Felix Dennis' odes to vice and consequences

[WhatWouldBukowskiDo]

Wow. This is the best poetry I have ever heard.

[paramedion]

@FantasmaBAnco pathetic :P

[MOOUSED]

This is AMAZING!!!

Hi guys. I`m not very good in english. Maybe someone can explain me about what "The Better Man" poem is.

As i understood this is kind`a story about hidden rivalry between two good friends. Am i right???

[AIMANALI]

@MOOUSED wonder if this was the friend that died when he was next to him (of cancer)

[MrTerryKay]

Who'd have thought the first guy to say the C word on British television would be a multimillionaire media magnate, racontaire extraordinaire, poet and TED award winner.

I love Felix Dennis' poetry. Like a Roger McGoth with teeth.

[098anne]

Heartbreaking and beautiful

[LusoCMD]

i've seen a lot of TED's videos but i really liked this one... why?? because only when you have such liberty in terms of material needs can you achieve such a clarity, especially if you started in a material world... "au contraire" i also found that you get those same clarity expressions when you have little material needs, then, everything becomes quite obvious but at the same time quite unatainable for the great majority

[Rokazz2]

Damn love his voice.

[pinytheelder]

Excellent - you can easily see why he is the best selling poet in the English language ! an English treasure ! A.E.Housman would have loved him !

[pinytheelder]

Excellent - Brilliant - such wit

[piernic75]

He would be a great King Lear, I think... He's like the wine he drinks, getting better with age.

[mrlowdangle]

wow great readings!

the last one was obviously about crack and coke for me

[stass6]

Wow!!

[worriedaboutlife]

does anybody know the story that appeared in private eye (satrical british publication) about a painting that was made of the Oz trio, which was changed after Felix Dennis complained that the size of his penis dipicted was not big enough?

[superlox3]

This is how poetry should always be read! Such emotion!

[j2020j09082]

His delivery is great, but you can tell he's in love with his voice. "WHO WAS THE BETTER MAN O'L CHUM?"

[runescape332]

If i sounded like that i'd love my own voice.

[j2020j09082]

LOL. i second that.

[seoulstar]

shut the fuck up no-one gives a fuck about what you think

[FantasmaBAnco]

Yaaaaay!

[Teabonesteak]

"Convenience enslaves us all"

ahh that it does.

[Lovesfemalebottomz]

Look, I love you, ok?

There, I said it. I love you.

[ProsperosChatNoir]

I call bullshit on that.

[Lovesfemalebottomz]

Look, I don't know how to tell you this but...

[Lovesfemalebottomz]

lol

[hacwind]

Nice presentation, but his poetry was pretty lackluster. "Oh, you personified a drug as a whore? No, I'm quite sure you're the first person to do that."

[seoulstar]

Thanks for that. Yes, I can see that also.

Out of interest what's your background?

I've never been the studious type but I came to this because of his HTGR book.

Also very amusing and a great read.

[EatMyKnobCheese]

I think justloves was saying that you are highly unattractive. ......

and I agree with him.

Sorry mate.

[Keeban3]

I didn't really read through your entire conversation, just this page, but I wanted to know, were you a douche through the entire thing?

[justlovegreatmusic]

Yes, I was.

[XBOXHDTrailers]

at the very end of his final poem, he says something under his breath.

what is he saying? it sounds like he says "Only just.."

[XBOXHDTrailers]

does he says "but only just..." at the end of his last poem?

anyone know what he is saying?

[jonnyclay7]

when i first saw this i though he was some poet, turns out hes a filthy rich entrepreneur. and his poems are straight out of his life. his first poem is actually about the loss of a close friend, ive seen him talk about it in an interview.

[jakylili]

thank you thank you thanks for explaining that out for me

[justlovegreatmusic]

You're very welcome.

[deeliciousplum]

just beautiful and his words went straight to my senses.

[yoslammer]

his energy in delivery makes it. If more poetry was read like this, as a performance, id get into it more too.

