In olden days, the historian specialized in knowledge and access. He knew languages through years of study, carried multi-stamped passports with him as so many badges of honor, thumbed through moldy manuscripts untouched for hundreds of years...and, at last, he constructed an account of what happened.
The internet takes such a figure and transmutes him into a fool. Language is easy. Sources are available. What happened is a matter of public debate, not of private authority. What is left to the historian is an interpretive patchwork. No longer does access to rare stones draw readers to a work; rather, the method of arranging common materials is what the art must be redefined to be.
Forced to artistry, the historian is left looking backwards for guidance as to how history should be written. What was often an idle question to predecessors becomes the foundation stone of future study, and the old question of historicism takes on a new meaning.
Regardless of whether or not the study of history allows for accurate projections about the future, the manner in which history is interpreted and understood surely is used to influence thought and policy. But historians are no longer the gatekeepers to historical sources and the histories they tell, and it is unclear if the writers of histories should still be considered historians. Historians are not only authors of histories, but experts in the interpretation of historical sources. History as an academic subject must change accordingly: from the study of what has happened to the study of what has been interpreted to have occurred.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Of the aims which are at the same time duties
In an effort to improve my output, I've embraced a radical philosophy: naps are vital to our survival. "You adjust your life's schedule because the internet told you to?" Yes.
Emphatically.
Technological or chemical, the future is built for experimentation. But society continues to enforce chemical stasis with banal conversation. Imagine dinner parties enhanced with tactical readouts of mother-in-law number four's capacity to deal deadly destruction, with discretion. Delightful? Doubtful.
Besides, being an American, I take comfort in the knowledge that somewhere, at this very moment, the next generation is training to protect me from whatever perils my archaic mind will be unable to face.
Eight year olds with machine guns, blowing shit up.
Who loves ya?
Edited 6/27/2008 8:17 A.M. CST
Emphatically.
Technological or chemical, the future is built for experimentation. But society continues to enforce chemical stasis with banal conversation. Imagine dinner parties enhanced with tactical readouts of mother-in-law number four's capacity to deal deadly destruction, with discretion. Delightful? Doubtful.
Besides, being an American, I take comfort in the knowledge that somewhere, at this very moment, the next generation is training to protect me from whatever perils my archaic mind will be unable to face.
Eight year olds with machine guns, blowing shit up.
Who loves ya?
Edited 6/27/2008 8:17 A.M. CST
Monday, June 16, 2008
Wherein I vastly oversimplify complex economic debates, much to your consternation
Here's a quite useful paper explaining a lot of current thought on international capital. Joy! Groan and click away if you can, but I've got a hook for you: this post is about rich people.
Intrigued? You bet your ass you are! Apparently arguments for free trade are dying because "the poor have not been borrowing from the rich to finance their investment and industrialization, instead the rich have on net been borrowing from the poor to finance their own consumption".
Wow. Who could've seen that one coming?
Fact: Rich people are scared of poor people.
Because the U.S. "offers a form of protection for capital against unanticipated political disturbances", even as American companies move abroad for cheaper labor, the people who actually make money prefer to invest in America. So, even though companies are moving abroad, America still wins! Woo! Just...not all of America...in my cynical phantasma, pretty much everyone who is not an investment banker will likely be reduced to the same Malthusian equilibrium currently enjoyed by the oh-so-cheap labor forces our companies so prize.
Now, breaking the equilibrium is relatively easy to do, but I'm not sure anyone else is up for televised fire-circle death match rituals for all twenty-year olds. An equally implausible solution has been proposed by the authors of the said paper: "governments should lower taxes and spend more". How deficit spending fixes global inequity is beyond me. I have enough trouble counting up to the $50 needed to fill my gas tank without further inflation. Better solutions: global unions (all the fun of riots, now with more capitalism!) and government investment in technical education.
Intrigued? You bet your ass you are! Apparently arguments for free trade are dying because "the poor have not been borrowing from the rich to finance their investment and industrialization, instead the rich have on net been borrowing from the poor to finance their own consumption".
Wow. Who could've seen that one coming?
Fact: Rich people are scared of poor people.
Because the U.S. "offers a form of protection for capital against unanticipated political disturbances", even as American companies move abroad for cheaper labor, the people who actually make money prefer to invest in America. So, even though companies are moving abroad, America still wins! Woo! Just...not all of America...in my cynical phantasma, pretty much everyone who is not an investment banker will likely be reduced to the same Malthusian equilibrium currently enjoyed by the oh-so-cheap labor forces our companies so prize.
Now, breaking the equilibrium is relatively easy to do, but I'm not sure anyone else is up for televised fire-circle death match rituals for all twenty-year olds. An equally implausible solution has been proposed by the authors of the said paper: "governments should lower taxes and spend more". How deficit spending fixes global inequity is beyond me. I have enough trouble counting up to the $50 needed to fill my gas tank without further inflation. Better solutions: global unions (all the fun of riots, now with more capitalism!) and government investment in technical education.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Tricky Tricky Wording
Attention Everyone:
Read THIS article on CNN and notice the exorbitant amount of "quotation-marks," if you imagine them as "air-quotes" I "believe" it completely changes the intended "meaning" of the article, or "perhaps" it is the "intended" meaning.
"Who" knows?
Read THIS article on CNN and notice the exorbitant amount of "quotation-marks," if you imagine them as "air-quotes" I "believe" it completely changes the intended "meaning" of the article, or "perhaps" it is the "intended" meaning.
"Who" knows?
Absconding With Dignity
The Anglican Church seems to have hit a queer fork in the road; two priests in the Anglican church were married -in a same sex marriage, mind you- using the traditional liturgy, which, in turn, has created a rift with the more conservative mind-set within the church. Apparently, the Archbishop had stated, no more than three years ago, that the sexual teaching provided by the church would maintain the more traditional values of the bygone eras, and that those who act in opposition to these teachings would be "disciplined." (Sounds sexy.) And, since these sexual trespassers were not roundly spanked, quite a few of these vicars have their knickers stuffed far up their cracks with rage.
