Comments for The Wake http://www.wakemag.org The Fortnightly student magazine of the University of Minnesota Sat, 17 May 2008 16:11:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on 10,000 B.C. - Too Many Problems to Name by Martin http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/life-in-the-time-of-popular-culture/10000-bc-too-many-problems-to-name/#comment-2055 Martin Fri, 16 May 2008 04:10:09 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/life-in-the-time-of-popular-culture/10000-bc-too-many-problems-to-name/#comment-2055 Ummm. They didn't make up a language for Apocalypto. It was about Mayans so they used the mayan language. Considering we have no idea what language was spoken in 10000 BCE (if any) using English was fine. You shouldn't make up some language. Now there are some real problems though, but most of these are actually answered by the film, because the whole point of the film is that these people are all facing what seems to be the lost advanced civilazation known modernly as Atlantis. Or some kind of story like that. So essentially, this is just another Atlantis story. Ummm. They didn’t make up a language for Apocalypto. It was about Mayans so they used the mayan language. Considering we have no idea what language was spoken in 10000 BCE (if any) using English was fine. You shouldn’t make up some language.

Now there are some real problems though, but most of these are actually answered by the film, because the whole point of the film is that these people are all facing what seems to be the lost advanced civilazation known modernly as Atlantis. Or some kind of story like that. So essentially, this is just another Atlantis story.

]]> Comment on It Ain’t the Same Old Song and Dance by Aaron http://www.wakemag.org/sound-vision/it-aint-the-same-old-song-and-dance/#comment-2054 Aaron Fri, 16 May 2008 03:12:22 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/sound-vision/it-aint-the-same-old-song-and-dance/#comment-2054 I love this website. I love this website.

]]> Comment on Self Immolation Therapy by a. faulkner http://www.wakemag.org/voices/self-immolation-therapy/#comment-2041 a. faulkner Thu, 15 May 2008 07:01:28 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/self-immolation-therapy/#comment-2041 fuck yes you found me. brilliant. i think you're spot on, and (as we discussed earlier tonight) it's important to remember these things, whether or not you use the service. xoxo fuck yes you found me. brilliant. i think you’re spot on, and (as we discussed earlier tonight) it’s important to remember these things, whether or not you use the service.

