Appleseed : Social networking future
While building Appleseed, I realized just how simple it was to get two "nodes" to communicate. It became a matter of a simple behind-the-scenes request which returned a small XML file. It became apparent to me that the reason that we don't have communication between social networking sites had nothing to do with technological constrants, and was a purely economic decision on the part of existing sites. Almost all major social networking sites business models are centered on having the largest userbase possible, and user lock-in is a major part of that. By restricting your ability to interact with outside sites, they also restrict your ability to choose another site and still maintain your relationships and ability to contact your friends.
The whole situation we're in makes no sense in the context of the way the internet was meant to operate. Concentrating user bases into centralized locations and locking them in seems more like the early 90's and the way Compuserve, AOL, and the like attempted to use walled gardens to monopolize the internet. The natural evolution is an open, distributed standard. A sort of SMTP for social networking, which allows any node to fully connect to any other node. Would people put up with an email address at gmail.com which could only email other gmail.com users? Of course not, and the same standard should be applied to social networking.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Japon - Repression des night clubs pour éliminer la prostitution
Footloose revisited
Just as you can’t stamp out prostitution without eradicating poverty, you will never rid the world of drugs until you rid it first of boredom. The government should see drug use in nightclubs as the theoretical equivalent of its own fuzoku eigyoho— unstoppable, victimless crimes taking place in a contained area. Arresting someone with a tab of ecstasy at Womb isn’t going to halt the bushels of it coming in from North Korea, nor is closing down the club after the fact. Crack down at the harbors, crack down at the airports, crack down on the myriad dealers at work outside of Tokyo’s nightclubs, which, although bursting with drugs, are the safest of any city in the world.
These raids are not about morals, they’re about expulsion. If clubbers are scared away, clubs will shut down and be replaced with “respectable” establishments and their “respectable” clients, making Tokyo a more “respectable” city. If that is indeed the real goal, then expect these illogical laws and their arbitrary enforcement to continue. Add to this a governor who likely views the end of dancing as a surefire way to get rid of blacks, and you’re left with a ticking clock.
Just as you can’t stamp out prostitution without eradicating poverty, you will never rid the world of drugs until you rid it first of boredom. The government should see drug use in nightclubs as the theoretical equivalent of its own fuzoku eigyoho— unstoppable, victimless crimes taking place in a contained area. Arresting someone with a tab of ecstasy at Womb isn’t going to halt the bushels of it coming in from North Korea, nor is closing down the club after the fact. Crack down at the harbors, crack down at the airports, crack down on the myriad dealers at work outside of Tokyo’s nightclubs, which, although bursting with drugs, are the safest of any city in the world.
These raids are not about morals, they’re about expulsion. If clubbers are scared away, clubs will shut down and be replaced with “respectable” establishments and their “respectable” clients, making Tokyo a more “respectable” city. If that is indeed the real goal, then expect these illogical laws and their arbitrary enforcement to continue. Add to this a governor who likely views the end of dancing as a surefire way to get rid of blacks, and you’re left with a ticking clock.
Système éducatif au Japon
The 30 percent solution
It’s simple. Higher standards will generate higher achievement. Currently, the standards at Japanese high schools are sickeningly low.
[...]
In order to get into most universities in Japan, students need a letter of recommendation, a pass on an entrance exam, or a successful interview. That’s it. While some universities have more stringent guidelines and need to see impressive grades from prospective students, most attach greater significance to one-time exams and letters of recommendation, which are granted not only too easily, but too early as well. Our recommendation letters were sent out in September, which means students have already gotten all they need from their schools with three months of classes left.
[...]
Japanese kids aren’t lazy. The work and dedication they put into their extracurricular activities—participating in “clubs,” running booths at open-campus events, learning moves for school-wide dance competitions—are incredible. Children of any age will put gallons of sweat into something if they are going to gain from it, so the connection between effort and benefit needs to be made tangible because at that age most kids will not see it on their own. Such lack of perspective will always be a cornerstone of youth. It should not be the hallmark of this country’s Education Ministry.
