Friday, March 31, 2006

Joke of the Day

I went into Gus's artificial organ and taco stand. I said "Give me a bladder por favor." The guy said "Is that to go?" I said, "Well what else would I want it for?" -- Emo Phillips

Does Anyone Want to Be an Adult Anymore?

Check out this Article

Al Mohler featured an interesting article - it's long but it's interesting. The obvious question is the one Al raises about Adults holding onto childhood, but there's more, and I can't seem to place a finger on it. On the surface, cultural phenomena like this aren't evil - just maybe the deeper implications are harmful. It's easy to slip into unwarranted judgement of just appearances.

I can't get my head around it all to come up with a decent analysis, it's a bizarre trend. Something that did occur to me is that parents are to model a standard - it's part and parcel of how kids learn character. But we're seeing a generation by generation lowering of the bar - it's not just a lower standard, it's a redefining of what's the standard, what the priorities of parenting are. Check this quote about parenting from the article:

“You have to have a little bit of Dora the Explorer in your life,” he says. “But you can do what you can to mute its influence.” Okay. “And there’s no shame, when your kid’s watching a show, and you don’t like it, in telling him it sucks.” Yeah! There’s no—wait. What? “If you start telling him it sucks, maybe he might develop an aesthetic.” Sorry, son. No more Thomas the Tank Engine for you. Thomas sucks. Stop crying. Daddy’s helping you develop an aesthetic. Now Daddy’s going to go put on some thunder music.


Even the jobs of choice these days might clue us into the social anarchy that seems a result of this unthinking, selfishly hedonistic mindset. At least in the article the jobs that seem to prevail: fashion, music, media, marketing, TV... it's ironic that actually these are probably the most socially impactful career tracks today. We live in a generation that blatantly cares only about itself.

To quote a song: There's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear. But it's time we stopped and listened and figured out what's going down.

Maybe it's not a big deal, maybe these issues are culturally relevant to the United States, but the sad truth is maybe it is important, because what's cutting edge hip is going to trickle down to the rest of the globe sooner or later.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Wafa Sultan Interview (Transcript)

Transctipr of Interview

Video of Interview

Whatever your opinion of this, you don't hear Middle Easterners have this kind of discussion too often on a public forum. I hope nothing bad happens to Wafa Sultan.

Monday, March 06, 2006

Free advice from Dogbert

This is from Dilbert's Scott Adams if you don't know.

For all you desperate single guys out there... Dogbert can answer your questions with insight... here's a sampling:

Dear Dogbert,

I need to find a girlfriend, but I am very ugly. How can I find a girl that doesn't care how I look?

Ethan


Dear Heathen,

There are plenty of girls who value character above looks. They are called blind girls. (And) it also helps to be rich.

Sincerely,

Dogbert


This is why I never ask for advice. Especially from cartoon dogs.

Are you not entertained?!!

At the Drive-In Church Photo Essay

Who says our age is wierdly different from any other? Here's a church that has been in existence since the 50s!

Here's my favourite quote
"Church goers are encouraged to bring their pets to the sermon. Dog treats are handed our during collections"


Makes you wonder who thought there was a need for such a church. Some pastor actually woke up one morning, thinking this was a good idea. Gosh. Reality is funnier than fiction.

Friday, March 03, 2006

What does it all mean, this windfall for India?

TIME.com: Why Bush Is Courting India

What does it all mean?
Does it mean that I won't be suffering from power cuts (when I'm 60)?
Does it mean that my children will go to the united states without a Visa? (or that by then the rush will be for people to come to INDIA rather than the US, lol)
Does it mean that India will fulfil it's dream about being a superpower by 2020? (a rough interpretation of what "superpower" means is needed here)
Does it mean that someone out there is going to get really, really rich?
Does it mean that poverty is going to be eradicated in india (by nuclear explosions from badly managed plants)?

I hope it means something, and that the something is good, and that the good actually reaches the common people some day soon. I do sound cynical, but I'm really truly hopeful.