Self-Righteous and Lazy

Call me judgmental, but some people have this innate annoyance that really ticks me off. I can break it down to three different types of people that I can't handle:


1. Self-Righteous nuts. Sanctimonious, pompous, smug: choose your poison. People that are so full of themselves and their ideas that they can't see any other way can dampen my day, any day. I mean really, do you have to act better than everyone else? We are all people, and usually (especially at school) your "claims" to fame are limited to social standing or inflated dreams of greatness. I find it rude when people like this put themselves on a pedestal, belittling the people that are "below" them. Especially bible thumpers. I mean, if you're actually good at something go ahead, be proud of your achievement but don't shove it down every one's throats and develop a bloated head. Tools, I'm talking to you too. On a side note (but not unrelated), I don't like socks with sandals or Timbs. They don't look good, and if you're cold wear shoes, not socks under sandals. That's why we have shoes!


2. Lazy leeches: Couch Potato Joe, now I'm talking to you. Taxpayers gave you 12 years of school so you could join the workforce! What a great gift! Now use it. Why would you want to live with mom anyway? I completely understand if you are looking but can't find a job, that is a different story entirely, but honestly if you aren't being proactive about your prospects in life what is the point? Plus, you are taking my tax dollars for social programs that others need and you don't deserve. This is especially applicable in school. We all know the kids that just slide by, don't challenge themselves, don't dream. They just develop into leeches on society when they grow up.


3. Smokers: Enough said. It is nasty, smells bad, and breaks your wallet. Honestly what's the point besides polluting my oxygen? 

Consent in an "Open Society"

The title of the movie says it all. Manufacturing consent. This biographical look at Noam Chomsky's work on the media carries a message behind it, the message of media control in our lives.

In today's fast paced, information filled world, I agree with Chomsky in regards to the control of the media by an elite few. In this film, the big news companies are controlled by corporate entities and the large news companies indirectly control little news companies. Just look in the Star Tribune, all of the national stories are supplied by the AP, The New York Times, or another large news company. Chomsky's claim that these news sources are controlled by GE and other large corporation has been suggested by numerous people, and not without good reason. Why would a technology focused company like GE want to own NBC? I can see the profit motive but I don't really think it is GE's business to be in.

The information found in:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvodhsMc2QM&feature=player_embedded#at=50

 show the political aspects behind controlling media and also how the media distorts information. Justin Lewis in the video explains the media closely with Chomsky. He claims that government does not listen to the people, not unlike Chomsky who says that it is the government that tells us what to do, not the other way around. I can agree with this, as it always seems to me that politicians are trying to further their goals, not their constitutes. I also agree with Chomsky's idea that media that presents government in a negative light will be given less favorable information by the government. Therefore, I suppose media outlets like the New York Times can stretch information like the massacre in Cambodia.

However, I do not believe that government is out to suppress information and to manufacture consent. Maybe I am too naive, or simply have too much faith in our government but I think that news is separate of the government. They are private companies, and since there is no overarching control over the many different media outlets, if there were discrepancies in information, people would know. It is in media outlets best interest to give factual, true information. That is what drives profit, reliability. In a society where we can see real news happening, for example in the summer when the Iranians posted Twitter updates to share news, it is impossible for the government to control information, and therefore manufacture consent. Yes, there can be certain coverups but not on the scale of what happened in Cambodia, not now in the 21st Century. Chomsky's ideas may have been valid when this sporadic film was made but I believe they no longer hold true.

Simulation: Life

Hi, my name is Danny Dvorak and I am addicted to Sims. Yes, I do mean the computer game, and yes I know it is a problem. My annoying...habit started sometime around 4th grade and as with all addictions it slowly began to take over my life. I would neglect simple household chores so my Sims could clean their toilet or recycle their newspaper. Yells from my mom would be answered with the almost programmed "yeah one minute!" That was stage one. My problem progressed when a large portion of my disposable income was allotted to the purchase of Sims games, over $200 on Sims 1 alone. The expansion packs were calling. Then lo and behold, Sims 2 was introduced into my life. Not only was it more realistic than the first, but it allowed me a plethora of new options to play with. My expenditures increased as did my time in front of the computer screen. There was a new world for me to live vicariously through, so I should enjoy it, right? That was stage two. But the addiction persisted. I was conniving and I convinced my dad that I needed my own computer so I could have a faster experience, and I sneakily added that he wouldn't have to wait for my game to save on our archaic computer. Well I won, so my prospects of being a lawyer looked bright. If only I could be more proactive with my time. That was stage 3.

High school came and thankfully my time in front of the computer diminished as my workload increased. With the start of freshman year I had begun my road to recovery. Maybe it was maturity, or maybe prioritizing that led me to cut down on my screen time. Or maybe it was losing my files, one of the three. In the end I believe it was a combination, coupled with the realization that I should live my life, not a computer character's. The relationships you develop by experiencing life are more important that the amount of money your Sims accrue. I realized that life was more important than any silly game. I never fell in love with Xbox or video games; I just had this one guilty pleasure. It is still fun to play from time to time, but it is no longer a lifestyle for me. As of today I have been "sober" since August, and I'm as happy as can be!