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Recently Watched Films
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2015/08/27, 21:34:41 #1 (post thread)
Ant-Man - This was pretty fun. It's not the best MCU film by any means but it's a good representation of the character and delivers quite a lot of excellent action scenes. There won't be any real surprises here but this means it also won't let you down. Pretty good way to wind down Phase 2 of the MCU. 8/10
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation - Despite my disinclination to like anything associated with Scientology, this wound up being a great watch, and probably the best film in the series thus far. Tom Cruise must have a death wish, judging from some of those stunts. 7/10
Mad Max: Fury Road - Holy shit did this film ever deliver. I think my favourite part of it was that at no part did it come even close to insulting the viewer's intelligence or pandering to the lowest common denominator; it adhered rigidly to the motto "Show, don't tell". I'd love to see more action films follow this format in the future. The depictions of female characters were also amongst the best I've seen in mainstream cinema. One of the best films I've seen this year. 10/10
Inside Out - This honestly may be Pixar's best film to date. As a person who suffers from depression this hit really close to home as the best cinematic depiction of the illness I've ever seen. To be honest it actually gave me a new vocabulary to discuss what seems to be wrong with me, and for that reason alone I'm immensely thankful to it. But it's a superb piece of art in its own right, in pretty much every way that matters. 10/10
Jurassic World - It might be damning with faint praise to say this is the best Jurassic Park film since the original, but it's easily true. There are some problems with it - I didn't like the way some of the female characters were handled and the human characters sometimes seemed artificially dumb - but it made up for it with the kind of dinosaur action sequences that were almost entirely missing from the previous two entries in the series. The final battle certainly delivers. 7.5/10
Avengers: Age of Ultron - Not as good as the first one, but there's enough worthwhile moments to make it a good watch anyway. Vision is amazing and I look forward to seeing more of him in the future. 8/10
Looper - This lived up to expectations, despite some occasionally weak make-up. It reminded me a lot of 12 Monkeys, which I'm sure was the director's intention. I'll have to watch more of his work in the future. 9.5/10
That's a good overview of the recent highlights, though I'm sure there's more. Post about the films you've recently watched.
teh n00bness
yeah, Fury Road surpassed my expectations, probably one of the few movies I will actually buy when it comes out on DVD, hopefully it will have some cool extras and so forth,
I'd like to see that Inside Out movie, only heard good things about it
tonight I think we may see this As Above, So Below movie
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Ⓐaron wrote: Mad Max: Fury Road - Holy shit did this film ever deliver. I think my favourite part of it was that at no part did it come even close to insulting the viewer's intelligence or pandering to the lowest common denominator; it adhered rigidly to the motto "Show, don't tell". I'd love to see more action films follow this format in the future. The depictions of female characters were also amongst the best I've seen in mainstream cinema. One of the best films I've seen this year. 10/10
I feel like I need to watch both this and the original. Oh wait, I think I've seen the first one, but as per usual when it comes to me I barely remember anything from it.
Ⓐaron wrote: Inside Out - This honestly may be Pixar's best film to date. As a person who suffers from depression this hit really close to home as the best cinematic depiction of the illness I've ever seen. To be honest it actually gave me a new vocabulary to discuss what seems to be wrong with me, and for that reason alone I'm immensely thankful to it. But it's a superb piece of art in its own right, in pretty much every way that matters. 10/10
I watched this today and I feel the same about it as you do. One of the few movies I've seen in a while that made me have feels for realz.
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I finally watched Fury Road last night and I agree with Aaron's assessment almost 100%. I loved the use of "show, don't tell" and I really liked how the story and the world were acted instead of spoken. It still had its failings though, there were points where, while yes, you know what's going on, the movie does a pretty crap job of showing OR telling you and that was a little annoying at times. Still. Great film. 8.5/10
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Across 110th Street. A film from 1972 directed by Barry Shear. One of the few made-for-cinema films that he directed, as he was more known for TV films as well as many episodes of the U.N.C.L.E. series. This film is also widely regarded as one of the first films of the Blaxploitation sub-genre.
Despite some dodgy camerawork and angles, there are still some brilliant stills. The script seems well thoughtout and with minimal plot holes. This is also perhaps one of Yaphet Kotto's greatest performances on screen. (You know. The guy who played Dr. Kananga / Mr. Big in that Bond film a year later, and Parker in Alien.)
The tensions the black community of Harlem and its neighboring white populace of the '70s is a recurring theme as well as the general mistrust that came along with it and is done well bonus points go to the minimal use of the word "nigger". Also touches on the ethic and "politics" of the police force, as well as the seemingly tireless NY mafia.
All in all, a decent film. Would probably watch again. 6.75/10
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The Gore Gore Girls. Film also from 1972. Directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis aka "the Godfather of Gore". The Gore Gore girls is an exploitation film touching the genres of Splatter/Slasher, Crime, and, every so often, of Black Comedy.
The general plot (while terrible) concerns the brutal murders and mutilations of strippers and the suave yet sarcastic P.I. and a reporter whom investigate the cases.
Pros: Special effects wise, for the early '70s, the gore is well executed without seeming too over the top. The humour involved is used well; particularly the jar of acid that read "Acid: Made in Poland", Henny Youngman, chocolate milk spurting out from a cut nipple, and semi-regular breaks of the fourth wall. I also thought the writing of the main character was well thought-out.
Cons: Other than the typically bad plots from HG Lewis that we've known to love, the only real downside is the film's repetitiveness from killing to investigative scene. Some of the strip club dance scenes felt as if they were perhaps a bit too lengthy as well.
Side note: This was HG Lewis' final film for 30 years until he finally made the sequel to Blood Feast.
A stupid yet enjoyable watch. 5.5/10
Films I've watched in the past couple of weeks.
The Expendables 3 - 5/10
Another decent homage to buddy-action films of the '80s.
All of the released Hunger Games films. 5.5/10 as a collective.
Thriller - en grym film (English/US Title: They Call Her One Eye) - 7/10
A slow yet albeit decent Rape/Revenge film. Plus, Lindberg is a cutey.
Autostop rosso sangue (Eng title: Hitch-Hike) - 7/10
A great exploitation/road (but not carsploitation) film with great performances from Franco Nero, David Hess (yet another Hess rape scene is in there as a heads up) and the main female lead who's name I've forgotton at this time.
The Candy Snatchers - 6/10
Exploitation crime film about a trio who kidnap a teenage heiress of some big wig. Many twists and turns that are pretty fun. The bloody bits are minimal but executed well. Almost borders black comedy at times. Only downfall is can be a bit slow at times. Grindhouse cinema is written all over this.
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For - 8/10
Following the first Sin City some 10 or so years back I was heaps excited for this sequel. While clearly not as good, this is everything I love in a film. Witty fun puns, over the top violence, Frank Miller, boobies, sleaze, etc.
La casa sperduta nel parco (Eng title: The House on the Edge of the Park) - 6/10
Another David Hess R/R film (this guy loves rapin' people, I tell you.) which is still decent. Stupid yet okay twist at the end.
The Last House on the Left - 5/10
See above. Though notable notes (kek) include being Wes Craven's first film, David Hess' first acting role, and it's better than the remake.
The Time Traveller's Wife - 5/10
Only watched this because mum and dad chucked it on whilst I went over for dinner one night. Not my usual forté for film considering it was a Romantic Drama movie, but I sorta enjoyed it - I'll admit. At least Rachel McAdams is still sorta cute. lel
The Iceman - 8/10
At least in terms of this film I would say that Michael Shannon had one of the best performances of 2012. You can tell he brings the essence of his characters decline into subtle madness from Boardwalk Empire into Iceman and it really works a great deal. From the stone-cold look in his face to the fits of rage. Superbly executed. The supporting cast are also a good fit. From Ray Liota's generally weird film roles, to even the odd jumpsuit wearing Josh of David Schwimmer. My only negative write-up would be that against James Franco. Feels a bit out of place. The character could have done with maybe a bit more sleaze.
