Article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jun/12/radiohead-death-music-business
Radiohead’s release of their 7th album In Rainbows in 2007 proves that the music business is dead, according to the writer of the article. Free of their major label, Radiohead announced their new album ten days before its release and let the fans decide what they wanted to pay for it on their website, successfully eliminating every party involved between the band and their listeners, which resulted in the money being transferred to the band directly. They also gave the fans an option to order a 40 pound deluxe boxset. The period of ten days was too short to cause any leaked material, and this resulted in fans being eager for the actual release of the music, not for any leaked material. This is proof that the music industry has been dead for a long time, because the release date of the album was finally about the music, not about being able to get the music for free.
Opinion:
I was intrigued by Radiohead’s move to release their album in their own way back in 2007, and downloaded the album for 2 Euro. I, too, was actually very excited about the music, and the way Radiohead decided to offer their music to their fans appealed to me. I do have to say I have a huge weakness for these kind of things, being a music fanatic and romantic. Although I have downloaded the majority of my music library, I try to buy as much music legally as I can, as a support for the artists I love. I can be found often in the local record store, discussing music with other music lovers, and I notice these people are usually older, having lived in the time there was no such thing as illegal downloading of music. Radiohead’s move has pulled attention away from the downloading problem, back to music and maybe a solution to this problem leaving more attention for music, which should always be, the main topic of discussing when discussing the music industry.
dinsdag 21 juni 2011
The 'Shrek virus'? Have pity for the pretty
Article
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/20/shrek-virus-beautiful-people
Due to a software malfunction called 'Shrek', an dating website only for pretty people (The Beautiful People), was suddenly open for ugly people to apply. Normally, all applicants were judged by a jury of people who were already a member of this site to see whether the new applicants were pretty enough. The writer of this article stated that she 'pitied the members of this site, perfect people looking for other pretty people to mate with, thus placing themselves in their own narcist cage. The writer is convinced that the virus was a stunt, and aimed to pop the bubble these ‘beautiful people’ live in.
Opinion
I laughed out loud while reading this article, I thought it was absolutely hilarious. It strongly reminded me of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel American Psycho, where the handsome, successful protagonist goes so mad in his bubble of perfection, due to the fact that after a while nothing is beautiful, perfect or successful enough anymore (except for his hero, Donald Trump), he goes crazy and starts killing the ‘less successful’ in a very morbid way. The actual fact that there is a dating-site for beautiful people only, is more than enough reason to pity them, since you would think that pretty human beings wouldn’t have any trouble finding a life partner, except for almost impossible standards.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/20/shrek-virus-beautiful-people
Due to a software malfunction called 'Shrek', an dating website only for pretty people (The Beautiful People), was suddenly open for ugly people to apply. Normally, all applicants were judged by a jury of people who were already a member of this site to see whether the new applicants were pretty enough. The writer of this article stated that she 'pitied the members of this site, perfect people looking for other pretty people to mate with, thus placing themselves in their own narcist cage. The writer is convinced that the virus was a stunt, and aimed to pop the bubble these ‘beautiful people’ live in.
Opinion
I laughed out loud while reading this article, I thought it was absolutely hilarious. It strongly reminded me of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel American Psycho, where the handsome, successful protagonist goes so mad in his bubble of perfection, due to the fact that after a while nothing is beautiful, perfect or successful enough anymore (except for his hero, Donald Trump), he goes crazy and starts killing the ‘less successful’ in a very morbid way. The actual fact that there is a dating-site for beautiful people only, is more than enough reason to pity them, since you would think that pretty human beings wouldn’t have any trouble finding a life partner, except for almost impossible standards.
BBC to dramatise unholy row over Monty Python's Life of Brian
Article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jun/21/bbc-monty-python-life-of-brian
The famous Monty Python film the Life Of Brian, was heavily criticised upon release by various religious sources. According to them, the film was mocking Christ, and was subsequently banned from a variety of countries, like Ireland.
The new BBC4 movie Holy Flying Circus, is a film based on the struggles the Monty Python cast had back in 1979, when Life of Brian was released. It will explore the struggle of freedom of speech and religious beliefs. The original Monty Python cast will be portrayed by actors. None of the original Monty Python actors will perform in the film, but they were all notified, and asked for commentary.
Opinion:
I’m actually very interested in the film, and I definitely want to see it. I have seen Life of Brian, and could imagine why religious instances would find that their Messiah was ridiculed. On the other hand, I do not see why this film should be banned from any country, since the movie is so over-the-top, that it (at least, I couldn’t) really take it seriously as an ‘attack’ on religion, more as ridiculing the story of the Bible, just for good fun.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jun/21/bbc-monty-python-life-of-brian
The famous Monty Python film the Life Of Brian, was heavily criticised upon release by various religious sources. According to them, the film was mocking Christ, and was subsequently banned from a variety of countries, like Ireland.
The new BBC4 movie Holy Flying Circus, is a film based on the struggles the Monty Python cast had back in 1979, when Life of Brian was released. It will explore the struggle of freedom of speech and religious beliefs. The original Monty Python cast will be portrayed by actors. None of the original Monty Python actors will perform in the film, but they were all notified, and asked for commentary.
Opinion:
I’m actually very interested in the film, and I definitely want to see it. I have seen Life of Brian, and could imagine why religious instances would find that their Messiah was ridiculed. On the other hand, I do not see why this film should be banned from any country, since the movie is so over-the-top, that it (at least, I couldn’t) really take it seriously as an ‘attack’ on religion, more as ridiculing the story of the Bible, just for good fun.