It’s simple. Higher standards will generate higher achievement. Currently, the standards at Japanese high schools are sickeningly low.
[...]
In order to get into most universities in Japan, students need a letter of recommendation, a pass on an entrance exam, or a successful interview. That’s it. While some universities have more stringent guidelines and need to see impressive grades from prospective students, most attach greater significance to one-time exams and letters of recommendation, which are granted not only too easily, but too early as well. Our recommendation letters were sent out in September, which means students have already gotten all they need from their schools with three months of classes left.
[...]
Japanese kids aren’t lazy. The work and dedication they put into their extracurricular activities—participating in “clubs,” running booths at open-campus events, learning moves for school-wide dance competitions—are incredible. Children of any age will put gallons of sweat into something if they are going to gain from it, so the connection between effort and benefit needs to be made tangible because at that age most kids will not see it on their own. Such lack of perspective will always be a cornerstone of youth. It should not be the hallmark of this country’s Education Ministry.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Vargr - Interview pour projet black metal
Pitchfork - Interview de Vargr (de Nordvargr et MZ412 entre autre)
Vargr is the Swedish musician Henrik Nordvargr Bjorkk, maybe known best for his work in the blackened industrial band MZ.412, but also through Folkstorm, Toroidh, and various collaborations under his given name. Northern Black Supremacy is an iced, atmospheric, Charles Manson-sampling collection of creepy, noisy black metal: Think WOLD and Blut Aus Nord but via early snarling Darkthrone and Ildjarn. The album's slogan: "Worship. Kill. Die."
Pitchfork: I saw a discussion at Encyclopedia Metallum in which people were arguing whether or not what you do in Vargr is metal. Some saw it as noise. You've done recordings with Merzbow, and of course MZ.412 and other non-metal projects. Where do you see Vargr fitting into things genre-wise?
Nordvargr: I'd call it metal. Maybe a bit on the noisy side of things, but still some form of metal. It's not that important really; I find it amusing that people even debate it.
Pitchfork: Please explain the phrase "True Black Nekronoise Metal," which you use to describe your sound.
Nordvargr: Me and Lasse Marhaug coined that when we recorded our Marvargr album... I think it is a perfect description.
Pitchfork: Drakh [note: his MZ.412 collaborator] plays guest guitar on the record. Do you think you two will always collaborate?
Nordvargr: Probably. We are as close as you can get when it comes to creating music.
Pitchfork: Can you tell me a bit about the album title, Northern Black Supremacy? How do the intro and outro work? Is this a concept album? There's obviously an anti-Christian sentiment running through it. I'm interested in the stories behind "Three Days For The King Of Jews" and "Chris Deflowered". What's the concept behind these tracks? No mercy?
Nordvargr: Northern Black Supremacy is not really a concept album, but I have tried to tie the tracks together so when listening to the whole album, there are some calmer parts to allow you to catch your breath. The overall theme is anti-religious-- not exclusively anti-Christian (as someone else said "three weeds from the same root"). "Three days..." and "Christ deflowered" both deals with humiliation and disgust for christian morals.
Pitchfork: I'm also interested in "Bring Forth The Ways Of Old"-- How does the title connect to the damp swampy sounds? "Nature Defines Order Through War" has a march to it, which is more obvious.
Nordvargr: The title "Bring Forth The Ways Of Old" just came to me when recording it. To me it represents the urge of the blood, or blood memory, that is in all of us, the urge that evokes grand feelings that you just can't explain. If you have experienced it you know what I mean.
Pitchfork: Are you familiar with other noise-centered black metal bands like WOLD and Blut Aus Nord? Are you a fan? What do you listen to?
Nordvargr: I have heard both of the above, and WOLD is OK, but I really dont get B.A.N. Right now I am absorbed by the Blaze Birth Hall bands; Branikald, Nitberg and Forest. Other bands on frequent rotation right now are Tenebrous, Wolfnacht, V.A.C.K., Korgonthurus, and Akitsa.
Pitchfork: This new album seems to me to be more about textures and landscapes than grooves. How do you go about writing these songs? How carefully are they composed? How much improvisation is there?
