As the vote on the European Reform Treaty approaches, both sides of the debate are increasing their canvassing campaign.
Most notably, the volume of posters to be found throughout the capital city has risen exponentially. While these posters mostly deal with the expected issues of an economic and environmental nature, there is a specific one that stands out. Apparently, should the treaty be accepted, we will be insulting the memory of those who "died for (our) freedom".
This is absolute rubbish. While one may mount an argument that our freedom was bought with blood, this is irrelevant to the referendum. The fact is, we have a free country and a democratic populace that has a right to vote in any way they choose. Do these groups honestly believe that the ghosts of past leaders will haunt us for exercising the same democratic rights that they fought for?
These scare tactics are a despicable attempt by liars and manipulators to take advantage of our national pride. If past fighters for sovereignty would have any problem with this referendum, I am positive it would be regarding this underhanded and downright appalling campaign strategy.
These issues will not affect my vote. They will, however, make me far more wary of people who are so willing to dupe and deceive the population.
-The English Student
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Aeon Flux: Ether Drift Theory
Society innately believes its' ideals to be correct and exportable. Often, this is totally unjustified.
Trevor Goodchild's "petri-dish" of a civilisation becomes breached by exterior forces. The result of which is the utter destruction of all the life and achievements of this population. A haunting echo with past colonisation creeps forward from this catastrophe.
Monetarily and militiraily, powerful societies have had a tendency to forcefully export their own institutions, religion and attitudes. As Robinson Crusoe violated the untainted island, world leaders have enforeced their beliefs on virgin soil. This of course, is always implemented to the advantage of the originating country and government.
While "colonisation" is usually associated with the Age of Exploration, few things have changed since the fifteenth century. The Cold War opponents of the United States and Russia created puppet states to further their own ideals. In more recent times, the wars engulfing the middle east seem like an attempt by western forces to derail alternative world views. If such a perception of reality was truly "correct", people would naturally accept it, thereby negating this reason for war.
As Trevor's "perfectly balanced eco-system" crumbles into oblivion, we the sole survivors are left to consider the adverse effects of colonial attitudes.
-The English Student
Trevor Goodchild's "petri-dish" of a civilisation becomes breached by exterior forces. The result of which is the utter destruction of all the life and achievements of this population. A haunting echo with past colonisation creeps forward from this catastrophe.
Monetarily and militiraily, powerful societies have had a tendency to forcefully export their own institutions, religion and attitudes. As Robinson Crusoe violated the untainted island, world leaders have enforeced their beliefs on virgin soil. This of course, is always implemented to the advantage of the originating country and government.
While "colonisation" is usually associated with the Age of Exploration, few things have changed since the fifteenth century. The Cold War opponents of the United States and Russia created puppet states to further their own ideals. In more recent times, the wars engulfing the middle east seem like an attempt by western forces to derail alternative world views. If such a perception of reality was truly "correct", people would naturally accept it, thereby negating this reason for war.
As Trevor's "perfectly balanced eco-system" crumbles into oblivion, we the sole survivors are left to consider the adverse effects of colonial attitudes.
-The English Student
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Nine Inch Nails: The Slip
Nine Inch Nails released their newest album, The Slip this week and once again we are given a chance to engage with Trent Reznor's wonderfully twisted mind.
This album was not released in a traditional manner. On May fifth, Reznor posted a blog entry on the Nine Inch Nails website with the message that the new album is finished and that "this one's on" him. Following a quick registration, fans are capable of downloading the entire album in various format including the high quality .OGG and .FLAC file types along with the more mainstream (but still high quality) .MP3 format. This marks a change for the band whose work has increasingly appeared online for download, but never for free.
Of course, one can naturally make the argument "you get what you pay for" and assume that this album is not being sold simply because it is not of commercial quality. However, this delusion quickly falls away upon first listening to The Slip. Reznor retains the original hard rock industrial sound that has been found on all Nine Inch Nails work and once again creates a wonderful album. From the charging dark beginning of "1,000,000" to the thrilling evil of "Head Down", Reznor gives us an album full of bleak macabre art.
Of course, this album is far from perfect. There is a drop off in quality between the two highlights of the album, "Lights in the Sky" and "Demon Seed", wherein we are given an extended instrumental track. This is not so much a bad song as a wasted opportunity. However, the main criticism that could be leveled at this, the seventh Nine Inch Nails album, is in relation to originality. Reznor has not moved far from his comfortable genre in this new work. Yet when one looks at the actual quality of this production, coupled with the maturing songwriting and vocal skills of Reznor, we quickly find that while this album is not entirely original, it is almost certainly the best example of what Nine Inch Nails are renowned for.
