Why Can't We Be 'Born Free'

M.I.A. has a new music video. Haven't you heard? Its big news apparently, as CNN writer Lisa France has a nice article about it. It is also, apparently, big news because there is graphic violence and sex in it. After reading hte article I was intrigued so I ventured to find the video.

As the article explained, the video was at one point removed from Youtube much to M.I.A. herself's chagrin. She was quoted as saying (through Twitter)"FUCK UMG [her label] WHO WONT SHOW IT ON YOUTUBE! FOR THE U.S". She then linked the video to her own site where it currently plays on loop. So now ignoring the fire of internet hype-machine (exacerbated by Youtube and stoked by M.I.A.) and focusing on the video itself.

Yes there is graphic nudity and violence. Yes it is almost 9 minutes long. What I don't understand is why this video is such a big deal. I guess I have a unique point of view, not being a college professor on the media or a journalist, but I don't get the hullabaloo. Sure M.I.A. is loving the press, but why are all of these outlets so willing to throw it at her?

Flanel-adorned MTV.com writer James Montgomery hails M.I.A. as being bold and citing this video as "A reason I love M.I.A." Maybe I am just so desensitized to the things this video shows, but it is simple sensationalism. This isn't to say I didn't like the video or that I felt it had no impact. I just don't think the danger surrounding this video is deserved.

M.I.A., for those who don't know is the daughter of a Sri Lankan revolutionary and has always been a little volatile with political messages. The message in this video, while volatile is clear(not warranting response tweets like user Ziggy0Stardust's "@ M.I.A. can u tell us what u were tryin [sic] to say wiv [sic] the born free vid please". The events in the video are an allegory for the current times. The redheaded children that are rounded up and killed are a placeholder for any ethnicity, religion, or group that is oppressed.

Redheaded people are the perfect group to be oppressed in the video with the satire already surrounding the minority (see southpark), but more-so for the knee-jerk reaction that most have when seeing it. I heard "Why redheads?" more than once while on-lookers watched the video for the first time. This is one of the most roaring successes of the video. A viewer is forced to ask this question and then consider "Why Arabs?" or "Why Mexican immigrants?". While obviously the prejudice held against some of these groups is not as extreme as that held in the video, the point stands.

The video, and the brutality therein, also forces viewers to think about those carrying out the violence. While they do bear resemblance to American riot police or SWAT members, they are never explicitly stated as such (a point that Montgomery doesn't seem to realize). They bear no insignias and are completely dehumanized. They carry certain symbols of totalitarian police oppression like the riot shield, gas mask, and M16 to further reinforce the anonymity and universal-ness of the oppressors. The viewer gets the sick feeling in their stomach that this could happen tomorrow or even that this has already happened.

The vaguely European looking redheaded children in the video also reinforce the gritty realism of the video. They don't look like movie stars or poster children. They look like that kid from down the street or a grammar school friend. Their moroseness and helplessness and then absolute fear seem genuine and I must applaud both the actors and casting director for another success in the video.

It isn't all blood soaked rainbows and unicorns however, for the video. Some shots in the video just seem unnecessary and there so people will talk about them. I'm sure M.I.A. realizes this, but they don't contribute to the video as a whole. Call me a critic or whatever, but the sex scene exists in the video simply so people like Linda France can say the video not only has graphic violence, it also has sex. It covers all the controversy bases so now chumps like me are writing about it.

I suggest you watch the video, regardless of my feelings, and generate your own opinion. It can be found at MIAUK.com and I'm sure it will remain there for a while. It /is/ graphic so... whatever.


~Mike


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I'm Back or Wolf Parade!

lets pretend there WASN'T a 1 year break between my last post and now

Last.fm tells me that Wolf Parade is like Ra Ra Riot, Born Ruffians, and Arcade Fire so I decided to give them a listen. I got their premier cd, Apologies to the Queen Mary, and enjoyed the slow cacophonous opening of the intro track of the album (You are a Runner and I am my Father's Son).

The album kind of picks up with the second track, Modern World. I feel the Born Ruffians style a bit more with this song with an almost Modest-Mouse-meets-Delta-Spirit-style vocal delivery. I feel like Last.fm was right on the money, as the instrumentals remind me of Ra Ra Riot's baroque-popish instrumentation mixed with the eerie echoes of Arcade Fire. The song is definitely catchy and almost Shin-like.

Grounds for Divorce continues the album with a style unmistakably similar to my other favourite indie bands, but with a twinge of unique and interesting added in. It's like straight up indie rock with a spacey and almost psychedelic twinge. I guess I shouldn't be surprised of these similarities as they share a label with The Shins and were signed to it by Modest Mouse's Issac Brock.

