"Imagination is the one weapon in the war against reality."
- Jules de Gaultier
If someone is in a situation in which their reality is one of poverty, war, disease, or suffering, he/she may or may not be motivated to change it. In order to do so, they would have to first believe that change is possible, and second, be able to imagine a different reality. Take for instance, the second stanza of John Lennon's song called "Imagine:"
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
For an Arab or Israeli child who has only known war with the "other side," it would take a strong "weapon" to break the cycle of both war and perception of each other as the enemy. In that case, Gaultier is right. Each has to use his imagination to create an image of peace toward which they can work.
Likewise, if your reality is a ghetto, you have to be able to imagine yourself breaking free of that environment in order to do so. Of course, imagination alone is never enough. It has to be accompanied by hard work and will power. In that sense, I disagree with Gaultier's characterization of imagination as "the one weapon" in the war against reality. It is, however, an extremely powerful one.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Hu's on First?
I found this funny, well-written joke on the internet the other day:
Bush: Condi, what's the name of the LEADER of CHINA?
Condi: Hu.
Bush: You know, the CHINESE LEADER.
Condi: HU's the Chinese leader.
Bush: That's what I want to know.
Condi: WHAT, sir?
Bush: WHO's that guy that runs CHINA?!
Condi: That's right. HU's the guy that runs CHINA.
Bush: THAT'S WHAT I'm ASKING YOU! Oh, forget it! Instead, tell me about the NORTH KOREAN LEADER.
Condi: IL?
Bush: He is? Probably the flu. It's going around, you know.
This joke reminds me of Abbot and Costello's famous "Who's on First?" bit, which is really funny because of its wordplay and ambiguity. This joke cleverly uses the homonyms of "who" and "Hu" and "Il" and "Ill." It also helps that the words needed to understand the joke are in caps lock. I don't think the joke would be quite as funny if you didn't know which words to look at. Also, since online communication is two-dimensional, it tells us what words to put an emphasis on to make it sound like a real conversation.
Bush: Condi, what's the name of the LEADER of CHINA?
Condi: Hu.
Bush: You know, the CHINESE LEADER.
Condi: HU's the Chinese leader.
Bush: That's what I want to know.
Condi: WHAT, sir?
Bush: WHO's that guy that runs CHINA?!
Condi: That's right. HU's the guy that runs CHINA.
Bush: THAT'S WHAT I'm ASKING YOU! Oh, forget it! Instead, tell me about the NORTH KOREAN LEADER.
Condi: IL?
Bush: He is? Probably the flu. It's going around, you know.
This joke reminds me of Abbot and Costello's famous "Who's on First?" bit, which is really funny because of its wordplay and ambiguity. This joke cleverly uses the homonyms of "who" and "Hu" and "Il" and "Ill." It also helps that the words needed to understand the joke are in caps lock. I don't think the joke would be quite as funny if you didn't know which words to look at. Also, since online communication is two-dimensional, it tells us what words to put an emphasis on to make it sound like a real conversation.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The Devil Made me Do it
This song is called: "Sing for the Moment," by Eminem
This song is clearly a response to some of the negative criticism that Eminem gets. He has been vehemently protested against by parents who feel that he is a bad influence. This is basically his explanation to the world that in the world of music, nothing can be taken literally, but because of the level of celebrity that rappers have, it IS taken literally. Eminem is saying that parents are not being responsible for not explaining to their children that the music he makes isn't a representation of who he really is or how he wants his fans to behave.
The first verse breaks down Eminem's childhood. Ironically, Eminem explains that his parents were exactly the likes one who now protest against his music. He paints a clear picture of how he was changing as a child, and how his parents started to lose control over him.
The second verse explains just how dangerous the messages of the music industry have become. The kids who listen to today's rap are impressionable teenagers who naively believe everything they hear. So when they hear about degradation of women, or firing pistols when someone makes them mad, they take it to heart and act on what the artist is supposedly telling them to do. However, many of these so called "gangster rappers," are really just thriving businessmen trying to feed their families. As Eminem says "If my music is literal and I'm a criminal, how the fuck can I raise a little girl?"
