The Machine Is Us/ing Us
Though it’s 3 years old already, this is an excellent and (dare I say it) emotional take on Web 2.0. Hell, may as well just call it 3.0 now. Though some of the subject matter may be out of date (XML, really? CSS with HTML works pretty well, too), it illustrates the ever-changing shape of the internet and what it means to the future of community, culture, society and even humanity. It was made by Michael Wesch, Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Kansas State University. Enjoy.
Goodbye GM: An Article By Michael Moore
I don’t agree with a lot of what Michael Moore says, but his ideas about what to do with GM are at least coming from a man who knows Flint, Michigan, having lived there for most of his life. The demise of GM is heartbreaking, but absolutely necessary.
The only way to save GM, is to kill GM. – Michael Moore
Like many Americans, I have fond memories of riding in huge boats with “GM” emblazoned on the seatbelt buttons. I also remember my grandfather being rather adamant about the brand at times, as grandparents tend to be when it comes to American cars. Talk about a new generation.
Thanks to my friend, Monica, for sending this to me. And thanks to Michael Moore for writing it. I don’t always like your movies that much, but good article (As though he’s reading this).
Find his article here.
Even Dating Is In a Downturn
This one is from the “Weirdness File” (I told you I was moving towards a less article-style of posting).
Apparently the woman who posted this Craigslist ad (click on the image) has grown tired of looking for a man on her own, so she has decided to lay the burden on her parents, effectively putting them in charge of arranging a marriage for her.
Now, I’m not trying to be vulgar here, and I work hard not to be vulgar when it comes to what I write and post here, but it is my humble opinion that when most men see the word “used” and the word “vagina” in the same sentence, they are going to be more than a tad turned off.
I mean, technically, what she is saying isn’t bad when she refers to her “used vagina,” that only means that she has slept with some guys before, but to use the term “used” like it was a baseball glove, followed up by the clinical “vagina” term, does not not equate to good advertising for this woman.
I’m hoping this woman has been through the online dating ringer before resorting to this. Actually, I hope she has tried everything when it comes to finding someone, if it has come to this.
I almost want to reply to her with:
“We know we can be difficult, but it’s worth it in the end. We will be pains in the ass to you whether you have our parents arrange our marriage or you meet us on your own. Chin up! It will happen, girl!
Sincerely,
Men”
Question for both women and men: If you were in this woman’s situation, would you go this far? She mentions that her family is from Southeast Asia (no country, though) and that apparently arranged marriages were once the norm in her culture, but if you had a similar background, would you resort to this?
Leave a comment!
Unique Within a Global Community?
I’ve noticed a rash of these kinds of profile photos and avatars lately. I’m sure this technique has been around for some time, but I never took much notice of it until recently after being on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc. It started me thinking about perceived “uniqueness” and the so-called “global community.”
To me, the increasing number of these types of photos are another in a long line of methods to make oneself feel “unique” across the internet. Which makes me laugh right away, seeing as how one of the higher purposes of the internet is to connect people across cultures. “Social Media,” as it is called nowadays, is on the forefront of this culture-mashing trend. Creating a global community is the higher goal, but, as usual, the manic desire of people to differentiate themselves from others by any means necessary is the dominant theme. Showing up to work or school with pink hair is no longer necessary now that everyone connects online: “I want to be different online” is now the cry. … Continue Reading