I'm probably the last to write about this, but British band Radiohead are offering their latest album for a price that you determine via download. The price box is empty and you fill it in yourself, anywhere from zero to infinity. So technically, you could legally acquire it for free (save the 45 pence credit card surcharge, roughly 90 cents). After a couple of difficult years for the "music industry" that has seen a an increase in illegally downloaded material and a decline in CD sales, Radiohead are making an attempt to send a message it seems.
Afraid of people stealing your art? Alleviate yourself by giving it away for free.
Tired of record companies taking your art and selling at a price that you have no control over? Easy... Cut out the middle man and do with your creation as you see fit.
Assuming everyone who reads this blog is a raging fan, let me get personal...
How much did you pay?
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
take a couple of minutes
Please take your time and read the transcript from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He's in New York for the United Nations general assembly and spoke today at Columbia University. His visit was shrouded in controversy and many called in an abomination that he was invited to "spew his drivel" in an American institution. I even heard that the State of New York was considering pulling funding for the university.
For me, the read was an interesting one. It took awhile to get into what Mahmoud was saying; he started off with a rambling sermon about science full of quotes from the Qu'ran that I'm sure were a yawner for those in attendance. (note to self...)
Even though it was revealed through his answers that his logic isn't sound, I found myself agreeing with the sentiments of some of his responses. He was taken aback at the rude introduction given him by the acting university president, as it is a great disrespect to insult a guest. Ahmadinejad made reference to Iranian culture, but I have a feeling it might be a more general trait of all Islamic culture. Having spent some time in Morocco, I know firsthand that hospitality there is unmatched throughout the world (that is, the parts that I know). The President of Columbia lost some of his clout with, what I deem, an insulting introduction. Additionally, I agree that science is a tool to be used for the good of mankind, but if used as a tool of manipulation, it is detrimental. Pharmaceutical companies that withhold treatment in the name of bigger profits is an example.
"If humanity achieves the highest level of physical and spiritual knowledge but its scholars and scientists are not pure, then this knowledge cannot serve the interests of humanity." I agree.
He also delved into the Palestinian question. While I do not agree with him that violence and terrorism is an adequate response to violence and terrorism (it seems like a childish "he did it first" sort of response), I do agree that the Palestinians should be able to decide their own future instead of having it dictated to them through forceful or manipulative means, either from internal or foreign sources. However, if they choose to wage war or commit violent acts against others as their chosen path, I cannot support that decision.
Either way, please check out the link. It's important to investigate the world around us and understand how we can be involved in it.
For me, the read was an interesting one. It took awhile to get into what Mahmoud was saying; he started off with a rambling sermon about science full of quotes from the Qu'ran that I'm sure were a yawner for those in attendance. (note to self...)
Even though it was revealed through his answers that his logic isn't sound, I found myself agreeing with the sentiments of some of his responses. He was taken aback at the rude introduction given him by the acting university president, as it is a great disrespect to insult a guest. Ahmadinejad made reference to Iranian culture, but I have a feeling it might be a more general trait of all Islamic culture. Having spent some time in Morocco, I know firsthand that hospitality there is unmatched throughout the world (that is, the parts that I know). The President of Columbia lost some of his clout with, what I deem, an insulting introduction. Additionally, I agree that science is a tool to be used for the good of mankind, but if used as a tool of manipulation, it is detrimental. Pharmaceutical companies that withhold treatment in the name of bigger profits is an example.
"If humanity achieves the highest level of physical and spiritual knowledge but its scholars and scientists are not pure, then this knowledge cannot serve the interests of humanity." I agree.
He also delved into the Palestinian question. While I do not agree with him that violence and terrorism is an adequate response to violence and terrorism (it seems like a childish "he did it first" sort of response), I do agree that the Palestinians should be able to decide their own future instead of having it dictated to them through forceful or manipulative means, either from internal or foreign sources. However, if they choose to wage war or commit violent acts against others as their chosen path, I cannot support that decision.
Either way, please check out the link. It's important to investigate the world around us and understand how we can be involved in it.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
missing the point
I'm reading a book right now entitled "Adventures in Missing the Point" by Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo... Having that title in mind,
The people in Jena, Louisiana are missing the point. I've been hearing about the protests and reading the signs they're carrying at the protests. Many are asking for the end of racial profiling in the justice system. While I wholeheartedly agree, that's not the point. The point is a kid was sent to the hospital for a beating he received that some allege was intended to kill him. The point is the attackers were incensed because nooses were hung from a tree in a region of the world where that was common not too long ago. Those nooses were hung as a warning to not sit in the "white" area.
The point is this... You aren't defined by what color your skin is. Those are social constructions that you accept if you so choose. You aren't better or worse than anybody because of your skin or where you come from. You are defined, if you so choose, by the things you do. You pigeonhole yourself for hanging nooses from a tree just to send a message and you stunt your own self-realization by solving your problems by beating others to a pulp. Both actions are reprehensible and both go to show how far we as a people need to go.
