A collection of outtakes, bloopers and general silliness that accompany every episode of our games review show: WINOL Games.
Wednesday 28 December 2011
Thursday 22 December 2011
Wednesday 21 December 2011
WINOL Games 3: Game Harder!
Another WINOL Games episode!
As always folks, comment and criticism is very much appreciated!
As always folks, comment and criticism is very much appreciated!
Monday 19 December 2011
Seminar Paper - Origins of Totalitarianism - Hannah Arendt - Ideology and Terror
Ideology and terror looks into the machinations of Totalitarian government. Arendt begins by comparing totalitarianism with other forms of political oppression, namely despotism, tyranny and dictatorship. She tries to define what makes a totalitarian government. Describing how it would invariably transform a society’s classes into masses, supplant the party system by mass movements, shifting the centre of power from the army to the police, and establishing a foreign policy almost solely aimed at world domination.
Wednesday 14 December 2011
Fun with Freud
Our second lecture of HCJ and apparently we get to have some fun with Freud! The inventor of psychoanalysis and a “scientist” Freud’s theory boils down quite simply: you want to have sex with everyone and you want to murder everyone else.
Much of Freud’s work is based around the existence of a subconscious. The place where repressed memories etc. are stored. Freud claimed that the unconscious is made up of three parts. The trivial mistakes of everyday life, perhaps most famously thought of as slips of the tongue or ‘Freudian slips’ these mistakes supposedly reveal hidden thoughts and motives from the subconscious. The second part is dreams, and the conclusions that can be made about our subconscious from studying them. And the third part are the symptoms of neurosis.
Freud’s sexual development theory is a lot of fun. He identified stages which can affect our behaviour in later life. The first stage (from birth to 18 months) is the oral stage. During this time we are fixated on oral pleasure I.e. sucking. Too much or little (see how usefully vague this is?) gratification during this stage results in oral habits such as, smoking, drinking or biting fingernails.
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| He's judging all of us, and he's not impressed. |
Freud’s sexual development theory is a lot of fun. He identified stages which can affect our behaviour in later life. The first stage (from birth to 18 months) is the oral stage. During this time we are fixated on oral pleasure I.e. sucking. Too much or little (see how usefully vague this is?) gratification during this stage results in oral habits such as, smoking, drinking or biting fingernails.
Hearst and Harmsworth
Our first focused (and I use the term lightly) lecture of the second year was a look at world and newspaper history of the early 20th century. More specifically, it was a look at William Randolph Hearst and Alfred Harmsworth (Lord Northcliffe). Probably the most influential media-men of the time.
Hearst, we’ll think of him as the American media mogul, was essentially the inventor of the tabloid newspaper. The rising literacy rates of the time meant more of the working class could read, but this by no means meant there were up to ploughing their way through the walls of text that made up most broadsheets (hell, I’m supposedly well educated and I can barely stomach reading much of the telegraph, and I’m pretty sure the FT is all just freemason code…). As a result, he changed the formats of all of his papers, a hefty chunk of front pages, and entire papers were covered in striking, shocking and generally eye-catching pictures. The motto of the time was sensationalism, or ‘yellow journalism’ fierce battles were raging between various papers (on the pages of course, remember, the pen is mightier than the sword), each trying to outdo the others. Hearst’s stories could become unbelievable, sometimes literally. He also went about headhunting writers from other papers, in order to form his own crack squad.
Tuesday 29 November 2011
WINOL Games: the second show!
My Second Games review show, this time discussing Goldeneye 007 Reloaded, Modern Warfare 3, and Skyrim.
It's a little outdated now but any constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for watching!
It's a little outdated now but any constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for watching!
Thursday 27 October 2011
First WINOL Games
A new review show that I'm doing for WINOL. Co-presented by Graham Marshall.
Do let us know what you think with comment, criticism, and general hatred.
Cheers
Do let us know what you think with comment, criticism, and general hatred.
Cheers
Monday 10 October 2011
Fresher Life - My First Package.
Last week, as part of my transformation into something approaching a journalist, I went out and made my first package. It took far too long, and suffered at the hands of my apparent inability to edit in a short space of time. Nevertheless, it was finished, and here it the written version for you perusal:
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Freshers’ Fortnight. A hectic affair in which new students begin their university experience in a new city, in a new house, with new people. It’s a whole new chapter of their life unfolding before them. No more parents to take care of them, and complete independence is a must. What could go wrong?
We set off one bright afternoon with one goal in mind: seek out freshers, and quiz them on their university life. However, finding freshers turns out to be more difficult than anticipated. Two house were too busy celebrating 21st birthdays to talk to some purple-haired, second-year journo, rocking up with a camera bag and a tripod expecting some goofy stories. We were also spurned by more houses, who were either “too timid” to be interviewed, or otherwise occupied with taking one of their housemates to hospital (Now that would have been the right kind of interview).
Eventually, we found a fresher willing to be subjected to interrogation. Dayo Hammed, a student from Nigeria led us into a remarkable clean, if somewhat bare, kitchen (understandable as it takes more than a fortnight to build up a respectable collection of group photos and/or pictures of models with which to adorn the walls). At present, there are only two decorations, souvenirs of the freshers fayre, one befitting any respectable student house “Drink vodka and get drunk.” Standard fare, really. After an awkward few minutes trying to set up the camera. We set to asking our carefully chosen questions about money, food, and what’s been going on. He tells us that university is his first experience of being truly independent. As an international student, it’s fair to say that Dayo is a little more out of his element than most people starting further education, and that although he hasn’t had much chance to go out, he is very much enjoying the experience.
We say goodbye to Dayo and carry on our search for the (apparently) elusive fresher. After being refused two more times our luck begins to pick up. The more people we talk to, the more trends begin to emerge. Many of our freshers, it seems, have yet to fully appreciate a true university shopping experience. A hefty majority are surviving on care packages from parents and many have yet to even do any washing. One fresher, Tess Buckley said that her biggest worry was that her washing would come out either bright pink, or ridiculously small. I can relate to washing procrastination, as, when a wash can cost you upwards of four quid, you tend to get into the habit of wearing certain items inside out. And back to front. And deodorant starts becoming your best friend. All in all, there is great motivation to try and last as long as possible, even to the point of going home to get it done. For some however this is not much of an option. Melodie Hornsby-King, although English by birth, lives in Spain during the holidays, and so, will find it difficult to visit, other than at the term breaks.
Homesickness does tend to take its toll on the fresher population. Ali Izatt said that: "If at home, you want to talk to someone, you can, here you can't do that, it's like: I want my mum!" She did say that since she had her boyfriend with her at Winchester, it does make everything, much easier to deal with.
Verdict. Despite all the issues that university life throws at them, our freshers are taking the bull by the horns, and seem determined to see it to the end.
------------------------------------------
Thank you very much, reader, for seeing this through to the end as well. A post will shortly be up with the actual film. Until then, why not check out www.winol.co.uk for more work from my course at the University of Winchester.
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Freshers’ Fortnight. A hectic affair in which new students begin their university experience in a new city, in a new house, with new people. It’s a whole new chapter of their life unfolding before them. No more parents to take care of them, and complete independence is a must. What could go wrong?
We set off one bright afternoon with one goal in mind: seek out freshers, and quiz them on their university life. However, finding freshers turns out to be more difficult than anticipated. Two house were too busy celebrating 21st birthdays to talk to some purple-haired, second-year journo, rocking up with a camera bag and a tripod expecting some goofy stories. We were also spurned by more houses, who were either “too timid” to be interviewed, or otherwise occupied with taking one of their housemates to hospital (Now that would have been the right kind of interview).
Eventually, we found a fresher willing to be subjected to interrogation. Dayo Hammed, a student from Nigeria led us into a remarkable clean, if somewhat bare, kitchen (understandable as it takes more than a fortnight to build up a respectable collection of group photos and/or pictures of models with which to adorn the walls). At present, there are only two decorations, souvenirs of the freshers fayre, one befitting any respectable student house “Drink vodka and get drunk.” Standard fare, really. After an awkward few minutes trying to set up the camera. We set to asking our carefully chosen questions about money, food, and what’s been going on. He tells us that university is his first experience of being truly independent. As an international student, it’s fair to say that Dayo is a little more out of his element than most people starting further education, and that although he hasn’t had much chance to go out, he is very much enjoying the experience.
We say goodbye to Dayo and carry on our search for the (apparently) elusive fresher. After being refused two more times our luck begins to pick up. The more people we talk to, the more trends begin to emerge. Many of our freshers, it seems, have yet to fully appreciate a true university shopping experience. A hefty majority are surviving on care packages from parents and many have yet to even do any washing. One fresher, Tess Buckley said that her biggest worry was that her washing would come out either bright pink, or ridiculously small. I can relate to washing procrastination, as, when a wash can cost you upwards of four quid, you tend to get into the habit of wearing certain items inside out. And back to front. And deodorant starts becoming your best friend. All in all, there is great motivation to try and last as long as possible, even to the point of going home to get it done. For some however this is not much of an option. Melodie Hornsby-King, although English by birth, lives in Spain during the holidays, and so, will find it difficult to visit, other than at the term breaks.
Homesickness does tend to take its toll on the fresher population. Ali Izatt said that: "If at home, you want to talk to someone, you can, here you can't do that, it's like: I want my mum!" She did say that since she had her boyfriend with her at Winchester, it does make everything, much easier to deal with.
Verdict. Despite all the issues that university life throws at them, our freshers are taking the bull by the horns, and seem determined to see it to the end.
------------------------------------------
Thank you very much, reader, for seeing this through to the end as well. A post will shortly be up with the actual film. Until then, why not check out www.winol.co.uk for more work from my course at the University of Winchester.
Monday 5 September 2011
Counting the calories... I never was much good at maths.
Well, McDonald’s have done it again. Not only are they responsible for a large number of people feeling bad for being stout/fat/obese, whatever your name for it is (just for this post I’m skipping over the fact that people have free will, and whatever goes down their gullets is their own choice, and it’s no good blaming someone else for your health problems, then expecting the public to fork out for a gastric band surgery you lazy bastards!). Now McDonald’s have found a way to make people feel bad before they’ve even eaten anything.
The golden arches are now going to be showing how many calories are in each of their foodstuffs. The first thing I’m going to say, is that anyone who consistently eats at Maccy-D’s should feel a nagging sense of shame. The second, is that I would think a lot of people who eat McDonald’s food, do not want to know what’s in it. The third is that this blatant advertising of calories is a slap in the face to some of our most vulnerable people. The calorie-counters.
This fragile section of our society have their lives ruled by those little tables printed on the side of everything we consume telling us that “100ml semi-skimmed milk is: 49 kcal.” (Honestly I prefer the missing kid pictures). Lately I have been dipping into this curious mindset, to have to know everything about what you are eating. It’s nothing short of a drug. And not the fun kind that make pretty colours and sleepiness abound from fluffy white clouds. The kind that takes obsession to a higher plane of existence. And means you just can’t have another Jaffa cake, Or even the first one.
Now, this McDonald’s business won’t have any effect on the hardcore CC, as they have memorised the calories of everything they could possibly ever venture within 10 feet of. The people who are going to be most affected are the rookies. The dabblers. The people that were ‘just curious’ to see what they were eating. And this news about the Big Mac could just about turn them insane.
You see, eating just stops becoming fun when you’re thinking to yourself “this pizza just doesn’t taste as good knowing that it’s damn near half of my calorie GDA.”
Does this mean I’m going to stop eating the food I like? No. but, it almost makes being a vegan seem an easier to live with alternative.
Almost.
The golden arches are now going to be showing how many calories are in each of their foodstuffs. The first thing I’m going to say, is that anyone who consistently eats at Maccy-D’s should feel a nagging sense of shame. The second, is that I would think a lot of people who eat McDonald’s food, do not want to know what’s in it. The third is that this blatant advertising of calories is a slap in the face to some of our most vulnerable people. The calorie-counters.
This fragile section of our society have their lives ruled by those little tables printed on the side of everything we consume telling us that “100ml semi-skimmed milk is: 49 kcal.” (Honestly I prefer the missing kid pictures). Lately I have been dipping into this curious mindset, to have to know everything about what you are eating. It’s nothing short of a drug. And not the fun kind that make pretty colours and sleepiness abound from fluffy white clouds. The kind that takes obsession to a higher plane of existence. And means you just can’t have another Jaffa cake, Or even the first one.
Now, this McDonald’s business won’t have any effect on the hardcore CC, as they have memorised the calories of everything they could possibly ever venture within 10 feet of. The people who are going to be most affected are the rookies. The dabblers. The people that were ‘just curious’ to see what they were eating. And this news about the Big Mac could just about turn them insane.
You see, eating just stops becoming fun when you’re thinking to yourself “this pizza just doesn’t taste as good knowing that it’s damn near half of my calorie GDA.”
Does this mean I’m going to stop eating the food I like? No. but, it almost makes being a vegan seem an easier to live with alternative.
Almost.
Saturday 3 September 2011
Capitol Punishment: Is it really this clear cut?
You can find more on that story here.
I had a discussion with some of my friends not too long ago on the death penalty, and when we thought it could be a justified course of action. We came to the conclusion that if certain crimes (murder, perhaps rape) could be proven beyond any doubt then it could possibly be acceptable. However, we could not think of many situations which could fit such a criteria.