Nordvargr: I really am not a good guitarist nor a great composer. I always improvise around some riffs/sounds and just record what comes out. That has always been my modus operandi. If it turns out bad I just delete it.
Pitchfork: You're in the tradition of the one-man black metal band. Why did you decide to record as a solo musician?
Nordvargr: In Sweden we say "Själv är bäste dräng", I guess I am my best friend and company. (With a few exceptions of course-- Drakh, Ulvtharm, Marhaug, etc etc etc...)
Pitchfork: Thoughts on Nifelheim? The Swedish scene in general?
Nordvargr: Nifelheim rocks. That's all I can say. Actually forgot to write them in the question above-- Envoy Of Lucifer is brilliant. I don't have much contact with any people from the scene nowadays, so I really can't comment. The most interesting scene for me right now is the Russian.
Pitchfork: So far you've had a really varied musical path. What are your next plans?
Nordvargr: Just finished the Nordvargr Helvete album (on Eternal Pride spring 2008), which features vocal appearances by Wrest/Leviathan among others. The follow-up to Northern Black Supremacy [note: Storm Of Northern Evil] is out on Total Holocaust Records. A split CD with Silva Nigra/Vargr will also be released by Ravenheart Productions. Also, [I] finished a collab with Drakh and Cordell Klier due for release on OEC mid 2008. Other plans for this year is to finish the Partikel trilogy with Merzbow, record another Goatvargr album, and wrap up the doom-ambient monster thing I am recording right now. That's about it. Not much really.
///
Northern Black Supremecy is out on 20 Buck Spin. For more info on Bjorkk, check out his MySpace, though he plans to discontinue it soon it seems, so also check here.
Vargr is the Swedish musician Henrik Nordvargr Bjorkk, maybe known best for his work in the blackened industrial band MZ.412, but also through Folkstorm, Toroidh, and various collaborations under his given name. Northern Black Supremacy is an iced, atmospheric, Charles Manson-sampling collection of creepy, noisy black metal: Think WOLD and Blut Aus Nord but via early snarling Darkthrone and Ildjarn. The album's slogan: "Worship. Kill. Die."
Pitchfork: I saw a discussion at Encyclopedia Metallum in which people were arguing whether or not what you do in Vargr is metal. Some saw it as noise. You've done recordings with Merzbow, and of course MZ.412 and other non-metal projects. Where do you see Vargr fitting into things genre-wise?
Nordvargr: I'd call it metal. Maybe a bit on the noisy side of things, but still some form of metal. It's not that important really; I find it amusing that people even debate it.
Pitchfork: Please explain the phrase "True Black Nekronoise Metal," which you use to describe your sound.
Nordvargr: Me and Lasse Marhaug coined that when we recorded our Marvargr album... I think it is a perfect description.
Pitchfork: Drakh [note: his MZ.412 collaborator] plays guest guitar on the record. Do you think you two will always collaborate?
Nordvargr: Probably. We are as close as you can get when it comes to creating music.
Pitchfork: Can you tell me a bit about the album title, Northern Black Supremacy? How do the intro and outro work? Is this a concept album? There's obviously an anti-Christian sentiment running through it. I'm interested in the stories behind "Three Days For The King Of Jews" and "Chris Deflowered". What's the concept behind these tracks? No mercy?
Nordvargr: Northern Black Supremacy is not really a concept album, but I have tried to tie the tracks together so when listening to the whole album, there are some calmer parts to allow you to catch your breath. The overall theme is anti-religious-- not exclusively anti-Christian (as someone else said "three weeds from the same root"). "Three days..." and "Christ deflowered" both deals with humiliation and disgust for christian morals.
Pitchfork: I'm also interested in "Bring Forth The Ways Of Old"-- How does the title connect to the damp swampy sounds? "Nature Defines Order Through War" has a march to it, which is more obvious.
Nordvargr: The title "Bring Forth The Ways Of Old" just came to me when recording it. To me it represents the urge of the blood, or blood memory, that is in all of us, the urge that evokes grand feelings that you just can't explain. If you have experienced it you know what I mean.
