Now that I've seen the move I can provide an honest assessment of this bozo's critique: balderdash!
If you actually see the movie you notice that the people depicted before humanity leaves are all normal.
Not fat. Not skinny. Normal. (whatever that means)
700 years after they leave, everyone is fat. Everyone. They sit in a hover chair all day, they have robots do all their work, and they are constantly eating and drinking (especially cupcake shakes - hmm, gotta try that).
So let's see: high caloric intake + low caloric output = weight gain! Yup. I knew it cause I've lived it.
On to the central point of Wall-E: we are killing the planet. Yes, we are. However, I think the planet will fight back and win in the end if we don't change. It's in her best interest anyway.
Consider this: the population of planet Earth was 1B in the year 1800, just before the industrial revolution. A mere 208 years later, the population of the planet is nearly 7B. The industrial revolution made it easier and cheaper to get all sorts of things: food, clothing, cars, furniture, etc. Is it any surprise that the math tends to show that as there are more humans beings our disposable products will increase? Is that a difficult thing to understand? We are currently recycling less than 5% of all the waste we create.
As a movie, I found Wall-E to be funny, clever, entertaining and had a good moral to the story. It isn't perfect. But it is pretty good.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Neil Patrick Harris + Zack Whedon = musical magic
Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog!
Gotta watch all of them before July 20th (part III goes up the 19th) because they'll "vanish into the night like a phantom".
Gotta watch all of them before July 20th (part III goes up the 19th) because they'll "vanish into the night like a phantom".
Saturday, July 12, 2008
It couldn't happen to a nicer company
Walmart recently updated its logo. Not that I care. But thanks to the consumerist.com (and vonnegut.com), the gig is up.
It appears that Walmart has come close to approximating a drawing that Vonnegut used in his "Breafast of Champions". It is a drawing of his own asshole. Hilarious.
See for yourself. Coincidence?
Walmart
Vonnegut
It appears that Walmart has come close to approximating a drawing that Vonnegut used in his "Breafast of Champions". It is a drawing of his own asshole. Hilarious.
See for yourself. Coincidence?
Walmart
Vonnegut
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Friday, July 04, 2008
Me likey!
Thanks Gizmodo!
This is a pretty nice mashup of Google Earth and a hologram machine. I want it!
Holographic Google Earth from Nicolas Loeillot on Vimeo.
This is a pretty nice mashup of Google Earth and a hologram machine. I want it!
Holographic Google Earth from Nicolas Loeillot on Vimeo.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
On the General Clark hissy fit
So, I say this as a veteran of the Navy: get a grip.
Gen. Wesley Clark said a few days ago on a Sunday talk show that getting in a plane and being shot down (referring to John McCain) doesn't automatically qualify you for President.
Word.
Is that a smear on McCain's service, 5 years of POW status (and repeated torture - ironic now), or patriotism? Nope. Not a bit. Know why?
Because, according to the Constitution of the United States of America (the land in which we live), the qualifications for the job of President are:
1. natural born citizens (or citizens at the time of the Constitution's adoption)
2. at least thirty-five years old
3. inhabitants for at least fourteen years of the United States.
Nowhere in the document does it say anything about serving in the military, wrapping yourself in the flag at every opportunity, or using your experience as a POW as an automatic "gag order". I was a fighter pilot so you can't touch me. Wrong. He was a fighter pilot, and survived a horrific ordeal as a POW.
But holding him up as some sort of idol is ridiculous.
Gen. Wesley Clark said a few days ago on a Sunday talk show that getting in a plane and being shot down (referring to John McCain) doesn't automatically qualify you for President.
Word.
Is that a smear on McCain's service, 5 years of POW status (and repeated torture - ironic now), or patriotism? Nope. Not a bit. Know why?
Because, according to the Constitution of the United States of America (the land in which we live), the qualifications for the job of President are:
1. natural born citizens (or citizens at the time of the Constitution's adoption)
2. at least thirty-five years old
3. inhabitants for at least fourteen years of the United States.
Nowhere in the document does it say anything about serving in the military, wrapping yourself in the flag at every opportunity, or using your experience as a POW as an automatic "gag order". I was a fighter pilot so you can't touch me. Wrong. He was a fighter pilot, and survived a horrific ordeal as a POW.
But holding him up as some sort of idol is ridiculous.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Good bye, Helio. We hardly knew you.
Today it was announced that Helio has been purchased by Virgin Mobile USA. I have been a Helio customer for nigh on 9 months and have been very please with my Ocean, Helio's service, and everything else associated with said company.
I am not all that thrilled about the announcement, but this just makes my move to an iPhone all that more likely. Especially if this is true.
I am not all that thrilled about the announcement, but this just makes my move to an iPhone all that more likely. Especially if this is true.
Monday, June 23, 2008
George Carlin - pushing up daisies
A comic titan died yesterday. George Carlin was 71 and died of heart failure.
You can visit his website here.
You can visit his wikipedia entry here.
His influences were comedians like Lenny Bruce, the Marx Brothers, Ernie Kovacs, Richard Pryor and Mort Sahl. He influenced the likes of Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Bill Hicks, Steven Wright, and Bill Maher.
I identified with a great majority of his humor, specifically the topics of religion, greed, and humanity's bullshit.
You can visit his website here.
You can visit his wikipedia entry here.
His influences were comedians like Lenny Bruce, the Marx Brothers, Ernie Kovacs, Richard Pryor and Mort Sahl. He influenced the likes of Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Bill Hicks, Steven Wright, and Bill Maher.
