Conscience
The changing world of the Geisha…
“Japan is reeling from a 20-year economic slump, and has recently been surpassed by China as the world’s second-largest economy. What the Japanese call the “lost years” have taken a serious toll on some of the country’s most beloved cultural icons, including the Geisha. Instead of charging several hundred dollars for tea, dancing and artful conversation, many now have to look for other ways to make a living.”
The changing world of Japan’s Geisha from Matthew Allard on Vimeo.
Al Jazeera’s Steve Chao reports from Kyoto on the changing world of the geisha. Shot and edited by Matthew Allard, the piece gives us a rare, inside look at their modern world.
Conscience: ‘Warnings’ by Tom Scott
“It seems a bit strange to me that the media carefully warn about and label any content that involves sex, violence or strong language — but there’s no similar labelling system for, say, sloppy journalism and other questionable content. I figured it was time to fix that, so I made some stickers.”
Symptomatic of what the www has caused in increasing people’s expectation as to receiving information so fast that naturally the actual practice of journalism itself is compromised.
My advice? Use a trusted and esteemed newsource who thoroughly check facts and are not actually permitted to use hearsay sources including press releases and wiki for example, (thefirstpost is a good ‘un), and appreciate blogs/opinion/comment for what they are.
(Sasha)
Via
CLFmag ‘The Earth Is Spewing’ Video Awards
Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull - May 1st and 2nd, 2010 from Sean Stiegemeier on Vimeo.
Capturing the earth spewing shit on film seems to be the latest fad in film making. In light of this phenomenon, CLFmag are pleased to announce the winners, (and losers) of our first and hopefully last, ‘The Earth Is Spewing’ Video Awards! There were only two entries, so in first place is the rather lovely work of Sean Stiegemeier and his timelapse footage called ‘Eyjafjallajökull Volcano 1st and 2nd May’. Being by nature, the production cost was nothing. Although bringing the entire aviation industry to an unnecessary standstill? Priceless!
Coming last was BP’s entry, ‘Burst Pipe’, (I made that up), which was the oil giant’s underwater film depicting a seven inch hole in an oil pipe gushing out 5000 litres of oil per day (Official figure). And by 5000 they mean actually mean 100,000 - (real figure). The production cost so far to BP has been $230,000,000m so a slightly more pricey venture. But worry not BP - there’s a consolation bag of hair is winging it’s way to you right now.
Or perhaps not because the airport is shut.
Oh the irony!
(Sasha)
Help Us Save the Meerkat!
It takes a special kind of moron to look at a TV commercial depicting wild animals to think “Yup, I think one of those would look great stuffed in a cage in my living room.”So meerkats are the next species to fall victim to people’s infuriatingly whimsical desires. In response to this, the Captive Animals’ Protection Society a.k.a. CAPS, has launched a new campaign to discourage people from buying meerkats as pets. CAPS says,“Meerkats are found only in Southern African deserts and are highly sociable, living in colonies of up to 30 individuals (…) Early separation in captivity between mother and young can lead to behavioural problems for the pups later on.”
CAPS visited many stores which were selling meerkats as pets and none [of the retailers] were concerned about potential buyer’s experience or knowledge relating to how to care for meerkats. Even people within the zoo and exotic pet trades have been speaking out against keeping meerkats as pets - particularly when kept individually;
“They are burrowing animals so will damage a house easily, ripping up carpets, urinating to scent mark and destroying anything they can (…) solo meerkats tend to actually go insane from anxiety, and many seriously self-harm. There are stories of lone meerkats actually chewing their own paws off”.
Sounds delightful. If you take a few minutes to watch the video below, it’ll serve as reminder of where meerkats truly belong and that’s not in a home, in a cage or in any zoo. Please help CAPS stop this cruel and unnecessary trade of these precious animals by visiting their site here, or going direct to the campaign site, here.
Thank you!
(Sasha)
No End In Sight…
“Sobering, is it not, to realise that the possible survival of a huge oil company, of several billion shrimp, assorted species of fish and birds - not to mention avoidance of a near lethal lurch in the fortunes of Lousiana’s fishing and ocean rec industries and the future of offshore drilling along the Atlantic coast - could depend on a feat as tricky as rolling a condom on the end of a string onto the penis of a man at street level by remote control from the top of the Empire State building.”How’s that for an analogy!
Read more about BP’s botched efforts at stiffling the heart-breaking oil-slick apocalypse here.
