“American Porno”

Last class we watched a very interesting documentary titled ‘American Porn’. It originnally aired on PBS and was featured on the program “Frontline”. ‘American Porn” is a candid, adults-only report on a multibillion-dollar business that’s come out of the dark alleys and seedy shops to settle itself comfortably in North America’s living rooms. The show focuses mainly on the people who produce and act in porn, big corporations (like General Motors and AT&T) that are now playing a role to distribute it, and lawyers who have fought for and against it in the courts. “Frontline” does an excellent job explaining how this situation arose, citing the boom in new technology, a lack of enforcement of obscenity laws by the Clinton administration and, last but not least, rising public demand for the product.

Porn has ridden the recent wave of new technology and the Internet explosion and has enjoyed years of lax prosecution during the Clinton administration.  George W. Bush and Attorney General John Ashcroft were expected to take aim at pornography and its peddlers, potentially crippling amassively lucrative industry. To this date there has been no slowing of the industry by the Bush administration, nor does that seem likely to occur anytime soon. There are far more pressing issues for the government to resolve and the popularity of pornography makes halting the industry very unpopular amongst many voters.

In order to legally stop pornography it must be labeled as  obscene and held accountable to the standards of the community. This is ill suited to new wired world where the definition of a ‘community’ is so hard to define. ‘Community standards of decency,’ are nearly impossible to define and establish online. This makes any actions against on-line prone thta is not blatantly illegal quite difficult.

Something that ‘American Porn’ fails to ask pertaining to pornography is why do more and more people want it? What is causing this increase in demand? I think it is the growing acceptance in our society combined with the easy access that everyone has to pornography via the internet or tv. This increased access leads to increased usage which is likely causing somewhat of a level of addiction amongst users. It is because of these reasons that it appears that the industry is still going to grow. This was an issue that the documentary really did not explore as deeply as they could have. There were no interviews with customers and no real examination of the social revolution that has changed Narth America over for the past four decades.

‘American Porn’ was an effective and somewhat disturbing documentary of the evolution of pornography over the past two decades from the viewpoint of those who produce it and distribute it. What I thought this documantary lacks is any explanation of why pornography, particularly the extreme, ultra-hardcore variety, has an appeal to the masses. That consumer case study will have to wait for a seperate  program. There may be a serious problem developing in our society.

“To Boldly Go Where No Man has Gone Before”

This is an example of a ’split infinitive’.  A split infinitive is an English-language grammatical construction in which a word or phrase, usually an adverb, occurs between the marker to and the bare infinitive (uninflected) form of a verb. (Between to and go.)  This is an issue that has been widely debated by scholars of the english language for the last couple centuries. The debate is whether or not it is proper grammatical style, and if it is, when is it appropriate.

The Survivor Race Experiment

This blog is a responce to the readings ‘A Racy Twist for “Survivor” by Gina Serpe. This article discusses the recent season of the succesful ”Survivor” series where the producers made the decision to divide the tribes in to 4 seperate racially divided camps. These were the caucasion, hispanic, afican-american, and asian-american groups. To me this risky move raises the question, is it appropriate to exploit racial tensions in order to raise TV ratings?

The survivor producers are defending any criticism of this idea by stating that “The idea for this actually came from the criticism that Survivor was not ethnically diverse enough, because for whatever reason, we always have a low number of minority applicants apply for the show.” ’Let’s turn this criticism into creative for the show. I think it fits in perfectly with what ‘Survivor’ does — it is a social experiment.” While this is truly a social experiment it’s ultimate tastefullness all depends on how the show progresses and what events and footage they decide to show. As long as they do not misconstrue comments or otherwise try to cause controversy along racial lines I don’t think they are really doing anything innapropriate. It is no worse than previous series where contestants were divided along age or sex lines.