The Blair Witch Project - 2/10
Jesus Christ I hate found-footage films.
Green Inferno - eh 4/10
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Edge of Tomorrow. 7/10. I was pleasantly surprised. It's Groundhog Day if you strip out all of the profundity and replace it with near future sci fi action and replace Bill Murray with white action man (Tom Cruise?). Its not amazing, but a pretty good watch.
Big Man Japan - 9/10
A really weird faux documentary about a Japanese Government employee. His job is when shocked with enough electricity he transforms into Big Man Japan and defends Japan from kaiju. It's equal parts absurdist but also very sad. I would really strongly recommend it (I couldn't find it for download without spending more than two minutes, but its three bucks on Amazon).
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The Martian - 9.5/10
An almost perfect film. I actually can't think of any flaws right now, but I'm sure if I thought about it for long enough I could think of a few which is why I'm not giving it a perfect score. Alongside Fury Road and Inside Out this is probably the best film of the year thus far.
Resident Evil: Retribution - ??/10
I watched this because I have a mental illness where I enjoy these movies. It's really terrible, but I would still recommend it.
Sunshine - 10/10
Really beautiful. Honestly I couldn't think of anything I didn't like about it. DO NOT watch if you have not adjusted the brightness and black level of your display since buying it.
Validated by 1:
Sar (2015/11/14)
I also literally just finished rewatching The Fountain. When I was younger, this was my favorite movie. I haven't seen it since it came out in 2006 (I would have been 16 at the time). I'm really conflicted about it. Taken at face value the film is a its best an ambitious failure. A movie that collapses under its own weight. The movie is apparently about three different characters in three different timelines trying to defeat death. However after thinking about it for a few hours its really a movie about coping with death. I do think that it might be only okay, but I still definitely love it. I think it is initially impossible to parse, and comes across as incoherent garbage. But after dedicating a lot of thought to it, I think its a really smart and insightful film that is tragically flawed in the way it tries to present its message to its audience. I really did love it though, and will probably revisit it and try to write a decent amount about it if someone cares. I think it is still my favorite film but for really different reasons than I used to.
Liquid fucked around with this message on 2015/10/24 at 05:45:00.
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The Hacker Wars - 8/10
Quite enjoyable documentary on Anonymous and the role hacking plays from a societal point of view. Whether or not what they're doing and the beliefs they hold are correct or agreeable doesn't make it less of an interesting and entertaining watch.
Pentatonix: On My Way Home - 10/10
I'll admit, I'm biased on this one. I like Pentatonix's music. I watch Super Fruit on Youtube occasionally. I enjoy their music and their voices. Watching a documentary on them and one of their tours was done purely out of entertainment for me.
Stripped - 9.5/10
Great documentary on comic strips. An especially interesting watch for me considering I did grow up reading the Sunday comics, and still do read them. But to the same point, I enjoy web comics. Not as much as some people, and I certainly don't keep up with them, but I went to PAX South this past January, I read Mall Monkeys in high school, I will read the occasional web comic strip here and there but haven't read any religiously in years. On the flip side, whenever I go to B&N I always head straight for the comics and games section first and see if there's a new Zits collection out.
I enjoy the print and internet medium, so it was a little revealing to hear straight from the artists their take on the decline in print papers. Being in a large city, I'm not overly concerned about ever losing the Life & Arts section and not being able to read some strips while I do the crossword, but that doesn't mean there isn't going to be a time when most of comic reading is done online.
This documentary is very similar to Word Play (also a great documentary on crossword puzzles) I think, where it's showcasing and interviewing people who are in a profession that is shifting into a new form and is changing how it's being broadcast to its audience. To hear from established old school comic cartoon artists (Bill Waterson was interviewed and recorded which is awesome - voice only) and new generation artists (Penny Arcade, Dinosaur Comics, etc.) on their opinions, ideas, fears, and the future of comics was cool.
All of these are on Netflix.
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Bridge of Spies was really good. 8/10 or so, probably.
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thanks to my horrible work schedule I never seem to have time to watch movies in theaters so I'm always way behind, but over the summer I watched Fury Road over and over again because it's amazing.
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definitely need to watch Fury Road again when it comes on Netflix or Prime. That film was so good
maybe I should go see The Martian again before it leaves theatres too
Percules
Still a n00b
SPOILERS ABOUT FURY ROAD AHEAD!
I think Fury Road is a bit feminist film, especially considering that part of the film, which had these wives, or sex slaves, and that they were all young and so ridiculously beautiful was very well founded and justifiable in the narrative. They weren't eroticized but the first time they were introduced to the spectators. Before this point the spectator didn't know anything about them, except that they are Immortan Joe's chosen wives, so the spectator sees them merely as fuckable objects, chicks with boobies, because this is the usual heteronormative way of presenting women in films today. In Fury Road, to Max, these women weren't the target of his lust. It was the water in which the women washed themselves. So, I think it's safe to say that in that moment the spectator has been caught when he/she recognizes this thought in his/her head: "because it's a young beautiful woman in an action movie, she is just an eye candy." As the movies proceeds however, the spectator comes to acknowledge these women as equal characters as any other characters. And if you think about how the shots were cut, you can see that the bodies of women were not the main focus. To underline this, there was an actual line "We are not things!" in the film.
Aside from that, it was a gorgeous film to see in the cinema.
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Percules wrote: I think Fury Road is a bit feminist film
Implying this is a bad thing.
Better Ghost (2015/11/12), DigitalGhost (2016/05/12)
Fidel Castro wrote:
Percules wrote:
It's not a bad thing.
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Ⓐaron wrote: The Martian - 9.5/10
I enjoyed The Martian but it was a lot shallower and more lighthearted than I was expecting. Damon's character is so unflappably optimistic that it strains my suspension of disbelief. I don't know--maybe it just wasn't what I was looking for in a movie like that.
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Oh wait, I guess I misinterpreted/mistranslated your last sentence as being dismissive of the whole thing you described. Just shows how far I still am from being fluent in English. Sorry about that.
EDIT: Or, did I really misunderstand it? I'm too unsure about my English language skillz someone help me plz (T_T)
No, I was not saying it is a bad thing. I am a feminist.
I'm not good in English myself. You might have been distracted by what I said in the end about "aside from this", in which I only meant that the whole movies was eye candy in addition to being a bit feminist, which I find myself very refreshing and smart.
There are of course different meanings to the definition of feminism, because there are different branches of feminism which have different views on equality. I have heard that feminism itself has gone to two different directions here in Northern Europe. What I know about the US is that there is a dirt crusade against the whole concept of feminism and feminists. I consider feminism meaning only the search for equality.
It's good that this came up. Always ask me if there is inconsistency.
Percules fucked around with this message on 2015/11/13 at 10:52:18.
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Oh, I see. Well all's good then (^__^)
Yeah, at times the feminism was way on the nose (also totally fine) to the point that when I walked out of the theater my friend said "did you think there was a bit of a feminist bent to that movie?" I said "no, I don't see that at all" and pretended to not understand his thesis for the next hour.
Better Ghost (2015/11/14)
Drav
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Feel kind of weird about how much I loved the disgusting misogynist villains though. It just like one of my games workshop miniature games!
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Well, they were pretty well executed villains. They're the sort of villains I feel it's fine to love to hate.
It's not a movie going for subtlety, which isn't something we're used to in our 10/10, best movie of the year type movies. The story is told visually and that includes the characterizations of the villains. Another thing I said to my friend while I pretended to not understand his feminist thesis was "were we supposed to find the guy with the face mask repulsive?"
Superman vs Batman looks suitably horrible. Man of Steel was Snyder's worst film yet (which is saying something after Sucker Punch) so I'll be impressed if he can make a film even worse than that.
