But Why?

If someone could explain to me the attraction such an action has, when there are so many other things to worry about in the world, I would be most appreciative.

The Man They Call Malcolm

So, apparently I'm a pathological serial killer who likes chain-saws, well at least in Canada anyway. For your enjoyment:

Billy solves his problems by calling up his mom
Heather solves her problems with drugs and alcohol
Daniel solves his problems with a doctor and the law
But malcolm’s got his own way, it’s better than them all

’cause malcolm solves his problems with a chain-saw
Malcolm solves his problems with a chain-saw
Malcolm solves his problems with a chain-saw
And he never has the same problem twice

Whether it’s a bill or a check arriving late
Rancid marble cheese or a steak that’s second rate
Awful tv programs or a broken elvis plate
Or his fiancée who dumps him because he’s gaining weight

Malcolm solves his problems with a chain-saw
Malcolm solves his problems with a chain-saw
Malcolm solves his problems with a chain-saw
And he never has the same problem twice

And he goes vrrrrrmmm vrrrrrmmm
Problem solved!

-Malcolm by the Arrogant Worms

And I bet you thought folk music was tame drivel that only old people listen to!

Pop Music Observation #1

So I was talking to a friend today about The Beach Boys song Help Me Rhonda, which he had thought for years was Help Me Ronya, and something struck me (well, not anything in this physical world that is): I could not think of any female singer who referenced a boyfriend's name in a love song. I mean, come on, think about it, there are hundreds (actually I suppose its more like thousands if we are talking about published songs and I know if we go into the amateur world we would quickly be talking millions here) of songs by and sung by men making frequent mention of their lovers' names (i.e. Rhonda, Eileen, Mary, Roxanne, Jamie, Alyson, Jessica, Gertrude, ok well maybe not Gertrude, but the list certainly goes on), but the same cannot be said for female singers. The closest I could come up with is Fernando by ABBA, but they aren't an all female vocal group (a band would count though if the guy(s) in it weren't singing, just playing instruments) and I have always imagined that song is about an unattainable love not somebody the females in the group actually had a relationship with. The question then becomes why is this so? Is it because women are just more mature than men and refrain from sharing unnecessary personal information out of consideration for their past and current partners? Or maybe they feel that would be giving the specified personage too much credit or more attention than they deserve? Who knows? Well, hopefully some of you have a guess at it and I would love to hear them. Maybe there is really something to explore here...

Our Selfish Natures

I would like to discuss the nature of selfishness. In so much as we only consider the physical body it is certainly possible (and acted out quite frequently) for a person to selflessly accept physical or materialistic pain and loss for the advantage of their peers. However, as has often been noted no physical act, no matter how altruistic it may appear, can easily be proved to not be selfish on some mental or spiritual level. Though at first this may seem to be a reason to despair about the self-centered failings of humanity I, for my part, see a reason to hope. For as selfish as we may be in our thoughts when we act, it is the very presence of these mental processes which enable us as humans to engage in actions that are physically selfless. As long as we remain acutely aware of our desires and intentions in order not to abuse those around us with our choices it is no sin that we act with good will based on our own experiences in reality. After all, why do you think Jesus instructed us to treat one another as we would desire to be treated ourselves? He was no fool, he knew what it meant to be human.

Some Questions of Late

What is the responsibility of the consumer, if any, in contributing to a morally bankrupt, subversive and polluting market by providing demand and surrendering so much hard earned cash? Are we really all just "Shropshire Sheep"? Don't we have the power to exert our opinion through boycotts and strikes? They worked in past movements of political, social and economic protest, why not now? Couldn't a politically active system of supply and demand reform the market? Are things really so hopeless? Don't we have happiness in our interpersonal relationships? Why is it so difficult to follow and accept the greatest thing we can ever learn, "Just to love and to be loved in return?"

A Defence of Romance, Part I

In our time Romantic ideals can easily seem to be out of place and irrelevant. Rapid technological progress, the growth of the global economy and the mass appeal of online marketing in goods and services all point towards Science (with a healthy amount of capitalistic oversight) as the discipline from which we must obtain our answers for the future. I disagree, for we are also using these new technologies to keep in close contact with distant, and sometimes not so distant, friends and relations, we are making new contacts through our business operations with people all over the world and, in addition, we are effecting an increasingly substantial portion of the world population with matters of newness in all shapes and sizes. Because of this accelerated mass interaction of humanity how we relate and communicate our intentions and feelings are more important than ever.

That is why I suggest a review is necessary of the literary and social Romantic movements from the 18th and 19th centuries. Though, as a student of history, I am well aware that ideologues obsessed with personal vendettas and crusades would take these idealistic notions and warp them into some of the worst crimes against humanity, I believe that it is unfair and academically irresponsible to condemn the Romantic ideals of love, truth, beauty and freedom in the face of these heinous acts of blatant self-interest. In truth these ideals hold above all things the constant recognition and realization of our place in the human family. Since all people become equal upon this consideration it is impossible to justify any form of mass murder, repression or cruel and unusual punishment upon one group of people for the sheer benefit of another community of people under these principles. Quite contrarily, Romantic sentiments lead us to conclusions of peace, a shared love between all neighbors and a determination to better the lots of those more unfortunate than us. Though I will continue to explore these thoughts in relation to broader means of human connectivity I wanted to begin with the very inter-personal example below.

The popular Jim Carey film The Truman Show perfectly exhibits Romantic ideas through Sylvia's enduring adoration of Truman and her supreme faith in her love for him. She has so internalized his imprisonment that not only has she made it her purpose to combat the immorality of Truman's predicament, but has voluntarily enclosed herself in her home, a cell of her own making. It is telling that we never see her leave her abode until Truman finally escapes the confines of his own fabricated world. Without even being told we know she is headed straight for his arms. What better allegory could we hope for to understand how we can seek to act along Romantic guidelines?

"Bar-bie-is-m"

1. A catch all phrase covering any idea that promotes and expresses the hypocritical, anorexically image driven, super-model obsessed nature of popular female youth culture in America. 2. A flippant remark characteristic of said ideas (ie. "Like Barbie, you totally look fat in that mini-skirt, hurry up and change so we can go get McFlurries at Micky D's!").

Calling all Free Thinkers

What Lurks in Its Soul? by David A. Vise

Cry me a river...if you ask me this is some of the most heartening news I have read since I first learned of the success of the American Revolution in elementary school. Without the innovation described in this article, humanity truly would be condemned to the simple repetition of mindless schedules. Besides, I'm not exactly sure why it is, but something about a spirit of rebellion and a willingness to dare the system of conformity prevalent in our time is thoroughly inspiring. So go forth, disrupt normality, find that dare to be great situation and lose yourself in it with abandon. I'll see you in the pit.