The last verse is most intriguing to me. Can music really make someone "load up a gun and cock it too?" Eminem basically is pointing out that it is an easy cop-out to blame music for a violent action, and because so many believe the insanity plea, the artist who raps about violence will always come down with the blame. Unfortunately, the state of rap music industry is such that violence, drugs, and sex sell, and if you don't stick to those topics, you won't make as much money as you would otherwise.
[Verse #1]
These ideas are nightmares for white parents
Whose worst fear is a child with dyed hair and who likes earrings
Like whatever they say has no bearing
Its so scary in a house that allows no swearing
To see him walking around with his headphones blaring
Alone in his own zone, cold and he dont care
He's a problem child, what bothers him all comes out
When he talks about his f**kin' dad walkin out
Cos he hates him so bad that he blocks him out
But if he ever saw him again, he'd prolly knock him out
His thoughts are whacked, he's mad so he's talkin' back
Talkin black, brainwashed from rock and rap
He sags his pants, 2 rags and a stocking cap
His step-father hit him so he socked him backAnd broke his nose, this house is a broken home
There's no control, he just lets his emotions go
[Chorus:]
Sing now, sing for the year
Sing for the moment, sing for the tears
Sing with me, just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away
[Verse #2]
Entertainment is danger, intertwine it with gangsters
In the land of the killers, a sinner's mind is a sanctum
Only you're unholy, only have one homey
Only this gun, lonely, 'cause don't anyone know me
But everybody just feels like they can relate
I guess words are a motherf**ker, they can be great
Or they can degrade, or even worse, they can teach hate
Its like kids hang on every single statement we make
Like they worship us, plus all the stores ship us platinum
Now how the f**k did this metamorphasis happen?
From standin' on corners and porches just rappin'
To havin' a fortune, no more kissin' ass
But then these critics crucify you, journalists try to burn you
Fans turn on you, attorney's all gonna turn it to
To get their hands on every dime you have
They want you to lose your mind every time you mad
So they can try to make you out to look like a loose canon
You need to spew, dont hesitate to produce air-guns
Thats why these prosecutors wanna convict me
Swiftly just to get me offa these streets quickly
But all their kids been listen'n to me religiously
So I'm signing cds while police fingerprint me
They're for the judges daughter, but his grudge is against me
If I'm such a f**kin' menace, this shit doesnt make sense, Pete
It's all political, if my music is literal and I'm a criminal,
How the f**k can i raise a little girl?
I couldn't. I wouldn't be fit to
You're full of shit too, Guerrera, that was a fist that hit you!
[Chorus]
[Verse #3]
They say music can alter moods and talk to you
But can it load a gun for you and cock it too?
Well if it can, then the next time you assault a dude
Just tell the judge it was my fault, and I'll get sued
See what these kids do, is hear about us toting pistols
And they want to get one, cos they think the shit's cool
Not knowin' we're really just protectin' ourselves
We're entertainers, of course this shit's affecting our sales
You ignoramus! But music is reflection of self
We just explain it, and then we get our cheques in the mail
It's f**ked up ain't it, how we can come from practically nothin'
To bein' able to have any f**kin' thing that we wanted
It's why we sing for these kids that don't have a thing
Except for a dream and a f**king rap magazine
Who post pinup pictures on their walls all day long
Idolize their favourite rappers and know all they songs
Or for anyone who's ever been through shit in they lives
So they sit and they cry at night, wishing they die
Till they throw on a rap record, and they sit and they vibe
We're nothing to you, but we're the f**kin' shit in their eyes
That's why we sieze the moment, and try to freeze it and own it
Squeeze it and hold it, 'cos we consider these minutes golden
And maybe they'll admit it when we're gone
Just let our spirits live on, through out lyrics that you hear in our songs
This song is clearly a response to some of the negative criticism that Eminem gets. He has been vehemently protested against by parents who feel that he is a bad influence. This is basically his explanation to the world that in the world of music, nothing can be taken literally, but because of the level of celebrity that rappers have, it IS taken literally. Eminem is saying that parents are not being responsible for not explaining to their children that the music he makes isn't a representation of who he really is or how he wants his fans to behave.