What bothers me (just one of the many things, I suppose) is this statement:
Anglicans in Africa and Asia are infuriated enough with the liberal North American churches, where openly homosexual clergy and church blessings for same-sex couples are now common. But the news two male priests used a traditional wedding liturgy, involving exchange of rings and vows, in a Church of England church could push them to the edge.
I'm not sure that those in Africa and Asia (two large geographical areas that are having a significant amount of civil unrest) should be overly concerned with two priests getting hitched. Seems to this uneducated jackass that they would have bigger fish to fry. (Wait, is it just the Catholics that like fish?) Eh, let these priests engage in furious dry-humping with all the ceremony they want and worry about something that actually matters.
Now, why is this bad for Archbishop Rowan Williams? Seems to the public that this little non-secular sexual indiscretion could split the Anglican Church like two ass cheeks, letting the world see the blown-out rectum that is the tricky grey-area of religious sexual teachings.
Wait a minute, who doesn't want to see that?
What bothers me (just one of the many things, I suppose) is this statement:
Anglicans in Africa and Asia are infuriated enough with the liberal North American churches, where openly homosexual clergy and church blessings for same-sex couples are now common. But the news two male priests used a traditional wedding liturgy, involving exchange of rings and vows, in a Church of England church could push them to the edge.
I'm not sure that those in Africa and Asia (two large geographical areas that are having a significant amount of civil unrest) should be overly concerned with two priests getting hitched. Seems to this uneducated jackass that they would have bigger fish to fry. (Wait, is it just the Catholics that like fish?) Eh, let these priests engage in furious dry-humping with all the ceremony they want and worry about something that actually matters.
Now, why is this bad for Archbishop Rowan Williams? Seems to the public that this little non-secular sexual indiscretion could split the Anglican Church like two ass cheeks, letting the world see the blown-out rectum that is the tricky grey-area of religious sexual teachings.
Wait a minute, who doesn't want to see that?
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Links
Like pillaging Vikings, we rejoice at the latest Mars landing. "We did this, this is what we can do".
It is time to upload off Earth, to dispense with current fashions and look through the latest spatial contraptions, whence come motorcycle banditas with jetpacks and hovercrafts, dead set on the destruction of their insect lovers.
It is time to upload off Earth, to dispense with current fashions and look through the latest spatial contraptions, whence come motorcycle banditas with jetpacks and hovercrafts, dead set on the destruction of their insect lovers.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Inside My Own Head
I try to abstain from writing entirely self-reflective and naval-gazing posts, but this time it cannot be helped. Those of you who have read my posts in the past, which is no more than five people, should be aware that I mostly try to tie my ranting to some bizarre or funny piece of news; unfortunately, a fierce introspection has taken hold. Recently, I have noticed an unwillingness to leave my house. It's not out of fear, or at least I don't believe it is, though I do feel uneasy every time I leave. Not terribly long ago I was quite happy to go out to bars, drink and talk with friends amongst throngs of other drunks. Now it is not so, and best as I can tell it's not because I no longer enjoy a drink or talks with friends, but they no longer hold the pull that they once did. I sit at home now, reading, watching nonsense on the internet, playing video games, and looking at porn. I have lost contact with many of my friends; choosing to let relationships slide quietly into the ether. I have no rational reason, just an odd subconscious dread of the outside world. I truly believe I am beginning my descent into madness. This is all the more reason that I should be reaching out to others, but the desire is just not there. Well, perhaps it's nothing.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Why Democracy Does Not Lead to Education
Everyone acts as though they love the idea of education, but when it comes to voting for those who promote it, the side that does not make education a priority will always have the edge.
When reacting to arguments that children's lives could be improved by bettering the educational system, most voters do not recall a childhood spent without textbooks or well-paid teachers. Instead, they remember their own childhood, when they were not in the top ten percent of the class. They had failed where others succeeded, and since then they have worked to rationalize their lack of success in school. It was a sign of independence, they will say, a necessary part of a life they deem worthy.
Telling these voters the lives of their children could be better is the equivalent of telling them that their lives could have been better too, if only they had been deemed smarter by their teachers. Rational arguments about international competition increasing the need for a globally competitive educational system cannot compete with self-validation.
Now if only improving the world for children was actually the priority of the voter...
edited: 12:31 a.m. 5/3/2008
When reacting to arguments that children's lives could be improved by bettering the educational system, most voters do not recall a childhood spent without textbooks or well-paid teachers. Instead, they remember their own childhood, when they were not in the top ten percent of the class. They had failed where others succeeded, and since then they have worked to rationalize their lack of success in school. It was a sign of independence, they will say, a necessary part of a life they deem worthy.
Telling these voters the lives of their children could be better is the equivalent of telling them that their lives could have been better too, if only they had been deemed smarter by their teachers. Rational arguments about international competition increasing the need for a globally competitive educational system cannot compete with self-validation.
Now if only improving the world for children was actually the priority of the voter...
edited: 12:31 a.m. 5/3/2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The Best Sentence Ever!
New Scientist, one of my favorite magazines, has provided me with my new favorite sentence: Only humans have religion, because only humans have the brain architecture to imagine things that don't exist.
Thank you New Scientist.
I also want to note that this article is based on the work of Maurice Bloch, and does not necessarily represent the opinions of New Scientist.
It does, however, represent my sentiments entirely.
Thank you New Scientist.
I also want to note that this article is based on the work of Maurice Bloch, and does not necessarily represent the opinions of New Scientist.
It does, however, represent my sentiments entirely.
