Category: Pop Culture

Do Your Parenting Yourself

On By WinstonIn Film Reviews, Media, Movies, Personal Responsibility, Pop Culture, Society1 Comment

Tim Winter, who is apparently the president of the grandly named “Parents Television Council” recently wrote an article for Fox News.com. In his article, Mr Winter decries the failure of the movie rating system. I almost agree with him. Almost.

I agree that you can’t base viewing decisions on something as vague as PG-13 rating. This is particularly true if you don’t understand the ratings system. In the article, he complains that “The King’s Speech” received a worse rating than “Drag Me To Hell”. Here’s the reason. Most people understand that “Drag Me To Hell” isn’t based on reality. It’s also a morality play. Bad things happen to the bad person. Ratings boards LOVE morality plays. They will put up with a lot of questionable content if there is a clear and simple moral lesson. In this case, the message is: don’t willfully hurt others to get ahead. Not to spoil the movie, but the main character does just that and the rest of the movie revolves around their punishment.

“The King’s Speech” on the other hand is based firmly in reality. It is about King George the fifth learning to overcome his stutter so that he could address his people via radio during World War Two. Because it’s a real story about real people, there are no easy moral lessons. During the movie the King s speech therapist has him use profanity as part of an exercise. Being real people, specifically the King of England, there is a much greater likelihood of impressionable people emulating the language. The great irony of course arises because I doubt if anyone of an impressionable age was likely to watch that particular movie. Nonetheless, that’s the thinking behind the ratings on the two movies.

He also complains about ratings creep. This is the tendency of ratings standards to become more lax over time. This is a very real phenomenon and reflects the cultural evolution within our society. Profanity, sexuality, and violence have become more prominent in society and it’s unrealistic to expect our entertainment and the standards to which it’s held not to evolve with it.

Ultimately, it’s up to the parents to teach their children about how to judge what they’re going to watch. In my case, this meant watching movies either before or with my daughter. I watched a lot of things I didn’t really want to, but it’s the commitment I made to her. It was my way of protecting her from the worst of what was out there and giving her the tools to make her own decisions instead of relying on the ratings on the box.

I guess my message is this…. Don’t let some stranger decide what’s right for your kids. Do your parenting yourself.

Cheers, Winston

EA To End “Online Passes”

On By WinstonIn Pop Culture, Uncategorized, Video Games4 Comments

I was catching up on my gaming news this morning when I learned that EA (Electronic Arts) has decided to do away with their online pass program.  Apparently the damage to their reputation was costing them more than they were making.  I was working at Blockbuster when they announced the program and I saw gamers reactions up close.  None of it was positive.

A few years later, EA finally seems to have read the writing on the wall….. Not to mention the profanity and occasional threats on the forums.  I understand why they did it in the first place.  The used and rental markets were eating up huge amounts of bandwidth on their servers without generating any revenue for them.  To reduce the overload, they introduced the online pass.  It was included free with new games, and allowed access to the online portion of the game on the account that registered it.

This of course meant that if you bought used, rented or borrowed from a buddy, you couldn’t play online unless you bought an online pass for an extra $10.  While this reduced the less on EAs servers, it also alienated a huge number of gamers who saw it as nothing more than a naked cash grab.  Used game resellers were forced to lower the prices on their EA titles to offset the cost of the pass and so lower their margins.  Long story short, nobody but EA really liked the program.  Its not actually over-stating things to say it was pretty much universally hated.  To their credit, EA has finally listened.

This proves two things.  EA isn’t just a giant, greedy corporation.  They can and do, listen to their customers.  They do understand that gamers are the people paying their bills.  They also understand that sometimes the extra revenue just isn’t worth the hit to their image.  Secondly, if you aren’t happy with how a company is treating you, nothing gets their attention like voting with your wallet.  If enough people do it, even an industry giant like EA is going to notice.

I admire any company that’s willing to admit they made a bad call.  Even more so when they decide to un-make it.  Not only are they not requiring online passes in new games, they’re phasing them out on existing titles as well.  That’s being a responsive company.  It will take a while to undo the damage to their corporate image, but at least its a start.

