Bob Schwartz

January 30, 2026

Cult of Personality by Living Colour (1988)

Neon lights, a Nobel prize
When a mirror speaks, the reflection lies

In 1988 the band Living Colour released their first album Vivid and the hit single Cult of Personality, which went on to win a Grammy.

It isn’t often that a track remains so relevant so many years later. But cults of personality have been around as long as leaders have been around, which is forever. Like now. Besides being a great song and performance (incendiary guitar by Vernon Reid), it is eerily notable that it specifically includes reference to “Neon lights, a Nobel prize”.

Living Colour is still playing, and was featured on Jimmy Kimmel last October.

Cult of Personality

And during the few moments that we have left
We want to talk right down to earth
In a language that everybody here can easily understand

Look in my eyes
What do you see?
The cult of personality

I know your anger, I know your dreams
I’ve been everything you want to be
Oh, I’m the cult of personality

Like Mussolini and Kennedy
I’m the cult of personality
The cult of personality
The cult of personality

Neon lights, a Nobel prize
When a mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You won’t have to follow me
Only you can set me free

I sell the things you need to be
I’m the smiling face on your TV
Oh, I’m the cult of personality

I exploit you, still you love me
I tell you, one and one makes three
Oh, I’m the cult of personality

Like Joseph Stalin and Gandhi
I’m the cult of personality
The cult of personality
The cult of personality

Neon lights, a Nobel prize
When a leader speaks, that leader dies
You won’t have to follow me
Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune, you gave me fame
You gave me power in your god’s name
I’m every person you need to be
Oh, I’m the cult of personality

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January 30, 2026

If you buy the premise, you’ll buy the bit

“If you buy the premise, you’ll buy the bit” is a maxim of humor and joke telling. “A guy goes to a psychiatrist and says…” or “A priest, a minister, and a rabbi are sitting at a bar…” are setups for a joke. Someone who doesn’t buy that premise (someone of limited imagination, because it’s just a joke) will never get the joke.

This extends to logical argument in general. Without believing in a premise, the rest of the argument, like the rest of the joke, goes nowhere.

Sometimes the premise is hidden, incidentally or intentionally, and sometimes it is assumed without analysis and investigation. This is a reminder to find the premise, consider it carefully, and decide whether to buy it.

To close less seriously, with a ridiculous premise, one of my favorite jokes.

A guy goes to a psychiatrist.

Guy says, “Doc, my brother thinks he’s a chicken.”

Psychiatrist says, “Bring him in and I’ll examine him.”

Guy says, “I would, but we need the eggs.”

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