4.29.2003
Well... I guess as far as images of war go, I didn't really like Saving Private Ryan because I got too much into it. It hit too close to home. It is impossible to remain detached from something like that. And the thing is too, that whether it was real (say in war footage) or fake (in the movies), if the depiction is real enough, the differences and the boundaries blur. Scenes that were filmed at the actual battle and scenes from the movie coexist (at least in my mind) and there is little real difference except for the high-level knowledge that the actors went home that night, but the troops didn't.
It should be remembered, too, that the same people who say that war footage is "pornographic" (not, though, in the real sense of the term) are the same ones who said that Saving Private Ryan was too graphic. It isn't really fair to extract that out to the general polulation saying that a majority, or even a significant minority think the same way.
As for me, I think that SPR was an incredible piece of film because it did make me so uncomfortable. And war footage, when viewed in moderation (too much can be too much), is necessary to make us realize just what it is that is happening.
It should be remembered, too, that the same people who say that war footage is "pornographic" (not, though, in the real sense of the term) are the same ones who said that Saving Private Ryan was too graphic. It isn't really fair to extract that out to the general polulation saying that a majority, or even a significant minority think the same way.
As for me, I think that SPR was an incredible piece of film because it did make me so uncomfortable. And war footage, when viewed in moderation (too much can be too much), is necessary to make us realize just what it is that is happening.
4.25.2003
4.24.2003
"It's very strange. As we applaud the hard-edged realism of the opening battle scene of Saving Private Ryan, we cringe at the thought of seeing the same on the nightly news. We are told it would be pornographic. We want no part of reality in real life. We demand that war be painstakingly realized on the screen but that war remain imagined and conceptualized in real life." - Tim Robbins
Wow....I must applaud this man.
Countering a Wave of Hate
Wow....I must applaud this man.
Countering a Wave of Hate
4.23.2003
ok, fine, I'll give in to peer pressure and do it....
Sex: Male
EQ:18
SQ:51
it told me what I already knew about me... amazing...
I still haven't seen rain man... I should rent it sometime...
damnit, why aren't these people trying to research something useful, like cheap fusion power plants or something...
Sex: Male
EQ:18
SQ:51
it told me what I already knew about me... amazing...
I still haven't seen rain man... I should rent it sometime...
damnit, why aren't these people trying to research something useful, like cheap fusion power plants or something...
4.22.2003
I read an interesting article linked by Applekid's post last summer about how computer systems were designed by people with Asperger Syndrome for people with Asperger Syndrome, that the nature of the way computers operate and the way that they are operated shows an obvious bias toward people of that mindset. The question I have is, how else would it be done? There are physical realities that have to guide the process (hardware), but how would a system designed from a more empathic mindset work?
WOULD it work? :)
"Kmart sucks"- Rainman
WOULD it work? :)
"Kmart sucks"- Rainman
When I posted that article, my emphasis was not on the test aspect, but the actual fact that there are people calling themselves professionals actually doing studies on this subject. It was only upon seeing everyone taking the test that I felt compelled to go through it myself. And I must agree it was a waste of time.
Sex: Male
EQ: 29
SQ: 32
What does this prove? Again, scientifically results are void on such small scales, and with such worthless quizzes.
Sex: Male
EQ: 29
SQ: 32
What does this prove? Again, scientifically results are void on such small scales, and with such worthless quizzes.