Pitchfork: Are you familiar with other noise-centered black metal bands like WOLD and Blut Aus Nord? Are you a fan? What do you listen to?
Nordvargr: I have heard both of the above, and WOLD is OK, but I really dont get B.A.N. Right now I am absorbed by the Blaze Birth Hall bands; Branikald, Nitberg and Forest. Other bands on frequent rotation right now are Tenebrous, Wolfnacht, V.A.C.K., Korgonthurus, and Akitsa.
Pitchfork: This new album seems to me to be more about textures and landscapes than grooves. How do you go about writing these songs? How carefully are they composed? How much improvisation is there?
Nordvargr: I really am not a good guitarist nor a great composer. I always improvise around some riffs/sounds and just record what comes out. That has always been my modus operandi. If it turns out bad I just delete it.
Pitchfork: You're in the tradition of the one-man black metal band. Why did you decide to record as a solo musician?
Nordvargr: In Sweden we say "Själv är bäste dräng", I guess I am my best friend and company. (With a few exceptions of course-- Drakh, Ulvtharm, Marhaug, etc etc etc...)
Pitchfork: Thoughts on Nifelheim? The Swedish scene in general?
Nordvargr: Nifelheim rocks. That's all I can say. Actually forgot to write them in the question above-- Envoy Of Lucifer is brilliant. I don't have much contact with any people from the scene nowadays, so I really can't comment. The most interesting scene for me right now is the Russian.
Pitchfork: So far you've had a really varied musical path. What are your next plans?
Nordvargr: Just finished the Nordvargr Helvete album (on Eternal Pride spring 2008), which features vocal appearances by Wrest/Leviathan among others. The follow-up to Northern Black Supremacy [note: Storm Of Northern Evil] is out on Total Holocaust Records. A split CD with Silva Nigra/Vargr will also be released by Ravenheart Productions. Also, [I] finished a collab with Drakh and Cordell Klier due for release on OEC mid 2008. Other plans for this year is to finish the Partikel trilogy with Merzbow, record another Goatvargr album, and wrap up the doom-ambient monster thing I am recording right now. That's about it. Not much really.
///
Northern Black Supremecy is out on 20 Buck Spin. For more info on Bjorkk, check out his MySpace, though he plans to discontinue it soon it seems, so also check here.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Starkweather et la France
France
Remi Resmini (Starkweather) fait le tour de ce qu'il aime dans le paysage musical français (et même un peu de porno à la fin).
Remi Resmini (Starkweather) fait le tour de ce qu'il aime dans le paysage musical français (et même un peu de porno à la fin).
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Modification corporelle : comment je me suis coupé la main
One hand Jason
Let me be blunt — I staged an accident. Nobody’s doubting it, and my friends and family, so many folks, came together for me back then, raised a lotta money, prayed, and said such sweet, loving things. There’s no way I want enough details to get out there that they could connect up me with my ‘accident’, with the person you’re interviewing, who’s voluntary.
I don’t want to be hugely specific, but I used a very sharp power tool, after having tried out different methods of crushing and cutting. I know first aid so I was able to stop the bleeding with pressure, but I was worried that I could pass out and not call for help and lose too much blood. No worries, though, I guess I’m in good enough shape that I didn’t even feel dizzy.
My goal was to get the job done with no hope of reconstruction or re-attachment, and I wanted some method that I could actually bring myself to do. I did experiments with animal legs I got from a butcher. It’s lucky I thought of that, because some of my early attempts were total fuck ups and would have ended up with a damaged hand which might have had to undergo years of painful reconstruction, and worse yet, no amputation.
[...]
One real weird sensation was to run my fingertip from the top to the bottom of my stump, across the scar. It felt like I was running my fingertip right through my arm!
[...]
Yeah, it’s a biggie. For sure it’s not rational to want to cut off your arm or leg. There’s no argument you can make that life will be easier, or that you’ll be more capable doing anything. Even though a hook can do some things that a bare hand can’t, a hand holding a tool can always do everything a hook can, and so much more. Even though you can run in prosthetic legs that give you a mechanical advantage, you can’t compete with those.