[thatsneaat]

looking for a specific ted talk, one where they talk about the props in the background of TED

anyone know which one that is????????????

please send me a message if you do!!

[mongolianswampdonkey]

i think it could also mean that you are born with the genes you have, and there is a predetermined way that you are going to look, and you can't change the way you are supposed to look with money.

[upplsuckimcool16]

wow that last poem about crack is some intense shit

[sixstringpsyco]

I roll a good reefer myself mate but you are a trifle boring

[comradeharley]

Perhaps what is born is guaranteed to die, in that being born death is "foretold" - and no amount of gold or preparation or kicking and screaming can prevent that

[ModeBassTreble]

Super FannnnnTastic!

[zebratraceur]

i'm really not that much into poetry, but i gotta say, this is pretty good!

[5to22a]

Much to reflect upon. Our lives; our society; the misdirection of our leaders.

Love, cloth, feed and educate each other.

[sadiebasil]

how ironic- the publisher of blender and maxim tries to tell women not to surgically enhance their bodies/faces? What a joke. He's straight out of the Fountainhead.

[comradeharley]

Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend? They descend upon every guilty fabricator. They pretend to listen, but most of them are liars. As for the poets, they are followed only by the strayers. Do you not see that their loyalty shifts according to the situation? And that they say what they do not do? -- Quran 26:221-226

[therealbombassa]

Fantastic stuff.

[baronmorris]

I don't think crack gives you an erection...

but I do like this wild fellow, despite his publishing exploits.

[jazzjackrabbits]

rack does though

[baronmorris]

I understand him, yet not you.

oh the irony...

[underemployed100]

for his whole life this guy only thought about himself and for us to listen to this is proof. EVEN after is reference to his mother was a selfish goal. maybe he through you off the trail

[underemployed100]

I wonder why he thinks we should listen. rich people are interesting and meaningful?

[ANDR3W1848]

"The Better Man" is my favorite one. It sounds like something George W. Bush might say at a eulogy for Bill Clinton.

[kublakhan1816]

What's the deal with all these ignorant comments about rap music? Hip-Hop music isn't the only medium people can talk about sex and drugs. Charles Bukowski was dealing with these topics in poetry before people even know what Rappers Delight was.

[wj128]

This guy's delivery of the poems beats any rap song. And I hardly see how sex and drugs are more intriguing topics than what is in the video.

[Conundrummy]

drugs and sex are prevalent in all forms of music so why does it always get slammed into rap music

I like this guys delivery on the first poem though too

[Conundrummy]

O and also this guy talks a bout drugs and sex in the first poem

[JWebb38222]

Huh, people. Art has to say something that strikes a cord in someone else. It has to be a reflection of what intrigues us. For example, The Road Less Traveled, The Thinking Man, etc. Just because a poem is dramatized, doesn't mean it's relavant.

[KidVideoE]

What's really funny is how rap deals with topics waaay more intriguing than those this man discussed and yet HE was the one at TED. He's only been writing poetry for 4 years. MF Doom's been doing it since '89...

[webhed003]

while I must admit to not listening to very much rap, I have NEVER witnessed rap embrace any topic that could at all be called "intriguing" in any way.

Further, what does the length of time he has been writing have to do with how good the poetry is?

[Conundrummy]

Look up "keep ya head up" by tupac

[ouchlasers]

If you've never encountered intriguing, substantive or thought-provoking content matter in rap, it is not because it isn't there, but because you have not tried to find it.

In the same way Nickelback doesn't represent Rock, 50 Cent and Lil' Wayne do NOT, by any means, represent the art of Rap.

I'm partial to Lupe Fiasco, and I also recommend Immortal Technique, vignettes into corruption and crime - the language can be harsh, but it's just real to its context.

I just love all kinds of music

[RedNet22]

Alright... i dont see any point in throwing another agruement in cause they all seem to have been said in the comments... its just funny how majority started to use alot of metaphors and commas in a poetic way.....Haha. Inspired?

[SeoxyS]

buried for bad spelling. it's "burnt" not "burned."