4.21.2003
Name: jeff green
Sex: male
EQ (the femmy side)-26
SQ(the masculine side)-50
Points proven: I heartily agree with Jenny's opinion about the nature of these tests. I feel like I have a better empathic ability than these tests imply (though I may be wrong-I am somewhat socially dense, and my "type" is characterized by their inablitiy to see that), and I feel like my SQ ranks me up there with Rainman. (and not in a good way)
whatever. I suppose that this is my SQ side coming out, but I do disagree with the statement that there are no genetic or intrinsic differences between the male and the female brain. There is a large body of evidence to support that there are structural differences and both sexes tend to excel at different things. The differences are largely structural (say in the Isthmus portion of the brain that connects the two hemispheres in females and the visual cortex in males), but neurochemistry has a great deal to play as well, and, lest we forget, society has a role, though it is my opinion that society has less of an effect than many people think. I think we are extremely tied to our biology. I don't think that this necessarily casts a bad light on either sex. One is no better or worse than the other, they are merely different. This also does not mean that a person is sentenced to living a lopsided existence simply because they were born male or female, just that the two brains are wired to see things differently. Males can not prevented from empathy by their biology, and females are not prevented from procedural thought. The human brain is ENORMOUSLY complex, and simply can't be generalized by a 50 question-4 answer quiz. These quizzes are as informative as those in Cosmo
It really is a fascinating thing to look into. I have personally wondered how females physically "see" the world, in particular. Males are generally much more visually and spatially oriented, and I have wondered if this translates in to a higher visual acuity or if it is a deeper image processing issue that is different and unique to a particular brain. Do photographers/painters physically see differently than a musician? Does a musician hear differently than a writer? Are female emotions stronger or more intense or more varied than male emotions?
fascinating stuff to think about....
Sex: male
EQ (the femmy side)-26
SQ(the masculine side)-50
Points proven: I heartily agree with Jenny's opinion about the nature of these tests. I feel like I have a better empathic ability than these tests imply (though I may be wrong-I am somewhat socially dense, and my "type" is characterized by their inablitiy to see that), and I feel like my SQ ranks me up there with Rainman. (and not in a good way)
whatever. I suppose that this is my SQ side coming out, but I do disagree with the statement that there are no genetic or intrinsic differences between the male and the female brain. There is a large body of evidence to support that there are structural differences and both sexes tend to excel at different things. The differences are largely structural (say in the Isthmus portion of the brain that connects the two hemispheres in females and the visual cortex in males), but neurochemistry has a great deal to play as well, and, lest we forget, society has a role, though it is my opinion that society has less of an effect than many people think. I think we are extremely tied to our biology. I don't think that this necessarily casts a bad light on either sex. One is no better or worse than the other, they are merely different. This also does not mean that a person is sentenced to living a lopsided existence simply because they were born male or female, just that the two brains are wired to see things differently. Males can not prevented from empathy by their biology, and females are not prevented from procedural thought. The human brain is ENORMOUSLY complex, and simply can't be generalized by a 50 question-4 answer quiz. These quizzes are as informative as those in Cosmo
It really is a fascinating thing to look into. I have personally wondered how females physically "see" the world, in particular. Males are generally much more visually and spatially oriented, and I have wondered if this translates in to a higher visual acuity or if it is a deeper image processing issue that is different and unique to a particular brain. Do photographers/painters physically see differently than a musician? Does a musician hear differently than a writer? Are female emotions stronger or more intense or more varied than male emotions?
fascinating stuff to think about....
4.20.2003
Name: Jenny
Sex: Female
EQ (the "feminine" aspect of the brain): 33
SQ (the "masculine" aspect of the brain): 41
EQ Category Description: "33-52 - You have an average ability for understanding how other people feel and responding appropriately. You know how to treat people with care and sensitivity. Most women score about 47 and most men score about 42."
SQ Category Description: "40-50 - You have an above average ability for analysing and exploring a system. On average, women score about 24 and men score about 30. Most people with Asperger Syndrome or high functioning autism score between 40-50."
PointsProven: Tests like that are bullshit, and there are no genetic or intrisic differences between the male and female brain. Social conditioning is one thing, but gender does not necessarily dictate a person's behavior or thought-process.
(Wipes hands of the whole mess. Curtseys for ironic effect.)
Sex: Female
EQ (the "feminine" aspect of the brain): 33
SQ (the "masculine" aspect of the brain): 41
EQ Category Description: "33-52 - You have an average ability for understanding how other people feel and responding appropriately. You know how to treat people with care and sensitivity. Most women score about 47 and most men score about 42."
SQ Category Description: "40-50 - You have an above average ability for analysing and exploring a system. On average, women score about 24 and men score about 30. Most people with Asperger Syndrome or high functioning autism score between 40-50."
