Classes begin tomorrow.
For the first time in a while, I don't really feel like going back to school. I just need to get back into the thick of it, and get my "schedule" set up for this quarter. Then I'll feel a bit better. I need to get my groove. Or something. Mostly, I think, it's about just taking the exam and feeling overwhelmed already (re: I have to plan social events, write my proposal, do RA work, be a TA, finish a paper, AND sit in on two classes. This is not as bad as it sounds, and mostly involved good time management. It's just a loooong list....).
Newest obsession: The Sci-Fi Channe's "re-imagained" Battlestar: Galactica. Awesome. I missed the movie mini-series and the whole first season, but picked up the boxed set on Friday. The wife and I watched the movie this weekend, and we are hooked. Great, great science fiction. Like all good sci-fi, it's thick with world-building details and compelling political/social commentary. Woot.
Another obsession: I'm totally into the bands Sons and Daughters (which is described as Celtic "stomp rock." I dunno what the fuck that is. All I know is this band grooves.) and the 22-20s (who are just a nice little bluesy rock band from the UK). I'm just coming off giving a lot of love to The Black Keys (who will be back in Chicago, at the Metro in December, and who I think I will have to go see again, after their bitching Lollapalooza gig) and Nic Armstrong (who is so 1960s, it hurts).
Please note: I'm really into hyperlinks today.
I upgraded to Tiger. I had a bit of trouble at first. Now it's smooth sailing. It's really nice. I think I might need to upgrade my RAM though, just to make it work like *butter.*
I think that's all I'm obessed with right now.
Oh, just a comment... So, this whole Bush vs. SG thing is pretty, to borrow a phrase, whack. I don't participate in boards or groups much ... but there seems to be some misconceptions out there:
1. Some folks are saying that Democrats are just as bad (re: Tipper Gore vs. "porno rock" or Hillary Clinton being annoyed at GTA: San Andreas). I don't remember what Tipper's *goals* were, to be honest. But the end result was a warning label on music, and indirectly I would hazard, a warning label on video games. These things are not so bad. Parenting is a hard job, done by parents who are frazzled and make mistakes. Kids are always trying to get at things they shouldn't be in. Now, I don't buy that kids are wholly innocent beings, and I *do* think they should be exposed to "adult" ideas at some point. But, this has to be done with *some* care - or you can get seriously unwell children (certainly, "well" is a socially defined term; but outside an indepdent grounding - that's what we have to rely on, and it's important for developing a stable, productive society). So, we get warning lables to help parents out ... seems fair; maybe not done perfectly, but there is a degree of common sense and compromise there. Anyway, so it's just worth remembering that what we got out of Democratic concerns were *considerably* different than what we got from Republicans (re: an attempt at banning media that is distinctly adult [too adult?] in nature).
2. There is a lot of ballyhooing about how all governments are the same, all parties are the same etc and want to take your rights away. This is just stupid. Freedom does not exist outside of political structure. Even if we believe in metaphysical rights, it is only in *political institutions* we find them protected (hence, Arendt's lament for those who find themselves without a state). The republican structures of the US are imperfect to providing freedom, but they are a far step up from the absolulte authority of a monarchy or tyranny. Our access to "freedom" changes with time - more here, less then - and does not travel in a straight line. This means 1) do not be stupid and argue that all governments/parties are the same and 2) do not be stupid and argue that we are seeing some decline from which we will never come out of. Rather, realize this is *political* - open to contestation. Do something.
Take home lesson: Don't buy into the apolitical notion that this is "destined" to happen. Realize this is a choice of elites, as part of a way to please a constituency that is really, really pissed off (re: the Christian Right has been displeased since *Reagan,* feelings that Republicans don't do enough for their crazy agenda. This is the "bone" they get thrown - b/c who will stand up for pornographers?). More important, don't buy the slick line on the boards that *all* political parties would do this. This is a Republican, freaky Christian thing. Period. We can distinguish between social cooperation to spread information about media (re: warning lables; which may not be fun, but are at least somehow *sensible*), and out-and-out censorship.*
* Yes, it's true the 1s Amendment only applies to political speech. But just how do we know when speech is political? Some controls on speech are going to happen - part of that shitty need for stability. But on the whole, we need to be wary of *any* encroachments. Ideals matter.
OK, that's enough hooey from me.
