Actually, they put ads in comic books (some of us "girlies" do read them) computer magazines, and any other magazine directed towards 'young' people. Also there are ads on t.v. I have to admit, Laura Croft is not really very appealing to me. Most chicks in video games are kind-of lame characters... I play Star Craft and it doesn't annoy me with stupid stereotypes. But I definitely boycott any game where, if I wanted to play a girl (and have the choice), I'd have to play a wimp instead of a kick-ass chick. And why did so many female characters wear pink? You can't really under-estimate the power of advertising, plus the negative pressure a girl/woman will feel from the gaming community itself. Most people are pretty close-minded about girls that game. I can remember my experiences, from the age of twelve, when I first tried to join a D&D group. I was told by the guys that it wasn't a girl thing, and that I couldn't play with them because I would suck. Or how about when I was 15, and joined a role-playing club, and the DM had a crush on me, and so arranged it that my character always magically survived everything. It pissed me off so much, that I started throwing her at everything in her path, no matter how stupid it was... she never died. As I got older, the guys got used to me... But I still find them discriminating against me... It's been an uphill battle, and still is, but I really want to play. So I ignore or out-match the people who think I can't play, and laugh at them with the people who respect me for what I am... a pretty good gamer, and not a ditzy female. Honestly, cutting women out of these things hurts guys just as much... I bet the men who grew up gaming with me are less timid around women than some of your more segregated gamers. *Ahem* Back ontopic... yes, the ads discourage girls. And so do the games... skimpy clothes,big breasts, rescue the princess, phallic symbols of power.. blahblahblah. If you look for it, you'll find it. I promise.
Thinkgeek.com... I ordered from them on the 14th, and recieved my orders two days ago, which was terrific. All the geeks on my list were pretty happy. ToysBUs are full of crap. I mean, for fsck's sake, I live in Canada and it only took 8 days for my order to get to me!
The worst names have been spawned by ISPs in my hometown... Oncomdis, Pipcom (Peterborough Internet Pipeline, which remeinds me of oil or sewage) , Quickline (it was an internet cafe). Also we have Microage (computer store).
Fortunately there are some much more interesting (and memorable) names out here - Nerds On Wheels (mobile computer repair), Quantum Gate (gaming store), and Eyeball Soup (gaming store).
Anything with micro, net, com, or line, in the title slips in one ear and out the other (in my case, anyhow). The name is one of the most important things about a company, as far as advertising and media relations go. I certainly agree that 'Aquent' sounds much more like mouthwash than office temps. But hey, why would we want business names to be intuuitive, interesting, or noteworthy?
I'm confused as to what (in traditional R.C. dogma) this movie challenged. I considered it more or less to be a few amusing 'what ifs' (13th apostle, black, supressed by writers of the Bible) than any real challenge to Roman Catholicism. I don't truly understand the bruhaha. AFAIK, the notion that Mary stayed a virgin her whole life long is a medieval one, a popular myth of her as the 'rose without a thorn' No where in the Bible does it claim that she and Joeseph didn't have children; I believe, in fact that scholars have proven she did. Personally, I've always taken it for granted that Jesus had brothers and sisters. I think perhaps the people who are creating the fuss are people who don't give their faith much thought, and don't read anything but the Bible, if that. It's just plain ignorance on the part of a few very bored Catholics. I'm sorry for anyone who can't get past the surface of the movie to notice the deeper themes. Kevin Smith may be an irreverant guy, but he has a deep faith (which I do not share, but I respect). He's trying (I think) to point out to the world that, though priests and people may do horrible things, they are not G/god. They don't even have any sanction by g/God. And that the beliefs of the R.C. church do not represent all Catholics. It frustrates me that so simple a statement can't get by without those 'devout' people sending death threats (I don't remember a 'Unless they really offend you or piss you off' clause to 'Love thy neighbor' or 'Thou shalt not kill') to studio executives and other people associated with the movie. Uhhh, back to the movie; I thought it was solid. Not brilliant, but solid. Nice to see that someone still has faith. And nice to see Alan Rickman, just looking and acting gorgeously. I'm such a sucker for a man with an accent!
