In stead of writing drivel...

Here are some photos that I have recently taken...

Photo: Kt

Canny Saturn

It's odd to find inspiration or ingenuity for that matter in commercials. It's rarely done, and when it is, well, it's refreshing.

And this point resonates with me throughout Saturn's (the guys who make the GM cars) new commercials. They're shrewd and dare I say, thought-provoking advertisements.

Their new "rethink" series poses some interesting points and are inarguably well-written and executed as they challenge the audience to question some social norms, such as, beauty, bling, and strength. So kudos to you writers (which obviously aren't a part of the Writers Guild of America) at Saturn.

If you're interested, and haven't seen them, go here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX_frSinZ2s

As Jon Stewart would illustrate, this is a "moment of zen" on television.

Thank god for a breath of fresh air in a polluted world.

Fodder for thought

Ever been to a concert? Seen a band play live on TV? Streamed a band online? The chances are that you have, unless you reside under a proverbial rock located somewhere in hobbit land where everyone has hairy feet.

The point is, do you notice that every band, artist, what-have-you, has their "thing." For instance, Mariah Carey does the closed-eyes-finger-to-ear-scream/shriek-thing. Hedley, oh fuck me, Hedley's lead singer does the one-arm-behind-him-twitch-emo-scream-thing. Sid Vicious did the strung-out-on-too-many-drugs-falling-over-himself-slurring-songs-thing. Bob Dylan did the I'm-a-brilliant-asshole-and-I-know-it-thing. And, as observed tonight, Tokyo Police Club's lead singer, Dave Monks, does the geeky-awkward-stance-with-the-sudden-left-leg-bend, (which is reminiscent of a flamingo/prey mantis).

Just to name a few.

Just something to look out for and to 

a) admire

b) laugh at

c) mock

d) ask yourself why you care...

Are the times a-changin'?

As I am currently reading Bret Easton Ellis' acclaimed, American Psycho I came across something that I thought was a little disturbing. And no, contrary to popular belief, it isn't about the grueling and graphic subject matter, but this:

Well, we have to end apartheid for one. And slow down the nuclear arms race, stop terrorism and world hunger. Ensure a strong national defense, prevent the spread of communism in Central America, work for a Middle East peace settlement, prevent U.S. military involvement overseas. We have to ensure that America is a respect world power. Now that’s not to belittle our domestic problems, which are equally important, if not more. Better and more affordable long-term care for the elderly, control and find a cure for the AIDS epidemic, clean up environmental damage from toxic waste and pollution, improve the quality of primary and secondary education, strengthen laws to crack down on crime and illegal drugs. We also have to ensure that college education is affordable for the middle class and protect Social Security for senior citizens plus conserve natural resources and wilderness areas and reduce the influence of political action committees.

But economically we’re still a mess. We have to find a way to hold down the inflation rate and reduce the deficit. We also need to provide training and jobs for the unemployed as well as protect existing American jobs from unfair foreign imports. We have to make America the leader in new technology. At the same time we need to promote economic growth and business expansion andhold the line against federal income taxes and hold down interest rates while promoting opportunities for small business and controlling mergers and big corporate takeovers.

But we can’t ignore our social needs either. We have to people from abusing the welfare system. We have to provide food and shelter for the homeless and oppose racial discrimination and promote civil rights while also promoting equal rights for women but change abortion laws to protect the right to life yet still somehow maintain women’s freedom of choice. We also have to control the influx of illegal immigrants. We have to encourage a return to traditional moral values and curb graphic sex and violence on TV, in movies, in popular music, everywhere. Most importantly we have to promote general social concern and less materialism in young people.

The problem, as I see it with this diatribe, is that it was written in 1991, and besides the litany of problems and injustices listed here, only one thing has really changed -- Apartheid. Well, at least it's a great thing to have changed. 

But really, as that passage was written almost 20 years ago --when the freakin' U.S.S.R. fell -- it is still essentially true and still causing a shitload of problems to this day. It just makes you want to shake your head. Well, at least it should if you have a fuckin' soul.