Some may disagree with my opinion. They may feel that this is a return to the segregation of the past. They may feel that this may cause further divisiveness in the population as different ethnic groups presumably support their own representatives.  These people may also argue that CBS is crossing the boundaries of Political correctness by not recognizing the contestants as individuals but as units of a race. While these counter arguments may hold some truth I feel that CBS is entirely within their rights to explore their creative freedoms for the show. Viewers still have the choice to seperate themselves along racial lines of support.

People should also not assume this segregation will result in a negative. I am anxious to see what cultural characteristics will help each group survive. I’m looking forward to learning how different  sub-cultures communicate, overcome, and compete and then analyzing to see what valuable lessons can be taken from the show.

There is also the issue of how the contestants feel about being seperated by their race. Here is a clip from the show that shows a number of comments and concerns from the players about how they feel about this seperation.

[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBhBW7She48&mode=related&search= ]

It is quite clear from these comments that many of the contestants are wary of the idea and how things will be percieved by the audience.

All the hype and concern eventually proved to be overdone as the tribes all merged after the second episode anyways. http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/29/tv_realty_tv/main2052186.shtml

This was to the best of my knowledge not really explained by CBS.

My conclusions on this interesting issue is that CBS was not out of bounds to seperate their contestants along racial lines. The idea itself did generate alot of hype which led to higher ratings than the previous season. I watched a number of episodes from the season and they did not try to reinforce any negative stereotypes or try to instigate racial conflict beyond the scope of the competition in the game. CBS acted controversially but ultimately responsible enough to gain my approval for their idea for a new twist to their show.

Last Class= Great Class

I’m sure I am not alone when I say that I really enjoyed last class. The opportunity to listen to each others ideas of what a perfect song is and what these songs mean to another was quite an opportunity. I am a huge music fan with a very wide range in tastes, basically anything, so this was great exposure. I tried to narrow down what I thought were my three favorite selection and explain why. I also did not get a chance to present my song as there were enough people eager to present and well, my favorite song seems to make me cry everytime so I was’nt sure I really wanted to do that in front of the class. This song is titled”Simple Man” by Shinedown and I’ll explain my attachment to the song a little later.

The Jeff Buckley version of Lenard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is an absolutely beutiful song.  It’s such a shame that Buckley had to die young because he was such an amazing artist and good person. His comments about nuclear weapons at the beginning of this posted live video are wise and important.

[  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLQUdHMFpBQ ]

The Verve Pipe’s “Freshman” was also another of my favorites. It’s such a powerful and emotional song with beutiful vocals and instrumentation. Basically a perfect song. The Verve Pipes lead singer wrote the song in 1991 about the guilt he felt from his ex-girlfriend having an abortion,  as he says in the first verse, “stopped a baby’s breath and a shoe full of rice.” His girlfriend had an abortion, and they never got married. She did not actually kill herself though it sound like it in the song. This is song is so powerful largely because it is so real, based on the vast range of human emotions associated with abortion and suicide. Here is a clip of the song sung live.

[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n1lyaHxYH0 ]

My third favorite song was Montgomery Gentry’s “Some People Change”. I’m not that big a country fan but I just though that the message was so hopeful for the world. Basically there’s so many things wrong with the world but we have to believe that things can change and sometimes they truly too. It gives me hope that tommorrow truely is a new day to do something different with your life.

[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbtrnR060bM ]

Lastly, this is my personal favorite song that I was a little reluctant to present given how emotional it can be for myself. Before you watch the video you only really need to know a couple things to understand where I’m coming from. I grew up very close to my mother and was the only son amongst four sisters, the messages in the song are eerily close to what my mother believed, and thirdly, she recently passed away.

[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fmSF4chL2I&mode=related&search ]

Vinyl: Is the experience worth it?

This blog is in responce to the reading titled“Take Those Old Records Off the Shelf” : Youth and Music Consumption in the Postmodern Age.” This essay is about the reemergence of vinyl records as an alternative to the ongoing trend of digital music consumption. The author, David Hayes,  argues that
youth consumers are starting to adopt and listen to the traditional though somewhat out of date LPs and
turntables. Many are doing this to resist industry-regulated contemporary modes of music
consumption. This article was very indepth and quite lengthy so I will comment on a few of the points that really caught my eye.

