an awesome landmark and legacy. My last trip to the Bay Area was to attend the 50th anniversary of the occupation of Alcatraz. After being out on “the Rock” all day with my old friend Jeff we walked from the waterfront up through North Beach and stopped at City Lights and lo and behold a poetry reading was going to happen that night with the great beat poet and translator of Native American languages, Jerome Rothenberg. It was a wonderful reading. They also asked the audience to turn off cellphones.
Gary Snyder has always been a role model for me since first meeting him in Missoula in 1978. Really it was a few months earlier reading his book “The Old Ways” 1977. I once brought his oldest best friend Nanao to a Dead show in Oakland 2/14/86.
There used to be an amazing literary group that met in San Francisco in the 80s at a place called Cloud House run by Kush. Kush was a great recordist of poetry readings in the Bay Area. His video work is priceless and should be preserved. Really the same is true for the old Merry Prankster/ Acid Test film that seems to fade from view and availability. A shame really. But alas as the old Prankster saying goes , “nothing lasts”. Really the same is true with our grandparents and elders who may have amazing stories to share. Seek them out. Maybe interview them with audio or video. The beats are checking out fast with the original hippies not far behind. And fewer everyday.
I like the tall tale connection to mythology in regards to the Paul Bunyon story. Some of the “jacks” at the Oregon Pavilion in 64/65 were from northern Michigan, Jim Ogle and family. I became friends with his kids. But the stories I share really happened. My sister worked at the Simmons Pavilion across from the Oregon Pavilion. She had a lot of class but not always a lot of money. Hard working and creative.
So when I followed up my first Bay Area visit with my sister in Sausalito and first west coast Dead shows 8/14,15/71 I hitch-hiked up to Oregon to visit my brother. It was that first experience of visiting Oregon that summer that I was determined to leave the confines of a Connecticut and New York upbringing to pursue a western reality and life.
Read Lew Welsh “The Song That Mount Tamalpais Sings”. It describes the post World War 2 San Francisco Poetry Renaissance and the western movement of youth into the 60s.
Now what the hell does all this have to do with Pick of the Day.
Looking forward to to the 50th anniversaries of the famed Capitol Theater February 1971 concerts.
“There were days
And there were days
And there were days between
Summer flies and August dies....”
February 7, 2021 - 9:23am

#4579

The Good Ole G…

Joined:
December 29, 2015

Sometimes A Great Notion

I like strawberry-rhubarb pie for breakfast, Ken Kesey & Jack Kerouac novels, collecting lossless Grateful Dead bootlegs and long strolls in the moonlight.

Sounds like a good dating profile :)

Whatever those are.

I think I've been in isolation too long.

Dig the raps you all.

Sounds like some peeps are in the polar vortex today.

Our winter has been non-existent.

Listening to 5/13/73 this AM. This Monster sure could use some love from the powers that be.
Set 1 & 2 have some major hiss factor (2 sources have tried to address this, but I'll stick with the hiss)
Set 3 partial is pretty crispy and what a trip it is! Not sure how strange, but it's long.
14 minute He's Gone > 13 minute Truckin' > 19 minute Other One > 16 minute Eyes = 62 minutes of Good Stuff

Check it out Yo's!

I just wanted to say hi ya and to tell you to all to keep up the good work.
February 7, 2021 - 8:46am

#4580

bluecrow

Joined:
September 21, 2015

the '64 World's Fair Oregon Pavilion?

Strider - that's not a tall tale your telling? located a ways off from the rest of the states along the river so they could demonstrate log rolling, among the many logging feats/competition. giant Paul Bunyan at the entrance. Funny but as a Midwesterner I always associated Paul Bunyan with the woods of Minnesota. I can't help but think of pole climbing competition and certain Puebloan feast days where a pole is featured.

yes all those guys influenced me deeply, but in the end it was Snyder that had the most profound affect and the one that I still turn too on a regular basis. certainly an integral part of my ending up in love and drawn to the West while growing up in the Chi-town suburbs. feel real lucky to end up where I have.

I'll go back to Cold Mountain several times a year. And by chance just yesterday noticed Axe Handles by the couch and discovered anew some of Little Songs for Gaia - "bodies of water tuned to the sky." Smokey the Bear Sutra read aloud at least once a year.

Looks like nobody else was up for strawberry-rhubarb pie for breakfast. I had a fun listen and it set the tone for a pretty out there relaxed day. beautiful day here again. headed out now to the wide open with my sweetie and my doggle woggle.

be safe and enjoy the day everyone.

onward!

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Currently Listening To...