And we say history repeats itself, but does it change enough to repeat itself? 

You know what really grinds my gears?

Wiggers. Straight out rap-loving-biggest-fakes-of-the-fakes-white-boys-trying-to-be-something-they're-not-wiggers.

In an attempt to be impartial: anyone can be and do anything they want -- including throwing cats, licking toads for hallucinogenic effects, and "two girls one cup" -- to each his own -- but when you're so fake to such an ostentatious level as a wigger -- well, I just find my self screaming, "Wtf! Stop it, you look ridiculous and really, you're not fooling anyone!"

At a point where I feel as my grandpa once did (rest his soul), I just can't fathom the need to dress in clothing that is completely oversized to such a point where you walk with that idiotic swagger and showcase that stupid smirk with sheer confidence -- but really you're scared shitless -- you're a rich kid with a perfect upbringing playing off of the plight of the poor, criminal echelon of society. Well, actually I do understand. People want to fit in -- story of our lives I guess. Wiggers -- I really don't like that term because it is derives from such an awful expletive -- want to be a part of the glamorized life of gun-toting-rap-singing-millionaires. The problem is that the chances of these kids reaching 50 Cent potential (by the way, what is that potential?) are as likely as polar bears and ninjas teaming up to take over the world. Possible, yet unlikely.

The worst part, is that this "glamorized culture" is a haven for all of those things that your mom told you not to touch or do. Drugs, guns, murder, whores, booze, grow-ops, conning, dealing, banana importing, and all of the essential criminal activity that comes along with being a gansta.

I just find myself asking, "Really? This is how you want to represent yourself? As a low-life without a brain cell awaiting for parole and slinging crack to the neighbourhood kids? Stellar role model."

But, in the end, rock to your own beat, do as you will, just don't shoot, sell drugs, or sleep, with those that you constantly prey on and victimize with your shitty music denoting the aforementioned. 

For the love of Fitty!

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never Is, but always To be blest:
The soul, uneasy and confin'd from home,
Rests and expatiates in a life to come.

-Alexander Pope,
An Essay on Man, Epistle I, 1733

How powerful are words?

While studying English literature, a key motif that constantly arose, and which I currently face, is the power of words. 

As a young writer/journalist, I obviously depend on this so-called power in the written word. And I contend that there still is. Watergate being the chief example.

But something I came across today said it better than I ever could:

"The written word has power. With skill, reporters can expose the dark deeds of the world and bring them into the light. However, journalism is limited to non-apathetic, mono-linguistic people with some time to kill and a few neurons still firing."

Exactly. Couldn't agree anymore. Beautiful.

Maybe those that aren't apathetic and still have "a few neurons firing" feel the same.

"Words have a longer life than deeds."  -Pindar, Greek lyric poet

"It is a pretty mocking of life"

Satire. One word, but a strong and important one at that.

I have always seen satire as something that is detrimentally vital in every aspect of life. Ever since reading Swift's "A Modest Proposal" I was completely immersed in a world that holds the real world accountable. That's so important. I contend that everything -- to a pragmatic extent -- should be held accountable. Like blogs. (See my tirade about apathy towards spelling, grammar, honesty, etc. about blogging). Case in point.

Anyway, I have recently been working on a satirical piece about Wikipedia. There is always a lot of truth in satire, and I think that kinda comes through in this piece. And the abstruse language? I think it is important to be clear and concise with one's writing (something I am always fighting with), but with satire, it is part of the appeal to write articulate, high-echelon material. John Oldham said it so eloquently: "I hold my pen as others do their sword. To each affronting sot I meet, the word is satisfaction: straight to thrusts I go, and pointed satire runs him through and through."

Anyway, enough drivel. Here's the piece, titled, "Come together, right now, over Wikipedia":

When Thomas More was creating his masterpiece, Utopia, he forgot to mention one crucial appendage: Wikipedia.

