"Syd didn't "become" insane, and he didn't "lose his mind." He was always insane and he never had a "mind" as people like to call it." -- steve82c
I think insanity could be described as a twisted or illusionary sense of reality, and interpreting events in one's life through distorted glasses.
Anyone who reads Syd Barret lyrics and truly understand them must be able to see the hypocrisy in calling him 'insane'. The problem for us is his perception of reality is beyond what any of us could imagine. Thus, he was "a genius" (Mooey).
Again, it was his deviation from the masses of society, and his ultra-clear view of everything, something so alien to the average person, that set him apart. Our inability to understand things on his level does not make him insane.
However, some will say "ohh, but he was on so many drugs that there is no way you're right." This is not the case. It was the drugs that made Syd descend to the breakdown because of societal pressure, and perhaps because he was so different, and so ingenious as compared to everyone else.
He was a genius with vision that not many can begin to comprehend. His lyrics are indicative of clear thought at its greatest height.
@floydism He did indeed become "insane", as you put it. He showed no signs of mental instability until the pressure (and drugs, etc) got to him during his time with the Floyd. There was then a clear mental breakdown. To use the word "insane" is pejorative and stigmatising. Someone is not "insane" - they suffer from a mental illness, usually a psychotic illness such as schizophrenia. The person is still there alongside the illness.
@floydism He did indeed become "insane", as you put it. He showed no signs of mental instability until the pressure (and drugs, etc) got to him during his time with the Floyd. There was then a clear mental breakdown. To use the word "insane" is pejorative and stigmatising. Someone is not "insane" - they suffer from a mental illness, usually a psychotic illness such as schizophrenia. The person is still there alongside the illness.
"Syd didn't "become" insane, and he didn't "lose his mind." He was always insane and he never had a "mind" as people like to call it." -- steve82c
I think insanity could be described as a twisted or illusionary sense of reality, and interpreting events in one's life through distorted glasses.
Anyone who reads Syd Barret lyrics and truly understand them must be able to see the hypocrisy in calling him 'insane'. The problem for us is his perception of reality is beyond what any of us could imagine. Thus, he was "a genius" (Mooey).
Again, it was his deviation from the masses of society, and his ultra-clear view of everything, something so alien to the average person, that set him apart. Our inability to understand things on his level does not make him insane.
However, some will say "ohh, but he was on so many drugs that there is no way you're right." This is not the case. It was the drugs that made Syd descend to the breakdown because of societal pressure, and perhaps because he was so different, and so ingenious as compared to everyone else.
He was a genius with vision that not many can begin to comprehend. His lyrics are indicative of clear thought at its greatest height.
"And what exactly is a dream?"
wow thats deep, i digg it tho it made sense, also who are we to call him insane? do any of us really know what sanity is?
wow thats deep, i digg it tho it made sense, also who are we to call him insane? do any of us really know what sanity is?
@floydism He did indeed become "insane", as you put it. He showed no signs of mental instability until the pressure (and drugs, etc) got to him during his time with the Floyd. There was then a clear mental breakdown. To use the word "insane" is pejorative and stigmatising. Someone is not "insane" - they suffer from a mental illness, usually a psychotic illness such as schizophrenia. The person is still there alongside the illness.
@floydism He did indeed become "insane", as you put it. He showed no signs of mental instability until the pressure (and drugs, etc) got to him during his time with the Floyd. There was then a clear mental breakdown. To use the word "insane" is pejorative and stigmatising. Someone is not "insane" - they suffer from a mental illness, usually a psychotic illness such as schizophrenia. The person is still there alongside the illness.