I have two hobbies that occupy my time whilst I convalesce. One is watching hours on MSNBC, and the other is reading. I am now reading a book called "From Dawn to Decadence." It is a fun romp through the last 500 years of Western Civilization. The author, Barzun, starts out by praising Guttenberg and the printing press for allowing people like Martin Luther, Erasmus and Petrarch to become so influential, and essentially change the face of the modern world. Some had more influence than others; it just depended on your tastes. Since this is a BLOG, which I believe was ancient Greek for "Short attention Span Literature,” you will have to do your own research to find out who these people were and what they did. (Wikepedia, always a good start.)
Anyway, I got to thinking about how, with a digital video camera, and a high-speed internet connection, one could become the next Luther. Being in the right place at the right time could change history, perspectives, ideas and social mores. Think of the “lucky” guy who caught George Allen on video. That 5 second, right place right time incident may have given the democrats a majority in the house. The troops would be fully funded, there would be no “artificial” time tables (aren’t all timetables artificial?), and all would be right in the world. Cum By Yah. Poor John McCain was caught on tape doing a grave disservice to Brian Willson and the Beach Boys. Joe Biden makes every attempt to end his presidential run before it can begin and there always seems to be someone there to catch it on tape. How many more bad southern accents can Hillary withstand?
A guy with a cell phone changed one of the most beloved TV characters, Kramer, into a vicious, hate spewing KKK member that threatened to ruin the legacy of “THE SHOW OF THE 90’s.” If it wasn’t for the internet, would anyone beyond Don Imus’s 100-150 75 year old, conservative old men, who listen to him on a regular basis, would have heard his horrendous comments? Alec Baldwin is now the male version of Joan Crawford because his wife’s attorneys had access to TMZ.com. David Hasselhoff looks like a drug induced Ronald McDonald commercial and Toby McGuire does his best Sean Penn impersonation. With a few clicks of a camera, a few more of the keyboard, one person who was “just stopping by" can change the World’s perspective.
Now while downing David Hasselhoff may not have the same social impact of what happened to George Allen, it will certainly change the way we watch Baywatch. Will any of us ever be able to watch Mitch run down the beach without envisioning ketchup, mustard and a variety of other condiments dripping down his torso? I think not. Just as Martin Luther allowed millions of Catholics to question the authority of the church and helped stir a revolution that has changed history forever, so to, can the people at You Tube claim similar responsibility. Rest in Peace Cosmo Kramer, rest in peace!
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
"I Don't Recall Ever Owning a Blender."
Warning: For Sci-Fi geeks only!!!
Now that I have a public forum, I need to get something off my chest. It has bothered me for years and I just can not shake it. This problem has recently surfaced again due to my boys’ intense interest in Star Wars.
In Episode IV, Obi Wan claims that he does not recall ever owning a droid. In Episode II & III, he is in possession on R4, a red astro droid who helps him fight droids and avoid being obliterated by Jenga Fett. Now, R4 does meet an untimely demise while Obi Wan and Anikan are trying to rescue the Chancellor, but still.
During that rescue mission, Obi Wan appears to have intimate knowledge of R2-D2. He calls him on the comlink. He comments on R2’s recent malfunctions. He even uses R2 in the plan to defeat General Grievous. While, he did not “technically” own R2, he should have some recollection of him. He did play a significant part in the eventual downfall of the Republic. He was, Anakin’s droid and Anakin was his Padawan.
In this same vein, let us turn to Owen Lars, Luke’s uncle and Anakin’s step brother. In Episode II, C3PO is living with the Lars’. Working on their farm. Interpreting evaporators or condensers or whatever. He probably even translates for them. Owen lives there! Baru, lives there. They OWN C3PO. He is their droid. Now jump ahead 20 years. There is the same droid, a bit shinier, but with the same name and same voice, sitting in a Jawa transport waiting to be bought by this very same Owen Lars. How can he not even have an inkling of recognition?
I guess what it comes down to, is in that Galaxy, far far away, droids must be like household appliances. You know you had a toaster; you just don’t remember the make and model. When I was in college, I won a blender at the boardwalk. That blender spent many good years making drinks for me and my friends. I know it was white. I know it had buttons. I do not remember the make and I do not remember the model. For as loyal and dedicated as that blender was to me, it was still just one of many appliances I have owned over the years. When it stopped working, I simply discarded it without ceremony. I guess that is what droids are. Fancy blenders. Still, I can not help to think that if that blender spoke to me in a distinct British accent, I may have some vague recollection of it, were I to come across it again. I certainly would not deny ever owning a blender.
Now that I have a public forum, I need to get something off my chest. It has bothered me for years and I just can not shake it. This problem has recently surfaced again due to my boys’ intense interest in Star Wars.
In Episode IV, Obi Wan claims that he does not recall ever owning a droid. In Episode II & III, he is in possession on R4, a red astro droid who helps him fight droids and avoid being obliterated by Jenga Fett. Now, R4 does meet an untimely demise while Obi Wan and Anikan are trying to rescue the Chancellor, but still.
