I was talking with my best friend about the things we find important in relationships, both platonic and romantic, and it got me thinking about one of the criteria we had in common.
I love talking about movies and television and music and books. I love being able to share with people why I love the things that I love, and what about them that speaks to me. I love listening to people talk about the things they love, the movies they're passionate about, the stories that resonate with them, and why. Often we're drawn to things for deeply personal reasons, as much as we might not want to admit it. Everything we watch or read or listen to is viewed through our own experiences. What may seem silly and frivolous to someone may be achingly poignant to another.
If I were a creator, an artist, I would hope that at least some of the thought, feeling and passion that I put into my work would reflect in it and allow someone to connect to it. I would hope that what I put out into the world could help someone else to understand themselves or someone they know better, or make them happier.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Geez, get a blog.
A friend of mine posted a link to an article about Facebook and the Social Network and how Facebook frames our lives in Zuckerberg's terms and, well, I teal deered all over his Facebook wall.
The article mentions Zuckerberg's profile in the New Yorker, which I remember reading and it explained a lot for me about Facebook and the, I don't know, the meaning behind the way it functions. Facebook, as opposed to other social media, has limited room for creativity. Even Twitter, which functions somewhat like status updates, leaves more room for creative uses than Facebook. As mentioned in the article, Facebook reduces complex human relationships into Zuckerberg terms - trivia, poking. The creative aspect of Facebook lies in programming applications, because that's Mark Zuckerberg's creative output.
Every aspect of Facebook stems from Zuckerberg's view on the world, including privacy policies. Every new feature that Facebook introduces is opt-out, not opt-in. Facebook operates under the assumption that the notion of privacy is becoming outdated and there's no reason to keep any parts of your life to yourself any more, and Zuckerberg has said as much: "Having two identities for yourself is an example of a lack of integrity." Every so often the privacy options for Facebook change, and the majority of Facebook users accept without question. The outcry against Beacon back in 2007 didn't come from a majority, but just a small circle of users concerned with privacy.
I agree with what the author said about the last defense of Facebook. Facebook is easy. It's easy to feel like you're keeping in touch with people if you see their Facebook posts. Asking people to post in a Facebook group to keep in touch isn't keeping in touch, it's a Christmas newsletter. It's changed the way people relate and the way they think about friendship. Today, saying you don't have Facebook is like saying you don't own a television. Facebook is obligatory.
Every aspect of Facebook stems from Zuckerberg's view on the world, including privacy policies. Every new feature that Facebook introduces is opt-out, not opt-in. Facebook operates under the assumption that the notion of privacy is becoming outdated and there's no reason to keep any parts of your life to yourself any more, and Zuckerberg has said as much: "Having two identities for yourself is an example of a lack of integrity." Every so often the privacy options for Facebook change, and the majority of Facebook users accept without question. The outcry against Beacon back in 2007 didn't come from a majority, but just a small circle of users concerned with privacy.
I agree with what the author said about the last defense of Facebook. Facebook is easy. It's easy to feel like you're keeping in touch with people if you see their Facebook posts. Asking people to post in a Facebook group to keep in touch isn't keeping in touch, it's a Christmas newsletter. It's changed the way people relate and the way they think about friendship. Today, saying you don't have Facebook is like saying you don't own a television. Facebook is obligatory.
Friday, February 4, 2011
I can't be objective about this.
I keep wanting to write something about Justified, one of my favorite new shows of the 09-10 season. It's a great show, the perfect mix of standalone and arc-centric episodes, compelling characters, strong women and Timothy Olyphant playing Seth Bullock in the 21st century confused as to why he can't just shoot people any more. Well, slightly more complicated than that, anyway.
I want to be articulate, and composed, and explain all the perfectly logical plot-related reasons why you would want to watch this show, and why I love this show. Really, take it from me, it's an incredible show. FX, you done good.
But I'm watching these episodes to catch up on the last half of the season before the premiere on Feb. 9th (watch iiiiiiit) and also trying to think of things I can say about it to convince you to watch, but everything I think of can pretty much be boiled down to this gif:
I'll have to try again sometime, I think. Because there's really more to this show than just Timothy Olyphant walking around setting panties aflame all across the country through the tv, though if you're on the fence about it, that's should be enough to push you over.
I want to be articulate, and composed, and explain all the perfectly logical plot-related reasons why you would want to watch this show, and why I love this show. Really, take it from me, it's an incredible show. FX, you done good.
But I'm watching these episodes to catch up on the last half of the season before the premiere on Feb. 9th (watch iiiiiiit) and also trying to think of things I can say about it to convince you to watch, but everything I think of can pretty much be boiled down to this gif:
I'll have to try again sometime, I think. Because there's really more to this show than just Timothy Olyphant walking around setting panties aflame all across the country through the tv, though if you're on the fence about it, that's should be enough to push you over.