If my mom had yesterday asked me "what did you learn in school today?" I would have had a very simple answer: Liberals' linguistics are lame.
That's what I learned in linguistics class. Either the democrats are too proud to not take the "linguistic high road," or they just don't realize what a huge difference linguistics make in politics. Seriously, the conservatives have their Frank Luntz, a marvelous linguist, and as a result have made some remarkable headway. For instance, take the "death tax." It used to be called the "estate tax." Essentially what it did was tax people who inherited estates worth a certain amount or more. Obviously, rich conservatives wanted it repealed, so Luntz renamed it the "death tax," so that people would be all like "oh no, I don't want to be taxed when I die!" and he left out the part about how it pretty much only affected the top 2% of the populace. Here's the moral of the story:
If democrats took
The linguistic low road, they'd
Be much better off
Another instance of linguistic engineering (or semantic engineering, as it's called), is that Rush Limbaugh calls liberals "libs." You'd think it wouldn't be too hard for someone in the democratic party (here's looking at you, Keith) to start calling conservatives "cons." Seems like the logical thing to do. You'd think that words don't matter that much- but in all honesty words make a world of difference. Even the word "liberal" is a perfect example of this engineering. In the 50s, being liberal was something that all politicians aspired to be. However, because of smart campaigning, the word has undergone significant pejoration (decline of the connotation words give) and has become almost an insult of sorts.
If you want to learn more about this, Geoffrey Nunberg has an interesting book called Talking Right: How Conservatives Turned Liberalism into a Tax-Raising, Latte-Drinking, Sushi-Eating, Volvo-Driving, New York Times-Reading, Body-Piercing, Hollywood-Loving, Left-Wing Freak Show.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Earth Day Fail
Well, it's the day after Earth Day. Yes, I know I probably should have done an Earth Day post, but I felt yesterday's topic was a more pressing issue.
I'll get right into my haiku, to make up for the length of yesterday's post:
Earth Day is the day
To do stuff that you should do
Normally, but don't.
I mean really. We shouldn't need a specific holiday to encourage people to throw their recycling in the recycling bin instead of the trash can right next to it. We shouldn't need a holiday to tell you to not leave your cell phone charger plugged in 24/7. We shouldn't need a holiday to tell you to take slightly shorter showers, or anything for that matter. All of the power-saving tips that are forced upon you on Earth Day shouldn't need to be forced upon you, they should be part of your lives. Yes, I know people are lazy, but still.
If you treat Earth Day like a single day and do the aforementioned things, you're doing it wrong. Earth Day should be about going above and beyond the call of duty. Today, if you're not doing the same environmentally friendly things you were doing yesterday, you fail at Earth Day. That's all there is to it.
I'll get right into my haiku, to make up for the length of yesterday's post:
Earth Day is the day
To do stuff that you should do
Normally, but don't.
I mean really. We shouldn't need a specific holiday to encourage people to throw their recycling in the recycling bin instead of the trash can right next to it. We shouldn't need a holiday to tell you to not leave your cell phone charger plugged in 24/7. We shouldn't need a holiday to tell you to take slightly shorter showers, or anything for that matter. All of the power-saving tips that are forced upon you on Earth Day shouldn't need to be forced upon you, they should be part of your lives. Yes, I know people are lazy, but still.
If you treat Earth Day like a single day and do the aforementioned things, you're doing it wrong. Earth Day should be about going above and beyond the call of duty. Today, if you're not doing the same environmentally friendly things you were doing yesterday, you fail at Earth Day. That's all there is to it.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
It's too late for video games to "never be art"
Roger Ebert is old. He has been in the movie criticism industry for as long as I can remember (though that's not saying much), and is quite the legend, having spent his whole life watching and reviewing movies. And apparently doing that qualifies you to review other things.
What I am referring to, of course, is Ebert's statement that "video games can never be art." First of all, I would like to point out that Ebert has likely never played a video game in his life. And no, Wii sports doesn't count. It seems a little silly for a critic to judge something that he has never tried. It would be like me saying that food can't be art, because I've never been to that fancy a restaurant, or even if I said that movies can't be art though I've never seen one. However, since Ebert seems to have appointed himself as the end-all critic for everything, I'll ignore this fact and proceed.
First off, I'd like to say- what is the critic exactly? Well, let's see. We have art critics, theatre critics, movie critics, food critics, and books critics, all of which can be considered art. Oh, and then there are video game critics too. And don't try to say that they aren't real critics- both Gamespot and IGN (the 2 main review sites) are in the 200s for the most visited websites. Rottentomatoes, the one movie-review site to rule them all, is in the 700s.
Now, here's the real reason I think video games are art:
If something is made
Artfully of art, does that
Make it art itself?
Really, look at all the work that goes into video games. It's an entire collaborative team, with as many parts as a movie production. First of all, you have the artists who make art which is used to model the games. These people graduate from places like RISD and the Art Institute of Chicago. They are as much real artists as any. Don't believe me? Here's some decent concept art, and here's some screens of a game I think is truly art, in visuals and everything else.