Via TheFirstPost (of all places)
(Sasha)
Farewell Mr Brown & Hello …?
As I’m now in my thirty-ninth hour of observing the election that Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop, I feel it’s only right I pay hommage to the crumpled Gordon Brown as he bows out as PM of our country, and wish him well after what has been - by any measure - a truly miserable reign as PM. And now the nation awaits to see if the increasingly attractive Nick Clegg, (time to turn off the TV!!!), and David Milliband can step up to save us from Cam’ron and his Gargoyles-In-Waiting. *shudder*
But about last Thursday a.k.a. ten years ago, truly brought out all that is horrid in tabloid press - no mean feat at the best of times. Murdoch’s The Sun reached new lows even by their standards by inviting it’s ‘readers’ (I use the term loosely), to compare David Cameron to President Obama, by means of their excruitating take on Shepard Fairey’s notorious ‘Hope’ image. Listen Dave; getting ‘made’ by The Sun, does not a commoner make. You still went to Eton and you are still in line to inherit a French castle. Besides, science* proves that rich people are only good for three things; inheriting stuff, marrying their relatives and getting drunk with. They are not genetically programmed to care. I say, keep the rich drunk and out of politics!! For the good of the nation, of course.
But reading between the lines here; Labour - in their time - brought in PM no one voted in, created an impoverished underclass, (while the rich got richer), enslaved the country in a hugely unpopular target system in health, policing and education, bailed out those unholy banks, gave us highest unemployment in [a very long time], and lest we forget the small matter of the illegal war in Iraq. And STILL the Tories couldn’t capitalize on THAT?? What the hell else could Labour have possibly done wrong to make it any easier??
Murdered every first born son??
Sent a swarm of locusts to attack us??
And still we’d be like, “Well, locusts did eat my house and family, but I suppose camping… forever… isn’t so bad. Don’t worry Labour, you still have my vote!”
Take heed my pretties, Conservatives have, and always will be, the Royal’s party. *shudder, shudder*
By the way, why the f*ck does anyone want to rule anyway, with what’s waiting round the corner?
(Sasha a.k.a. *science)
“How You Gon’ Win When You Ain’t Right Within?”
“It’s silly when girls sell their soul because it’s in,Look at where you be in hair weaves like Europeans,
Fake nails done by Koreans,
Come Again”
My Goodness, it’s almost like Lauryn was writing that with Miss Knowles in mind. See, people? It’s easy to hate on Beyonce (who definately ain’t right within), inspite of what her song suggests!
Here’s something that I picked up from a YouTube commentator which sums it up perfectly;
“I want my 90’s music back NOW! Keep the 21st bullshit, no class, no clothes, oversexualized whores, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Rihanna, Ciara! Keep that trash, give us back our REAL MUSIC! I WANT MY LAUREN HILL BACK NOW “ - yeahokay1100
Couldn’t have said it better myself!!
(Sasha)
The Cove PSA, ‘My Friend is…’
Ric O’ Barry appeared on Oprah’s Earth Day yesterday to raise awareness of the dolphin slaughter in Japan. If you’ve already seen The Cove you’lll know that O’Barry feels responsible for the capivity of dolphins and the horrific and lucrative business of Marine Parks owing to his training of the world famous TV dolphin, Flipper. Along with the Ocean Preservation Society, O’Barry is on a mission to have dolphin slaughter stopped in his lifetime.As I’ve said before this is a very special issue to us here at CLFmag, and we fully support anything to help O’Barry acheive his goal. Many people argue that the slaughter is cultural. Well so was burning people at the stake once upon a time. So let’s make Dolphin hunting a thing of the past too. Best thing to do is watch the clip and - and the documentary if you haven’t already - and if something in your heart tells you this is wrong, (this is wrong), please head over to the site to show your support.
Go to www.takepart.com/thecove
Linder by Morrissey (Interview Magazine)
MORRISSEY: “I dislike the “use” of animals in art, such as in the work of Damien Hirst. But in your latest performance piece, “Your Actions Are My Dreams,” you have a woman serenely sitting atop a calmly satisfied horse, which is, of course, alive and healthy. Do you agree that Hirst’s head should be kept in a bag for the way he’s utilized—and sold—dead animals?”LINDER: “Dead butterflies, cows, horses, humans, sheep, and sharks—it reads like the inventory of a funerary Noah. How many halved calves suspended in formaldehyde does the world need? To my way of thinking, none.”