Let me be blunt — I staged an accident. Nobody’s doubting it, and my friends and family, so many folks, came together for me back then, raised a lotta money, prayed, and said such sweet, loving things. There’s no way I want enough details to get out there that they could connect up me with my ‘accident’, with the person you’re interviewing, who’s voluntary.
I don’t want to be hugely specific, but I used a very sharp power tool, after having tried out different methods of crushing and cutting. I know first aid so I was able to stop the bleeding with pressure, but I was worried that I could pass out and not call for help and lose too much blood. No worries, though, I guess I’m in good enough shape that I didn’t even feel dizzy.
My goal was to get the job done with no hope of reconstruction or re-attachment, and I wanted some method that I could actually bring myself to do. I did experiments with animal legs I got from a butcher. It’s lucky I thought of that, because some of my early attempts were total fuck ups and would have ended up with a damaged hand which might have had to undergo years of painful reconstruction, and worse yet, no amputation.
[...]
One real weird sensation was to run my fingertip from the top to the bottom of my stump, across the scar. It felt like I was running my fingertip right through my arm!
[...]
Yeah, it’s a biggie. For sure it’s not rational to want to cut off your arm or leg. There’s no argument you can make that life will be easier, or that you’ll be more capable doing anything. Even though a hook can do some things that a bare hand can’t, a hand holding a tool can always do everything a hook can, and so much more. Even though you can run in prosthetic legs that give you a mechanical advantage, you can’t compete with those.
Des voleurs en pont en République Tchèque et en Russie
Czech police wonder where bridge has gone ?
Police in the Czech republic are trying to find out who stole a 4 tonne railway bridge from the border town of Cheb.
[...]
Of course, it's not the first time some light-fingered bridge enthusiast has made off with a bridge. At least two bridges have been nicked in Russia in the past six months, and a pair of bridge thieves appropriated two Macedonian bridges last February.
Police in the Czech republic are trying to find out who stole a 4 tonne railway bridge from the border town of Cheb.
[...]
Of course, it's not the first time some light-fingered bridge enthusiast has made off with a bridge. At least two bridges have been nicked in Russia in the past six months, and a pair of bridge thieves appropriated two Macedonian bridges last February.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Preuve de l'existence de pouvoir psychique ?
Has the military found proof that we are all psychic ?
Startling as it may seem, the results of Dr Roe’s experiments suggest that it is indeed possible to project your “mind’s eye” to a distant location and observe what is going on - even if that place is hundreds of miles away.
In fact, Dr Roe’s results suggest that up to 85 percent of people possess the psychic power of clairvoyance – or the ability to remote view in technical parlance. They provide the strongest evidence yet for such psychic powers and may help explain the skills shown by mediums and account for such phenomena as ESP and déjà vu. And it would appear that we can all sharpen our psychic skills with only a modicum of training.
Such results follow on from the release of formerly top secret military papers revealing that the armies of several countries have used clairvoyants – or remote viewers - to gather intelligence.
[...]
The remote viewers used a deceptively simple method based on what is known as the Ganzfeld technique. They induced an altered state of consciousness by seating themselves in a sound proof room and wearing earphones playing white noise. Ping pong balls sliced in half were placed over their eyes to obscure vision. The whole room was then bathed in soft red light.
The map coordinates of the ‘target’ would be written on a piece of paper, placed in an envelope and handed to the viewer. He would be allowed to touch the envelope but forbidden to open it. Alternatively, pictures of the target location would be sealed in the envelope. The remote viewers would then slip into a light meditative trance and their “minds eye” would be drawn to the target location. Pictures, feelings and impressions would then drift into their minds from the target, which might be located thousands of miles away.
To an outsider, this approach might appear to produce only hopelessly vague results that were no better than guesswork. But the scientists investigating remote viewing found them to be surprisingly accurate and the military found them useful too.
[...]
