It seems the eastern conference has been inverted. The arrogant mighty defeated by the solidarity of those underestimated. But who will move on?
The Pittsburgh Penguins and The Montreal Canadiens
The bigger they are, the harder they fall. And an earthquake of fallen giants can be heard throughout the land. Whispers spread like plague, rumors that the mighty Capitals have been defeated. They quickly become stories of old ghosts possessing the leftovers charged with restoring their glory. New legends are born and the hum of hope flows up and down the Saint Lawrence River for the first time in ages. Could the elder gods be coming back to reclaim what is theirs? A legend only the future holds.
Steel in hand wrought from the great Steel City of their origin the flightless birds re-organize in anticipation. Their swords, washed in the blood of nobles, are still quite sharp. The coup in Canada was not as easy as planned, but nothing ever seems to go quite as planned these days. These are odd times. The rumors that travel along the rivers bring word of legendary defeats. Could their new foe be so strong to have defeated the might giants in the Capital? It seems ludicrous, but there has been talk of ghosts. The supernatural always seems to muddle things up. How will these ghosts fair against the edges of cold steel?
Penguins in 5
The Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers
Let it not be said that the old bears are weak. They are not stupid either. The Sabres proved too small to do anything with their speed and the fierce claws of the black and gold made short work of them. Heroes mean nothing when the rest of the company is battered to pieces. And so the Bear turns its face to a new foe. This one notorious for cruelty. The Bruins of Boston will face the Flyers like they always have, with the cold weight of duty and a look in their eye that cannot be distinguished between weary and fury.
To hell and back again, only this group of flying bandits could have done it. Only ones so base that they could match the Devil move for move. As they soon found out, most of the Devil's strength is just a facade. Pulling images from former years trying to ward off the truth, that even Devil's don't live in glory for ever. The losses however were grave. The payment was necessary but felt by all, no one gets out of New Jersey that easily. So now they turn to the old bears. The stalwarts, to stubborn to die. Now it is time to prove that even the stubborn can die.
Flyers in 7
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
NHL Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals.
The San Jose Sharks vs. The Detroit Red Wings
Almost falling apart at the seams, just barely holding together the big red machine rolls through the desert. The sand had gotten into the joints and the clever coyotes had almost solved its great weakness. On the verge of sputtering out of control it is trying to work out that blasted sand. Trying to become well oiled once more, for its new destination is the sea. And if the dirt is still caught in the gears by then it could stick and become permanent. Its only choice to do what it has always done, work its problems out in its own time, while the hive mind of computers inside send out messages: the winged wheel is coming.
The Sharks look up from their meal to sea an image painted in the sky. A round red thing with feathers shooting out one side, a new meal perhaps? Someone was coming for sure, but who? They begin to swim in circles around the watery grave of the mountain men, brave but not so smart to think that they could have invaded their waters. Everyone who came here was food. The Sharks show their rows and rows of teeth, they are not afraid.
When it turns out there is a machine in their midst, confusion enters their vicious minds. Metal does not sound like a very savory meal. Still this was an invader like any other, could metal break under teeth like any other body? Not to mention can the machine survive underwater, their circles became more intense and the brains racked with both nervousness and excitement. A new kind of meal all together.
The machine had a trick up its sleeve. The hive mind conferring, the joints of the metal beast creaking it did not just roll into the water, it created a long smooth hull. To bring this fight to the fish the machine must be smart and resourceful. Must stay one step ahead least those massive jaws come crashing down and sink it. In the sky, the message of the Winged Wheel remained.
Red Wings in 6
The Chicago Blackhawks and The Vancouver Canucks
The Blackhawks returned from their successful hunting trip. It is one thing to hunt, another to hunt a Predator. The massive carcass had been cut up into many pieces and split up to be carried by horses. They would be not be hungry for a long time. But upon reaching their home, there was an eerie stir in the air, something strangely familiar.
"Oh hey brother remember us?" It was them, the ones who had come last year, the bloody Canucks. The Blackhawks had drove them off with spear and tomahawk. Hadn't they learned their lesson?
"Get off our land you unholy Canadians," The Blackhawks had grim looks on their faces.
The Canucks only smiled, smirked, laughed even. What was so funny? They had been driven off, the Blackhawks had proved their superiority. Those Canadians had run to the hills frightened like a school child running he thought was under his bed. The captured had been scalped. Now they stood here with their smug faces and their laughter, their clever japes and prods. Did they not know the stakes were the same as they had always been? The dangers no different? Maybe they had to learn that lesson again.