Overall, The Slip relies on the heavily used canvas of former Nine Inch Nails material. However, the brilliance of this particular iteration highlights the true nature of Trent Reznor - an artistic genius.
-The English Student
This album was not released in a traditional manner. On May fifth, Reznor posted a blog entry on the Nine Inch Nails website with the message that the new album is finished and that "this one's on" him. Following a quick registration, fans are capable of downloading the entire album in various format including the high quality .OGG and .FLAC file types along with the more mainstream (but still high quality) .MP3 format. This marks a change for the band whose work has increasingly appeared online for download, but never for free.
Of course, one can naturally make the argument "you get what you pay for" and assume that this album is not being sold simply because it is not of commercial quality. However, this delusion quickly falls away upon first listening to The Slip. Reznor retains the original hard rock industrial sound that has been found on all Nine Inch Nails work and once again creates a wonderful album. From the charging dark beginning of "1,000,000" to the thrilling evil of "Head Down", Reznor gives us an album full of bleak macabre art.
Of course, this album is far from perfect. There is a drop off in quality between the two highlights of the album, "Lights in the Sky" and "Demon Seed", wherein we are given an extended instrumental track. This is not so much a bad song as a wasted opportunity. However, the main criticism that could be leveled at this, the seventh Nine Inch Nails album, is in relation to originality. Reznor has not moved far from his comfortable genre in this new work. Yet when one looks at the actual quality of this production, coupled with the maturing songwriting and vocal skills of Reznor, we quickly find that while this album is not entirely original, it is almost certainly the best example of what Nine Inch Nails are renowned for.
Overall, The Slip relies on the heavily used canvas of former Nine Inch Nails material. However, the brilliance of this particular iteration highlights the true nature of Trent Reznor - an artistic genius.
-The English Student
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Audio Surf
Music is a pure medium and this simplicity should not be interfered with. Audio Surf, however, engages with music to create a unique experience.
When I have some spare time on my hands, it often occurs to me to play a shallow freeware game for some quick entertainment. Unfortunately, these games rarely satisfy me, as the game mechanic is either too simple or too complicated. In addition to this, many of these games force you to listen to their own terrible soundtracks without an option to play your own music. But at last, a game developer has found the perfect balance of these elements.
Audio Surf is an Independent Games Festival award winning program developed by Dylan Fitterer. The player chooses a music track from their hard-drive and following this, Audio Surf analyses the song and creates a racing track that corresponds to the instrumental levels of the song. As the music moves between various tempos and phrases the racing track corresponds with colour and speed changes. Overall, this creates a wonderful physical iteration of a song that the player can directly experience while engaging with an entertaining game mechanic.
This fascinating development comes at a time when both the gaming and music industry are facing particular challenges. The music industry is struggling to make profit as a result of an increasingly prolific piracy scene, while the gaming industry is becoming stagnant as a result of growing developer monopolies. I believe that innovations such as Audio Surf are the best answer to both of these problems. I would certainly consider paying for an album if the ability to use their music in Audio Surf came with the package and likewise, I will readily pay for a game that offers so much revolution.
Audio Surf has the ability to show both industries the way forward. But regardless of whether this lead is taken, the game itself is a magnificent combination of entertainment and innovation and as such, must be played.
-The English Student
When I have some spare time on my hands, it often occurs to me to play a shallow freeware game for some quick entertainment. Unfortunately, these games rarely satisfy me, as the game mechanic is either too simple or too complicated. In addition to this, many of these games force you to listen to their own terrible soundtracks without an option to play your own music. But at last, a game developer has found the perfect balance of these elements.
Audio Surf is an Independent Games Festival award winning program developed by Dylan Fitterer. The player chooses a music track from their hard-drive and following this, Audio Surf analyses the song and creates a racing track that corresponds to the instrumental levels of the song. As the music moves between various tempos and phrases the racing track corresponds with colour and speed changes. Overall, this creates a wonderful physical iteration of a song that the player can directly experience while engaging with an entertaining game mechanic.
This fascinating development comes at a time when both the gaming and music industry are facing particular challenges. The music industry is struggling to make profit as a result of an increasingly prolific piracy scene, while the gaming industry is becoming stagnant as a result of growing developer monopolies. I believe that innovations such as Audio Surf are the best answer to both of these problems. I would certainly consider paying for an album if the ability to use their music in Audio Surf came with the package and likewise, I will readily pay for a game that offers so much revolution.