Okay, I am tired, I will keep this short. Last Jan., I saw a website I really liked. The guy who designed it (as a showcase of his work) seemed really interesting and intelligent. I wrote to tell him I was impressed, and we struck up a conversation. It was a wonderful correspondance; finally I had a guy who wasn't inmtimidated by my knowledge of computers nor scared by my Star Wars obsession. Long story short- in June, he asked me to visit him, and flew me to NYC from Central Ontario. We got along well, and were very attracted to one another. A good time was had by all. We didn't try anything like a comitted long distance relationship, and now I'm hooking up with a Southern Ontario geek, who also happens to be a musician. I met him through his music. My advice about meeting geek girls - be the best geek you can be. Sounds cheesy, but smart Really is the new sexy. I don't find receding hair lines a turn on, but they look pretty good if the brain they hover over is stimulating. I'd much rather you crack MS than buy me chocolate or flowers. Though I'd be more impressed with something realy neat, not cracker nonsense. And if you have a non-tech hobby, see if you can meet girls that way. I mean, we geek girls do get out ocasionally, too.
Overpopulation. With all the medical 'miracles' allowing people to live longer (and probably breed longer as well) we'll see an increase in world population because people just won't die. In many places in the world, it's already an enormous problem, and it certainly isn't getting any better. I predict that the Roman Catholic Church will revise it's stand on birth control and abortion by 2020, as it becomes aparent that there will not be enough resources to sustain the human race. However, I also think this will come too late. I also predict that governments will start putting a cap on how many children you can have. Canada (with all our open spaces) will start looking like a pretty good place to live; especially since global warming will make the northern areas a little more hospitable. Same for Russia, etc. Pure water will be at a premium by 2010, or earlier. (Tank girl, anyone?) Cremation of bodies will become mandatory.
And lots of cool things will happen as well, I'm sure.
Forgive me, but was I out for a while? When was it definitively established that violence in the media causes violence in real life? Last time I checked, the youth violence rate was Still at it's lowest point since the Depression. As far as I know, no scientific study has Ever been done which proved (or even hinted) that we can blame a person's behavior on the games they play or the media they consume. Humans have been violent creatures for a very long time. I mean, this scrawny little guy ordered the extermination of 6 million Jewish people, and he never saw South Park. Vlad the Impaler, well, impaled people (and lots of other stuff) without having the benefit of t.v. or video games, or even Stanley Kubrick to blame. And both of their armies went merrily along with the things they did. For a while, anyway. These are extreme examples, I admit. But history would bear me out should I choose to argue that humans are violent creatures; even humans who've been raised in good, suburban homes, with a minivan and an inground pool, and loving parents. Unfortunately, politicians like very simple answers; makes for a better sound clip. The old solutions they toss up still don't work. But don't hold your breath waiting for them to learn that lesson.
In response to the U.S. vs. European sensiblities thing, I would just like to add that in Canada we generally have a more liberal attitude to nudity and swearing. I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers the Degrassi movie (aimed at a highschool audience, but you see characters having sex and at one point using the dreaded 'F' word)
In response to Eyes Wide Shut, there have been some vague rumblings (especially from CBC radio hosts) about getting European versions of U.S. movies shown here. Canadians aren't too shocked (generally) by sex.
I'm hoping that as more people see the movie, the rumblings will increase. I know I'm going to write some letters and see if I can manage to do my part to stop the odd morals of U.S. censors intruding into Canadian theatres.
It's true... as I mentioned in an earlier rant, my mom let my sisters and I see/do/read/watch/try whatever we wanted. She didn't protect us from life, but explained to us the consequences of alcohol/drugs/cigarettes and all kinds of other stuff. Now she has three adult daughters who don't drink, smoke, ingest those naughty drugs, or brutally murder their classmates. And it's not that preachy you-just-shouldn't-do-that kind of abstinance; we've all been drunk, etc., and have made the informed choice not to do it again. Don't knock freedom; learning through experience is the only way to keep us out of rickety ivory towers.
Lots of very normal healthy people read/watch/look at porn, lots of parents, politicians, teachers, writers, upright pillars of the comunity, and it doesn't adversly affect their dealings with society. I think an anti-porn stand is slightly ridiculous. Sure, some people take their interest in porn to extremes, but not the majority. Oh, and I'm a female, if that counts for anything. I'm not a horny 15 year old boy, anyhow. I'm afraid I disagree that what Jon writes is filth, though you may have a very broad veiw on what constitues filth. Dishonesty and trickery, or merely the miracle of the human mind? I believe that we are (as a society) where we are today because of people who were not content to obey the rules and stick within the boundaries defined. I mean, if we were, would we have made the many advancements in science/etc. that we have? Creativity and ingenuity are traits to be celebrated, not denied. Go Jon!
