Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Torturing Democracy
I watched Torturing Democracy last night, a stupefying documentary on the legalization of torture by the current US administration -- not just for Abu Ghraib but in Guantanamo Bay and in dozens of CIA extraordinary rendition black sites around the world.
I couldn't stop watching. It wasn't so much that the documentary proved enlightening; I was already aware of much of the information presented. However, it was gripping in the sense that each progression and each revelation provoked a fresh reaction of disbelief.
How can human beings behave this way? How can a person make such decisions and be able to live with himself or herself?
Abu Ghraib was the public face of US torture. My belief then, as it is now, is that Abu Ghraib combined with the reprehensible legal shenanigans by the US government as to what torture is acceptable has done irreperable harm to the US. Not just that other regimes can treat US soldiers the way prisoners are treated in Gitmo, although that in itself is bad enough. No. Now, any higher value or purpose espoused by the US is seen as hypocritical, viewed by everyone internationally through a lens of distrust.
Can the US really be considered a shining city upon a hill any more?
Do yourself a favour. Watch this documentary. And ask yourself if an administration that participates in this kind of behaviour is worth any kind of support.
I couldn't stop watching. It wasn't so much that the documentary proved enlightening; I was already aware of much of the information presented. However, it was gripping in the sense that each progression and each revelation provoked a fresh reaction of disbelief.
How can human beings behave this way? How can a person make such decisions and be able to live with himself or herself?
Abu Ghraib was the public face of US torture. My belief then, as it is now, is that Abu Ghraib combined with the reprehensible legal shenanigans by the US government as to what torture is acceptable has done irreperable harm to the US. Not just that other regimes can treat US soldiers the way prisoners are treated in Gitmo, although that in itself is bad enough. No. Now, any higher value or purpose espoused by the US is seen as hypocritical, viewed by everyone internationally through a lens of distrust.
Can the US really be considered a shining city upon a hill any more?
Do yourself a favour. Watch this documentary. And ask yourself if an administration that participates in this kind of behaviour is worth any kind of support.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Fire(works) Walk With Me
I hadn't planned on going to watch the Celebration of Light fireworks this year, having gone at least once a year, if not more, ever since I moved to Vancouver. Plus I thought it was probably prudent to skip a year, considering how busy my life has become of late. Kyenta and I are moving to East Van in just a few days and we had to get a bunch of packing done on the weekend.
At around half past nine, we had just finished packing for the day when Kyenta turned to me and said, "You know, this is probably the last time we'll be able to walk to the fireworks."
Right now, we're about a thirty minute walk to Kits Beach, which is a prime viewing location. Once we move, we'll have to drive to see them -- although we'll still park south of Broadway and walk the rest of the way to avoid the crazy post-fireworks pedestrian traffic.
We scrambled out the door and just made it to the beach when the fireworks exploded into action.
The fireworks themselves were great, but the musical selection was a bizarre medley of opera lite, pop rock, and vegas glam: Sting, U2, Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion.
We walked back home amidst the throng, enjoying the cool night and the slight breeze.
I'm going to miss living here.
At around half past nine, we had just finished packing for the day when Kyenta turned to me and said, "You know, this is probably the last time we'll be able to walk to the fireworks."
Right now, we're about a thirty minute walk to Kits Beach, which is a prime viewing location. Once we move, we'll have to drive to see them -- although we'll still park south of Broadway and walk the rest of the way to avoid the crazy post-fireworks pedestrian traffic.
We scrambled out the door and just made it to the beach when the fireworks exploded into action.
The fireworks themselves were great, but the musical selection was a bizarre medley of opera lite, pop rock, and vegas glam: Sting, U2, Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion.
We walked back home amidst the throng, enjoying the cool night and the slight breeze.
I'm going to miss living here.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
The 10% Myth
A few months ago, I read Stephen King's Cell, his somewhat flawed take on the zombie genre.
Speaking in broad generalizations, once you get past the "grrr, argh, brains", zombie tales are allegorical in nature, whether it's consumerism, foreign policy, or the democratization of the media. Cell is no different. It takes the rather obvious premise of "cellphone users as zombies" and runs with it.
Overall, I think King did an OK job -- the zombies aren't really classic George Romero zombies; King injects enough of his own variations into the equation to keep you guessing. Sadly, the novel falls down when King tries to explain the cause and mechanics of the outbreak, and falls down hard. Technical plausibility has never been his strong suit. Given the story direction this was probably not possible, but I'd have preferred if he had left out most of the details completely.
One of those details is this: that humans only use 10% of their brain, and by extrapolation, that the other 90% is untapped potential just waiting to be unlocked. No one is sure exactly where this myth originated but there isn't any doubt that it's pretty widespread. It's most often used as evidence to advance claims that psychic powers are plausible.
I don't mind psychic abilities appearing in speculative fiction. Just figure out a different way of rationalizing it (assuming you bother to; it's not always necessary). Explicitly quoting the 10% myth breaks the suspension of disbelief--at least for me.
It's just not true.
Speaking in broad generalizations, once you get past the "grrr, argh, brains", zombie tales are allegorical in nature, whether it's consumerism, foreign policy, or the democratization of the media. Cell is no different. It takes the rather obvious premise of "cellphone users as zombies" and runs with it.Overall, I think King did an OK job -- the zombies aren't really classic George Romero zombies; King injects enough of his own variations into the equation to keep you guessing. Sadly, the novel falls down when King tries to explain the cause and mechanics of the outbreak, and falls down hard. Technical plausibility has never been his strong suit. Given the story direction this was probably not possible, but I'd have preferred if he had left out most of the details completely.
One of those details is this: that humans only use 10% of their brain, and by extrapolation, that the other 90% is untapped potential just waiting to be unlocked. No one is sure exactly where this myth originated but there isn't any doubt that it's pretty widespread. It's most often used as evidence to advance claims that psychic powers are plausible.
I don't mind psychic abilities appearing in speculative fiction. Just figure out a different way of rationalizing it (assuming you bother to; it's not always necessary). Explicitly quoting the 10% myth breaks the suspension of disbelief--at least for me.
It's just not true.
Monday, July 21, 2008
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