Word of America’s experiments with the paranormal spread to the UK and the Metropolitan Police were one of the first to informally use remote viewers to tackle crime. One of their most useful informants was Nella Jones, who first came to their attention when she located the stolen Vermeer painting The Guitar Player in 1974.
Nella was ironing some clothes and idly watching the television when her mind suddenly focused on the whereabouts of the painting. She hurriedly sketched it out and took it to the police who were understandably sceptical. Having nothing else to go on they decided to follow her leads. The painting was eventually recovered as a result of the information she gave them.
It would be easy to dismiss Nella’s guidance to the police as just blind luck. Easy, that is, if she hadn’t spent the following 20 years helping them ensnare murderers and other serious offenders.
Information trouvé sur Newsmonster, un site spécialisé dans le paranormal
Startling as it may seem, the results of Dr Roe’s experiments suggest that it is indeed possible to project your “mind’s eye” to a distant location and observe what is going on - even if that place is hundreds of miles away.
In fact, Dr Roe’s results suggest that up to 85 percent of people possess the psychic power of clairvoyance – or the ability to remote view in technical parlance. They provide the strongest evidence yet for such psychic powers and may help explain the skills shown by mediums and account for such phenomena as ESP and déjà vu. And it would appear that we can all sharpen our psychic skills with only a modicum of training.
Such results follow on from the release of formerly top secret military papers revealing that the armies of several countries have used clairvoyants – or remote viewers - to gather intelligence.
[...]
The remote viewers used a deceptively simple method based on what is known as the Ganzfeld technique. They induced an altered state of consciousness by seating themselves in a sound proof room and wearing earphones playing white noise. Ping pong balls sliced in half were placed over their eyes to obscure vision. The whole room was then bathed in soft red light.
The map coordinates of the ‘target’ would be written on a piece of paper, placed in an envelope and handed to the viewer. He would be allowed to touch the envelope but forbidden to open it. Alternatively, pictures of the target location would be sealed in the envelope. The remote viewers would then slip into a light meditative trance and their “minds eye” would be drawn to the target location. Pictures, feelings and impressions would then drift into their minds from the target, which might be located thousands of miles away.
To an outsider, this approach might appear to produce only hopelessly vague results that were no better than guesswork. But the scientists investigating remote viewing found them to be surprisingly accurate and the military found them useful too.
[...]
Word of America’s experiments with the paranormal spread to the UK and the Metropolitan Police were one of the first to informally use remote viewers to tackle crime. One of their most useful informants was Nella Jones, who first came to their attention when she located the stolen Vermeer painting The Guitar Player in 1974.
Nella was ironing some clothes and idly watching the television when her mind suddenly focused on the whereabouts of the painting. She hurriedly sketched it out and took it to the police who were understandably sceptical. Having nothing else to go on they decided to follow her leads. The painting was eventually recovered as a result of the information she gave them.
It would be easy to dismiss Nella’s guidance to the police as just blind luck. Easy, that is, if she hadn’t spent the following 20 years helping them ensnare murderers and other serious offenders.
Information trouvé sur Newsmonster, un site spécialisé dans le paranormal
Monday, February 18, 2008
William Faulkner à propos de l'écriture
On writing, Faulkner remarked, "Let the writer take up surgery or bricklaying if he is interested in technique. There is no mechanical way to get the writing done, no shortcut. The young writer would be a fool to follow a theory. Teach yourself by your own mistakes; people learn only by error. The good artist believes that nobody is good enough to give him advice. He has supreme vanity. No matter how much he admires the old writer, he wants to beat him"
Friday, February 15, 2008
Park Chan Wook - Citations
Imdb trivia
"I don't feel enjoyment watching films that evoke passivity. If you need that kind of comfort, I don't understand why you wouldn't go to a spa."
"Living without hate for people is almost impossible. There is nothing wrong with fantasizing about revenge. You can have that feeling. You just shouldn't act on it."
"I can see why my films remind people of computer games, but I've never played one. Actually, I was approached by a Japanese designer of a PlayStation game called Metal Gear Solid. When I met him, I found that there was nothing really to talk about. But I was told that I was idolized in the world of computer games."