"He looks angry eh?" The Canucks looked at each other grinning, "What you think this is the same as last year right? You think we'd stay away right? Think we'd learn our lesson right?" He licked his lips into a sneer, "Well this year eh, this year we're gonna teach you a lesson. We've caused the downfall of empires, deposed Kings, what's a small tribe of stinkin' Injuns to that?"
The Blackhawks clenched their fists. Fury ran through their veins. These insolent punks, what did they have, what the fuck did they have that they thought they could put down legendary warriors. No one escapes this time, scalp them all.
Canucks in 6.
Almost falling apart at the seams, just barely holding together the big red machine rolls through the desert. The sand had gotten into the joints and the clever coyotes had almost solved its great weakness. On the verge of sputtering out of control it is trying to work out that blasted sand. Trying to become well oiled once more, for its new destination is the sea. And if the dirt is still caught in the gears by then it could stick and become permanent. Its only choice to do what it has always done, work its problems out in its own time, while the hive mind of computers inside send out messages: the winged wheel is coming.
The Sharks look up from their meal to sea an image painted in the sky. A round red thing with feathers shooting out one side, a new meal perhaps? Someone was coming for sure, but who? They begin to swim in circles around the watery grave of the mountain men, brave but not so smart to think that they could have invaded their waters. Everyone who came here was food. The Sharks show their rows and rows of teeth, they are not afraid.
When it turns out there is a machine in their midst, confusion enters their vicious minds. Metal does not sound like a very savory meal. Still this was an invader like any other, could metal break under teeth like any other body? Not to mention can the machine survive underwater, their circles became more intense and the brains racked with both nervousness and excitement. A new kind of meal all together.
The machine had a trick up its sleeve. The hive mind conferring, the joints of the metal beast creaking it did not just roll into the water, it created a long smooth hull. To bring this fight to the fish the machine must be smart and resourceful. Must stay one step ahead least those massive jaws come crashing down and sink it. In the sky, the message of the Winged Wheel remained.
Red Wings in 6
The Chicago Blackhawks and The Vancouver Canucks
The Blackhawks returned from their successful hunting trip. It is one thing to hunt, another to hunt a Predator. The massive carcass had been cut up into many pieces and split up to be carried by horses. They would be not be hungry for a long time. But upon reaching their home, there was an eerie stir in the air, something strangely familiar.
"Oh hey brother remember us?" It was them, the ones who had come last year, the bloody Canucks. The Blackhawks had drove them off with spear and tomahawk. Hadn't they learned their lesson?
"Get off our land you unholy Canadians," The Blackhawks had grim looks on their faces.
The Canucks only smiled, smirked, laughed even. What was so funny? They had been driven off, the Blackhawks had proved their superiority. Those Canadians had run to the hills frightened like a school child running he thought was under his bed. The captured had been scalped. Now they stood here with their smug faces and their laughter, their clever japes and prods. Did they not know the stakes were the same as they had always been? The dangers no different? Maybe they had to learn that lesson again.
"He looks angry eh?" The Canucks looked at each other grinning, "What you think this is the same as last year right? You think we'd stay away right? Think we'd learn our lesson right?" He licked his lips into a sneer, "Well this year eh, this year we're gonna teach you a lesson. We've caused the downfall of empires, deposed Kings, what's a small tribe of stinkin' Injuns to that?"
The Blackhawks clenched their fists. Fury ran through their veins. These insolent punks, what did they have, what the fuck did they have that they thought they could put down legendary warriors. No one escapes this time, scalp them all.
Canucks in 6.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Subliminal Man
Another fascinating JG Ballard story. This time I realized one of Ballard's best qualities: he is a master of psychological, invisible prisons. Most of his stories seem to involve this theme and there is so much to be learned from it. There are those who have trapped themselves unknowingly in psychological plots, and also those who have been trapped by others. And then even those who were once trapped and see through it and yet decide to give in. It's just fascinating, and for some reason this story in particular elucidated it for me.
This one makes an amazingly realistic prediction of consumerism. Though the premise, that they are secretly bombarded with subliminal consumerism messages, may not be exactly true for us. Though honestly it does seem as though our commercials are incredibly smart and utilize psychology to try and take advantage of people. Just watch commercials with the mute button some time and, if you didn't realize it before, you should be able to break past the veil and see that the images almost always tend to be completely random attempts at association. The best example is big breasted women showing off their bods in beer commercials.
