Just last week, there was some kind of 30 Year Anniversary show on for Happy Days. My wife watched it, and I didn't have the good sense to leave the room. Prior to this, I had never seen the actual "Jump the shark" event either, and I had always assumed that he'd jumped it on his motorcycle as well. (I had seen an episode once where he jumped over some above-ground water tank, and had always assumed that there was a shark in the tank.)
Might it not also be accurate to say that it draws a parallel to the dilemna faced by the government over whether or not to shoot down a hijacked plane on 9/11?
I mean, have you thought about all of the implications of that decision in real life? A lot of people can't wrap their heads around it, even today, after several years have passed.
However, by telling the story in a fictional environment, a person can look at it from a far more objective standpoint, and come to realize that not only is shooting down the "spaceship" the right choice, but rationally, it's the only choice.
MUST it be EXPLOITATION?
I ask because sometimes, art imitates life... That's where all the worthwhile stories come from.
I don't think you're drawing the right conclusion. The point of the documentary is to focus on the use of fear and/or propaganda within the show, in the telling of the tale.
The documentary is not to say "Hey, watch this show, and believe that they're all out to get you!"
What's more, nobody sat around after 9/11 trying to find a good propaganda vehicle, and decided to dust off BSG. Richard Hatch (the original Apollo) has been writing BSG novels for years, and has been trying to get another TV show into production since long before 9/11. (His first BSG novell was published in 1997.)
You can go back to avoiding flourinated water now.
I thought they explained the water crisis pretty well.
The Galactica, a military ship meant to permanently reside in space as an autonomous force, had an extremely efficient water recycling system. I believe Adama said that left to itself, it's water supply was suitable indefinately.
The problem lie in the civilian ships, which were not meant to remain aloft forever, and as such, did not have a means of water reclaimation. These civiliar and commercial craft had to keep tanking up.
The fleet will always have to remain on the lookout for sources of water throughout the duration of the show.
Sci-Fi ran a documentary just prior to the start of the new series that was intended to by viewed by schoolchildren that discussed their use of fear, propaganda, and directly related it to the events of the day.
It's science fiction folks... It's meant as a venue to discuss very real, and very serious topics, topics which are relevant to us in the real world.
It's not some secret plot to rope in unsuspecting geeks.
Colonel Tigh in the original series may have been black, but he wasn't that strong a character. He never challenged Adama, and his character was never shown to have any genuine personality, nor character flaws. Tigh was very 2 dimensional.
And this isn't directed at you, but more at the general audience:
What kind of idiots are all of you people that you're taking a race count on the new show? Instead of looking at the new castings, and being awestruck at the quality of the acting (especially when compared to the original series (of which I am a huge fan, for nostalgic reasons)), you're concerned with the actors' races?
Jesus... Evolve people. Who cares what color they are?
Wow... I never thought I'd contribute to geek speculation like a Trekkie, but:
I'm pretty sure that the Galactica can jump a lot further than it has been jumping. Remember that this is a convoy of commercial and civilian vessels. If there's a jump distance limitation, I'm willing to bet that the limitation is being imposed by the other human vessels, and not the Galactica.
For all we know, the Galactica could jump from their current position back to Caprica.
The point of science fiction is to create an environment in which the viewer/reader is enticed to explore issues that may otherwise be too difficult to examine under the harsh light of reality. Real human issues.
Take a look at Heinlein's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress." One of the subjects he discusses is that of marriage. Here and now, in the real world, we tend to view polygamy in a very negative light. In the world that Heinlein creates, we can view polygamy as a vital necessity within the environment, and we can do this without the guilt or preconception of our puritanical upbringing.
The "Science" part of science fiction is window dressing. It's cool, and it puts asses in the seats, but it is not the point. The science is just one of the tools available in order to create a compelling backdrop for exploring human nature; that is the point.
Is it not also fair to say that if the Chinese are ever to be free like their western counterparts, then the people of China must take an active role in making that happen?
People of the west enjoy their current lot in life because at some point in their histories, they threw off the yoke of tyranny. Nobody gave it to them. They had to take it.
The people of oppressed cultures have to take some responsibility in securing their own futures.
If weaponized, these would be biological weapons, not chemical weapons.
Chemical weapons include such nasties as Mustard Gas, VX, and other blood and nerve agents.
Also, I doubt very seriously that Iraq approached us, and said "Hey, we'd like to make some biological weapons so we can really stick it to the Iranians, with whom we are at war. Waddya say?"
The CDC wouldn't have been involved if the request wasn't made under the guise of medical research. If we hadn't provided it, they could have gotten it from any number of other sources.
I'm not saying we never sold them chemical weapons, or the makings thereof... Just that these aren't them.
This tsunami had a 30 foot wall of water when it reached the shoreline. While it was further out at sea, the swell was probably next to nothing, probably imperceptable.
A so-called "mega-tsunami" may only produce a swell of a couple of meters while at sea, translating to a 150 foot wave as it approached the shoreline.
As other posters have correctly noted, a tsunami's surface wave form in deep water is very slight, probably imperceivable against the naturally occurring 'chop'.