The first verse breaks down Eminem's childhood. Ironically, Eminem explains that his parents were exactly the likes one who now protest against his music. He paints a clear picture of how he was changing as a child, and how his parents started to lose control over him.
The second verse explains just how dangerous the messages of the music industry have become. The kids who listen to today's rap are impressionable teenagers who naively believe everything they hear. So when they hear about degradation of women, or firing pistols when someone makes them mad, they take it to heart and act on what the artist is supposedly telling them to do. However, many of these so called "gangster rappers," are really just thriving businessmen trying to feed their families. As Eminem says "If my music is literal and I'm a criminal, how the fuck can I raise a little girl?"
The last verse is most intriguing to me. Can music really make someone "load up a gun and cock it too?" Eminem basically is pointing out that it is an easy cop-out to blame music for a violent action, and because so many believe the insanity plea, the artist who raps about violence will always come down with the blame. Unfortunately, the state of rap music industry is such that violence, drugs, and sex sell, and if you don't stick to those topics, you won't make as much money as you would otherwise.
It's funny how children our age find authority in the strangest places. It's almost as if we look up to these artists as a lost child would to his/her parents for guidance. We feel as though these rappers hold a certain level of credibility because of how famous they are, and therefore act on what they say to get an almost subconscious seal of approval.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Ben Franklin's Crystal Ball
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." - Benjamin Franklin
It seems almost as if Ben Franklin could see into the future of American politics. A few years ago, the government created a bill called the Patriot Act. Among its provisions, the act increased the ability of law enforcement agencies to search telephone and e-mail communications and medical, financial, and other records. However, this Act violates a lot of our liberties granted by the 4th amendment of the Constitution, which is:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures
The government claims that it's better to give up these civil liberties than to be susceptible to domestic terrorism. If Ben Franklin were still alive, he would whole-heartedly disagree. I agree with Franklin. Surely there must better ways of combating the threat of terrorism than sacrificing civil liberties. Ironically, we are less safe in America today than we were when we passed the Patriot Act.
However, there is a modern-day example of people with power who agree with Franklin. Recently, a federal judge in NY ruled that a particular provision of the Patriot Act was "highly illegal and unconstitutional."
It seems almost as if Ben Franklin could see into the future of American politics. A few years ago, the government created a bill called the Patriot Act. Among its provisions, the act increased the ability of law enforcement agencies to search telephone and e-mail communications and medical, financial, and other records. However, this Act violates a lot of our liberties granted by the 4th amendment of the Constitution, which is:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures
The government claims that it's better to give up these civil liberties than to be susceptible to domestic terrorism. If Ben Franklin were still alive, he would whole-heartedly disagree. I agree with Franklin. Surely there must better ways of combating the threat of terrorism than sacrificing civil liberties. Ironically, we are less safe in America today than we were when we passed the Patriot Act.
However, there is a modern-day example of people with power who agree with Franklin. Recently, a federal judge in NY ruled that a particular provision of the Patriot Act was "highly illegal and unconstitutional."
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
The Allegory of The Allegory
The following is a scene from the movie, "The Matrix:"
Morpheus: I imagine that right now you're feeling a bit like Alice. Tumbling down the rabbit hole?
Neo: You could say that.
Morpheus: I can see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he's expecting to wake up. Ironically, this is not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate, Neo?
Neo: No.
Morpheus: Why not?
Neo: 'Cause I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.
Morpheus: I know exactly what you mean. Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know, you can't explain. But you feel it. You felt it your entire life. That there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there. Like a splinter in your mind -- driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I'm talking about?
Neo: The Matrix?
Morpheus: Do you want to know what it is?
(Neo nods his head.)
Morpheus: The Matrix is everywhere, it is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window, or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, or when go to church or when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Morpheus: That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else, you were born into bondage, born inside a prison that you cannot smell, taste, or touch. A prison for your mind. (long pause, sighs) Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself. This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back.
