Archive for the 'Culture' Category

Living in the North

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bcg
on 28 August 2008
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So according to this report two weeks ago, all the people who live in the North should move to the South, because regeneration efforts are failing.  To avoid become 'trapped' in poverty, people should move to Oxford, or Cambridge, say.

Of course, all the major parties rubbished it, and the councils of various Northern cities did as well.  David Cameron said it was 'insane'.

Imagine my delight when I read another story today, this time about 'mapping' Britain's 'happiest places'.  It seems Edinburgh comes out bottom - but, in a delicious irony given the story a couple of weeks ago - EIGHT of the top TEN happiest places in Britain are in the North of England or Scotland.

Now, what does that tell you?  It tells me that stupid middle-class think-tanks assume that all that matters is financial well-being.

So, my call to the South is: come up here, it's a much happier place to live!

Secret ballot?

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bcg
on 3 May 2008
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I voted with my wife in the local elections on Thursday.  Imagine my shock when I realised that the so-called 'secret' ballot is the exact opposite.  While my ballot paper doesn't have my name written on, it may as well do.

I walked in, and gave my voter number, which was written down on a piece of paper, next to my ballot number.  I was given the corresponding ballot paper, and voted.  How in the world is that 'secret'?!  I can understand they want to keep a record of who's voted, but to record our individual voter number next to our ballot number means someone could identify exactly who everyone voted for.

I almost spoilt my ballot paper in protest - perhaps I will in future elections when faced with a choice of near-identical candidates who I know next to nothing about.

Surely democracy should be more exciting than this?  Is it just me?  I feel like we need to reform our political system completely, away from the party system.  The parties used to have major ideological differences.  Thanks to New Labour, and the move to the centre-right of all the major parties, they are all pretty much the same, except for the people in charge.

Perhaps we should go for a system where we vote for positions in government as well as local MPs.  I don't know, but there must be a better way.  And while we're at it, let's make the ballot really secret, and not just pretend it is.

Films vs. Games

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bcg
on 15 March 2008
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I was disappointed to see today that the ban on Manhunt 2 has been overturned:

Ban on 'sadistic' video game overturned

The game publisher's argument is that the violence is no worse than, say, a Quentin Tarantino film, or some of what goes on in the TV series 24.  Therefore, they say, an '18′ rating is sufficient.

However I question this.  First of all, I find the violence in Tarantino's films completely over the top.  I have never managed to see one of his films all the way through, because of the violence.

Second, there is an important difference between watching violence, and performing it yourself, as you do in a video game.  I enjoy playing video games, but I find that they affect me far more than violent films, because you are, literally, more involved in what's going on.

Third, a violent film might last two hours (during which time, even in Tarantino, there is respite), but video games are far longer, and it seems Manhunt 2 has little respite:

In its original decision, the BBFC said that Manhunt 2 was distinguished by its "unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone" and that the game "constantly encouraged visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing". "There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed," the BBFC said.

I would argue in support of BBFC, that violence in video games is different to films, and that the length of time involved, and the lack of respite makes it far worse.

Danny Cipriani

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bcg
on 7 March 2008
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I have just discovered that Danny Cipriani has been dropped from the England rugby team for the match against Scotland tomorrow.  The reason appears to be that he was seen leaving a nightclub last night:

Cipriani axed from England team

The incident calls to mind the pathetic antics of the England cricket team at the world cup last year - but Cipriani was not drinking, nor was he out a long time, according to his club.

I can understand Brian Ashton wanting to keep a tight ship, and to impress on his players the seriousness with which they should take playing for their country.  But relaxing - albeit late at night - with your friends - especially if you aren't drinking! - does not, to me, count as 'inappropriate behaviour'.

Apart from anything, Balshaw has been shockingly bad at full-back, and Cipriani has the potential to be significantly better!  I think Ashton has gone too far here - I hope we don't live to rue the decision on Saturday.

Politics

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bcg
on 6 March 2008
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The word 'politics' is derived from the word 'poly', meaning 'many', and the word 'ticks', meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.

Larry Hardiman

Materialism

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bcg
on 26 February 2008
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On the BBC website today I read this article: Children 'damaged' by materialism.  It is particularly aimed at advertisers who specifically target children.

The Children's Society said adults had to "take responsibility for the current level of marketing to children".

Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of the society, said: "A crucial question raised by the inquiry is whether childhood should be a space where developing minds are free from concentrated sales techniques.

"To accuse children of being materialistic in such a culture is a cop-out," he said.

Reitemeier said: "Unless we question our own behaviour as a society we risk creating a generation who are left unfulfilled through chasing unattainable lifestyles."

And Rowan Williams said:

Children should be encouraged to value themselves for who they are as people rather than what they own.

The selling of lifestyles to children creates a culture of material competitiveness and promotes acquisitive individualism at the expense of the principles of community and co-operation.

There is even a suggestion that 'commercial pressures' may cause psychological problems in later life.

The report is rather terrifying, but not perhaps surprising.  The relentless drive to have more and own more pervades our entire culture.  Our economic system of capitalism relies on human desire as its driving force.  More and more companies are becoming skilled in manipulating that desire through slick advertising, so that we desire things we don't need. 

Somehow, as Rowan Williams said, we have come to value ourselves more in terms of our prosperity, our possessions, than in our value as people.

This story hit a nerve with me this morning because I have just read Luke 12, in which Jesus says this:

Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of one's possessions.
Luke 12.15 (ESV)

Jesus then goes on to tell the parable of the man who stored up crops for himself saying, 'relax, eat, drink, be merry.'  But God took it all away from him that night, and he had nothing.  Rather, Jesus says, seek the kingdom of God, and store up treasure in heaven, where it cannot be stolen or destroyed.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12.34 (ESV)

Lawyer of the Rings?

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bcg
on 21 February 2008
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My favourite movie trilogy of all time has been involved in lawsuits pretty much since it was finished - or rather, the company that made it (New Line) has been.

The twists and turns are followed by this article.  It is sad that people have had to resort to litigation, over what appears to be 'unabashed and insatiable greed' on the part of the studio.

The latest lawsuit has been filed by the Tolkien family, but not simply for their own gain:

The Tolkien suit may prove to be especially troublesome for New Line, if only because it has the earmarks of a public relations nightmare. The plaintiffs include a charitable trust that is overseen by family members of the author, who died in 1973, and includes among its beneficiaries worthy organizations like the Darfur Appeal and the World Cancer Research Foundation.

It seems that the studio may have been involved in some 'accounting chicanery' that has been 'cheating' others' out of their fair share of the gross profit from the movies.

The saga continues...