The ten C were an early law code developed to smooth out some of the bumps of life and represented the values of the time. However, the world/society/civilization has changed and so have our laws. Saying that the 10C are still very relevant is like saying the wheel is still relevant; The basic idea is good, but we make wheels out of steel and rubber (or whatever) not wood, because our needs/demands for the wheel have changed. Yeah, don't kill people, and stealing isn't very cool, but most of the other stuff is not particularly relevant. We take the good things that came before us and (hopefully) leave behind what is no longer of use. There's nothing wrong with obeying the 10C and being a Christian; however, too many Christians are not content to live and love their neighbor, and prefer to shun their neighbors if they are of even a different sect of Christianity, much less a different religion.
So, when exactly would you say kids are ready for this stuff? (stuff=swearing, nudity, etc.) My mother is a very liberal parent. She raised three daughters who are non-violent, intelligent (I flatter myself), capable people who do not smoke, drink, or do any other drugstuffs (excepting perhaps caffeine, meds).
As long as I can remember, I have been allowed to do whatever I liked. If my parents were having a drink, they'd offer me or my sisters one as well. We could watch any movie they rented, and I (an avid reader) could read anything I wanted. We had no curfew, and also no allowance (Mom would pay for school/special things, but all other $$ we had to make on our own). I'm not saying my life with my parents was idyllic, but Mom treated us with the same respect and dignity she used with adults. And we were responsible for our behavior in the same way that adults are.
I guarantee that at 11 I had more knowledge about the world and how to survive in it than all my classmates put together. My vocabulary was more extensive than that of my gr.6 teacher (sorry, Mrs. Luff, but it's true). And today I am 22, a reasonably successful adult, moving forward in the world while people I knew at 11 have 5 year olds and work at the Quik-E-Mart.
I'm not perfect, but I've never brutally murdered anyone, I've never kidnapped children to sell into child-porn-slavery, and it's been a good 15 years since I stole any penny candy from the convenience store.
I guess what I'm saying is if you shelter children, you take away most of their capacity to become reasoning, thinking adults. We have to make mistakes, be punished, get hurt, or else we never learn. When released into the world, lots of sheltered kids fall apart and run back home, to the safe haven of their parent's loving, protective arms. "Oh, Mr. TVman, don't say fuck, our little Jimmy's back home from university again! He's moving back home while he thinks about changing his major to Cultural Studies..."
No one I knew in elementary school was unaware of the 'dirty' words, and most could tell you how to load a gun. However, very few had any concrete information about sex or condoms. I would say that those people out there "Protecting" youth are doing a damn fine job, wouldn't you? Lets teach kids the truth, instead of feeding them confusing, cutsie, transperant lies.
Visions of Canadian women dancing in their heads..
on
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But are the six-figure-men looking for women? Or are their computers named Pamela? Because I know some positively adorable Canadian geekesses who would love to meet an intelligent man. Actually we'd all like to meet an intelligent man. A-hem. I was going to make some remark about the relation between numbers of intelligent men and numbers of unicorns, but that's sexist, mmHmmm? Ugh, I'm starting to sound like a bad comedienne. Time for bed. Happy Canada Day!
If I really like an artist, I'm going to buy that person's merchandise no matter whether or not I can get the same stuff for free online. i.e. I own the 15 anniversary edition of the Star Wars Trilogy. But I still want the original release copies of the videos. And the Special Edition. And... I still bought 'Sesame Street Fever' on 8-trck, though I don't have an 8-track player. It was for sentimental reasons *ahem*. I never buy an album because I like one song by the artist... it's a waste. Instead, I copy it off one of my not-so-restrained friends. This is where Mp3s come in handy for me; the record companies aren't getting my money anyway. I know this is small consolation for them, but what might make them feel better is that I'll buy anything REM puts out, even if it's a c.d. entirely of highway traffic noise. Because I'm a fan, and that's what I do.
Oh yeah. No hesitation, no waffling, no regrets. Leo is triple-ass hot (which is about as high as my scale goes). If Leo was in the movie, everyone would have to show up a little earlier to get in to the theatre. Annoying girls would be in there sighing over him. Non-annoying women would be in there sighing over him. I usually hate pretty-boys, but this ones' got talent as well, and he puts it to use. Titanic has assured his fame and success, but he *did* do Romeo and Juliet, What's Eating Gilgert Grape, and a host of other fabulous movies. Talent, good looks, a killer mix.