However in JG's world there are just big screens over all the highways that project statements like "BUY NOW BUY NOW" and then when the people realize that they are constantly buying, the actions are backed up by economists insisting that it's necessary for the economy. Every moment of their lives is constantly eaten away by purchasing and working. And something I found interesting, they constantly discard old models for new ones, it being supposedly cheaper to buy new ones instead of fix the old. That certainly reminds me of computers. But in a way this creates a sort of psychological prison where the behaviors become more and more acceptable, and even though the main character seems to notice it for minutes at a time, more subliminal messages suddenly have him back on the manipulated track. Interestingly enough his wife seems to notice, but not really care. The psychological element is truly presented fully forward in this one, like a fascinating scientific study or something.
Overall, the idea, compared with our society is actually very scary and not totally unrealistic. Though I'm not sure if compulsory subliminal messages would work or are possible on a mass scale, in some ways commercials do come close. Again the exaggerated reality of Ballard's worlds is ever present, I really enjoy the way he takes something he sees and pushes it to the Nth degree.
This one makes an amazingly realistic prediction of consumerism. Though the premise, that they are secretly bombarded with subliminal consumerism messages, may not be exactly true for us. Though honestly it does seem as though our commercials are incredibly smart and utilize psychology to try and take advantage of people. Just watch commercials with the mute button some time and, if you didn't realize it before, you should be able to break past the veil and see that the images almost always tend to be completely random attempts at association. The best example is big breasted women showing off their bods in beer commercials.
However in JG's world there are just big screens over all the highways that project statements like "BUY NOW BUY NOW" and then when the people realize that they are constantly buying, the actions are backed up by economists insisting that it's necessary for the economy. Every moment of their lives is constantly eaten away by purchasing and working. And something I found interesting, they constantly discard old models for new ones, it being supposedly cheaper to buy new ones instead of fix the old. That certainly reminds me of computers. But in a way this creates a sort of psychological prison where the behaviors become more and more acceptable, and even though the main character seems to notice it for minutes at a time, more subliminal messages suddenly have him back on the manipulated track. Interestingly enough his wife seems to notice, but not really care. The psychological element is truly presented fully forward in this one, like a fascinating scientific study or something.
Overall, the idea, compared with our society is actually very scary and not totally unrealistic. Though I'm not sure if compulsory subliminal messages would work or are possible on a mass scale, in some ways commercials do come close. Again the exaggerated reality of Ballard's worlds is ever present, I really enjoy the way he takes something he sees and pushes it to the Nth degree.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
NHL Playoffs Western Conference Picks: The Hunters
The San Jose Sharks and The Colorado Avalanche
From the mountains down to the sea must this new generation of young travelers traverse. There were many who doubted: "They're too young," "Another lost year for Colorado," "Not Enough Talent," but they persevered against all odds. However now they have grown weary from their long journey, and there is still much farther to go. They must be wary not to walk right into the jaws of their new foe. The seas are treacherous and they know not where these sharks might attack.
Down below the depths plagued by years of disappointment there is new hope. The Sharks grow stronger every year, but whenever forced out of their element their gills dry up and their bellies grow hungry and they flail around until someone puts them out of their misery. Now they have been given an early offering, possibly a gift from the gods. A sacrifice. Maybe they had gone about it wrong in previous years, forcing themselves out to strike at ducks and stars. Why not let their prey come to them? Could this be the year of great feeding? Only time will tell.
Sharks in 5.
The Chicago Blackhawks and The Nashville Predators
The tribes of Chicago will not rest. Loose but a little eager, they are ready for the hunt. Still there is a patience a sense of ease. They must remain methodical and fierce, two properties that they balance so well. Their eye is on the prize, their bows are drawn, they remain still, ready to strike.
The Predators will hold their ground. Once the hunters reveal themselves, the beasts will know where they are and be able to strike. Then who becomes the hunted? The stand off begins, each clan strong and intelligent and most of all patient. One wrong move could bring a gruesome end to the Blackhawks. But at the same time, if the Predators wait too long, their heads will become the trophies of Chicago as they move on to bigger and nastier prey. The Blackhawks have the initiative, this is their fight to lose.
Blackhawks in 6.
The Vancouver Canucks and The Los Angeles Kings
Decadent in a town of dreams these Kings remain fierce and territorial. They hold their lands tight and with little yield. There are young Kings and old Kings, but their force is underestimated. And after years of little ambition, content with the playful opulence of the City of Angels, they have grown tired of games. Maybe it's time for some Kings to do some conquering.