It is my opinion that this is a subject that requires much in the way of debate and commentary. If only to remind people that it is not something to be taken lightly.
The first of the e-petitions (an online form of petitioning which allow public prompting of parliamentary discussion) were recently published by the government. Among those with the most signatures were several calling for the return of capitol punishment. One of these says, and I quote: “With todays technoligy,ie DNA,there is no lilkliy hood of an innocent person being found guilty. [sic]” Now, atrocious spelling aside, this is a completely naïve view to hold. Yes, technologies such as DNA aid hugely in the conviction of criminals and solving of cases. But this does not mean that it is an exact science. My course at university is a part of the Innocence Project. An organisation that works to exonerate wrongly convicted individuals. One ongoing case, which my university is involved in, is looking into a man convicted of a quadruple murder, with forensic evidence being part of that which led to his sentencing. It is far too complicated to go into on the blog (trust me, it makes an Eastenders plotline look like it was written by a five year-old) but Panorama conducted an investigation into it, entitled "Fair Cops?" you can find out more about the programme, and the case on this page (be sure to look at the ‘see also’ links).
The point I’m trying to make is that forensic evidence cannot necessarily be trusted 100 percent, especially when life is at stake. This isn’t even taking into account the possibility of human error or forensic misconduct.
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| Staines' blog: http://order-order.com/ |
You can find an interview with Mr. Staines, as well as some more information on e-petitions here.
If you want to put across another point, or say anything at all about this post. Feel free to leave a comment below.
Much love, Internet.
Thursday 1 September 2011
As if I could ever understand…
Hello there, Avid Readers. I need an opinion. Or, failing that, a silent void in which to vent my bewilderment.
I’ve been reading the i newspaper pretty much since it came out (on and off, I’m not made of 20p pieces!). I think it’s a pleasantly concise read, with fairly broad subjects, without the majority of ‘celeb’ driven ‘news’ that adorns the pages of the red tops. Not that I don’t dip into the tabloids now and then for a patronising chuckle. I’m digressing. Something I’ve never understood about the i, a paper which, in my opinion, is attractive to younger professionals and their ilk ,as it’s not full of as much waffle as stories from most other broadsheets etc. is what on earth is with the cartoon strip?
First of all, I think a cartoon strip is out of place in the i to begin with, but… que cera. As if… by Sally Ann Lasson has not only failed to make me laugh, or even smile. But it has started to make me doubt in our society’s sense of humour. Maybe it isn’t supposed to be funny? As far as I can tell it’s aimed at middle-aged women, which completely goes against my world view of the i. if it was the Daily Mail I’d understand, but… maybe I’m over thinking it.
Here’s a link to the artists page: https://secure.mrsite.co.uk/usersitesv18/sallyannlasson.com/wwwroot/index.htm
Maybe someone else can find something about it that I’m missing, and explain it to my hurty brain.
Peace out. And much love.
I’ve been reading the i newspaper pretty much since it came out (on and off, I’m not made of 20p pieces!). I think it’s a pleasantly concise read, with fairly broad subjects, without the majority of ‘celeb’ driven ‘news’ that adorns the pages of the red tops. Not that I don’t dip into the tabloids now and then for a patronising chuckle. I’m digressing. Something I’ve never understood about the i, a paper which, in my opinion, is attractive to younger professionals and their ilk ,as it’s not full of as much waffle as stories from most other broadsheets etc. is what on earth is with the cartoon strip?
First of all, I think a cartoon strip is out of place in the i to begin with, but… que cera. As if… by Sally Ann Lasson has not only failed to make me laugh, or even smile. But it has started to make me doubt in our society’s sense of humour. Maybe it isn’t supposed to be funny? As far as I can tell it’s aimed at middle-aged women, which completely goes against my world view of the i. if it was the Daily Mail I’d understand, but… maybe I’m over thinking it.
Here’s a link to the artists page: https://secure.mrsite.co.uk/usersitesv18/sallyannlasson.com/wwwroot/index.htm
Maybe someone else can find something about it that I’m missing, and explain it to my hurty brain.
Peace out. And much love.
Friday 26 August 2011
Friday News Roundup: GCSE results are sexist, dieters have it rough, and I don’t understand this country’s justice system.
Here are some stories from today’s paper that caught my eye.
Firstly, stealing the thunder of the A-levels, this year’s GCSE results have found that the gender divide is growing wider, with girls streaking ahead in most academic subjects. Surprise, surprise, adolescent boys have something to do with their hands that’s more fun than revising…
Next we have a report that fewer students are taking modern languages (I think they‘re all waiting on ancient Sumerian to be reintroduced to the syllabus), with the number of students taking French and German having fallen by 13% since last year. Speaking as someone who took both Italian and French for GCSE, as well as French at A-level, take it from me. It’s because they’re hard. Besides if you go abroad all you have to do is talk loudly at people. Everybody knows that.
Bad news for the obese, next, as scientists have found that cutting 500 calories per day does not, in fact, result in a one-pound weight loss per week, as had previously been thought. Reasons include changes to the body’s metabolism as weight is lost. To summarise, that one chocolate bar you forgo, does bugger all. You’re probably best off following Ricky Gervais’ advice: put the fridge in the attic and make yourself work for your food.
In London riots news, a looter who stole a coffee flavoured ice cream, only to lick it once before giving it away as he didn’t like the taste, was given a 16 month jail term. Now, I have no problem with him getting a jail term. After all, it’s the principle of the thing that matters. But what I don’t understand is how one person can get a year and a half sentence for nicking an ice cream, when another can admit to looting, in court and be given a one-day prison sentence which he doesn’t have to serve, since he had been in custody for most of that time already. Will someone please explain the logic of that to me? Obviously the guy will get a criminal record, but still, a day! it probably costs a lot more than it was worth just to process the guy. Unfortunately I can’t find a link to that particular case, but if anyone else can, I’d be much obliged.
And finally, everybody’s favourite Italian PM, Silvio Berlusconi has announced herbal tea, to be the secret to his success. So if you want to be just like him, get drinking that tea! Well… that, and become a massive media mogul, who runs a country, and has ‘relations’ with loads of beautiful young women…Here endeth the lesson.
Gender Gap: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-14666847
Modern Languages: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/the-big-question-why-are-fewer-students-choosing-to-study-foreign-languages-at-gcse-413245.html
Ice Cream Looter: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8722733/UK-riots-Looter-who-pinched-too-scoops-of-ice-cream-jailed-for-16-months.html
Berlusconi’s Superdrug: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/berlusconis-diet-secret-revealed-herbal-tea-2344114.html
Firstly, stealing the thunder of the A-levels, this year’s GCSE results have found that the gender divide is growing wider, with girls streaking ahead in most academic subjects. Surprise, surprise, adolescent boys have something to do with their hands that’s more fun than revising…
Next we have a report that fewer students are taking modern languages (I think they‘re all waiting on ancient Sumerian to be reintroduced to the syllabus), with the number of students taking French and German having fallen by 13% since last year. Speaking as someone who took both Italian and French for GCSE, as well as French at A-level, take it from me. It’s because they’re hard. Besides if you go abroad all you have to do is talk loudly at people. Everybody knows that.
Bad news for the obese, next, as scientists have found that cutting 500 calories per day does not, in fact, result in a one-pound weight loss per week, as had previously been thought. Reasons include changes to the body’s metabolism as weight is lost. To summarise, that one chocolate bar you forgo, does bugger all. You’re probably best off following Ricky Gervais’ advice: put the fridge in the attic and make yourself work for your food.
In London riots news, a looter who stole a coffee flavoured ice cream, only to lick it once before giving it away as he didn’t like the taste, was given a 16 month jail term. Now, I have no problem with him getting a jail term. After all, it’s the principle of the thing that matters. But what I don’t understand is how one person can get a year and a half sentence for nicking an ice cream, when another can admit to looting, in court and be given a one-day prison sentence which he doesn’t have to serve, since he had been in custody for most of that time already. Will someone please explain the logic of that to me? Obviously the guy will get a criminal record, but still, a day! it probably costs a lot more than it was worth just to process the guy. Unfortunately I can’t find a link to that particular case, but if anyone else can, I’d be much obliged.
And finally, everybody’s favourite Italian PM, Silvio Berlusconi has announced herbal tea, to be the secret to his success. So if you want to be just like him, get drinking that tea! Well… that, and become a massive media mogul, who runs a country, and has ‘relations’ with loads of beautiful young women…Here endeth the lesson.
Gender Gap: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-14666847
Modern Languages: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/the-big-question-why-are-fewer-students-choosing-to-study-foreign-languages-at-gcse-413245.html
Ice Cream Looter: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8722733/UK-riots-Looter-who-pinched-too-scoops-of-ice-cream-jailed-for-16-months.html
Berlusconi’s Superdrug: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/berlusconis-diet-secret-revealed-herbal-tea-2344114.html
Thursday 25 August 2011
Didn't Need to Go to Rehab? Wishful Thinking.
The latest news concerning Amy Winehouse has revealed that she had no drugs in her system when she died. This has obviously been a relief to all of her family who said they wanted to put the record straight. But (and I don’t mean to be deliberately offensive here) are we seriously supposed to believe that her death was not at all related to drugs? To be sure it’s good that it wasn’t an overdose. But with her relationship to drugs, you can’t tell me that the cause of death (whatever it turns out to be) is going to be anything particularly natural. I mean we’re not looking at Cot death here are we?The Sun does say, despite stamping ‘OFFICIAL DEATH REPORT’ onto their front page with a picture of the rehab neglecting celeb, that the cause of death won’t be announced until late October.Who knows, maybe there was divine intervention so as to secure her a place in the hallowed 27 club.
Once again I want to stress that I don’t mean to be insensitive. I have no particular enmity with Winehouse, as many people have a tendency to suddenly reveal when any famous person dies. Frankly I’m pretty ambivalent about it. I wasn’t a fan, but I also didn’t dislike her enough to make anything about it. But at the same time, I see how much positive press there is about her at the moment (which, to a point is understandable, everyone deserves respect in death), and some of it sets my teeth on edge. I just don’t agree with making martyrs out of people, in death; who, in life, no one should ever have emulated.
Saturday 20 August 2011
The Final A-level: I'm Sorry, Your Princess is in Another University.
Or, more likely, she's quite possibly not in any of them.
That's right folks, the time of year arrived in which, here in the UK, our young gather in their droves at schools all across the country to open the dreaded brown envelope and find out their A-level results. This was, of course, a couple of days ago, but you see where I'm going.
As a matter of fact, this year has been even better than the last 29 years worth of improving results (pause for right-wingers to whine about how standards have been slipping. Maybe with an "In my day..." thrown in for good measure). But, behind the newspaper's pictures of, as the i puts it, "girls with long glossy hair embracing each other on a lawn with mellow stone buildings in the background," (see link below for an attempt to prove this statement) is the rather large problem facing a huge majority of would-be applicants, that there are about thirty thousand vacancies left, for nearly two hundred thousand applicants going through clearing. Those kinds of figures make me very glad to have gotten in when I did. If I had dilly-dallied I might have had to actually get a job!
Some have put this crushing number of students down to a (rather fervent) wish to get in before fees rise in 2012. Whether or not this is the case, it remains to be seen if universities are going to just say 'bugger it' and start taking bribes. Or, perhaps more likely perhaps not, decide between the types of student will benefit them the most: The rich privileged kiddywinkles who rock up in 'Daddy's lotus,' or the students from minority groups and underprivileged backgrounds which help to keep up appearances for the equal opportunities parade (ooh controversy!).
I do wonder what will happen for the students that have the grades, or near enough, but don't have their places. Will they simply wait and try again next year? And if so, will that create an almost permanent queue to which future students will have to join the back of? I'd say something cheerful about the world always needing bin men, but I'm not sure that's what they want to hear right now.
Hey, there's always Big Brother!
For some reason...
But until then, here's some sexy A-level pictures: http://sexyalevels.tumblr.com/
That's right folks, the time of year arrived in which, here in the UK, our young gather in their droves at schools all across the country to open the dreaded brown envelope and find out their A-level results. This was, of course, a couple of days ago, but you see where I'm going.
As a matter of fact, this year has been even better than the last 29 years worth of improving results (pause for right-wingers to whine about how standards have been slipping. Maybe with an "In my day..." thrown in for good measure). But, behind the newspaper's pictures of, as the i puts it, "girls with long glossy hair embracing each other on a lawn with mellow stone buildings in the background," (see link below for an attempt to prove this statement) is the rather large problem facing a huge majority of would-be applicants, that there are about thirty thousand vacancies left, for nearly two hundred thousand applicants going through clearing. Those kinds of figures make me very glad to have gotten in when I did. If I had dilly-dallied I might have had to actually get a job!
Some have put this crushing number of students down to a (rather fervent) wish to get in before fees rise in 2012. Whether or not this is the case, it remains to be seen if universities are going to just say 'bugger it' and start taking bribes. Or, perhaps more likely perhaps not, decide between the types of student will benefit them the most: The rich privileged kiddywinkles who rock up in 'Daddy's lotus,' or the students from minority groups and underprivileged backgrounds which help to keep up appearances for the equal opportunities parade (ooh controversy!).