That’s what Im talking about! To read the full interview, go here
(Sasha)
CLFmag LVS The Ocean Preservation Society
This is the proudest day yet for CLFmag because the Ocean Preservation Society has granted us permission to be their legitimate supporters! Woohoo! I know everyone has their cause which moves them and CLFmag is pretty much devastated by what’s happening to the oceans, and then OPS’s The Cove came out and I’ve never felt such emotion watching a documentary in my life, so how could we not do our little insignificant something to help? So thank you so much OPS and can’t wait to get the banner up and pledge our allegiance!
BEIJOS everyone!
(Sasha)
Go see the OPS site here
War bad. Peace Worse.
The Nobel committee – back when it awarded the US President the Peace Prize in September of 2009 - said it had done so because it attached “special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.” Yesterday the US President announced that - along with Russia – the US would significantly reduce their Nuclear stockpile (they own 97% of it). The BBC says this deal between the US and Russia signifies “concerted action from the international community (UN) to tackle countries like North Korea and Iran which seek to develop nuclear weapons in breach of their treaty commitments.” Again, this echoes the ideas of the Nobel Committee who said the US President has, “created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play.”Ah, yes. To see the world through Obama-Vision. A new era in world politics! Diplomacy in a centralized position! One centre for relations! BitlikeOneCentralisedGovernement? Emphasis on the United Nations. No more nuclear weapons. No proof that they were reduced or more importantly not caring whether they were or not. The United Nations joining together – holding hands even – and consolidating their power in the name of peace! Everything to be done in the name of peace! Spreading the UN PEACE brand to dissenting nations. Just like Democrary. Doesn’t look like peace or democracy in the traditional sense but doesn’t matter. First Iraq, then Iran, then North Korea, Venezuela… See? Obama who is black thus good is smiling! Everyone cheering! (and some are crying). Huge coporations now arrive and accumulate land and resources to help the natives. Not help in the traditional sense but it doesn’t matter. The UN joining hands and joining armies but armies are no longer armies but Peace Keeping Task Forces which are actually still armies but that’s not important either because Lady Gaga might be a man. UN Peace brand forced onto citizens. Everyone wanting peace but somehow UN Brand Peace feels different but that doesn’t matter because not wanting peace means wanting terror. Not sure so about UN Brand Peace but definitely no terrorists. Eliminate them. Many ‘terrorsist’ killed wanting peace, just not UN Brand Peace. Not important. Doesn’t matter. Less distinction between peace and terror until no distinction between peace and terror. New Era isn’t it? Things change. New Age where Peace is via Terrorism. Terrorism is to make peace. All are terrorized in the name of ‘Peace’.
To save the world.
To live in Peace/Terror.
And now is time for Beagle Pups…
(Sasha)
Perversion of Nature On Parade…
I want you to really look at this photo. I mean what century are we living in here? Feeling distinctly like the harbinger of bad news but it goes against everything I believe not to respond. So anyway, here is Ringlings Circus parading elephants through NYC last night. I cannot put into words, indeed words fail to relay how much – with every cell of my soul - I F**KING HATE this SH*T! Seeing elephants just about as far removed from where they belong as possible– in fact any kind of animal captivity - really provokes something in me like not much other stuff can. But in all seriousness these picture make me feel violent.
According to the Huffington Post Ringlings were “Keeping up an old custom of theirs. The circus company paraded elephants through midtown Manhattan to herald the upcoming circus tour. “
I’m posting this PETA clip to show what they do to the elephants at Ringlings and I admit myself that it upset me so bad I couldn’t watch it for more than a minute. If you want to help get these perverts stopped (because animal captivity IS a perversion) go here and sign the petition here.
Oh and there’s a plan for Wii to release a game in conjunction with these parasites. I’ll be looking more into that later…
Let’s put an end to this everybody.
(Sasha)
I Prefer You Hate Me Than Ignore Me #2
WHOA, WHOA, WHOOOOOAAAAA! This stopped me DEAD in my tracks people. Pixadores (Brazilian equivalent of taggers), have struck a mural in Sao Paulo - arguably the street art capital of the world - and done their thing atop work by graffiti legends such as Os Gemeos, Nina, Nunca et al according to Animal. The mural was part of The Biennial Exhibit which was commisioned by the city of Sao Paulo. As such the mural reads, “R$ 200,000 in makeup, and the city is in calamity,” (That converts to around £66,000 or $111,000.), which is an obvious attack on the choice to commission art when eleven million people ‘live’ (I use the term loosely) in slums on the city’s perimeter.
