31/03/2010

Links

Ik zweer het bij mijn baard // I swear on my beard by Sebas van den Brink

Politics

The problem with politics is this: no-one seems to realize that no school of thought will ever be agreed upon to be right. Compromise is the only thing we can ever hope for, but still people act like the other views are those of skin-eating aliens from the moon that have no concept of what a human could possibly want.
Politics isn't about right or wrong, or about what's good or bad either. It's about making the most people happy. That's it. Politics is for making us happy, to make us feel like we won and things will be just as we want them to. It's never gonna happen of course, but the illusion of being right makes us content. We're safe in the knowledge that the good guys (which is always us no matter what) won. The problem is that both being content and wanting to actually remake society in the image of whatever self-righteous bastards thought he could save the world you've chosen to believe in amounts to the same thing. The status quo. Or at least more or less.
What actually creates a better society is what is good for most people, which isn't necessarily what makes them happy. What does that tell you? People who follow political schools blindly whiteout any thoughts of their own are bastards. People that thinks you can be content with how things are? Also bastards.
Who can you trust then? Except for me? Well, start with journalists who criticize politicians from all camps. I know, i know. It's hard to find, but there are a few. The easiest way would be to ask a politician which journalist he's afraid to give an interview to. Or better yet, which political journalist a political journalist looks up to. (This assumes you find someone that is more or less equally critical to all camps to ask. A bit of a 22 when you think about it.)
The easiest way would of course to become equally critical of both parties and chose who to vote for depending on who has the most realistic plans for real change that does not include magically giving people money. Because people who promise everyone more money lie. Money does not magically appear out of no-where. Money is moved from somewhere into your pockets. Like a library.
And if you don't like libraries you are a hypocrite. The Internet is the worlds largest library containing both media, text and an impressive collection of porn. The Internet even has illegal material if you know where to look, which of course might be true for a few libraries, but I doubt most of them have instruction on how to transform your genitals into a mini-flamethrower.
Besides, it's nice to sit down with a real book, with actual printed words to read. The weight of it, the feel of paper and the fact that you suddenly look 10 times more cultural and intelligent is what nice about it. Though that last one depends a bit on what you're reading of course.
End.

26/03/2010

TRansfiguration, performance de Olivier de Sagazan

Power Line Worker



Video/Computer Games and Violence



1. Do not judge a medium you haven't tried. It just makes you look ignorant.
2. Do not claim to know what it contains unless you have an extensive knowledge of it. (Other than video games, anime, manga and porn comes to mind.)
3. Listen to what people say. That way you can actually use your brain instead of overly emotional responses that have nothing to do with what was just said.
4. Do not watch bad television shows that are into populism instead of serious debate.
5. Remember to not start watching said program in an agitated condition.
6. Buy splatter shield for computer.
7. People who know nothing about games that use the same arguments against them as they did in the age of "video violence" should never be on television in the first place.
8. Yes, people who only play violent games all the time and don't have much of a social life will become more aggressive. Solution: Getting a social life. Or: get them to play different types of games.
9. Most games aren't violent. Then again, most people on television doesn't lie either...
10. I have  come to the conclusion that lists are not my thing, and should be avoided in the future. Too much linear structure makes me confused. I prefer options.

God dammit America...

I especially like the guy throwing money in his face. Very classy.

iamamiwhoami

This is brilliant and amazing. And I have no idea who it is. Just like everyone else. I was also sure that I had already throw this up here. Oh well.

Massive Attack - Splitting the Atom

24/03/2010

New Favorite Band: Movits!

Jazz, swing and hip-hop in Swedish.


15/03/2010

A Few Frames

Speaking of Wong Kar-wai: In the Mood for Love

A Few Frames

The Coens Brothers The Man Who Wasn't There. The Coens and Wong Kar-wai are excellent if you need inspiration for cinematography.

A Few Frames

Found a teaser for Kurosawas Sanjuro.

A Few Frames

Since I'm a bit of a cinephile I thought I'd do a few movie-related posts, starting off nice and easy with one of Aimee Manns contributions to Magnolia.

13/03/2010

Hello Cinema!

Looks fun, and it has Jeff Bridges. What more do you need?

01/03/2010

Tokyo/Glow

tokyoglow-low from Nathan Johnston on Vimeo.



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