"...there is one thing that can never be said in Korea. You could never say that the Japanese occupation of Korea had been beneficial. That would create even more hostility than a movie praising North Korea. It would be like telling Jews that the Holocaust didn't exist."
I've always tried not to fall for the lies that say things like 'you can do anything if you have the will' or that 'you're the only one who can carve out your own life.' According to the audience member's beliefs, you could call it the will of God or social systems, or fate; but in the end, what I'm trying to say is the same. And that is, 'Life doesn't go your own way."
Park Chan Wook (réalisateur de Sympathy for Mr Vengeance, Oldboy, Lady Vengeance ...)
"I don't feel enjoyment watching films that evoke passivity. If you need that kind of comfort, I don't understand why you wouldn't go to a spa."
"Living without hate for people is almost impossible. There is nothing wrong with fantasizing about revenge. You can have that feeling. You just shouldn't act on it."
"I can see why my films remind people of computer games, but I've never played one. Actually, I was approached by a Japanese designer of a PlayStation game called Metal Gear Solid. When I met him, I found that there was nothing really to talk about. But I was told that I was idolized in the world of computer games."
"...there is one thing that can never be said in Korea. You could never say that the Japanese occupation of Korea had been beneficial. That would create even more hostility than a movie praising North Korea. It would be like telling Jews that the Holocaust didn't exist."
I've always tried not to fall for the lies that say things like 'you can do anything if you have the will' or that 'you're the only one who can carve out your own life.' According to the audience member's beliefs, you could call it the will of God or social systems, or fate; but in the end, what I'm trying to say is the same. And that is, 'Life doesn't go your own way."
Park Chan Wook (réalisateur de Sympathy for Mr Vengeance, Oldboy, Lady Vengeance ...)
WGA - Les effets de la grève
Writers reach tentative deal with producers
A resolution would be good news for the producers. The strike, Hollywood’s longest since 1988 and one that has thrown tens of thousands of people out of work, has shut down production on dozens of television shows (including viewer favorites like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “CSI”), forcing the networks to patch together prime-time schedules with reruns and increased doses of reality shows. Movie studios have been forced to delay some of their feature film plans, including prospective blockbusters like “Angels and Demons,” the sequel to “The Da Vinci Code.”
A resolution would be good news for the producers. The strike, Hollywood’s longest since 1988 and one that has thrown tens of thousands of people out of work, has shut down production on dozens of television shows (including viewer favorites like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “CSI”), forcing the networks to patch together prime-time schedules with reruns and increased doses of reality shows. Movie studios have been forced to delay some of their feature film plans, including prospective blockbusters like “Angels and Demons,” the sequel to “The Da Vinci Code.”
Mike Huckabee, candidat à l'élection présidentielle
“I didn’t major in math. I majored in miracles, and I still believe in them, too.”
Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee
Election Américaine : Un nombre de votant en augmentation
Obama gets convincing wins in three states
In Nebraska, The Omaha World-Herald reported that organizers at two caucus sites had been so overrun by crowds that they abandoned traditional caucusing and asked voters to drop makeshift scrap-paper ballots into a box instead. In Sarpy County, in suburban Omaha, traffic backed up on Highway 370 when thousands of voters showed up at a precinct where organizers had planned for hundreds.
In Washington, the Democratic party reported record-breaking numbers of caucusgoers, with early totals suggesting turnout would be nearly be nearly double what it was in 2004 — itself a record year — when 100,000 Democrats caucused.
In Nebraska, The Omaha World-Herald reported that organizers at two caucus sites had been so overrun by crowds that they abandoned traditional caucusing and asked voters to drop makeshift scrap-paper ballots into a box instead. In Sarpy County, in suburban Omaha, traffic backed up on Highway 370 when thousands of voters showed up at a precinct where organizers had planned for hundreds.