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Liquid wrote: Sunshine - 10/10
I love a lot about this movie. I can't get behind the third act. I think the movie would have been better without it and spoilers everything just could have been a series of mechanical accidents and self-sacrifice rather than a surprise slasher film.
Drav wrote: Superman vs Batman looks suitably horrible. Man of Steel was Snyder's worst film yet (which is saying something after Sucker Punch) so I'll be impressed if he can make a film even worse than that.
I am a knuckle-dragging idiot who loves Superman. I saw the new trailer and immediately sucked down all that kool-aid. I'm not... terribly fond of how it looks like they're handling Doomsday but I hate Doomsday. So.
Also I liked Man of Steel despite its weird pacing issues and troubling action climax, but I also enjoyed Superman Returns. My opinions on Superman movies are highly suspect.
It just like one of my games workshop miniature games!
Not gonna lie, there is definitely a part of me that wants to field an Ork army with silver tongues.
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Foul-mouthed driver interrupts Holocaust Remembrance Day Walk in Salinas
Updated: 12:08 PM PST Jan 27, 2019
Caitlin Conrad
Man in black BMW SUV repeatedly harasses people during Holocaust Remembrance Walk
A peaceful Holocaust Remembrance Day Walk was interrupted by a hateful driver hurling insults against Jews on Sunday.Salinas church Temple Philadelphia holds a special service and walk every year to educate its parishioners and remember the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust. "Six million Jews were slaughtered for no other reason than being Jewish and we don't want this to be forgotten, it's too big a tragedy," said Minister Phillip Nava who led the service. Following the service about 100 churchgoers gathered in the parking lot for the walk from E. Gabilan Street to Alisal. Men women and children were waving the Israeli flag and holding a sign that read 'Never Forget Remembering the Holocaust' but before they even started walking a man in a black BMW SUV drove by yelling obscenities.The driver hurled insults against Israel and the Jewish people as he drove past. The same driver then circled back around on E. Gabilan Street in downtown to harass the walkers again. The group remained peaceful and calm in the face of hatred. Organizers with the church said this is not the first time hatred against the Jewish faith has been hurled against the Christians of Temple Philadelphia. The church has been building ties with the Jewish Community in Salinas and abroad in Israel since the 1960s. Church youth volunteer every year at Temple Beth El's Kosher-Style Lunch fundraiser, which is coming up on January 31, 2019, and the pastor of Temple Philadelphia is currently in Israel on a religious pilgrimage. The church has also hosted Holocaust survivor Harold Gordon of Salinas for several talks.Young churchgoers said the teachings have made a difference in their lives. "When you learn about it in school and stuff it's very just general, but I feel when we do it here at the church, we focus more into it," said teen Saturn Macias. Macias' dad Nino Macias said it is more important than ever to teach children about the holocaust and make sure they learn the lesson of tolerance. "It's so important, as I was saying to my son earlier, 'to forget what happened is to allow history to repeat itself,'" said Macias.Holocaust Remembrance Day 2019 marks the 74th anniversary of the Allied liberation of the Auschwitz death camp.
SALINAS, Calif. —
A peaceful Holocaust Remembrance Day Walk was interrupted by a hateful driver hurling insults against Jews on Sunday.
Salinas church Temple Philadelphia holds a special service and walk every year to educate its parishioners and remember the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust.
"Six million Jews were slaughtered for no other reason than being Jewish and we don't want this to be forgotten, it's too big a tragedy," said Minister Phillip Nava who led the service.
Parishioners with Temple Philadelphia hold Holocaust Remembrance Day Walk
Following the service about 100 churchgoers gathered in the parking lot for the walk from E. Gabilan Street to Alisal. Men women and children were waving the Israeli flag and holding a sign that read 'Never Forget Remembering the Holocaust' but before they even started walking a man in a black BMW SUV drove by yelling obscenities.
The driver hurled insults against Israel and the Jewish people as he drove past. The same driver then circled back around on E. Gabilan Street in downtown to harass the walkers again.
The group remained peaceful and calm in the face of hatred.
Organizers with the church said this is not the first time hatred against the Jewish faith has been hurled against the Christians of Temple Philadelphia. The church has been building ties with the Jewish Community in Salinas and abroad in Israel since the 1960s.
Church youth volunteer every year at Temple Beth El's Kosher-Style Lunch fundraiser, which is coming up on January 31, 2019, and the pastor of Temple Philadelphia is currently in Israel on a religious pilgrimage. The church has also hosted Holocaust survivor Harold Gordon of Salinas for several talks.
Young churchgoers said the teachings have made a difference in their lives.
"When you learn about it in school and stuff it's very just general, but I feel when we do it here at the church, we focus more into it," said teen Saturn Macias.
Macias' dad Nino Macias said it is more important than ever to teach children about the holocaust and make sure they learn the lesson of tolerance.
"It's so important, as I was saying to my son earlier, 'to forget what happened is to allow history to repeat itself,'" said Macias.
Holocaust Remembrance Day 2019 marks the 74th anniversary of the Allied liberation of the Auschwitz death camp.

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Since his capture of the Shacklewell Ripper, Cormoran Strike has had an upswing in clients appearing at his door, but when an unstable madman descends upon his office with a delusional story of a murdered child, Strike and his partner Robin find themselves drawn into a scandal that reaches high into the halls of power, and deep into the indecorous past of a wealthy family.
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Gastrodoridae is een uitgestorven familie van de superfamilie Homoloidea uit de infraorde krabben en omvat slechts één geslacht:

Gastrodorus   Meyer, 1864

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Film: Far From the Tree, Thematic Learning Initiative with UCSB Arts & Lectures
@ Film: Far From the Tree, Thematic Learning Initiative with UCSB Arts & Lectures
Screening of the 2017 documentary Far From the Tree.
Far From the Tree follows families meeting extraordinary challenges through love, empathy and understanding. This life-affirming documentary encourages us to cherish loved ones for all they are, not who they might have been. Based on Andrew Solomon's award-winning, New York Times bestselling non-fiction book Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity, this film is an intimate, profoundly human look at families raising children facing unexpected challenges: a mother and son determined to show the world that his Down syndrome does not define him; a couple learning to communicate with their bright but nonverbal autistic son; a young woman dealing with what it means to be the only little person in her family; and parents whose deep love for their son persists even after he has committed an unspeakable crime. Tracing their joys, challenges, tragedies and triumphs, Far From the Tree invites viewers to rethink what it means to be a family.
Pre-Registration will reserve you a seat up until 10 minutes prior to the start of the event.
Co-presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures and the Santa Barbara Public Library. Part of A&L's Thematic Learning Initiative.
Location: Santa Barbara Central Library
40 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Film/Movies/Television Social Sciences
More Links: https://santabarbaraca.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails?eventid=20623
The Family Markowitz by Allegra Goodman - Jan. 27


Photo taken today, a bright day before Thanksgiving.
That's the Bay Bridge on a recent bright morning.
This flower was a gift from the dry cleaner lady.
She gave us a whole bouquet.
Orchids and roses this week on my desk. I'm seeing the most beautiful orchids all over in shops and restaurants. It must be the season for them.
Flowers on my desk for the first week of the new year. It was sunny but very cold this morning (by San Francisco standards) when I took this shot.
Thanksgiving roses on the kitchen table on a cloudy but bright morning.
This is another picture of my office with flowers from my husband. Photo taken with my cell phone 10-4-10.
This is my office and these are the flowers from my husband this week.