I do wonder what will happen for the students that have the grades, or near enough, but don't have their places. Will they simply wait and try again next year? And if so, will that create an almost permanent queue to which future students will have to join the back of? I'd say something cheerful about the world always needing bin men, but I'm not sure that's what they want to hear right now.
Hey, there's always Big Brother!
For some reason...
But until then, here's some sexy A-level pictures: http://sexyalevels.tumblr.com/
Friday 8 July 2011
The News of the World: Hacked to Death.
It's all come to a head now. Begun in 2006, the phone hacking scandal of the News of the World has snowballed so much and for so long, that before long it's going to be used by Cthulu's kids to make a titanic bottom half of Frosty the Tentacled Snowman. And yet despite all of the big names that have been caught up in the affair, it never really captured the attention of the general public. At least, not in more than a *See's hacking story on the news and shakes head "bloody journos"* kind of way. Because for most people, perhaps especially, those who read 'Heat' or 'Hello' consider celebrities to be public interest and therefore shouldn't mind having their privacy invaded.
This view went down the swanny with the last weeks reports that the paper faces accusations of hacking the phones of the victims of crimes, and their families. Most notably: the phones of murdered schoolgirl, Milly Dowler; and those of the families of victims of the 7/7 London bombings.
This intrusion into the lives of ordinary people in terrible situations had sparked public anger and has people calling for blood. Metaphorically. The News of the World started losing sponsors left and right, and many people who were involved (directly or indirectly) seem set to be put before the firing squad.
Now, sitting at the top of what has become a mountain of crap for the NOTW , is Rupert Murdoch's announcement that the tabloid will soon cease to be. This Sunday marks the last edition of the 168 year old Newspaper. A very sad day for some, a happy day for others, but a bit of a surprise to everyone. The last edition, to go out on Sunday, will reportedly have no advertisements (most likely because it doesn't have any left) and is planned to be boycotted by many. Indeed a sad day, for what was once the most popular Newspaper in the world.
It's difficult to say how much the entire charade will have cost Murdoch. no doubt it'll be peanuts for him. but it is interesting to note that, though borne of different problems, Murdoch's other recent venture, The Daily, and online newspaper designed specifically for the iPad, has been a complete flop. Called "a complete failure of imagination" by the Telegraph. and the Guardian said: " it feels in places more like a newspaper created by a slightly dull committee rather than something with the kind of personality and viewpoint that truly great publications have."
One has to wonder whether or not these two failures could be linked to some kind of management problem within News Corps, and if so, whether it has been marked and is being scrutinised by competitors.
Perhaps an important question to take away from this is how much damage News Corps can take from this before more problems begin to develop. Personally I'm wondering how Murdoch's planned takeover of BSkyB will be affected.
Until next time, Avid Readers.
And remember, keep watching the Sky... News.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/technology/shanerichmond/100006286/the-daily-ipad-app-review-a-complete-failure-of-imagination/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/feb/02/murdoch-daily-ipad-newspaper-review
This view went down the swanny with the last weeks reports that the paper faces accusations of hacking the phones of the victims of crimes, and their families. Most notably: the phones of murdered schoolgirl, Milly Dowler; and those of the families of victims of the 7/7 London bombings.
This intrusion into the lives of ordinary people in terrible situations had sparked public anger and has people calling for blood. Metaphorically. The News of the World started losing sponsors left and right, and many people who were involved (directly or indirectly) seem set to be put before the firing squad.
Now, sitting at the top of what has become a mountain of crap for the NOTW , is Rupert Murdoch's announcement that the tabloid will soon cease to be. This Sunday marks the last edition of the 168 year old Newspaper. A very sad day for some, a happy day for others, but a bit of a surprise to everyone. The last edition, to go out on Sunday, will reportedly have no advertisements (most likely because it doesn't have any left) and is planned to be boycotted by many. Indeed a sad day, for what was once the most popular Newspaper in the world.It's difficult to say how much the entire charade will have cost Murdoch. no doubt it'll be peanuts for him. but it is interesting to note that, though borne of different problems, Murdoch's other recent venture, The Daily, and online newspaper designed specifically for the iPad, has been a complete flop. Called "a complete failure of imagination" by the Telegraph. and the Guardian said: " it feels in places more like a newspaper created by a slightly dull committee rather than something with the kind of personality and viewpoint that truly great publications have."
One has to wonder whether or not these two failures could be linked to some kind of management problem within News Corps, and if so, whether it has been marked and is being scrutinised by competitors.
Perhaps an important question to take away from this is how much damage News Corps can take from this before more problems begin to develop. Personally I'm wondering how Murdoch's planned takeover of BSkyB will be affected.
Until next time, Avid Readers.
And remember, keep watching the Sky... News.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/technology/shanerichmond/100006286/the-daily-ipad-app-review-a-complete-failure-of-imagination/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/feb/02/murdoch-daily-ipad-newspaper-review
Sunday 19 June 2011
It's Father's Day, Father's Day, Gettin' Down on Father's Day.....
 |
| Nothing but a conman |
Apart from anything I can't help but think that this whole thing is incredibly unfair. In fact, It's downright selfish of them! How dare they demand a shitty gift in exchange for a "growing ups" worth of attention and feeding, and annual buying of school uniforms. Crafty bastards...
Of course that doesn't mean I won't be giving my dad the obligatory Spike Milligan card and small prezzie. I mean, it's just good manners isn't it?
I am of course, to quote the Internet, JK! I'm not bitter, I'm just gonna make damn sure that when I have kids, I'll enforce Father's Day to the death.
Okay Avid Readers, have a great Father's Day, whether you're getting the gifts, or getting guilted out of them.
Much love guys.
Saturday 18 June 2011
Thoughts from the Gap: Manners, Politeness and the "Upward Nod of Acknowledgement"
It's been just over a week since I finished my first year of university and came back to chill out in Devon for a few months, and I realised I had forsaken my beloved Avid Readers for far too long. Especially since I left you with that terrible post about 'Converged Media Texts.'
I'm afraid I have to admit that I have been slipping in as far as actually reading newspapers and generally having an understanding of what is going on in the world. As such, this is going to be another in a series (that I have decided to do) of musings that leak out of the many perforations in my brain.
This post is about manners. Manners are the sort of thing that are ingrained in us from a young age and tend to define us as people. The English are stereotyped to be incredibly polite, and indeed it is an old English tradition to intensely avoid embarrassment, for oneself, but much more for the benefit of others.
In an attempt to think of an example of politeness, the first thing to come to mind is (to quote the Internet) that awkward moment when two people are walking towards each other along a path, or pavement. They are both desperately trying not to meet each others gaze. Yet at the same time, they sneak furtive glances at one another the closer they come, until, crescendo! each person realises that whilst they do not want to insinuate themselves into their counterparts day uninvited, it would be far too rude not to acknowledge them, culminating in a slightly hoarse, and generally very short, exchange that will more often than not, leave them both relieved to be done with it, and wishing that they had had something better to say than:
"Hello"
"Hi"
"Alright"
"Afternoon"
"Evening"
"Lovely weather for it..."
Or of course, the popularly neutral "upward nod of acknowledgement."
I discovered something interesting the other week. This is my own personal experience, but I find that I'm more likely to receive a positive response from the above situation if I'm doing some form of exercise i.e. running, cycling. I can only think that this is because I represent the vitality of youth (he says with a sideways smile) as opposed to the lurkers, the smokers, the HOODIES that plague the younger generations.
Of course, maybe I've grown too used to Hampshire and people down here in Devon people are just nicer.
Thanks for reading this pointlessly meandering message from beyond the boundaries of space and time. With any luck I'll get back into the habit of decently written nonsense in the near future.
Remember Avid Readers, manners cost nothing, and as always,
Much Love.
I'm afraid I have to admit that I have been slipping in as far as actually reading newspapers and generally having an understanding of what is going on in the world. As such, this is going to be another in a series (that I have decided to do) of musings that leak out of the many perforations in my brain.
This post is about manners. Manners are the sort of thing that are ingrained in us from a young age and tend to define us as people. The English are stereotyped to be incredibly polite, and indeed it is an old English tradition to intensely avoid embarrassment, for oneself, but much more for the benefit of others.
In an attempt to think of an example of politeness, the first thing to come to mind is (to quote the Internet) that awkward moment when two people are walking towards each other along a path, or pavement. They are both desperately trying not to meet each others gaze. Yet at the same time, they sneak furtive glances at one another the closer they come, until, crescendo! each person realises that whilst they do not want to insinuate themselves into their counterparts day uninvited, it would be far too rude not to acknowledge them, culminating in a slightly hoarse, and generally very short, exchange that will more often than not, leave them both relieved to be done with it, and wishing that they had had something better to say than:
"Hello""Hi"
"Alright"
"Afternoon"
"Evening"
"Lovely weather for it..."
Or of course, the popularly neutral "upward nod of acknowledgement."
I discovered something interesting the other week. This is my own personal experience, but I find that I'm more likely to receive a positive response from the above situation if I'm doing some form of exercise i.e. running, cycling. I can only think that this is because I represent the vitality of youth (he says with a sideways smile) as opposed to the lurkers, the smokers, the HOODIES that plague the younger generations.
Of course, maybe I've grown too used to Hampshire and people down here in Devon people are just nicer.
Thanks for reading this pointlessly meandering message from beyond the boundaries of space and time. With any luck I'll get back into the habit of decently written nonsense in the near future.
Remember Avid Readers, manners cost nothing, and as always,
Much Love.
Tuesday 31 May 2011
The Yogscast: Converged Media and Jaffa Cakes, In and Around Your Mouth
I'm almost loath to post this as it is a media studies assignment (a module I detest), however, this is, at the end of the day, a blog about my course. So, for good or ill, here's me rambling about the Yogscast for 1508 words:
---------------------------------------------
Media in the 21st Century - Converged Media Text - Yogscast.
The Yogscast began in 2008 as a series on the video file sharing site YouTube, that provided tutorials for defeating various bosses, and completing various quests on the popular MMORPG, World of Warcraft, a game that combined vast maps and a huge amount of constantly updated missions; with the capability to play and connect with users across the world . After several months, they expanded to game reviewing in their own particular irreverent style, earning them more and more video views, and subscribers. Up until October 2010 they averaging about 10,000 views per video, then they began to play and review games that appealed to much wider audiences, achieving video views of over 75,000. It was not however until they began to upload their videos of Minecraft, an indie game made by one man that allows almost infinite levels of creativity, by making a world that can be entirely reshaped.
Their first Minecraft video received over 1.5 million views. It was Minecraft that put Yogscast into the YouTube spotlight, earning them appearances on internet radio shows, and increasing the worldwide spread of their series of podcasts: the Yogpod, which is available, for free, on iTunes, and helps to fund their projects through donations from their fan base, known affectionately as the ‘Yognauts/Yognaughts.’ These donations, as well as the revenue they accrue from YouTube for their videos, selling merchandise, and advertising, allow the Yogscast to support themselves solely by working on YouTube. As is the case with many YouTubers, once they can earn a living from their videos, the content almost invariably improves, thus earning them more status and popularity.
In the case of the Yogscast. Their Minecraft videos began as simple tutorials, and have expanded into a fully fledged narrative. Showcasing a breadth of characters, back stories, and an evolving plot. What separates their series (now known as the “Shadow of Israphel” series) from many others on the internet, is that, because it is played over the internet, they can allow people onto their servers (on which the game is based) to build the worlds, and privately script the story without the protagonists knowing what is coming next. As a result, we are given genuine reactions to developments, as well as constant improvisation from all of the characters, along with any mistakes and ineptitude from the heroes of the story as they become stuck on puzzles or accidentally destroy pieces of the scenery. The heroes of the game also voice all of the characters themselves (as Minecraft has a text-based instant messaging chat system) and has lead to one of the Yogscast getting voiceover work for a new PC game: Dwarfs.
As their popularity has grown, they have had to deal with increasing numbers of fans. Initially using emails, and telling fans to post any comments and suggestions on the MySpace page of Tina Barrett (formerly of S-Club 7); The Yogscast created Yogiverse.com as a site to make any announcements, with forums for fans to hold discussions of any current projects. As well as many other features relevant to their current events, including blogs about Minecraft, and character skins for Minecraft.
In terms of how old and new media converge on this ‘text’, there are several ways in which to look at it. Firstly, the entire concept of their series rely on video, in itself, an old media, though the manner it was captured, using FRAPS screen capture software, is relatively modern, and is almost exclusively used by people to record gameplay for sites such as Machinima, and their relevant channels on file-sharing sites such as YouTube, which is a form of new media, allowing the distribution of content to anyone with relevant interests and video files. Once again, video is at this point, the example of old media. Many videos, being converted from DVDs, camcorders and VHS tapes. Allowing anyone to publish and share their own media. The various radio shows that they have been on would act as a form of old media. Radio being one of the oldest forms of modern communication, however, internet radio acts as new media for the digital age. Once again aimed at specific audiences, and also with the ability to ‘listen again’ to streams or shows that have been converted into podcasts for iTunes, yet another example of new media that helps to bring shows such as the Yogscast to public attention through ratings systems such as Genius which collects information on the types of media you enjoy and then recommends other material that it thinks you may enjoy. This helps in the distribution of media, and in helping deliver it to their target audience without have to look directly for them. As far as social networking and the Yogscast are concerned, they use Facebook as a way of keeping up with their fans, although their website is preferred. Facebook, as with most social networking sites, shows a mix of old and new media, in this instance, it is used as a means of communication betweens the Yogscast and the Yog(naughts/nauts), which would, in earlier times, have been achieved through fan mail of some kind, social networking sites allow this to be instantaneous and much more personal.