The people in Jena, Louisiana are missing the point. I've been hearing about the protests and reading the signs they're carrying at the protests. Many are asking for the end of racial profiling in the justice system. While I wholeheartedly agree, that's not the point. The point is a kid was sent to the hospital for a beating he received that some allege was intended to kill him. The point is the attackers were incensed because nooses were hung from a tree in a region of the world where that was common not too long ago. Those nooses were hung as a warning to not sit in the "white" area.
The point is this... You aren't defined by what color your skin is. Those are social constructions that you accept if you so choose. You aren't better or worse than anybody because of your skin or where you come from. You are defined, if you so choose, by the things you do. You pigeonhole yourself for hanging nooses from a tree just to send a message and you stunt your own self-realization by solving your problems by beating others to a pulp. Both actions are reprehensible and both go to show how far we as a people need to go.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
awesome
Hillary Clinton recently returned a campaign donation ($850,000) to a man who skipped out on his trial date years ago for fraud. This man is also tied to one of the original Woodstock promoters. Hillary Clinton supports a notion to give $1 million to a Woodstock museum. Round of applause to Mrs. Clinton for returning the money.
Round of applause to Bill for the beard.
Round of applause to Bill for the beard.
Monday, September 10, 2007
let down
Remind me to never google "emergent church" for a long, long time. quoting the bible till you're blue in the face doesn't really convince me, sans one ingredient....
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
it makes you wonder...
Would anyone have imagined a photo like this 2 years ago? 5 years ago? 10 years ago? And is it just me, or does David look a little, let's say, ready to go home? My mistake. That award goes to Jada.
Either way, as a soccer fan and as an American, my hopes are supposed to rest upon a certain well dressed Brit to makes the world's most popular sport digestible to a very picky American sporting public. While billions across the world have latched on to a mid 19th century British creation, American sporting culture has preferred to keep to it's own creations. Football (the version with pads and helmets), baseball, basketball and hockey were all created and established in the USA or not too far from it. (Thanks Canada, you've been a real pal.) Football (the version without pads and helmets) has always seemed like some rudimentary foreign sport all to simple for the true American sports fan. The common complaint is that "all they do is run around the field trying to kick a ball into a net." (Side note... How come I've never heard any sports commentators refer to basketball as running around the court bouncing an orange ball and trying to throw it into a hanging basket? Just a thought...)
I digress.
Simply put, David Beckham is here. Once known on this side of the pond as Mr. Posh Spice, he has made waves since February when he signed his record contract. There have been many detractors and a myriad of opinions, mine notwithstanding. I, for one, like the guy. Maybe it's just an act, I don't know. If so, he has me fooled. He comes off as a genuine guy whose true loves are his family and his game. Humble, soft spoken, exemplary work ethic... Say what you will about Real Madrid, but if it wasn't for the mystique that surrounded Beckham when he arrived to join a team already full of international superstars, I probably wouldn't have given the sport a chance, nor would I have grown to love the game as I do now.
It is with this mystique that he arrives to Los Angeles (in addition to his injured ankle...). It is my hope that people who have never set aside 90 minutes to attempt to learn a beautiful game will now do so, that a new culture be born and will produce a competative league that makes waves on an international level. I figure we're far away from it, but one day I'd like to see a little star above the USA's soccer federation logo and a World Cup on display in the trophy case.
You've a tall order, Mr. Spice. Hope you can come through.
Either way, as a soccer fan and as an American, my hopes are supposed to rest upon a certain well dressed Brit to makes the world's most popular sport digestible to a very picky American sporting public. While billions across the world have latched on to a mid 19th century British creation, American sporting culture has preferred to keep to it's own creations. Football (the version with pads and helmets), baseball, basketball and hockey were all created and established in the USA or not too far from it. (Thanks Canada, you've been a real pal.) Football (the version without pads and helmets) has always seemed like some rudimentary foreign sport all to simple for the true American sports fan. The common complaint is that "all they do is run around the field trying to kick a ball into a net." (Side note... How come I've never heard any sports commentators refer to basketball as running around the court bouncing an orange ball and trying to throw it into a hanging basket? Just a thought...)
I digress.
Simply put, David Beckham is here. Once known on this side of the pond as Mr. Posh Spice, he has made waves since February when he signed his record contract. There have been many detractors and a myriad of opinions, mine notwithstanding. I, for one, like the guy. Maybe it's just an act, I don't know. If so, he has me fooled. He comes off as a genuine guy whose true loves are his family and his game. Humble, soft spoken, exemplary work ethic... Say what you will about Real Madrid, but if it wasn't for the mystique that surrounded Beckham when he arrived to join a team already full of international superstars, I probably wouldn't have given the sport a chance, nor would I have grown to love the game as I do now.
It is with this mystique that he arrives to Los Angeles (in addition to his injured ankle...). It is my hope that people who have never set aside 90 minutes to attempt to learn a beautiful game will now do so, that a new culture be born and will produce a competative league that makes waves on an international level. I figure we're far away from it, but one day I'd like to see a little star above the USA's soccer federation logo and a World Cup on display in the trophy case.
You've a tall order, Mr. Spice. Hope you can come through.
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