xoxo

]]> Comment on Jack of Spades: An Interview with Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer by Troubled American http://www.wakemag.org/featured/jack-of-spades-an-interview-with-jack-nelson-pallmeyer/#comment-2035 Troubled American Wed, 14 May 2008 19:47:21 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/featured/jack-of-spades-an-interview-with-jack-nelson-pallmeyer/#comment-2035 Don’t believe one optimistic word from any public figure about the economy or humanity in general. They are all part of the problem. Its like a game of Monopoly. In America, the richest 1% now hold 1/2 OF ALL UNITED STATES WEALTH. Unlike ‘lesser’ estimates, this includes all stocks, bonds, cash, and material assets held by America’s richest 1%. Even that filthy pig Oprah acknowledged that it was at about 50% in 2006. Naturally, she put her own ‘humanitarian’ spin on it. Calling attention to her own ‘good will’. WHAT A DISGUSTING HYPOCRITE SLOB. THE RICHEST 1% HAVE LITERALLY MADE WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. Don’t fall for any of their ‘humanitarian’ CRAP. ITS A SHAM. THESE PEOPLE ARE CAUSING THE SAME PROBLEMS THEY PRETEND TO CARE ABOUT. Ask any professor of economics. Money does not grow on trees. The government can’t just print up more on a whim. At any given time, there is a relative limit to the wealth within ANY economy of ANY size. So when too much wealth accumulates at the top, the middle class slip further into debt and the lower class further into poverty. A similar rule applies worldwide. The world’s richest 1% now own over 40% of ALL WORLD WEALTH. This is EVEN AFTER you account for all of this ‘good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS from celebrities and executives. ITS A SHAM. As they get richer and richer, less wealth is left circulating beneath them. This is the single greatest underlying cause for the current US recession. The middle class can no longer afford to sustain their share of the economy. Their wealth has been gradually transfered to the richest 1%. One way or another, we suffer because of their incredible greed. We are talking about TRILLIONS of dollars which have been transfered FROM US TO THEM. All over a period of about 27 years. Thats Reaganomics for you. The wealth does not ‘trickle down’ as we were told it would. It just accumulates at the top. Shrinking the middle class and expanding the lower class. Causing a domino effect of socio-economic problems. But the rich will never stop. They just keep getting richer. Leaving even less of the pie for the other 99% of us to share. At the same time, they throw back a few tax deductible crumbs and call themselves ‘humanitarians’. Cashing in on the PR and getting even richer the following year. IT CAN’T WORK THIS WAY. Their bogus efforts to make the world a better place can not possibly succeed. Any 'humanitarian' progress made in one area will be lost in another. EVERY SINGLE TIME. IT ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WORK THIS WAY. This is going to end just like a game of Monopoly. The current US recession will drag on for years and lead into the worst US depression of all time. The richest 1% will live like royalty while the rest of us fight over jobs, food, and gasoline. So don’t fall for any of this PR CRAP from Hollywood, Pro Sports, and Wall Street PIGS. ITS A SHAM. Remember: They are filthy rich EVEN AFTER their tax deductible contributions. Greedy pigs. Now, we are headed for the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time. Crime, poverty, and suicide will skyrocket. SEND A “THANK YOU” NOTE TO YOUR FAVORITE MILLIONAIRE. ITS THEIR FAULT. I’m not discounting other factors like China, sub-prime, or gas prices. But all of those factors combined still pale in comparison to that HUGE transfer of wealth to the rich. Anyway, those other factors are all related and further aggrivated because of GREED. If it weren’t for the OBSCENE distribution of wealth within our country, there never would have been such a market for sub-prime to begin with. Which by the way, was another trick whipped up by greedy bankers and executives. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. The credit industry has been ENDORSED by people like Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGenerous, Dr Phil, and many other celebrities. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. Now, there are commercial ties between nearly every industry and every public figure. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for their ‘good will’ BS. ITS A LIE. If you fall for it, then you’re a fool. If you see any real difference between the moral character of a celebrity, politician, attorney, or executive, then you’re a fool. No offense fellow citizens. But we have been mislead by nearly every public figure. WAKE UP PEOPLE. THEIR GOAL IS TO WIN THE GAME. The 1% club will always say or do whatever it takes to get as rich as possible. Without the slightest regard for anything or anyone but themselves. Reaganomics. Their idea. Loans from China. Their idea. NAFTA. Their idea. Outsourcing. Their idea. Sub-prime. Their idea. High energy prices. Their idea. Obscene health care charges. Their idea. The commercial lobbyist. Their idea. The multi-million dollar lawsuit. Their idea. The multi-million dollar endorsement deal. Their idea. $200 cell phone bills. Their idea. $200 basketball shoes. Their idea. $30 late fees. Their idea. $30 NSF fees. Their idea. $20 DVDs. Their idea. Subliminal advertising. Their idea. Brainwash plots on TV. Their idea. Vioxx, and Celebrex. Their idea. The MASSIVE campaign to turn every American into a brainwashed, credit card, pharmaceutical, love-sick, celebrity junkie. Their idea. All of the above shrink the middle class, concentrate the world’s wealth and resources, create a dominoe effect of socio-economic problems, and wreak havok on society. All of which have been CREATED AND ENDORSED by celebrities, athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and politicians. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for any of their ‘good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS. ITS A SHAM. NOTHING BUT TAX DEDUCTIBLE PR CRAP. In many cases, the 'charitable' contribution is almost entirely offset. Not to mention the opportunity to plug their name, image, product, and 'good will' all at once. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. These filthy pigs even have the nerve to throw a fit and spin up a misleading defense with regard to 'federal tax revenue'. ITS A SHAM. THEY SCREWED UP THE EQUATION TO BEGIN WITH. If the middle and lower classes had a greater share of the pie, they could easily cover a greater share of the federal tax revenue. They are held down in many ways because of greed. Wages remain stagnant for millions because the executives, celebrities, athletes, attorneys, and entrepreneurs, are paid millions. They over-sell, over-charge, under-pay, outsource, cut jobs, and benefits to increase their bottom line. As their profits rise, so do the stock values. Which are owned primarily by the richest 5%. As more United States wealth rises to the top, the middle and lower classes inevitably suffer. This reduces the potential tax reveue drawn from those brackets. At the same time, it wreaks havok on middle and lower class communities and increases the need for financial aid. Not to mention the spike in crime because of it. There is a dominoe effect to consider. IT CAN'T WORK THIS WAY. But our leaders refuse to acknowledge this. Instead they come up with one trick after another to milk the system and screw the majority. These decisions are heavily influensed by the 1% club. Every year, billions of federal tax dollars are diverted behind the scenes back to the rich and their respective industries. Loans from China have been necessary to compensate in part, for the red ink and multi-trillion dollar transfer of wealth to the rich. At the same time, the feds have been pushing more financial burden onto the states who push them lower onto the cities. Again, the hardship is felt more by the majority and less by the 1% club. The rich prefer to live in exclusive areas or upper class communities. They get the best of everything. Reliable city services, new schools, freshly paved roads, upscale parks, ect. The middle and lower class communities get little or nothing without a local tax increase. Which, they usually can't afford. So the red ink flows followed by service cuts and lay-offs. All because of the OBSCENE distribution of bottom line wealth in this country. So when people forgive the rich for their incredible greed and then praise them for paying a greater share of the FEDERAL income taxes, its like nails on a chalk board. I can not accept any theory that our economy would suffer in any way with a more reasonable distribution of wealth. Afterall, it was more reasonable 30 years ago. Before Reaganomics came along. Before GREED became such an epidemic. Before we had an army of over-paid executives, bankers, celebrities, athletes, attorneys, doctors, investors, entrepreneurs, developers, and sold-out politicians to kiss their asses. As a nation, we were in much better shape. Strong middle class, free and clear assets, lower crime rate, more widespread prosperity, stable job market, lower deficit, ect. Our economy as a whole was much more stable and prosperous for the majority. WITHOUT LOANS FROM CHINA. Now, we have a more obscene distribution of bottom line wealth than ever before. We have a sold-out government, crumbling infrastructure, energy crisis, home forclosure epidemic, 13 figure national deficit, and 12 figure annual shortfall. The cost of living is higher than ever before. Most people can't even afford basic health care. ALL BECAUSE OF GREED. I really don't blame the 2nd -5th percentiles in general. No economy could ever function without some reasonable scale of personal wealth and income. But it can't be allowed to run wild like a mad dog. ALBERT EINSTEIN TRIED TO MAKE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND. UNBRIDLED CAPITALISM ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WORK. TOP HEAVY ECONOMIES ALWAYS COLLAPSE. Bottom line: The richest 1% will soon tank the largest economy in the world. It will be like nothing we’ve ever seen before. The American dream will be shattered. and thats just the beginning. Greed will eventually tank every major economy in the world. Causing millions to suffer and die. Oprah, Angelina, Brad, Bono, and Bill are not part of the solution. They are part of the problem. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE HUMANITARIAN. EXTREME WEALTH MAKES WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. WITHOUT WORLD PROSPERITY, THERE WILL NEVER BE WORLD PEACE OR ANYTHING EVEN CLOSE. GREED KILLS. IT WILL BE OUR DOWNFALL. Of course, the rich will throw a fit and call me a madman.. Of course, they will jump to small minded conclusions about 'jealousy', 'envy', or 'socialism'. Of course, their ignorant fans will do the same. You have to expect that. But I speak the truth. If you don’t believe me, then copy this entry and run it by any professor of economics or socio-economics. Then tell a friend. Call the local radio station. Re-post this entry or put it in your own words. Be one of the first to predict the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time and explain its cause. WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE. Don’t believe one optimistic word from any public figure about the economy or humanity in general. They are all part of the problem. Its like a game of Monopoly. In America, the richest 1% now hold 1/2 OF ALL UNITED STATES WEALTH. Unlike ‘lesser’ estimates, this includes all stocks, bonds, cash, and material assets held by America’s richest 1%. Even that filthy pig Oprah acknowledged that it was at about 50% in 2006. Naturally, she put her own ‘humanitarian’ spin on it. Calling attention to her own ‘good will’. WHAT A DISGUSTING HYPOCRITE SLOB. THE RICHEST 1% HAVE LITERALLY MADE WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. Don’t fall for any of their ‘humanitarian’ CRAP. ITS A SHAM. THESE PEOPLE ARE CAUSING THE SAME PROBLEMS THEY PRETEND TO CARE ABOUT. Ask any professor of economics. Money does not grow on trees. The government can’t just print up more on a whim. At any given time, there is a relative limit to the wealth within ANY economy of ANY size. So when too much wealth accumulates at the top, the middle class slip further into debt and the lower class further into poverty. A similar rule applies worldwide. The world’s richest 1% now own over 40% of ALL WORLD WEALTH. This is EVEN AFTER you account for all of this ‘good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS from celebrities and executives. ITS A SHAM. As they get richer and richer, less wealth is left circulating beneath them. This is the single greatest underlying cause for the current US recession. The middle class can no longer afford to sustain their share of the economy. Their wealth has been gradually transfered to the richest 1%. One way or another, we suffer because of their incredible greed. We are talking about TRILLIONS of dollars which have been transfered FROM US TO THEM. All over a period of about 27 years. Thats Reaganomics for you. The wealth does not ‘trickle down’ as we were told it would. It just accumulates at the top. Shrinking the middle class and expanding the lower class. Causing a domino effect of socio-economic problems. But the rich will never stop. They just keep getting richer. Leaving even less of the pie for the other 99% of us to share. At the same time, they throw back a few tax deductible crumbs and call themselves ‘humanitarians’. Cashing in on the PR and getting even richer the following year. IT CAN’T WORK THIS WAY. Their bogus efforts to make the world a better place can not possibly succeed. Any ‘humanitarian’ progress made in one area will be lost in another. EVERY SINGLE TIME. IT ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WORK THIS WAY. This is going to end just like a game of Monopoly. The current US recession will drag on for years and lead into the worst US depression of all time. The richest 1% will live like royalty while the rest of us fight over jobs, food, and gasoline. So don’t fall for any of this PR CRAP from Hollywood, Pro Sports, and Wall Street PIGS. ITS A SHAM. Remember: They are filthy rich EVEN AFTER their tax deductible contributions. Greedy pigs. Now, we are headed for the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time. Crime, poverty, and suicide will skyrocket. SEND A “THANK YOU” NOTE TO YOUR FAVORITE MILLIONAIRE. ITS THEIR FAULT. I’m not discounting other factors like China, sub-prime, or gas prices. But all of those factors combined still pale in comparison to that HUGE transfer of wealth to the rich. Anyway, those other factors are all related and further aggrivated because of GREED. If it weren’t for the OBSCENE distribution of wealth within our country, there never would have been such a market for sub-prime to begin with. Which by the way, was another trick whipped up by greedy bankers and executives. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. The credit industry has been ENDORSED by people like Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGenerous, Dr Phil, and many other celebrities. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. Now, there are commercial ties between nearly every industry and every public figure. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for their ‘good will’ BS. ITS A LIE. If you fall for it, then you’re a fool. If you see any real difference between the moral character of a celebrity, politician, attorney, or executive, then you’re a fool. No offense fellow citizens. But we have been mislead by nearly every public figure. WAKE UP PEOPLE. THEIR GOAL IS TO WIN THE GAME. The 1% club will always say or do whatever it takes to get as rich as possible. Without the slightest regard for anything or anyone but themselves. Reaganomics. Their idea. Loans from China. Their idea. NAFTA. Their idea. Outsourcing. Their idea. Sub-prime. Their idea. High energy prices. Their idea. Obscene health care charges. Their idea. The commercial lobbyist. Their idea. The multi-million dollar lawsuit. Their idea. The multi-million dollar endorsement deal. Their idea. $200 cell phone bills. Their idea. $200 basketball shoes. Their idea. $30 late fees. Their idea. $30 NSF fees. Their idea. $20 DVDs. Their idea. Subliminal advertising. Their idea. Brainwash plots on TV. Their idea. Vioxx, and Celebrex. Their idea. The MASSIVE campaign to turn every American into a brainwashed, credit card, pharmaceutical, love-sick, celebrity junkie. Their idea. All of the above shrink the middle class, concentrate the world’s wealth and resources, create a dominoe effect of socio-economic problems, and wreak havok on society. All of which have been CREATED AND ENDORSED by celebrities, athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and politicians. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for any of their ‘good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS. ITS A SHAM. NOTHING BUT TAX DEDUCTIBLE PR CRAP. In many cases, the ‘charitable’ contribution is almost entirely offset. Not to mention the opportunity to plug their name, image, product, and ‘good will’ all at once. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. These filthy pigs even have the nerve to throw a fit and spin up a misleading defense with regard to ‘federal tax revenue’. ITS A SHAM. THEY SCREWED UP THE EQUATION TO BEGIN WITH. If the middle and lower classes had a greater share of the pie, they could easily cover a greater share of the federal tax revenue. They are held down in many ways because of greed. Wages remain stagnant for millions because the executives, celebrities, athletes, attorneys, and entrepreneurs, are paid millions. They over-sell, over-charge, under-pay, outsource, cut jobs, and benefits to increase their bottom line. As their profits rise, so do the stock values. Which are owned primarily by the richest 5%. As more United States wealth rises to the top, the middle and lower classes inevitably suffer. This reduces the potential tax reveue drawn from those brackets. At the same time, it wreaks havok on middle and lower class communities and increases the need for financial aid. Not to mention the spike in crime because of it. There is a dominoe effect to consider. IT CAN’T WORK THIS WAY. But our leaders refuse to acknowledge this. Instead they come up with one trick after another to milk the system and screw the majority. These decisions are heavily influensed by the 1% club. Every year, billions of federal tax dollars are diverted behind the scenes back to the rich and their respective industries. Loans from China have been necessary to compensate in part, for the red ink and multi-trillion dollar transfer of wealth to the rich. At the same time, the feds have been pushing more financial burden onto the states who push them lower onto the cities. Again, the hardship is felt more by the majority and less by the 1% club. The rich prefer to live in exclusive areas or upper class communities. They get the best of everything. Reliable city services, new schools, freshly paved roads, upscale parks, ect. The middle and lower class communities get little or nothing without a local tax increase. Which, they usually can’t afford. So the red ink flows followed by service cuts and lay-offs. All because of the OBSCENE distribution of bottom line wealth in this country. So when people forgive the rich for their incredible greed and then praise them for paying a greater share of the FEDERAL income taxes, its like nails on a chalk board. I can not accept any theory that our economy would suffer in any way with a more reasonable distribution of wealth. Afterall, it was more reasonable 30 years ago. Before Reaganomics came along. Before GREED became such an epidemic. Before we had an army of over-paid executives, bankers, celebrities, athletes, attorneys, doctors, investors, entrepreneurs, developers, and sold-out politicians to kiss their asses. As a nation, we were in much better shape. Strong middle class, free and clear assets, lower crime rate, more widespread prosperity, stable job market, lower deficit, ect. Our economy as a whole was much more stable and prosperous for the majority. WITHOUT LOANS FROM CHINA. Now, we have a more obscene distribution of bottom line wealth than ever before. We have a sold-out government, crumbling infrastructure, energy crisis, home forclosure epidemic, 13 figure national deficit, and 12 figure annual shortfall. The cost of living is higher than ever before. Most people can’t even afford basic health care. ALL BECAUSE OF GREED. I really don’t blame the 2nd -5th percentiles in general. No economy could ever function without some reasonable scale of personal wealth and income. But it can’t be allowed to run wild like a mad dog. ALBERT EINSTEIN TRIED TO MAKE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND. UNBRIDLED CAPITALISM ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WORK. TOP HEAVY ECONOMIES ALWAYS COLLAPSE. Bottom line: The richest 1% will soon tank the largest economy in the world. It will be like nothing we’ve ever seen before. The American dream will be shattered. and thats just the beginning. Greed will eventually tank every major economy in the world. Causing millions to suffer and die. Oprah, Angelina, Brad, Bono, and Bill are not part of the solution. They are part of the problem. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE HUMANITARIAN. EXTREME WEALTH MAKES WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. WITHOUT WORLD PROSPERITY, THERE WILL NEVER BE WORLD PEACE OR ANYTHING EVEN CLOSE. GREED KILLS. IT WILL BE OUR DOWNFALL. Of course, the rich will throw a fit and call me a madman.. Of course, they will jump to small minded conclusions about ‘jealousy’, ‘envy’, or ’socialism’. Of course, their ignorant fans will do the same. You have to expect that. But I speak the truth. If you don’t believe me, then copy this entry and run it by any professor of economics or socio-economics. Then tell a friend. Call the local radio station. Re-post this entry or put it in your own words. Be one of the first to predict the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time and explain its cause. WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE.