It is worth noting that since the Yogscast uses YouTube as its media, there is very little restriction put on them in terms of political factors and indeed any restrictions they adhere to, would be put in place by themselves. YouTube as a forum, is very free with people’s ability to be expressive, and since it is worldwide (with certain exceptions that keep a reign on permitted media) there is a breadth of styles and social contexts. The principal figures of the Yogscast being English, means that they assert certain English attributes or characteristics onto their videos/ podcasts etc. for example: popular ‘in-jokes’ that may be easier for an English viewer/ listener to grasp (though not to the exclusion of other nationalities), this may include jokes about Jaffa Cakes (which are less prevalent in the USA for example) or pop-culture references such as singer, Tina Barrett, or actors Brian Blessed and Warwick Davies, who play a part in a long-running joke that they share a flat with one of the ‘Cast, Brian stealing his jam sandwiches, and Warwick getting lost down the sink. This is an excellent example of the freedom to do whatever they want in terms of limits that may normally be put on a production of any kind. Thanks to video file-sharing sites such as YouTube, people can make, and view, whatever they wish.
Concerning debates in media over the driving factors of change, I would say that, as discussed in previous paragraphs, YouTube based media, is very much based on providing viewers with what they want to see. If someone does not want to watch certain types, or genres, of videos, that have no need to in order to see anything else. Unlike, say, having to watch adverts in between television programmes. Although, some YouTube videos/channels do have some advertising that plays before the video, they can be easily skipped with the use of ad blockers. Something you cannot do with television, for example. As such, I would say that amongst video file -sharing sites such as YouTube, there is more of a ‘pull culture’, allowing users to dictate what they want to see. And perhaps in some ways, influencing how uploaders design their videos, so as to appeal to the majority of viewers. Obviously, the higher the quality of what is being produced, the more likely that it will be more appreciated, videos with a better quality production value are expected to be have better overall content. This puts forward an argument that technology can be a force for change and improvement. I would say that as far as conflict goes, there is very little between YouTubers, indeed they are their own community and more often than not, the more popular of them will collaborate in a mutually beneficial boost for both party’s number of subscribers and overall respect. One example prevalent with the Yogscast, is their collaboration with another relatively high profile gaming YouTuber known as Totalbiscuit.
Overall, The Yogscast use the freedom first provided by YouTube to produce their own media, that they enjoy, along with over 400,000 subscribers that now follow them. YouTube, and video file sharing sites in general, as a converged media, are extremely versatile, and in allowing ease of use, as well as providing a springboard for many other types of media, such as music, radio, or the use of social networking as an enhanced form of communication.
References:
Yogscast(2011)Yogscast Multiplayer Gaming [online] YouTube. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/user/BlueXephos [ accessed 31/05/2011]
Lexis, B (2011) Social Networking Sites as Converged Texts [online] Prezi. Available from: http://prezi.com/7xadmiagr7f7/social-networking-sites-as-converged-texts/ [accessed 30/05/2011]
Curran, J. Seaton, J. (2010) Power Without Responsibility. Pages 271 -273
YogPod(2011) iTunes Preview - The Yogpod [online] iTunes. Available from: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-yogpod/id304557271 [accessed 30/05 2011]
Yogscast (2011) The Yogscast [online] Yogiverse. Available from: http://yogiverse.com/cmps_index.php [accessed 30/05/2011]
----------------------------------------------------
Thanks very much for bearing with me on that, hopefully some of you found it somewhat interesting. If there's anything to take from this, it s that the guys from the Yogscast are incredibly funny, and I highly recommend them.
Much love guys, and hopefully I'll make up for this with something silly, as soon as I can.
This is Dave! Yognaught, signing off.
In-jokes are fun...
---------------------------------------------
Media in the 21st Century - Converged Media Text - Yogscast.
The Yogscast began in 2008 as a series on the video file sharing site YouTube, that provided tutorials for defeating various bosses, and completing various quests on the popular MMORPG, World of Warcraft, a game that combined vast maps and a huge amount of constantly updated missions; with the capability to play and connect with users across the world . After several months, they expanded to game reviewing in their own particular irreverent style, earning them more and more video views, and subscribers. Up until October 2010 they averaging about 10,000 views per video, then they began to play and review games that appealed to much wider audiences, achieving video views of over 75,000. It was not however until they began to upload their videos of Minecraft, an indie game made by one man that allows almost infinite levels of creativity, by making a world that can be entirely reshaped.
Their first Minecraft video received over 1.5 million views. It was Minecraft that put Yogscast into the YouTube spotlight, earning them appearances on internet radio shows, and increasing the worldwide spread of their series of podcasts: the Yogpod, which is available, for free, on iTunes, and helps to fund their projects through donations from their fan base, known affectionately as the ‘Yognauts/Yognaughts.’ These donations, as well as the revenue they accrue from YouTube for their videos, selling merchandise, and advertising, allow the Yogscast to support themselves solely by working on YouTube. As is the case with many YouTubers, once they can earn a living from their videos, the content almost invariably improves, thus earning them more status and popularity.
In the case of the Yogscast. Their Minecraft videos began as simple tutorials, and have expanded into a fully fledged narrative. Showcasing a breadth of characters, back stories, and an evolving plot. What separates their series (now known as the “Shadow of Israphel” series) from many others on the internet, is that, because it is played over the internet, they can allow people onto their servers (on which the game is based) to build the worlds, and privately script the story without the protagonists knowing what is coming next. As a result, we are given genuine reactions to developments, as well as constant improvisation from all of the characters, along with any mistakes and ineptitude from the heroes of the story as they become stuck on puzzles or accidentally destroy pieces of the scenery. The heroes of the game also voice all of the characters themselves (as Minecraft has a text-based instant messaging chat system) and has lead to one of the Yogscast getting voiceover work for a new PC game: Dwarfs.
As their popularity has grown, they have had to deal with increasing numbers of fans. Initially using emails, and telling fans to post any comments and suggestions on the MySpace page of Tina Barrett (formerly of S-Club 7); The Yogscast created Yogiverse.com as a site to make any announcements, with forums for fans to hold discussions of any current projects. As well as many other features relevant to their current events, including blogs about Minecraft, and character skins for Minecraft.
In terms of how old and new media converge on this ‘text’, there are several ways in which to look at it. Firstly, the entire concept of their series rely on video, in itself, an old media, though the manner it was captured, using FRAPS screen capture software, is relatively modern, and is almost exclusively used by people to record gameplay for sites such as Machinima, and their relevant channels on file-sharing sites such as YouTube, which is a form of new media, allowing the distribution of content to anyone with relevant interests and video files. Once again, video is at this point, the example of old media. Many videos, being converted from DVDs, camcorders and VHS tapes. Allowing anyone to publish and share their own media. The various radio shows that they have been on would act as a form of old media. Radio being one of the oldest forms of modern communication, however, internet radio acts as new media for the digital age. Once again aimed at specific audiences, and also with the ability to ‘listen again’ to streams or shows that have been converted into podcasts for iTunes, yet another example of new media that helps to bring shows such as the Yogscast to public attention through ratings systems such as Genius which collects information on the types of media you enjoy and then recommends other material that it thinks you may enjoy. This helps in the distribution of media, and in helping deliver it to their target audience without have to look directly for them. As far as social networking and the Yogscast are concerned, they use Facebook as a way of keeping up with their fans, although their website is preferred. Facebook, as with most social networking sites, shows a mix of old and new media, in this instance, it is used as a means of communication betweens the Yogscast and the Yog(naughts/nauts), which would, in earlier times, have been achieved through fan mail of some kind, social networking sites allow this to be instantaneous and much more personal.
It is worth noting that since the Yogscast uses YouTube as its media, there is very little restriction put on them in terms of political factors and indeed any restrictions they adhere to, would be put in place by themselves. YouTube as a forum, is very free with people’s ability to be expressive, and since it is worldwide (with certain exceptions that keep a reign on permitted media) there is a breadth of styles and social contexts. The principal figures of the Yogscast being English, means that they assert certain English attributes or characteristics onto their videos/ podcasts etc. for example: popular ‘in-jokes’ that may be easier for an English viewer/ listener to grasp (though not to the exclusion of other nationalities), this may include jokes about Jaffa Cakes (which are less prevalent in the USA for example) or pop-culture references such as singer, Tina Barrett, or actors Brian Blessed and Warwick Davies, who play a part in a long-running joke that they share a flat with one of the ‘Cast, Brian stealing his jam sandwiches, and Warwick getting lost down the sink. This is an excellent example of the freedom to do whatever they want in terms of limits that may normally be put on a production of any kind. Thanks to video file-sharing sites such as YouTube, people can make, and view, whatever they wish.
Concerning debates in media over the driving factors of change, I would say that, as discussed in previous paragraphs, YouTube based media, is very much based on providing viewers with what they want to see. If someone does not want to watch certain types, or genres, of videos, that have no need to in order to see anything else. Unlike, say, having to watch adverts in between television programmes. Although, some YouTube videos/channels do have some advertising that plays before the video, they can be easily skipped with the use of ad blockers. Something you cannot do with television, for example. As such, I would say that amongst video file -sharing sites such as YouTube, there is more of a ‘pull culture’, allowing users to dictate what they want to see. And perhaps in some ways, influencing how uploaders design their videos, so as to appeal to the majority of viewers. Obviously, the higher the quality of what is being produced, the more likely that it will be more appreciated, videos with a better quality production value are expected to be have better overall content. This puts forward an argument that technology can be a force for change and improvement. I would say that as far as conflict goes, there is very little between YouTubers, indeed they are their own community and more often than not, the more popular of them will collaborate in a mutually beneficial boost for both party’s number of subscribers and overall respect. One example prevalent with the Yogscast, is their collaboration with another relatively high profile gaming YouTuber known as Totalbiscuit.
Overall, The Yogscast use the freedom first provided by YouTube to produce their own media, that they enjoy, along with over 400,000 subscribers that now follow them. YouTube, and video file sharing sites in general, as a converged media, are extremely versatile, and in allowing ease of use, as well as providing a springboard for many other types of media, such as music, radio, or the use of social networking as an enhanced form of communication.
References:
Yogscast(2011)Yogscast Multiplayer Gaming [online] YouTube. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/user/BlueXephos [ accessed 31/05/2011]
Lexis, B (2011) Social Networking Sites as Converged Texts [online] Prezi. Available from: http://prezi.com/7xadmiagr7f7/social-networking-sites-as-converged-texts/ [accessed 30/05/2011]
Curran, J. Seaton, J. (2010) Power Without Responsibility. Pages 271 -273
YogPod(2011) iTunes Preview - The Yogpod [online] iTunes. Available from: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-yogpod/id304557271 [accessed 30/05 2011]
Yogscast (2011) The Yogscast [online] Yogiverse. Available from: http://yogiverse.com/cmps_index.php [accessed 30/05/2011]
----------------------------------------------------
Thanks very much for bearing with me on that, hopefully some of you found it somewhat interesting. If there's anything to take from this, it s that the guys from the Yogscast are incredibly funny, and I highly recommend them.
Much love guys, and hopefully I'll make up for this with something silly, as soon as I can.
This is Dave! Yognaught, signing off.
In-jokes are fun...
Thursday 26 May 2011
Pun in the Sun, Take 2: Alliteration Nation
Quick post today, I'm fairly knackered after my first, stressful attempt at editing a package. Maybe if you're lucky, I'll put it up at some point.
Basically (I hate that word), I want to share a headline with you. Any of you who've been stuck with me for a while (apologies) will remember a post in which I took the mickey bliss out of a Sun article that had such a high pun:word ratio, that it briefly left me speechless.
This new one was relatively recent and dealt with the Imogen Thomas and "unnamed footballer" whom she had (allegedly) had an affair with. It read:
"NITWIT HITS TWITTER WITH WRIT"
I mean, wow. I think when it comes to the Sun, that's the kind of thing promotions are made from.
'Nuff said.
And as always. Much love people.
For anyone with a healthy interest in Imogen Thomas, here's the article:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3593093/Imogen-footie-rat-in-bid-to-gag-Twitter-site.html?OTC-RSS&ATTR=News
Basically (I hate that word), I want to share a headline with you. Any of you who've been stuck with me for a while (apologies) will remember a post in which I took the mickey bliss out of a Sun article that had such a high pun:word ratio, that it briefly left me speechless.
This new one was relatively recent and dealt with the Imogen Thomas and "unnamed footballer" whom she had (allegedly) had an affair with. It read:
"NITWIT HITS TWITTER WITH WRIT"
I mean, wow. I think when it comes to the Sun, that's the kind of thing promotions are made from.
'Nuff said.
And as always. Much love people.