Bolo24 says: An Idea, Perhaps? Since we're all going to have a fair amount of spare time on our hands for the foreseeable future, what about starting another thread where we all listen to the same show/release on a given day and then share impressions afterward? Folks can submit suggestions and one person (not me) picks what we'll all listen to - call it Deadnet Picks or something. Anyway, if this idea is deemed to have merit, I'd suggest one of the loyal regular posters take the lead and do the picking - y'all can decide who. Might be fun. If it does go forward, I nominate Dick's Picks 18 for the first listen. Been talked about here lately, and, had it been a single show rather than a compilation, we'd probably be talking about it in the same conversation as Cornell, Veneta, etc. Or perhaps even Gainesville?? Stay safe and healthy, friends - this planet needs as many Deadheads as possible.

68 and Loud

I completely agree.

On occasion and if I'm not careful volume gets the best of me. One day I might live to regret this. Thankfully, that day was not today.

A new one for me. Some sound weirdness especially in and around banter, but what the hey.

I don't know what it is, but I have soft spot for The Eleven, Born Cross-Eyed and especially New Potatoe Caboose. Good show with some vintage grease to end the night with me feeling a little dirtier than I did when I woke up.

If there's no pick for tomorrow, I suggest the next in line. It's a partial, starts with a rare Clementine. 1/20/68 Euraka Municipal Auditorium. I think we should set up a go fund me to find all the missing reels, there's a couple missing from this show. It would be something for them to be found.

4/30/88 at the Frost

Hey Jim, I know you have had a lot on you plate this year. Thanks for checking this one out. Yes, the recording is decent, not great. Like a lot of 88 recordings out there. Still think they have some good ones in the Vault.

I liked the show, anytime I see a Hey Pocky Way, I am in. Nice Shakedown to open the second set. Love the triple Encore with China Rider OMSN.

It is good to get out of the comfort zone once in a while Doc.

Carousel Ballroom 68, okay Jim, Ok will have to que it up this morning.

Enjoy the weekend out there.

Edit. Oh and after the carousel ballroom I will be moving on the 12/9/79, Dave's Picks #47. Love this one and I need some 79. If I had the keys, I would be putting out a big 79 Box.

Lewiston, for your consideration

44 years ago today, there when Roy Buchanan along with Levon and His All Stars opened for the Dead. My last in person show, on the bus since their first album, however things had changed so much.... Doc was there, a wild late summer scene, part of my farewell to Maine.

All is worthwhile if the soul is not small.....

Hey rockers!!

Yes, we were there and had a blast. Beautiful day and tremendous music. A very fine show by the Dead, one of my all-timefavorite in-person Dead experiences.

Would make a solide offical release. It is worthy......

Doc
Everything I did in my life that was worthwhile, I caught hell for.....

All is worthwhile if the soul is not small.....

Hey rockers!!

Yes, we were there and had a blast. Beautiful day and tremendous music. A very fine show by the Dead, one of my all-time favorite in-person Dead experiences.

Would make a solid official release. It is worthy......

Doc
Everything I did in my life that was worthwhile, I caught hell for.....

9/6/80

Hey DMCVT,

Love this show and will get it going again this weekend.

And yes, it would make a great releasen.

Pretty sweet you and Doc were there.

9/6/80 Lewiston

I'm in - hopefully sometime this weekend I can transport my mind and spirit into late summer beautiful day/evening Maine. Sounds like a dream show and setting. Very cool that a couple of you guys got to be there. Didn't realize this was the last show before the Warfield run. Long and heartfelt write up on grateful seconds (he was there). Comment at the end from a guy who was 8 at the time and lived a "bike trail" away from the fairgrounds. Listened to part of the show from his clubhouse. Rode his bike over and snuck in. Totally dug the Drums. Made major bank (for a kid) collecting cans and bottles for deposit afterwards (which is exactly what 8 yr old me would have done.) Think I might travel John Deere with the Jim Wise FOB.

Been Gone

But back this week. I can do Lewiston again.

As I recall there is not a good soundboard that circulates, right? And the one that does is first set only and it sure does sound like an audience (or ultramatrix on steroids at least).

High energy though.. like Gainesville, there must have been something in the water.

You have to wonder if this was recorded and if so where the hell are the master tapes? I think someone (Parrish??) tossed out the language that some of the master reels were left on the seat and when the truck pulled away they must have flown out the window or something.

I'd love to see more reels (and cassettes) returned.

Anyway, Lewiston Me for me tomorrow.

Edit: Started tonight - why not? Gave up on the "soundboard" and settled on the Jim Wise same as Bluecrow. Good news, Bluecrow.. The John Deere Broke down and was sitting in the yard for the last half of the week. I got it working today. Had to replace the solenoid. Damned electronics are always interfering with time travel. Just imagine if this broke back in time before Jebediah Solenoid created the first working model for riding mowers.. we would have been screwed.. I mean, nothing wrong with being stuck in 1980 but why not go back another 10 to 15 years...