Basirah Drenican in a T Tauri wind
Link of the day is a commentary on cognitive surplus, a well thought out, well written look at sitcoms and stasis. The following is not meant as criticism, but as an attempt to add another dimension to what is presented.
I'll admit to staring mindlessly at television screens, feeling ashamed of my inability to find a better outlet for my energy, hoping that society will one day remove the "Under Construction" sign hanging from the dawning epic my generation is due. But I would like to sound a note of caution against interpreting sitcoms as the newest social depressant, a stopgap solution standing on the road to a more useful interaction.
Beyond water cooler conversations there sits the collective stares of a family of four, grouped around microwaved meals, engaging in minor skirmishes brought about by a single inappropriate chuckle, defining social values and identity through the reactions of the viewer. This kind of authoritative storytelling is older than Homer, and it is something which will continue regardless of how easy it becomes to interact with the stories presented.
The creation of content is more personal than reaction borne of consumption, and it is through the latter that social bonding readily occurs, as the gray areas of interpersonal communication are slowly defined through reference to a story outside of ourselves, beyond our control.
I don't think that Wikipedia and YouTube can replace television. If there are too many providers of content, the value of the content decreases in terms of its ability to provide a means of bonding with individuals as yet unknown.
I'll admit to staring mindlessly at television screens, feeling ashamed of my inability to find a better outlet for my energy, hoping that society will one day remove the "Under Construction" sign hanging from the dawning epic my generation is due. But I would like to sound a note of caution against interpreting sitcoms as the newest social depressant, a stopgap solution standing on the road to a more useful interaction.
Beyond water cooler conversations there sits the collective stares of a family of four, grouped around microwaved meals, engaging in minor skirmishes brought about by a single inappropriate chuckle, defining social values and identity through the reactions of the viewer. This kind of authoritative storytelling is older than Homer, and it is something which will continue regardless of how easy it becomes to interact with the stories presented.
The creation of content is more personal than reaction borne of consumption, and it is through the latter that social bonding readily occurs, as the gray areas of interpersonal communication are slowly defined through reference to a story outside of ourselves, beyond our control.
I don't think that Wikipedia and YouTube can replace television. If there are too many providers of content, the value of the content decreases in terms of its ability to provide a means of bonding with individuals as yet unknown.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Redefining charity
The American people have a can-do spirit that is antithetical to mandated charity. But what Americans love is the chance to take their piece of the pie. We may not want health care, but we sure love pork, (and laughing at foreigners).
That said, we need to alleviate poverty if we want to improve education, because the newest tech-wondrous womping stick ain't going to build itself.
[I'd argue that knowledge of rhetoric might be a slightly useful byproduct of education as well, but that'd be kind of fruity of me. See, look at that, that link's a brilliantly self-indulgent Latin reference. Watch this: Inde poeta dicti sunt saturi, eo quod pleni sunt omni facundia sive a saturitate et copia quia de pluribus simul rebus loquuntur. You know what that is? That's Latin baby. That's me claiming authority under the pretense of class. That could be you, America!]
We've got to trick people into getting help, and disguising charity as competition is the only way to do it. You want health care for your family? Only if you can outdo your neighbour in gator wrastlin'. You want Social Security? Medicare? Be willing to do cartwheels off the Statue of Liberty. Food stamps? Give me Pyramids, monuments to our greatness. Flex for the future, American, flaunt yourselves in an act of validation and claim the fabulous prizes of blood transfusions and Hamburger Helper. And you losers, go forth with a new focus for your shame, forced to accept that welfare check for now, but hopeful that you'll soon be the one on top.
That said, we need to alleviate poverty if we want to improve education, because the newest tech-wondrous womping stick ain't going to build itself.
[I'd argue that knowledge of rhetoric might be a slightly useful byproduct of education as well, but that'd be kind of fruity of me. See, look at that, that link's a brilliantly self-indulgent Latin reference. Watch this: Inde poeta dicti sunt saturi, eo quod pleni sunt omni facundia sive a saturitate et copia quia de pluribus simul rebus loquuntur. You know what that is? That's Latin baby. That's me claiming authority under the pretense of class. That could be you, America!]
We've got to trick people into getting help, and disguising charity as competition is the only way to do it. You want health care for your family? Only if you can outdo your neighbour in gator wrastlin'. You want Social Security? Medicare? Be willing to do cartwheels off the Statue of Liberty. Food stamps? Give me Pyramids, monuments to our greatness. Flex for the future, American, flaunt yourselves in an act of validation and claim the fabulous prizes of blood transfusions and Hamburger Helper. And you losers, go forth with a new focus for your shame, forced to accept that welfare check for now, but hopeful that you'll soon be the one on top.
That Poor Bastard
CNN had a very interesting article on the upcoming trial of the supposed 9/11 mastermind. The title of said article is “Lawyer fears 9/11 mastermind trial will be 'insanity'.” Well, no shit. Now, in no way am I saying that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is innocent, nor am I even saying he's a good person, but he is still a person, and I am in one-hundred percent agreement with his attorney, Prescott Prince, that he deserves a fair trial (just like any other person in this great country of ours). Though,I also have doubts to the nature of the evidence obtained because of the supposed torture that defendant underwent. So, naturally, because of the nature of the incident, I'm sure he will quickly be found guilty. Again, I'm not saying he's innocent; I'm just supposing that if someone tries to drown you, you are going to tell them what they want to hear. Maybe, I'm not a god-dammed mind reader; it is possible that everyone aside from myself has been through some sort of interrogation resistance training. I think I skipped out of that summer-camp event.