]]> Comment on The Cult of Praise by Colleen Smith http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-2030 Colleen Smith Wed, 14 May 2008 06:24:08 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-2030 I'm very interested and pleased by this turn of comment-events. I appreciate Fact Checker 1 & 2's critiques of this article because it forces additional careful thought on the topic. I personally did not claim that POP was a cult or that I was dismissing it. I said that Mr. Stone was representing it honestly, which means that he was not telling lies about his experience. That doesn't mean that I think his words are stuff of capital-T-Truth. In fact, I said that I believe POP can bring great happiness to some people and that it accomplishes some good in the world. While I have no doctorate in POP, I was surrounded by it for 6 years in 7-12 grade and I believe that this qualifies me at the very least to have an opinion about the organization. POP founded, framed, and fostered my high school, and a majority of the students in attendance there were members. I am not claiming to be a "qualified expert", but I think that my question of legitimacy is still a valid one. I’m very interested and pleased by this turn of comment-events. I appreciate Fact Checker 1 & 2’s critiques of this article because it forces additional careful thought on the topic.

I personally did not claim that POP was a cult or that I was dismissing it. I said that Mr. Stone was representing it honestly, which means that he was not telling lies about his experience. That doesn’t mean that I think his words are stuff of capital-T-Truth. In fact, I said that I believe POP can bring great happiness to some people and that it accomplishes some good in the world.

While I have no doctorate in POP, I was surrounded by it for 6 years in 7-12 grade and I believe that this qualifies me at the very least to have an opinion about the organization. POP founded, framed, and fostered my high school, and a majority of the students in attendance there were members. I am not claiming to be a “qualified expert”, but I think that my question of legitimacy is still a valid one.

]]> Comment on The Cult of Praise by Eric Stone http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-2025 Eric Stone Tue, 13 May 2008 23:16:26 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-2025 Fact Checkers: I can concede that the use of the word "banished" may not be the best choice of words in describing my experience of leaving the POP. Thank you for your comment. As I have said elsewhere though, only one who has never left the POP can say that it is easy. Unfortunately, I did not have enough space to describe in detail my various sordid experiences in the POP. I could significantly add details and stories to the present work. Furthermore, if people have a right to express their religious views in the public square, others have an equal right to criticize those beliefs and practices. Religion has been believed by many to be above and beyond criticism. My article challenges this view. Fact Checkers:

I can concede that the use of the word “banished” may not be the best choice of words in describing my experience of leaving the POP. Thank you for your comment. As I have said elsewhere though, only one who has never left the POP can say that it is easy. Unfortunately, I did not have enough space to describe in detail my various sordid experiences in the POP. I could significantly add details and stories to the present work. Furthermore, if people have a right to express their religious views in the public square, others have an equal right to criticize those beliefs and practices. Religion has been believed by many to be above and beyond criticism. My article challenges this view.

]]> Comment on The Cult of Praise by Another Fact Checker http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-2015 Another Fact Checker Tue, 13 May 2008 14:01:43 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-2015 I completely agree with Fact Checker. How did these people do anything but give you exactly what you asked for? For a group you claim is a cult, the People of Praise seems remarkably easy to leave; all you had to do was say that you didn't want to be a member anymore - AND they offered you a place to live nonetheless. So what exactly are you whining about, Eric? Man, you really need to verify your facts before you start slinging mud at people. An essential part of being a good journalist is doing adequate research, and you just don't have it here. It's almost comical the way both you and Ms. Smith so casually dismiss the People of Praise as nothing more than a "delusional cult," as if hanging around it for a little while and attending a week long children's camp makes you some sort of qualified expert on the subject. You have publicly defamed and slandered a whole lot of people you used to call your friends. All I know is, if I were your friend currently, I would be very nervous right about now. Who knows when you're going to turn on them in the same way that you turned on your friends in the People of Praise? Best of luck to you, Eric, and have an great time with your "there is no God, there is no consciousness after death" shpeal. It sounds exhilirating. I completely agree with Fact Checker. How did these people do anything but give you exactly what you asked for? For a group you claim is a cult, the People of Praise seems remarkably easy to leave; all you had to do was say that you didn’t want to be a member anymore - AND they offered you a place to live nonetheless. So what exactly are you whining about, Eric?

Man, you really need to verify your facts before you start slinging mud at people. An essential part of being a good journalist is doing adequate research, and you just don’t have it here. It’s almost comical the way both you and Ms. Smith so casually dismiss the People of Praise as nothing more than a “delusional cult,” as if hanging around it for a little while and attending a week long children’s camp makes you some sort of qualified expert on the subject.

You have publicly defamed and slandered a whole lot of people you used to call your friends. All I know is, if I were your friend currently, I would be very nervous right about now. Who knows when you’re going to turn on them in the same way that you turned on your friends in the People of Praise?

Best of luck to you, Eric, and have an great time with your “there is no God, there is no consciousness after death” shpeal. It sounds exhilirating.

]]> Comment on Boycotting the Beijing Olympics: a Response by Carl http://www.wakemag.org/voices/boycotting-the-beijing-olympics-a-response/#comment-1980 Carl Mon, 12 May 2008 06:07:43 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/boycotting-the-beijing-olympics-a-response/#comment-1980 Wow, well I really don't think the French government sanctioned abuse against Muslim immigrants; where as the Chinese government has openly oppressed and brutalized protestors. They've also displaced millions of Beijing’s citizens without offering them compensation, for the warped purposes of appearing modern and architecturally competent in front of the world's gaze. Tibet is an oppressed nation. They want change. You exact change by drawing attention to situations until they can no longer be ignored. And to say that boycotting China’s Olympics wouldn’t affect their PR campaign is entirely off base. Now I really don’t think any countries are going to be boycotting the games, but at the same time, with all those cameras pointed their way, we’re one major incident away from an international crisis of unfathomable proportions. What I’m talking about is the Chinese government will be brutalizing and murdering protestors in the lead up to and during the games. Eventually, we’re going to have to openly and more directly denounce that action, just as we have with other instances throughout the world. Obviously there’s incredible danger there given China’s uncompromising demeanor and current status on the economic stage. I think equating this issue to our slaughter of Native Americans is only empowering this kind of practice. Listen to what you were saying in the last paragraph. “Give them time to get their country of one billion people under control in the wake of massive economic growth. Other international governments need to give them some time but also offer to share some of their past experience. With an economy growing at such a fast rate, it is impossible for a country to be stable in all aspects” You can’t use their economic growth to justify unprovoked, Government involved and admitted murder and displacement without compensation. Wow, well I really don’t think the French government sanctioned abuse against Muslim immigrants; where as the Chinese government has openly oppressed and brutalized protestors. They’ve also displaced millions of Beijing’s citizens without offering them compensation, for the warped purposes of appearing modern and architecturally competent in front of the world’s gaze.