Short Strand: Two men shot during east Belfast riots
During an east Belfast riot between the nationalists and royalists two men got hit by gunshots. A reverend on the scene stated that this was the most extreme riot he has seen in Belfast in ten years. Who started the riot is unclear, but it was stated that the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force) started the riot, which was denied by member of the force, calling the statement disgraceful. Police officers were injured during the riot, on had to go to a hospital because of eye injury, which was inflicted because of the laser pens the crowd used against the police.
Opinion
I don't know exactly why, but I was under the impression that the ongoing battles in Northern Ireland had ceased. While reading the article, I wasn't under the impression that the riots were anything except under control, noting that police officers were injured during these riots. The exact reason for this riot is unclear to me, so I'm just suspecting that it's the same reason as usual. I'm not an expert on the subject, but isn't it about time that these kind of religion clashes (especially in western society) became a part of the past?
Opinion
I don't know exactly why, but I was under the impression that the ongoing battles in Northern Ireland had ceased. While reading the article, I wasn't under the impression that the riots were anything except under control, noting that police officers were injured during these riots. The exact reason for this riot is unclear to me, so I'm just suspecting that it's the same reason as usual. I'm not an expert on the subject, but isn't it about time that these kind of religion clashes (especially in western society) became a part of the past?
zaterdag 18 juni 2011
St Gregory's college cornrows rule discriminated
Article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13803106
A London school refused a place to a boy 13-year-old boy because of his hairstyle, which were cornrows (braided hair, close to the scalp). The school stated this was due to its uniform policy, which also related to hair styles. ‘G’, as the boy is mentioned, stated that his hairstyle was a genuine family tradition, based on his families’ culture. The judge ruled that the hair policy on itself wasn’t unlawful, but only if it was applied without the possibility of exeption. The school was disappointed, and stated that it was proud of its ethnic and cultural diversity. The boy has no desire any more for placement at the school.
Opinion
I found this a very interesting article, especially when I realised that English school policies also include school uniforms, but didn’t know that some of the schools also have hairdo-policies. Although I am in favour of school uniforms to stress that people shouldn’t be judged on the clothes they wear (since a lot of teenagers are very focused on certain brands, and the price of clothing, which could result in a hierarchy based on the price on students’ clothes, which is a form of discrimination based on how much money a person has, which a school and its teachers should prevent at all time), but teenagers should still be able to show their individuality one way or another, because most teenagers are focused on developing their selves to become unique individuals.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13803106
A London school refused a place to a boy 13-year-old boy because of his hairstyle, which were cornrows (braided hair, close to the scalp). The school stated this was due to its uniform policy, which also related to hair styles. ‘G’, as the boy is mentioned, stated that his hairstyle was a genuine family tradition, based on his families’ culture. The judge ruled that the hair policy on itself wasn’t unlawful, but only if it was applied without the possibility of exeption. The school was disappointed, and stated that it was proud of its ethnic and cultural diversity. The boy has no desire any more for placement at the school.
Opinion
I found this a very interesting article, especially when I realised that English school policies also include school uniforms, but didn’t know that some of the schools also have hairdo-policies. Although I am in favour of school uniforms to stress that people shouldn’t be judged on the clothes they wear (since a lot of teenagers are very focused on certain brands, and the price of clothing, which could result in a hierarchy based on the price on students’ clothes, which is a form of discrimination based on how much money a person has, which a school and its teachers should prevent at all time), but teenagers should still be able to show their individuality one way or another, because most teenagers are focused on developing their selves to become unique individuals.
Hanwell, Northfields, Northolt and Perivale library buildings 'stay open'
Article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13811581
The future of four West-London libraries was doubted due to the government’s cuts, but all four of them are staying after a 1,500 vote petition. Carolyn Brown, who has been one of the most prominent participants of the campaign to save the libraries, claims that particularly children will benefit from the facilities staying available. She says that youngsters should ‘grow up with books to build an early passion for reading, in order to maximalise their life chances’. She also stated that the libraries have a large social functionality, for the local elderly and those without internet-access at home.
Opinion
This article could be in any newspaper from any western country, but I picked it because I suspect that the closing of libraries is going to become a more often seen phenomenon in richer societies. Everything digital, and especially the internet is taking over from older forms of media, whether if they’re books, music, or movies. And it’s especially books I’m concerned about. I think that Carolyn Brown is right, and that kids should be brought in touch with books as young as possible. And since not everyone has the resources to buy their kids books, the library is an ideal institute to make reading available to anyone. I also have the very strong opinion that education should be mainly done from books, and that the influence of digital media should be included, but definitly not the main focus.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13811581
The future of four West-London libraries was doubted due to the government’s cuts, but all four of them are staying after a 1,500 vote petition. Carolyn Brown, who has been one of the most prominent participants of the campaign to save the libraries, claims that particularly children will benefit from the facilities staying available. She says that youngsters should ‘grow up with books to build an early passion for reading, in order to maximalise their life chances’. She also stated that the libraries have a large social functionality, for the local elderly and those without internet-access at home.
Opinion
This article could be in any newspaper from any western country, but I picked it because I suspect that the closing of libraries is going to become a more often seen phenomenon in richer societies. Everything digital, and especially the internet is taking over from older forms of media, whether if they’re books, music, or movies. And it’s especially books I’m concerned about. I think that Carolyn Brown is right, and that kids should be brought in touch with books as young as possible. And since not everyone has the resources to buy their kids books, the library is an ideal institute to make reading available to anyone. I also have the very strong opinion that education should be mainly done from books, and that the influence of digital media should be included, but definitly not the main focus.
Abonneren op:
Posts (Atom)