According to the article, many music fans feel that the golden age of recorded music had died with the suicide of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain in 1994. I agree with this bold comment to a certain extent. I feel that since Kurt’s passing we have not seen another artist with the talent, realness and creativity to rival Kurt Cobain. Here is an example, In Bloom. It’s off the Nevermind soundtrack and both the video and the song are unbeleivable.

[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY3oEvaq71A]

Now this is not to say that there has not been some impressive musical talent since then but I have to agree with the author here that this is the point in time when the Golden Age of recorded music died.

Much of todays music is so similar and repetiitive and very few of the real “big” names can even play musical instruments that it’s almost made a mockery of the music imdustry. The Pussy Cat Dolls are marketed and produced to the max, have very little legitimate talent and still manage to remain all over the charts. I can’t imagine who’s buying this music but clearly people are. Honestly watch this clip and tell me how bad this music is.

[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhaZEkkE_ZM ]

Sorry to put you through that.

I thought it was also an interesting comment about the way that vinyl increases participation in musical listening is possibly a contributing factor to the enjoyment of this form of music. Perhaps we’re all sick of everything being turned into something ‘easier’ and more efficient, maybe the vinyl listeners are onto something. When I’m on the computer and I click a song off my list of hundreds am I really listening to the music like I should be. By actually being engaged in the  process of musical listening maybe that greatly heightens our awareness and therefore the enjoyment of the music. This may be as important as the actual content of the music!   

Another point that really caught my attention was this quote from an avid listener and purchaser of vinyl records. “[Records] sound a lot different than CDs. They’re not as clear. It just sounds better. It sounds like you’re actually with (the musicians) when they’re playing it.” Now this is a point that unfortunately I could not verify as i called all my friends in town and none actually own a record player anymore. If this proves to be true though there must be something to be said for the reallness of the experience. If the listening experience is that much closer to the live music experience then here in lies, in my opinion, the best reason for the purchase of vinyl records.

It’s quite interesting how a subculture had developed in recent years surrounding the enjoyment of vinyl records. I for one am content with my current satisfaction from digital music and thats how I will choose to go forth. This article definately had this music fan second guessing myself for a litttle while though.

Was Mr. Smith the Bad Guy in Ghost Rider?

Russel Smith, why are you so angry? Is the experience of engaging in social interaction really that distressing?  Is there any hope for the human race?

After reading Russel Smith’s article “Why Movie Going Sucks” I was shocked at this man’s level of negativity and his outlook on people. Relax man. So much you’re saying just don’t resonate with me. Why knock down a theater for having no windows. Well shit buddy, outdoor lighting affects the quality of the image on screen. Why would you want to watch a movie where you can see whats outside in the parking lot. Another thing, why do you care so much what people are eating in the theatre. Healthy choices? Nope, but why concern yourself and let it rattle you so much. You know what though Mr.Russel Smith, I’ll attend a movie, something I rarely ever do, and see if perhaps your despondant feelings about people and the movie going experience has some truth to it.

To get the fullest experience of the hustle and bustle of the movie theater experience I attended the Feb. 16 opening night of the movie “Ghost Rider” at the most popular theater in Calgary, Paramount Chinook. The story is based on the Marvel character Johnny Blaze, (Nicholas Cage) a motorcycle stuntman who becomes the host of a “spirit of vengeance” in exchange for the safety of his true love (Eva Mendes). At night he’s transformed into a fiery demon with superpowers who chases bad guys. Here is the trailer.

