Hey, how about this?

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/news/articles/4072.asp

If you like Batman check this out. This looks like a great take on Batman and the Joker. I think Batman Begins was the best Batman movie and this only continues it.

I have always envisioned Batman as a vigilante; a man consumed by fantasies of revenge, and justifying his own ideas of justice. There are pictures of Batman standing over a beaten Joker and that is what I think Batman is about. He is a deeply personal superhero. It is appropriate that Batman Begins, as have several generations of Batman mythos, had a rogue cop as Batman's liaison; he is not an institutional or uncontroversial figure. To support Batman is to agree either with his motives or with the idea that his ends justify his means, discarding the societal norms of law and order.

Have you seen "Ichi the Killer"? There are parallels to the current Batman franchise that cannot be ignored and I think we are richer for it.

Interesting! As the Colbert Show presents it, it appears that to register as whatever qualifies you to run for the presidency, in the state of South Carolina, as a Republican, one is required to pay a $25000 fee, plus $10000 late fee. To register as a Democrat in that state requires a $2500 fee, or, one may submit a petition signed by 3000 voters in the state who consider themselves Democrats. I admit I don't have all the facts here (and I doubt a Democratic candidacy in the state is in as high demand) but doesn't this seem to present a fundamental disparity between the two parties? In public perception of their policies, I mean. $25000 is assuredly a drop in the ocean to any presidential candidate.

The whole idea of political parties, to me, seems kind of fucked up. It is, indeed, how our version of democracy works (most successfully, at least), but democracy does not necessitate parties. Way back in the day they were essentially unknown. If only they didn't exist: local representatives would be elected on the basis of their individual policies and their own opinions and principles are what would be brought to higher levels of government. In this last election I was split until days before the election, trying to decide on the best compromise of my beliefs. There was no independent candidate in my riding and of course there is no guarantee that an independent candidate would represent my beliefs, but I know for damn certain that there is no political party which I whole heartedly endorse, or whom I trust. Money's too deep into it. Is it yet the gum disease known as GINGIVITIS? Maybe, I'm no dentist. But one can always knock the teeth out if it comes to it.

I'm glad I'm not an American. The stress would be unbearable. My sympathy and best wishes to all my friends Down There.

Huh. Not surprisingly, Kasparov is a sharp guy.

You are going to probably lose your minds. I've been looking for this forever based on a loose description. A mystifying example of an inscrutable language, surely.

Try to explain this matter.

Some day soon we will grow machines. As Asimov said, clumsy transistors will be replaced with molecular valves. Our molecular valves will more than likely be some sort of cellular receptor. Tiny computers, millions of times more powerful than the human brain will be produced within our lifetimes. It is predicted that by 2039 a computer with greater computational power than the human race will exist. I am even more optimistic than that.
The future of humanity, assuming we can survive the myriad shortsighted perils we are exposing ourselves to, lies in two fields: cognitive sciences and computer sciences. An artificial intelligence with human capability and exceeding the computational ability of the human race is within our grasp... and then, there is no question which cannot eventually be answered. Save us, free us or transcend us : these are the noblest goals to which we can aspire.
On the 19th I got a professor to supervise my undergraduate thesis. I am tangentially approaching a career in the cognitive sciences. I hope I am up to the task.

- "'I surely am not unfond of you Peggy, I tell you what.' What kind of marriage proposal is that?"

I was about to post a heap of foolish stuff upon this blog but I thought better of it. Perhaps it was a mistake to censor myself. It that the same as lying?

I need tough music. Not angry music, I can get that. Tough music. Johnny Cash or harder, please.

How many languages are represented in your normal playlist, and what are they? Myself, 8: English, Japanese, Italian, French, German, Portuguese/Spanish (can't tell the difference :S) Chinese (Mandarin, I'm pretty sure, though I'm duh on the subject). That's the rough order of prevalence. Anyways, just interested since I've been wondering if I would like certain songs more or less if I understood what was being said. The best example I've got is "Disco Prince"; Japanese rap lyrics to a disco back. It's an amazing song, but I find that the fact that I can't understand what's he's saying allows me to listen to the lyrics just for the beat and rhythm which I obviously love. French, Italian and related languages, plus German to a lesser degree, because I'm subconsciously trying to figure out what they're saying. I'm only fluent enough in English to grasp lyrical poignancy to any degree so I feel I'm missing out (I'm on a heavy dose of Italian and German opera right now making a sincere effort to purge myself of the habit.) I don't get that with unrelated languages.

So, cutting to the cork, what languages do you listen to, and what are your experiences with non-fluent languages? Extra-bonus points for Chinese speakers: do you experience songs with Chinese lyrics differently from English language songs?

Braco is currently showing a really weird modern interpretation of "Cosi Fan Tutte" by Mozart. Despite the obviously low budget the singers and accompaniment are pretty to very good. The weird part is, and I apologize if this is hard to imagine, it looks like the cast of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" doing "West Side Story" in a department store's "Jump Into Spring!" display in whatever the hippiest year on record is. Weird as hell. If it wasn't so boring I'd definitely recommend it.

Man, Obama has charisma. I don't know jack about his policies or the man, really, but he handled himself in the interview on the Daily Show very well; he really got the vibe of the show (much easier than Colbert's show, I'm sure) and responded intelligently throughout. Plus, he signed off with a sharp little salute and a frankly confusing standing ovation which I liked.

Air Colbert, huh? I do wonder what's up with the Cobert fellating, though. Versus the Daily Show his is:
-generally funnier
-interviews much, much, vastly worse
-host segments better
-pre-recorded segments worse (just like his regular stuff)

About even, overall, though I bear a grudge against his interviews. I even think the Daily Show has moer staying power. So what's the huge appeal of Colbert and his Report?