It only becomes a huge wave when it approached shore, where the shallow water forces the wave's energy above the surface.
With warning, naval vessels could all be far enough from the coastline to render the tsunami harmless.
I don't know about the original poster, but I certainly learn better in a classromm/lab environment than I do by simply reading books.
There's a lot to be said for being able to ask questions, or get clarification on the nuances of a topic, especially if it's new to you.
The study group is a good idea, but you need to find a number of other dedicated individuals that are going to take it seriously. That can be hit or miss.
Most of the examples you cite are things where you're talking about items of disimilair quality. If the higher quality product comes at a higher price, I don't have a problem with that. Likewise, if you're willing to pay a premium to address some sense of aesthetics, I suppose that's fine too, if those are your values (though you're now talking about perceived quality, which is something that can't be objectively measured).
The original poster described a choice in buying an identical product (two identical flat-panel monitors, same components, same performance) from one of two vendors, and selected the far more expensive of the two not because it was of better quality, but because of a bias against the Dell brand.
Dell sells a number of rebranded Samsung flat panel monitors... The ONLY difference in appearance is that there is a Dell logo where the Samsung logo would ordinarily be. If the Samsung sells for $50 - $100 more per unit than the Identical Dell part, how on earth can you possibly justify paying the higher price?
You can't say it's about quality... The two products roll off the same assembly line at the Samsung factory. They are equal in all respects, save one: Cost.
Only a fool would pay more for an item than it is worth. The ignorant will attach some sort of emotional justifications, inject some sort of immeasurable "tie-breaker" criteria in order to assuage his sense of buyer's remorse, but the fact remains: He has been taken.
Let me reiterate: If there's a geniune difference in the products being compared, and the extra money does buy you a higher degree of quality, than the increased cost may be justifiable. If, on the other hand, there is no difference between the products, you'd be a fool to pay more than you had to.
...would pay a large premium on an identical piece of equipment, just to avoid a logo/badge.
When discussing product loyalty, always remember that loyalty begins at home. Your first obligation is to protect your own interests. Nobody else is going to do it for you.
You seem to have some misconceptions about the military promotion system.
You don't have to have been an enlisted man in order to become an officer, in fact, it's fairly unusual for an officer to ever have been enlisted.
Most officers enter the service having come directly from college via some form of OCS (Officer Candidate School), or directly commissioned upon graduating from a military service academy. Their military experience to this point is some "duty, honor, country (or Empire, in Solo's case)" rah-rah cheerleading, and a lot of push-ups.
As such, you're talking about fresh faced, or pimply, no-longer-teens that lack any previous form of military experience. Their first exposure to the way things are done doesn't occur until they enter the fleet. At this point, their real education begins at the hands of some salty NCOs.
Slashdot Mirror
Amateur... Everyone knows that when you need information in the Star Wars universe, you go to your Bothan spies, or the Hutt Sydnicate, not the Ewoks.
I think not.
[Embarrassing Confession Mode]
Just last week, there was some kind of 30 Year Anniversary show on for Happy Days. My wife watched it, and I didn't have the good sense to leave the room. Prior to this, I had never seen the actual "Jump the shark" event either, and I had always assumed that he'd jumped it on his motorcycle as well. (I had seen an episode once where he jumped over some above-ground water tank, and had always assumed that there was a shark in the tank.)
[/Embarrassing Confession Mode>
I mean, have you thought about all of the implications of that decision in real life? A lot of people can't wrap their heads around it, even today, after several years have passed.
However, by telling the story in a fictional environment, a person can look at it from a far more objective standpoint, and come to realize that not only is shooting down the "spaceship" the right choice, but rationally, it's the only choice.
MUST it be EXPLOITATION?
I ask because sometimes, art imitates life... That's where all the worthwhile stories come from.
The documentary is not to say "Hey, watch this show, and believe that they're all out to get you!"
What's more, nobody sat around after 9/11 trying to find a good propaganda vehicle, and decided to dust off BSG. Richard Hatch (the original Apollo) has been writing BSG novels for years, and has been trying to get another TV show into production since long before 9/11. (His first BSG novell was published in 1997.)
You can go back to avoiding flourinated water now.
The Galactica, a military ship meant to permanently reside in space as an autonomous force, had an extremely efficient water recycling system. I believe Adama said that left to itself, it's water supply was suitable indefinately.
The problem lie in the civilian ships, which were not meant to remain aloft forever, and as such, did not have a means of water reclaimation. These civiliar and commercial craft had to keep tanking up.
The fleet will always have to remain on the lookout for sources of water throughout the duration of the show.
It's science fiction folks... It's meant as a venue to discuss very real, and very serious topics, topics which are relevant to us in the real world.
It's not some secret plot to rope in unsuspecting geeks.
Hey, look over there, it's the Battlestar Pegasus! And who's that at the helm? It's Lloyd Bridges!
And this isn't directed at you, but more at the general audience:
What kind of idiots are all of you people that you're taking a race count on the new show? Instead of looking at the new castings, and being awestruck at the quality of the acting (especially when compared to the original series (of which I am a huge fan, for nostalgic reasons)), you're concerned with the actors' races?