All this is merely pretense to what I actually want to talk about. I want to talk about good ol' Prescott. I want every one to understand that Mr. Prince -this is CNN's own words here- “...is a small-town lawyer who has never taken a death penalty case to trial.” That's right he's never been involved in a case on this scale. I'm in no way implying that Mr. Prince is dumb or inept, but what I am saying is that I think they found someone who is probably under-prepared and willing to ruin his career. Seriously, the reason there isn't a prominent criminal defendant lawyer heading this case is because no one would want to touch the death of their professional life. I know I wouldn't, but shit, maybe I missed that day at summer-camp too. Mr. Prince is an easy mark who is forever going to be remembered as the man who stuck up for one of the country's most vilified criminals, and, of course, lost. Again, who wants that? This poor bastard is a small scale lawyer who may or may not be in too deep of waters, I truly feel sorry for the guy.
Though, he does have a pretty rockin' mustache.
All this is merely pretense to what I actually want to talk about. I want to talk about good ol' Prescott. I want every one to understand that Mr. Prince -this is CNN's own words here- “...is a small-town lawyer who has never taken a death penalty case to trial.” That's right he's never been involved in a case on this scale. I'm in no way implying that Mr. Prince is dumb or inept, but what I am saying is that I think they found someone who is probably under-prepared and willing to ruin his career. Seriously, the reason there isn't a prominent criminal defendant lawyer heading this case is because no one would want to touch the death of their professional life. I know I wouldn't, but shit, maybe I missed that day at summer-camp too. Mr. Prince is an easy mark who is forever going to be remembered as the man who stuck up for one of the country's most vilified criminals, and, of course, lost. Again, who wants that? This poor bastard is a small scale lawyer who may or may not be in too deep of waters, I truly feel sorry for the guy.
Though, he does have a pretty rockin' mustache.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Beating a Dead B-Movie Acting Horse
Many of you, which is basically no one, will have noticed that I talk incessantly about Ronald Reagan and how much of a douche -for lack of a better adjective- he was. I can't help it, I have nightmares about this man. No joke, I had a nightmare that he was planning to kill the world's homosexual population, and I had to sit and have year long peace talks with him to cease this abhorrent mission. But, in all honesty my main problem with him is the decade that he presided over as king, ahem, president. The eighties were a vapid and vacuous time filled with terrible, terrible movies; not unlike the present day, actually. The presidency mimicked this, reinforcing the virtues of monetary worth and a loathing of all that is different. Different has always meant dangerous, to some extent, but it was truly exemplified in the fearfully conservative ways of our former President.
Now, this is all in loose terms of course. I was barely cognizant, not that it seems terrible different from everyone else, and have since grown up into a bitter old man. It could just have been from no reason at all I suppose.
Now, this is all in loose terms of course. I was barely cognizant, not that it seems terrible different from everyone else, and have since grown up into a bitter old man. It could just have been from no reason at all I suppose.
The Merits of a Society I don't Agree with
For those of you who don't know (and that is everyone in the world) April 21st is National Devil's Advocate Day, which is surprisingly close to opposite day but requires a bit more thinking. Here are some steps to taking part in this fun and progressive holiday/social experiment:
1. Someone says something you don't like, or, think is stupid (that happens everyday for me).
2. Now, instead of just dismissing the ridiculous comment search for an understanding on why they decided to spout said opinion.
3. Then (and this is the tricky part) relay a similar opinion back to them in an effort to create common ground.
4.(This step is optional) Once common ground has been established find ways to coax the target over to your mental ground. Flatter them if you have to.
For instance, Ronald Reagan had nothing to do with the poor economic conditions of 1982. The recession that occurred had more to do with the machinations of Paul Volcker, despite rumors that it was his hand that guided the anti-inflations policies of the eighties.
I also agree that the current value system of the American Public -which includes but is not limited to: Creating royalty out of celebrity, spending oneself into debt due to the need to prove one's worth through wealth, and the shunning of those who have not- is a system that uses the hard and fast rules of social evolution. As a nation we are more competitive and protective of our way of life than many others. We have a pride as a country that is unrivaled, and rightfully so, by any other nation created by man. These my brethren are virtues; these skills and others of our multifaceted American skill-set will see us soaring in to the twenty-second century. Remember clutching on to traditions is the only way to guarantee that our values will be carried from generation to generation, and know that our values are bred in tooth and claw; let us keep them that way.
I hope you have a great National Devil's Advocate Day everyone! I know I will!
1. Someone says something you don't like, or, think is stupid (that happens everyday for me).
2. Now, instead of just dismissing the ridiculous comment search for an understanding on why they decided to spout said opinion.
3. Then (and this is the tricky part) relay a similar opinion back to them in an effort to create common ground.
4.(This step is optional) Once common ground has been established find ways to coax the target over to your mental ground. Flatter them if you have to.
For instance, Ronald Reagan had nothing to do with the poor economic conditions of 1982. The recession that occurred had more to do with the machinations of Paul Volcker, despite rumors that it was his hand that guided the anti-inflations policies of the eighties.
I also agree that the current value system of the American Public -which includes but is not limited to: Creating royalty out of celebrity, spending oneself into debt due to the need to prove one's worth through wealth, and the shunning of those who have not- is a system that uses the hard and fast rules of social evolution. As a nation we are more competitive and protective of our way of life than many others. We have a pride as a country that is unrivaled, and rightfully so, by any other nation created by man. These my brethren are virtues; these skills and others of our multifaceted American skill-set will see us soaring in to the twenty-second century. Remember clutching on to traditions is the only way to guarantee that our values will be carried from generation to generation, and know that our values are bred in tooth and claw; let us keep them that way.
I hope you have a great National Devil's Advocate Day everyone! I know I will!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The Good Technologies
Okay, so having established that I'm against a hive mind, I still want my very own reinforced exoskeleton. Why research mind control when we could be learning to punch through solid steel?
Thank you, true Americans, for watching pro wrestling and dope-fiend athletes. With you by my side, the nightmare of a wired collective will never burst forth from the pocketbook. Who needs better brains when you can arm wrestle a tractor?
Granted, some military goon will fuck it up and apply it to warfare, but the market will win out, right?
