It's mostly forgotten that when Empire came out, it was a major critical dissapointment and (comparatively) a flop. Too much of a downer, too convoluted, and also suffering from "1941" syndrome - namely, the sophmore effort of a hyped director always suffers in comparison. It was only in more recent years that it ascended to the general consensus of being the strongest of the three.
Ross Ward, New Mexico artist, has created a "Tinkertown Museum" made from refuse. His motto "I did this while you were watching TV."
I think of this often. (I eschew TV as well, not out of any cultural celibacy, just on the continuum of "most densely enriching use of time") Too many "pinks" (i.e. non-geeks) are used to entertainment being a passive endeavor. Whereas geeks must make their own brains a sandwich. Even surfing has an element of controlling one's own destiny. (Yes, more so than channel-surfing.)
I also have nothing against anime. I also agree we could find something more stimulating to watch. Like, out a window, or at the page of a book, or the unfolding radical blueprints in your head, rather than at a TV.
Somewhat off the subject - but I think of Clifford Stoll's comparison of the Internet to Faust's bargain. I won't go into it here (not the place to debate his right or wrongness) but it is true - the only currency we have is TIME. More specifically, our finite lifespans. Just like slot machines that nickel and dime you into poverty, TV takes 30-minute chunks from your life. At least play a machine that guarantees a bigger return.
Slashdot Mirror
It's mostly forgotten that when Empire came out, it was a major critical dissapointment and (comparatively) a flop. Too much of a downer, too convoluted, and also suffering from "1941" syndrome - namely, the sophmore effort of a hyped director always suffers in comparison. It was only in more recent years that it ascended to the general consensus of being the strongest of the three.
Ross Ward, New Mexico artist, has created a "Tinkertown Museum" made from refuse. His motto "I did this while you were watching TV."
I think of this often. (I eschew TV as well, not out of any cultural celibacy, just on the continuum of "most densely enriching use of time") Too many "pinks" (i.e. non-geeks) are used to entertainment being a passive endeavor. Whereas geeks must make their own brains a sandwich. Even surfing has an element of controlling one's own destiny. (Yes, more so than channel-surfing.)
I also have nothing against anime. I also agree we could find something more stimulating to watch. Like, out a window, or at the page of a book, or the unfolding radical blueprints in your head, rather than at a TV.
Somewhat off the subject - but I think of Clifford Stoll's comparison of the Internet to Faust's bargain. I won't go into it here (not the place to debate his right or wrongness) but it is true - the only currency we have is TIME. More specifically, our finite lifespans. Just like slot machines that nickel and dime you into poverty, TV takes 30-minute chunks from your life. At least play a machine that guarantees a bigger return.
http://www.indirect.com/www/jfdemps/tinker.htm