Jude gets told!

Jim from www.anigami.com responded to my post about his artwork. Something I may have ommited about some of these ‘lemmings’ is that some of them are very insightful, intelligent, well spoken and educated….oops!

I don’t know your background Jim but judging from what I have seen on your website and your skill with the quill I would say that YOU made your life and career possible – not Apple. It’s not the tools it is the artist and Jim you are an artist.

Thanks for your response Jim!

Hi Jude,Good points you raise.  It's a controversial and complex subject, to besure (as a thrash yesterday on the WELL about the Apple ad seriesilluminates).  I knew that it would be, when I did my graphic.While I think as corporations go, Apple is not among the worst (and I'ma longtime Apple user - they've made my entire self-employed careersince 1984 possible), I think there are multiple ways that one canunpack all the symbolism in these things.  For me, Apple'ssymbolic/graphical/advertising language itself has become a sort of"language" in which one can "speak."  Reference all the iPod commercialparodies and takeoffs.  It's a form of visual shorthand.  Making astatement visually, in support of Rosa Parks' courageous act using it,is analogous, though obviously in a different perspective, totranslating something into Swedish, or Urdhu, etc..  Though I'm a fanof Apple, I'm also obviously co-opting their symbology to make astatement of my own.  It's more complex than simply "being sweet onthem," though this is, to acknowledge your points, one valid way tolook at it.  It is, however, just one way to look at it.I'm fascinated by the phenomenon of sampling, mash-ups, and post-moderncollaging and deconstruction, etc., and as an observer of the zeitgeistand aficionado of word/image play, I see it all as subject matter.There's also the issue of intent/impact.  Does it acknowledge thesource(s)?  Is it thought-provoking?  I'm well aware of the whole setof issues surrounding brand worship/domination, the work and thoughtsof Abusters, etc..  But I don't think there's a single way to look atthese things.My piece has already (as you might imagine) drawn some criticism, and Iexpected it to.  Some feel it supports Apple's commercial interests(and corporate co-option of historical figures), some feel it isdisrepectful to Rosa Parks (though I make it clear in my many links toher story, history, and the incredible impact she made with myaccompanying post).   But to me, there's a number of ways in which onecan look at any piece of advertising such as Apples, let alone mythird-order post-modern art commentary:- The juxtaposition between then and now (what's better, what's stillthe same and needs to be changed)- The idea that in one way, as consumers, everybody is equalized(symbolized as dark figures, sharing a single activity category)- The co-option of a corporate ad-language to make a statement of adifferent kind- Music, music devices, sampling/mash-ups, and the same for visualimagery in modern culture - Cultural blendoUltimately, I would say that I'm on the same side of those that favorCivil Rights, honor those pioneers that took a stand to win them, andgenerally support liberal/progressive causes.  So these are closepoints to argue, not far-apart points.Art is not about necessarily saying a single thing.  My artisticstatement bears my intent of a number of issues and things that one canponder and think about.  Sure, it can be collapsed into a singularjudgement, but that's the viewer's perogative.  Not my intent, nor allit represents.All of this is interesting to me.  I greatly appreciate your point ofview, and having taken the time to express it.  I believe we wouldagree on more things, than not.Best regards,Jim

In hindsight, I should've certainly posted a bit more of my thoughts onthe subject along with the piece.  The other thing that's interestingis that I did that whole piece as a sort of "napkin art" kind of thing. Not so much a formal project, but just more of, "hmmmmm, I wonder whathappens when you combine this with that?" sort of thing.  I'm alwaysplaying around with this kind of thing.A piece I did fifteen years ago, when I was working with PeterSugarman, Gareth Branwyn of StreetTech, and Mark Frauenfelder of BoingBoing to create Beyond Cyberpunk!:http://www.well.com/www/jleft/modernmonkey/2Fresh.htmlI was just goofing around with the use of corporate character symbols(the 2Fresh character combined Poppin' Fresh, VR, and the blurb fromthe back of a paperback edition of Gibson's "Neuromancer").The iPod/Rosa Parks piece struck me afterward as being both a statementof positive power, but also contained that uneasy sense of thecorporate profane (particularly because of the stature of the subject). It was only after I started looking at it, that I realized that itcontained a lot of different ideas and ways to interpret it.In the end though, I think it was definitely an oversight on my part tonot include more of my thinking behind the piece.  While it'sinteresting to see internet memes and chain-reactions, one probablyought to be aware that volatile memetic concotions can alsoinadvertantly blow up in one's face.  (cue "wah wah wah wahhhhhh" soundand image of explosion-smudged face)I think it's really important to scrutinize and criticize the imageryaround us.  We live in world where most imagery is not there to make usthink and develop our own interpretations, but rather to manipulate andcorral our thinking to serve the interests of others.  I've learned agreat deal from having done this piece, through the comments anddiscussions its provoked.Best regards,(image placeholder)Jim

More Lemmings

I was just about to serve myself a big fresh bowl of crow. I came across this Apple add basically paying homage to Rosa Parks. I thought it was a little cheesy to use the image of Ms Parks to help sell product but at the same time I was impressed that they were putting the issue front and centre. I should point out that most normal people would be horrified, shocked and yes appalled by a company like Apple using such an image for its own nefarious purposes.

Rest assured I was way off base. Lemmings to the rescue.

This is some lemming who masturbates to the image of Steve Jobs every night and who also happens to me politically minded enough to have noticed that the great Rosa Parks has passed on. So what does he do? He decides to compare the incredible success of the ipod to the symbolic foundation of the civil rights movement in the United States, as if those two things were somehow equal.

On a side note I was at a wedding last night where an unnamed participant (mother of groom) was doing a speech and started describing their family’s political roots. Included in the little sermon there was of course mention of just how ‘strongly Apple’ the family is.