Thank you, true Americans, for watching pro wrestling and dope-fiend athletes. With you by my side, the nightmare of a wired collective will never burst forth from the pocketbook. Who needs better brains when you can arm wrestle a tractor?
Granted, some military goon will fuck it up and apply it to warfare, but the market will win out, right?
Who Admits This?
CNN has an article posted about the Military's methods of interrogation on the Afghani detainees. Essentially, the article speaks of whether or not the military tortured the detainees, but there is an absolute gem of a sentence in the article: "But the documents include interviews with some interrogators who acknowledged slapping the detainees -- a technique they learned during survival training at the Army's SERE school."
Let me repeat this because it's so goddamn funny: A technique they learned during survival training... That's right, the army teaches the our soldiers, some of the best equipped women and men on the battlefield, to slap the shit out of people. Okay, come on, you have to be fucking kidding me. They don't get to learn secret ninja techniques, no sir, they just sit and watch HBO's Pimps Up, Ho's Down for hours at a time.
Thank you CNN for such a good laugh.
This was also in another article on CNN. It has to do with the sexual abuses enacted by the church. This, again, is taken a bit out of context but is still hilarious, and probably should be a sentence left out of such discussions: "It is important that those who have suffered be given loving pastoral attention."
I have a sick mind and I fucking love it. I hope you do to.
Let me repeat this because it's so goddamn funny: A technique they learned during survival training... That's right, the army teaches the our soldiers, some of the best equipped women and men on the battlefield, to slap the shit out of people. Okay, come on, you have to be fucking kidding me. They don't get to learn secret ninja techniques, no sir, they just sit and watch HBO's Pimps Up, Ho's Down for hours at a time.
Thank you CNN for such a good laugh.
This was also in another article on CNN. It has to do with the sexual abuses enacted by the church. This, again, is taken a bit out of context but is still hilarious, and probably should be a sentence left out of such discussions: "It is important that those who have suffered be given loving pastoral attention."
I have a sick mind and I fucking love it. I hope you do to.
The Other Eye
A lot of creepy science fiction ideas are slowly making their way from the minds of authors to the supermarket shelves...mind control, mind reading, suspended animation, vat grown meat, killer robots...combine these with the internet and it's like we're on the verge of wiring humanity.
Despite my knee-jerk appreciation for change, I'm not sure about this particular light bulb. These technologies bridge the divide between the inner and the outer, and with them comes the promise of a break with history, a break with the concepts and outlook of a pre-wired humanity. Challenging past conceptions is one thing, destroying our ability to understand the past is another. The living need the dead, despite the latter's desire for brains, and we shouldn't accelerate too quickly away from the ghosts that surround us.
We should also be asking if facilitating communication is worth limiting the extent of independent evolution. Easing the divide between the subgroups that exist within a wider human population, though an avenue to peace, will leave me living in a world without communists and cannibals. I will be bored, and will taunt the global web of minds with looped images of static amoeba until we return to disconnect.
Despite my knee-jerk appreciation for change, I'm not sure about this particular light bulb. These technologies bridge the divide between the inner and the outer, and with them comes the promise of a break with history, a break with the concepts and outlook of a pre-wired humanity. Challenging past conceptions is one thing, destroying our ability to understand the past is another. The living need the dead, despite the latter's desire for brains, and we shouldn't accelerate too quickly away from the ghosts that surround us.
We should also be asking if facilitating communication is worth limiting the extent of independent evolution. Easing the divide between the subgroups that exist within a wider human population, though an avenue to peace, will leave me living in a world without communists and cannibals. I will be bored, and will taunt the global web of minds with looped images of static amoeba until we return to disconnect.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
How is this Romanticized?
It was 80's night down at this bar/club/thing, and because I have quite a morbid curiosity I decided to go check it out. To my surprise, there were no protesters, only people dancing and drinking. Hell, I didn't even hear any one talking about the Gipper, the fucking Gipper for christsake. I do love saying, "the Gipper," though how does one elect a man with that sort of moniker, which, wasn't even rightfully his; Reagan got it because he played some guy in a movie. Even in Hollywood he was a fucking thief. Anyhow, enough about the Gipper.
On to Lionel Ritchie, I am ready to say ANYTHING that was done post-Commodores is complete shit, and I hope all of you feel the same. I mean, come on, Dancing on the Ceiling, Three Times a Lady? Mr. Ritchie, go fuck yourself.
The evening wasn't all bad, the beers were cheap and Peter Schilling's Major Tom (Coming Home) was played. Again, it wasn't a total loss.
Oh, and one more thing: I don't really miss leg-warmers.
On to Lionel Ritchie, I am ready to say ANYTHING that was done post-Commodores is complete shit, and I hope all of you feel the same. I mean, come on, Dancing on the Ceiling, Three Times a Lady? Mr. Ritchie, go fuck yourself.
The evening wasn't all bad, the beers were cheap and Peter Schilling's Major Tom (Coming Home) was played. Again, it wasn't a total loss.
Oh, and one more thing: I don't really miss leg-warmers.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Stolen Goods, Hot Sales, and Cold Cash
An article was up on the ol' CNN stating that U.S. military equipment was being stolen and then subsequently sold on EBay or Craig's List.
This is an odd article -I am well aware that I don't have all the facts- because I don't know where to ethically fall on this argument. I have a hard time believe that ALL of the stolen equipment is going to find its way to malevolent hands; then again, I wonder what would happen if it did. Are the items, such as night-vision goggles and army combat uniforms, so incredibly dangerous that we must pass laws to prevent them falling into enemy hands (whom ever that may be at the time), as well as, civilian hands. Perhaps it depends on the item. Night-vision goggles, well, those are just pretty cool in general and I'm sure military-grade goggles are even cooler. Military uniforms on the other hand could have a bit more of a dastardly use. It wasn't that long ago that Iraqi insurgents sneaked into a military base with such stolen uniforms. Here's the issue that I have: Are these "dastardly villains" doggedly scouring EBay and Craig's List to find the perfect items to complete there plan? Couldn't these evil-doers just home-brew some uniforms and goggles. Even the stolen F-14 parts don't seem so incredibly high-tech that it would be impossible for a foreign nation to whip some up.