But who is this in their way? A cry comes down from the north, "Oh you want to try at winnin' for once eh? Getting a little upitty eh? Tired of your tinsel town eh?" The taunts echoed throughout the land. Who else could it be but a bunch of stinking Canucks? Led by two Nordic twins and a giant to back them all up. The chiding sunk into the Kings' bones and a look of fierce determination took them over, who did these jokers think they were? Treating Kings like babes. It was time to put their skills and hearts to the test, but there was something about the grins on the Canucks faces that caused the Kings unease.
Kings in 7.
The Phoenix Coyotes and The Detroit Red Wings
Scorching winds cut across the desert, carrying sharp wisps of coarse sand. The Coyotes look out into the distance at the machine making its way over the horizon. They stick to the pack, always stronger together never to far from each other. Others who had come to their lands had been picked apart slowly but this was something much different. This would be a test of their minds as much as a test of their team work.
The hive-mind of combined machines rolled smoothly over the desert sands bent for destruction. Many had thought the gears to corroded, the parts too old and hoped that this might be its last days as it sputtered away unnecessary fuel and fell apart. But instead the machine had recently been well oiled, old parts junked for brand new technology. Now the machine seemed just as powerful as ever crawling across the desert sands of phoenix, oblivious of its surroundings, with one goal: to win.
The only chance these Coyotes had was to find the weakest part and exploit it, maybe from there they could cause some sort of malfunction and cause the machine to fall apart, but time was running out. However, these Coyotes were resilient, smart and new how to persevere, can they solve the machine before it is too late?
Red Wings in 6
From the mountains down to the sea must this new generation of young travelers traverse. There were many who doubted: "They're too young," "Another lost year for Colorado," "Not Enough Talent," but they persevered against all odds. However now they have grown weary from their long journey, and there is still much farther to go. They must be wary not to walk right into the jaws of their new foe. The seas are treacherous and they know not where these sharks might attack.
Down below the depths plagued by years of disappointment there is new hope. The Sharks grow stronger every year, but whenever forced out of their element their gills dry up and their bellies grow hungry and they flail around until someone puts them out of their misery. Now they have been given an early offering, possibly a gift from the gods. A sacrifice. Maybe they had gone about it wrong in previous years, forcing themselves out to strike at ducks and stars. Why not let their prey come to them? Could this be the year of great feeding? Only time will tell.
Sharks in 5.
The Chicago Blackhawks and The Nashville Predators
The tribes of Chicago will not rest. Loose but a little eager, they are ready for the hunt. Still there is a patience a sense of ease. They must remain methodical and fierce, two properties that they balance so well. Their eye is on the prize, their bows are drawn, they remain still, ready to strike.
The Predators will hold their ground. Once the hunters reveal themselves, the beasts will know where they are and be able to strike. Then who becomes the hunted? The stand off begins, each clan strong and intelligent and most of all patient. One wrong move could bring a gruesome end to the Blackhawks. But at the same time, if the Predators wait too long, their heads will become the trophies of Chicago as they move on to bigger and nastier prey. The Blackhawks have the initiative, this is their fight to lose.
Blackhawks in 6.
The Vancouver Canucks and The Los Angeles Kings
Decadent in a town of dreams these Kings remain fierce and territorial. They hold their lands tight and with little yield. There are young Kings and old Kings, but their force is underestimated. And after years of little ambition, content with the playful opulence of the City of Angels, they have grown tired of games. Maybe it's time for some Kings to do some conquering.
But who is this in their way? A cry comes down from the north, "Oh you want to try at winnin' for once eh? Getting a little upitty eh? Tired of your tinsel town eh?" The taunts echoed throughout the land. Who else could it be but a bunch of stinking Canucks? Led by two Nordic twins and a giant to back them all up. The chiding sunk into the Kings' bones and a look of fierce determination took them over, who did these jokers think they were? Treating Kings like babes. It was time to put their skills and hearts to the test, but there was something about the grins on the Canucks faces that caused the Kings unease.
Kings in 7.
The Phoenix Coyotes and The Detroit Red Wings
Scorching winds cut across the desert, carrying sharp wisps of coarse sand. The Coyotes look out into the distance at the machine making its way over the horizon. They stick to the pack, always stronger together never to far from each other. Others who had come to their lands had been picked apart slowly but this was something much different. This would be a test of their minds as much as a test of their team work.
The hive-mind of combined machines rolled smoothly over the desert sands bent for destruction. Many had thought the gears to corroded, the parts too old and hoped that this might be its last days as it sputtered away unnecessary fuel and fell apart. But instead the machine had recently been well oiled, old parts junked for brand new technology. Now the machine seemed just as powerful as ever crawling across the desert sands of phoenix, oblivious of its surroundings, with one goal: to win.