[flyagaric23]

The poet enjoyed listening to Felix. The skeptic wonders why MAXIM magazine does not fwd/ poetry... The Englishman honors the contributions to - publishing - Felix has made, and thinks more executive positions in the area of publishing shd/ be filled by an active Poet - One who can share themselves and the ideas they have, and prove themselves... open up. Felix seems to open up in this video, which the writer thinks is good for communication.

[BarrybritpopfreekS]

Either your into this crap or not.

[leanonme1]

wat

[Blackliam]

this guy is good

[benowensam]

he sounds like Jafar from Aladdin.

[Berlin81]

America do not rule the world.

[dogg724]

forget a comma?

[PedanticNo1]

I fear that your wit is lost on the denizens of Youtube.

[scotsmanlerxt]

Unfortunately I agree with you and "pray" we are wrong.

[ciaochowbella]

Yes, we do.

You listen to our music, eat our food, wear our clothes and worship our stars.

We may not have our fingers in your political pie (which is doubtful)but we certainly feed your mind, cover your ass and own your heart in one way or another.

If that isn't ruling the world, what is?

[Berlin81]

Thats foolish. You know what I mean with ivory tower? You living in it.

[ciaochowbella]

Silly, silly child....of course it's an ivory tower.

But we still rule the world......for now anyway.

It won't last forever. Nothing does. But for right now, we are the biggest dog in the pen.

[Berlin81]

It's always the same with you americans. I guess there is nothing I can say to open your eyes. I will not argue further, there is no sense to it. Nad just for your information, I do listen to italian music, eat italian/german/oriental food and wear clothes that do not come from your country. Of course I wear jeans, but I hope you know, that a german invented that. :-)

[ciaochowbella]

A German IN AMERICA invented jeans.....so you don't get to claim him.

And sure, you might like things from other countries.....we do too, but you're on the internet, thanks to us, and at YT, thanks to us. You love us and hate us at the same time.

That's ok....we will spend your money just like everyone else's.

BTW, you've not said or done anything to "open my eyes" to.....what is your counter claim? "No you aren't" doesn't qualify, skippy.

[ciaochowbella]

What a deluded fool you are.

You live in Germany. You know FIRST HAND we are ruling the world.

Think about this.....what other country has military bases all over the world in countries they aren't at war with?

What other country's can have an election and the whole world cheers or weeps at the outcome?

What other country has music and movies and television programs in EVERY country in the world?

No one but us. Oh, sure, it's Babylon, but I can think of no sweeter place to die.

[Berlin81]

You prooved my point. :-)

Have a nice life in your "Babylon"

[osofrontinoquantico]

How about Sweden? they got healthcare, you know.

Then you wont die looking at your relatives trying to justify to lawyers that your insurance covers your disease.

[BallinTrollin]

WATCH George Carlin...enjoy your "AMERICA"

[a42579]

I think that level of honesty is sorely missing from much of our public discourse. Huzzah Mr. Dennis.

[billyshake]

I'm not sure I agree. I really wanted to like this, but toward the end it just seemed so...masturbatory, maybe? I don't know...just didn't seem genuine to me.

[a42579]

I had almost the opposite view. I didn't like it at first, but toward the end when he discussed his drug use I was impressed at the depth of emotion and thought he put into the work.

[lostinthelandoflies]

Quite brilliant!! And I do mean quite in a nice not negative way...! ;-)

[Joshbuckler]

This guy reminds me of William McGonagall, which I hope he would take as a compliment, as I intend it. See his poem "The Tay Bridge Disaster" on his Wikipedia page.

[MoronDude]

Yeah, they're never inviting that guy back, damned entertaining though he was.

[austpom333]

Ah yes, the English!!! Top class.

[austpom333]

Test

[GuineaJay]

Don't usually enjoy poetry spots. Quite good

[princeofexcess]

Americans rule the world because they have capitalistic system of government but not for long if it continues in the directions its going

we have 9.1% unemployment now

And other more capitalistic countries will take over

we already have to cut from everything

The beginning of America was beautiful

but constitution has changed times has pass and so will US if we value security more then freedom

[funnyguise]

you need to rethink that.