I would say we're just not used to it yet. I mean, I was born in '77, and can't imagine a world w/o Star Wars. Episode 1 is as good as the others, particularly after you've seen it the second time, and the third, and the fourth... well, it just keeps on getting better. I admit, Anakin's "Yipeeee!" still grates my nerves, but Luke's whiny "But I was going to Toshi station to pick up those power converters" is just as bad.
But you barely even notice how annoying Luke is, or C3P0, because you're so used to it (well, I speak for myself here). They're beautiful, and I guarantee that most people who are out there right now bitching about Anakin or JarJar will embrace the film in the end, and years from now will be saying to someone "Well, everybody hated the movie because of JarJar at first, but not me, because I saw the true value of the film..."
Leo? Well, yes and no. I am a chick and therefor qualify as an expert on this whole Leo DiCaprio thing. Also my college roomate budgeted her OSAP (Ontario Student Loan) carefully to allow for maximum veiwing of Titanic. He'll be okay, if the rumour's true. That's my opinion. Eventually we will grow to love him, or whoever is cast in the role. George certainly doesn't need to pick him to bring people in. He's got us. We're hooked. I'm going to put hundreds of $$ in that man's pocket, I'm sure. I already have. Lack of maturity? Yes. But what did you expect? We're all kids when it comes to this storyline. It's a fairy tale. And unless there is an hour-long segment of monkies rubbing their own feces all over each other, I'm going to love the next two movies. After seriously bitching about them for a week or two, of course.
The big record companies *are* spoon-feeding us bland music by no-talent hacks, and we lap it up. Britney Spears has talents, I'm sure, but they're not singing. But I'm not really in favour of a boycott, because they do occasionally have flashes of integrity where they produce something worthwhile (though strangely, nothing comes to mind). I would, however, like to suggest that you check out your local indie label/band/whatever. I'm sure you'll find more diversity, good music, and talented musicians in your area than in a whole stable of big money stars. And you can feel good about yourself, too, having taken the moral high ground... or something.
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Actually, they put ads in comic books (some of us "girlies" do read them) computer magazines, and any other magazine directed towards 'young' people. Also there are ads on t.v.
I have to admit, Laura Croft is not really very appealing to me.
Most chicks in video games are kind-of lame characters... I play Star Craft and it doesn't annoy me with stupid stereotypes.
But I definitely boycott any game where, if I wanted to play a girl (and have the choice), I'd have to play a wimp instead of a kick-ass chick.
And why did so many female characters wear pink?
You can't really under-estimate the power of advertising, plus the negative pressure a girl/woman will feel from the gaming community itself.
Most people are pretty close-minded about girls that game. I can remember my experiences, from the age of twelve, when I first tried to join a D&D group. I was told by the guys that it wasn't a girl thing, and that I couldn't play with them because I would suck.
Or how about when I was 15, and joined a role-playing club, and the DM had a crush on me, and so arranged it that my character always magically survived everything. It pissed me off so much, that I started throwing her at everything in her path, no matter how stupid it was... she never died.
As I got older, the guys got used to me... But I still find them discriminating against me... It's been an uphill battle, and still is, but I really want to play. So I ignore or out-match the people who think I can't play, and laugh at them with the people who respect me for what I am... a pretty good gamer, and not a ditzy female.
Honestly, cutting women out of these things hurts guys just as much... I bet the men who grew up gaming with me are less timid around women than some of your more segregated gamers.
*Ahem* Back ontopic... yes, the ads discourage girls. And so do the games... skimpy clothes,big breasts, rescue the princess, phallic symbols of power.. blahblahblah. If you look for it, you'll find it. I promise.
And remember, folks; if you're trying to attract women, having a soft spot for cute little penguins always helps.
Thinkgeek.com... I ordered from them on the 14th, and recieved my orders two days ago, which was terrific. All the geeks on my list were pretty happy.
ToysBUs are full of crap. I mean, for fsck's sake, I live in Canada and it only took 8 days for my order to get to me!
Yeah, but I have Canadian Ears!
Okay, it's been a while since I read it... it's not exactly light reading, y'know. What passage is it? Give me a reference! : )
The worst names have been spawned by ISPs in my hometown... Oncomdis, Pipcom (Peterborough Internet Pipeline, which remeinds me of oil or sewage) , Quickline (it was an internet cafe).
Also we have Microage (computer store).