High energy is right. Pretty good audience.

Follow-Up

While I was in the neighborhood, I took a quickie with 11/28/80 Lakeland Civic Center - Lakeland, FL (30 Trips).

I figured why not.. most enjoyable, especially To Lay Me Down. Not sure why I like that song so much, but I do.

More 1980

Ah, yes, more 1980. You don't have to twist my arm. A shorter show for the time period, but still really good. Will get it going after I finish up Dicks #36, which was mentioned on some other threads. Such a great show, but apparently didn't sell well at the time. No idea why.

My Favorite Non-Multi-Track 1980 Release

Random Musing - 1980

My favorite non-multi-track 1980 release has got to be Dave's # 8, 11/30/80 Fox Theater. Love how that Matrix worked out. If anyone remembers the seaside chat, he was spot on.

Crowd noise was not as big an issue in 1980 as they could play in some pretty intimate venues. Also, as the age of the cassette master replaced the lovely Ms. Cantor Jackson, a lot of those early soundboards are a bit sterile sounding without the crystalline highs and the booming lows. Blending those early 80's soundboards with one of those near perfect audience masters works. When they aged out of the smaller, cooler venues (thinking after Jerry's coma and In The Dark) audience tapes had to compete with hundreds of the guy next to you screaming "JERRY!!" at 95 decibels, this was no longer possible.

That SBD/Dr. Bob matrix is almost exactly perfect (or as good we are going to get for the time).

On the opposite side of the same coin, I think some of the Ultra Matrix's have a bit too much of the guy yelling JERRY! then I sometimes want to hear. Thinking a lot of 87 suffers from this, and by then the audience tapes were no better.

Anyway, if Mr. Norman can pull of similar wizardry I wish they would do more like DaP#8.

Being that it’s the anniversary

9-16-90 playing now.

Wonder what the Black Friday RSD release will be.

Music comes from a place we don't know...........

Mornin', rockers!!!

Pick of the day? September 24, 1972. Because..............Dark Star!

Minor rain storm headed my way................

The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils......

Rock on!

Doc
Music comes from an icicle as it melts, to live again as spring water......

9/24/72

Oh yes, this is a great show, I am in.
Thanks Doc.

Why Not

It's an early audience, but contains one of the few Seven's that were recorded.

09/29/69 Cafe au Go-Go - New York City, NY

It's no betty board, but an interesting inflection point in GD history, so maybe worthy of our time. Primal GD on the heels of WMD Americana GD.

Despite the recording quality, it's pretty good for a 1969 audience. Worth the trip for the Seven alone. Plus, it's pretty short. Something different, something quick, and well, it's really something.

So why not mix it up with a shortie from the fall of 1969.

9/29/69

Will mix this in as I listen to the new box today. Thanks Jim.

Hope everyone had a good summer

Been a while, just wanted to say hello. Watching the Dark Star from 10/18/74, cool to see video of Ned on stage, as well as see Jerry interact with the head nod. Enjoyed the April 78 release. With the 50th anniversary of the Winterland shows a few weeks away, doesn't look like anything is happening. Be good everyone. Bob t

Bob T

Hey Bob T, how have you been man? Hope all is well.
Yes, love that bonus footage from the GDM soundtrack. Might be one of my favorite UJB.
I have been traveling for work this week so still haven't made a dent in the new box, but loving it so.far.
Good thing there is no rush at this point.

Picks

Hope everyone is enjoying the new box set. Really enjoying it so far over here.

If anyone is interested in a pick, it has been a while, how about 5/16/81, Barton Hall from the 30 Trips box?

5-16-81

Started playing it last night and finished it tonight.

Good call DV.
And I’m having a Bell’s Octoberfest too. They’re gone from the store but I have 5 more cans in the fridge.

Conekid

Nice Conekid, must be esp.

Enjoyed the show again, nice Shakedown Bertha, Sailor Saint. Show ends with that audience patch.

Enjoy the last few Octoberfests. Still have a couple six packs to get through. Would buy a few more but the self life of this beer is only 3 months and it goes bad fast.

Change alone is eternal, perpetual, immortal…..

Good morning fellow rockers!!!

October 19, 1971

The second great seismic shift of 1971. The Yang to the Yin of February 18. Similar, yet different. Old, yet new. A vision of the new era. Change can be for good if you combine audacity with safety………

An old friend missing, a new guy who seems to fit in right away. Six new songs. The return of the complete CE/TOO/CE suite. The unusual occurrence of back-to-back Garcia songs twice in the first set. The first of the Fall 1971 FM broadcasts. One of only two 1971 shows that featured both Black Peter and Brokedown Palace. There ain’t no grease, but there’s plenty of Bakersfield left, as well as big jams.

