Dystopia, Orwell, and Nineteen Eighty- Four

I'm putting the final touches on my senior sem final project right now, so naturally I've become an expert this semester, in a very specific subject, my paper topic. I chose to write my senior paper on the influence that the real world events of World War II had on the genre of dystopic literature around the same time as the war. I also addressed the mechanics of adherence to government, compliance with authority, and what makes one willing to surrender their individuality. George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty Four is one of the books I address in my paper, so I thought it would be fun to post a clip of its onscreen adaptation for this class. It's not a cinematic masterpiece by any means, but the books was revolutionary.

President Bush Shoe Attack!

Everyone watch this, its the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. Its about time somebody spoke up against this guy. After all the damage he has caused (granted he had assistance doing so, but he asked to be the President,) he deserves a little bit more than a failed "sho-ing" in another country...like, maybe, a flogging in ours.

Cartman's Christmas Song

This video cracks me up; there is something about Cartman that I have always found to be endearing. An obvious parody of "Oh Holy Night," Cartman butchers the lyrics, singing things like, "Jesus was born so now he get presents, thank you Jesus for being born." Its funny because its one more critique on American culture on behalf of its two hilarious writers. In this version, presents, cake, and pie are the things about Christmas that matter most.

Christmas Lights

Haha, ok so maybe I'm a little easily entertained at this point in the semester, but I really think this video is a fun one. I saw it a few years back and figured, in the spirit of the season, it might be fun to post it. It's ok if it makes you smile...I won't tell :-)

30 Second Bunnies: Pulp Fiction

Here's another...because you know the first one was fun!

30 Second Bunnies: Office Space

These 30 second bunny comedy sketches certainly aren't mind bending by any means, which is part of why I like them. They offer you a VERY condensed version (30 seconds, to be exact,) of some of your favorite well-known movies. They're funny, and they'll get your mind off finals...who could ask for more, right?

Demystifying the Congo

Poverty and gender-based violence are causes of death that we can remedy through the contribution of resources and through education.And yet, there were 40,000 rape cases in the Congo last year, and 90% of the deaths are caused by disease, many of which are preventable through proper vaccination.People are starving and dying under a militant government,in one of the most resource rich areas in the entire world. Its hard not to think we might pay a little more attention to this type of injustice if there were gunmen perched outside our doorsteps, parading through the streets that we walk daily. Perhaps it would be more alarming to us,were it occurring in our own backyard. Personally, I don't feel that should have to be the case. Instead, we should be prompted to educate ourselves and others as to the existence of such tyranny, and work to bring about change if for no other reason, than to assist our fellow man.

Gonzo Journalism

This video offers a small introduction, to the documentary "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson." that was recently released about the iconic writer, reporter, artist, and thinker. Hunter S. Thompson committed suicide in 2005..talk about a loss. Possibly the single most influential pioneer of free form journalism, Thompson married fact and fiction in his work, and injected himself into the situations he was writing about, creating a controversial approach to reporting which came to be referred to as "Gonzo Journalism." It's involvement of journalist participation turned traditional reporting on its head. In the sixties, Thompson depicted the severe police brutality that occurred at the Democratic National Convention, as a totalitarian state crashing down upon the shoulders of the American people. This was only one of many critiques Thompson performed throughout the course of his life and works that lead people to question the legitimacy and source of his creative process, and which challenged the system through his way of relaying information and presenting truth.

Sand Art

I think everyone has reached that point in the semester..the point where even the most basic school- related task feels like the equivalent of trying to haul a backpack of cement up a freaking mountainside...during a snowstorm...with no shoes on..while fighting pneumonia..you get the idea. This is probably why I find this video so inviting. It's just so easy: easy to watch, easy to digest, and easy to contemplate, though contemplation isn't even really necessary. I love to "create," and enjoy watching others as they move through the creative process as well. This video is an ode to art, creation, and simplicity. It demonstrates the impermanent nature of that which we create, and subsequently leads me to ponder the very transient nature all things. It is relaxing to watch the artist move from picture to picture, and if nothing else, will allow you to “turn off your brain” for 8 minutes and appreciate something that is not prescribed on a syllabus. Cheers…

Progression...Could It Be?