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Home Article In defence of the Constitution
In defence of the Constitution
Raza Muhammad Khan
PAKISTANI Constitution alludes to the jeopardy against itself as high treason, though this phraseology usually portrays putting the country in danger by helping the enemies. Apart from actions like abrogation and suspension etc., Article 6 brackets subversion of the constitution as well, with the said crime. The political concept of subversion essentially refers to disloyalty to, or repudiation of the guiding principles of the constitution, which are outlined in the Objectives Resolution; that became a substantial part of the Constitution in 1985. The Resolution proclaims a dozen tenets, but this treatise shall consider only five, that are usually sullied. First; while the state has been empowered to exercise its power and authority through chosen representatives, the concept of sovereignty is conditional: 'Sovereignty belongs to Allah Almighty alone and the authority which He has delegated to the state of Pakistan, through its people for being exercised within the limits prescribed by Him, is a sacred trust'.
Thus, all claims about absolute sovereignty of Parliament or actions that flow from this assumption would be treasonous. As Pakistan is indeed a blessed and precious inheritance, whatever weakens the state or this essential argument, will also be perfidious. At this point, let's defer any judgement if the nature of some of our recent politics is a breach of this trust. Second; 'the principles of democracy, tolerance etc., is to be fully observed'. This edict is frequently flouted, which has consequently led to acute polarization, interruptions in our democratic history and permeation of extremism in the society as well. Third; 'fundamental rights like freedom of thought, (and) expression are guaranteed, but subject to (the) law and public morality'. Thus, unbridled public statements that hurt the country's image and interests, embarrass, discredit or falsely implicate Pakistan's security apparatus (like the ones by a former PM about 2008 Mumbai attacks in the past, and blaming state institutions without evidence), or undermining our deterrence capability (like the false statement by a former NA Speaker), seem seditious.
'Public morality' refers to ethos accepted in a society, like good character, honesty, moderation etc. It also includes avoiding profanity against opponents, respect for national heritage and mausoleums. Also included are decency, civility and truth in public proclamations, without which, the entire edifice and conduct of politics, whether local, national or international, is tarnished. Similarly, the private life of politicians and public office holders also belongs to this domain. Freedom of the media and speech is also bound by this matrix and any violation of these values is universally despised, necessitating apologies, voluntary resignations from public and private high positions and retribution. But this is uncommon in Pakistan. Fourth; the Resolution categorically enunciates that 'The Muslims shall be enabled to order their lives in the individual and collective spheres in accordance with the teachings— of Islam—-'.While there is emphasis on the obligations of the Muslims towards God, at the places of worship; our politico-religious pulpits, seldom preach about duties and responsibilities towards fellow citizens, obedience of laws and reverence for life, property, honour and rights of others. Finally, what can be labelled as the 'raison d'être' or the national aim has been appropriately stated: 'the people of Pakistan may prosper and attain their rightful and honoured place among the nations of the world and make their full contribution towards— peace, progress and happiness'.
It is agonizing to note that so far, this lofty purpose remains unheeded, for the following reasons: Many of our elected demagogues, who were chosen for a better future of the voters, are either oblivious of the Objectives Resolution or they have forgotten their responsibilities to implement their constitutional obligations. The rule of the 'demos' or people is also unreal in our democracy, as the gulf between the rich and the poor is wide and since most voters take their cue from the media, which could be deceptive. Today the people are unable to reckon with the real agenda and drivers behind actions that may provoke clashes among the state institutions, though deflection of attention from accountability could be a motive. Thus, the crucial questions are; how can the constitution be upheld when its guiding principles are corroded? Are the recent political spectacles that could endanger the state and democracy, not subversive as intended in Article 6? Is the enactment of the 18Amendment that made more than 100 changes, many of them crucial and revised approximately 36 percent of the constitution, without any parliamentary debate, liable for the current predicament and is it beyond reproach? These questions need answers, so that constitutional benefits can accrue, not through mere written terms, but by a selfless adherence to its principles.
Nonetheless, the immediate concern is the protection of the state and the constitution, from threats of the use of force against the government, propagation of fake narratives and violation of Article 63(1)(g), by defamation and ridicule of the judiciary and the defence forces by some politicians and facilitation of this by our known enemies. We must remove these contradictions or else democracy could crumble or morph into a façade. Earlier, there was a remedy: the National Security Council, (distinct from the present National Security Committee) but that was scuttled. It could be revived after suitable reorganization. However, without upsetting the balance of power among the troika of the government, parliament and the Judiciary, it is imperative to address these matters through the Supreme Court or a special statutory tribunal, to preclude and restrain subversion of the constitution. Another choice is to emulate Germany, which has a Federal Office for Constitutional Protection, comprising thousands of staff, that works with its intelligence and security services and monitors anti-constitutional activities, by domestic and foreign detractors. Perhaps this could correct decades of deceptive discourse about our democracy and improve its image of a mere glamorous label for the way politicians are elected, rather the way they rule and act.
— The writer, a retired Lt Gen, is former President of National Defence University, Islamabad.
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Home » Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital: an external advisor called in as reinforcements
Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital: an external advisor called in as reinforcements
By Teilor Stonein Health
The head of unit targeted by a letter signed by a hundred nurses who threatened to resign if the person in question was not removed from office, will also be reassigned, the CIUSSS said.
Health Minister Christian Dubé met with the CEO of the CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île-de -Montreal Monday evening and Tuesday morning due to the crisis at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont.
The stunt carried out Monday evening by the nurses of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, which forced the partial closure of the emergency room of this sensitive establishment in the east of Montreal last night , seems to have borne fruit.
After two meetings with the head of the CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, to which the #x27;Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, the Minister of Health of Quebec, Christian Dubé, announced on Tuesday that an external consultant would come to lend a hand to try to detect the problems of the establishment.
The CEO is really the one who will settle this. […] And to support him, as well as the employees, we agreed, and I think it's an excellent decision on his part, to bring someone from outside the situation to come and continue to work. try to find solutions, said Mr. Dubé, in a press briefing in front of the hospital.
The Minister specified that discussions with this external adviser would take place on Tuesday afternoon, in order to listen a little to the two parties to see how to bring them closer.
"Employees, it was not nice what they had to do to get their point [Monday] night. Me, I tell you, I have a lot of empathy. It's not for nothing that I have been here often this year. »
—Christian Dubé, Minister of Health of Quebec
The hospital's emergency room reopened at 8 a.m. Tuesday morning after a night of reduced operations where the facility did not accept new patients at the hospital. exception of serious cases and people already admitted at the time of closing. The evening shift nurses had refused a contingency plan proposed by management that would have forced them to work in small teams.
A serious labor shortage and the use of compulsory overtime create an untenable situation, according to Minister Dubé. Several people described the work climate as toxic, he pointed out.
The crisis at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, where nurses denounce in particular the compulsory overtime, caused the partial closure of the emergency room for one night. Interview with Luc Mathieu, president of the Order of Nurses of Quebec.
In a press briefing, a little earlier on Tuesday, the CEO of the CIUSSS, Jean-François Fortin- Verreault, also reported an extremely difficult situation, particularly with regard to the case of a head of unit who was recently the subject of a co-signed letter by a hundred nurses from the emergency department.
It is in this letter that the employees denounce a toxic work climate and actions that contribute to generating […] inhuman working conditions.
The signatories of the letter threatened to resign on Wednesday if nothing was done; Mr. Fortin-Verreault said Tuesday noon that the person targeted by this letter had been reassigned to another unit.
The person in question is not responsible for the fact that we receive more patients than the capacity [to do so]. The person deserves to be treated well, but for sure the relationship with the team is not there. We hope everyone finds it useful and can continue to work.
Jean-François Fortin-Verreault is CEO of the CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, to which Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont is attached.
The CEO of the CIUSSS also announced that the number of ambulances sent to Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital will be reduced, to give the team some air. You have to start by having a little less volume, having a work-family balance… That's the first step, that's what the nurses told me [Monday], a- he explained, before mentioning having received a hundred suggestions to improve things in the emergency room.