I identified with a great majority of his humor, specifically the topics of religion, greed, and humanity's bullshit.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Your marriage is doomed
So say the apoplectic loonies in regards to California gay marriage. I am patiently waiting for my invitation to George Takei's wedding...
While we all wait, here's the real truth as I would have written it (if I had any talent or desire) - Gays Marry, World Does Not End
While we all wait, here's the real truth as I would have written it (if I had any talent or desire) - Gays Marry, World Does Not End
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
That's outrageous!
From the WallstreetJournal (wsj.com) via the consumerist.com:
A Pint-Size Problem
Beer lovers nurse a grudge as some bars switch to smaller glasses
By NANCY KEATES
A Pint-Size Problem
Beer lovers nurse a grudge as some bars switch to smaller glasses
By NANCY KEATES
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
And so it begins - Obama for America
His speech here
The closing:
In our country, I have found that this cooperation happens not because we agree on everything, but because behind all the labels and false divisions and categories that define us; beyond all the petty bickering and point-scoring in Washington, Americans are a decent, generous, compassionate people, united by common challenges and common hopes. And every so often, there are moments which call on that fundamental goodness to make this country great again.
So it was for that band of patriots who declared in a Philadelphia hall the formation of a more perfect union; and for all those who gave on the fields of Gettysburg and Antietam their last full measure of devotion to save that same union.
So it was for the Greatest Generation that conquered fear itself, and liberated a continent from tyranny, and made this country home to untold opportunity and prosperity.
So it was for the workers who stood out on the picket lines; the women who shattered glass ceilings; the children who braved a Selma bridge for freedom’s cause.
So it has been for every generation that faced down the greatest challenges and the most improbable odds to leave their children a world that’s better, and kinder, and more just.
And so it must be for us.
America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.
The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment – this was the time – when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals. Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
Count me in.
The closing:
In our country, I have found that this cooperation happens not because we agree on everything, but because behind all the labels and false divisions and categories that define us; beyond all the petty bickering and point-scoring in Washington, Americans are a decent, generous, compassionate people, united by common challenges and common hopes. And every so often, there are moments which call on that fundamental goodness to make this country great again.
So it was for that band of patriots who declared in a Philadelphia hall the formation of a more perfect union; and for all those who gave on the fields of Gettysburg and Antietam their last full measure of devotion to save that same union.
So it was for the Greatest Generation that conquered fear itself, and liberated a continent from tyranny, and made this country home to untold opportunity and prosperity.
So it was for the workers who stood out on the picket lines; the women who shattered glass ceilings; the children who braved a Selma bridge for freedom’s cause.
So it has been for every generation that faced down the greatest challenges and the most improbable odds to leave their children a world that’s better, and kinder, and more just.
And so it must be for us.
America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.
The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment – this was the time – when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals. Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
Count me in.
Friday, May 30, 2008
TED.com and intelligent discussion
If you haven't been to TED.com, please visit the site.
It is an amazing collection of very smart people talking about a variety of things. I've seen several of the videos, and although I don't always agree with the presenters, it's nice to see intelligent people speaking intelligently about all sorts of things.
Here's a link to a few videos that I have found interesting.
1. Amory Lovins: We must win the oil endgame - Amory Lovins lays out his simple plan for weaning the US off oil and revitalizing the economy. The middle is a bit dry, but his arguments are compelling.
2. J.J. Abrams: The mystery box - J.J. Abrams traces his love for the unseen mystery –- a passion that’s evident in his films and TV shows, including Cloverfield, Lost and Alias -- back to its magical beginnings.
3. Jennifer Lin: Magical improv from 14-year-old pianist - Amazing. And she's only 14 (at the time of this recording). Around the 13:30 mark she talks about how she composes pieces and art. At the the 16:35 mark, she begins her improv. Hilariously, she asks for a volunteer to pick notes from index cards and Goldie Hawn is the volunteer. I'm not sure Jennifer recognized that it was Goldie.
Things I am doing instead of packing...
It is an amazing collection of very smart people talking about a variety of things. I've seen several of the videos, and although I don't always agree with the presenters, it's nice to see intelligent people speaking intelligently about all sorts of things.
Here's a link to a few videos that I have found interesting.
1. Amory Lovins: We must win the oil endgame - Amory Lovins lays out his simple plan for weaning the US off oil and revitalizing the economy. The middle is a bit dry, but his arguments are compelling.
2. J.J. Abrams: The mystery box - J.J. Abrams traces his love for the unseen mystery –- a passion that’s evident in his films and TV shows, including Cloverfield, Lost and Alias -- back to its magical beginnings.
3. Jennifer Lin: Magical improv from 14-year-old pianist - Amazing. And she's only 14 (at the time of this recording). Around the 13:30 mark she talks about how she composes pieces and art. At the the 16:35 mark, she begins her improv. Hilariously, she asks for a volunteer to pick notes from index cards and Goldie Hawn is the volunteer. I'm not sure Jennifer recognized that it was Goldie.
Things I am doing instead of packing...
It's ours!
The house closed yesterday. We officially own a house!
There is a rent back for the previous owners until June 8th when we get the keys.
Our plan is to go in that day and clean the house and carpets (they have dogs). We have movers set up to come by our current house on June 12th at 0900. We should be all moved out by the early afternoon.
Exciting!
Here are some other pics.
There is a rent back for the previous owners until June 8th when we get the keys.
Our plan is to go in that day and clean the house and carpets (they have dogs). We have movers set up to come by our current house on June 12th at 0900. We should be all moved out by the early afternoon.
Exciting!
Here are some other pics.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
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