The only chance these Coyotes had was to find the weakest part and exploit it, maybe from there they could cause some sort of malfunction and cause the machine to fall apart, but time was running out. However, these Coyotes were resilient, smart and new how to persevere, can they solve the machine before it is too late?
Red Wings in 6
Monday, April 12, 2010
The NHL Playoffs Round 1 Eastern Conference Picks: The Casualties
The Washington Capitals and Les Montreal Habitants
Oh how the mighty have fallen. The once proud warriors of the St. Lawrence River have become mere shadows of their legends of times past. Barely making it into the big dance, these former yearly favorites are now mere fodder. And worse news for them, they face the giants of Washington.
Led by a madman of incredible power, the Capitals tower over the band of men sent for sacrifice. The only hope for the miss matched Canadiens is to some how slip away and hopefully find a weakness. But the giant's weakness may be to high for the small warriors to find, and these are not slow giants by any means. This is going to be worse than a slaughter, it will be the stepping on of a bug underfoot.
Caps in 4.
The New Jersey Devils and The Philadelphia Flyers
After deposing the Swedish king and leaving the unsleeping realm in ruins, the orange bandits take to their next quarry: the underworld of New Jersey. There are no rules here, no lows that can't be reached, no depths that cannot be traversed. This will be a match of deceit and violence and no tactic will be to base.
The flying bandits are known for twisting a knife in a wound and kicking the fallen while they're down. They're opportunistic speed and offensive power make them much more dangerous than they look. They'll stoop just as low as any Devil.
However, the Devils are not stupid. Their walls appear to be unbreakable, their defenses impenetrable. And every time you attack their legendary backstopping demon will suck the very life from you. As well they have acquired a veritable magician to strike lethal blows against the Flyers when they least expect it. However, the Flyers themselves have a giant mean guard dog who often makes meals of opposing teams forwards. The battle will be hard fought, and despite all the dirty tricks these two teams will throw at each other, it will truly come down to a battle of wits. And in the end, the Flyers will be led in a circling house of mirrors, while the devils drive a hidden dagger deep into their hearts.
Devils in 6.
The Sabres of Buffalo and the Big Bad Boston Bruins
The bear and the buffalo, an age old conflict. They know each other well and have always fought with bravery and valor. But as always only one may prevail and move on.
The bears are proud and strong, always stalwart and unified. However this time they are battered. Plagued with injury they march on to do their duty, but the future looks bleak. They can hold their ground, but can they take any? And that will be the question they need to answer when the time comes.
The buffalo are fast and strong and most importantly hard working. They are diligent and can taste the opportunity they have been given. They are led from the back end by a national hero, but everyone does their part. If they can push the pace they can break the stalwarts line and strike when the bear's weakness is revealed. Their window of time will be small, once they get in they will not let go. And they will claw it wide open. If the Boston defense falters, all is lost.
Buffalo in 6.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and The Ottawa Senators
The heroes return to defend their title and once again they are met with formidable statesmen in the first round. Their matches at these stakes in previous years revealed clear cut winners one way or the other. Will this time around be different?
The Senators have seemed to strike a deal with chaos. They have become two sides of a coin, a dominant powerhouse and frustrated mob. The team that shows up to this battle will determine what kind of match this will be. Their leader is an ever sly veteran, and their defenses are solid. But the turn of tides might as well be decided by a flip of the coin.
The Penguins of steel town know this road well and have traveled it year after year. Their own messiah knows the way and has the help of talented warriors and veteran tactitions. Patient and relentless they can change their attack at a moment's notice. And they will not stop until every last one of them has been accounted for and blunted. There is a fire in their eyes that frightens all who opposes them, it is only those who stand unfafraid that have a fighting chance.
The flip of the Senator's coin will only decide whether the battle is long or short. But the flightless birds ultimately hold their fate in their own hands, they will win.
Penguins in 5
The Eastern Conference is a tale of dominant teams. Those who fought so hard to get in depleted their own forces so much that they will have difficulty competing when it comes to the real battles. They may be brave and fight hard, but the class of the east will prevail.
Oh how the mighty have fallen. The once proud warriors of the St. Lawrence River have become mere shadows of their legends of times past. Barely making it into the big dance, these former yearly favorites are now mere fodder. And worse news for them, they face the giants of Washington.