Audio Surf has the ability to show both industries the way forward. But regardless of whether this lead is taken, the game itself is a magnificent combination of entertainment and innovation and as such, must be played.
-The English Student
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Snooker - Game or Sport?
With the World Championship beginning, once again the old battle of identifying snooker as a game or sport has emerged.
The label of "game" carries the negative connotations that a certain sport is trivial. This seems to be levelled at snooker for two reasons. Firstly, the lack of physical prowess and stature required for snooker seems to place it outside the realm of sport. However, the skill and intelligence required to form and carry out an intricate snooker strategy must be considered in the same vein. One may not have to train their body, but the honing of the mind required for snooker is the same process in a different sphere.
Secondly, elements of snooker have placed it as a more elitist form of entertainment. While it is true that there is a more calm and reserved atmosphere at a snooker match, this certainly does not make it any less of a sport. The level of control and decorum is indicative of the respect between players, not a heightened level of haughtiness. But this is a false image in any case, with snooker clubs across Europe allowing people to play the sport regardless of social standing.
Overall, snooker has many parallels with sporting events such as tennis and golf and yet does not suffer the frivolity of false labels. If these absurd reasons for labelling snooker as a trivial "game" are placed aside, snooker will finally be able to take its place alongside other great sporting activities. This would expand the sport and encourage greater participation and competition.
When this years contest in The Crucible comes to a close we will have a new World Snooker Champion. I do hope that they will be rightly considered among sporting legends.
-The English Student
Friday, April 18, 2008
Beijing Olympics - Boycott?
As the Beijing Olympics approach, the level of unrest and discord regarding the event has increased.
Recently, activists supporting the rights of Tibetan citizens have taken to the streets, disrupting the Olympic Relay in France and San Francisco. These people believe that the Chinese government does not have the right to keep the Tibetan region under their control. In addition to this, demonstrators have spoken out against the exiling of the current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. In response to this upheaval, Chinese citizens have called for the embargo of French goods and businesses. Consequently, many have begun to call for a boycott of the Games. I for one, support this rejection for two reasons.
The excuses of the Chinese government for Tibetan subjugation have reached ridiculous proportions. Their propaganda has included the bizarre accusation that the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been encouraging violence. I believe that a boycott of the Beijing Games would force the Chinese government to drop all deception and engage in real, worthwhile negotiations with Tibet.
Secondly, a rejection of these games would send a message in relation to media censorship in China. Should many countries decide to stay away from this year’s Olympic Games, it will be impossible for Hu Jintao to continue to isolate the Chinese state. The exterior forces of the world will be sending a clear message that their input and influence in the world is important and to separate a population from this force is downright cruel.
The Olympic motto states: "Swifter, Higher, Stronger" and it is the responsibility of the international community to ensure that these ideals are resolutely upheld.
-The English Student
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Aeon Flux: Isthmus Crypticus
Trevor blinds and clips the wings of two fantastic creatures and in doing so, highlights the barbarity of animal imprisonment.
Goodchild has captured a pair of wondrous creatures known as the Seraph Trevs. He is not the only one who takes part in this practice of entrapment. Aeon, Ilbrin and Una are all complicit to this slavery, and so is modern society.
Many intellects have championed the cause of zoological gardens. Yann Martel gives us a very reasonable viewpoint of the use of zoos as a protection for animals who would otherwise struggle in the wild. But the breach of the Ishtmus Crypticus chamber teaches us differently.
By ensnaring these animals, we deprive them of their right to live, love and even die. It is nothing but human arrogance to assert that our artificial circumstances are more beneficial than natural ones. They may have a higher chance of survival, but life without freedom is merely existence, regardless of species.
"This creature is in agony" and while the physical body may be cared for, the shackles of animal imprisonment cause more damage than nature ever could.
-The English Student
Goodchild has captured a pair of wondrous creatures known as the Seraph Trevs. He is not the only one who takes part in this practice of entrapment. Aeon, Ilbrin and Una are all complicit to this slavery, and so is modern society.
Many intellects have championed the cause of zoological gardens. Yann Martel gives us a very reasonable viewpoint of the use of zoos as a protection for animals who would otherwise struggle in the wild. But the breach of the Ishtmus Crypticus chamber teaches us differently.
By ensnaring these animals, we deprive them of their right to live, love and even die. It is nothing but human arrogance to assert that our artificial circumstances are more beneficial than natural ones. They may have a higher chance of survival, but life without freedom is merely existence, regardless of species.
"This creature is in agony" and while the physical body may be cared for, the shackles of animal imprisonment cause more damage than nature ever could.
-The English Student
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