I dragged my girlfriend kicking and screaming to the theater an hour early to make sure we could get opening night seats. Good thing we did as there was already a line up for tickets. This was a little annoying but something I can deal with on an opening night of a much hyped movie. Now the experience of waiting in line was actually quite entertaining. People were buzzing around everywhere, playing video games, greeting their friends as well as watching the impressive pyrotechnic and light show on display above the snack counters. After we waited about four minutes to get our tickets we proceeded to the snack counter. Might as well get the full movie experience so we got the Jumbo popcorn, the Large pop and the big bag of twizzlers. Feeling fully prepared except one thing we hit our seperate restrooms and meet up again in the line that is now building up waiting for the theater doors to open so we can select our seats. I will admit at this point before we are allowed entrance to the theater that we have spent approximately 15 minutes just standing around in line. I guess it’s abit of a strange activity to pay good money to engage in but I’m also a realist and honestly, what else can the theaters do differently. As the theater doors open it’s abit of an uncomfortable pace to get the premium seats in the theater. Kinda funny though as the “premium seats” is totally a matter of personal preference. Some rushed right to the front and center, many right to the back row, but mostly right to the middle of the theater.  We were able to get seats basically right in the middle and just a little to the left. Not bad at all and the seats were actually quite comfortable. My ancient, student budget furniture at my appartment serving as a favorable tool for comparison, I guess. Unfortunately a fairly tall dude proceeded to walk in a minute or so later and seat himself right in front of my petite girlfriend. I could tell by the look on her face that she was a little rattled but she’d be fine. I mean honestly missing out on the bottom few feet of the 50 foot screen is a little annoying but you really don’t notice as the film progresses. 

We sat around waiting for the ads and previews to start amidst a buzzing theater. This was not so bad an experience. I mean the smell of popcorn is not that bad and I truly could not hear anyone chewing food just conversating. Being a fairly social person I had no problem with this and really did not bother straining to hear others conversations so I could judge and allow them them to annoy me. (Something Russel Smith should try.)

I was getting a little bored with the onscreen trivia and thinking how it’s kind of a shame you have to arrive so early to get decent seats to the show, but hey, REALITY.  The advertisements started next and man is that annoying. I’m the guy that holds the remote in hand at all times when at home so as to not have to sit through commercials so this was a little bit of torture. Although I will admit the commercials at the theatre were quite a bit more visually stimulating than those you see at home on the TV. All in all I think it’s a bit of bullshit this new trend in increased advertising. I had a concerned thought or two about why this was all of a sudden allowed in movies and where does it end.

These were followed by the previews. Alot of people hate on the previews but I must admit I find them quite a good form of entertainment. They are quite often the funniest and most intense scenes from other movies. Sometimes rendering actually watching these movies at a later date a bit of a waste of time and money.

Finally the movie started. Now I’ve given at least an hour of my time and not received much return save a couple chuckles in the preview and a stomach full of tasty though guilt inducing junk food. So far not so good but at least we’ve come to the point where the ultimate conclusion is going to be reached. Was this movie worth seeing.

Well I actually thought the movie was pretty bad. Mind you I was not expecting anything too inspiring. Decent visual effects and action. The love story quite predictable and Cheesy. (Although Eva Mendes is very attractive.) http://www.cherylshuman.com/film/images/Eva%20Mendes.jpgHumor was pretty lame and the acting was pretty much the same. As the show ended i decided I had to make my final conclusion and rating on the film. I gave it a not terrible but would never recommend to a good friend out of three hours of my time and money. My other complaints about the whole experience were the advertisements at the start of the show and the ammount of time we had spent in line that night. Still, it was a fairly pleasant and reasonnably satisfying social outing.

All in all Mr. Russel Smith I think you have serious issues. You need to take another look at what you are accomplishing by looking at things through shit colored glasses. People around you are not that disgusting, going to the theater has it’s ups and downs but it’s not that awful. If you can’t do this well then just stay at home. We don’t need your antisocial thoughts or presence.

Interesting thoughts Mr. Chomsky.