Knuckle-fives to Huth for his excellent observation regarding Springer/ Dr. Phil/ Sally Jesse/ etc. and the cultural effect of television as a medium. The 2-part series airing today and tomorrow on Dr. Phil (which I will totally admit I watch when I'm around at 3pm) on stage-mothers has completely driven home his argument. The hags in question have made numerous perplexing comments to that exact effect. In addition to the fact that they (maybe accurately? I don't know.) view television exposure as a boon to their children's careers, they seem to view television as, well, I don't really understand it. To them, simply being on television makes them right. They view their totally average child as exceptionally talented, and since their child is on television, regardless of the reason they're on there, whatever they say about them is justified, or even corrrect. Prior to your comment I could not fathom the lack of self-awareness these people displayed. Now I think I understand what's happening.

And now the COLBERT-BRANSON INTERVIEW TRAINWRECK has aired. That was bullshit. Actually, it was extremely amiable. The guy that sparked the rumour is a douche. Unless that was edited really well, which I don't see why it would be, it seems like the lie of a humourless dork. Also, alright. Colbert is quick. He's more original than Stewart, I think. The show, the verdict is out; Colbert, I think he''s got it.

Erin Burnett of CNBC: Thank you for the stupidest, funniest thing I've heard in months. I wish I could get the exact quote but it was something to the effect of:

"Americans should be careful what they wish for with China. If quality control improves over there then prices are going to increase over here in our Walmarts and soforth."

I'm probably in the minority here but I wouldn't mind paying 70 cents-an-hour more for toothpaste without DDT or whatever in it. That's right; as if you weren't convinced, don't forget that Chinese wages are still, on the whole, shamefully low, so don't think Dora the Explorer playsets are going to be out of your reach.

On the subject of the ampersand, like we were talking about a little while back: Thanks to APA I've started using it a lot more. Of course, you always use it when citing Doe, Shmoe & Blow, 2007, but there is also a prerogative to use it when you might otherwise Oxford comma yer ands. I don't know whether that gets around the whole issue of the Oxford comma (not, I think, since people seem generally resistant to using it), but I feel it has a certain elegance. It is very easy to parse at a glance and clarity is a virtue.

Who knows how late I am with this, but if you haven't seen this you just might thank me. Just watch until the caption pops up. The rest is more of the same. Without further ado:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwTZ2xpQwpA

Further: Andrew Keen: douche. He just crossed his legs all over the Colbert Report claiming that the internet is destroying "our" culture. He asks him how much money he's making from his content on the internet (to which Colbert cleverly replied "none of your ***damn business [the show's asterisks, not mine]). I guess he's siding with Warhol: "Good art is what sells." I can't support that: Do many artists really not become worthwhile until their death? Some might, sure, but check this:

"It worships the creative amateur: the self-taught filmmaker, the dorm-room musician, the unpublished writer. It suggests that everyone--even the most poorly educated and inarticulate amongst us--can and should use digital media to express and realize themselves. Web 2.0 'empowers' our creativity, it 'democratizes' media, it 'levels the playing field' between experts and amateurs. The enemy of Web 2.0 is 'elitist' traditional media."

What an ass. If you don't like the midwest farmer's daughter, find something else that makes you feel alright. Sure, the product almost invariably sucks, but how up one's ass must one be to take issue with the very fact that a person can express oneself via the internet? Does he know that actually talented authors are still being actually published and that Narutofan69 has not monopolized the industry? Plus, you're on the Colbert Report. What are you doing trying to argue with him and prove a point?

Quick question. Do you use "they"/"their" as (indefinite: thanks, some thesis!) gender-neutral pronouns, or what?

Yes, the Bulwer-Lytton contest results (are) up now! I'm sure all of you have at least heard of the quasiprestigious contest but in case you haven't check the site in a while (or ever), check it.

http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/english/2007.htm

My personal faves (note: my criteria are cruely arbitrary and personal, but foremost among them is my absolute hatred of self-conscious wackiness, or, maybe conversely, self-conscious englishness):

Lady Guinevere heard it distinctly, a sharp slap, as if a gauntlet had been thrown, and yet it was hardly plausible that she, perched delicately on the back of her cantering steed, should be challenged to ride faster, since protocol determined that Arthur should ride in front, then she, then Lancelot, for that was the order prescribed by Merlin, ever since he invented the carousel.

Celine Shinbutsu
Hino City, Tokyo, Japan

Professor Radzinsky wove his fingers together in a tweed-like fabric, pinched his lips together like a blowfish, and began his lecture on simile and metaphor, which are, like, similar to one another, except that similes are almost always preceded by the word 'like' while metaphors are more like words that make you think of something else beside what you are describing.

Wayne McCoy
Gainesville Fl

He held her desperately in his arms and stroked her silken hair, and as he drew her full red lips to his, he ravenously smothered her with lots of smooches.

Bill Kerschbaum
Ann Arbor, MI

Racing through space at unimaginable speeds, Capt. Dimwell could only imagine how fast his spaceship was going.

Gary Smith
Florissant, CO

And my (old) fave of all time:

The notes blatted skyward as the sun rose over the Canada geese, feathered rumps mooning the day, webbed appendages frantically peddling unseen bicycles in their search for sustenance, driven by Nature's maxim, "Ya wanna eat, ya gotta work," and at last I knew Pittsburgh.
--Sheila B. Richter, Minneapolis, Minnesota (1987 Winner)