Well done EA.

Cheers, Winston

KEEP MERIDA “BRAVE”!

On By WinstonIn Disney, Media, Personal, Pop Culture, Society, Uncategorized, Values1 Comment

After writing 30 poems in 30 days, I gave myself some celebratory time off. Then I ran across this and had to speak up about it. Apparently Merida, the main character in the recent Pixar movie “BRAVE” is about to be inducted into the Disney Princess club. So far so good. Her father’s a king, so she definitely belongs there. Also, she’s a great role model for young girls. Merida is bold, intelligent, courageous, strong, caring and everything any parent knows their little girl can be.

She also looks like a real girl. At least much more so than many other animated young females. That seems to be a problem for Disney. The following image highlights the difference between Merida as she appears in the movie, and whoever the hell it is that the executives at Disney want to turn her into.

image

On the right, is movie Merida and on the left, Disney s new and “improved” version. Note the wasp-waist, enhanced bustline, curvier hips, fancier and less practical dress, more manageable hair. It all adds up to someone who clearly has nothing at all to do with the character in the movie. Instead of encouraging girls to be strong, independent and their own person, it says “If you want to be a “Princess” you have to be a cookie cutter-sexualized-Barbie looking version of yourself.”

So if you haven’t guessed yet, I’m more than a little bothered by this. The good news is…. I’m not the only one. “A Mighty Girl” has started a petition on change.org urging Disney to rethink their decision. If you’re interested, you can find it and sign it here.

I don’t know if Disney will listen, but I think it’s important to try. If we don’t, who else is going to keep Merida “BRAVE”.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day: 17 BBC Nature

On By WinstonIn Media, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Pop Culture, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I’m a huge fan of nature documentaries. I have been since I was a kid. At this time, I’ve got to say nobody can hold a candle to the BBC.

I recently picked up BBC Africa. While watching the first episode, I was reminded again of just how much I love their work. My 17th NaPoWriMo piece is a tribute to the BBC and their incredible teams.

Enjoy!

BBC Nature

I’d like to thank the BBC
I am a nature nut.
They bring all life’s wonders to me
While I sit on my butt.

They show me things I’d never see
Places I’d never go.
I’ve learned some things while watching them
I’d otherwise not know.

I’ve seen a cave that’s full of bats
And monkeys in hotsprings.
There’s beetles, sharks, volcanoes, more
Ten thousand wondrous things.

Through them I’ve been to India
Seen ocean’s hidden sights.
Watched bower bird build up his nest
So many more delights.

So thank you to the BBC
And all your roving teams.
For showing me these visions that
I’d only seen in dreams

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day: 11 The Gamer

On By WinstonIn Humor, NaPoWriMo, Pop Culture, Society, Uncategorized, Video GamesLeave a comment

As a gamer, it bugs the crap outta me when some people announce that violent games and movies are more to blame than “gun culture” for mass shootings. I live in Canada. That means I’m exposed to all the same violent games and media as my southern neigbours. On the other hand, we experience a tiny fraction of the gun violence. Are we just inherently nicer? I don’t think so. We’re just less inured to the idea that shooting someone is a valid form of conflict resolution.

Today’s NaPoWriMo entry covers my feelings on the subject succinctly… and with a pinch of humour.

Enjoy!

The Gamer

I’ve blown something up again
I’ve crashed another car.
I’ve pulled out both my forty – fives
Shot up a crowded bar.

So now you think I am quite bad
Just rotten to the core.
But wait a sec, don’t judge me yet
There’s more oh so much more.

I’ve stolen cars and driven drunk
Hit people in the street.
The guns and bombs are very fun
But knifing is a treat.

You’re edgy now you back away
But you don’t understand.
All that stuff and more lives in,
Imagination land.

There’s dragons here and UFOs
And Nazis by the score.
There’s gangsters, grifters, cowboys too
And skeletons and more.

I drive a car I’ll never own
And save a galaxy.
I’m someone else with firmer abs
Than mine will ever be.

