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Quantum of Solace

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:26:21 -0800

I'm not the world's biggest Maddox fan, but if I get to the end of a review and wish he'd gone on longer and in more depth then he gets a thumbs up.

To take one point and run with it: As someone who teaches critical analysis, one of the aspects of writing that you spend a little time getting through to the underdeveloped bastards is that symbolism and imagery are things you use to communicate the text's central message. Symbolism without meaning isn't symbolism, and techniques that don't help to communicate the text's central ideas aren't being used well. In a Bond movie I expect things to be done properly. Improbably, sure, but properly constructed improbabilities.

Funzug.com | Interesting Facts about Human Body (Must Read) | Human, Their, Body, Average, Cell

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:12:38 -0800

Chain email, green text, comic sans, clip art, with factual errors (-The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica - really? Do you want to stop and think about what you just said, and how much sense it actually makes given how brain cells and the brain function?)

The Greatest Amateur Rap Ever

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:04:52 -0800

You're putting yourself in a dangerous position making a claim like this. Personally I don't rate the rap that highly - it's standard g-rap/new hip-hop. What makes this thumb-worthy is the pen tapping. Not only is the tapping rhythmic and musically worthy, it complements the genre well, and the fact that the guy can rap while doing it astounds me.

I'm Really Happy For You - send pics to pics@imreallyhappyforyou.org!

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:29:09 -0800

Worse than this, if you can believe it.

The Bible Tells Me So

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:32:37 -0800

This page is worth thumbing for this passage alone:

Leviticus condemns homosexuality twice, in 18:22 and 20:13. It's part of the Mosaic law, a long list of foods and acts that were considered unclean, from eating shellfish to cursing your father. And one of the big themes of the New Testament, I've been discovering, is that Christians are not bound by Mosaic law. If the Bible is infallibly true, then Christians may use their own judgment in choosing whether to follow the Mosaic law, and should stop all this fretting about those who choose differently.

This is a really good point, and one not made often enough. The entirity of Leviticus is up for grabs. People need to get their heads around that. If they decide that certain sections of the old Mosaic laws are still valid, then great. But the Bible doesn't say that. That's down to individuals to choose - the whole purpose of Jesus coming was to bring the New Covenant, to replace the older set of laws, and the New Covenant was the power to choose for yourself rather than follow blindly.

Shame it didn't work, eh?

And as for russelljames's statement:

"On a related note: we really must retire the "Jesus-didn't-talk-about-it-so-it-must-be-permissible" line. He makes no reference to the sinfulness of a whole host of things (for example, beheading people), but that hardly constitutes endorsement...."

Jesus never says anything about killing people? Really? Nowhere in the Bible does it say killing is wrong? I know the Bible doesn't specify every single possible type and method of killing, but surely "Thou shalt not kill" was a sort of blanket ruling against beheading.

You're right though. I agree that just because something isn't listed explicitly in the Bible that doesn't mean it can't be an article of faith or an important element of religious practice. You're absolutely right. But if it's not in the Bible, then don't say, "Homosexuality is a sin according to the Bible". Say, "Homosexuality is a sin according to the religious elders and traditions of my faith", or, "Homosexuality is a sin because I consider it to be a sin". If it's not the word of god, don't disavow yourself of responsibility for your own personal beliefs by claiming it's not your call, god told you to do it. If people had to stand up and say, "Hey, it doesn't say homosexuality is a sin in the Bible, but I personally believe it is; here are my reasons. It's my belief, my decision, my choice to think this," I think we'd have a much more intelligent discussion on the topic - and almost certainly far fewer religious people taking issue with homosexuality.

As anti-religion as I am, I'm not anti-faith. If people want to have beliefs and faith in a god, that's a personal choice, but understand the origins of your beliefs, think about them, study them, and know what they are and where they come from. To do anything else is dishonest and ignorant.

God is not the Creator, claims academic - Telegraph

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:23:47 -0800

I know very little about Biblical scholarship, and nothing about ancient Hebrew, but I think I can safely say that this academic's new interpretation is absolutely and completely correct in all ways.

The real point of interest from a philosophical perspective is that this is yet more evidence that the Bible is open to interpretation. And that's fine. That doesn't make it invalid. It does, however, put a bit of a tricky question to those who believe the Bible has to be taken literally and word for word. I agree that this doesn't change the overall sentiment of the passage, and it doesn't change the role of god, or our relationship to him; but it does show that religious belief - or at least Biblical faith - are about general ideas, not specifics and exactness.

And again, that's fine. You can be religious without being dogmatic.

Amazing Horse - Weebls Stuff

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:54:00 -0800

Weebl's still chruning out the hits. This is solid gold dance - I can seriously see myself raving to this, as us young folk are wont to do. Up there with Strongbad's "The System Is Down" as far as short and comedic flash animated music that's actually good to listen to goes.

Damn that song's catchy.

Alt Porn : FAQ at Gods Girls.com

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:41:54 -0800

Without a shadow of a doubt this is the most entertaining adult website FAQ I've read. I actually pulled up the FAQ to find out why the site was called "God's girls" - something over which I'm still puzzling - and while I didn't find the answer, I enjoyed the process of not finding the answer very much.

If only I had any interest whatsoever in vanilla nude neo-goth girls I'd consider a membership. Alas, it was not to be.

BBC NEWS | UK | England | London | Blur Banksy is ruined by mistake

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:32:41 -0800

You know, the loss of the art doesn't bother me. The ephemeral nature of street art is from where the beauty derives. It's painted on the sides of walls and trains and public spaces, at the mercy of weather and vandelism and, yes, governments, and brings beauty to an urban location for the short period of time it persists.

The bigger concern here is that a beurocratic fuck-up is responsible for a lady losing something that brought happiness to her life. Petty local government officials shouldn't have the power to influence someone's life so heavily.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1079/1347907946_dc1e1cd872_o.jpg

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:44:45 -0800

She's feeling nervous anticipation abut which she can do nothing, merely waiting, naked and alone, tossed in a corner until he's ready to use her. Evocative image. Thanks willowwisp.