PointsProven: Tests like that are bullshit, and there are no genetic or intrisic differences between the male and female brain. Social conditioning is one thing, but gender does not necessarily dictate a person's behavior or thought-process.
(Wipes hands of the whole mess. Curtseys for ironic effect.)
4.17.2003
boys VS girls
4.12.2003
"The media serve the interests of state and corporate power, which are closely interlinked, framing their reporting and analysis in a manner supportive of established privilege and limiting debate and discussion accordingly."
~Noam Chomsky~
~Noam Chomsky~
4.10.2003
I say it's because it's green...
people dont like green, gooey things...
I don't know why, it's just how they are...
SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RULES!
sorry, just needed to get that out of my system
[bit torrent rocks]
people dont like green, gooey things...
I don't know why, it's just how they are...
SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RULES!
sorry, just needed to get that out of my system
[bit torrent rocks]
4.09.2003
taking a break from the war and conquest, i was thinking today as i rode the bus home....
picking your nose in public.
from my understanding, the dominant opinion regarding this act is that it is inappropriate/gross etc....
i asked myself the question......why exactly? its not the fact that bacteria is contained in your mucus, because if germs were so dangerous we'd all walk around with protective gloves/masks on. we touch so many public things everyday from door knobs to shopping carts to hand rails.
i eventually decided that the most powerful factor in outlawing "booger retrieval" via digits.... is that awkward moment when you actually get something. it is then that you must decide whether you need to wipe it on something, or if its possible to roll and shed with a flick. this of course is detirmined by the consistency of the specimen. some savages also choose to ingest the mucus...
either way, whichever disposal method you choose must be executed with extremely concealed movements.
it is an extremely exciting and challenging situation to be in public with a wet sticky glob of mucus on your finger.
believe me.
i now understand the popular opinion in this matter.
picking your nose in public.
from my understanding, the dominant opinion regarding this act is that it is inappropriate/gross etc....
i asked myself the question......why exactly? its not the fact that bacteria is contained in your mucus, because if germs were so dangerous we'd all walk around with protective gloves/masks on. we touch so many public things everyday from door knobs to shopping carts to hand rails.
i eventually decided that the most powerful factor in outlawing "booger retrieval" via digits.... is that awkward moment when you actually get something. it is then that you must decide whether you need to wipe it on something, or if its possible to roll and shed with a flick. this of course is detirmined by the consistency of the specimen. some savages also choose to ingest the mucus...
either way, whichever disposal method you choose must be executed with extremely concealed movements.
it is an extremely exciting and challenging situation to be in public with a wet sticky glob of mucus on your finger.
believe me.
i now understand the popular opinion in this matter.
4.04.2003
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. " -Benjamin Franklin
4.03.2003
ummm, yay, I guess?
I found this while checking google for news...
and a few sentences just stood out in my mind.
She was flown to a U.S. military hospital at Rammstein Air Base in Germany, where she moshed and headbanged to German industrial metal for 3 days.
I know war blows, and people being injured sucks too...
but I just couldn't resist editing a serious news report...
I found this while checking google for news...
and a few sentences just stood out in my mind.
She was flown to a U.S. military hospital at Rammstein Air Base in Germany, where she moshed and headbanged to German industrial metal for 3 days.
I know war blows, and people being injured sucks too...
but I just couldn't resist editing a serious news report...
I'm the 7th human to conclude that the world hates me...
Don't ask me who the first 6 are...
In 50 years, I see myself as being one of those lonely, grumpy old men who swears a lot and calls anyone younger then himself a "moronic flaming pig fucker"
Don't ask me who the first 6 are...
In 50 years, I see myself as being one of those lonely, grumpy old men who swears a lot and calls anyone younger then himself a "moronic flaming pig fucker"
4.02.2003
I am up to my eyeballs in testing, and it appears the only way out is through. I have a chemistry exam on Friday, for which I am not the least bit prepared. I found out today that i have a geology exam on friday as well, but that is merely an annoyance. I can do it off the top of my head. My friday continued to spiral away when I discovered that I have to occupy the ECE-Senior Design workshop booth at the UMD Techfest for a 3 full hours into my weekend.