For anyone with a healthy interest in Imogen Thomas, here's the article:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3593093/Imogen-footie-rat-in-bid-to-gag-Twitter-site.html?OTC-RSS&ATTR=News
Wednesday 25 May 2011
Towel Day: Celebrating Douglas Adams... and Towels
Apologies for my increasingly erratic posting, my head has been in the ground and my feet in the air lately. That and I'm somewhat distracted by the end of my first year of university rapidly approaching, with all the lovely exams and assignments that come with it. Also, I decided I wanted to change the URL of this blog to something that was both vaguely relevant and did not have 'wank' hidden in the middle of it, as my coursemates gleefully pointed out to me. Little did I know that it would not update links at all, and completely erase my Alexa ranking. For anyone new to this ramblathon I like to call a blog, Alexa rankings are explained in an earlier post which you can read here.
But I digress. Today, Avid Readers, is May the 25th. Not an important day to many, but to me it is nigh on holy. May 25 is Towel Day, an international celebration of the works of Douglas Adams, Primarily his book series 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' (They are all excellent reads, and well worth checking out. Don't watch the film, it's rubbish). On this day, all Hitchikerites are required to carry a towel with them.
Why a towel, well, according to the man himself, A towel:
"Is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have. Partly it has great practical value. You can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta; you can lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of Santraginus V, inhaling the heady sea vapors; you can sleep under it beneath the stars which shine so redly on the desert world of Kakrafoon; use it to sail a miniraft down the slow heavy River Moth; wet it for use in hand-to-hand-combat; wrap it round your head to ward off noxious fumes or avoid the gaze of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal (such a mind-bogglingly stupid animal, it assumes that if you can't see it, it can't see you); you can wave your towel in emergencies as a distress signal, and of course dry yourself off with it if it still seems to be clean enough"
Clearly, any person who can do all of this and still have his towel, is a man to be reckoned with. Hence this mildly bizarre celebration of a pretty bizarre man.
Happy Towel Day Avid Readers! And I leave you with some of the man's best quotes:
"He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife."
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."
"It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'As pretty as an Airport' appear."
"The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't."
And a personal favourite: "Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so."
For more amazing, entertaining, and coma-inducing quotes, head on over here or just read the damn books!
Much Love.
But I digress. Today, Avid Readers, is May the 25th. Not an important day to many, but to me it is nigh on holy. May 25 is Towel Day, an international celebration of the works of Douglas Adams, Primarily his book series 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' (They are all excellent reads, and well worth checking out. Don't watch the film, it's rubbish). On this day, all Hitchikerites are required to carry a towel with them.
Why a towel, well, according to the man himself, A towel:
"Is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have. Partly it has great practical value. You can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta; you can lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of Santraginus V, inhaling the heady sea vapors; you can sleep under it beneath the stars which shine so redly on the desert world of Kakrafoon; use it to sail a miniraft down the slow heavy River Moth; wet it for use in hand-to-hand-combat; wrap it round your head to ward off noxious fumes or avoid the gaze of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal (such a mind-bogglingly stupid animal, it assumes that if you can't see it, it can't see you); you can wave your towel in emergencies as a distress signal, and of course dry yourself off with it if it still seems to be clean enough"
Clearly, any person who can do all of this and still have his towel, is a man to be reckoned with. Hence this mildly bizarre celebration of a pretty bizarre man.
Happy Towel Day Avid Readers! And I leave you with some of the man's best quotes:
"He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife."
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."
"It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'As pretty as an Airport' appear."
"The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't."
And a personal favourite: "Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so."
For more amazing, entertaining, and coma-inducing quotes, head on over here or just read the damn books!
Much Love.
Saturday 21 May 2011
Christwire.org: Brilliant Satire or Batshit-Crazy Fundamentalism?
 |
| The Face of Evil? |
 |
| Will You be Going to Heaven? |
Some people who comment clearly think it is an excellent joke, even playing along (unless of course, they aren't pretending, and they actually take it seriously). Some people think it's real and bash it for being so ultra-conservative, not seeing the joke (if there is one). And some people just don't seem to understand at all.
For myself, I think it is a satire on religious fundamentalism, especially because of their YouTube channel. But it is very difficult to be sure. The website is a perfect example of Poe's Law, which states that:
"Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody of Fundamentalism that SOMEONE won't mistake for the real thing."
I can't really think of a more suitable demonstration than Christwire.org for this law.
I would encourage all of you to visit Chritwire.org, and I'd be very interested to hear your opinions on the insanity.
As always Avid Readers, you have a good day, and I'll see you next time.
Saturday 14 May 2011
Seminar Paper : Émile Zola's "J'accuse...!" With a Grounding on the Dreyfus Affair
The Dreyfus affair took place at a time when France was in turmoil. The 'unbeatable' French army had been destroyed by the Prussian army under Bismarck. Napoleon III had been captured, and France itself had been completely humiliated. France was forced to sign an armistice that gave Germany the territory of Alsace-Lorraine, and a huge amount of money.
As an added humiliation, during the siege of Paris by the Germans, the poor (who were the majority of people left in Paris at this time, as the richer citizens had fled for the country) were brought to near starvation, forced to eat cats and dogs etc. After Versailles had relented and the siege had been lifted, the aristocrats and land owners returned to France, and demanded their rent from the poor, despite the situation they had been left in. This proved to be the final stress for the poor of Paris, who revolted and ousted the richer citizens from the city. The Paris Commune was then formed. Described by Marx as a 'Dictatorship of the Proletariat,' the Commune introduced social reform, encouraged feminism and established rights of workers to be able to take over businesses.
This made the royalists of France hugely concerned, in fact, there was worry all over Europe about this Geist of Communism that seemed to have taken over. As a result, the remains of the army were sent into Paris to utterly destroy the Commune. There was a huge amount of extreme violence targeted at the working class. Over 20 thousand people were killed, possible many more. The aim of this was to ensure that this uprising would never happen again. However, the short rule of the Commune would prove to have changed political thinking in France forever.
The media in France at this time was very influential, often being used as a way to control public opinion in France. Bismarck did exactly this to start his war with France. The resulting defeat suffered by France caused disbelief, and spawned mass conspiracy theories as to how the French could have lost. One of the most successful theories was of a Jewish syndicate, that worked in the shadows to bring down France.
It was at this point that the Dreyfus affair took place. France was attempting to gain back its pride by expanding its empire and becoming very militaristic amidst several scandals, and the higher-ups of the French military were looking for scapegoats to explain whatever failures it encountered. One such was begun when secret papers from the high in the French army were discovered in a wastepaper bin. This incriminated an officer in the French army and, wanting to make an example, they blamed the incident on a man named Alfred Dreyfus on incredibly flimsy charges. He was: Jewish, a great crime in France at this time when anti-Semitism was rife; From Alsace, this currently being controlled by Germany made him a German; and he was intelligent, another great crime, as Zola comments in J’accuse:
“he is industrious, he wants to know everything, crime”
Dreyfus was found guilty by the French council of war after his accusers, unable to provide any real evidence of his guilt, claimed they could not show the evidence as it could be damaging to France. He was disgraced, stripped of rank, and sent to Devil’s Island, a prison island that no one expected him to come back from.
It was at this point that an officer named Picquart found evidence that proved it was another man (Esterhazy) that leaked military secrets to the Germans, not Dreyfus. He took the evidence to his superiors who dismissed it, saying: “What is it to you if a Jew rots on Devil’s Island?”
The officer persisted however, and Esterhazy was put on trial. But, he was acquitted in an attempt to keep the affair quiet.
It is at this point that Emile Zola, a witness to the trial, and disgusted by the result, wrote ‘J’accuse…!’
J’accuse…!
J’accuse…! Begins with a respectful address to the President, at no point, it is worth pointing out, does Zola ever criticise the President, portraying him as something akin to a victim of circumstance. He says that “your star, so happy until now, is threatened by the most shameful and most ineffaceable of blemishes?”
(…)
“what a spot of mud on your name - I was going to say on your reign - is this abominable Dreyfus affair!”
He seems to write as though he feels he has been pushed to do so, clearly feeling that he should not have had to, and only does because justice failed:
“The truth I will say, because I promised to say it, if justice, regularly seized, did not do it, full and whole. My duty is to speak, I do not want to be an accomplice. My nights would be haunted by the spectre of innocence that suffer there, through the most dreadful of tortures, for a crime it did not commit.”
He begins his argument, with the lawsuit and judgement of Dreyfus, which he believes was almost solely carried out by the then Commandant, Du Paty de Clam, whom he calls a “Nefarious man” and describes as something of a shadowy figure, who sought to hide the truth with elaborate illusions and trickery. Most likely because he had no actual proof to use against him. De Clam was Zola’s first ‘culprit’, and he quickly moves on to others whom, he seems to suggest, are implicit, if not guilty:
“There is the Minister of War, General Mercier, whose intelligence seems poor; there are the head of the High Command, General De Boisdeffre, who appears to have yielded to his clerical passion, and the assistant manager of the High Command, General Gonse, whose conscience could put up with many things”
“Is this then true, the inexpressible things, the dangerous things, capable of plunging Europe into flames, which one must carefully bury behind these closed doors? No! There was behind this, only the romantic and lunatic imaginations of Commander Paty de Clam.”
He condemns the bill of indictment, he says that people could not read it without some kind of indignation or revolt. He lists the ‘crimes’ for which Dreyfus was charged, each absurd when read in the simple language he uses.
“Dreyfus knows several languages, crime; one found at his place no compromising papers, crime; he returns sometimes to his country of origin, crime; he is industrious, he wants to know everything, crime; he is unperturbed, crime; he is perturbed, crime.”
He lambastes the accusers of Dreyfus, all but calling them cowards, and referring indirectly to the power that the media gave to those who controlled it over the rest of France:
“no, no! It is a lie! and it is all the more odious and cynical that they lie with impunity without one being able to convince others of it. They assemble France, they hide behind its legitimate emotion, they close mouths by disturbing hearts, by perverting spirits. I do not know a greater civic crime.”
Zola moves on to what he calls the ‘Esterhazy affair.’ Three years after Dreyfus is sent to Devil’s Island, Picquart, who found the evidence against Esterhazy (a telegram from a foreign agent) is described by Zola as a man who never did anything against his superiors, as a man who (we can assume) tried to always to the right thing. Zola describes how, having been presented with this evidence, his superiors (General Gonse, General De Boisdeffre, and General Billot) were assured of Esterhazy’s guilty, and therefore of Dreyfus’ innocence. But the High command did not want any revision of his trial.
Zola scathingly writes that Billot, a new party to the entire affair, and in know way implicated, felt “only one minute of conflict between his conscience and what he believed to be the military's interest.” and once he had taken this minute, he became implicated and, in Zola’s view, became worse that the others, as he had had a chance to do the right thing, and chose not to. He comments that somehow, despite their callousness, they had loving families at home.
As Esterhazy comes to trial, Zola marvels at his dramatic change of attitude. From him being “thrown into a panic, ready for suicide or escape” to his astonishing audacity, recognised by Zola as a result of help coming to him. Most probably from Paty de Clam with his “fertile imagination.”
Zola starts his last section with a rhetorical question. He asks:
“How could one hope that a council of war would demolish what a council of war had done?”
Essentially, he is saying that the Council of War would not allow itself to contradict itself as it would completely undermine their authority. He does give some leniency to the first council of war. He says that the supreme chief giving credit to the accusations could not be simply ignored, and they were, in some fashion, forced into the sentencing. At the very least their hands were tied. But the second council, he calls criminal, as at that point, everybody knew of the innocence of Dreyfus. The problem they had, was that to proclaim Dreyfus innocent, would be to say that the high command were all guilty. As Zola sees it, he uses this as the motivation for the amount of protection given to Esterhazy.
Once more, Zola seems to find no reasoning strong enough to pardon their behaviour and ridicules the department of war. Whilst at the same time lamenting the loss of what he considers to have been a once fine institution:
“Where is the truly strong ministry of wise patriotism that will dare to reforge and to renew all? What of people I know who, faced with the possibility of war, tremble of anguish knowing in what hands lies national defence! And what a nest of base intrigues, gossips and dilapidations has this crowned asylum become, where the fate of fatherland is decided! One trembles in face of the terrible day that there has just thrown the Dreyfus affair, this human sacrifice of an unfortunate, a "dirty Jew"! Ah! all that was agitated insanity there and stupidity, imaginations insane, practices of low police force, manners of inquisition and tyranny, good pleasure of some non-commissioned officers putting their boots on the nation, returning in its throat its cry of truth and justice, under the lying pretext and sacrilege of the reason of State.”
He begins to come full circle at this point, addressing, if not directly, the President. Describing the petty and spiteful attitudes that have overtaken France. Perhaps, for the first time laying some of the blame toward the President. He praises, however, the men he sees as being innocent and good in all of this. Giving them a fairly large amount of space, perhaps in gratitude for what they had done, despite being the vast minority. “There are two victims, two good people, two simple hearts, who waited for God while the devil acted.”
Once more, Zola addresses the President directly, again calling the affair a stain for his presidency, though assuring him that he sees no collaboration on his part:
“I very much doubt that you have no capacity in this affair, that you are the prisoner of the Constitution and your entourage.”
