all this "alison is right" stuff could really make my head swell...
but thanks all the same


new topic!
it's a good thing my bullshit detector does work, honest. There's so much crap going around, it's important that you realize what's actually real, and what's not. It's like watching TV news: stories are different from station to station (even if it's the same event), and the same goes for the newspaper and radio (for damn sure). So how much do you actually take for being the "truth" to begin with? Michale Moore aside, there are always people out there who want to make you believe they're right above all else (from every side of the spectrum) but you still need to see their opinions, and the "facts" they are presenting and take from them what you want to gain for yourself. Even I have a filter through which I see things and decide what's right or wrong, or what I don't believe... and I spit as much bullshit right back out anyway.

I sometimes feel like I'm being indoctrinated by the cult of anti-capitalism, or anti-americanism or something, but even that I can see through most of the time... though not all people can. Just the idea of "preaching to the converted" is kind-of ironic in that sense. These movies: Bowling for Columbine, The Corporation, etc. etc. while "true" are also filtered and directed in a certain way, just like people who write sermons for church, or whatever, filter and direct their messages in a certain way. Think about that the next time you go to one of those things. Those people who haven't been "converted" to the Michael Moore (example) view yet are the same as those who haven't yet been converted to Christianity, (or whatever other religion you wish) yet. You can "see the light" of religious conversion the same way people are hoping these movies will have you "see the light" of their movements. Sure some of the revelations (in any of these conversions) are based on pure fact, but it's done in a sensationalist way to make you feel like it's absolutely special, even if you already knew the answer.

I still love the comparison in Bowling for Columbine between Canada and the USA in their gun deaths statistics... total gross numbers, regardless of the fact that the US is 10 times larger than us, and those numbers were totals, not a per capita, or per 100 000 or anything like that. What really blew me away were the totals for other large-population countries like Japan, why didn't he compare Japan to the States? It would've make a much more dramatic statement, except that Canada is so much like the United States... (we're just too spread out to actually have as many deaths... it's too far to shoot!)

anyway enough for now...

"And back to the Michael Moore thing... you've got to know that everything in that movie is 100% factual."

Holy shit, are you for real?!! I think you're joking, right...? But if you're not...

"You have to remember that he's taken editorial/artistic licence with the film, and that although maybe everything is true, he's not giving you the whole picture."

EXACTLY, Alison. Thank-you.

"Alison is right... you have to take Moore's work "with a grain of salt". Just because someone can have something published/printed/produced doesnt mean the work will be defacto truth. You have to think about why they are saying it and how they say it."

Thank-you to you also Ed. I'm relieved to find out there are some people left in this world who have their bullshit filters intact. Never take this for granted; most North Americans really DO believe what they see.

Just saw Fahrenheit 9/11, and I too share Beck's fears that it'll only preach to the converted, 'cause all those damn Tories here and conservatives in the States should definitely watch it and see if they're so confident in their convictions afterward.

Word of warning to those planning on seeing it: there are moments when it gets really graphic (ie. the lynched Americans)

On a much more positive note, as you all may/may not know, this coming Friday is my 22nd birthday and this time around I'm actually choosing to celebrate it somewhat. So clear your schedule for this Friday and come down to Elephant & Castle on Whyte. I'm trying to get everyone there a tad early (between 7:00 and 8:00) so that we can get the most room possible. Hope to see you all there!

Alison, how could you even ask how to initiate a Paradigm shift? The half hole! My God, I'm so disappointed in you. You could have been one of the shining stars of the new universe (and you still can). Repent! As for assassinations, wasn't that Al's dept? Drive-bys always involve guilty bystanders. Horrible scenes of destruction where fast moving vehicles are spotted stopping randomly, it's passengers tossing bags of cookies at unsuspecting lunatics who are still willing to walk the streets. Crippled or mortally wounded under the crushing weight of the carefully prepared treats, those who survive the onslaught are forced to eat their way through the debris in order to receive medical attention. Only then do they realize that they will be forever afflicted with diabetes from the horrible intake of chocolate and sugar. Such is the fate of those who stand idly in the face of tomorrow.

You move them to the other side of the nickel...

The cooling power of sound

ESPN McCall

On the nose

And things go from bad to worse in the Something Awful Weekend Web

well, upon actually reading the Michael Moore discussion, I propose this:
major, huge, massive PARADIGM SHIFT
that's the only way it's going to work, you know that.
but how do you create a paradigm shift?

uhh... Leo?

if it is you, what are you doing back early?
and welcome back! of course
sure, I get paid for 30 hours a week, but I work more... every week
and besides, you get course credit for yours. : p

Sweet Jesus, should I even TRY to read all of this?!?!?!?!?

Hahaha... viruses... don't have to worry bout those when you got no internet for 2 months
*cry*

Percy and Beck: heheheh, ladder reset... aint that a bitch
Alison: at least you get paid to work
Pete: might be there, we'll see
Ed: AA marathon!!!
Albert: ...
nobody knows my face: I only got 30 minutes or so every week or so to check my mail... too long... can't read, no time
AD: what's up?
Jere: take you head out of your ass =)
Andy: only one post in the last 4 days? c'mon, you can do better than that
Par: why won't you let this monstrosity die!?!?!?!? WHY???

Grain of salt? Bah!

Alison is right... you have to take Moore's work "with a grain of salt". Just because someone can have something published/printed/produced doesnt mean the work will be defacto truth. You have to think about why they are saying it and how they say it. Bowling for Columbine is a perfect example. I would imagine that Fahrenheit is the same...