You don't have truly free markets and haven't for 70 years. You've corporations working with government stamping out competition.

I could go on but do a little reading and research for yourself. Capitalism was never given a real chance.

[princeofexcess]

well it didnt need to

the more capitalistic a country is the better off it is

and the more communistic it is the worse it does

there are no pure communistic countries either

because there is always a dictator but pure communism cannot exist just people would run away from the country if you let them

and capitalism doesnt mean no regulation just no regulation of the market

[baronmorris]

neither was socialism, as far as that goes... not advocating it, mind you... just sayin.

peace. ;-)

[zappyhod]

I'll drink to that !....BEELLLCCHHHH ! !...Scuse me...

[mitchrix31]

What a shitty poem

[princeofexcess]

did u listen to all of them

he talks too its not just poems

[skyemail]

bravos

[allahjihad11]

this was really compelling. strange how this guy busted into his crack story. but it was good none the less.

[Atoyota]

Simply awesome!

I rarely watch the TED "Talent Spots", I'm here for ideas and inspiration of other sorts...

But this was unexpectedly fulfilling and refreshing.

Worth a listen... truly

[UNIFICATI0N]

(Bravos) Felix Dennis is the acid rock of poets BRAVOS!!!!!!

[dollaresque]

That Love poem was nuts, and oh so good, like a road map for future and perhaps things to avoid.

[skylerstupid]

"what about the titans of media?"

then he points to himself hahaha

[lilcryingangel]

fuck america

[Riftlol]

Absolutely amazing!

[playgrrrr]

i guess some people call that art. for me. personally, its nothing but a wasted effort and wasted time. ...

[littleoutrage]

Thankfully, it isn't for you, personally.

[playgrrrr]

how do you know? he never explicitly stated for what group of individuals his presentation was made.

as far as you are concerned im just as much a part of the audience as anyone else.

i never claimed that it was adressed to me personally, but that isnt necessary for me to voice my perception of it.

[niniomigrania]

Everything you dont understand is a waste of time? You should say instead, "i just dont like this".

[EverettsVLOG]

LOL why is it that poetry people rely on the 'you dont like it because you dont understand it'. why dont you jsut say "i like this"

[ferre347]

i don't know why this reminded me of tom & jerry!

enjoyed it

[moother888]

why does he shout so much?

[littleoutrage]

Because he has a splendid voice for shouting.

[Mathfails]

Coke and Rum baby!

[Marqo7]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Very insightful poems.

[airdreamlove]

This is the best guest i've seen yet, seriously.

[bcosten2007]

lol he published maxim ... what a douche

[watzupdawg]

Apparently he is buying massive sections of England and replanting trees. Turning the land into forest and creating park space. An amazing and unusual man.

[Teabonesteak]

smoked crack cocaine every night for 7 years? Holy Shit!

[M4cr0cy13]

I don't remember him saying he smoked it. I think he snorted it. But ya 7 years... Damn

[Teabonesteak]

He "took" it. I think you're right though.

[aarondkeogh]

scary as fuck

[paulmercy]

This presentation confirms my long held belief that poetry is better savoured when read aloud.

[BallinTrollin]

smoke weed and watch this

[504BatteryDrive]

And then maybe write some poetry of your own.

[BallinTrollin]

maybe i will, thanks for the idea, never thought about it...i will when i get some.

[kkrizzz]

lmao, I tried that!!

Much much more emotional!

[tessebatt]

I'm going to! :D

[BallinTrollin]

enjoy! take care and good vibes!

[504BatteryDrive]

Although, there are documented cases of non-drug induced methods of writing poetry.

[AndrewSnarls]

I had never heard of this man, Felix Dennis, and his poetry before viewing this video, but now that I've become aware of him I'll be looking more into his writings. Thanks for posting this video.

[MetalSupra1982]

lalalala! kewl