In Washington, the Democratic party reported record-breaking numbers of caucusgoers, with early totals suggesting turnout would be nearly be nearly double what it was in 2004 — itself a record year — when 100,000 Democrats caucused.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Mindflesh - Trailer
Mindflesh
Trailer for Cronenberg-style horror thriller, MindFlesh staring Christopher Fairbank (Aliens, Batman, Fifth Element), Lucy Liemann (Bourne Ultimatum), Peter Bramhill (Human Traffic) and introducing sexy French actress Carole Derrien.
Trailer for Cronenberg-style horror thriller, MindFlesh staring Christopher Fairbank (Aliens, Batman, Fifth Element), Lucy Liemann (Bourne Ultimatum), Peter Bramhill (Human Traffic) and introducing sexy French actress Carole Derrien.
Monday, February 11, 2008
J.G. Ballard
Interview de JG Ballard
Interview avec l'auteur de Crash, entre autre.
James Graham Ballard (born 15 November 1930 in Shanghai) is a British writer. He was a prominent member of the New Wave in science fiction. His best known books are the controversial Crash, and the autobiographical novel Empire of the Sun, both of which have been adapted to film.
Interview avec l'auteur de Crash, entre autre.
James Graham Ballard (born 15 November 1930 in Shanghai) is a British writer. He was a prominent member of the New Wave in science fiction. His best known books are the controversial Crash, and the autobiographical novel Empire of the Sun, both of which have been adapted to film.
Documentaire sur le lien entre la science et la science fiction
Monsters of the atomic age
26 minute documentary by Geoff Tarulli (pisscubes sur Relapse) exploring nuclear fears of the 50s and how they manifested themselves in the sci-fi movies of the time.
26 minute documentary by Geoff Tarulli (pisscubes sur Relapse) exploring nuclear fears of the 50s and how they manifested themselves in the sci-fi movies of the time.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Def Jux documentary
Un extrait d'un reportage sur le label Def Jux (el-P, Aesop Rock, Mr Lif ...) produit par la télévision allemande.
Aesop Rock - On creation
The fact that I was making music in this indie way was very much based on the fact that I didn’t want to talk to anybody. I like to create shit -- I like to stay up at night and create things and make something out of nothing so that when I wake up I have something to show for yesterday.
Aesop Rock
Aesop Rock
Friday, February 08, 2008
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Un mamifère immunisé contre l'acide
Strange creature immune to pain
Curiously, the researchers found that mole rats remained completely insensitive to acids, even with the Substance P genes. This suggests there is a fundamental difference in how their nerves respond to such pain.
"Acid acts on the capsaicin receptor and on another family of receptors called acid-sensitive ion channels," Park said. "Acid is not as specific as capsaicin. The mole rat is the only animal that shows completely no response to acid."
Scientists theorize naked mole rats evolved this insensitivity to acid due to underground living. The rodents exhale high levels of carbon dioxide, and in such tight, poorly ventilated spaces it builds up in tissues, making them more acidic. In response, the mole rats became desensitized to acid.
[...]
"We're learning which nerve fibers are important for which kinds of pain, so we'll be able to develop new strategies and targets."
Lewin added, "We really do not understand the molecular mechanism of acid sensing in humans, although it is thought to be pretty important in inflammatory pain. An animal that naturally lacks such a mechanism may help us identify what the mechanism actually is."
Curiously, the researchers found that mole rats remained completely insensitive to acids, even with the Substance P genes. This suggests there is a fundamental difference in how their nerves respond to such pain.
"Acid acts on the capsaicin receptor and on another family of receptors called acid-sensitive ion channels," Park said. "Acid is not as specific as capsaicin. The mole rat is the only animal that shows completely no response to acid."
Scientists theorize naked mole rats evolved this insensitivity to acid due to underground living. The rodents exhale high levels of carbon dioxide, and in such tight, poorly ventilated spaces it builds up in tissues, making them more acidic. In response, the mole rats became desensitized to acid.
[...]
"We're learning which nerve fibers are important for which kinds of pain, so we'll be able to develop new strategies and targets."
Lewin added, "We really do not understand the molecular mechanism of acid sensing in humans, although it is thought to be pretty important in inflammatory pain. An animal that naturally lacks such a mechanism may help us identify what the mechanism actually is."
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