Tibet is an oppressed nation. They want change. You exact change by drawing attention to situations until they can no longer be ignored.

And to say that boycotting China’s Olympics wouldn’t affect their PR campaign is entirely off base. Now I really don’t think any countries are going to be boycotting the games, but at the same time, with all those cameras pointed their way, we’re one major incident away from an international crisis of unfathomable proportions. What I’m talking about is the Chinese government will be brutalizing and murdering protestors in the lead up to and during the games. Eventually, we’re going to have to openly and more directly denounce that action, just as we have with other instances throughout the world. Obviously there’s incredible danger there given China’s uncompromising demeanor and current status on the economic stage.

I think equating this issue to our slaughter of Native Americans is only empowering this kind of practice. Listen to what you were saying in the last paragraph.

“Give them time to get their country of one billion people under control in the wake of massive economic growth. Other international governments need to give them some time but also offer to share some of their past experience. With an economy growing at such a fast rate, it is impossible for a country to be stable in all aspects”

You can’t use their economic growth to justify unprovoked, Government involved and admitted murder and displacement without compensation.

]]> Comment on The Cult of Praise by Fact Checker http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-1962 Fact Checker Sun, 11 May 2008 05:03:50 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-1962 Wait, so let me get this straight - you told them you no longer wanted to be a member of the People of Praise but were nervous about where you would live, and in response, they gave you your own room and told you that you no longer needed to attend any POP meetings? That's what you mean by "banished"? I'm curious to know what more you could have hoped for, Eric. What would have been a happy ending for you in this situation? It sounds to me like they were very accomodating to you, not only releasing you from any POP obligations, but giving you a place to live for the rest of the year as well. I have a hunch that if they had done anything else - if you didn't perceive yourself as "banished," you would claim the opposite track - that they wouldn't let you leave, that they tried to force you to stay. It sounds to me like you want to be angry at these people no matter what, and you're spinning your story to throw whatever pot shots you can muster at them. Give it a rest. Wait, so let me get this straight - you told them you no longer wanted to be a member of the People of Praise but were nervous about where you would live, and in response, they gave you your own room and told you that you no longer needed to attend any POP meetings? That’s what you mean by “banished”?

I’m curious to know what more you could have hoped for, Eric. What would have been a happy ending for you in this situation? It sounds to me like they were very accomodating to you, not only releasing you from any POP obligations, but giving you a place to live for the rest of the year as well. I have a hunch that if they had done anything else - if you didn’t perceive yourself as “banished,” you would claim the opposite track - that they wouldn’t let you leave, that they tried to force you to stay.

It sounds to me like you want to be angry at these people no matter what, and you’re spinning your story to throw whatever pot shots you can muster at them. Give it a rest.

]]> Comment on The Cult of Praise by Colleen Smith http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-1953 Colleen Smith Sun, 11 May 2008 02:36:58 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-1953 Also, I agree with Colleen Powers that the last paragraph of Mr. Stone's article is taking things too far. Pushing atheism on the readers is just as bad as pushing Christ on a potential POPer. Also, I agree with Colleen Powers that the last paragraph of Mr. Stone’s article is taking things too far. Pushing atheism on the readers is just as bad as pushing Christ on a potential POPer.

]]> Comment on The Cult of Praise by Colleen Smith http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-1952 Colleen Smith Sun, 11 May 2008 02:34:25 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-1952 I read the editors' arguments both for and against printing this article in the paper version of the Wake. I think the Wake made the right call in putting it online. I have a large amount of personal interest in this article due to the fact that I attended Trinity School at River Ridge during my high school years. I was never a member of POP, although there was no shortage of attempts to get me to join. I have sat through several of the initiation meetings, been to several of the worship ceremonies, eaten of the Lord's Day dinners. Heck, I even went to the POP summer camp for 3 years. (They call it "Servant Camp". I had a blast there, and don't regret the experience in the least. I think I was too young at the time to realize that speaking in tongues, running around in crazy circles around campfires singing praise songs, and knocking people unconscious with the power of the holy spirit was a little bit, er... abnormal?!) I think that Mr. Eric Stone represents the POP honestly, if not perfectly accurately. They do have the sorts of policies that he describes. And I do think that it is unfortunate when someone gets "sucked" in before being ready for a POPish commitment. However, I think this presents an interesting dilemma. POPers choose their lifestyle. And when that particular ideological shoe fits a potential POPer, they become very happy. Personally, I believe that POP is more dedicated to spreading POP than to spreading the kingdom of God. But at the same time, they still do accomplish some positive goods in the world... Regardless of any good that they accomplish, I think that POP is a life of delusion. They close their eyes to any other possibility of truth, but they KNOW that they are closing their eyes and they choose it. Is that a legitimate choice? Or is anyone willing to make the claim that it is an illegitimate choice exactly because of the self-blinding and closing of the mind? I know that I'll never, never be a part of POP, and that if any of the POP people that I went to high school with read this, they will shake their heads and bemoan the fact that I simply didn't see their light. I bemoan the fact that they simply refuse to acknowledge anyone else's light. I read the editors’ arguments both for and against printing this article in the paper version of the Wake. I think the Wake made the right call in putting it online.

I have a large amount of personal interest in this article due to the fact that I attended Trinity School at River Ridge during my high school years. I was never a member of POP, although there was no shortage of attempts to get me to join. I have sat through several of the initiation meetings, been to several of the worship ceremonies, eaten of the Lord’s Day dinners. Heck, I even went to the POP summer camp for 3 years. (They call it “Servant Camp”. I had a blast there, and don’t regret the experience in the least. I think I was too young at the time to realize that speaking in tongues, running around in crazy circles around campfires singing praise songs, and knocking people unconscious with the power of the holy spirit was a little bit, er… abnormal?!)

I think that Mr. Eric Stone represents the POP honestly, if not perfectly accurately. They do have the sorts of policies that he describes. And I do think that it is unfortunate when someone gets “sucked” in before being ready for a POPish commitment. However, I think this presents an interesting dilemma. POPers choose their lifestyle. And when that particular ideological shoe fits a potential POPer, they become very happy. Personally, I believe that POP is more dedicated to spreading POP than to spreading the kingdom of God. But at the same time, they still do accomplish some positive goods in the world…

Regardless of any good that they accomplish, I think that POP is a life of delusion. They close their eyes to any other possibility of truth, but they KNOW that they are closing their eyes and they choose it. Is that a legitimate choice? Or is anyone willing to make the claim that it is an illegitimate choice exactly because of the self-blinding and closing of the mind?

