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.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
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?
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