The reality then is this: these items are mostly going to fall into the hands of military buffs, odd fat-ass collectors, and 13 year old boys with super-rich parents. I'm not sure that the passing of another stifling law is really the remedy to the problem itself.
On the other hand, I don't wish harm upon anyone in the U.S. armed forces, nor do I want their job to be any more difficult than it already is. So, you can see where the inner conflict happens.
To make matters worse Congressman Chris Shays made this comment, "Do we have a serious theft problem, or do we not even know if we have the ability to know we have a serious theft problem?"
Well, I've worked in retail long enough to know that if you have cool shit, you probably have a theft problem.
-That's all I got.
This is an odd article -I am well aware that I don't have all the facts- because I don't know where to ethically fall on this argument. I have a hard time believe that ALL of the stolen equipment is going to find its way to malevolent hands; then again, I wonder what would happen if it did. Are the items, such as night-vision goggles and army combat uniforms, so incredibly dangerous that we must pass laws to prevent them falling into enemy hands (whom ever that may be at the time), as well as, civilian hands. Perhaps it depends on the item. Night-vision goggles, well, those are just pretty cool in general and I'm sure military-grade goggles are even cooler. Military uniforms on the other hand could have a bit more of a dastardly use. It wasn't that long ago that Iraqi insurgents sneaked into a military base with such stolen uniforms. Here's the issue that I have: Are these "dastardly villains" doggedly scouring EBay and Craig's List to find the perfect items to complete there plan? Couldn't these evil-doers just home-brew some uniforms and goggles. Even the stolen F-14 parts don't seem so incredibly high-tech that it would be impossible for a foreign nation to whip some up.
The reality then is this: these items are mostly going to fall into the hands of military buffs, odd fat-ass collectors, and 13 year old boys with super-rich parents. I'm not sure that the passing of another stifling law is really the remedy to the problem itself.
On the other hand, I don't wish harm upon anyone in the U.S. armed forces, nor do I want their job to be any more difficult than it already is. So, you can see where the inner conflict happens.
To make matters worse Congressman Chris Shays made this comment, "Do we have a serious theft problem, or do we not even know if we have the ability to know we have a serious theft problem?"
Well, I've worked in retail long enough to know that if you have cool shit, you probably have a theft problem.
-That's all I got.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Elliot Carter is Genius, and so is Cheap Steak
Friday, the fourth of April, there was quite a special event at Powell Symphony Hall. David Robertson conducted four astounding works of Elliot Carter in honor of Carter encroaching upon his hundredth year. (Yes, in December 2008, Elliot Carter will be one-hundred years old, and he still composes. Insane? Well, Carter isn't, but the concept... probably.) Four pieces were performed: Holiday Overture, Of Rewaking, Four Pieces for Timpani and Oboe Concerto; Of Rewaking and the pieces for the timpani were jaw-droppingly brilliant.
Ok, enough of waxing Carter's car.
Not quite as astounding as the great Elliot Carter, and far more awkward, was the rockin' meal I had (pre-symphonic glory).
The cafeteria line never tasted so good. I was dished up some sweet vittles: steak, shrimp, bake potato and texas toast; all for a damn fine eleven bucks. Where's the awkward, you ask. Well, the big white elephant of discomfort sits heavy in the decor of the room. All things told it seems like a dressed up, Sunday dinner type of place, and yet, there sits some jackass in sweat pants and walking in is some punk kid: me.
My Burning Need for Attention
I write on a blog, it's about my opinions and views. I am always honest. I love his and her towels.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
White-Trash on the Net: it's a Beautiful Thing
This lovely post was found on a missed connections on Craig's list. God damn I love missed connections.
"Hey dude - saw you at scnuks on hiway k on sunday. you looked hot and sweet (with your gotee and tats). I saw you checking me out. I was with my niece and 3 kids. I had on the cardinal swetshirt. maybe you want to partywith me some time? I cant host now right now as my sister and her kids are stying with me. lets get together soon.
me - 42, dark blonde, feathery hair, cardinal swetshirt, tight jeans, white minivan with kshe sticker. contact me and tell me what your bumperstiker say on your camarro - it crack me up."
And please, if you are that hot and sweet guy, host a get together at your place and get her away from her damn family. Oh yeah, way to go on that bumper-sticker.
"Hey dude - saw you at scnuks on hiway k on sunday. you looked hot and sweet (with your gotee and tats). I saw you checking me out. I was with my niece and 3 kids. I had on the cardinal swetshirt. maybe you want to partywith me some time? I cant host now right now as my sister and her kids are stying with me. lets get together soon.
me - 42, dark blonde, feathery hair, cardinal swetshirt, tight jeans, white minivan with kshe sticker. contact me and tell me what your bumperstiker say on your camarro - it crack me up."
And please, if you are that hot and sweet guy, host a get together at your place and get her away from her damn family. Oh yeah, way to go on that bumper-sticker.
More Interesting Shit
-I know, I know, you heartless bastards all laughed, when you read the headline 70 Year Old First Grader, well fuck you. Now, I know what you're thinking: You laughed too! And, that's true so: fuck me too.
-Well, if you're like me you'll be happy to know that internet porn will soon be taken to new heights.
-And lastly, this is a bizarre piece of news the article claims that the hawk was being protective; I say the hawk thought she didn't like the red sox enough.
-Well, if you're like me you'll be happy to know that internet porn will soon be taken to new heights.