Fortunately there are some much more interesting (and memorable) names out here - Nerds On Wheels (mobile computer repair), Quantum Gate (gaming store), and Eyeball Soup (gaming store).
Anything with micro, net, com, or line, in the title slips in one ear and out the other (in my case, anyhow). The name is one of the most important things about a company, as far as advertising and media relations go. I certainly agree that 'Aquent' sounds much more like mouthwash than office temps. But hey, why would we want business names to be intuuitive, interesting, or noteworthy?
I'm confused as to what (in traditional R.C. dogma) this movie challenged. I considered it more or less to be a few amusing 'what ifs' (13th apostle, black, supressed by writers of the Bible) than any real challenge to Roman Catholicism. I don't truly understand the bruhaha. AFAIK, the notion that Mary stayed a virgin her whole life long is a medieval one, a popular myth of her as the 'rose without a thorn'
No where in the Bible does it claim that she and Joeseph didn't have children; I believe, in fact that scholars have proven she did. Personally, I've always taken it for granted that Jesus had brothers and sisters.
I think perhaps the people who are creating the fuss are people who don't give their faith much thought, and don't read anything but the Bible, if that. It's just plain ignorance on the part of a few very bored Catholics.
I'm sorry for anyone who can't get past the surface of the movie to notice the deeper themes. Kevin Smith may be an irreverant guy, but he has a deep faith (which I do not share, but I respect). He's trying (I think) to point out to the world that, though priests and people may do horrible things, they are not G/god. They don't even have any sanction by g/God.
And that the beliefs of the R.C. church do not represent all Catholics.
It frustrates me that so simple a statement can't get by without those 'devout' people sending death threats (I don't remember a 'Unless they really offend you or piss you off' clause to 'Love thy neighbor' or 'Thou shalt not kill') to studio executives and other people associated with the movie.
Uhhh, back to the movie; I thought it was solid. Not brilliant, but solid. Nice to see that someone still has faith. And nice to see Alan Rickman, just looking and acting gorgeously. I'm such a sucker for a man with an accent!
Okay, I am tired, I will keep this short.
Last Jan., I saw a website I really liked. The guy who designed it (as a showcase of his work) seemed really interesting and intelligent. I wrote to tell him I was impressed, and we struck up a conversation. It was a wonderful correspondance; finally I had a guy who wasn't inmtimidated by my knowledge of computers nor scared by my Star Wars obsession. Long story short- in June, he asked me to visit him, and flew me to NYC from Central Ontario. We got along well, and were very attracted to one another. A good time was had by all. We didn't try anything like a comitted long distance relationship, and now I'm hooking up with a Southern Ontario geek, who also happens to be a musician. I met him through his music.
My advice about meeting geek girls - be the best geek you can be. Sounds cheesy, but smart Really is the new sexy. I don't find receding hair lines a turn on, but they look pretty good if the brain they hover over is stimulating.
I'd much rather you crack MS than buy me chocolate or flowers. Though I'd be more impressed with something realy neat, not cracker nonsense.
And if you have a non-tech hobby, see if you can meet girls that way. I mean, we geek girls do get out ocasionally, too.
Overpopulation. With all the medical 'miracles' allowing people to live longer (and probably breed longer as well) we'll see an increase in world population because people just won't die. In many places in the world, it's already an enormous problem, and it certainly isn't getting any better.
I predict that the Roman Catholic Church will revise it's stand on birth control and abortion by 2020, as it becomes aparent that there will not be enough resources to sustain the human race. However, I also think this will come too late.
I also predict that governments will start putting a cap on how many children you can have.
Canada (with all our open spaces) will start looking like a pretty good place to live; especially since global warming will make the northern areas a little more hospitable. Same for Russia, etc.
Pure water will be at a premium by 2010, or earlier. (Tank girl, anyone?)
Cremation of bodies will become mandatory.
And lots of cool things will happen as well, I'm sure.
Forgive me, but was I out for a while? When was it definitively established that violence in the media causes violence in real life?
Last time I checked, the youth violence rate was Still at it's lowest point since the Depression. As far as I know, no scientific study has Ever been done which proved (or even hinted) that we can blame a person's behavior on the games they play or the media they consume. Humans have been violent creatures for a very long time.
I mean, this scrawny little guy ordered the extermination of 6 million Jewish people, and he never saw South Park. Vlad the Impaler, well, impaled people (and lots of other stuff) without having the benefit of t.v. or video games, or even Stanley Kubrick to blame. And both of their armies went merrily along with the things they did. For a while, anyway.
