My Virtual Soapbox

fanboys out of control

2011-10-06T16:38:00.000-07:00

I just read an article on BBC about the death of Steve Jobs. I appreciate that it is sad that a shrewd businessman died young after battling cancer, and left a family behind. What I can't appreciate is the idiotic adulation by half the world of this man. It really portrays how fickle and shallow so many people are. I could really rant on and on and on about this for a while, but I'm schreibfaul right now. I'll just paste in two comments made in response to the article. The first is reminiscent of the vast majority of the comments, and depicts well how out of control this iDolization issue is. The second comment represents one of the sensible readers.

1) there are souls in Apple product, that's the core difference with the others in the industry, I also feel passion when I am using Apple products, there are very few things in the world can make you feel the way apple could do. I am so sorry to hear this news and I believe steve now is in everyone's heart, this is the truth and will never change.R.I.P, Steve, there is only one Steve in the world.

2) The day some obscure nobel medicine price winner will be given such an emotional tribute at the time of his/her demise, I will fell so much better.
For instance, Ralph M. Steinman, the canandian immunologist, just died in what, compared to Mr Jobs tribute, sounds like complete oblivion. Still his relentless efforts of a lifetime might contribute at saving the lives of so many iphone owners.

Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land

2011-04-01T22:45:00.001-07:00

Full film via freedocumentaries.org:
Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land
79 min

The documentary investigates the media war staged by the Israeli government against Palestine. The role of the U.S. in obfuscating reality and prolonging conflict is established repeatedly substantiated. U.S. journalism is harshly berated for its spineless stance towards the conflict. The documentary is divided into seven segments based on seven perceived “PR strategies” that are employed to fundamentally distort the truth. Each of the seven segments could easily stand alone as a glaring witness against both the Israeli and American governments. Together they form an argument that should by all logic bring even hardliner proponents of the occupation to question their stance. Anything but opposition to the occupation and to relevant American foreign policy in light of this and so many other scathing criticisms is beyond my comprehension.

Be aware there are disturbing images of violence.

The Israel Lobby

2011-04-01T22:44:00.003-07:00

Full film via freedocumentaries.org:
The Israel Lobby
50min

Made in 2006, this is a journalistic documentary produced for the Dutch journal Tegenlicht (Backlight). It is comprised of a series of interviews and media clips staged to investigate the sources of the Israel Lobby and demonstrate its incredible strength. It seems that this report hopes to join the fringe group that is fighting to break down the taboo of even debating the Israel Lobby, let alone opposing it.

I found the interviews with Judt and Wilkerson very intriguing. Although the argument that I support is covered well in the program, it would not have hurt if the producers had included more "devil's advocate" material and allowed pro-Lobby figures better to substantiate their claims. Or maybe they tried to, and the strongest substantiation they found was the hollow statements and smug looks shown.

Welcome to North Korea

2011-04-01T22:44:00.001-07:00

Full film via YouTube
Welcome to North Korea

In the wake of the ME uprisings, Jaehee repeatedly expressed hope that the fervor would somehow spread to the people North Korea. I pulled up this documentary in order better to understand the dynamics of their political climate.

This documentary was filmed in 2001 by the Dutch film maker Peter Tetteroo. It is very melancholy. I can't get my mind around the notion that the lives of an entire nation could be so clandestine as to elude our understanding to such a degree. It is so enigmatic that I struggle to commiserate with the people--as if they only exist in theory and not actuality.

Israels Wild West

2011-04-01T22:43:00.002-07:00

Full report via freedocumentaries.org:
Unreported World: Israel's Wild West

This is a somewhat dated journalistic report on the West Bank. It has pro-Palestinian leanings. Mostly, it is the reporter and her crew wandering around the newly-built wall in search of trouble zones, including Palestinian demonstrators looking for work and Zionist settlers building contra their own governments rulings.

Johnny Dangerously (Oxymorons)

2011-04-01T22:43:00.001-07:00

Boston Phoenix article
The Secret Life of a Charlestown Drug Dealer

NPR radio segment
Feb 14, 2011 Callie Crossley Show: Oxymorons
(you'll have to listen to five minutes of news until I download/edit the clip)

YouTube Interview
Behind Oxymorons

National Drug Intelligence Center
National Drug Threat Assessment 2010

First things first: I haven't seen this movie, and as a Mormon I can't in good conscience recommend it. If you decide to watch it, be warned it is full of gratuitous violence, drug abuse, profane language... in one review I learned that people walked out of the theaters sick, and others got sick (read puked) while still in the theater.

So why am I posting it here? Because it is one of the most fantastic stories I have ever encountered. Unlike much of mainstream media that glorifies drug culture, this film sheds a horrifying light on what users live through. It rats out crooked politicians and reveals a lot about the literally conspiratorial actions of prescription drug purveyors. It is based on the truth-is-greater-than-fiction life of the writer/director/star of the film who turns his life around in an incredible way.

And it all begins and revolves around our new home, Charlestown Boston.

History of Native America Indians

2011-04-01T22:41:00.000-07:00

Full film via youtube.com
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Introductory overview of the historical origins of Indian tribes that play into U.S. history.

The documentary is done in the generic, disembodied-voice-of-an-omniscient-white-man style that anthropologists are taught to disdain. But to the films credit, there is little "noble savage" sentiment.

The film provides information about the historical development of plains Indians from nomadic hunter/gatherer to transhumance pastoralist to nomadic horse warrior.

Additional worthwhile insight is given concerning the role of the horse, brought by Europeans, and the role of Buffalo, hunted en masse by virtue of the horse, in forming the media-portrayed Indian we all recognize today.

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden

2011-04-01T22:37:00.000-07:00

Official Website

Produced by Morgan Spurlock (Supersize Me). Spurlock meanders around the Middle East asking people where he might find Bin Laden. His style is a bit crude at times, but the message is a good one.

I read one review of this film in which the critic bashed Spurlock for his weak efforts to do the title justice and meaningfully contribute to the actual search for Bin Laden. Idiot. It is painfully obvious from the get-go that this isn't about finding a man, but rather shedding light on the concept that man stands for: the greatest bugaboo of the West--the nature of the common, everyday Arab. And that is something Spurlock does well.

Throughout the film the viewer is introduced to everyday Mahmouds from places high on America's list of terrorist hotspots. And time and again, the people are decent, hospitable and quite canny. The West would do well to heed much of the advice that Spurlock receives regarding his "fruitless search".

Stylistically is may not be a work of art, but I definitely recommend this one. As an extra bonus, one scene is filmed in Maadi Egypt. And I'm pretty sure I recognize the street!