Then, there's the music that goes into games by professional musicians. These musicians graduate from places like Berklee and the Yale Conservatory. Just, instead of going on to some orchestra or band, they go on to a career that will actually support themselves. Berklee has a video game music club with over 300 students in it, almost 10% of the school's entire base. Music from games is played in symphony orchestras around the world along with works of classical masters, whose artistry cannot be denied. Here's one such occurrence.
Even still, there's plot and screenwriting. If movies can be turned into art by their dialogue, can't video games? For instance, the game Advent Rising was written by Orson Scott Card- and I'd consider anything by him to be a step up from most movies. Then, there are also actors- if you can consider acting an art. Voice actors like you'd find in any animated movie can also be found in video games. Oh, and there are also cut-scenes and animated dialogue like in those movies. The game Mass Effect is pretty much all cut-scenes and dialogue. So if you were take those cut-scenes and make a movie out of them, that would be art, but they aren't in the context of the game? I think not.
When you properly combine the aforementioned properties along with quality gameplay, I fail to see how it could not be considered art. Look at Okami, look at Katamari Damacy. At Psychonauts, Shadow of the Colossus, Elder Scrolls Oblivion. Video games can be art, Ebert- you've been too busy not playing them to notice.
Sorry for the length of the post, but I had points that I needed to make.
What I am referring to, of course, is Ebert's statement that "video games can never be art." First of all, I would like to point out that Ebert has likely never played a video game in his life. And no, Wii sports doesn't count. It seems a little silly for a critic to judge something that he has never tried. It would be like me saying that food can't be art, because I've never been to that fancy a restaurant, or even if I said that movies can't be art though I've never seen one. However, since Ebert seems to have appointed himself as the end-all critic for everything, I'll ignore this fact and proceed.
First off, I'd like to say- what is the critic exactly? Well, let's see. We have art critics, theatre critics, movie critics, food critics, and books critics, all of which can be considered art. Oh, and then there are video game critics too. And don't try to say that they aren't real critics- both Gamespot and IGN (the 2 main review sites) are in the 200s for the most visited websites. Rottentomatoes, the one movie-review site to rule them all, is in the 700s.
Now, here's the real reason I think video games are art:
If something is made
Artfully of art, does that
Make it art itself?
Really, look at all the work that goes into video games. It's an entire collaborative team, with as many parts as a movie production. First of all, you have the artists who make art which is used to model the games. These people graduate from places like RISD and the Art Institute of Chicago. They are as much real artists as any. Don't believe me? Here's some decent concept art, and here's some screens of a game I think is truly art, in visuals and everything else.
Then, there's the music that goes into games by professional musicians. These musicians graduate from places like Berklee and the Yale Conservatory. Just, instead of going on to some orchestra or band, they go on to a career that will actually support themselves. Berklee has a video game music club with over 300 students in it, almost 10% of the school's entire base. Music from games is played in symphony orchestras around the world along with works of classical masters, whose artistry cannot be denied. Here's one such occurrence.
Even still, there's plot and screenwriting. If movies can be turned into art by their dialogue, can't video games? For instance, the game Advent Rising was written by Orson Scott Card- and I'd consider anything by him to be a step up from most movies. Then, there are also actors- if you can consider acting an art. Voice actors like you'd find in any animated movie can also be found in video games. Oh, and there are also cut-scenes and animated dialogue like in those movies. The game Mass Effect is pretty much all cut-scenes and dialogue. So if you were take those cut-scenes and make a movie out of them, that would be art, but they aren't in the context of the game? I think not.
When you properly combine the aforementioned properties along with quality gameplay, I fail to see how it could not be considered art. Look at Okami, look at Katamari Damacy. At Psychonauts, Shadow of the Colossus, Elder Scrolls Oblivion. Video games can be art, Ebert- you've been too busy not playing them to notice.
Sorry for the length of the post, but I had points that I needed to make.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The price of freedom
I've always emphasized the freedom that college provides, and my love of said freedom. However, I think it's important to emphasize that freedom is not for everyone. Some prefer a clear-cut set of guidelines to work with, and don't know where to start if they're not given a specific topic (these are the type who start hyperventilating and then jump out the window screaming "you'll never take me alive!" when their teacher says that they must choose their own topic). This problem plagues many who are given freedom, and even some who are used to it. For example, me.
The price of freedom
Is high if you can't think of
A decent idea
If I don't have an idea, I can't write. That's all there is to it. Usually, this isn't an issue, since I tend to have plenty of ideas, but occasionally I'll get stuck. For instance, right now. I need to figure out something to write for my English paper, but it's just a question of what that is. I was considering comparing Oscar Wilde's epigrams to Twitter- but decided that the topic would only net 5 or fewer pages (when I need 8). Luckily, I figured out my American Studies paper, so that's good. Now all I have to do is write it- which, honestly, is the easiest part.