This video recaps some of the touchstone events that took place during the Civil Rights Movement. It blows my mind to think that had the Caucasian sector of my generation been living out the duration of their twenties less than 60 years ago, we would have had classrooms, bathrooms, water fountains, restaurants, and transportation separate from our African American counterparts. This is backwards, it is disgusting, but it happened. If for no other reason in the world, the victory of President elect Barak Obama on November 4 this year is a testament to the human spirit, the ability to change our previously conceived ideals and modes of operation, and a beacon of hope that we can (and may, in fact,) be moving toward a more forward and free-thinking society. It has been a huge encouragement to see this country ban together, think outside of the box for once, and elect a leader that does not physically (or fundamentally,) resemble every other leader elected by the American people throughout the history of this nation.

Do I think this is a sign that we have achieved equality? No. This may anger some of you, but I’m still of belief that we have a long way to go before true equality is reached, as it’s not something that can be pushed across a desk and simply legislated into existence. It’s something we must CHOOSE to embrace, support, and perpetuate as members of the human race. No one can MAKE us love one another, only we can elect to do so.

McCain's Mansions

I'm still not 100% sure on the exact number of houses and automobiles the McCain family owns, but regardless of a 1-2 car/ house variation (depending on the source,) the numbers are still staggering. The following is an excerpt from an article that appeared in "Businessweek," and was posted on businessweek.com on September 22.

“According to Newsweek, the McCain’s have a 2005 Volkswagen convertible in the garage along with a 2001 Honda sedan. There’s a 2007 half-ton Ford pickup truck, a vintage 1960 Willys Jeep; a 2008 Jeep Wrangler; a 2000 Lincoln; and a 2001 GMC SUV. The McCain’s also own three 2000 NEV Gem electric vehicles, which are golf-cart like vehicles popular in retirement communities. Gem cars are made by a company owned by Chrysler. McCain…..Nine homes and 14 cars…….”
In this video, the McCain’s are sighted as owning at least 6 homes nationwide. Further, the story of one American woman who lost her home due to the failing economy is simultaneously interwoven into pieces of McCain’s speeches on the “financial responsibilities” of Americans, and other issues he himself couldn’t possibly be more removed from in his every day.

I definitely wouldn't go as far as to say that you should vote on this issue alone, but it's pretty alarming no matter what your affiliation.McCain makes a comment in this video that lumps the gigantic, monopolizing bank monsters and the small business owners (and middle- class lenders,) into the same category. What horse shit. Let us please at least attempt to agree on one issue here: big banks and small borrowers are NOT the same thing.

Bill Maher

This Bill Maher skit is pretty dead- on. He starts with his always- amusing "New Rules" segment, and then transitions into a hypothetical back- and forth between supposed Obama/ McCain supporters, in which Americans from each political camp send in letters to their parties opposing candidate. It's basically a forum for Maher to poke fun at the inadequacies of each candidate respectively. It's good for a laugh no matter who you plan on voting for in the upcoming election, although I must warn it's a bit more "Obama friendly."

Lite Mind Exercise

I draw, I doodle, eat "brain foods" and exercise. In fact I do a lot of the recommended activities on the Lite Mind "120 Ways to Boost Your Brain Power" list. I was feeling pretty confident until I ran across # 79: "do one thing at a time," at which point I felt both guilt and fear course my veins. I knew immediately it was the one I had to do.

I myself am a glutton for multitasking, and for this I totally blame my Mother. In my own sick little mind, I'm not being productive unless I'm breaking myself under the effort of attempting to complete at LEAST 3 or 4 different tasks at the same time.

I'm the person who likes to talk on the phone while cleaning up my room, cooking dinner, doing laundry, and attempting to get ready for some random social occasion. Rarely do I work on anything that involves a computer (a paper, online research, etc,) and not spend my time clicking between at least 4 windows: 1. Pandora, 2. Facebook, 3. Some news source (msn,cnn,etc,) 4. Whatever homework I should actually be focusing my full attention on. In fact, the more I write about this, the more debilitated by the multitasking disease I am beginning to sound...

It was interesting to read that it actually takes about 20 minutes to focus your brain on a task, and that it takes even longer when you're attempting to complete more than one activity at a time. This explained a lot to me about my own productivity....or lack thereof. This is obviously problematic for me, and others who operate in a similar way. The logical part of "me," knows full well that I'm spreading myself far too thin when I embark on 5 projects at once rather than just one. However, it seems as though the challenge of completing more than one task in the same amount of time drives me to repeatedly implement this vicious cycle.

