Chapter: (࿖) or (࿕)

This has probably been thought of before and maybe I have casually come across it, but never really processed it's meaning, but I think I just had an epiphany. Or revelation. I don't know. But here goes.

Why do we cling so strongly to definitions we have of certain things? Or why do we commit to certain interpretations. Then again we don't, because we wouldn't have interpretations in that case, but rather just one explanation. Hm. My point is, why must one symbol mean something and only something in that general realm of reason. Everything that is has the potential to be dynamic. It's happened before. The Swastika for example, has been used in many ancient civilizations. In Indian religions it is a tantric symbol used to evoke "shakti" the sacred symbol for good luck. At the same time it's a Chinese character used in East Asia representing eternity and Bhuddism. In that case, we associate it to be something good. The right facing counter clockwise version of the Swastika (࿕). Then we have the left facing counter clockwise adaptation (࿖) that's linked to the Nazi Party of Germany in the 1920's whom adopted it as their symbol. And hence the Swastika became thoroughly correlated to Nazism and white supremacism. So now we see anything similar to the fashion of that symbol and we think evil, Nazi, Holocaust, bad. So my question is why do we cling to that? Is it because our minds have become conditioned to that connection because it's more relevant and recent? Maybe. Does that mean we'll always relate it to that? That's where I'm standing. Is it because of it's history? Perhaps.

This whole little rush of thoughts came to me because I was looking at an upside down triangle and found myself involuntarily relating it to something impure. Not sure where I ever got that idea. So I questioned myself "Why am I associating it to something vaguely bad when I can create my own interpretation?" I can say I painted this piece of an upside down triangle because to me it means I'm a tiny spec in comparison to the immensity of the universe, but when I look up, the universe looks back at me and it's as if that's all that exists for that moment. The focus and connection between me and the vastness of all that is above. Does that shed new light?

(I did research and found it was used in WWII by Nazi's to identify gays. Frankly, I'm not surprised it's linked to that era. That's when they considered it to be related to something "bad" that's outdated now though. I hope we can all agree on that.)

I'm not saying let's bring back the Swastika as the new peace sign, just using it as an example. Maybe this is an obvious realization, but oh well. I didn't realize it till now.

Chapter: Lazy Bums

(When I publish long posts, my blog likes to spontaneously change the fonts on me. It has a mind of it's own. Don't mind the font variations.)

People are always so appalled by what they see going on in the world. For example, the crisis going on in Northern Uganda with the rebel Lord's Resistance Army. It has been going on since 1986, and has caused widespread insecurity and humanitarian catastrophes in northern Uganda and the neighboring countries of South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Central African Republic. It's known as the Invisible War. Children are being ripped from their homes, and forced to become child soldiers. Nine-year old boys are given guns, to defend a rebel army, by force. We read this and see pictures and just think, oh what a shame that those types of things are happening in the world, I wish I could do something about it. For many of us, that's where the thought ends. I wish.

People are intimidated by the issues going on in the world, so much that it pushes them into a hole where they believe that they alone cannot do anything about it. Thinking things like, I can't get involved in something like that, it's too complicated. If that were the mindset of everyone in the world, since the beginning of ever, where would we be? I'd rather not imagine it.

"In the spring of 2003, three young filmmakers traveled to Africa in search of a story. What started out as a filmmaking adventure transformed into much more when these boys from Southern California discovered a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them, a tragedy where children are both the weapons and the victims.

After returning to the States, they created the documentary "Invisible Children: Rough Cut," a film that exposes the tragic realities of northern Uganda.s night commuters and child soldiers.

The film was originally shown to friends and family, but has now been seen by millions of people. The overwhelming response has been, "How can I help?" To answer this question, the non-profit Invisible Children, Inc. was created, giving compassionate individuals an effective way to respond to the situation."

These boys were influenced by what they encountered, and motivated by the situation enough to actually to do something. The step many of us cut short at. Their care and their drive to help allowed them to establish this non-profit organization that has grown tremendously in the past seven years and has already helped the suffering countries. Isn't that…awesome?

On that note, if you know of an issue that really bothers you when you hear about it, or that your really passionate about, or if your classrooms are really cold and you wish you could get a regulated heating system seeing that you're paying 45K to be there, say something. It takes one voice to say something, and all ears will listen. Then you actually have to put some effort, but hey! It's rewarding.

Someone once said that you can't change the world, but you can change yourself. In changing the world, your changing people one by one. So by changing yourself, you've already started to change the world. Confusing, but it makes sense. =D

So get out there and do something! (That's motivating)

To learn more about Invisible Children and the Invisible War, click here.

Chapter: MTV

MTV, it began broadcasting August 1, 1981. It's initial purpose was to play music videos that were guided by on-air hosts called VJs. (Interesting name.) It was devoted entirely to music, something like a mainstream where fans could listen to their favorite music, watch interviews of recording artists and even hear what other fans thought of the music. But, now nearing 3 decades of being on-air, MTV has evolved into a pop culture & reality TV bowl of turd. Even the logo has been changed. They dropped "Music Television" completely and the M even appears to be shorter. Tina Exarhos, a spokesperson for MTV's marketing team, explained the change to "The New York Daily News": "If you watch the channel, you've seen that it's definitely going in a new direction. We really wanted to see the logo featured in a new way, and this was really meant to be able to house all the great things that are happening at MTV at any given time." Sigh. I'm losing my MTV.

I mean, it's still great and all, and it still shows music and stuff, but "Teen Mom"? Really? Or "Is She Really Going Out With Him?", "Date My Mom" ? Get outta my face, c'mon. I used to love just watching music videos, or just leaving the channel on and letting the music soothe my soul. But now? I feel like my IQ decreases as soon as I put the channel on. These shows are so unnecessary, and worse, stupid! Over the years MTV has morphed into a channel that is less focused on it's original intention. It's now focused on targeting a certain teen/young adult audience, and ditching it's roots to giving the audience what the network believes they want. What a shame. Way to follow the crowd MTV.

"The MTV brand, to me, stands for such an irreverent groundbreaking brand, and unfortunately I feel a little underwhelmed when I look at this," Hamish McLennan, global chairman-CEO of advertising powerhouse Young & Rubicam, told Ad Age. With shows like "Jersey Shore", MTV is farting out celebrities overnight. And it's clear that people are more swayed by a show like this, rather than old-school music video blocks like "120 Minutes".
Let's retrogress and take a look at MTV back then...

MTV's first promo featuring public domain images of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Let's get back to music MTV.

But, I'm not gonna hate, I do love me some ABDC. (STATIC NOYZE!!)