Led by a madman of incredible power, the Capitals tower over the band of men sent for sacrifice. The only hope for the miss matched Canadiens is to some how slip away and hopefully find a weakness. But the giant's weakness may be to high for the small warriors to find, and these are not slow giants by any means. This is going to be worse than a slaughter, it will be the stepping on of a bug underfoot.
Caps in 4.
The New Jersey Devils and The Philadelphia Flyers
After deposing the Swedish king and leaving the unsleeping realm in ruins, the orange bandits take to their next quarry: the underworld of New Jersey. There are no rules here, no lows that can't be reached, no depths that cannot be traversed. This will be a match of deceit and violence and no tactic will be to base.
The flying bandits are known for twisting a knife in a wound and kicking the fallen while they're down. They're opportunistic speed and offensive power make them much more dangerous than they look. They'll stoop just as low as any Devil.
However, the Devils are not stupid. Their walls appear to be unbreakable, their defenses impenetrable. And every time you attack their legendary backstopping demon will suck the very life from you. As well they have acquired a veritable magician to strike lethal blows against the Flyers when they least expect it. However, the Flyers themselves have a giant mean guard dog who often makes meals of opposing teams forwards. The battle will be hard fought, and despite all the dirty tricks these two teams will throw at each other, it will truly come down to a battle of wits. And in the end, the Flyers will be led in a circling house of mirrors, while the devils drive a hidden dagger deep into their hearts.
Devils in 6.
The Sabres of Buffalo and the Big Bad Boston Bruins
The bear and the buffalo, an age old conflict. They know each other well and have always fought with bravery and valor. But as always only one may prevail and move on.
The bears are proud and strong, always stalwart and unified. However this time they are battered. Plagued with injury they march on to do their duty, but the future looks bleak. They can hold their ground, but can they take any? And that will be the question they need to answer when the time comes.
The buffalo are fast and strong and most importantly hard working. They are diligent and can taste the opportunity they have been given. They are led from the back end by a national hero, but everyone does their part. If they can push the pace they can break the stalwarts line and strike when the bear's weakness is revealed. Their window of time will be small, once they get in they will not let go. And they will claw it wide open. If the Boston defense falters, all is lost.
Buffalo in 6.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and The Ottawa Senators
The heroes return to defend their title and once again they are met with formidable statesmen in the first round. Their matches at these stakes in previous years revealed clear cut winners one way or the other. Will this time around be different?
The Senators have seemed to strike a deal with chaos. They have become two sides of a coin, a dominant powerhouse and frustrated mob. The team that shows up to this battle will determine what kind of match this will be. Their leader is an ever sly veteran, and their defenses are solid. But the turn of tides might as well be decided by a flip of the coin.
The Penguins of steel town know this road well and have traveled it year after year. Their own messiah knows the way and has the help of talented warriors and veteran tactitions. Patient and relentless they can change their attack at a moment's notice. And they will not stop until every last one of them has been accounted for and blunted. There is a fire in their eyes that frightens all who opposes them, it is only those who stand unfafraid that have a fighting chance.
The flip of the Senator's coin will only decide whether the battle is long or short. But the flightless birds ultimately hold their fate in their own hands, they will win.
Penguins in 5
The Eastern Conference is a tale of dominant teams. Those who fought so hard to get in depleted their own forces so much that they will have difficulty competing when it comes to the real battles. They may be brave and fight hard, but the class of the east will prevail.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
The Garden of Time
This is an interesting story in that when you think it's about one thing it's about another. And the swells and changes in plot are so subtle, yet clear that they happen, that you don't realize that they are happening when they do happen.
The title implies that the story is about a garden that can turn back time. But towards the end it's almost like it makes time. There is also a huge perspective shift that goes on here. One theme does somewhat prevail in the end: the nightmarish feel of impending doom. In many ways this feels like a horror story. Overall though it's hard to classify. It almost seems like a strange fabled fantasy. People become statues while a painting of hordes of people becomes real. There are so many ways to interpret this, though I almost feel like initially he thought he just had a really neat concept for a story.
General note: One thing I have noticed is that sometimes it is hard to get into J.G.'s stories immediately. They almost always start with something abstract or mundane, where you're really not sure where it's going or what the character's are about. However, all but one of the stories I've read come around in the end with incredible strength. He's very much like H.P. Lovecraft in the way that he will give you details that seem minute and random in the beginning, or maybe there just to give the story flavor, and by the end they become extremely important. I really dig that about both authors actually.
The only problem with that style of writing is like I said earlier, it's harder to get into right away. Even if they have a really engrossing first line, I almost am always lost in the first couple of paragraphs, trying to feel my way around the direction of the story. My best suggestion to the reader: do the whole thing in one sitting, everything fits together better and they're not very long and in the end you'll think "damn that was awesome."