Towards the end of the article, he accuses the guilty men: Paty de Clam, “as the diabolic workman of the miscarriage of justice”; Mercier, “of being an accomplice, if by weakness of spirit”; Billot, “of having held in his hands the unquestionable evidence of Dreyfus's innocence and of suppressing it”; De Boisdeffre and Gonse, “as accomplices of the same crime, one undoubtedly by clerical passion, the other perhaps by this spirit of body which makes offices of the war an infallible archsaint.”; De Pellieux and Ravary “of performing a rogue investigation, by which I mean an investigation of the most monstrous partiality, of which we have, in the report of the second, an imperishable monument of naive audacity.”; The three handwriting experts that let off Esterhazy, and here Zola shows a small amount of humour, though I doubt that he would have found enjoyment in it. “Belhomme, Varinard and Couard, of submitting untrue and fraudulent reports, unless a medical examination declares them to be affected by a disease of sight and judgment.”
Finally, he accuses the first council of war for condemning a man unrevealed evidence. And the second of covering this up.
He openly says that he has slandered these men, and is willing to accept it. And even now, after having scorned them and called them criminals, he makes an attempt to show that although there is undoubtedly bias. He has no personal malice against them:
“As for the people I accuse, I do not know them, I never saw them, I have against them neither resentment nor hatred. They are for me only entities, spirits of social evil.”
Once more, he addresses the president, as he did at the beginning, treating him with great respect. And clearly knowing that the repercussions of his piece will be massive. If not necessarily which way they will turn. He says:
“I am waiting”
---------------------------------------------------
Thanks very much for reading all this. At some point in the near future, at urging from my lecturer, I intend to record myself reading this and post it on the blog.
Watch this space, my avid readers.
Much love.
As an added humiliation, during the siege of Paris by the Germans, the poor (who were the majority of people left in Paris at this time, as the richer citizens had fled for the country) were brought to near starvation, forced to eat cats and dogs etc. After Versailles had relented and the siege had been lifted, the aristocrats and land owners returned to France, and demanded their rent from the poor, despite the situation they had been left in. This proved to be the final stress for the poor of Paris, who revolted and ousted the richer citizens from the city. The Paris Commune was then formed. Described by Marx as a 'Dictatorship of the Proletariat,' the Commune introduced social reform, encouraged feminism and established rights of workers to be able to take over businesses.
This made the royalists of France hugely concerned, in fact, there was worry all over Europe about this Geist of Communism that seemed to have taken over. As a result, the remains of the army were sent into Paris to utterly destroy the Commune. There was a huge amount of extreme violence targeted at the working class. Over 20 thousand people were killed, possible many more. The aim of this was to ensure that this uprising would never happen again. However, the short rule of the Commune would prove to have changed political thinking in France forever.
The media in France at this time was very influential, often being used as a way to control public opinion in France. Bismarck did exactly this to start his war with France. The resulting defeat suffered by France caused disbelief, and spawned mass conspiracy theories as to how the French could have lost. One of the most successful theories was of a Jewish syndicate, that worked in the shadows to bring down France.
It was at this point that the Dreyfus affair took place. France was attempting to gain back its pride by expanding its empire and becoming very militaristic amidst several scandals, and the higher-ups of the French military were looking for scapegoats to explain whatever failures it encountered. One such was begun when secret papers from the high in the French army were discovered in a wastepaper bin. This incriminated an officer in the French army and, wanting to make an example, they blamed the incident on a man named Alfred Dreyfus on incredibly flimsy charges. He was: Jewish, a great crime in France at this time when anti-Semitism was rife; From Alsace, this currently being controlled by Germany made him a German; and he was intelligent, another great crime, as Zola comments in J’accuse:
“he is industrious, he wants to know everything, crime”
 |
| Dreyfus disgraced as his sword is broken in two. |
It was at this point that an officer named Picquart found evidence that proved it was another man (Esterhazy) that leaked military secrets to the Germans, not Dreyfus. He took the evidence to his superiors who dismissed it, saying: “What is it to you if a Jew rots on Devil’s Island?”
The officer persisted however, and Esterhazy was put on trial. But, he was acquitted in an attempt to keep the affair quiet.
It is at this point that Emile Zola, a witness to the trial, and disgusted by the result, wrote ‘J’accuse…!’
J’accuse…!
 |
| Émile Zola himself |
(…)
“what a spot of mud on your name - I was going to say on your reign - is this abominable Dreyfus affair!”
He seems to write as though he feels he has been pushed to do so, clearly feeling that he should not have had to, and only does because justice failed:
“The truth I will say, because I promised to say it, if justice, regularly seized, did not do it, full and whole. My duty is to speak, I do not want to be an accomplice. My nights would be haunted by the spectre of innocence that suffer there, through the most dreadful of tortures, for a crime it did not commit.”
He begins his argument, with the lawsuit and judgement of Dreyfus, which he believes was almost solely carried out by the then Commandant, Du Paty de Clam, whom he calls a “Nefarious man” and describes as something of a shadowy figure, who sought to hide the truth with elaborate illusions and trickery. Most likely because he had no actual proof to use against him. De Clam was Zola’s first ‘culprit’, and he quickly moves on to others whom, he seems to suggest, are implicit, if not guilty:
“There is the Minister of War, General Mercier, whose intelligence seems poor; there are the head of the High Command, General De Boisdeffre, who appears to have yielded to his clerical passion, and the assistant manager of the High Command, General Gonse, whose conscience could put up with many things”
“Is this then true, the inexpressible things, the dangerous things, capable of plunging Europe into flames, which one must carefully bury behind these closed doors? No! There was behind this, only the romantic and lunatic imaginations of Commander Paty de Clam.”
He condemns the bill of indictment, he says that people could not read it without some kind of indignation or revolt. He lists the ‘crimes’ for which Dreyfus was charged, each absurd when read in the simple language he uses.
“Dreyfus knows several languages, crime; one found at his place no compromising papers, crime; he returns sometimes to his country of origin, crime; he is industrious, he wants to know everything, crime; he is unperturbed, crime; he is perturbed, crime.”
He lambastes the accusers of Dreyfus, all but calling them cowards, and referring indirectly to the power that the media gave to those who controlled it over the rest of France:
“no, no! It is a lie! and it is all the more odious and cynical that they lie with impunity without one being able to convince others of it. They assemble France, they hide behind its legitimate emotion, they close mouths by disturbing hearts, by perverting spirits. I do not know a greater civic crime.”
Zola moves on to what he calls the ‘Esterhazy affair.’ Three years after Dreyfus is sent to Devil’s Island, Picquart, who found the evidence against Esterhazy (a telegram from a foreign agent) is described by Zola as a man who never did anything against his superiors, as a man who (we can assume) tried to always to the right thing. Zola describes how, having been presented with this evidence, his superiors (General Gonse, General De Boisdeffre, and General Billot) were assured of Esterhazy’s guilty, and therefore of Dreyfus’ innocence. But the High command did not want any revision of his trial.
Zola scathingly writes that Billot, a new party to the entire affair, and in know way implicated, felt “only one minute of conflict between his conscience and what he believed to be the military's interest.” and once he had taken this minute, he became implicated and, in Zola’s view, became worse that the others, as he had had a chance to do the right thing, and chose not to. He comments that somehow, despite their callousness, they had loving families at home.
As Esterhazy comes to trial, Zola marvels at his dramatic change of attitude. From him being “thrown into a panic, ready for suicide or escape” to his astonishing audacity, recognised by Zola as a result of help coming to him. Most probably from Paty de Clam with his “fertile imagination.”
Zola starts his last section with a rhetorical question. He asks:
“How could one hope that a council of war would demolish what a council of war had done?”
Essentially, he is saying that the Council of War would not allow itself to contradict itself as it would completely undermine their authority. He does give some leniency to the first council of war. He says that the supreme chief giving credit to the accusations could not be simply ignored, and they were, in some fashion, forced into the sentencing. At the very least their hands were tied. But the second council, he calls criminal, as at that point, everybody knew of the innocence of Dreyfus. The problem they had, was that to proclaim Dreyfus innocent, would be to say that the high command were all guilty. As Zola sees it, he uses this as the motivation for the amount of protection given to Esterhazy.
Once more, Zola seems to find no reasoning strong enough to pardon their behaviour and ridicules the department of war. Whilst at the same time lamenting the loss of what he considers to have been a once fine institution:
“Where is the truly strong ministry of wise patriotism that will dare to reforge and to renew all? What of people I know who, faced with the possibility of war, tremble of anguish knowing in what hands lies national defence! And what a nest of base intrigues, gossips and dilapidations has this crowned asylum become, where the fate of fatherland is decided! One trembles in face of the terrible day that there has just thrown the Dreyfus affair, this human sacrifice of an unfortunate, a "dirty Jew"! Ah! all that was agitated insanity there and stupidity, imaginations insane, practices of low police force, manners of inquisition and tyranny, good pleasure of some non-commissioned officers putting their boots on the nation, returning in its throat its cry of truth and justice, under the lying pretext and sacrilege of the reason of State.”
He begins to come full circle at this point, addressing, if not directly, the President. Describing the petty and spiteful attitudes that have overtaken France. Perhaps, for the first time laying some of the blame toward the President. He praises, however, the men he sees as being innocent and good in all of this. Giving them a fairly large amount of space, perhaps in gratitude for what they had done, despite being the vast minority. “There are two victims, two good people, two simple hearts, who waited for God while the devil acted.”
Once more, Zola addresses the President directly, again calling the affair a stain for his presidency, though assuring him that he sees no collaboration on his part:
“I very much doubt that you have no capacity in this affair, that you are the prisoner of the Constitution and your entourage.”
Towards the end of the article, he accuses the guilty men: Paty de Clam, “as the diabolic workman of the miscarriage of justice”; Mercier, “of being an accomplice, if by weakness of spirit”; Billot, “of having held in his hands the unquestionable evidence of Dreyfus's innocence and of suppressing it”; De Boisdeffre and Gonse, “as accomplices of the same crime, one undoubtedly by clerical passion, the other perhaps by this spirit of body which makes offices of the war an infallible archsaint.”; De Pellieux and Ravary “of performing a rogue investigation, by which I mean an investigation of the most monstrous partiality, of which we have, in the report of the second, an imperishable monument of naive audacity.”; The three handwriting experts that let off Esterhazy, and here Zola shows a small amount of humour, though I doubt that he would have found enjoyment in it. “Belhomme, Varinard and Couard, of submitting untrue and fraudulent reports, unless a medical examination declares them to be affected by a disease of sight and judgment.”
Finally, he accuses the first council of war for condemning a man unrevealed evidence. And the second of covering this up.
He openly says that he has slandered these men, and is willing to accept it. And even now, after having scorned them and called them criminals, he makes an attempt to show that although there is undoubtedly bias. He has no personal malice against them:
“As for the people I accuse, I do not know them, I never saw them, I have against them neither resentment nor hatred. They are for me only entities, spirits of social evil.”
Once more, he addresses the president, as he did at the beginning, treating him with great respect. And clearly knowing that the repercussions of his piece will be massive. If not necessarily which way they will turn. He says:
“I am waiting”
---------------------------------------------------
Thanks very much for reading all this. At some point in the near future, at urging from my lecturer, I intend to record myself reading this and post it on the blog.
Watch this space, my avid readers.
Much love.
Saturday 23 April 2011
Apparently, This is My Life
I was listening to a podcast earlier, and it mentioned one of those quiz things, in which you put your music on shuffle and use the song titles to answer questions. There's no real story or rant here, but this did remind me of one of these things I did a couple of years ago and I found some of the answers very funny.
Observe:
Put your iPod (iTunes) on shuffle.
For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Made of Scars
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Purity
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Punch Me I Bleed
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Silent Night, Bodom Night
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
White and Nerdy
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
None But My Own
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Bed of Razorz
WHAT IS 2+2?
People = Shit
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Trashed, Lost & Strungout
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Rock Your Socks
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
The Heretic Anthem
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Time Bomb
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Wake Up
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Johnny Be Good
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Ace of Spades
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Duel of the Fates
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Keep Away
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Children of Decadence
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Take a Look Around
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Eeyore
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
In Your Face
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Someone in London
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Children of Bodom
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
That Was Just Your Life
I'm aware that some of these are rubbish, and this post is, in itself, a bit shite (pardon my french). But I was so pleased to remember this, simply for the two or three answers that are actually amusing.
Please feel free to try this yourself, and post any particularly good ones as comments.
By the way, if you enjoy my inane ramblings, you will definitely enjoy the podcast I was listening to:
The Yogpod:
http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-yogpod/id304557271
Observe:
Put your iPod (iTunes) on shuffle.
For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Made of Scars
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Purity
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Punch Me I Bleed
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Silent Night, Bodom Night
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
White and Nerdy
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
None But My Own
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Bed of Razorz
WHAT IS 2+2?
People = Shit
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Trashed, Lost & Strungout
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Rock Your Socks
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
The Heretic Anthem
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Time Bomb
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Wake Up
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Johnny Be Good
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Ace of Spades
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Duel of the Fates
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Keep Away
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Children of Decadence
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Take a Look Around
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Eeyore
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
In Your Face
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Someone in London
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Children of Bodom
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
That Was Just Your Life
I'm aware that some of these are rubbish, and this post is, in itself, a bit shite (pardon my french). But I was so pleased to remember this, simply for the two or three answers that are actually amusing.