These are extreme examples, I admit. But history would bear me out should I choose to argue that humans are violent creatures; even humans who've been raised in good, suburban homes, with a minivan and an inground pool, and loving parents.
Unfortunately, politicians like very simple answers; makes for a better sound clip.
The old solutions they toss up still don't work. But don't hold your breath waiting for them to learn that lesson.
In response to the U.S. vs. European sensiblities thing, I would just like to add that in Canada we generally have a more liberal attitude to nudity and swearing. I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers the Degrassi movie (aimed at a highschool audience, but you see characters having sex and at one point using the dreaded 'F' word)
In response to Eyes Wide Shut, there have been some vague rumblings (especially from CBC radio hosts) about getting European versions of U.S. movies shown here. Canadians aren't too shocked (generally) by sex.
I'm hoping that as more people see the movie, the rumblings will increase. I know I'm going to write some letters and see if I can manage to do my part to stop the odd morals of U.S. censors intruding into Canadian theatres.
It's true... as I mentioned in an earlier rant, my mom let my sisters and I see/do/read/watch/try whatever we wanted. She didn't protect us from life, but explained to us the consequences of alcohol/drugs/cigarettes and all kinds of other stuff.
Now she has three adult daughters who don't drink, smoke, ingest those naughty drugs, or brutally murder their classmates.
And it's not that preachy you-just-shouldn't-do-that kind of abstinance; we've all been drunk, etc., and have made the informed choice not to do it again.
Don't knock freedom; learning through experience is the only way to keep us out of rickety ivory towers.
Lots of very normal healthy people read/watch/look at porn, lots of parents, politicians, teachers, writers, upright pillars of the comunity, and it doesn't adversly affect their dealings with society.
I think an anti-porn stand is slightly ridiculous. Sure, some people take their interest in porn to extremes, but not the majority.
Oh, and I'm a female, if that counts for anything. I'm not a horny 15 year old boy, anyhow.
I'm afraid I disagree that what Jon writes is filth, though you may have a very broad veiw on what constitues filth.
Dishonesty and trickery, or merely the miracle of the human mind? I believe that we are (as a society) where we are today because of people who were not content to obey the rules and stick within the boundaries defined. I mean, if we were, would we have made the many advancements in science/etc. that we have?
Creativity and ingenuity are traits to be celebrated, not denied. Go Jon!
The ten C were an early law code developed to smooth out some of the bumps of life and represented the values of the time.
However, the world/society/civilization has changed and so have our laws. Saying that the 10C are still very relevant is like saying the wheel is still relevant; The basic idea is good, but we make wheels out of steel and rubber (or whatever) not wood, because our needs/demands for the wheel have changed.
Yeah, don't kill people, and stealing isn't very cool, but most of the other stuff is not particularly relevant. We take the good things that came before us and (hopefully) leave behind what is no longer of use.
There's nothing wrong with obeying the 10C and being a Christian; however, too many Christians are not content to live and love their neighbor, and prefer to shun their neighbors if they are of even a different sect of Christianity, much less a different religion.
So, when exactly would you say kids are ready for this stuff? (stuff=swearing, nudity, etc.)
My mother is a very liberal parent. She raised three daughters who are non-violent, intelligent (I flatter myself), capable people who do not smoke, drink, or do any other drugstuffs (excepting perhaps caffeine, meds).
As long as I can remember, I have been allowed to do whatever I liked. If my parents were having a drink, they'd offer me or my sisters one as well. We could watch any movie they rented, and I (an avid reader) could read anything I wanted. We had no curfew, and also no allowance (Mom would pay for school/special things, but all other $$ we had to make on our own). I'm not saying my life with my parents was idyllic, but Mom treated us with the same respect and dignity she used with adults. And we were responsible for our behavior in the same way that adults are.
I guarantee that at 11 I had more knowledge about the world and how to survive in it than all my classmates put together. My vocabulary was more extensive than that of my gr.6 teacher (sorry, Mrs. Luff, but it's true). And today I am 22, a reasonably successful adult, moving forward in the world while people I knew at 11 have 5 year olds and work at the Quik-E-Mart.
I'm not perfect, but I've never brutally murdered anyone, I've never kidnapped children to sell into child-porn-slavery, and it's been a good 15 years since I stole any penny candy from the convenience store.