The album is consistently catchy and musically solid, ranging tonally from eerie and down-toned This is a Long Drive... to frenetic and exasperated.

The style becomes familiar after a short stint on the album, but doesn't grow stale until the 10th or 11th track. This is, however, of no detriment to the band as I have an extremely low attention span.

Check out the album or take a listen at their Myspace

~Mike

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Hank Hates Us All

I recently started watching Californication on Showtime and find it ironically engrossing. The irony of the situation arises from the title character's own vehement hatred to blogging and the idea of the internet.

Hank, played by David Duchovny, is a writer trying desperately to write another book despite his many vices and lack of inspiration. Hank fights his fate as a "One hit wonder" author after his novel "God Hates Us All" becomes popular and is adapted into a crowd-pleasing, but literarily disappointing film.

His obstacles to writing are alcohol, casual sex, the fact that people are stupid (If Orwell was a bit more pissed when he wrote "Politics and the English Language"), and being away from his home city of New York (Think if Bukowski ever left L.A.). Despite his pitiful situation, Hank is a likable guy with some flaws. He is hateful, condescending, and irreverent, but seems like a fun guy to hang out with.

Duchovny plays the role well. You can believe he is an artist who is only identified with one thing and has come to resent the world in which he resides... The show is entertaining, albeit sexually gratuitous. It’s like the creator of the show really wanted to milk the fact that it is on Showtime rather than a basic network.

Definitely not for the chiddlins, but entertaining television.

Drop Box

What a cool program. I was just shown Dropbox by a friend (Chris of Wtair) and I must say that it is one of the coolest pieces of software I have ever seen. Essentially it is a glorified HTTP server, but it works much more smoothly than any other I have seen.

After downloading the program a folder appears on your desktop, but it isn't just any folder. This folder is a window to another world (or just the internet...)! Any file you put in the folder can be accessed from your personal page online, but apart from just uploading the file you can share the file.

Though it may not sound that impressive, using this program makes collaborating with someone much easier through the internet. Whenever I finish a small part of a collaborative project, I just toss it into the Dropbox folder and within seconds Chris (the other part of the project) can access it in the public folder on his desktop just as I can. Also pretty cool about Dropbox is that it works on both Windows and Macs (breaking all kinds of barriers!).

Currently this program is in beta stages with a folder size limit of just over 2 gigs. I assume once the project goes live it will cost money, but even at this early stage it seems worth lots.

~Mike


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Stay Classy, World!

Here is a post I found on the internet and think is both accurate and funny. The advice is mostly solid as I try to live most of the points mentioned. Give it a read if you feel so inclined.

How to Be Classy

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Being classy is not about being stuck up; it is about having style and taking care to be polite to others and to reflect a genuine interest in them. It is also about being confident in yourself. This article will teach you how to move through life with class and ease.

Steps

1. Choose your battles; choose your friends. Few battles are truly worth fighting. Stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves (mentally disabled, animals, children, etc). Be wary of those who appear to enjoy bickering. If someone is rude to you, either ignore them completely (recommended) or, once you have completely calmed down and are thinking clearly, explain how you perceived their actions and work towards a resolution. Never stoop to their level, and do not be hasty. Surround yourself with positive, polite people who encourage and live your classy, intelligent lifestyle.
   
2. Choose your words. The classy individual listens more than they speak. Having a strong vocabulary is important, but do not use a word unless you are certain of its meaning. Use words to express yourself lucidly. Importantly, do not correct others when they use improper grammar. Differences in background, family life, and education cause people to speak differently, and often people use slang for effect. More than this, it is irritating and degrading to be corrected by a know-it-all. Do not insult, gossip, or slander. When necessary, voice your opinions appropriately and constructively. This encourages your audience to listen carefully when you speak.
   
3. Do not be a doormat. You must be courteous, but do not bend over backwards to please others. If you do, you may find yourself being taken advantage of in the future. Limit your time and availability and draw boundaries with others so that they are aware of your limits.
   
4. Break the stereotype shackles. More often than not, using labels in any way, whether to identify yourself or others, shows a lack of creativity, lethargic social skills, and a lack of careful observation. Give everyone respect and the benefit of the doubt.
   
5. Be assertive. Avoid passive-aggressive thinking; this is likely to trip you up eventually. Assertiveness demonstrates maturity, thoughtfulness, and confidence. Class requires balance, and assertiveness is a prime example of this concept.
   