During that rescue mission, Obi Wan appears to have intimate knowledge of R2-D2. He calls him on the comlink. He comments on R2’s recent malfunctions. He even uses R2 in the plan to defeat General Grievous. While, he did not “technically” own R2, he should have some recollection of him. He did play a significant part in the eventual downfall of the Republic. He was, Anakin’s droid and Anakin was his Padawan.
In this same vein, let us turn to Owen Lars, Luke’s uncle and Anakin’s step brother. In Episode II, C3PO is living with the Lars’. Working on their farm. Interpreting evaporators or condensers or whatever. He probably even translates for them. Owen lives there! Baru, lives there. They OWN C3PO. He is their droid. Now jump ahead 20 years. There is the same droid, a bit shinier, but with the same name and same voice, sitting in a Jawa transport waiting to be bought by this very same Owen Lars. How can he not even have an inkling of recognition?
I guess what it comes down to, is in that Galaxy, far far away, droids must be like household appliances. You know you had a toaster; you just don’t remember the make and model. When I was in college, I won a blender at the boardwalk. That blender spent many good years making drinks for me and my friends. I know it was white. I know it had buttons. I do not remember the make and I do not remember the model. For as loyal and dedicated as that blender was to me, it was still just one of many appliances I have owned over the years. When it stopped working, I simply discarded it without ceremony. I guess that is what droids are. Fancy blenders. Still, I can not help to think that if that blender spoke to me in a distinct British accent, I may have some vague recollection of it, were I to come across it again. I certainly would not deny ever owning a blender.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
School Vilolence
You know, it has been 8 years since Columbine and we have not learned a damn thing. This country suffers from such a case of what I call "Doriism." (Named after the fish from finding Nemo!) We get all up in arms about a cause and someone flashes something shiny and we look away, only to forget what it is we were up in arms about.
Case in point...
How many of us were ready to go bomb the hell out of any country that dare look at us crossed-eyed on September 12th, 2001. We were all in it together. We were going to stand united against anyone who stood against us. We all yelled that we should've taken proactive steps to prevent that catastrophe. 6 years later...
More recently, we all got up in arms about Katrina victims. New Orleans would rise again. We would all do our part. We would address the problems of poverty and race in this nation. 2 years later...
One week ago..
Don Imus was the most vile human being to ever walk the earth. His racist and sexist comments would open up new dialogue about how to change the culture of our society.
I was a teacher for 15 years. I have seen kids who I KNEW would commit acts of violence towards others. We can call it profiling, labeling, whatever, (We called it "Clock Tower Tendencies")but it comes down to a gut feeling one has through being exposed to thousands of personalities in a variety of settings. Most efforts by me and fellow colleagues were thwarted by authorities.
"We can not go around pointing fingers at kids who may exhibit bad behavior before they actually act."
Well, 70% of the time, those kids would act. Not to the extent of what just happened, but they would hurt someone. How many children will have to go home to a motherless home before authorities start to realize that sometimes, we DO know what we are talking about. If just one local official had listened to the pleas of that professor, 32, maybe even all 33 lives, could have been spared.
I wish this country would stop worrying about the sensitivities of the few and start concerning itself with the safety of the masses. I am not calling for a police state, or a Machiavellian society. I am simply asking that we stop thinking that Johnny is just going through some growing pains and start worrying about the kids he is shoving to the ground.
Case in point...
How many of us were ready to go bomb the hell out of any country that dare look at us crossed-eyed on September 12th, 2001. We were all in it together. We were going to stand united against anyone who stood against us. We all yelled that we should've taken proactive steps to prevent that catastrophe. 6 years later...
More recently, we all got up in arms about Katrina victims. New Orleans would rise again. We would all do our part. We would address the problems of poverty and race in this nation. 2 years later...
One week ago..
Don Imus was the most vile human being to ever walk the earth. His racist and sexist comments would open up new dialogue about how to change the culture of our society.
I was a teacher for 15 years. I have seen kids who I KNEW would commit acts of violence towards others. We can call it profiling, labeling, whatever, (We called it "Clock Tower Tendencies")but it comes down to a gut feeling one has through being exposed to thousands of personalities in a variety of settings. Most efforts by me and fellow colleagues were thwarted by authorities.
"We can not go around pointing fingers at kids who may exhibit bad behavior before they actually act."
Well, 70% of the time, those kids would act. Not to the extent of what just happened, but they would hurt someone. How many children will have to go home to a motherless home before authorities start to realize that sometimes, we DO know what we are talking about. If just one local official had listened to the pleas of that professor, 32, maybe even all 33 lives, could have been spared.
I wish this country would stop worrying about the sensitivities of the few and start concerning itself with the safety of the masses. I am not calling for a police state, or a Machiavellian society. I am simply asking that we stop thinking that Johnny is just going through some growing pains and start worrying about the kids he is shoving to the ground.
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