The video shown in class was perhaps a bit boring but had some valid and thought provoking points.  Chomsky states that taste is a socially constructed phenomonom and I agree with him.  Too many times we allow others to dictate to us.  His vision for a future society would be challenging authority and opression of thought.  I was particularly interested when he talked about sports and the importance of distracting people from their real life stresses.  Although he is correct that sports are a great distraction from everyday stresses, for him to say that they were invented as a method of pacification and thought control is incorrect. Humans have engaged in play and sport since the beginning of time before there was any sort of government or societal involvement.

Festivus

Festivus  is a new holiday celebrated usually on the 23rd of December. It is a great idea for a nondemotional holiday inspired by a Seinfeld episode. 

Roland’s World of Wrestling

    I found Roland’s article on the World of wrestling to be very interesting. Many people feel very strongly about wrestling. They either love it or they think it is one of the most stupid aspects of popular culture. I personally fall right in the middle of the spectrum. I was a huge wrestling fan as a child. Tatanka, Hulk Hogan, and Andre the Giant being my absolute favorites. I even hung onto the belief that wrestling matches were real till I was about 13 years old. I now watch wrestling occasionaly for a little childhood reminiscence. I also can watch wrestling and be entertained just by the sheer athleticism of the athletes involved. The agility and dexterity of these massive athletes is very impressive. However, it is the outrageous story lines, the pathetic looking adults in the crowd and the new level of thuggish violence that make me also hate wrestling at the same time. Some of the melodrama and bad acting in the story lines is so bad. The ridiculous middle age fans that are going nuts for their favorite and most hated wrestlers is almost unbeleivable. I mean they have to know it’s fake but this does not seem to stop them from beleiving their racous cheers can sway the conclusion of the fight. The new level of violence in wrestling is also quite disturbing. The use of weapons such as sledgehammers and beating opponents that are already “injured” or “unconscious” is a little too graphic fro my tastes and I shudder at the effects this might have on the kids that are watching this all the time and absorbing theses actions as acceptable and cool. Here is a clip of a few beatings administered byTriple H that I find disturbing and really unnacceptable as a form of entertainment.

The part of Rolands article that I found the most interesting was the portrayal of good vs evil. This is a huge part of wrestling that makes the fans go crazy. There is always the hero and the villain in almost any match. What I find intersting is the portrayal of the villains. They are almost always un-American. The Sheik, the Canadian Mounties, and the Head Shrinkers are good examples. Does mean that the majority of wrestling fans are rednecks and uneducated. I think so.

Will virtual communities rule?

Well my answer is I sure as hell hope not. This blog is a responce to this weeks reading titled The Significance of Virtual Communities by Karen Evans. It is true that the future of communication and much of our social interaction will be carried out throughout the internet. This is already a reality of day to day life today. Social networking sites like Facebook have become extremely popular especially with current students. Although I am a big user of this site, personally I think this is as far as social networking should go with the internet. Facebook already allows you to send messages to basically anyone with an e-mail anyone with an e-mail adress, ie. everyone. Photo sharing and event invitations, notes blogging, and sharing media is almost too easy. The site has become addictive for many students and it is becoming the main way of communicating amongst your peers. Although I aknowledge the convenience of this site I feel that there is now too much information available on these sites and I have concerns about the lack of privacy for our future. Although people do have the choice whether or not they join facebook I don’t think that many people realise the possible ramifications of belonging to this site.

This video is a good post parodying the risks of facebook. People you have no idea about can check out your pictures, relationship status, even phone numbers and adresses, (which I feel is really foolish to publish.) Even if you are careful with what you post you have no control over what others post. I know of people who have had serious troubles with their significant others because of things that are posted on their facebook wall. Picture sharing is also quite scary, other people often have quite incriminating photos of you that you would not want shared with the world. However, if someone else posts them on their site than you have no control over who sees them. My advice to people would be to be careful with the ammount of information they post on facebook and be aware of the risks of other people posting photos they don’t want shared. Trust me, it already cost my roommate his girlfriend. Cheers.