6. Make sure your clothes fit well and that you are well groomed. Excellent presentation is half of the battle. Wear clothing and accessories which flatter your body and never wear anything you feel uncomfortable in. It is important to remember that modesty is key in earning the respect of others. A bit of cleavage may be fashionable, but true gentlemen will appreciate modesty more than exposure.
   
7. Avoid getting caught up in trends. There is nothing wrong with enjoying fashion or buying clothing you find attractive, but it is important to stay in control. Do not become a slave to fashion, or you may be regarded as foolish, "high maintenance", and/or shallow. The clothing you wear should enhance your personality, not create or alter it. This advice can be applied to many aspects of life in which you may feel pressured to "fit in."
   
8. Avoid desperate behavior like the plague. This is the kiss of death for the classy person. Only desperate times call for desperate measures. Take a deep breath, be strong, and move through the situation with elegance and grace. You will be the victor for it, no matter the outcome.
   
9. Seek wisdom. As difficult as it can be to heed the advice of those more experienced than yourself, it is a necessary step at times. No matter your age or ability, allow yourself to learn from the mistakes and victories of those older or more experienced than you. You will win their favor and be available to pass on your own wisdom or advice.
   
10. Be open to personal development. Do not berate yourself, but be receptive to constructive change. In our world, change is inevitable. Be a positive and flexible part of it and show others the way as well. Face life rather than burying your head in the sand and others will know instinctively that you are someone whose opinion counts.
    
11. Carefully consider tattoos and piercings. Let's face it: it is easy to judge by appearance. Therefore, take careful consideration when deciding if it is a good idea for you to get visible tattoos or body piercings. Even though a person’s outward appearance does not automatically show his or her inner qualities, appearances can reflect how a person is willing to be perceived by the world. Job opportunities may be limited by such an expression. Also keep in mind that although tattoos and piercings are expressions of individuality, they can be permanent or difficult (even costly) to remove. If you are in doubt about how a tattoo or piercing will impact you in the future, find another way to express yourself.
    
12. Be knowledgeable and aware. It is wise to become politically, culturally, and religiously aware. Even the most basic knowledge can save a person from embarrassment and awkwardness. If you know in advance that you will be spending time with someone of an unfamiliar background, it is a good idea to do more in-depth research to avoid embarrassing faux pas.
    

Warnings

• Changing your behavior may feel unnatural. If it does, remind yourself that you are a work in progress. A classy person is simply one who consistently exhibits classy behavior. Focus on your behavior and attitude rather than your feelings.
  
• If you slip up, forgive yourself, apologize to anyone who may have been hurt by your not-so-classy behavior, and continue on your way. That's classy!
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be Classy. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

The Slip

In another ridiculously cool, pirate-friendly, move, Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails have just released their new CD online... FOR FREE.

Nine Inch Nails has always talked the piracy talk, but now it appears they are finally walking the walk. Some would argue that their previous albums Ghosts were free, but as an entirely instrumental release, some felt a bit gypped. With this full release, we can assume that the band really means it this time.

As my friend pointed out you can't even pay for this release if you want to. Trent will not take your money. He evens encourages people to hand out the CD to strangers (like I will surely do). DL it now because there is no reason not to. A full review will come in time.

~Mike


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Narrow Stairs

I have never listened to Death Cab For Cutie before, and honestly the seemingly silly name was a deterring factor. I was recently handed a copy of their new album "Narrow Stairs" and I must say that I am impressed.

The album is very catchy and contains the kinds of songs that get stuck in your head all day. The album, as described by lead singer Ben Gibbard, is "creepy", "weird", and "more dissonant [than previous albums]". After listening extensively to the album I can confirm these statements, but also qualify them. It is the good weird and abrasive.

On first listening tracks like the introductory Bixby Canyon Bridge, the single I Will Possess Your Heart, and Grapevine Fires caught my attention. The slow and deliberate euphony of the premier track is mesmerizing. The calm melody gives way to intriguing lyrics and a powerful guitar riff.

The miasmatic bass and piano of the second track's extensive opening is equally enthralling. It remains calm and hypnotizing while exuding strong emotion and power. As long as the intro is (about 4 minutes) I never get bored listening to the entire 8 minute track. The somewhat creepy lyrics of the song are delivered flawlessly by Gibbard's unique voice and are framed by the precise drumwork of Jason McGerr.

The CD is full of memorable moments and endearing quirks. Gibbard was definitely accurate in his description of a slightly "creepy" and dissonant" album, but the idiosyncrasies work wholly in its favor. Narrow Stairs is an indisputable addition to my list of favourite albums. And as an added plus, the album art is absolutely fantastic. I recomend the album with confidence.

~Mike



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