Remember when social community was more than Facebook and Myspace?
Ok here is my old man, rant. :) I remember when I was younger, when I asked, 'What are we doing for the community today?' The answer was something on the lines of we are going to hold workshops on the importance of civil disobedience, or we are going to attend (insert whatever group here) to learn what they are about and see if we can combine efforts to expand the local community. Now when you ask that question, the answer you may get is, 'I posted a new photo on my profile or 'I took a photo with a sign that I downloaded from some company with a meaningless slogan and posted it online to help brand that company.'
As the years have gone by, I have seen a major move away from communities. I see less and less organizing in the streets such as clothing drives, food drives for lower income families, communities holding local business accountable for their environmental impact and wage offerings, etc. I also see less and less cross issues organizing, but I have seen more and more back biting within circles that should have been working together.I have seen too many good people get beaten down by their bosses, by their co-workers, when all they wanted was to make a difference. It seems like 'profits before people' have taken a hold of mainstream thinking.
What went wrong? Where did we lose our unity, our harmony, our solidarity?
It is very important for each one of us to take the time to understand what is going on in the world. It is important to know why individuals take time to work on change -no matter what that change is and no matter how much we agree or disagree with them. (There is a reason why they are protesting) Then we must take it one-step further from understanding, we must take action on how we, as a community, can improve these actions to achieve the bigger picture goal.
I am starting a series of Psychosomatic Rants posts that will introduce you to other groups and individuals who or have in the past, worked to improve their community. I will also talk about the things that I have started or collaborated with others to help improve my local community.
To start this series off, I want to share with you three documentaries from three different 'social' groups all striving to achieve a common goal. - A better world, a better community. Their methods are all different, their lives are different, but what is important is that their goals are all the same. I hope this inspires you, as it has me, to get more active in your local community.
The first video is entitled, 'Beyond The Screams/ Mas Alla de Los Gritos: A U.S. Latino Hardcore Punk Documentary' Martin Sorrondeguy, former vocalist for Los Crudos, is the producer of this powerful and uplifting documentary about the U.S. Latino punk scene and the DIY movement.
No video? Get the DivX Web Player for Windows or Mac
The Second video is 'McLibel'.
McLibel is the story of two ordinary people who humiliated McDonald's in the biggest corporate PR disaster in history. McDonald's loved using the UK libel laws to suppress criticism. Major media organisations like the BBC and The Guardian crumbled and apologised. But then they sued gardener Helen Steel and postman Dave Morris. In the longest trial in English legal history, the "McLibel Two" represented themselves against McDonald's 10 million legal team. Every aspect of the corporation's business was cross-examined: from junk food and McJobs, to animal cruelty, environmental damage and advertising to children. Outside the courtroom, Dave brought up his young son alone and Helen supported herself working nights in a bar. McDonald's tried every trick in the book against them. Legal manoeuvres. A visit from Ronald McDonald. Top executives flying to London for secret settlement negotiations. Even spies. Seven years later, in February 2005, the marathon legal battle finally concluded at the European Court of Human Rights. And the result took everyone by surprise - especially the British Government. McLibel is not just about hamburgers. It is about the importance of freedom of speech now that multinational corporations are more powerful than countries. Filmed over ten years by no-budget Director Franny Armstrong, McLibel is the David and Goliath story of two people who refused to say sorry. And in doing so, changed the world.
No video? Get the DivX Web Player for Windows or Mac
The third film is called, 'There is No Authority But Yourself.'
There is No Authority But Yourself is a Dutch film directed by Alexander Oey documenting the history of anarchist punk band Crass. The anarchist punk band Crass was very different from their contemporaries. The Sex Pistols and The Clash sold their souls to big record labels, whereas Crass stayed true to their anti-corporate ideals. Crass still exists today as a commune just outside of London named 'Dial House'- a safe haven for those individuals of principle who still live by the old punk slogan 'Do it yourself'
No video? Get the DivX Web Player for Windows or Mac
Bill Maher has a new documentary coming out in October, called, 'RELIGULOUS'
Here is the trailer:
Here is the synopsis.
The documentary RELIGULOUS follows political humorist and author Bill Maher ("Real Time With Bill Maher," "Politically Incorrect") as he travels around the globe interviewing people about God and religion. Known for his astute analytical skills, irreverent wit and commitment to never pulling a punch, Maher brings his characteristic honesty to an unusual spiritual journey. Directed by Larry Charles (BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"), RELIGULOUS will mark Charles' first feature project since the critically acclaimed, wildly successful BORAT. Jonah Smith and Palmer West of Thousand Words (A SCANNER DARKLY, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM) and Bill Maher are producing.
Here is a review from a The Lang Report who saw a advanced screening.
Ok, having a blog opens you up to some of the strangest emails. For example, I got an email yesterday saying the 'TOP 10 THINGS NOT TO DO TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL BLOG'- Sadly, the number one thing listed was not 'opening this email'It said, in this email, 'DO NOT WRITE ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE -No one wants to hear about your personal life. Then it continued to go on about how people will not visit your site if you write about your daily activities.
So in defiance of the people who think you cannot have readers who enjoy your 'personal' blog - here is my blog on all things that happend yesterday. (ok, not all things)
(Insert epic style movie music for the opening)
I need to start this post telling you a story about what happened to me yesterday. (insert flash back music)
I was walking home from 7-11. I decided to attempt to walk behind an apartment building so I could cut across and get back faster. To my surprise, there was a huge dump truck/trash truck on the sidewalk creeping towards the street; the truck was a good 20-25 feet away from the road. So I started crossing the street in front of the truck (remember the truck is still on the sidewalk) and the driver leaned out his window and yelled, 'get off the street!" -
WTF? I stopped and thought to myself, 'this has to be one of the most awesomeness moments of the day'. I mean, come on, when are you ever yelled out for being in the opposite role of what we are told to be in. (Don't answer that) True, I was in the middle of the street and we all know that cars, trucks, vans and even trash trucks belong on the street. The root of the problem was not me standing in the street but being yelled at by a guy in a trash truck who was driving on THE SIDEWAY!Has anarchy taken over this world!!
So after a few seconds of that thought process I looked at the truck driver, smiled and yelled, "GET OFF THE SIDEWALK!'Then we both went on our happy little ways both enlightened by this experience. (Well, maybe not)
Then after I got home from my 7-11 visit, I sat down in front of my computer planning to find the ultimate knowledge to become the smartest person in the world. (That is what the internet promises, sure all you find is porn and personal blogs like this one but one day, one day....) Anyway, I chat with Mylie sometimes through instant messenger while she is at work. We talk about the normal things; here is an example of a conversation that I copy/paste from yesterday.
(Insert flashback fade)
No, wrong type of fade - anyway --- here is the conversation.
[17:42] mylie: i am goign to appear offline for IM so i can get stuff done [17:42] mylie: but if you need me, i am still 'on' [17:42] mylie: so just IM [17:42] jason: i am going to appear in drag on CBS's 60 Minutes [17:43] mylie: what?
(silence)
So that was my day yesterday and I hope I still have readers. One thing is for sure - I have updated the Zombie Popcorn Photo Gallery
Wow, I got a phone call last night from my brother saying, "Hey you are on Comedy Central!" I laughed and played it off as if he was joking and he said, 'Really they just showed you on Lewis Black's Root of All Evil
So I got online and sure enough - there I was (in the video posted above)- fun times. Not to mention I like Lewis Black so this is totally awesome!.
Recent Comments