The price of freedom
Is high if you can't think of
A decent idea
If I don't have an idea, I can't write. That's all there is to it. Usually, this isn't an issue, since I tend to have plenty of ideas, but occasionally I'll get stuck. For instance, right now. I need to figure out something to write for my English paper, but it's just a question of what that is. I was considering comparing Oscar Wilde's epigrams to Twitter- but decided that the topic would only net 5 or fewer pages (when I need 8). Luckily, I figured out my American Studies paper, so that's good. Now all I have to do is write it- which, honestly, is the easiest part.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Spring is here
Sorry for the belated post today, I've been busy with classes and such all day.
After reviewing my past posts, I've realized that I talk about the weather quite frequently. This is in part due to the fact that when I look for inspiration I tend to look out the window (in spite of my horrendous view of nothing), and in part because weather is such a relevant topic in Ithaca. However, I've done to death that topic and will try my best to avoid it (as much fun as beating a dead horse can be).
Spring is truly here. Flowers are blooming, leaves are growing, the weather is... irrelevant, and everyone just has that happy spring feel. I have not recommended any music recently, so I have decided to do so today.
Spring music is by
Far the best part of Spring, with
Upbeat, happy bliss.
Spring music, to me, is music which makes you happy. Makes you dance. Makes you want to run outside and soak in the sun. To me, this means fun and upbeat blissful music. To find that, look no further than Hey Marseilles.
Hey Marseilles is a Seattle based band, and I absolutely love a few of their songs. My favorite is probably "Rio," which you can see a video of here. A bunch of others are great too ("To Travels and Trunks" and "From a Terrace" are notable). To me, these guys are fantastic for Spring. Upbeat, optimistic and just plain fun. So give them a listen, and/or buy their CD.
The post title is a general statement, but in my case it's a reference to Tom Lehrer's "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park" (another fantastic Spring song.
After reviewing my past posts, I've realized that I talk about the weather quite frequently. This is in part due to the fact that when I look for inspiration I tend to look out the window (in spite of my horrendous view of nothing), and in part because weather is such a relevant topic in Ithaca. However, I've done to death that topic and will try my best to avoid it (as much fun as beating a dead horse can be).
Spring is truly here. Flowers are blooming, leaves are growing, the weather is... irrelevant, and everyone just has that happy spring feel. I have not recommended any music recently, so I have decided to do so today.
Spring music is by
Far the best part of Spring, with
Upbeat, happy bliss.
Spring music, to me, is music which makes you happy. Makes you dance. Makes you want to run outside and soak in the sun. To me, this means fun and upbeat blissful music. To find that, look no further than Hey Marseilles.
Hey Marseilles is a Seattle based band, and I absolutely love a few of their songs. My favorite is probably "Rio," which you can see a video of here. A bunch of others are great too ("To Travels and Trunks" and "From a Terrace" are notable). To me, these guys are fantastic for Spring. Upbeat, optimistic and just plain fun. So give them a listen, and/or buy their CD.
The post title is a general statement, but in my case it's a reference to Tom Lehrer's "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park" (another fantastic Spring song.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
He asked him knowingly
It's Sunday, and I leave home tomorrow.
You know what's strange? I came here on Friday, and go home on Monday. That's the exact thing I did for my Fall break. And I took the bus then, so I was home for even less time. Yeh, Cornell- vacation fail. But I probably don't need to tell you that (assuming that you go to Cornell, I guess).
Another ugly day. But I shall not call it that, for in doing so I would only be adding to the pessimism so ingrained in our society. I shall call it... green! Because all of the ugly rain makes the trees green. I like euphemisms. They're fun.
Euphemisms are
Fantastic for both kids and
Cynical adults
That's right, you're never too old or young for a euphemism. Whether you're telling your kid that their fish "went to a better place," even though you flushed it down the John, or telling you're not unemployed and are just "between jobs." Euphemisms really are great for use in everyday life, even though in most cases they're just a way of avoiding saying the real word. For instance, when you refer to Tiger Woods' "putter," we know what you mean. Sadly, since I'm here I missed the linguistics class on "magic words (taboo, swear, naughty, etc) and how we avoid them. I think I know enough though, hopefully.
The title quote is from a Monty Python sketch. Shame on you if you don't know it.
You know what's strange? I came here on Friday, and go home on Monday. That's the exact thing I did for my Fall break. And I took the bus then, so I was home for even less time. Yeh, Cornell- vacation fail. But I probably don't need to tell you that (assuming that you go to Cornell, I guess).
Another ugly day. But I shall not call it that, for in doing so I would only be adding to the pessimism so ingrained in our society. I shall call it... green! Because all of the ugly rain makes the trees green. I like euphemisms. They're fun.
Euphemisms are
Fantastic for both kids and
Cynical adults
That's right, you're never too old or young for a euphemism. Whether you're telling your kid that their fish "went to a better place," even though you flushed it down the John, or telling you're not unemployed and are just "between jobs." Euphemisms really are great for use in everyday life, even though in most cases they're just a way of avoiding saying the real word. For instance, when you refer to Tiger Woods' "putter," we know what you mean. Sadly, since I'm here I missed the linguistics class on "magic words (taboo, swear, naughty, etc) and how we avoid them. I think I know enough though, hopefully.
The title quote is from a Monty Python sketch. Shame on you if you don't know it.
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