(In his left hand, Morpheus shows a blue pill.)
Morpheus: You take the blue pill and the story ends. You wake in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. (a red pill is shown in his other hand) You take the red pill and you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes. (Long pause; Neo begins to reach for the red pill) Remember -- all I am offering is the truth, nothing more.
(Neo takes the red pill and swallows it with a glass of water)
"The Matrix," written by Andy and Larry Wachowski, is an allegory of Plato's "Allegory of the Cave." In the Allegory of the Cave, the prisoners are trapped in a cave, chained up, and are shown images projected onto a wall that they believe to be "true." Not until these prisoners are freed from the cave do they know what reality actually is and adjust their previous beliefs. In this movie, the majority of the world is trapped in a similar cave of what they are told to be true. In this scene, Morpheus is offering to take Neo out of the cave and show him the real truth.
It's interesting because you would think that someone born into psychological bondage, as Morpheus calls it, would prefer to be freed and see what reality is. However, if a false image of truth is all a person has ever known, unleashing someone into the real truth could be a frightening experience. You may not be ready for what you may encounter, and the truth may cause pain and grief. As later mentioned in the movie, "the Matrix was originally created to keep everyone happy." Perhaps a lot of us do not want to know the real truth because we'd rather have someone or something lie to us to keep us happy as opposed to be willing to reconstruct every belief you've ever had about anything.
In retrospect, when I first saw this movie when I was ten, I didn't understand the underlying implications of what's real and what isn't. However, now I can look back this movie and understand that it is an allegory. It now makes sense why Neo is called "The One," because he is the only one who is being freed from the cave.
Morpheus: I imagine that right now you're feeling a bit like Alice. Tumbling down the rabbit hole?
Neo: You could say that.
Morpheus: I can see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he's expecting to wake up. Ironically, this is not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate, Neo?
Neo: No.
Morpheus: Why not?
Neo: 'Cause I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.
Morpheus: I know exactly what you mean. Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know, you can't explain. But you feel it. You felt it your entire life. That there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there. Like a splinter in your mind -- driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I'm talking about?
Neo: The Matrix?
Morpheus: Do you want to know what it is?
(Neo nods his head.)
Morpheus: The Matrix is everywhere, it is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window, or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, or when go to church or when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Morpheus: That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else, you were born into bondage, born inside a prison that you cannot smell, taste, or touch. A prison for your mind. (long pause, sighs) Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself. This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back.
(In his left hand, Morpheus shows a blue pill.)
Morpheus: You take the blue pill and the story ends. You wake in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. (a red pill is shown in his other hand) You take the red pill and you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes. (Long pause; Neo begins to reach for the red pill) Remember -- all I am offering is the truth, nothing more.
(Neo takes the red pill and swallows it with a glass of water)
"The Matrix," written by Andy and Larry Wachowski, is an allegory of Plato's "Allegory of the Cave." In the Allegory of the Cave, the prisoners are trapped in a cave, chained up, and are shown images projected onto a wall that they believe to be "true." Not until these prisoners are freed from the cave do they know what reality actually is and adjust their previous beliefs. In this movie, the majority of the world is trapped in a similar cave of what they are told to be true. In this scene, Morpheus is offering to take Neo out of the cave and show him the real truth.
It's interesting because you would think that someone born into psychological bondage, as Morpheus calls it, would prefer to be freed and see what reality is. However, if a false image of truth is all a person has ever known, unleashing someone into the real truth could be a frightening experience. You may not be ready for what you may encounter, and the truth may cause pain and grief. As later mentioned in the movie, "the Matrix was originally created to keep everyone happy." Perhaps a lot of us do not want to know the real truth because we'd rather have someone or something lie to us to keep us happy as opposed to be willing to reconstruct every belief you've ever had about anything.
In retrospect, when I first saw this movie when I was ten, I didn't understand the underlying implications of what's real and what isn't. However, now I can look back this movie and understand that it is an allegory. It now makes sense why Neo is called "The One," because he is the only one who is being freed from the cave.
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