-And lastly, this is a bizarre piece of news the article claims that the hawk was being protective; I say the hawk thought she didn't like the red sox enough.
What?! So he's Pregnant!
I'm not sure if anyone has heard about the pregnant guy, though it was on Oprah, and I know EVERYONE watches Oprah. I personally think it's fantastic; in no way am I against this guy having a baby, but on the other hand I am sort of anti-baby. They smell.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Current state of the ongoing existential crisis which is the internet
Thoughts can be translated into words, words can be transmitted into thoughts, no more need to sense our surroundings, not independently, not of our own volition. Just envision it.
Let there be hope in our addiction to curiosity, no longer defined in reference to threats, unless it be the threat of too much sweet lovin'.
Let there be hope in our addiction to curiosity, no longer defined in reference to threats, unless it be the threat of too much sweet lovin'.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
What They Need is a Doomsday Beef Vault
Norway, a country that I have heard nothing but decent things about aside from it's "cold," has begun a project to create a vault on a remote arctic island that will hold up to 4.5 million types of seeds. Noble. The theory is: in cases of severe famine, war, or if we just really fuck something up, we will have a bank of seeds to get the vegetation that we rely so heavily upon up and running again. This is why it has been dubbed the "Doomsday Vault"
It should be noted that there is a similar vault in Sussex, England. But, the English seed bank deals more specifically with wild plants, while the Norwegian seed bank will deal mostly with crops.
The troubling thing, and I understand how patriotically arrogant this sounds, but, no where did I see the US involved in this. What great PR it would have been for our country, and we could use some good PR (who couldn't). Then it hit me. We're Americans, and we are god-dammed meat eaters. If this was a beef vault (I'm not entirely sure how that would pan out) we would be climbing over one another to get in on that sweet deal. "Guaranteeing that future generations of little boys and girls get to eat hamburgers, well shit, count me in."
Now, I have not one damn problem with meat. I like meat. A lot. But, I am definitely one who reaches for some asparagus, or broccoli, or those little cherry tomatoes that they put on fancy salads(delicious).
Therefore on behalf of my great nation I would like to say: "THANK YOU NORWAY!!!! for securing the availability of crops for generations to come!"
It should be noted that there is a similar vault in Sussex, England. But, the English seed bank deals more specifically with wild plants, while the Norwegian seed bank will deal mostly with crops.
The troubling thing, and I understand how patriotically arrogant this sounds, but, no where did I see the US involved in this. What great PR it would have been for our country, and we could use some good PR (who couldn't). Then it hit me. We're Americans, and we are god-dammed meat eaters. If this was a beef vault (I'm not entirely sure how that would pan out) we would be climbing over one another to get in on that sweet deal. "Guaranteeing that future generations of little boys and girls get to eat hamburgers, well shit, count me in."
Now, I have not one damn problem with meat. I like meat. A lot. But, I am definitely one who reaches for some asparagus, or broccoli, or those little cherry tomatoes that they put on fancy salads(delicious).
Therefore on behalf of my great nation I would like to say: "THANK YOU NORWAY!!!! for securing the availability of crops for generations to come!"
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The costs of disengagement
Perhaps, on a grand scale, (whatever that means), in many ways this election is not especially meaningful, but cynicism is to be resisted if only to avoid the the bizarre whims of leaders left too comfortable. Without rational engagement, arbitrary passion is the necessary defense against tyranny, leading us to a philosophy which trusts only in the esoteric.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
State of the World
Luddites rejoice:
Someone is killing the internet.
An example of Americans' understanding of logical argument:
Obama = Che = Terrorist = Kevin Bacon.
Return of spiritual governance:
The Archbishop of Canterbury is promoting Sharia law. If anyone can make an easy return to dual jurisdiction, it's the English...(when will de haeretico comburendo be cited as precedent?)
Oh, and it's time to start rebuilding those bunkers:
Nuclear technicians are missing in Pakistan.
Someone is killing the internet.
An example of Americans' understanding of logical argument:
Obama = Che = Terrorist = Kevin Bacon.
Return of spiritual governance:
The Archbishop of Canterbury is promoting Sharia law. If anyone can make an easy return to dual jurisdiction, it's the English...(when will de haeretico comburendo be cited as precedent?)
Oh, and it's time to start rebuilding those bunkers:
Nuclear technicians are missing in Pakistan.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Electronic Graffiti
I am interested in the development of electromagnetic railguns and the devolution of catblogging, (especially if the latter is a market test for mortuary-based reality shows).
Today I've decided on garbage. The images are beautiful, the metaphor sells, and the environmental implications are more intuitive than a bureaucrat's cow fart, hazardous enough that the desire for recycling has become identified with the artistic, (the marketable).
True sculpture, life lent restoration.
Today I've decided on garbage. The images are beautiful, the metaphor sells, and the environmental implications are more intuitive than a bureaucrat's cow fart, hazardous enough that the desire for recycling has become identified with the artistic, (the marketable).
True sculpture, life lent restoration.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Future Outlook
Jawbones created in the stomach of man. Hobos will soon be birthing the bone structures of all would-be movie stars.
We must now choose whether to raise our children by numbers or by words. The ability to broadcast images will eventually make language obsolete, so we may as well train people to internalize the outside world in uniform abstractions.
With population skyrocketing, the solution is obvious: remote control sperm, the "switchable alternative to vasectomy"! Women rejoice, (but beware the consequences).
Holograms, Rocketpacks, and Homes in the Sky.
Alternative Future Outlook:
Nudity, Horseheads, and Shroomery.
We must now choose whether to raise our children by numbers or by words. The ability to broadcast images will eventually make language obsolete, so we may as well train people to internalize the outside world in uniform abstractions.
With population skyrocketing, the solution is obvious: remote control sperm, the "switchable alternative to vasectomy"! Women rejoice, (but beware the consequences).