Jesus... Evolve people. Who cares what color they are?
"The Fonz" didn't jump over the shark with his motorcycle. He jumped the shark on water-skis.
I'm pretty sure that the Galactica can jump a lot further than it has been jumping. Remember that this is a convoy of commercial and civilian vessels. If there's a jump distance limitation, I'm willing to bet that the limitation is being imposed by the other human vessels, and not the Galactica.
For all we know, the Galactica could jump from their current position back to Caprica.
The point of science fiction is to create an environment in which the viewer/reader is enticed to explore issues that may otherwise be too difficult to examine under the harsh light of reality. Real human issues.
Take a look at Heinlein's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress." One of the subjects he discusses is that of marriage. Here and now, in the real world, we tend to view polygamy in a very negative light. In the world that Heinlein creates, we can view polygamy as a vital necessity within the environment, and we can do this without the guilt or preconception of our puritanical upbringing.
The "Science" part of science fiction is window dressing. It's cool, and it puts asses in the seats, but it is not the point. The science is just one of the tools available in order to create a compelling backdrop for exploring human nature; that is the point.
People of the west enjoy their current lot in life because at some point in their histories, they threw off the yoke of tyranny. Nobody gave it to them. They had to take it.
The people of oppressed cultures have to take some responsibility in securing their own futures.
Chemical weapons include such nasties as Mustard Gas, VX, and other blood and nerve agents.
Also, I doubt very seriously that Iraq approached us, and said "Hey, we'd like to make some biological weapons so we can really stick it to the Iranians, with whom we are at war. Waddya say?"
The CDC wouldn't have been involved if the request wasn't made under the guise of medical research. If we hadn't provided it, they could have gotten it from any number of other sources.
I'm not saying we never sold them chemical weapons, or the makings thereof... Just that these aren't them.
Not everything is as sinister as you think it is.
No "6! 90! 6! 90!"
You must be one of them "Hollywood" Marines.
This tsunami had a 30 foot wall of water when it reached the shoreline. While it was further out at sea, the swell was probably next to nothing, probably imperceptable.
A so-called "mega-tsunami" may only produce a swell of a couple of meters while at sea, translating to a 150 foot wave as it approached the shoreline.
As other posters have correctly noted, a tsunami's surface wave form in deep water is very slight, probably imperceivable against the naturally occurring 'chop'.
It only becomes a huge wave when it approached shore, where the shallow water forces the wave's energy above the surface.
With warning, naval vessels could all be far enough from the coastline to render the tsunami harmless.
There's a lot to be said for being able to ask questions, or get clarification on the nuances of a topic, especially if it's new to you.
The study group is a good idea, but you need to find a number of other dedicated individuals that are going to take it seriously. That can be hit or miss.
Most of the examples you cite are things where you're talking about items of disimilair quality. If the higher quality product comes at a higher price, I don't have a problem with that. Likewise, if you're willing to pay a premium to address some sense of aesthetics, I suppose that's fine too, if those are your values (though you're now talking about perceived quality, which is something that can't be objectively measured).
The original poster described a choice in buying an identical product (two identical flat-panel monitors, same components, same performance) from one of two vendors, and selected the far more expensive of the two not because it was of better quality, but because of a bias against the Dell brand.
Dell sells a number of rebranded Samsung flat panel monitors... The ONLY difference in appearance is that there is a Dell logo where the Samsung logo would ordinarily be. If the Samsung sells for $50 - $100 more per unit than the Identical Dell part, how on earth can you possibly justify paying the higher price?
You can't say it's about quality... The two products roll off the same assembly line at the Samsung factory. They are equal in all respects, save one: Cost.
Only a fool would pay more for an item than it is worth. The ignorant will attach some sort of emotional justifications, inject some sort of immeasurable "tie-breaker" criteria in order to assuage his sense of buyer's remorse, but the fact remains: He has been taken.
Let me reiterate: If there's a geniune difference in the products being compared, and the extra money does buy you a higher degree of quality, than the increased cost may be justifiable. If, on the other hand, there is no difference between the products, you'd be a fool to pay more than you had to.
Behold the splendor.
When discussing product loyalty, always remember that loyalty begins at home. Your first obligation is to protect your own interests. Nobody else is going to do it for you.
You don't have to have been an enlisted man in order to become an officer, in fact, it's fairly unusual for an officer to ever have been enlisted.
Most officers enter the service having come directly from college via some form of OCS (Officer Candidate School), or directly commissioned upon graduating from a military service academy. Their military experience to this point is some "duty, honor, country (or Empire, in Solo's case)" rah-rah cheerleading, and a lot of push-ups.
As such, you're talking about fresh faced, or pimply, no-longer-teens that lack any previous form of military experience. Their first exposure to the way things are done doesn't occur until they enter the fleet. At this point, their real education begins at the hands of some salty NCOs.
Young Lt. Solo saw an enslaved wookie (Chewbacca) being beaten/whipped, and intervened (and I believe he turned around and whipped the human).
This action led to his dismissal from Imperial service.
That certainly is the rumor though.
There's your justification for the Medical Marijuana prescription!