Not without its rough edges, yet somehow it hangs together oh so well. Absolutely historic and worthy of a serious listen……

Rock on!!
Doc
He who rejects change is the architect of decay, the only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery………

10/19/71

Oh, yes, Doc this is a good show at the University of Minnesota at the Northrup Auditorium. Good idea.

Some may never live, but the crazy never die.....

Morning, rockers!!

This is for AJS. He'll know what I'm talking about...........

October 20, 1984, Carrier Dome. The last show we saw on that tour, maybe not Augusta level but very enjoyable. We had a great time. Maybe it was the liquid 25, courtesy of Deadhead Fred, a little drop'll do ya!!

Or maybe it was the music. Worth a listen!!!

If I had known being insane was so much fun, I'd have gone crazy long ago.....

Rock on,

Doc
No one can drive us crazy unless we give them the keys......

Doc & Angry Jack

10-20-84 - Syracuse

I was there also, think I met doc in the bathroom during drums,,, he was wearing a tie-dye :-)

My records show we rated Jack Straw at end of set one, a plus 2. Also second set opener of Shakedown got a plus 2 rating from our crew. We have the Black Peter that night at a plus 1.

Thing I remember was the air pressure blowing you out of the exit doors,,, deadheads LOVED this,,, kept going back in just to be blown out!

My wife went to Syracuse (both her parents also!)

Carrier Dome

Love the energy of this show. I'm pretty sure I tossed this out for a pick of the day a few years ago. I was not there, but hey.. we make it to the shows we can and hope for magic and a lightning strike or two.

Still, an enjoyable show and how about that Jack Straw. Another one where I wish I was there.

10-20-84 playing now

Just finished set 1.
It’s a Miller, but the file on my music player doesn’t have an ID number.
Vocals are pretty weak in some places. The playing seems to be trying to make up for it.
Shakedown poking around now…..

Edit:
I would have had fun had I been there.
Drums/Space was good.
I’ll listen to it again.

Most jokes state a bitter truth…..

November 7, 1971
Harding Theater, San Francisco, California

Deadicated to bolo24, because I will not follow where the path may lead, but I will go where there is no path, and I will leave a trail……

Great and classic show and a long-time personal favorite. It has pretty much everything you could ask of the Dead in this era. Rockers, Cowboy songs, hot jams, the unusual coupling of Dark Star and The Other One, an unbelievably smoking NFA transition jam (maybe the best ever?), plus even the often-expected equipment difficulties, AND jokes from the audience! The circulating broadcast copies are excellent quality and highly recommended. The band sounds loose, and the crowd sounds juiced. OK yes there’s no Pigpen, but still highly highly recommended, a classic of the first rank!!

Rock on!!
Doc
It is requisite for the relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful deeds and jokes

I guess I missed it....

I didn't see the notice about the next Bear's Journal, John Hammond.

If you missed too, it's available on Amazon and Bear's site.

Pick

Okay, seems like we need a pick.

How about 10/19/72 from the glorious LTTR Box? Love this box.

Good to see this box finally sold out. We need to make sure these all sell out in order to keep the train rolling.

I can do 10/19

Might take me more than a day though, but I'm in.

10/19/72

Thanks Jim.
Another fantastic show from the Fox!
There is something about these shows. Might be the Birdsong that adds to the overall enjoyment.
Can you imagine if they played Birdsong in Europe that year?

Taking my time with the new box, so it is fun to jump around, which is so fun with all this incredible music.

Can we add a fifth release in December? Call it For the Faithful Volume 1.

11-14-71%

Anniversary today.
It’s a RT Bonus Disc.

Expected that Doc would have pointed that out.
Maybe he did on another page.

Yes, the LTTR Box is glorious.

We're not earthly beings any more... we're cosmic beings.....

Mornin' rockers! And happy Friday!

Fell asleep yesterday so forgot all about TCU. But I did remember it's an underrated show..........

Austin, Texas, November 15, 1971. Brings back fond memories of my tape trading days, when I had an unbelievably good copy of the FM broadcast. Starts high with strong Truckin', throw in a sweet first set Dark Star, a fiery NFA transition jam, and the usual country/western/new material suspects, and there you have it!! Really fine, very enjoyable show that is worthy of its official release status.

Of course, November 15 1972 will also do nicely...............

We're on this planet for the briefest of moments in cosmic terms, and I want to spend that time thinking about what I consider the deepest questions. LIke, what's for lunch?

Rock on!

Doc
On a cosmic scale, our life is insignificant, yet this brief period when we appear in the world is the time in which all meaningful questions arise......