Now normally tagging over peices would cause serious beefage but this is a different breed of agro. Not your ego-fuelled aggression like what goes down in NYC, but real political statement. Having spent some time in Sao Paulo personally, and discovering what a hideously unjust place Brazil really is, you can’t help but feel remorse. Not for the mural per se, but the ghastly conditions that spawn the need for such demonstrations.
Seriously, Pixação (the tagging style) is fascinating, romantic and heartbreaking. Please, please, PLEASE check the clips I’ve posted. Below is an incredible trailer (check that sounddddd!) for a documentary on Pixação - don’t worry if you don’t understand what’s being said - Y’all vibe with it, I know you will!
And this interview (in English (!)) is with journalist and creator of the above doc, Joao Wainer. He explains brilliantly who the Pixadores are and why they do what they do. In fact, many established street artists feel the plight of the Pixadores so I guess it’s unlikey there will be too much resentment over the defacing of their work. T’is a “Don’t hate the player, hate the game” type-scenario methinks.
“How many artists do you know that risk their life to make art?”
That question just gets to me soooo bad.
God, I miss that place…(: (
(Sasha)
Conscience: The Story Of Stuff
If you like your entertainment with a side helping of guilty conscience, I have just the thing for you!! If you’ve already seen The Story Of Stuff before, watch it again (cos nothing much has changed anyway). And if you haven’t , set aside whatever it is you’re doing for the next twenty and bask in the glory of how well our species well and truly fuckied it up. This brilliantly executed animated short was compiled by activist Annie Leonard. It was first released onto YouTube December 2007 and has been continually bashed by the US right - i.e. the kind of people who don’t believe in dinosaurs - and praised by the left ever since, even heralded “a mega-hit on three levels” by non other than John Passacantando, Executive Director of Greenpeace.Hmmm, I know whose opinion I’m trusting. Enjoy!
Beijos! (Sasha)
Review: A Single Man
Based on the novel by Chris Isherwood, A Single Man is the kind of film that could be watched with the sound off, because it is indeed visually spectacular. The kind of beauty that is almost exclusively reserved for upper-end designer ads, which is obviously no coincidence being by the mighty Tom Ford. (Did anyone see just how good he looked at the Brits? Is he even a real person?? ) Everyone and everything is seeped in sepia-toned gorgeousness but the colours flare in accordance with 
Colin-Firth’s suicidal–gay-LA-professor’s (phew) recognition of beauty; an apparent consequence of his decree that this day is to be his last. Now, a lot of people are calling out ASM on the old ‘style over substance’ cliché but I’d heartily disagree. There is much substance plus well-timed, unexpected humour. If there was a criticism, perhaps ASM is so visually stunning it’s kind of distracting. Like a really beautiful person trying to tell you something but you kind of get caught up just looking at them. So, yes Mr Ford, your film is too beautiful.Just like the book cover itself.
Even the film poster is a 10!
Just drowning in asthetics here people… so please Mr Ford, can we have some more?
Beijos! (Sasha)
Film Review: Precious
Everyone meet Precious. Precious is fat. Precious is ‘black’ black. Precious lives in abject poverty. She is gets raped by her father. She is abused by her mother. She eats pig’s feet. She has a Down’s baby. She’s pregnant again. She’s only 16. Boys kick her. She has to perform oral sex on mother. She gives birth. Now her mother is trying to kill her. And her baby. Now she’s homeless. Now her father is dead. He died of AIDS. Now Precious has HIV. She’s going to die. Perhaps her baby has HIV? Now Precious is homeless. With a baby. And with HIV. And she’s going to die.
But s’all good cos she goes to a cool school where everyone is cool and good looking and there’s a really beautiful lesbian teacher who loves Precious and all her classmates are cool and suddenly, instantly, inexplicably they are all her best friend and go see her in hospital where Lenny Kravitz is her nurse and he’s cool too they have parties and she hooks up Lenny with some chick and they laugh and Precious has new clothes even though she penniless but that don’t matter cos that’s just one of a million plot-holes and she’s writing the pain away ‘Dead Poets’ style and Mariah Carey is smirking and Oprah is smiling and everything’s gonna be cool…
Y’know what I mean??
Beijos! (Sasha)