We will continue the discussions to find the best courses of action, a he declared.
Mr. Fortin-Verreault also mentioned that the objective was to avoid a new closure of the emergency room at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont on Tuesday evening. At the moment, we have the manpower to cover 60 stretcher patients; there are currently 62. We are working to make it work, and for it to be in balance.
At the end of the afternoon, the CIUSSS confirmed that the emergency room will remain open in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Earlier, Denis Cloutier, the president of the Union of Care Professionals of the East-of-the-Island-of-Montreal, had expressed concern about the situation. That night's shift was still 12 out of 24, he said.
"There are 50 % of staff who are still absent this evening. These are not unforeseen absences, there, it is the state of the situation of the work forces at the emergency of Maisonneuve-Rosemont. »
— Denis Cloutier, President of the Syndicate of Care Professionals of the East-of-the-Island of Montreal
According to Denis Cloutier, the Maisonneuve-Rosemont emergency nurses are already doing more than their turn of the TSO [compulsory overtime, editor's note]. It's not up to me to tell them to continue or stop. They will assess whether the hope is great enough for the moment, whether they want to hold on, while we implant something.
But beyond the measures that we can put in place in the medium term, I persist and sign to say that there are too many people missing in the Maisonneuve-Rosemont emergency room, it takes the rapid injection of healthcare professionals into that team, added Mr. Cloutier.
Despite the announcements, the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) castigates the minister's lamentable failure. Health critic André Fortin also speaks of a leadership crisis.
The closure of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont emergency room had been foreseeable for months and is another demonstration of the CAQ's ineffectiveness. Yet Minister Dubé refused to hear the call for help from the nurses and to act before the crisis erupted. The result of all this incompetence is, according to the nurses themselves, endangering the lives of patients, he also said, in a press release.
Same story from Québec solidaire health spokesperson Vincent Marissal, who also represents voters in the riding where the hospital is located. Mr. Dubé is an accountant, he is a manager. He always has accounting and manager solutions, he lamented.
There he comes in saying: we will appoint someone else. I hope it works. But again, if we don't solve the real problem of underemployment here, of attractiveness and retention of staff. […] Me, I ask about service breakdowns and sit-ins, it's been three years.
"Maisonneuve-Rosemont, in the health network, is a volcano in action just waiting for its next eruption, and it will happen. And if Mr. Dubé hasn't seen the smoke signals before today, there's a damn problem. »
— Vincent Marissal, Québec solidaire health spokesperson
This is the biggest emergency in Quebec. I think the Minister of Health has a role to play here, added Mr. Marissal, who says he is completing a tour of several hospitals in the province where things are not going well.
Earlier Tuesday, on the sidelines of an event held in the borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, the mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, for her part, said she was extremely concerned about the situation in hospitals, but especially at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, a nerve center in eastern Montreal.
With information from Sébastien Bovet< /em>
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How long should they last before an appliance repair or replacement?
Appliances are costly to replace and when one is on the fritz, or worse — a handful of them — it can make everyday life extremely inconvenient. When you are armed with the knowledge to replace or fix an appliance, it may make the decision process a little easier when you know their life expectancy.
At Air Nation, we not only provide the leading HVAC services in Deltona, but we also offer all major appliance repair. Join us in today's post as we navigate appliance longevity.
Appliance repair is inevitable — appliances incur wear and tear, get tired, and eventually require repair — but if you can get a longer life while putting off repair, you can save money and avoid appliance replacement.
Some people love to shop around for the best appliance deal that is budget-friendly, and while this isn't a terrible thing, sometimes it can cost you more money in the long-run. You may get a smoking deal, but its life-expectancy may give way far before its competitors. You then get into a cycle of constantly replacing your appliances — this wastes money and isn't eco-friendly.
When you make more of an investment on higher-quality, better-rated products they typically tend to last longer.
There is a fine balance between just one appliance repair and a whole host of them — sometimes replacing them is a better option. Talk with appliance experts to get the best situation for your budget.
You also have to consider the appliance installation labor and product cost with regular appliance maintenance. If you are ever wondering how long appliances last, read below for their average life expectancies.
When you buy an appliance and it is having issues before their average life-cycle is up, an appliance repair is a good option. One of your best options as a consumer is to buy a high-quality appliance and establish a good partnership with a local appliance repair company.
It has been established that buying higher quality appliances may save you less repair and replacement costs over time, but how do you know an appliance is highly rated?
You know who gives honest reviews (hint: it is not Yelp)? The people in your circle — your next-door neighbor, your hairdresser, your friend on your sports league — they won't hold back. When you talk to a handful of people, you will learn what companies to look for and which ones to avoid.
Don't buy on a whim.
Although you may find your dream dryer at the first store, whatever you do, avoid an impulse buy. A showroom does an excellent job of beefing up the product — energy efficiency? Check. Accommodates extra large loads? Check. You get the point. Take a picture of its features and move on so you can compare different brands and prices.
If you eat out for almost every meal of the day, there is no need to buy a high-end gas range complete with a vented hood. Similarly, if you are single or in a partnership, an extra-large washing machine isn't relevant — even if it is on a great sale!
Some homes are oddly shaped or planned out, which makes getting any large appliance indoors a feat in physics. And, if you do make it past the front door, make sure it fits in its determined space.
Again, appliance repairs will need to happen — it is unavoidable. Arm yourself with what the specs state and do a little research into their longevity. Shop for appliances with a longer life expectancy, even if they are a little more expensive. Once you have an idea of how long they will last, expect to make repairs between now and that time-frame.
Schedule your appliance repair with us today!


The cast and filmmakers from Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast, including Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Emma Thompson, Ian McKellen, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, director Bill Condon and composer Alan Menken, continued their way through Europe and attended a gala screening of the film in London this evening. You can view photos from the Beauty and the Beast London event below!
Beauty and the Beast stars Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Oscar winner Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle's eccentric, but lovable father; and Josh Gad as Lefou, Gaston's long-suffering aide-de-camp. The film also features Ewan McGregor as Lumière, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, Stanley Tucci as Cadenza, Audra McDonald as Garderobe, and Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts.


Dr. Seuss illustrates the ups and downs of life in his last published book, Oh, The Places You'll Go! However, he thoughtfully reminds the reader to forge ahead and indeed you will succeed. Nicole T. Brewer's A Guide to Landing an English Teaching Job Abroad shares the same message in this well-organized and informative 223-page book. This author is a seasoned teacher of English overseas, and her how-to book will carefully guide and empower anyone looking to teach English in a foreign country.
Nicole provides detailed information about locating teaching programs, the cost of tuition and requirements for certification as an English as Second Language teacher. She clearly identifies the levels of accreditation and the differences between each one. There is also an in-depth discussion about the types of jobs that are available, along with the websites and agencies where one can apply for these highly sought-after positions. She shares detailed information about various countries seeking native English speakers to become instructors in their countries.
A Guide to Landing an English Teaching Job Abroad also includes essential details pertaining to housing, cost of living, and salary. There is a chapter devoted to quality of life issues and it presents a realistic picture of living and working abroad. Interested candidates are given information on everything from creating a time-frame for planning a move, arranging interviews with prospective employers, obtaining visas, sample resumes and interview questions. The process is demystified with realistic expectations.
The chapter entitled "Before You Go" gives practical advice about academic preparation, as well as packing everyday items such as hair products, durable food staples and many other hard-to-find products that you may need to make a smooth transition to a new country. Another section, "Interviews of Expat English Teachers", highlights the everyday experiences of teachers living and working in foreign lands, and their daily dilemmas. The people interviewed come from all walks of life and provide first-hand information about adapting to new customs and cultures. This comprehensive guide lends itself easily to someone exploring this career option or seeking answers to specific questions about teaching English overseas.