Lite Mind recommended doing the following to eliminate multitasking:

1. Break the work down (into more manageable pieces.)
2. Clear up your schedule (prioritize so you get the truly important things done.)
3. Cut out distractions (like, the other 5 things you're doing..)
4. Finish one task before moving to another (know exactly what "done" entails for each project.)

I did all of these things while creating this blog to see what the outcome would be. This required the following on my part:

1. I retreated to the media lab, where distractions would be minimal and the environment would encourage my focus so long as I was choosing to do so.
2. After several minutes of procrastination, I begrudgingly closed my facebook, myspace, news, and pandora accounts so that I could focus strictly on my blog.
2. I decided I'd be "done" with this particular task only once I had completed a thorough response to the mind exercise on multitasking, and posted it on my blog.
3. I began...

I found that not only was this one of the easiest blogs I've ever written, but that reading on the lite mind website required much less time and attention than my online readings normally do. More often than not, I find myself reading, then re-reading a piece of material several times because I'm so distracted by the orgy of activity I have distracting me on 4 or 5 computer windows. This time however, I read the exercises once, and then immediately began responding by writing this blog.

I have to admit, there is something to this kind of simplification. It's alluring no doubt, the idea of getting twice as much done in the same amount of time. If you're really honest with yourself though, and you do a real inventory of your productivity when you multitask, you may find that just like a lot of others out there all you're really doing is a half- ass job at a bunch of different stuff. I plan on making a REAL attempt to re-frame the way I look at everything I have to get done in a given day from now on. One thing at a time, the best that I can do it. What doesn't get done, well...there will always be something.

Hmmm..

Before anyone challenges this, I'm aware this is but a portion of a larger interview. HOWEVER, it is alarming to me that after being encouraged several times to provide the name of even ONE media publication from which Palin has dutifully received information leading up to her Vice Presidential nomination, she was unable to do so. I mean in all actuality, she could have fired off something completely random, anything. Hell, she could have lied (it's not like politicians don't do it,) and offered up something credible but completely untrue. The fact that she had nothing at all says something to me. Just look at Katie Couric's face during this little exchange, she's scared..I'm scared. Matt Damon makes a valid point, and I too desire to know whether or not Palin burned books, or believes dinosaurs roamed the earth 4,000 years ago....go Mavericks.

Jesse the Ladybug

Here is the link to my interactive narrative project from class. I really, really did NOT think I had the patience to do something like this. I'm aware it's not exactly a masterful work of art, but I'm proud of the fact that I finished it, and for the help I had through the process.

Glosoli

Sigur Ros has been a long time favorite of mine. An Icelandic group, they make beautiful music, and equally beautiful videos. This one, "Glosoli," has a real Peter-Pan/ eternally young dynamic to it, without giving the impression that any deliberate imitation is taking place. I think I choose now to post it because I'm pretty tired of the world we're living in and what we've managed to do to it. The world created here looks like a bit less of a headache..yay escapism! It's mystical, sweet, and will put a smile on your face. Unless you're an asshole. Hah, kidding...

Politics of Preschool

I laughed my ass off when I saw this video. It's simple, funny, and manages to boil the entire seemingly complex and daunting world of adult politics down to a few simple concepts which can apparently be mastered by kindergarteners. No surprises here: it’s all based on carefully pre-meditated sabotage, manipulation, charm, and persuasion. Oh yes, and resources.. in this case- a really, REALLY awesome toy.

I Love Lists

This video isn't anything paradoxical, but it's still funny. It just seeks to expose yet another of America's favorite pastimes: "the list." It's fairly accurate if you ask me, whether it's fun to have to admit or not. Embarrassing as it may be, I know I love certain lists I keep. Just creating them sometimes gives me a false sense of security that I won't be forgetting to do the "important things," and they also yield a sense of accomplishment when I'm able to cross something off of them. Lame? Maybe so- but if you are willing to do an honest inventory of your own life, I'm willing to bet you would find a little list or two of your own. But don't worry, it's cool...we're all list keepers here.

Did You Know?

I saw this video for the first time last year when the FLC Environmental Center hosted the public viewing of "The Eleventh Hour," after it's release. It was played as a short before the actual film, and it provides a lot of interesting, startling, and at moments mind- bending information pertaining to a number of international concerns. Among them: population, industry, technology, and education.