I also, for the first time in my life, FOUGHT to take a test. The Fundamentals of Engineering test, that is. There was a snafu in the paperwork, and they sent a nice, certified letter saying that I would not be allowed to take the test for this reason. I spent 200 dollars to take the review session class (a sorry waste of 200 bucks, by the way), 100 dollars for study books, and 100 dollars to register for the test. Then I got the trite little letter. I was not pleased. I got the letter Saturday, and Monday I called the licensing board, but my access to the Queen Bee was impeded by a mid-level management drone. Monday was wasted in an attempt to bypass her, but Monday night I sent an email, and initiated contact directly with the Queen. After some deftly executed social engineering (if I do say so myself) I was allowed to fax and then mail the necessary documents and would be allowed (I love this. I have spent 400 dollars, but I was allowed to proceed) to sit for the exam. Now I just need to pass the exam. Easier said than done. It is an 8 hour (!) exam. 4 hours in the morning, and 4 in the afternoon. The morning exam covers general engineering concepts and will be the most difficult. In-depth knowledge of diverse topics like Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Conrol System Theory, Math, Statics, Chemistry, Signal Processing and Circuit analysis with instant recall is necessary. Basically, you only know something about the classes you have had. The rest is just guessing. The afternoon test is discipline-specific, which means I will take the electrical test. There is more in-depth knowledge required here, but I feel more comfortable because I am at least faintly familiar with the topics.
We shall see.
Graduation is 43 days away
I also, for the first time in my life, FOUGHT to take a test. The Fundamentals of Engineering test, that is. There was a snafu in the paperwork, and they sent a nice, certified letter saying that I would not be allowed to take the test for this reason. I spent 200 dollars to take the review session class (a sorry waste of 200 bucks, by the way), 100 dollars for study books, and 100 dollars to register for the test. Then I got the trite little letter. I was not pleased. I got the letter Saturday, and Monday I called the licensing board, but my access to the Queen Bee was impeded by a mid-level management drone. Monday was wasted in an attempt to bypass her, but Monday night I sent an email, and initiated contact directly with the Queen. After some deftly executed social engineering (if I do say so myself) I was allowed to fax and then mail the necessary documents and would be allowed (I love this. I have spent 400 dollars, but I was allowed to proceed) to sit for the exam. Now I just need to pass the exam. Easier said than done. It is an 8 hour (!) exam. 4 hours in the morning, and 4 in the afternoon. The morning exam covers general engineering concepts and will be the most difficult. In-depth knowledge of diverse topics like Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Conrol System Theory, Math, Statics, Chemistry, Signal Processing and Circuit analysis with instant recall is necessary. Basically, you only know something about the classes you have had. The rest is just guessing. The afternoon test is discipline-specific, which means I will take the electrical test. There is more in-depth knowledge required here, but I feel more comfortable because I am at least faintly familiar with the topics.
We shall see.
Graduation is 43 days away
4.01.2003
Last night i saw guster at the quest club.... it was extremely exciting for me....they covered jolene by cake during demons, and they did "not the same" by ben folds in its entirety. they also encored with a ripped away version of Great Escape which tickled my butt hair.
i haven't ever watched an episode of 24. no particular reason. i was trying to collect them all at one point and then gave up. the trailers i did see though pointed to a little more drama than i'm comfortable with.
Status Update: I'm working on getting my own apt- soon after i'll have my computer and my connection with the collective will once again be restored. trying for a second week of april move in.
so in the meantime... feel free to talk about world events, recipes (i know apples had some input there)...
Capitalism kills kids
GE makes a profitable decision
i haven't ever watched an episode of 24. no particular reason. i was trying to collect them all at one point and then gave up. the trailers i did see though pointed to a little more drama than i'm comfortable with.
Status Update: I'm working on getting my own apt- soon after i'll have my computer and my connection with the collective will once again be restored. trying for a second week of april move in.
so in the meantime... feel free to talk about world events, recipes (i know apples had some input there)...
Capitalism kills kids
GE makes a profitable decision