            It’s inarguable as to what Wikipedia truly is; Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia’s founder, said it best with laconic words, “Free access to all human knowledge.” That’s right, “free” access to the world’s most valuable resource next to money, knowledge. And we all know how powerful knowledge is, and if not, just look to the axiom, “knowledge is power.” That specific adage was actually created by Sir Francis Bacon – case in point.

            Wikipedia has aptly stated the truth on the macro level: “You can help Wikipedia change the world!” In other words: this is your chance people to make that difference that you are always musing about. For instance, if you (and 99 other people) donate to the all-powerful Wikipedia a mere $200 (equivalent to a day at the spa) you can make Wikipedia available in developing countries with “DVDs, books and pamphlets.” Moreover, if you (and 99 other people) donate $100 (a swanky steak dinner for two) to Wikipedia you can bring about “two Wikipedia Academy events in Africa.”

            Now, let’s deconstruct this notion that Wikipedia can change the world. Firstly, Wikipedia brings everyone in the world together (that has access to the Internet) in the pursuit of the aforementioned knowledge. For instance, Wikipedia is the ninth most-visited website on the Internet with 42.9 million unique visitors, according to Wikipedia. Talking about pursuit of knowledge – Wikipedia has more visitors than The New York Times. Secondly, Wikipedia is utterly inclusive, making its knowledge available in a myriad of other languages, such as Česky and Hrvatski for most articles (that’s more inclusive that the UN and NATO combined). Thirdly, Wikipedia contains the most arcane knowledge out there, which emphasizes its sheer erudition. Not sure what the landmass of Togo is; unsure of whom Jean-Baptiste van Loo really was; forgot the date of the guillotine’s retirement? Don’t fret, just check out the unerring Wikipedia.

            Like all other pursuits for world peace, however, there are a few infidels that try to ruin the infallible behemoth that is Wikipedia. Dissidents, which try to destroy Wikipedia’s credibility by fabricating knowledge is reason enough to reintroduce the guillotine.

            In the end, I agree with Socrates’ intuition: “Opinions divorced from Wikipedia are ugly.” So it’s up to, do you want to change the world?

NOTE: All research for this article was completed on the omnipotent Wikipedia.  

Wasn't expecting that, but then again...

Wow. So I figured I would browse through some other blogs -- fuck I hate that word -- Jerry Seinfeld was right, that has to be the ugliest word of our time -- and I came across a blog that is dedicated to porn. Yeah, and no softcore-I'm-pretty-and-this-is-art-porn, but hardcore, illicit porn. 

I guess I was wrong, there are only a relative amount of restrictions on these (fuck this word) blogs. While we are at it, we should all continue to bastardize the English language (or any other language, which is subjected to this apathy of syntax shit) with "lol"'s "brb"'s and the lack of capitalization, punctuation, spelling. The world is your oyster -- stir up that sand.

"The medium is the message." -Marshall McLuhan

A new beginning, or the start of the end?

So, I sold my soul and jumped on the bandwagon. But is that really as bad as it sounds anymore. I don't think so. We are all so lost in the Internet and the so-called "blogosphere" that everyone has an opinion, slant, prejudice or what-have-you on just about everything out there. From professional journalists to street junkies to people hooked on fabricating anything they come across. Everyone is free to do as they will (well, under some loose pretexts) that is on the web.

So, well, welcome to the mechanics of Web 2.0, or the world on the macro scale. Actually, which one is the macro anymore? ToMAToes, tomAToes.

Well, as far as writing, this is nothing new for me, but a great passion. I will use this newly-acquired platform to "preach the word," or better yet, spread the syphilis of the word -- hopefully well-written, hard hitting, honest, and thought-provoking syphilis.

Here's to a new beginning, or an old start. Which ever one is more applicable.

"Ever since Descartes announced, "I think, therefore I am," the Western world has had an unhealthy obsession with selfhood."