I guess what I'm saying is if you shelter children, you take away most of their capacity to become reasoning, thinking adults. We have to make mistakes, be punished, get hurt, or else we never learn. When released into the world, lots of sheltered kids fall apart and run back home, to the safe haven of their parent's loving, protective arms.
"Oh, Mr. TVman, don't say fuck, our little Jimmy's back home from university again! He's moving back home while he thinks about changing his major to Cultural Studies..."
No one I knew in elementary school was unaware of the 'dirty' words, and most could tell you how to load a gun. However, very few had any concrete information about sex or condoms. I would say that those people out there "Protecting" youth are doing a damn fine job, wouldn't you? Lets teach kids the truth, instead of feeding them confusing, cutsie, transperant lies.
But are the six-figure-men looking for women? Or are their computers named Pamela?
Because I know some positively adorable Canadian geekesses who would love to meet an intelligent man.
Actually we'd all like to meet an intelligent man.
A-hem.
I was going to make some remark about the relation between numbers of intelligent men and numbers of unicorns, but that's sexist, mmHmmm?
Ugh, I'm starting to sound like a bad comedienne.
Time for bed.
Happy Canada Day!
If I really like an artist, I'm going to buy that person's merchandise no matter whether or not I can get the same stuff for free online.
i.e. I own the 15 anniversary edition of the Star Wars Trilogy. But I still want the original release copies of the videos. And the Special Edition. And...
I still bought 'Sesame Street Fever' on 8-trck, though I don't have an 8-track player. It was for sentimental reasons *ahem*.
I never buy an album because I like one song by the artist... it's a waste. Instead, I copy it off one of my not-so-restrained friends. This is where Mp3s come in handy for me; the record companies aren't getting my money anyway. I know this is small consolation for them, but what might make them feel better is that I'll buy anything REM puts out, even if it's a c.d. entirely of highway traffic noise. Because I'm a fan, and that's what I do.
Oh yeah. No hesitation, no waffling, no regrets. Leo is triple-ass hot (which is about as high as my scale goes). If Leo was in the movie, everyone would have to show up a little earlier to get in to the theatre. Annoying girls would be in there sighing over him. Non-annoying women would be in there sighing over him.
I usually hate pretty-boys, but this ones' got talent as well, and he puts it to use. Titanic has assured his fame and success, but he *did* do Romeo and Juliet, What's Eating Gilgert Grape, and a host of other fabulous movies.
Talent, good looks, a killer mix.
I would say we're just not used to it yet. I mean, I was born in '77, and can't imagine a world w/o Star Wars. Episode 1 is as good as the others, particularly after you've seen it the second time, and the third, and the fourth... well, it just keeps on getting better. I admit, Anakin's "Yipeeee!" still grates my nerves, but Luke's whiny "But I was going to Toshi station to pick up those power converters" is just as bad.
But you barely even notice how annoying Luke is, or C3P0, because you're so used to it (well, I speak for myself here). They're beautiful, and I guarantee that most people who are out there right now bitching about Anakin or JarJar will embrace the film in the end, and years from now will be saying to someone "Well, everybody hated the movie because of JarJar at first, but not me, because I saw the true value of the film..."
Leo? Well, yes and no. I am a chick and therefor qualify as an expert on this whole Leo DiCaprio thing. Also my college roomate budgeted her OSAP (Ontario Student Loan) carefully to allow for maximum veiwing of Titanic. He'll be okay, if the rumour's true. That's my opinion.
Eventually we will grow to love him, or whoever is cast in the role. George certainly doesn't need to pick him to bring people in. He's got us. We're hooked. I'm going to put hundreds of $$ in that man's pocket, I'm sure. I already have.
Lack of maturity? Yes. But what did you expect? We're all kids when it comes to this storyline. It's a fairy tale. And unless there is an hour-long segment of monkies rubbing their own feces all over each other, I'm going to love the next two movies. After seriously bitching about them for a week or two, of course.
The big record companies *are* spoon-feeding us bland music by no-talent hacks, and we lap it up. Britney Spears has talents, I'm sure, but they're not singing. But I'm not really in favour of a boycott, because they do occasionally have flashes of integrity where they produce something worthwhile (though strangely, nothing comes to mind).
I would, however, like to suggest that you check out your local indie label/band/whatever. I'm sure you'll find more diversity, good music, and talented musicians in your area than in a whole stable of big money stars.
And you can feel good about yourself, too, having taken the moral high ground... or something.