Please feel free to try this yourself, and post any particularly good ones as comments.
By the way, if you enjoy my inane ramblings, you will definitely enjoy the podcast I was listening to:
The Yogpod:
http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-yogpod/id304557271
Friday 22 April 2011
Who Exactly Dislikes Turtles?
So is anyone else getting really annoyed with all these bloody 'questions' on Facebook? You all know what I mean (unless you're foreign, in which case... how's it going over there?), those completely banal queries that clog up your news feed, and generally have absolutely no practical application.
Initially of course, they were new and quite novel, and we could see, through the use of 'statistics' whether or not football was better than rugby, or the North was better than the South of Britain. But now! Jesus Christ. People should not be allowed to ask any questions. Ever. It's not even the questions per say, the answers do not help. I remember one question in particular (I say I remember it, but I don't really. I think I must have repressed it) that was a pretty simple question which - to quote the Internet, "IMHO," had a maximum of about five answers. I'm very annoyed with myself that I can't remember the bloody question, oh well. And lo, it had 100 possible answers.
Ugh! One of those horrible flying beetles that look a little bit like a large bee just flew into my laptop screen. Scared the crap out of me. Anyway.
Seriously, 100 answers, and they didn't have any relevance to the question. It's all "I like Turtles" and rubbish like that. It just made me want to go cry in a corner over the state of humanity.
Probably the thing that most annoys me though, is that people will answer them. There was a question I saw the other day, which said something along the lines of "Are you looking forward to the royal wedding?" to which someone had answered "I am completely ambivalent." Then why the hell did you bother answering?!?!
Rant summarised: People annoy me.
Initially of course, they were new and quite novel, and we could see, through the use of 'statistics' whether or not football was better than rugby, or the North was better than the South of Britain. But now! Jesus Christ. People should not be allowed to ask any questions. Ever. It's not even the questions per say, the answers do not help. I remember one question in particular (I say I remember it, but I don't really. I think I must have repressed it) that was a pretty simple question which - to quote the Internet, "IMHO," had a maximum of about five answers. I'm very annoyed with myself that I can't remember the bloody question, oh well. And lo, it had 100 possible answers.
Ugh! One of those horrible flying beetles that look a little bit like a large bee just flew into my laptop screen. Scared the crap out of me. Anyway.
Seriously, 100 answers, and they didn't have any relevance to the question. It's all "I like Turtles" and rubbish like that. It just made me want to go cry in a corner over the state of humanity.
Probably the thing that most annoys me though, is that people will answer them. There was a question I saw the other day, which said something along the lines of "Are you looking forward to the royal wedding?" to which someone had answered "I am completely ambivalent." Then why the hell did you bother answering?!?!
Rant summarised: People annoy me.
Wednesday 13 April 2011
Thoughts from the Gap
Well the weather I so enjoyed the other week has disappeared, I was going to go for a run but the rain shoved a spanner in that. And so I find myself stuck inside, watching my cat show off his ability to sleep whenever he pleases. So I thought I'd write a blog post.
Most of you probably know my drill by now: search through the BBC's website, maybe the guardian or some other papers, and find a couple of stories I can playfully mock. But today, for some reason, I came up empty. Maybe there is simply nothing interesting, maybe the rain has made me apathetic. Either way I'm doing nothing more productive than spinning round on my chair and looking aimlessly around my clutter-ridden room, with the urge to play The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time becoming more pronounced by the second.
Tthis got me to thinking. Not about Zelda, but about my clutter. The vast majority of the mess in my room is made up of DVDs, books, CDs and video games. Not to mention all the controllers and dust jackets that come with them. Now, technology is becoming more and more sophisticated, that's a given, and this essentially means we are needing less "stuff." e.g. Current gen. consoles allow you to download games directly onto their hard drives, you can download or stream movies directly onto your computer without the need of a hard copy, and tablets like the iPad and the Kindle (does the Kindle count as a tablet?) make buying individual books almost obsolete.
The point I am trying to make is that pretty soon, my clutter wont exist in a physical form, it will all be a part of the ether. Think of it like this. it's 100 years from now, there are flying cars, clothes come in pill form, and everyone has been gene-spliced into atanomical perfection (Except for the poor, they will still be smelly and ugly). What is going to be in their houses? digital picture frames maybe, a pair of sunglasses that allow you to play games and watch television on them. Hell maybe they'll wear those things all the time and it'll be like the matrix whilst everyone is really asleep in a pod filled with the liquefied dead!
Perhaps the occasional 'eccentric' will own some of the 'quaint' prehistoric technology like an iPod or a mammogram machine. but otherwise, any music they could want can live in an earpiece, movies can live in specs, and, if games involving the future are anything to go by, everything will be white (I'm not being racist by the way, I'm thinking along the lines of Mirror's Edge). So what will make their homes untidy? NickNacks? Dirty plates won't exist because everyone subsists on that Willy Wonka gum that contains a three course meal. All I can think of is furniture. From the meanest beggar to the grandest monarch, everyone enjoys a good sit.
I've forgotten the point of this post but I think it had something to do with the evolution of technology, and how pretty soon, there'll be much more space for me to spin round on my chair without bashing my knee against my chest-of -drawers.
Most of you probably know my drill by now: search through the BBC's website, maybe the guardian or some other papers, and find a couple of stories I can playfully mock. But today, for some reason, I came up empty. Maybe there is simply nothing interesting, maybe the rain has made me apathetic. Either way I'm doing nothing more productive than spinning round on my chair and looking aimlessly around my clutter-ridden room, with the urge to play The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time becoming more pronounced by the second.
Tthis got me to thinking. Not about Zelda, but about my clutter. The vast majority of the mess in my room is made up of DVDs, books, CDs and video games. Not to mention all the controllers and dust jackets that come with them. Now, technology is becoming more and more sophisticated, that's a given, and this essentially means we are needing less "stuff." e.g. Current gen. consoles allow you to download games directly onto their hard drives, you can download or stream movies directly onto your computer without the need of a hard copy, and tablets like the iPad and the Kindle (does the Kindle count as a tablet?) make buying individual books almost obsolete.
The point I am trying to make is that pretty soon, my clutter wont exist in a physical form, it will all be a part of the ether. Think of it like this. it's 100 years from now, there are flying cars, clothes come in pill form, and everyone has been gene-spliced into atanomical perfection (Except for the poor, they will still be smelly and ugly). What is going to be in their houses? digital picture frames maybe, a pair of sunglasses that allow you to play games and watch television on them. Hell maybe they'll wear those things all the time and it'll be like the matrix whilst everyone is really asleep in a pod filled with the liquefied dead!
Perhaps the occasional 'eccentric' will own some of the 'quaint' prehistoric technology like an iPod or a mammogram machine. but otherwise, any music they could want can live in an earpiece, movies can live in specs, and, if games involving the future are anything to go by, everything will be white (I'm not being racist by the way, I'm thinking along the lines of Mirror's Edge). So what will make their homes untidy? NickNacks? Dirty plates won't exist because everyone subsists on that Willy Wonka gum that contains a three course meal. All I can think of is furniture. From the meanest beggar to the grandest monarch, everyone enjoys a good sit.
I've forgotten the point of this post but I think it had something to do with the evolution of technology, and how pretty soon, there'll be much more space for me to spin round on my chair without bashing my knee against my chest-of -drawers.
Saturday 9 April 2011
Medicinal Cheese, Magic Jeans, and the End of Humanity... Again.
First and foremost I want to make a quick apology for not posting anything in a while - I know you all have nothing better to do than read my ramblings and I'm sorry for causing all this heartache - but It's been such brilliant weather down here, that I just couldn't bring myself to sit indoors in the gloom while there's glorious sunshine to bask in (he said, shifting position and wincing as sunburned skin grated painfully against his chair).
Alrighty then, stories that matter to me today. Well, in life threatening news, seven brands on paneer cheese - from Everest Dairies - have been recalled because of worries that they may contain traces of veterinary medicine. However, there doesn't seem to be much of information about what type of medicine is in the cheese. Surely that is an important point, right? I mean, I wouldn't want to eat cat ear medicine for example (the stuff tastes horrible! nowhere near as good as scented soap*) but if it was say... Worming medicine. Couldn't hurt to have a little extra insurance, am I right? Hmm, I'm seeing a niche in the market.
My next story is a little out of date perhaps (28 March), but I stumbled onto it and thought it was pretty cool. Some of you may have heard of the Young Engineer of Great Britain Competition. I certainly hadn't but then pobody's nerfect are they. Well, a sixth former from Hull won the top prize by making a pair of jeans, that double as a drum kit. That's right. He apparently wove sensors into the fabric, which make the different drum noises when hit. That is a pretty cool invention, and it won him £1000 prize money (personally I think that's a little stingy for a national prize) and a place representing the UK at a science and engineering fair in Los Angeles in May. I can only think that perhaps his legs could get a little raw from all that slapping and patting (this is swiftly turning into a bad joke about masturbation so I'm going to move on now).
Finally, in scientific news (we're finally getting high-brow), scientists have used... science. To create technologies that allow you to move computer cursors, wheelchairs and even play video games through THOUGHT. To quote the Internet: "OMFG." Do they even realise what they've done! this is exactly how Inspector Gadget started, and we all know how that ended: Skynet. I think. Maybe I skipped a few scenes but my point is no less valid for that. The doom of humanity is approaching.
Now, where the hell did I leave my "The End is Near" sandwich board?
Medicinal Cheese Story
One Man Band Trouser-boy
Human Apocalypse Story
*To clarify, scented soap does not taste as good as it smells. Trust me.
Alrighty then, stories that matter to me today. Well, in life threatening news, seven brands on paneer cheese - from Everest Dairies - have been recalled because of worries that they may contain traces of veterinary medicine. However, there doesn't seem to be much of information about what type of medicine is in the cheese. Surely that is an important point, right? I mean, I wouldn't want to eat cat ear medicine for example (the stuff tastes horrible! nowhere near as good as scented soap*) but if it was say... Worming medicine. Couldn't hurt to have a little extra insurance, am I right? Hmm, I'm seeing a niche in the market.
My next story is a little out of date perhaps (28 March), but I stumbled onto it and thought it was pretty cool. Some of you may have heard of the Young Engineer of Great Britain Competition. I certainly hadn't but then pobody's nerfect are they. Well, a sixth former from Hull won the top prize by making a pair of jeans, that double as a drum kit. That's right. He apparently wove sensors into the fabric, which make the different drum noises when hit. That is a pretty cool invention, and it won him £1000 prize money (personally I think that's a little stingy for a national prize) and a place representing the UK at a science and engineering fair in Los Angeles in May. I can only think that perhaps his legs could get a little raw from all that slapping and patting (this is swiftly turning into a bad joke about masturbation so I'm going to move on now).
Finally, in scientific news (we're finally getting high-brow), scientists have used... science. To create technologies that allow you to move computer cursors, wheelchairs and even play video games through THOUGHT. To quote the Internet: "OMFG." Do they even realise what they've done! this is exactly how Inspector Gadget started, and we all know how that ended: Skynet. I think. Maybe I skipped a few scenes but my point is no less valid for that. The doom of humanity is approaching.
Now, where the hell did I leave my "The End is Near" sandwich board?
Medicinal Cheese Story
One Man Band Trouser-boy
Human Apocalypse Story
*To clarify, scented soap does not taste as good as it smells. Trust me.
Thursday 31 March 2011
A Sad Day for the Boys in Green.
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| Keep on truckin' |
I would imagine many of you have played some variation of the game 'who can see the seaside?' where you may be driving to the beach and the first person to shout 'I can see the seaside' won a Werther's Original, or what have you. Well, whenever my family would go to visit my relatives elsewhere in the country, we would always play the game 'who can see an Eddie Stobart lorry first.' I have a feeling that the game started because my grandad (who loves models and Airfix etc.) was a member of the Stobart Fan Club, I don't know that for sure, but he certainly has a few models of the distinctive lorries scattered around the house.
It's a bit of a random post I know, but I felt like it wouldn't have been right not to mention it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-12923203
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Capture the Babe: Sexist?!
I was having a gander through the forums on a nerd - ahem! - gaming website the other day (I love how general that term can be) and I stumbled across a thread talking about Duke Nukem Forever. Now for those of you who have enough of a life as to not know about the palaver surrounding DNF let me give you a brief outline.The Duke Nukem series, running since 1991, has become infamous in the gaming world, firstly for its incredibly chauvinistic, sexist approach. But more noticeably for the ridiculously long development time of DNF. Originally planned for 1997/1998, it was repeatedly put on hold until the developers (3D Realms) got sick of all the nagging and simply said it would be released “when it’s done.”
And now, 14 years after work began, and after a huge amount of piss-taking at its expense, ranging from simple name calling ‘Duke Nukem Whenever’ etc. to tirades of bile spewing mockery such as this:
The thing has been announced and actually has a date stamped onto its aging forehead.