I know that I’ll never, never be a part of POP, and that if any of the POP people that I went to high school with read this, they will shake their heads and bemoan the fact that I simply didn’t see their light. I bemoan the fact that they simply refuse to acknowledge anyone else’s light.

]]> Comment on The Cult of Praise by Boo Radley http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-1920 Boo Radley Sat, 10 May 2008 03:26:22 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-1920 I'll give ya an Amen. I was also a "member" of this group years ago, and found them to be obsessively kind to begin with, followed up with controlling metaphorical speak, which entered my mind as confusing and mysterious enough to grab me. In the end, I found that it was just controlling. Though I wouldn't claim atheism as my belief system, I applaud the writer for speaking out. I’ll give ya an Amen. I was also a “member” of this group years ago, and found them to be obsessively kind to begin with, followed up with controlling metaphorical speak, which entered my mind as confusing and mysterious enough to grab me. In the end, I found that it was just controlling.
Though I wouldn’t claim atheism as my belief system, I applaud the writer for speaking out.

]]> Comment on Boycotting the Beijing Olympics: a Response by Paul Hennepin http://www.wakemag.org/voices/boycotting-the-beijing-olympics-a-response/#comment-1897 Paul Hennepin Fri, 09 May 2008 03:49:36 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/boycotting-the-beijing-olympics-a-response/#comment-1897 Let's remember why the boycott of the 1980 Olympics occurred in the first place: the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Unless the Taiwan Straits suddenly ignite, there will be no boycott of the Games. Why, then, is there so much talk of a boycott? The Olympics is a political event as much as it is an athletic one, and as the Olympic committee professes to not make its decisions based on the nature of government in potential host countries (still, it is difficult to imagine an Olympic Games in Rangoon or Pyongyang, not that Myanmar or North Korea would ever solicit the Games in the first place), the paramount political tool is the threat and action of a national boycott. That was the move taken by the American government in 1980, and that was the move taken by the Russian government in 1984. It is a perfectly legitimate means to exert pressure on the host countries, given the immense prestige that the Olympics entails. The only problem is that to be effect, a boycott has to be widespread. In the present political climate, there will be no boycott, nor frankly should there be one. Personally, I'm of the opinion that China should not have gotten the Olympics (nor should Russia have gotten the 2014 Winter Games), and I also don't really buy this author's argument that due to the Native American genocide and the Holocaust, the United States and Germany should be denied the Games - both nations are democracies with a modern general respect for human rights and the rule of law (obviously less so in the case of America). Hmm... upon re-reading this article, is the author even aware that an Olympic boycott does not necessarily mean an economic boycott? I don't believe that anyone is calling for a boycott of Chinese goods - A: Such an boycott would be effectively impossibe, and B: An Olympic boycott is a relatively risk-free symbolic gesture, but one which has great moral capital. An economic boycott would just be destructive, for both China and the rest of the world. Let’s remember why the boycott of the 1980 Olympics occurred in the first place: the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Unless the Taiwan Straits suddenly ignite, there will be no boycott of the Games.

Why, then, is there so much talk of a boycott? The Olympics is a political event as much as it is an athletic one, and as the Olympic committee professes to not make its decisions based on the nature of government in potential host countries (still, it is difficult to imagine an Olympic Games in Rangoon or Pyongyang, not that Myanmar or North Korea would ever solicit the Games in the first place), the paramount political tool is the threat and action of a national boycott. That was the move taken by the American government in 1980, and that was the move taken by the Russian government in 1984. It is a perfectly legitimate means to exert pressure on the host countries, given the immense prestige that the Olympics entails.

The only problem is that to be effect, a boycott has to be widespread. In the present political climate, there will be no boycott, nor frankly should there be one. Personally, I’m of the opinion that China should not have gotten the Olympics (nor should Russia have gotten the 2014 Winter Games), and I also don’t really buy this author’s argument that due to the Native American genocide and the Holocaust, the United States and Germany should be denied the Games - both nations are democracies with a modern general respect for human rights and the rule of law (obviously less so in the case of America).

Hmm… upon re-reading this article, is the author even aware that an Olympic boycott does not necessarily mean an economic boycott? I don’t believe that anyone is calling for a boycott of Chinese goods - A: Such an boycott would be effectively impossibe, and B: An Olympic boycott is a relatively risk-free symbolic gesture, but one which has great moral capital. An economic boycott would just be destructive, for both China and the rest of the world.

]]> Comment on The Cult of Praise by Colleen Powers http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-1896 Colleen Powers Fri, 09 May 2008 03:41:56 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-cult-of-praise/#comment-1896 I think this article could have been published, even though I don't think such an obviously repressive group poses a danger to most U students. It's at least interesting, and I find parts of it hilarious. The main problem I do have with it is that I don't think it differentiates enough between a ridiculous cult like POP and mainstream religion. Obviously, a lot of people practice religion and believe in God and aren't discriminatory and controlling like this (although I do agree that religion is the excuse for a lot of prejudice and injustice). I can understand why this guy would become an atheist after his experience, but I don't think he should push his certainty that there is no God on the rest of us as he does in his last few sentences. I thought the idea was that people shouldn't be forced to believe anything...so why is his "one message to the world" that there is (he's sure) no God? I think this article could have been published, even though I don’t think such an obviously repressive group poses a danger to most U students. It’s at least interesting, and I find parts of it hilarious.

The main problem I do have with it is that I don’t think it differentiates enough between a ridiculous cult like POP and mainstream religion. Obviously, a lot of people practice religion and believe in God and aren’t discriminatory and controlling like this (although I do agree that religion is the excuse for a lot of prejudice and injustice).

I can understand why this guy would become an atheist after his experience, but I don’t think he should push his certainty that there is no God on the rest of us as he does in his last few sentences. I thought the idea was that people shouldn’t be forced to believe anything…so why is his “one message to the world” that there is (he’s sure) no God?

]]> Comment on Berlin by Migel Ventrominos http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/berlin/#comment-1812 Migel Ventrominos Tue, 06 May 2008 05:03:13 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/berlin/#comment-1812 Carl, this sounds like quite the eventful evening that you had. The policies that you discussed regarding south-american countries and their relations to the US were quite intriguing. I think that you should inquire as to the opinions of the European and other international individuals on our ridiculous economy lapses as of late and see if they have any innovative ideas that could cure what looks to be a definite recession. Your words as always have been music to my foggy domestically influenced mind. I can barley wait for the day that you return to your home soil and the commencing activities that are soon to follow as we reintroduce you to the thriving lifestyle of the northern midwest. Carl, this sounds like quite the eventful evening that you had. The policies that you discussed regarding south-american countries and their relations to the US were quite intriguing. I think that you should inquire as to the opinions of the European and other international individuals on our ridiculous economy lapses as of late and see if they have any innovative ideas that could cure what looks to be a definite recession. Your words as always have been music to my foggy domestically influenced mind. I can barley wait for the day that you return to your home soil and the commencing activities that are soon to follow as we reintroduce you to the thriving lifestyle of the northern midwest.