Holograms, Rocketpacks, and Homes in the Sky.
Alternative Future Outlook:
Nudity, Horseheads, and Shroomery.
What a Slow Day
Well, Huckabee broke through at the Kansas caucus, and the U.S. newspapers are full of stories about presidential nonsense, Iraq, and the border wars (or as I call it: Operation Mexicano). Basically, this is the same shit that has been plaguing our news for about a year, good to see that not much has changed. Technically the war in Iraq, and even the border issue to some extent, have been going on since the nineties.
The point? The news is in re-runs.
That was until I read this headline coming out of Australia: "Man hid wife in drum for 23 years." No joke.
Frederick Boyle, aged fifty-eight, hid his wife's body in a drum (imagine oil drum) for more than two decades. Supposedly, (this is Mr. Boyle's story) he found his wife at home with two bullets in her head and one of his neckties wrapped tightly around her throat. So, of course, he is startled and while in this state of distress decides to honor his wife by stuffing her in a large metal drum. Seems reasonable to me, after all he was only in his mid-thirties.
Oh yeah, by the by, London is on fire, uncontrollably on fire. We'll see how that pans out.
Well, like I said it's been an uneventful day.
And, don't remember stay tuned for my new project:
Starting the presidential campaign for Angelina Jolie in twenty-sixteen. That's right, America's first nude candidate, or as I like to say: The first politician with nothing to hide.
The point? The news is in re-runs.
That was until I read this headline coming out of Australia: "Man hid wife in drum for 23 years." No joke.
Frederick Boyle, aged fifty-eight, hid his wife's body in a drum (imagine oil drum) for more than two decades. Supposedly, (this is Mr. Boyle's story) he found his wife at home with two bullets in her head and one of his neckties wrapped tightly around her throat. So, of course, he is startled and while in this state of distress decides to honor his wife by stuffing her in a large metal drum. Seems reasonable to me, after all he was only in his mid-thirties.
Oh yeah, by the by, London is on fire, uncontrollably on fire. We'll see how that pans out.
Well, like I said it's been an uneventful day.
And, don't remember stay tuned for my new project:
Starting the presidential campaign for Angelina Jolie in twenty-sixteen. That's right, America's first nude candidate, or as I like to say: The first politician with nothing to hide.
Boy am I Behind the Times
I just saw this on You Tube; it's amazing. That's all you get to know, just go watch it. Unless, you've seen it already.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
You know, I'm leaving this up in a fit of anger, but apparently those bastards have taken the video off You Tube. Bastards.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
You know, I'm leaving this up in a fit of anger, but apparently those bastards have taken the video off You Tube. Bastards.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
A Quadzillion Fun Moneys Dollars Bills
Many of you out in internet-land have (because there are a lot of you, I believe this is a safe statement) probably saw an article on Bush's proposed push for a THREE TRILLION DOLLAR budget. Of course, the largest chunks of money, apx. 500 billion dollars, are going towards the defense budget (I have read that the border defense will be included in that figure). This, of course, is not the reason I am posting.
I am posting because (again, I make the assumption) that like many of you I don't really care. THREE TRILLION DOLLARS seems an unimaginable figure to someone who barely makes 10 grand a year. Where the money comes from might as well be (and probably is) from a magical-printing-press-land where 'cherry chopping' George Washington and 'Honest' Abe Lincoln dance around a mystical pyre singing the song that keeps world economics plugging along. There are unicorns and flying orangutans that smack their red asses while their wings beat, as well as, all your dead pets who watch the money pour from the ether and into the vast governmental vaults. If you were curious, those are the vaults in which Scrooge McDuck goes swimming.
Here's where I get angry.
Of all of this money, this ENORMOUS deficit, the proposed savings (the savings that net us precious tax cuts) are coming from slowing the growth of medicaid. I understand I don't need to repeat that so I'll say this: We are so interested in killing people that we are even willing to kill some of our own citizens by decreasing the growth of health care, and therefore are able to spend more money killing people we don't know. Ladies and Gentlemen, if there was ever a time to be appalled it was probably some other time, because now disbelief has set in.
I am posting because (again, I make the assumption) that like many of you I don't really care. THREE TRILLION DOLLARS seems an unimaginable figure to someone who barely makes 10 grand a year. Where the money comes from might as well be (and probably is) from a magical-printing-press-land where 'cherry chopping' George Washington and 'Honest' Abe Lincoln dance around a mystical pyre singing the song that keeps world economics plugging along. There are unicorns and flying orangutans that smack their red asses while their wings beat, as well as, all your dead pets who watch the money pour from the ether and into the vast governmental vaults. If you were curious, those are the vaults in which Scrooge McDuck goes swimming.
Here's where I get angry.
Of all of this money, this ENORMOUS deficit, the proposed savings (the savings that net us precious tax cuts) are coming from slowing the growth of medicaid. I understand I don't need to repeat that so I'll say this: We are so interested in killing people that we are even willing to kill some of our own citizens by decreasing the growth of health care, and therefore are able to spend more money killing people we don't know. Ladies and Gentlemen, if there was ever a time to be appalled it was probably some other time, because now disbelief has set in.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Resolutions of the New Year
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Election
The president's most important function is to shout magic incantations of self-definition, and I like Obama's phrasings better than others on that score.
I do worry that his appeal is messianic. It's usually not a good idea to allow a single individual to embody a concept, (in this case "Hope"), because of the power it grants them. However, I'm willing to take the risk and trust that good old-fashioned American cynicism will provide enough of a check against the inevitable misuse of an ideal.
I do worry that his appeal is messianic. It's usually not a good idea to allow a single individual to embody a concept, (in this case "Hope"), because of the power it grants them. However, I'm willing to take the risk and trust that good old-fashioned American cynicism will provide enough of a check against the inevitable misuse of an ideal.
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