Now, the particular article about Duke Nukem If Ever, was concerning Fox News. Ah yes, surprise surprise they found something to complain about. They chose to centre on the game mode Capture the Babe (in which players can give the girls a “reassuring slap” should they begin to freak out), and the general sexism that is present throughout the game. Personally I find this hilarious, but then I’m a terrible person. What Fox doesn’t seem to understand about Duke Nukem is that this is the whole point. It pushes these things right to the edge and makes fun of them, thereby disabling their potency. I’m not saying that they make it okay to do this to women, but by no means am I saying that that is their intention in the first place. It’s just immature fun.
I’d say the forum article is well worth a read, if nothing else, just for some of the comments:
Escapist Forum Thread
And here is what I suppose must be the Fox News piece itself:
Fox News DNF
DISCLAIMER: This blog does not encourage any form of sexism or domestic violence. Lock up your wives, your sisters, and your daughters. ‘Cos they be rapin’ e’rybody.
Monday 28 March 2011
Local News One-Oh-One and a Half
Today, I though I’d buy my local paper and, just sort of walk you through it, maybe make a little light mockery. Firstly I want to make a couple of points: the Kingsbridge and Salcombe Gazette is only a weekly paper, bear in mind, this is the West Country, where nothing much happens. At all; and also, I want you to keep an open mind and don’t stereotype us before you know about us. We aren’t all farmers and fisherman you know. Bearing all of this in mind, let’s begin.
It’s a tabloid format for a start, front page has three stories on it, one is just a picture of some children from one of the local primary schools who had raised money for Comic Relief. The main story dealt with the local police, saying that due to spending cuts, more will be moved towards the Totnes area (it’s full of weirdoes over there so they need a strong presence). And the last one is about… a farmer. Brilliant.
Moving swiftly on, page two has some god-awful alliteration fo us to enjoy: “Players preparing a perfect production.” you can smell the rube-ness through the internet can’t you? There are also several stories basically complaining about teenagers and the like. Par for the course when you live in an area where people come to die in peace. Page three (don’t worry I wont do every single page) has some pictures of schoolchildren… awkward times.
The next few pages hold the family announcement section, designed to embarrass anyone who has the gall to turn 18 by putting up a baby photo of them, as well as several local ads some karate related stories, and a report saying that more than a third of the South West’s teachers have been abused online. That’ll teach them to set homework.
This is followed by Letters to the Editor. I don’t really need to describe them do I? you can guess the calibre. Village Voice then rears its head, this is essentially a few pages in which local residents write a small column about what is happening in each village or town of the area.
At this point I did get a little bored so I skipped ahead to the Readers’ Pictures. A section in which people can send in pictures of the area looking nice. One of these put a smile on my face: “Great tits in Strete” says the caption… It’s a picture of some birds! you dirty minded little minx.
We then have some pages of random things such as “Delving into the Past” which looks at pictures and stories from the 1950’s and earlier. One details a gravestone of a girls who was burnt at the stake for poisoning her boss. This was about 70 years ago now (Kidding! We’re not that backward, it was 1782 if you actually want to know). Then there are the Classifieds (anyone want a bridesmaid’s dress. Pink size 8-10. £10?)
From then on there’s a little about real estate, and finishing with the sport, we seem to be losing everything except netball (and this weirded me out because there were boys on the netball team, I mean they were primary school kids but still).
Conclusion time! I feel a little wrung out. There’s just something you can’t get away from when it comes to local papers. It feels as though your Grandmother wrote it. And that you’re being told off. Maybe that’s just Devon, or more specifically, the South Hams.
Let me know what sort of reaction you get from your local paper. If you read the whole post and are still awake.
It’s a tabloid format for a start, front page has three stories on it, one is just a picture of some children from one of the local primary schools who had raised money for Comic Relief. The main story dealt with the local police, saying that due to spending cuts, more will be moved towards the Totnes area (it’s full of weirdoes over there so they need a strong presence). And the last one is about… a farmer. Brilliant.
Moving swiftly on, page two has some god-awful alliteration fo us to enjoy: “Players preparing a perfect production.” you can smell the rube-ness through the internet can’t you? There are also several stories basically complaining about teenagers and the like. Par for the course when you live in an area where people come to die in peace. Page three (don’t worry I wont do every single page) has some pictures of schoolchildren… awkward times.
The next few pages hold the family announcement section, designed to embarrass anyone who has the gall to turn 18 by putting up a baby photo of them, as well as several local ads some karate related stories, and a report saying that more than a third of the South West’s teachers have been abused online. That’ll teach them to set homework.
This is followed by Letters to the Editor. I don’t really need to describe them do I? you can guess the calibre. Village Voice then rears its head, this is essentially a few pages in which local residents write a small column about what is happening in each village or town of the area.
At this point I did get a little bored so I skipped ahead to the Readers’ Pictures. A section in which people can send in pictures of the area looking nice. One of these put a smile on my face: “Great tits in Strete” says the caption… It’s a picture of some birds! you dirty minded little minx.
We then have some pages of random things such as “Delving into the Past” which looks at pictures and stories from the 1950’s and earlier. One details a gravestone of a girls who was burnt at the stake for poisoning her boss. This was about 70 years ago now (Kidding! We’re not that backward, it was 1782 if you actually want to know). Then there are the Classifieds (anyone want a bridesmaid’s dress. Pink size 8-10. £10?)
From then on there’s a little about real estate, and finishing with the sport, we seem to be losing everything except netball (and this weirded me out because there were boys on the netball team, I mean they were primary school kids but still).
Conclusion time! I feel a little wrung out. There’s just something you can’t get away from when it comes to local papers. It feels as though your Grandmother wrote it. And that you’re being told off. Maybe that’s just Devon, or more specifically, the South Hams.
Let me know what sort of reaction you get from your local paper. If you read the whole post and are still awake.
Sunday 27 March 2011
A Quick One. With Added Feet.
I was thinking about my post the other day on obesity and it made me feel lazy. Now I'm no health nut but i try my best not to eat too much crap, and I've always done a fair bit of walking (matter of fact I took part in a walking event on Dartmoor called Ten Tors in which I walked about 60 miles over two days, carrying a 65 litre backpack. Just for giggles, here's a picture of one of my feet just after finishing.
Anyway, back to my point, basically I decided to start running again and I thought I'd share the programme with you lovely people. I started it during last Summer, but never completed it because I went to university and got distracted by work... and booze.
It's a really good programme that uses interval training to ease you into running. it's designed to get you running five kilometers within nine weeks with no prior exercise. This comes highly recommended by me (so you know it's good) and it's a brilliant way to exercise. So let's all get motivated and make ourselves all lean and toned.
That way cannibals will find you much more tough...
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
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| That's some lovely trench foot right there |
It's a really good programme that uses interval training to ease you into running. it's designed to get you running five kilometers within nine weeks with no prior exercise. This comes highly recommended by me (so you know it's good) and it's a brilliant way to exercise. So let's all get motivated and make ourselves all lean and toned.
That way cannibals will find you much more tough...
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
Saturday 26 March 2011
Back to the Old County!
Aright Avid Readerrrs? You may be a’le to guess, bu’ Oi’m back’n Dev’n! Ahem! Sorry about that, the accent here is so infectious it even changes how you write. It’s like living in an Irvine Welsh book!
Maybe one day, if you’re lucky I’ll do a recording of some Devon accents for any of you who may not know just how amazing it is. I know, bated breath right? Come to think of it, here are some Devon lads in a town a couple of miles from where I live, just, having a chat:
Anyway, onto some real news (tongue well and firmly in cheek). Being in Devon reminded me of news story I heard about a week or so ago. Essentially, it says that despite a rise in obesity, European countries are also seeing an increase in life-expectancy. Thereby dismissing fears that todays generation will be the first to die before their parents. Now I feel I should point out that I don’t think that this is one of those “CHOCOLATE CAKE MAKES YOU LOSE WEIGHT” type of crappy surveys. The bloke who found this, has been studying it for 40 odd years (that’s a lot of jiggling), and he’s from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, so I don’t know, he could very well be legit.
But is this now going to be an excuse for people to just pig out and then complain that they deserve better quality of life because they just won’t die? I’m not sure how PC that last bit was…
It’s just a strange perspective for me, I’ve never really spent much time around biguns. Growing up in Devon (a pretty healthy place) I can fairly confidently count the number of really obese people I know, on one, maybe two hands.
Of course I have always been pretty bad at maths…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12771594
Maybe one day, if you’re lucky I’ll do a recording of some Devon accents for any of you who may not know just how amazing it is. I know, bated breath right? Come to think of it, here are some Devon lads in a town a couple of miles from where I live, just, having a chat:
Anyway, onto some real news (tongue well and firmly in cheek). Being in Devon reminded me of news story I heard about a week or so ago. Essentially, it says that despite a rise in obesity, European countries are also seeing an increase in life-expectancy. Thereby dismissing fears that todays generation will be the first to die before their parents. Now I feel I should point out that I don’t think that this is one of those “CHOCOLATE CAKE MAKES YOU LOSE WEIGHT” type of crappy surveys. The bloke who found this, has been studying it for 40 odd years (that’s a lot of jiggling), and he’s from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, so I don’t know, he could very well be legit.
But is this now going to be an excuse for people to just pig out and then complain that they deserve better quality of life because they just won’t die? I’m not sure how PC that last bit was…
It’s just a strange perspective for me, I’ve never really spent much time around biguns. Growing up in Devon (a pretty healthy place) I can fairly confidently count the number of really obese people I know, on one, maybe two hands.
Of course I have always been pretty bad at maths…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12771594
Friday 25 March 2011
Public Affairs Test - County and District Councils.
Local governments are generally formed as a two-tiered system. In Winchester, for example, The top tier is Hampshire county council . With a budget of about £1.8 billion, they are in charge of road maintenance, and the emergency services as well as services such as libraries, education, social care. The bottom tier (the District council) Winchester city council, have a much smaller budget of £12.5 million and they look after things more closely related to their district. These include traffic control, some elements of waste disposal, control of council housing and other community and leisure activities and facilities.
The exception to this rule of the two-tiered system are Unitary authorities. This is when there is a single authority that is in charge of all the things that are usually separated between the district and county councils. There are 55 UA’s in the UK, and they are usually formed for places which may be too large for the two-tiered system. One example for this would be Southampton.
Councillors for both District and County councils are supposed to represent the people in the areas they preside over. Indeed, county councillors are elected by a group of their peers every four years, this does not mean that the actual people change particularly often as, in general, the majority of the public do not care about council proceedings unless they are affected directly. Although the cabinet can be liable to change as a result of a general election. This is because cabinet members for the county council are chosen from the largest political party of the area, and from them, a cabinet leader is chosen. So if political attitudes were to change drastically, an entire cabinet would have to be re-elected.
Councillors for district councils are elected from their wards, for which they are responsible. This usually means addressing problems that come up in those wards and bringing them to the attention of the District council. During a ‘safer neighbourhood’ meeting for Winchester, the issues raised were relevant only to Winchester, and generally, each came from a councillor’s own ward. Though the police were also present and talked about general crime over the entire city.
County councillors on the other hand, do not tend to concentrate on specific areas, instead, they look at broader issues affecting their county as a whole. During a County council meeting which I attended, some of the issues addressed included: Deciding on how to change the way in which adult social care is paid; how to implement a broadband scheme for all of Hampshire; and a short discussion about public transport, bus routes etc. Each of these has a fairly broad target area as opposed to even a specific town or city.
To conclude. Both types of council do essentially the same thing, in helping their particular areas, but county councils are able to do much more as they have much larger budgets and are therefore able to do more for their area than a district council can as they have much less influence respective to their counterparts.
Word count: 509
The exception to this rule of the two-tiered system are Unitary authorities. This is when there is a single authority that is in charge of all the things that are usually separated between the district and county councils. There are 55 UA’s in the UK, and they are usually formed for places which may be too large for the two-tiered system. One example for this would be Southampton.
Councillors for both District and County councils are supposed to represent the people in the areas they preside over. Indeed, county councillors are elected by a group of their peers every four years, this does not mean that the actual people change particularly often as, in general, the majority of the public do not care about council proceedings unless they are affected directly. Although the cabinet can be liable to change as a result of a general election. This is because cabinet members for the county council are chosen from the largest political party of the area, and from them, a cabinet leader is chosen. So if political attitudes were to change drastically, an entire cabinet would have to be re-elected.
Councillors for district councils are elected from their wards, for which they are responsible. This usually means addressing problems that come up in those wards and bringing them to the attention of the District council. During a ‘safer neighbourhood’ meeting for Winchester, the issues raised were relevant only to Winchester, and generally, each came from a councillor’s own ward. Though the police were also present and talked about general crime over the entire city.
County councillors on the other hand, do not tend to concentrate on specific areas, instead, they look at broader issues affecting their county as a whole. During a County council meeting which I attended, some of the issues addressed included: Deciding on how to change the way in which adult social care is paid; how to implement a broadband scheme for all of Hampshire; and a short discussion about public transport, bus routes etc. Each of these has a fairly broad target area as opposed to even a specific town or city.
To conclude. Both types of council do essentially the same thing, in helping their particular areas, but county councils are able to do much more as they have much larger budgets and are therefore able to do more for their area than a district council can as they have much less influence respective to their counterparts.
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