Again I applaud you Mr. Jobs. Not only are you up there with the Kleenex guy but you are up there with Elron Hubbard.

Doom: The Movie Review

You know those movies you go and see because they’re part of a series or you really like the actor, or maybe it’s a car movie or something like that. Well I had to see Doom mostly because if The Rock is in it I will see it. If you are an action movie fan and you’re not convinced of The Rock’s considerable abilities, then watch the first fifteen minutes of “The Rundown” which of course stars my hero.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327850/

So ya not much to say about Doom, I knew it would be bad, it was bad, had to see it. Little disappointed Dwayne didn’t take a pass on this one as it is the worst one he has done yet. Story was basic, effects were nothing special, and really it was about 30 to 45 minutes worth of material. Those of you who have or do play Doom there are several little tidbits the average non gamer won’t notice that do pay homage to the game – these tidbits do not save the movie.

Damn Ipod

In case you haven’t read any of my earlier posts I am one of those people driven mad by the legions of lemmings so loyal to Apple. As a car guy I am equally annoyed by the folks who only buy GM or only buy Ford or whatever. Please people they are brands designed to take your money, do the research and make an informed decision.

Back to the Apple lemmings.

So it turns out I am not the only person who feels this way; there are others out there who not only feel the same way I do but are in fact more passionate about it. I have to admit I am an avid Cnet reader although I always considered it as a catalogue dressed up as a news site – my suspicions are apparently shared by others.  Check out this page below:

http://www.dapreview.net/comment.php?comment.news.2427

There are some folks posting there that are downright upset! I won’t even get into to whole Nano scratching thing but click on the below if you aren’t already aware of just how crappy that product is. I’m being particularly hard on the Nano because as an Apple product job #1 is to look great – this thing does not.

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000080064508/

Anyway now that I understand that I am not alone in the universe I feel somewhat vindicated. So please, feel free to buy what you want but at least consider that there are other options out there. Now I’m done.

Except for the fact that I am bothered every time I hear some 50 something year old talk about podcasting. They couldn’t figure out how to download an mp3 if they’re life depended on it and now they are name dropping the word podcasting like they are in highschool. They are called mp3’s and they can be downloaded and played at a later date. I know, I know, this is simply another example of the marketing guru that is Steve Jobs. I have to give credit where credit is due. Steve you are now up there with the guy who convinced all of us to call tissue ‘Kleenex’. Congrats.

English Spiders

I lived in England for about a year. One morning as I was putting on my shoes before heading to the office I found these guys loitering around the shoe rack.

Needless to say I am now back in Canada where I don’t have to worry about the average house spider being big enough to hold me down for the 3 count. These pictures don’t do these guys justice, especially the big one. These guys were HUGE! <

Ethical Investing with Cramer

Wow. Ever heard of the show Mad Money with Jim Cramer? I just watched a 5 minute segment where Mr Cramer explained that ethical investing was a waste of time and that he welcomed global warming. He says he will be happy when there are no more polar ice caps because not only will we be able to get at all those protected oil reserves, but we’ll also be able to wear shorts and sun block everyday. His timeline involved several other protected wildlife reserves that should go first, and then the ice caps. He also mentioned the incredible amount of natural resources in Canada which made me uncomfortable. The worst part of the show? Every time he addressed the subject he made it clear that the priority should be getting rich rather than being ethical and thinking about how you are getting rich – this was without fail followed by applause. This is generally where I would put in some snide comment like “Go USA!”, but then I remember (especially here in Alberta) we Canadians have nothing to be proud of in terms of our environmental record.

Note to mad Mike – learn how hurricanes work.

Supplementary info:
http://www.pollutionwatch.org/
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/10/18/canada.pollution.ap/

Welcome to Broley's Blog.

Welcome.
  
I have a few things I will be touching on in the very near future. Firstly when will choosing a TV be an easy task? I recently visited a few of the more popular sites like DTV Scoop and of course CNET Reviews and came away more confused than anything. The sites themselves are great, especially DTV, there is just so much information out there it’s difficult to swallow in any short period of time.

Secondly, and much more importantly I am keenly interested in what is going on with Canada/US relations at the moment. Bush has his hands absolutely full at the moment with over 2000 deaths in the Iraq War, debt mounting, and the whole CIA deal. I can hardly blame him for sending Rice – who promptly told us to stop whining! Of course both the NDP and the Tories are using this story to bash the Liberals – the rhetoric will only increase. More to come...

The new Ipod Video. I swear to the big salmon in the sky this must be the first and only gadget to play music and video!?! No it isn’t. In fact it plays limited video and is only suitable for all the Apple lemmings. Do people not do their research? The Ipod Video is light years behind non-apple options that have been out for months – so why is Jobs on the cover of time magazine? Because he is a marketing genius who supplies pretty things to lemmings. I can’t fault him for that. Too bad about that phone though. The phone isn’t pretty and like most of Apple’s stuff that is the chief concern.

Has anyone seen the Doom movie? Let me know how bad it is. I suspect it will be really bad. So bad in fact I will probably love it. The Rock is in that movie, that alone is enough for me. Speaking of games The Warriors is now a video game. What is the deal with that? At 29 I am almost too old to get the whole Warriors thing but I worked in a video store for awhile so I figured the whole deal out and even managed to get most of my friends aboard. What the heck are all the 15 year olds of the world going to make of that game? If anyone plays it let me know. I wonder if Remar got in there for any help in the direction?

Baseball. For the love of Pete sweep, sweep, sweep. The faster that game (notice I didn’t use the word sport) is over the better. Anyone who wants to take a shot at me feel free to mock the NFL.  

I think I have more than enough to get myself started.

Talk to you all soon,

Jude