Song Challenge: Chindogu Folk Songs

Subject: Song Challenge: Chindogu Folk Songs
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 31 May 06 - 08:41 AM

Bear with me... some explanation first....

The Ten Tenents of Chindogu

Every Chindogu is an almost useless object, but not every almost useless object is a Chindogu. In order to transcend the realms of the merely almost useless, and join the ranks of the really almost useless, certain vital criteria must be met. It is these criteria, a set of ten vital tenets, that define the gentle art and philosophy of Chindogu.

Here they are:

1. A Chindogu cannot be for real use

It is fundamental to the spirit of Chindogu that inventions claiming Chindogu status must be, from a practical point of view, (almost) completely useless. If you invent something which turns out to be so handy that you use it all the time, then you have failed to make a Chindogu. Try the Patent Office.

2. A Chindogu must exist

You're not allowed to use a Chindogu, but it must be made. You have to be able to hold it in your hand and think 'I can actually imagine someone using this. Almost.' In order to be useless, it must first be.

3. Inherent in every Chindogu is the spirit of anarchy

Chindogu are man-made objects that have broken free from the chains of usefulness. They represent freedom of thought and action: the freedom to challenge the suffocating historical dominance of conservative utility; the freedom to be (almost) useless.

4. Chindogu are tools for everyday life

Chindogu are a form of nonverbal communication understandable to everyone, everywhere. Specialised or technical inventions, like a threehandled sprocket loosener for drainpipes centred between two under-the-sink cabinet doors (the uselessness of which will only be appreciated by plumbers), do not count.

5. Chindogu are not for sale

Chindogu are not tradable commodities. If you accept money for one you surrender your purity. They must not even be sold as a joke.

6. Humour must not be the sole reason for creating a Chindogu

The creation of Chindogu is fundamentally a problem-solving activity. Humour is simply the by-product of finding an elaborate or unconventional solution to a problem that may not have been that pressing to begin with.

7. Chindogu is not propaganda

Chindogu are innocent. They are made to be used, even though they cannot be used. They should not be created as a perverse or ironic comment on the sorry state of mankind.

8. Chindogu are never taboo

The International Chindogu Society has established certain standards of social decency. Cheap sexual innuendo, humour of a vulgar nature, and sick or cruel jokes that debase the sanctity of living things are not allowed.

9. Chindogu cannot be patented

Chindogu are offerings to the rest of the world - they are not therefore ideas to be copyrighted, patented, collected and owned. As they say in Spain, mi Chindogu es tu Chindogu.

10. Chindogu are without prejudice

Chindogu must never favour one race or religion over another. Young and old, male and female, rich and poor - all should have a free and equal chance to enjoy each and every Chindogu.

(http://www.chindogu.com/chindogu/tenents.html)




So..........

Do you know any Chindogu Folk Songs?

Do you perform any Chindogu Folk Songs?

Do you want to write any NEW Chindogu Folk Songs?


Yes, I _AM_ making this one up as I go along...

:-)

Subject: RE: Song Challenge: Chindogu Folk Songs
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 31 May 06 - 10:50 AM

I think I know a Chindogu folk song -- its chorus goes:

It went bip when it moved, bop when it stopped,
Whirrrrrr when it stood still,
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will.

;-)

As for writing one, I am intrigued. Must think on this.

Subject: RE: Song Challenge: Chindogu Folk Songs
From: Artful Codger
Date: 31 May 06 - 02:01 PM

Is a "tenent" a chindogu? I have heard of tenets and tenants, but what is this new thing?

Subject: RE: Song Challenge: Chindogu Folk Songs
From: Ernest
Date: 31 May 06 - 02:11 PM

Great idea, Foolestroupe!

A Chindogu song would be a song that can`t be sung, wouldn`t it?

Makes me think of that "Faerie`s Aire and Death Waltz" that I found on the net some time ago... don`t know the site right now...

Best

Ernest

Subject: RE: Song Challenge: Chindogu Folk Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 31 May 06 - 09:09 PM

Talkin' nothin' blues.
I looked from the hall to the top of the stairs
And didn't see a man that wwasn't there...etc.

Subject: RE: Song Challenge: Chindogu Folk Songs
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 07:02 PM

A 'tenent' is sorta like a 'rule'.

Subject: RE: Song Challenge: Chindogu Folk Songs
From: M.Ted
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 10:44 PM

Tenet, with an epenthetic "n"--meaning an "n" that doesn't exist, but is there anyway--