]]> Comment on A Debate Between the DFLers - Nelson-Pallmeyer and Franken by Joey Peters http://www.wakemag.org/campus/a-debate-between-the-dflers-nelson-pallmeyer-and-franken/#comment-1769 Joey Peters Sun, 04 May 2008 23:10:38 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/campus/a-debate-between-the-dflers-nelson-pallmeyer-and-franken/#comment-1769 I guess that comes with being a front runner. I guess that comes with being a front runner.

]]> Comment on Self Immolation Therapy by Casey http://www.wakemag.org/voices/self-immolation-therapy/#comment-1741 Casey Sun, 04 May 2008 09:38:53 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/self-immolation-therapy/#comment-1741 F-ing hell!! Did I really just find you from searching for Facebook conformity? Strange and small little internet world we have here. I think this pinpoints exactly the flaw behind facebook even though I think its interesting how Facebook has facilitated not just conformity but particular kinds of conformity- 'orange people' 'quirky hipsters' etc. which can be traced back to particualr kinds of institutions. I guess that's the quasi historian in me in which I think the self-supplied data and social graphs facilitated by the internet are going to be very interesting and probably depressing for future historians to work with. On a personal level I also hate the facebook culture that has translated to every day life (I must admit to havign a page though I resisted for three years but I limited it to people i actually care about it and to be able to send pictures and messages without calling overseas). You know the way in which it seems so many people are dedicated to encapsulating their lives in facebook worthy photos and quotes. Its become more about taking pictures to create the appearance that one has had fun then actually having fun, the obsessive need to not just document but to fabricate a worthwhile or interesting life. As for me I think the mark of a good time is the need for all evidence of it to be destroyed. P.S. Are you posting more here? F-ing hell!! Did I really just find you from searching for Facebook conformity? Strange and small little internet world we have here. I think this pinpoints exactly the flaw behind facebook even though I think its interesting how Facebook has facilitated not just conformity but particular kinds of conformity- ‘orange people’ ‘quirky hipsters’ etc. which can be traced back to particualr kinds of institutions. I guess that’s the quasi historian in me in which I think the self-supplied data and social graphs facilitated by the internet are going to be very interesting and probably depressing for future historians to work with. On a personal level I also hate the facebook culture that has translated to every day life (I must admit to havign a page though I resisted for three years but I limited it to people i actually care about it and to be able to send pictures and messages without calling overseas). You know the way in which it seems so many people are dedicated to encapsulating their lives in facebook worthy photos and quotes. Its become more about taking pictures to create the appearance that one has had fun then actually having fun, the obsessive need to not just document but to fabricate a worthwhile or interesting life. As for me I think the mark of a good time is the need for all evidence of it to be destroyed.
P.S. Are you posting more here?

]]> Comment on A Debate Between the DFLers - Nelson-Pallmeyer and Franken by Scottie Tuska http://www.wakemag.org/campus/a-debate-between-the-dflers-nelson-pallmeyer-and-franken/#comment-1736 Scottie Tuska Sat, 03 May 2008 18:24:27 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/campus/a-debate-between-the-dflers-nelson-pallmeyer-and-franken/#comment-1736 Ah, he was a little busy. You know with stuff. Ah, he was a little busy. You know with stuff.

]]> Comment on A Debate Between the DFLers - Nelson-Pallmeyer and Franken by Joey Peters http://www.wakemag.org/campus/a-debate-between-the-dflers-nelson-pallmeyer-and-franken/#comment-1735 Joey Peters Sat, 03 May 2008 18:13:28 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/campus/a-debate-between-the-dflers-nelson-pallmeyer-and-franken/#comment-1735 Where's Al? Isn't he trying to become a public servant? Where’s Al? Isn’t he trying to become a public servant?

]]> Comment on Conor Oberst’s New Songs by Jason http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/conor-obersts-new-songs/#comment-1671 Jason Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:24:53 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/conor-obersts-new-songs/#comment-1671 what is moab? what is moab?

]]> Comment on Self Immolation Therapy by a. faulkner http://www.wakemag.org/voices/self-immolation-therapy/#comment-1619 a. faulkner Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:46:53 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/self-immolation-therapy/#comment-1619 thanks dad! thanks dad!

]]> Comment on London Music Summary by Carl Carpenter http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/london-music-summary/#comment-1616 Carl Carpenter Sat, 26 Apr 2008 03:34:57 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/london-music-summary/#comment-1616 Scott, As far as I´ve been observing over the last 4 to 5 years, the rise in popularity of Joy Division amongst new young fans has had a lot to do with so called copy cat bands. Bands like Interpol and Editors draw ceaseless comparisons for their similar vocal styles and gloomy guitars. I think this introduced a lot of people to Joy Division, and made them a cool band to reference. Certainly there are those who listen to their music actually, and that makes them hip. But I´ve personally met more people who´ve reinforced the former. I think the documentary Control, has played a large part in the most recent spike in interest. I´m not really clear on the bit mentioning the other bands. What do they have in common besides being from Britain, (Liverpool, Sussex, & Manchester respectively) I think all four of these bands have been equally cool to bring up with in different groups of music fans. Not quite getting your point. Scott,
As far as I´ve been observing over the last 4 to 5 years, the rise in popularity of Joy Division amongst new young fans has had a lot to do with so called copy cat bands. Bands like Interpol and Editors draw ceaseless comparisons for their similar vocal styles and gloomy guitars. I think this introduced a lot of people to Joy Division, and made them a cool band to reference. Certainly there are those who listen to their music actually, and that makes them hip. But I´ve personally met more people who´ve reinforced the former.

I think the documentary Control, has played a large part in the most recent spike in interest.

I´m not really clear on the bit mentioning the other bands. What do they have in common besides being from Britain, (Liverpool, Sussex, & Manchester respectively) I think all four of these bands have been equally cool to bring up with in different groups of music fans. Not quite getting your point.