So blame my games for all your crime
If that’s what helps you sleep.
Just bear in mind that you are wrong
You foolish, foolish sheep.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day:9 Movie Nights

On By WinstonIn Loving Life, Movies, NaPoWriMo, Pop Culture, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I’m a huge movie nut. I love watching them, talking about them, and watching them again. Film snobs annoy me. I know what I like, but over the years I’ve learned the difference between “I don’t like that.” and “That’s bad.”

When I’ve had a crap day, or I’m not feeling well, a movie can take me out of myself for a little while. That’s an incredible gift. This is my thank you for all the laughs, jumps, tears and suspense.

Enjoy!

Movie Night

The lights go down the screen lights up
We settle in our seats.
There’s movement now and sudden noise
Our hands reach for our treats.

The picture starts we are amazed
Amused or terrified.
We laugh or scream or shout or stare
Sometimes some tears are cried.

There’s beauty there and horror too
To some it’s all just sleaze.
The wonder is it’s everything
Or anything you please.

Dragons, damsels, heroes bold
All on the screen appear.
With hope, despair and joy up there
So simple and so clear.

Take us away then bring us back
Show things we’ve never seen.
Show us wonders and delights
Upon the silver screen.

Then we go home and go to bed
Our dreams so vivid now .
Those dreams are fuelled by your gifts
So thanks please take a bow.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day:7 Vampire Ascendant

On By WinstonIn NaPoWriMo, Pop Culture, Uncategorized, ValuesLeave a comment

Day seven of NaPoWriMo sees me visiting with a very different sort of vampire. If I were to become a vampire, I’d probably be more like this one. If you’ve got it, flaunt it.

Enjoy!

The sun has set the night is dark
The darkness sets me free.
I sense my anxious breakfast near
How tasty it will be.

I used to have to go and hunt
Oh how I love these days
For now my victims come to me
Like moths drawn to a blaze.

I’ve walked this world five hundred years
May walk a thousand more.
I love this time it’s easier
Than any time before.

You don’t believe so do not hunt
With holy cross and stake.
You look away or stare in awe
With every life I take.

The truth is I am what you want
I’m all you seek to be.
You come to me as supplicants
Believe I’ll set you free.

But there’s no freedom for you here
I offer only death.
Yet still you try to praise my name
With final ragged breath.

Cheers, Winston

Psychological Torture For Fun & Profit

On By WinstonIn Bullying, Media, Personal Responsibility, Pop Culture, Psychology, Society, Uncategorized, Values3 Comments

There is a program on A&E called “Beyond Scared Straight”. The premise is as simple as it is ridiculous. Troubled teens are forced to spend a night in an adult prison where it is the job of staff and inmates to abuse and terrify them. This is intended to deter them from their current lifestyle and steer them onto the “straight and narrow”. As part of this “process”, they are hand-cuffed, locked in cells with actual inmates, threatened and verbally abused.

All of this is based on “tough love”. This of course is a misnomer. There is nothing about this which is loving. It is a purely punitive act based not on love, but on fear. The larger issue has to with results. More to the point, the stunning lack of them. “In fact, a Cochrane review — the gold standard for evidence-based medicine — concluded that kids sent to Scared Straight were 68-71% more likely to commit crimes than those randomized to receive no intervention at all.” That quote comes from a recent Time article on the subject.

The truth is, there has not been a single clinical trial that indicated any positive results from any of the tough love style treatments for anything. None. Ever. Never.

Now I’m going out on a limb here and assuming the executives at A&E and the staff behind “Beyond Scared Straight” are not collectively stupid as oak posts. I know it’s a stretch, but I’m going to run with it. Based on that I’m guessing that someone looked at the results of Scared Straight and similar “tough love” programs and saw the massive failure rate. Why then did they go ahead and promote something so clearly delusional, damaging, degrading and downright stupid?

The word you’re looking for is Profit. That’s the motivator for anything that shows up on advertising funded TV. Not that I have anything against A&E making a profit. That is after all what they’re in business for. What I object to is teenagers being abused and exploited just to drive those profits. If there was any indication that such brutality has any beneficial effect it might be slightly justifiable. The opposite is true. This program of abuse, humiliation and cruelty has no measurable benefit and as such is nothing but reprehensible.