During a recent conversation with Nicole from her new home in Oman, I asked her the following questions and life, travel, teaching and any extra advice she could give people looking for an English teaching job abroad.
You stated that you did not have teaching experience prior to moving to South Korea. How did you prepare to meet the challenges of classroom teaching and prepare activities for your students?
I made sure to bring books with me regarding ESL teaching and additional activities. I was fortunate enough to have a Korean co-teacher with me in the class, so she assisted me with class preparation and the overall transition of teaching abroad.
Were you provided support from EPIK (English Preparation in Korea) or were you supplied with educational resources or a curriculum for lesson planning?
Yes, the EPIK program was great in supporting the newcomers into teaching abroad. We all had to go to training together for a week (regardless of locations throughout Korea that we would move on to in the future). The classes in Korea were smart classrooms, so we had loads of resources and my co-teacher assisted me as well with lesson planning.
Did your students have varying levels of English proficiency? If so, how did you address this?
Yes, indeed students had various levels of English proficiency in the classroom. We combated this issue by doing a lot of group work and cooperative learning activities. It is very helpful to be able to put students with varying ranges in groups in order to have the weaker students learn from the higher-level students. The higher-level students also would take pride in being able to be mini assistants in the class work.
Agencies, websites, online listings, etc. are reported as places to secure teaching positions. How do you suggest someone investigate the credibility of such employers?
In the book, I suggested some great resources for researching agencies and recruiters. Also, I think social communities, such as my travel group on Facebook (iluv2globetrot) are great tools to ask questions of fellow expats currently living abroad and to learn about their experiences of using these agencies.
You stated that you visited friends in Japan before embarking on your own teaching journey. Do you think it is helpful for someone considering this life change to spend time living abroad before applying for a teaching job?
I don't know if it's totally necessary to have experience living abroad before applying to teaching opportunities. As long as you do your due diligence with researching opportunities and locations, then you'd have an idea of what to expect in the future. The week of traveling around Japan piqued my interests, but even without that experience knowing that travel and curiosity are traits of mine, I still would have wanted to move abroad.
Initially, how did you feel being separated from family and friends?
It took time to get used to being away from friends and family back home. I had not lived in the same state as my family for years, so I was used to the fact of not seeing them much. The thought of being so far away in case of emergency was a major concern of mine. However, thank goodness for technology- Skype dates, FB chats, etc… they made the transition a little easier.
What traits do you think someone needs to possess to take on this life adventure?
For sure you have to be flexible and adaptable in order to live abroad. No day will be the same and you will meet interesting people from all walks of life. Patience is also key in this lifestyle. I've gained a great deal of patience since working abroad.
Were you able to make new friends, have relationships, and form connections with people in your adopted country?
Yes indeed! I've very grateful for the amazing connections I've made since living abroad. My I Luv 2 Globe Trot co-founder Renee and I met while teaching in South Korea. I've had a relationship (which didn't last), but I learned a great deal about myself while dating someone here in Oman. I have made loads of relationships that positively impacted my life since being abroad.
You mentioned that it was not necessary to speak the language of your adopted country. Did you ever have a situation, (e.g., funny, embarrassing, or awkward) where you wished you could have communicated in the native language?
Oh- as a non red meat eater, I'm sure my life would have been much easier if I could have effectively communicated to not add meat to some of my dishes. People always looked at me crazy when I tried to explain to them that I didn't eat pork or beef…so I just started telling them that I had "allergy" to it. It was the easiest way to get the point across to them!
Many of the teachers profiled in your book report discontent with their schools or school system. How do you remain positive and committed to your career despite these challenges?
Well, I personally have come to terms with the way administration works. I've been fortunate enough to have a pretty positive experience overall and just learned to roll with the punches. My students have been great in both South Korea and Oman, so that makes it all worthwhile.
Great question! Time will surely tell. If I'm still living abroad and teaching, then I'll be perfectly fine with that. However, in an ideal world with my travel app, website, and freelance writing opportunities, it will afford me the opportunity to continue living and traveling abroad based on my disposable income.
A Guide to Landing an English Teaching Job Abroad is a great road map for anyone thinking about pursuing teaching work abroad.
Thanks so much again Marianne for taking the time to read the book and the awesome review!


Many cats enjoy going to a boarding center because it offers them an interesting change of scenery. However, cats who are suffering from feline interstitial cystitis may end up suffering from a variety of problems that make their visit difficult.
This disease, otherwise known as FIC, is caused by an inflammation in the cat's bladder. When this occurs, it becomes a chronic disease that puts a cat in pain when they urinate. It also causes them to urinate too frequently or to even lose control of their bladder. While it is a treatable problem, it can be very concerning when a cat is taken to a boarding center.
While boarding centers will have plenty of litter boxes for cats to use, a cat with FIC may not make it to the litter box in time to urinate. As a result, they may urinate in common areas and annoy other cats. When this happens, there may be some personality conflicts coming up.
When a cat urinates, it is actually spreading pheromones and hormones that claim possession of the area. Cats doing this purposefully are, therefore, potentially creating conflict in a boarding center by claiming common areas. However, cats that urinate due to disease may accidentally cause conflict by stirring up the defensive traits of their fellow cats.
As a result, it is important to find a way to get them to stop this problematic behavior. It is necessary to manage the FIC that is causing their problematic urination and to let the cat boarding center deal with cat conflicts in a constructive manner.
Cat fights in a boarding center might not seem like a big deal to many pet owners. However, cats have a very good memory and are likely to remember any individual with whom they have had a fight. As a result, there is a chance that they will continue to have this problem. That's why it is important to find a way to treat this problem and avoid boarding issues.
How can this health problem be managed properly? By managing their diet more effectively. Therapeutic diets will add items like polyunsaturated fat to help decrease the inflammation that leads to FIC. A steady supply of fresh water is also an important method of treatment. Try to change their bowl regularly, as cats often get bored of their water or find it isn't fresh enough.
By carefully managing this urinary problem and keeping a cat from improperly urinating at a cat boarding center, it is possible to greatly improve their experience. In this way, they may even make friends with former enemies.


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Search Results for: Music Theory In The Safavid Era
Music Theory in the Safavid Era
Author Owen Wright
Author: Owen Wright
The Safavid era (1501–1722) is one of the most important in the history of Persian culture, celebrated especially for its architecture and art, including miniature paintings that frequently represent singers and instrumentalists. Their presence reflects a sophisticated tradition of music making that was an integral part of court life, yet it is one that remains little known, for the musicological literature of the period is rather thin. There is, however, a significant exception: the text presented and analysed here, a hitherto unpublished and anonymous theoretical work probably of the middle of the sixteenth century. With a Sufi background inspiring the use of the nay as a tool of theoretical demonstration, it is exceptional in presenting descriptive accounts of the modes then in use and suggesting how these might be arranged in complex sequences. As it also gives an account of the corpus of rhythmic cycles it provides a unique insight into the basic structures of art-music during the first century of Safavid rule.
Authors: Owen Wright
Categories: Music theory
Type: BOOK - Published: 2020-06-30 - Publisher: Routledge
The Safavid era (1501-1722) is one of the most important in the history of Persian culture, celebrated especially for its architecture and art, including miniature paintings that frequently represent singers and instrumentalists. Their presence reflects a sophisticated tradition of music making that was an integral part of court life, yet
The Safavid era (1501–1722) is one of the most important in the history of Persian culture, celebrated especially for its architecture and art, including miniature paintings that frequently represent singers and instrumentalists. Their presence reflects a sophisticated tradition of music making that was an integral part of court life, yet
Theory and Practice in the Music of the Islamic World
Authors: Rachel Harris, Martin Stokes
This volume of original essays is dedicated to Owen Wright in recognition of his formative contribution to the study of music in the Islamic Middle East. Wright's work, which comprises, at the time of writing, six field-defining volumes and countless articles, has reconfigured the relationship between historical musicology and ethnomusicology.