The title implies that the story is about a garden that can turn back time. But towards the end it's almost like it makes time. There is also a huge perspective shift that goes on here. One theme does somewhat prevail in the end: the nightmarish feel of impending doom. In many ways this feels like a horror story. Overall though it's hard to classify. It almost seems like a strange fabled fantasy. People become statues while a painting of hordes of people becomes real. There are so many ways to interpret this, though I almost feel like initially he thought he just had a really neat concept for a story.
General note: One thing I have noticed is that sometimes it is hard to get into J.G.'s stories immediately. They almost always start with something abstract or mundane, where you're really not sure where it's going or what the character's are about. However, all but one of the stories I've read come around in the end with incredible strength. He's very much like H.P. Lovecraft in the way that he will give you details that seem minute and random in the beginning, or maybe there just to give the story flavor, and by the end they become extremely important. I really dig that about both authors actually.
The only problem with that style of writing is like I said earlier, it's harder to get into right away. Even if they have a really engrossing first line, I almost am always lost in the first couple of paragraphs, trying to feel my way around the direction of the story. My best suggestion to the reader: do the whole thing in one sitting, everything fits together better and they're not very long and in the end you'll think "damn that was awesome."
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Billennium
This is the second story in this short story collection where Ballard talks about intensely cramped "efficient" spaces and overpopulation. I am a little curious if these are spurned by his experiences of growing up in Japan, considering cities like Tokyo where the living situation is very "efficient" i.e. small.
What is really interesting about this story is this sort of evolution of thought and what certain things mean to certain people. So they have to live in 4 cubic meter cubicles, that's the government standard, but they find this room that 15 cubic feet and it's so huge to them! It's funny because that's only like 5 cubic metersish. But all this extra space for them is intoxicating.
There are actually a bunch of topics that manage to be covered by this including overpopulation and government incentives that are self exacerbating. So like to live in a larger cubicle you need to be married and have 3 kids. But the world is already vastly overpopulated. Encouraging more kids just exacerbates the problem of lack of space and overpopulation. We're dealing with overpopulation in the real world even now. The Chinese government for sure screwed up when they mandated everyone have lots of children, now it's gotten so bad you can only have one! I feel that American religion sometimes causes problems with this too. "No sex till marriage" and "birth control (condoms) are bad" both contribute significantly to unnecessary population growth. With birth control it's easy to see, without birth control your chances of getting pregnant are really good. "No sex till marriage," well it encourages kids to get married really young. Not only is this usually dumb (but not always, sometimes it works out fine but the chances are real slim), but often married couples have kids. And merely having generations closer together contributes to the problem of overpopulation. If you wait longer, you spread out the generation and voila, there are less people on earth at once. (Learned this from reading Richard Dawkins, pretty fascinating tid bit eh?).
Fast food is kind of like this. The cheapest food is that which is worse for you, quality food costs a little more, so economically you are encouraged to eat at MacDonald's. Obesity in America unfolds. Quite the simplification I know, but I think it's a relevant thought. The whole idea is I think the model fits many things that happen in the real world.
Excellently written story, with an interesting twist at the end which is very Ballard.
What is really interesting about this story is this sort of evolution of thought and what certain things mean to certain people. So they have to live in 4 cubic meter cubicles, that's the government standard, but they find this room that 15 cubic feet and it's so huge to them! It's funny because that's only like 5 cubic metersish. But all this extra space for them is intoxicating.
There are actually a bunch of topics that manage to be covered by this including overpopulation and government incentives that are self exacerbating. So like to live in a larger cubicle you need to be married and have 3 kids. But the world is already vastly overpopulated. Encouraging more kids just exacerbates the problem of lack of space and overpopulation. We're dealing with overpopulation in the real world even now. The Chinese government for sure screwed up when they mandated everyone have lots of children, now it's gotten so bad you can only have one! I feel that American religion sometimes causes problems with this too. "No sex till marriage" and "birth control (condoms) are bad" both contribute significantly to unnecessary population growth. With birth control it's easy to see, without birth control your chances of getting pregnant are really good. "No sex till marriage," well it encourages kids to get married really young. Not only is this usually dumb (but not always, sometimes it works out fine but the chances are real slim), but often married couples have kids. And merely having generations closer together contributes to the problem of overpopulation. If you wait longer, you spread out the generation and voila, there are less people on earth at once. (Learned this from reading Richard Dawkins, pretty fascinating tid bit eh?).