Dove Onslaught

While I have seen the other Dove video I previously posted, I just watched this one today for the first time. It takes a more raw approach than the last one you'll find, and I have to admit it made me shiver. I find myself to have a real love/ hate relationship with shock- advertisements such as these, and it's embarrassing to me that we must resort to these types of depictions to get people to actually pay attention. When it comes to issues this important however, I suppose my ultimate retort to such advertising would be, "whatever it takes."

Dove: Evolution

This is one video, from a series done by the Dove Beauty Campaign that goes to benefit social awareness and self- esteem workshops for young women across the country. I find it to be a powerful testament to the power and influence technology has in shaping both our consumer tastes, as well as our social expectations of others as well as ourselves. These advertisements may be geared toward women and the ways in which we view ourselves, but there is something to be learned from them by anyone who has ever cared about one.

Soft Language

So I ended up a bit side tracked in the George Carlin youtube archive after I watched the "voting" piece, previously posted. In this rant Carlin addresses the overwhelming popularity of double-speak, politically correctness, or what he more aptly refers to as, "soft language." Most people have probably encountered at least a handful of the examples he provides (as well as a number of them that he does not.) This may also mean a little something extra to the dorky English majors like myself, who to the outside world may appear to enjoy words a liiiittle too much.

Voting

This video is hilarious. George Carlin made throughout the course of his comedic career, what I would argue are some of the most cutting and accurate critiques of American society as well as humanity as a whole. In this piece, Carlin makes a great argument as to why we can't be upset about the options we are presented with in terms of our political leadership, and pokes fun at what he regards as the nonsensical ritual of voting. Whatever your political views, you are bound to garner at least a smidgen of legitimacy from this piece.

Strongbad

The Strongbad series is definitely one of my favorites! In this "episode," Strongbad responds to an e-mail which requests his assistance in educating the "young peoples," about technology. It's funny because the majority of what he's saying is true. It's lighthearted in nature, and most likely not intended to inspire an "overthink." However,the critique that technology has become the all dominating force by which we do pretty much everything is not lost.

All I Need

This video was created by Radiohead in correlation with MTV in response to the exploitation and trafficking of children. Though I've seen this video many times, the stark contrast it depicts, between life as an American child and life as a child elsewhere never ceases to amaze me. In this, an election year, our country is in a state of complete upheaval over a number of issues. Some of them are incredibly important. Many of them are not. Videos like this re-frame my perspective and remind me how embarrassing my American agenda tends to be.

The End of the World

This video takes a more laughable approach to the state of human affairs, and the dystopic future that seems to await us. Though highly satirical, it does a pretty impressive job of isolating different cultural attitudes and characteristics, and pitting them against one another in order to create the ultimate in, "end- of- the- world commic scenarios."

Prometeus: The Media Revolution

I found this video to be both thought provoking, and unsettling. It does an excellent job of interweaving the factual advancements of the past, with a series of hypothetical futuristic scenarios. Along with the explanation of the evolution of these technologies and technological mediums, some of the speculated outcomes appear intriguing and arguably likely in nature. If nothing else, this video provides food for thought, for anyone who is interested in the fields of media, technology, and culture. Ultimately, if we are honest with ourselves, this should include (to differing degrees,) just about all of us.

"Emergence"

I found the Radiolab broadcast, "Emergence" to be very interesting, and was surprised and impressed by the amount of material covered within an hour- long segment. What struck me to be the most fascinating about the piece, I think, was how closely correlated human activity, establishment, and interaction is with that of the "animal world." I use quotations when referring to the "animal world," because although we humans are indeed members of this world ourselves, we tend to view ourselves as being external to, and elevated beyond it's structure, governance, and processes. "Emergence" reinforced how much human activity parellels that of other animals, such as ants. The piece did a great job of exposing how similar human beings are to other creates, from the way(s) in which our societies/cities are established, to the ways in which we work cohesively as a group to achieve tasks more efficiently. "Emergence" also posed some compelling questions regarding the ways in which the world and it's many inhabitants have evolved without an obvious "leader" or plan. It left the audience contemplating the many ways in which life as we know it has reached the point it exists at today. Is there an innate, bilogical component to it all? Is there a single sector of the human brain responsible for the coordination of every thought and activity? Is there a creator respobible for the unexplainable phemomena we encounter in the "human" and "animal" worlds? Overall this piece was thought provoking and provided some fun and obscure information I may have otherwise not encountered, and for these reasons I found it to be both interesting and enjoyable.

Sarah's Mind Map Exercise