The Sound State of Uzbekistan
Authors: Kerstin Klenke
The Sound State of Uzbekistan: Popular Music and Politics in the Karimov Era is a pioneering study of the intersection between popular music and state politics in Central Asia. Based on 20 months of fieldwork and archival research in Tashkent, this book explores a remarkable era in Uzbekistan's politics (2001–2016),
Music, Health, and Power
Authors: Bonnie B. McConnell
Music, Health, and Power offers an original, on-the-ground analysis of the role that music plays in promoting healthy communities. The book brings the reader inside the world of kanyeleng fertility societies and HIV/AIDS support groups, where women use music to leverage stigma and marginality into new forms of power. Drawing
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Posts Tagged 'Toho Studios'
"The nations of the world must now stay united in the struggle against unknown forces instead of fighting each other"*…
Toho's [see here] The Mysterians (1957) is a mammoth sci-fi spectacle, featuring giant lasers, flying saucers, underground domes, alien invaders, and robot monsters. Lying beneath its visual prowess is a set of questions, themes, and ideas that elevate The Mysterians as one of the decade's most fascinating films. It asserts a warning for humanity: don't misuse science. For 1957, in the midst of a spiraling nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union, the film is chilling; but when examined through the lens of 2020, The Mysterians is arguably even more frightening today.
In the film, a series of earthquakes and forest fires precedes the appearance of a giant robot, Mogera. The mechanical monster wreaks havoc before it is blown up by the self-defence forces. The next day, a gigantic dome emerges from the ground, and we are introduced to the robot's creators: the Mysterians. They beckon key scientists to meet them in their base, where they explain themselves as a race ravaged by atomic war. The Mysterians want three kilometres of land on which to live, but they also have an unpleasant stipulation. The Mysterians' bodies are so damaged by radiation that they can no longer birth healthy offspring; and so, they want to mate with human women. Having already used Mogera to show that conflict is useless, the Mysterians appear to have the upper hand. However, forces from East and West unite, and Earth is poised to take on the Mysterian menace.
The Mysterians features Akihiko Hirata in a role similar to his turn in Godzilla (1954). Hirata plays the enigmatic Shiraishi, a scientist who discovered the home planet of the Mysterians, Mysteroid. Shiraishi disappears before the Mysterians emerge, and we later discover that he has joined them. Seduced by their scientific achievements, Shiraishi admires the Mysterians; he believes that they simply wish to stop mankind from destroying itself, ignorant to their real plans for conquest. His assertion of science above all else prevents him from considering the ethical horrors that come with the Mysterians' terms.
Shiraishi is the personification of director Honda's concerns over the misuse of science. "At that time I feared the danger of science, that whoever controlled it could take over the entire Earth", Honda observed…
There's also something else that makes The Mysterians all the more chilling today. The film's concern that we could become like the Mysterians may have already come to pass – though not in a way that's immediately apparent. The Mysterians have gone through an unimaginable horror in the form of atomic annihilation; and yet, they haven't learned from their own nightmare. Instead of renouncing war or seeking peace, the Mysterians have looked to further conquest. For them, there is no recognition of the horror of war, just the restart of its engine.
At the film's climax, when the Earth has successfully fought back the invaders, we see scattered Mysterian bodies in their decimated dome. Many of their helmets are cracked and split, revealing their faces; they look human, with very little to distinguish them from us except their wounds and radiation scars. One looks at their damaged faces and sees a miserable, endless cycle…
The Mysterians is also striking in its depiction of a united Earth, with both Russia and America working side by side. The nations of the world join to fend off the new danger, with earthbound conflicts rendered banal in the face of collective oblivion… Director Ishiro Honda's [see here] concern was in presenting a united planet – a recurring tenet of his genre work. Of The Mysterians, Honda said, "I would like to wipe away the [Cold War-era] notion of East versus West and convey a simple, universal aspiration for peace, the coming together of all humankind as one to create a peaceful society." As noted by his biographers (Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski), the visual composition of scenes involving international meetings shows a symmetry that affirms Honda's egalitarian view; no one country is seen above or below another…
From Christopher Stewardson (@CF_Stewardson), an appreciation of a classic that's all-too-timely again: "Thoughts on Film: The Mysterians."
[[TotH to our buddies at Boing Boing]
* "Dr. Tanjiro Adachi," The Mysterians
As we think globally, we might recall that it was on this date in 2018 that Sir David Attenborough (a naturalist and producer/host of the BBC's epic Life on Our Planet) spoke at the UN's climate summit in Poland. Sir David warned that climate change is humanity's greatest threat in thousands of years, and that it could lead to the collapse of civilizations and the extinction of "much of the natural world."
Written by (Roughly) Daily
Tagged with climate change, climate crisis, David Attenborough, film, film history, history, Ishiro Honda, Science, Science Fiction, The Mysterians, Toho Studios
Loving Godzilla, 17 syllables at a time…
From SamuraiFrog, an arresting (and very amusing) collection of Godzilla Haiku.
"Monsters are born too tall, too strong, too heavy, they are not evil by choice; that is their tragedy"
– Ishiro Honda (Kurosawa friend, Toho director, and creator of Godzilla)
Honda on the set of the original Godzilla
As we rethink our attraction to urban centers, we might compose a birthday rhyme for Torquato Tasso, the 16th Century Italian poet; he was born on this date in 1544. Though Tasso was a giant in his own time– he died in 1595, a few days before the Pope was to crown him "King of the Poets"– he had fallen out the core of the Western Canon by the end of the 19th century. Still, he resonates in the poems (Spencer, Milton, Byron), plays (Goethe), madrigals (Monteverdi), operas (Lully, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Rossini, Dvorak) , and art work (Tintoretto, the Carracci, Guercino, Pietro da Cortona, Domenichino, Van Dyck, Poussin, Claude Lorrain, Tiepolo, Fragonard, Delacroix) that his life and work inspired.
Tagged with Akira Kurosawa, Byron, Claude Lorrain, Delacroix, Domenichino, Dvorak, Fragonard, Godzilla, Goethe, Guercino, Handel, Haydn, hiaku, Ishiro Honda, King of Poets, King of the Poets, Kurosawa, Lully, Milton, monster films, monsters, Monteverdi, moster movies, Pietro da Cortona, Poussin, Rossini, Spencer, Tasso, the Carracci, Tiepolo, Tintoretto, Toho, Toho Studios, Torquato Tasso, Van Dyck, Vivaldi
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We Are NXP | A Framework for Ethical AI
by Lars Reger
It's hard to deny that artificial intelligence has come so far so fast. It's working its way into our lives in ways that seem so natural that we find ourselves taking it for granted almost immediately. It's helping us get around town, keeping us fit and always inventing new ways to help around the house. The ever-increasing availability of affordable sensors and computing elements will only accelerate this trend. Thinking of what's next, which was once the domain of science fiction writers, is now our day-to-day reality. In fact, Deloitte has estimated that more than 750 million AI chips will be sold in 2020 and by 2024 they expect this will exceed 1.5 billion.
As with any useful advancement, AI will be a little bit of a mixed bag. Most AI applications will be designed for the greater good, but there will always be outlying cases. The increase in autonomous applications that carry with them the potential to put humans in danger drives home the need for a universal code of conduct for AI development. A few years ago this would have sounded preposterous, but things are changing fast.
The industry, together with governments of several of the world's leading nations, are already developing policies that would govern AI, even going so far as discussing a "code of conduct" for AI that focuses on safety and privacy. But how does one make AI ethical? First, you have to define what is ethical and the definition isn't as cut and dry as we may hope. Without even considering the vast cultural and societal differences that could impact any such code, in practical terms, AI devices require complicated frameworks in order to carry out their decision-making processes.
