I don't watch much TV. In fact the cable isn't even connected in my dorm room right now. However there are some really interesting shows on right now that I've been watching through the internet and Netflix. And I'm quite excited.
My newest interest is Glee. It's a high school show, sure, but it delves into some deeper issues such as the how to obtain happiness, recognition of achievement, and self-esteem. And yet it remains lighthearted and funny. Each character has a rich personality and their own struggles. And I just love when they burst into song. The musical-loving dork inside of me rejoices. The show several episodes into it's first season, but you can catch up on Hulu. The show is on Fox every Wednesday night.
I'm really excited about the second season of Dollhouse, Joss Whedon's latest project. It was nearly canceled after some low ratings last season, but luckily Fox brought it back. Hopefully it will garner some more followers this season. Like it delves into some philosophical issues, much deeper than most shows. Questions such as: What makes up a person? What's ethical in terms of selling parts or all of one's body? Can you really erase a person completely? Is moral to ease suffering by wiping memory? What's right and wrong when it comes to giving people abilities? What is real? It's truly great science fiction because one imagined leap in technology opens up a whole slew of questions that build upon one another. It's fascinating. Also the writing is superb. I'm constantly surprised by the plot twists, and everything is still cohesive. Season one is available on DVD. Season two is on Fox now on Friday nights and is also on Hulu.
I've been watching True Blood, flip flopping between seasons one and two, through Netflix and HBO. After the melodramatic Twilight craze, it's a comedic relief to see a vampire story set in the deep south. The show isn't always edgy and super serious, which I think makes it stand out from other vampire dramas. I hope to read the novels soon. The show touches on the idea of individual rights as the vampires, who have recently "come out of the coffin", fight for voting and marriage rights. It's interesting to draw parallels between the vampires' fight for rights and other campaigns such as gay, black, and women's rights. Religion also plays a significant role in the show, becoming militant towards vampires. Season one is on DVD and season two will be in a few months I expect.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Jesus Freaks
*Sigh* It happens every semester. A crazy evangelist or two stand outside the university center where virtually every students passes by on the way to class, lunch, their dorms, whatever. They wear day-glo shirts and shout the word of God. They condemn passing students of being sinners for not living up to God's decree.
They are clearly off their rocker.
And yet every time they come, students respond to it. They argue and yell back. They say things like "Don't judge!" or "That's not what God said!" or even "Fuck You!". The last one is a particular favorite of most kids. Some people actually try to reason one on one with men, discussing the finer points of religion and what the Bible actually says. Eventually a crowd forms and things escalate (or disintegrates) into a mass of angry yelling people, shaking their fists and blocking my way to the cafeteria.
It's ridiculous. It's happened once before and I'm sure t will continue to happen many times while I'm here at Western. What I don't understand is why kids give these guys the time of day. They obviously preach insanity. They condemn students for lusting, homosexuality, girls for "dressing immodestly", doubting the word of God, and otherwise being sinful every day. To me, it's not worth trying to refute any of it because it's so out in left field and they rely on faith rather than reason. Also, I don't buy into religion or it's package deal ethics. But other people do, even if it's not to the extent that these evangelists do. And that's why this craziness always breaks out every year. Many of the students accept at least at a basic level that there is a God. The rest is just semantics. But all of it is irrational. There is no rational explanation for any religion. It all has to be bought on faith, which is a wishy-washy system to build beliefs on. The whole exchange between preacher and students is just a back and forth of nonsensical garbage. What's the point? Nothing is gained. Everyone gets all worked up for nothing.
This is my last time shooting the event. I covered it last year because it was the first time I saw something like that happen on campus. I covered it this time because the preachers (rudely) interrupted an event that was already going on. Next time, I will not shoot it. Such an irrational exchange doesn't deserve news coverage.
They are clearly off their rocker.
And yet every time they come, students respond to it. They argue and yell back. They say things like "Don't judge!" or "That's not what God said!" or even "Fuck You!". The last one is a particular favorite of most kids. Some people actually try to reason one on one with men, discussing the finer points of religion and what the Bible actually says. Eventually a crowd forms and things escalate (or disintegrates) into a mass of angry yelling people, shaking their fists and blocking my way to the cafeteria.
It's ridiculous. It's happened once before and I'm sure t will continue to happen many times while I'm here at Western. What I don't understand is why kids give these guys the time of day. They obviously preach insanity. They condemn students for lusting, homosexuality, girls for "dressing immodestly", doubting the word of God, and otherwise being sinful every day. To me, it's not worth trying to refute any of it because it's so out in left field and they rely on faith rather than reason. Also, I don't buy into religion or it's package deal ethics. But other people do, even if it's not to the extent that these evangelists do. And that's why this craziness always breaks out every year. Many of the students accept at least at a basic level that there is a God. The rest is just semantics. But all of it is irrational. There is no rational explanation for any religion. It all has to be bought on faith, which is a wishy-washy system to build beliefs on. The whole exchange between preacher and students is just a back and forth of nonsensical garbage. What's the point? Nothing is gained. Everyone gets all worked up for nothing.
This is my last time shooting the event. I covered it last year because it was the first time I saw something like that happen on campus. I covered it this time because the preachers (rudely) interrupted an event that was already going on. Next time, I will not shoot it. Such an irrational exchange doesn't deserve news coverage.
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