Fast food is kind of like this. The cheapest food is that which is worse for you, quality food costs a little more, so economically you are encouraged to eat at MacDonald's. Obesity in America unfolds. Quite the simplification I know, but I think it's a relevant thought. The whole idea is I think the model fits many things that happen in the real world.
Excellently written story, with an interesting twist at the end which is very Ballard.
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Overloaded Man
So I've been reading these J.G. Ballard short stories, my buddy Nick got me an anthology of them for Christmas, and I think I'm gonna start blogging about them, and just about everything I read right now. Main reason being, I'm slowing down in the mind book, it's alright but I feel I hit the meat that I was most interested in. Gonna keep rollin' with it, and when I hit the next chapter I will blog about it, but in the meantime, I need to keep writing.
So I just finished The Overloaded Man, and it is a great story revolving around a ton of philosophical concepts I have been interested in recently. Especially philosophy of the mind! So in essence, there's this dude who completely dissociates the connections of the world in his spare time. It's really like a drug, but it's all his own inner reflection kind of shit. It's like experiencing the Cartesian distinction between mind and body as opposed to discussing it.
But essentially it's the idea that the only thing making things the things they are in the world is our minds. This is definitely a topic I've talked about before, and I still believe it. Our minds bring association and distinction to things. "This is a computer", "This is a chair." On their own without a perceiver to distinguish there is no difference. There are magnetic fields that particles and energy fly in and out of, some areas are more dense than others. That's it, that's the material world by itself.
The main character in this story completely sinks into himself and destroys all the associations he makes with objects. They lose their "object-ness" and become formless crap, like he's almost discovering a way to see the noumina. Probably more like he's experiencing Plato's forms actually. Either way the whole story he just cuts himself further and further from reality. The only thing that he ever comes back for is to peep on the neighbors daughter (high five!).
But again if you've ever been in a stage of deep thought it is so like that. The outside world slips away and you enter into an almost trance like state, where everything gets picked and picked apart until it becomes nothing. Sometimes it happens to me with a word, it just suddenly loses it's meaning to me, like "why this word." I feel awkward and almost forget how to use it, it's even happened to me with the word "the" before, believe it or not.
Also a great side line here, this kid runs into this metaphysical problem and asks the guy "The only absolute in space-time is supposed to be the speed of light. But as a matter of fact any estimate of the speed of light involves the component of time, which is subjectively variable." What an amazing question, so much to think about there. Suddenly something we believe as a fact becomes a circular argument. The ground becomes much more shaky. Where do we stand? Stuck in the depths of our mind where we deconstruct the world? Who knows, great short story though, I recommend it to all.
So I just finished The Overloaded Man, and it is a great story revolving around a ton of philosophical concepts I have been interested in recently. Especially philosophy of the mind! So in essence, there's this dude who completely dissociates the connections of the world in his spare time. It's really like a drug, but it's all his own inner reflection kind of shit. It's like experiencing the Cartesian distinction between mind and body as opposed to discussing it.
But essentially it's the idea that the only thing making things the things they are in the world is our minds. This is definitely a topic I've talked about before, and I still believe it. Our minds bring association and distinction to things. "This is a computer", "This is a chair." On their own without a perceiver to distinguish there is no difference. There are magnetic fields that particles and energy fly in and out of, some areas are more dense than others. That's it, that's the material world by itself.
The main character in this story completely sinks into himself and destroys all the associations he makes with objects. They lose their "object-ness" and become formless crap, like he's almost discovering a way to see the noumina. Probably more like he's experiencing Plato's forms actually. Either way the whole story he just cuts himself further and further from reality. The only thing that he ever comes back for is to peep on the neighbors daughter (high five!).
But again if you've ever been in a stage of deep thought it is so like that. The outside world slips away and you enter into an almost trance like state, where everything gets picked and picked apart until it becomes nothing. Sometimes it happens to me with a word, it just suddenly loses it's meaning to me, like "why this word." I feel awkward and almost forget how to use it, it's even happened to me with the word "the" before, believe it or not.
Also a great side line here, this kid runs into this metaphysical problem and asks the guy "The only absolute in space-time is supposed to be the speed of light. But as a matter of fact any estimate of the speed of light involves the component of time, which is subjectively variable." What an amazing question, so much to think about there. Suddenly something we believe as a fact becomes a circular argument. The ground becomes much more shaky. Where do we stand? Stuck in the depths of our mind where we deconstruct the world? Who knows, great short story though, I recommend it to all.
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