]]> Comment on London Music Summary by Carl Carpenter http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/london-music-summary/#comment-1615 Carl Carpenter Sat, 26 Apr 2008 03:26:26 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/london-music-summary/#comment-1615 Wooof, It appears I’ve touched a nerve here, and I’m glad to see it. Nothing tops a little music debate. You cut the quote of just a bit too short there though my friend, ! was it? "I saw them towards the end of April at the Camden Crawl festival. They’re one of the bands who’ve found that by merely name dropping the perfectly obscure, yet super trendy old dance group, you can vault yourself into indie stardom. The band has welcomed and reiterated any comparisons to fellow Toronto duo, Death from Above 1979." This was more of a stretch than CSS, who I believe are direct result of such name dropping, as their hit song had it in the title. I was merely insinuating that "CC" have encouraged all comparisons to Death From Above 1979 to gain some sort of indie credibility. It´s obviously worked well for them, and I can’t fault anyone for using such tact to gain fans. My question is weather a career built off hip remixes of semi-underground bands is enough to sustain a legit musical career, or warrant such high praises and publicity. I think they´re more a product of the current indie electro craze, and their own stressed hipness, than of their own musical merits. ¿What say you to these arguements? Wooof,
It appears I’ve touched a nerve here, and I’m glad to see it. Nothing tops a little music debate.

You cut the quote of just a bit too short there though my friend, ! was it?

“I saw them towards the end of April at the Camden Crawl festival. They’re one of the bands who’ve found that by merely name dropping the perfectly obscure, yet super trendy old dance group, you can vault yourself into indie stardom. The band has welcomed and reiterated any comparisons to fellow Toronto duo, Death from Above 1979.”

This was more of a stretch than CSS, who I believe are direct result of such name dropping, as their hit song had it in the title. I was merely insinuating that “CC” have encouraged all comparisons to Death From Above 1979 to gain some sort of indie credibility. It´s obviously worked well for them, and I can’t fault anyone for using such tact to gain fans. My question is weather a career built off hip remixes of semi-underground bands is enough to sustain a legit musical career, or warrant such high praises and publicity. I think they´re more a product of the current indie electro craze, and their own stressed hipness, than of their own musical merits.

¿What say you to these arguements?

]]> Comment on Self Immolation Therapy by Richard Faulkner http://www.wakemag.org/voices/self-immolation-therapy/#comment-1611 Richard Faulkner Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:58:14 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/voices/self-immolation-therapy/#comment-1611 Social networking tools are just that; tools. They hold promise for forging new connections between folks that might not otherwise connect in an analog way. I agree with the author that we can lose sight of what is the most valuable deliverable being distracted in our voyeuristic trolling amongst all the meaningless dreck piling up in these sites. Now the business world is trying to leverage social networking models for practical application in business relationships. I think it will be interesting to see if that community will learn from the excesses in the social environs. The author hit it right on the head that the ultimate winners are the marketing Goliaths casting their nets to capture us as unwitting pro bono shills for their real-time continuous blitz of targeted advertising. I look forward to reading more of what this author has to say, and from those in her generation, having grown up with web technology as a given. It is her generation that will have a large role in defining the course of online interactions, both private and public, moving forward. Finally, regarding the author's strategic, one time use of the f-bomb in describing the marketing world's care and concern for our personal information...nicely done. Social networking tools are just that; tools. They hold promise for forging new connections between folks that might not otherwise connect in an analog way. I agree with the author that we can lose sight of what is the most valuable deliverable being distracted in our voyeuristic trolling amongst all the meaningless dreck piling up in these sites.

Now the business world is trying to leverage social networking models for practical application in business relationships. I think it will be interesting to see if that community will learn from the excesses in the social environs.

The author hit it right on the head that the ultimate winners are the marketing Goliaths casting their nets to capture us as unwitting pro bono shills for their real-time continuous blitz of targeted advertising.

I look forward to reading more of what this author has to say, and from those in her generation, having grown up with web technology as a given. It is her generation that will have a large role in defining the course of online interactions, both private and public, moving forward.

Finally, regarding the author’s strategic, one time use of the f-bomb in describing the marketing world’s care and concern for our personal information…nicely done.

]]> Comment on London Music Summary by Scottie Tuska http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/london-music-summary/#comment-1600 Scottie Tuska Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:13:09 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/london-music-summary/#comment-1600 Hasn't Joy Division always been a band to name drop amongst indie/college rock/alt. rock crowds. They are Joy Division after all, which means they aren't Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cure or The Smiths. Hasn’t Joy Division always been a band to name drop amongst indie/college rock/alt. rock crowds. They are Joy Division after all, which means they aren’t Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cure or The Smiths.

]]> Comment on London Music Summary by ! http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/london-music-summary/#comment-1599 ! Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:26:55 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/blogs/london-music-summary/#comment-1599 What obscure band did Crystal Castles name drop? I have been a huge fan of this band for years and I have no idea what you are talking about. I think you made it up. CC became famous for a string of amazing remixes released in 2006 and 2007. I think you have the wrong band. "They’re one of the bands who’ve found that by merely name dropping the perfectly obscure, yet super trendy old dance group, you can vault yourself into indie stardom." What obscure band did Crystal Castles name drop? I have been a huge fan of this band for years and I have no idea what you are talking about. I think you made it up. CC became famous for a string of amazing remixes released in 2006 and 2007. I think you have the wrong band.

“They’re one of the bands who’ve found that by merely name dropping the perfectly obscure, yet super trendy old dance group, you can vault yourself into indie stardom.”

]]> Comment on Vampire Hands - Me and You Cherry Red by S. Johnson http://www.wakemag.org/sound-vision/vampire-hands-me-and-you-cherry-red/#comment-1581 S. Johnson Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:45:07 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/sound-vision/vampire-hands-me-and-you-cherry-red/#comment-1581 Andrea, Enjoyed the Vampire Hands' "Me and You Cherry Red" reveiw! Love the new and old Vamp. Hands music! Nice and talented guys! Thanks Andrea,
Enjoyed the Vampire Hands’ “Me and You Cherry Red” reveiw! Love the new and old Vamp. Hands music! Nice and talented guys! Thanks

]]> Comment on Vampire Hands - Me and You Cherry Red by S. Johnson http://www.wakemag.org/sound-vision/vampire-hands-me-and-you-cherry-red/#comment-1580 S. Johnson Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:39:20 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/sound-vision/vampire-hands-me-and-you-cherry-red/#comment-1580 Andrea, Enjoyed the "Vampire Hands" reveiw! Love the "Me and You Cherry Red" music! Great guys too! Andrea,
Enjoyed the “Vampire Hands” reveiw! Love the “Me and You Cherry Red” music! Great guys too!

]]> Comment on Vampire Hands - Me and You Cherry Red by Marcia http://www.wakemag.org/sound-vision/vampire-hands-me-and-you-cherry-red/#comment-1564 Marcia Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:27:20 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/sound-vision/vampire-hands-me-and-you-cherry-red/#comment-1564 Interesting article, Andrea. It makes the reader want to hear the music. Interesting article, Andrea. It makes the reader want to hear the music.

]]> Comment on Melts In Your Mouth by Marcia http://www.wakemag.org/minds-eye/melts-in-your-mouth/#comment-1563 Marcia Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:25:37 +0000 http://www.wakemag.org/minds-eye/melts-in-your-mouth/#comment-1563 Nice article, Andrea! Nice article, Andrea!

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