The other part of this equation is the fan base. Those who tune in week after week to watch these “terrible” people get a taste of what they can expect if they don’t get their acts together. They don’t know it doesn’t work. They don’t care. All they want is to watch brutal, Old Testament, frontier justice at work. They’re tired of the liberal wimps mollycoddling young offenders. They believe these kids need just this kind of wake up call. Unfortunately, they’re wrong. What these kids need isn’t more abuse, it’s less. They need years of counseling, therapy, training and all that boring, non-telegenic stuff.

Of course, there’s nothing in that to build a sensationalist TV show off of. Then again that’s probably not a bad thing. Not unless you’re the sort of person who enjoys watching psychological torture for fun & profit.

Cheers, Winston

Salon’s Anonymous Love-In

On By WinstonIn Global Issues, Media, Occupy Movement, Personal Responsibility, Pop Culture, Society, Uncategorized, ValuesLeave a comment

Salon.com ran an article entitled “Anonymous Big Year”. It is essentially a celebration of the self-styled hacker collective. But let’s try for some actual balanced coverage here.

Sure they made a big fuss about SOPA/PIPA and they help organize protests when it’s something like the horribly useless Occupy movement. On the other hand, they cost hundreds of millions of dollars and deny ordinary citizens access to services. They also endanger lives by releasing names and addresses of at risk targets.

When they took Sony’s Playstation Network of line for months, that company’s alleged “crime” was its refusal to release the tools to hack their new PS3 console. To punish them, they hacked Sony’s database and stole the personal information of millions of members. This forced Sony offline until the Japanese government was convinced the security issue was solved. It cost the company millions in lost revenue and millions more in legal costs.

In 2011, Anonymous posted the names and addresses of members of the Bay Area Rapid Transit Police Force. This was in response to what they viewed as the wrongful shooting of a homeless man. One officer (cleared of any wrongdoing) made a judgement call so every officer on that force, and their families were put at risk of reprisals.

This is the group that Andrew Leonards article lavished such praise on. It is they who he is so happy his son supports. So let’s take a moment to realize this. These people aren’t selfless heroes keeping the digital frontier save for you and I. They are no better, and in some cases worse than those they claim to be protecting us from.

I’m not saying every member of Anonymous is a villain, but that’s the chance you take. If you want to bask in the glory of the best, you will also be tarred with the same brush as the worst. That’s the chance you take when you hide, shouting from the darkness. If you lack the confidence to publicly stand up for what you believe in, maybe you need to look at how strong that belief is.

Anonymous rails against faceless, unaccountable corporations and governments, yet they are the epitome of faceless unaccountability. It’s a little disingenuous claiming the moral high ground when you’re in the same mud as those you are looking to vilify.

These are just some of the many reasons I was so annoyed by Salon’s Anonymous love-in.

Cheers, Winston

Viva La Gun!

On By WinstonIn Global Issues, Politics, Pop Culture, Rants, Society, Uncategorized, ValuesLeave a comment

Dear Crazy NRA Spokesperson. Rather than placing armed guards in every school in the country, I’ve come up with an even better plan. At first glance, it might seem “a little out there”, but once you think it over in sure you’ll like it.

Why don’t we just arm the students. Paying police, or hiring and training armed security for all those schools would be cost prohibitive. Let’s cut out the middleman and put the guns where they belong.

There’s no reason these kids shouldn’t be learning how to defend themselves. Judging by some of the youth-oriented shooting competitions, it’s never too early to start training them.

I realize that some bleeding-heart liberal types are going to whine and complain… let ’em. It’s their ultra-violent video games and movies that have laid the foundation for this.

Violent media have already turned them into killers in waiting, why let all that potential go to waste? I mean really small caliber handguns are tailor made for young hands. Let the junior killers sort out the senior ones.

We save a ton of money on security. We get more guns into schools, and we make a boatload of cash for gun manufacturers and retailers. Seems like a sweet deal to me.

So Wayne… Let me know what you think. I figure this plan may just be psychotically delusional enough to appeal to you. It may be a tad whimsical and cheery for you, but we can work out the details.

Viva La Gun!

Cheers, Winston