The integrity of an AI system is just as important as the ethical programming because once a set of underlying principles is decided on, we need to be sure they're not compromised. Machine learning can be utilized to monitor data streams to detect anomalies, but it can also be used by hackers to further enhance the effectiveness of their cyberattacks. AI systems also have to process input data without compromising privacy. Encrypting all communications will maintain confidentiality of data, and Edge AI systems are starting to use some of the most advanced cryptography techniques available.
Bright minds. Bright futures. NXP team members create breakthrough technologies that advance our world. The future starts here.
Perhaps the biggest challenge is that the AI ecosystem is made up of contributions from various creators. Accountability and levels of trust between these contributors are not uniformly shared, and any breach could have far reaching implications if systematic vulnerabilities are exploited. Therefore, it's the responsibility of the entire industry to work towards interoperable and assessable security.
Agreement on a universal code of ethics will be difficult and some basic provisions need to be resolved around safety and security. In the meantime, certification of silicon, connectivity and transactions should be a focus for stakeholders as we collaborate to build trustworthy AI systems of the future.
At NXP, we believe that upholding ethical AI principles, including non-maleficence, human autonomy, explicability, continued attention and vigilance, privacy and security by design is important. It is our responsibility to encourage our customers, partners and stakeholders to support us in this endeavor.
You can read more it in our whitepaper, The Morals of Algorithms – A contribution to the ethics of AI systems.
Tags: We Are NXP
Lars Reger
Technology officer, NXP Semiconductors
Lars Reger, Senior Vice President, is chief technology officer at NXP Semiconductors. As CTO, Lars is responsible for managing new business activities and R&D in the focus markets of Automotive, Industry 4.0., Internet of Things, Mobile and Connectivity & Infrastructure. NXP has the broadest processor portfolio for the internet of things and is the world's largest chip supplier to the automotive industry. NXP and its global team of experts drive the development of autonomous, securely connected vehicles and accelerate the introduction of smart and securely connected devices for the internet of things through its outstanding edge computing expertise. Before joining NXP, Lars gained deep insight into the microelectronics industry with a focus on the automotive sector. He began his career with Siemens Semiconductors as as a product engineer in 1997. His past roles at Infineon included head of the process and product engineering departments, project manager for Mobile System Chips and director of IP Management. Prior to joining NXP as CTO of the automotive division in 2008, he was responsible for business development and product management within the Connectivity business unit at Continental. In December 2018 Lars was appointed CTO and has since then been responsible for the overall technology portfolio of NXP.
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by Jenny Oschmann
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by Freek van Vlerken
NXP Brings Understanding to AI


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061 – Faith Stealer
Multihaven, a seemingly harmonious community that embraces vast array of faiths. But the Doctor, Charley and C'Rizz don't know what to believe.
Styre	on May 8, 2016 at 12:21 AM
FAITH STEALER
With the announcement that the new Doctor Who television series would commence in March of 2005, Big Finish decided to move its Paul McGann audio releases forward to the end of 2004, thereby preventing their ongoing series from conflicting with its official counterpart. This meant that after an 18-month gap between Neverland and Zagreus, nine of the following fifteen plays would feature McGann's Doctor — but after the up-and-down third season, the fourth would have had to be something special to keep listeners' interests through December. And after the silly, needless "cliffhanger" at the end of The Twilight Kingdom, it fell to Graham Duff's Faith Stealer to kick off the fourth season with a bang. Unfortunately, that's not what happened.
When you close a season with your lead actor bellowing "RASSILON!" as the object of his obsession, you generally expect the next season's first episode to deal with this in some way. Of course, Faith Stealer has absolutely nothing to do with that exclamation, existing instead as a purely standalone adventure that has little to nothing to do with the Divergent universe. This isn't Duff's fault at all, but it is emblematic of the arrogant wrong-headedness that has dominated the books and audios of late. "I'll destroy Gallifrey to *make* the authors tell stories they couldn't possibly have told before!" bellowed Justin Richards, and lo, the range produced 90% stories that would have worked under the old order. Here, it's the same thing: "I'll put the eighth Doctor in a completely new universe, forcing the authors to push the boundaries with new, thought-provoking Doctor Who stories!" was the word from BF — but so far the only thing different about this universe is the absence of the word "time" from the vocabularies of its population.
But despite the uncontrollable factors, there's a great deal to like about Faith Stealer. Doctor Who doesn't normally go after religion (and recent efforts like Companion Piece might show you why not), so it's refreshing to hear an author satirizing religion without resorting to baseless attacks or offensive comparisons. Though there are ludicrous religions on display, most of them are shown to be honorable at heart — Duff pokes fun at the specifics but seems to have a healthy respect for the benefits of religion. Duff also displays a keen grasp of comedy: there are several hilarious scenes, perhaps none more so than C'rizz and the Bishop together: "Uh oh!" "What?" "It has to do with turning back!"
Unfortunately, one of the few common themes of Doctor Who that annoys me rears its head here: the necessity to explain away something horrible with pseudoscience or alien influences. If Laan Carder was simply a religious maniac, if Miraculite wasn't relying upon him for existence, if this had been a pure exploration of the effects of rampant fanaticism, Faith Stealer would be a better story. Despite the elegance of Duff's solution, the ending seems to be something of a cop-out — and, in either case, narratively speaking it's quite rushed. This doesn't detract from the play as a whole, but I think more could have been done with the premise, amusing as the humorous content may be.
I wasn't particularly impressed with Paul McGann's performances as the Doctor in the third season, especially since his only chance to play the Doctor "straight" in The Creed of the Kromon was disappointing. The authors don't seem to know where to take the character post-Zagreus: Shearman made him darker in Scherzo, Martin made him generic in Kromon, and Shindler put together a combination of the two in The Twilight Kingdom — and here he's just bland, bereft of his usual enthusiasm but also lacking the darkness that has characterized him from time to time since the universe changeover. Usually he sounds great, but here McGann just isn't very interesting.
The companion role has been a struggle over the past few plays as well. Charley does next to nothing important in this play; Duff writes the character well and makes her charming rather than irritating, but she's utterly superfluous. Because of this, it's hard to rate India Fisher's performance — it'd be nearly impossible for her to impress or disappoint based upon the material, and as expected she's decent but unspectacular. C'rizz, on the other hand, gets some exploratory material: we see his guilt over having to kill L'da, and his manner of dealing with it. Unfortunately, his past life as a monk is only briefly mentioned, despite this being a play about religion, leading me to believe that we're going to get annoying hints about his past for two more plays before getting a poorly-written explosion of exposition come The Next Life. I like Conrad Westmaas, but, much like Fisher, he doesn't have the best material in the world here.
The supporting cast is, as usual, very good. Christian Rodska adds a small amount of comic melodrama to his performance as Laan Carder, making it all the more effective. Tessa Shaw is wonderful as the Bordinan, lending an enlightened centerpiece to a society founded in religion. And Ifan Huw Dafydd is hilarious as Bishop Parrish, especially in his scenes with C'rizz.
Gareth Jenkins' sound design is as good as you might expect — this time he's asked to replicate the sound of someone's forehead birthing a crystal and he manages it without audible effort. Russell Stone's score is magnificent as always, offering a tone that matches both the content and subject matter of the play. Gary Russell assembles a large cast for the play, rather than re-using actors, and it pays off — plus the pace is kept up. The cover is not good, though — the stained-glass motif was used to better effect on the Jubilee cover and it isn't evocative of the content at all.
Despite its flaws, the content of Faith Stealer is effective enough to make this a better-than-average play. However, this is a solid midseason episode; as a season premiere it's completely inappropriate. This won't affect my rating of the story, but this makes the series seem as though it's treading water rather than blazing a trail to an epic conclusion. As it stands, though, Faith Stealer is recommended — you could do worse than this play as a vehicle to introduce a new listener to the McGann range.