For the first time in a while, I don't really feel like going back to school. I just need to get back into the thick of it, and get my "schedule" set up for this quarter. Then I'll feel a bit better. I need to get my groove. Or something. Mostly, I think, it's about just taking the exam and feeling overwhelmed already (re: I have to plan social events, write my proposal, do RA work, be a TA, finish a paper, AND sit in on two classes. This is not as bad as it sounds, and mostly involved good time management. It's just a loooong list....).
Newest obsession: The Sci-Fi Channe's "re-imagained" Battlestar: Galactica. Awesome. I missed the movie mini-series and the whole first season, but picked up the boxed set on Friday. The wife and I watched the movie this weekend, and we are hooked. Great, great science fiction. Like all good sci-fi, it's thick with world-building details and compelling political/social commentary. Woot.
Another obsession: I'm totally into the bands Sons and Daughters (which is described as Celtic "stomp rock." I dunno what the fuck that is. All I know is this band grooves.) and the 22-20s (who are just a nice little bluesy rock band from the UK). I'm just coming off giving a lot of love to The Black Keys (who will be back in Chicago, at the Metro in December, and who I think I will have to go see again, after their bitching Lollapalooza gig) and Nic Armstrong (who is so 1960s, it hurts).
Please note: I'm really into hyperlinks today.
I upgraded to Tiger. I had a bit of trouble at first. Now it's smooth sailing. It's really nice. I think I might need to upgrade my RAM though, just to make it work like *butter.*
I think that's all I'm obessed with right now.
Oh, just a comment... So, this whole Bush vs. SG thing is pretty, to borrow a phrase, whack. I don't participate in boards or groups much ... but there seems to be some misconceptions out there:
1. Some folks are saying that Democrats are just as bad (re: Tipper Gore vs. "porno rock" or Hillary Clinton being annoyed at GTA: San Andreas). I don't remember what Tipper's *goals* were, to be honest. But the end result was a warning label on music, and indirectly I would hazard, a warning label on video games. These things are not so bad. Parenting is a hard job, done by parents who are frazzled and make mistakes. Kids are always trying to get at things they shouldn't be in. Now, I don't buy that kids are wholly innocent beings, and I *do* think they should be exposed to "adult" ideas at some point. But, this has to be done with *some* care - or you can get seriously unwell children (certainly, "well" is a socially defined term; but outside an indepdent grounding - that's what we have to rely on, and it's important for developing a stable, productive society). So, we get warning lables to help parents out ... seems fair; maybe not done perfectly, but there is a degree of common sense and compromise there. Anyway, so it's just worth remembering that what we got out of Democratic concerns were *considerably* different than what we got from Republicans (re: an attempt at banning media that is distinctly adult [too adult?] in nature).
2. There is a lot of ballyhooing about how all governments are the same, all parties are the same etc and want to take your rights away. This is just stupid. Freedom does not exist outside of political structure. Even if we believe in metaphysical rights, it is only in *political institutions* we find them protected (hence, Arendt's lament for those who find themselves without a state). The republican structures of the US are imperfect to providing freedom, but they are a far step up from the absolulte authority of a monarchy or tyranny. Our access to "freedom" changes with time - more here, less then - and does not travel in a straight line. This means 1) do not be stupid and argue that all governments/parties are the same and 2) do not be stupid and argue that we are seeing some decline from which we will never come out of. Rather, realize this is *political* - open to contestation. Do something.
Take home lesson: Don't buy into the apolitical notion that this is "destined" to happen. Realize this is a choice of elites, as part of a way to please a constituency that is really, really pissed off (re: the Christian Right has been displeased since *Reagan,* feelings that Republicans don't do enough for their crazy agenda. This is the "bone" they get thrown - b/c who will stand up for pornographers?). More important, don't buy the slick line on the boards that *all* political parties would do this. This is a Republican, freaky Christian thing. Period. We can distinguish between social cooperation to spread information about media (re: warning lables; which may not be fun, but are at least somehow *sensible*), and out-and-out censorship.*
* Yes, it's true the 1s Amendment only applies to political speech. But just how do we know when speech is political? Some controls on speech are going to happen - part of that shitty need for stability. But on the whole, we need to be wary of *any* encroachments. Ideals matter.
OK, that's enough hooey from me.
VIEW 7 of 7 COMMENTS
I am trying to be proactive. And I really hope that luck goes my way this time.