All Your Internet Are Belong to Us

Did you know? Every time Alberto Gonzalez masturbates, God kills a civil liberty.

Peacepipes are long, heavy and swingable

A cell phone bill to protect consumers? Preposterous!

And here's the kind of thing that you'll soon see to stop it, thanks to the likes of AT&T: http://www.handsoff.org/blog/ That would be a website for a completely fake grassroots organization, the kind that lobbying powers create all the time to get what they want, which will soon be the defeat of this cell phone bill.

Sometimes...
"My mom will probably hate reading this, but more than the paycheck or the camaraderie of the locker room, I will really miss the violence." -Princeton grad and former NFL lineman Ross Tucker

RCAH 292 - What Matters

I'm initially at a loss to answer the question, "What Matters?" This alone gives some credence to the argument of Peter Block: that we don't prioritize things that matter enough. It also highlights what seems to be Block's strongest handicap, which is the ambiguity of his writing in The Answer to How is Yes.

To answer Block's questions, we first have to grasp exactly what he's talking about. Frequently using words with controversial or multiple meanings, making generalizations, and staying wholly in the abstract, this text requires some charitable reconstruction. With that in mind, we can take the questions Block presents and articulate the arguments within them.

1. There is more than one acceptable method to accomplish a given task, and our doubts are hindrances to our achieving well-being.

2 & 3. We universally prioritize expediency, and fail to evaluate the amount of commitment - not just in time and money, but in emotional capital - we're willing to make to a given task.

4. In order to enact change, we must take responsibility for our own contributions to the problem and potential solution, rather than dwell overlong on the failures of others.

5. We place too much value on tangible, measurable results, and not enough on personal meaning or things that matter.

6. The experiences of other people are relied upon overmuch in the evaluation of a plan or change, and we should concern ourselves more with what we're trying to achieve.

The underlying theme of all these arguments is a one-dimensional spectrum of sorts in which practicality is pitted against "the experience of being a human being and all that entails," Block's definition of what matters. Despite an abundance of blanket statements to the contrary, Block maintains that practical concerns are valid - just overdone, whereas we spend too little time on philosophical or abstract concerns.

We can return to the original question now with some idea of what that question's meaning is. There can be a personal element to it - with "what matters" varying from person to person - but in the context of this book, it refers to human creativity, ethics, and ideals. Applying that question to my own values - as all way-of-life philosophies should be tested - the answer would be "to pursue political justice, appreciate the experience of life, and weigh every action against those long-term goals." All these are concepts I already aim for; in as much as The Answer to How contributes to them, it helps their cause.

A Great Man Said, "Don't Vote With Your Wallet"

Intersectionality ~ the notion that an individual's human experience is a unique intersection of their various group classifications.

Anti-Essentialism ~ comprehension of the difference between the universal experience of a large group (e.g. women), and the experiences of sub-groups (e.g., where "women" intersects with "black," or "upper-class," etc.) within that large group.

sesquippedalophobia ~ fear of large words.

*BANG!*

The Residential College in the Arts and Humanities Exposes You

Now Serving Numi Gunpowder Green Tea - Try it with your favorite rifle for loads of antioxidant fun!

Yes, one could learn about Kapucha Toli (Stickball)! It's an awesome sport, and you should learn about it.

I think I will wear eye-liner on a regular basis. If any man asks whether I'm gay, I will overtly undress him with my eyes.

Back in Action with Google Terrorist (tm)

Edit: Now Serving an Absent Mind

Feeling that they aren't in enough trouble over potential misuses of Google Earth, the folks over at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway have laid an easter egg in the latest GE update. I like to call it Google Terrorist; it's a new flight simulator that allows users to fly all over God's green earth, or at least satellite images of it.

It's actually a lot of fun; I'm flying towards the Pacific as I write this. But what fascinates me the most is that, with 3D buildings turned on, one can practice flying F16 Vipers into such landmarks as the Empire State Building, the Pentagon, and the White House.

One almost has to think that Google is looking for a fight. What do they think will happen when a major news network (especially Fox) stumbles upon this gem of a story? "New Google Program Tons of Fun! Web 2.0 is awesome! More at Eleven!" I don't think so. This has the potential to make Grand Theft Auto look like Barbie Fashion Designer.

...no, I've never played Barbie Fashion Designer.

...

...except maybe to help my sister when she was stuck.

...

...GODDAMN THIS PINK HIGH-HEEL LOADING SCREEN, TAKE ME TO THE FRIGGIN' FASHION SHOW ALREADY!

...

...man, I still haven't reached the Pacific yet! This is supposed to be Mach 2? Hrm...