[ Posted by kevin
Sun, 14 Jan 2007 21:16:40 GMT ]
"A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" (Dave Eggers)
This is an autobiography. I wish someone would have told me that, because I hate autobiographies. I'll go as far as to say that no-one's life is that interesting... everything needs a plot.
That said, this guy has a fascinating writing style. For a really dull book, it had some interesting moments. Many of what he says is very poetic, and rang with that quiet bell of truth that you can recognize sometimes. His paranoia and genuine love of his brother and friends, while at the same time desire to use them in his book (yes, it's meta like that), was endearing in a quirky sort of way.
It was very different from my usual fantasy-fare, so was a refreshing read.
Technorati Tags: review, puppy
Posted in Concerts | 4 comments
[ Posted by kevin
Tue, 15 Aug 2006 14:08:27 GMT ]
The matrix was one of the most popular movies of all time, while the Island didn’t even get very good reviews. They share the similarity of a “virtual world” that people awaken from, which may have caused the bad reviews. Truly, though, people have been making movies and books about awakening since the beginning of time.
Why is the Island so much better than the Matrix?
1) It’s more realistic.
Neo in the Matrix transcended both virtual and actual realities, and that distances the viewers from identifying with the film. While the Matrix is a future world that might happen if we start battling with sentient computers, the Island is just one short medical breakthrough away. The society of the “real world” presented in the Island is very similar to our own.
2) The bad guys are badder.
The matrix’s computers were content to let us live out our little lives in a virtual existence. They even went to a lot of trouble to make sure we were happy in our environment (in that utopia didn’t work).
The Island is the only thing I’ve seen that justifies the horror of the death camps of World War 2. The incinerator scene still echoes in my head.
3) It’s easier to identify with the Island, because I’m not an evil computer program trying to use people as batteries. But if I could pay money to guarantee an organ transplant, I would. I can see myself as both product and sponsor, and the only person I struggle to identify with is the evil doctor leading the organization. If they’d thrown in just a little bit more medical excitement about the dreams-of-sponsor somehow being in the transfer, and that being intentional research and benefiting the world, then “justifying” the cruelty would have been a lot easier.
To me, the big paradigm of the Island is the justification of the horror. The only horror equal to it was the death camps of World War 2, and I (and most people) have never understood their justification or how they ever happened. It’s been nearly a month since I first watched the Island, and I still think of it often or dream about it. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it.
Technorati Tags: movies, awakening, the island, the matrix
Posted in Concerts | 1 comment
[ Posted by kevin
Mon, 13 Jun 2005 16:26:19 GMT ]
Friday was another string concert, part of the same series as the last one. Once again, the performers were excellent. I noticed this time that they switch chairs every song, so someone else is 1st violin, for example. They’re all 1st violin worthy!
Felix Mendelssohn, String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13*
Rather slow, with some sweet places.
Georges Bizet, A Suite for Carmen (arr. Chase)
Very rousing – definitely woke up everyone who fell asleep during the Mendelssohn piece :) I’ve heard this before and not liked it as much, but it was great here. Not as ‘together’ as the other pieces, but nicely written and the perfect virtuoso flair appropriate to the performers.
Robert Schumann, String quartet No.1 in A minor, Op. 41/1
The later the movement, the better this was. I wonder if Schumann perhaps needed an editor, the same way J.K. Rawling (and every popularized author) becomes so trapped. The last movement was beautiful, and had a great spot that could break your heart. But then it went on for another 5 minutes instead of ending.
Posted in Concerts | 1 comment
