Praise The Guild

“If I get a mention in someone’s blog, it’s the best feeling”, Felicia Day says in an interview by WoW Stratics, so I thought I’d write a small post about it. Felicia Day is the writer, producer, and star of the new and popular sitcom “The Guild“. I started watching The Guild a few days before the second episode was released on YouTube, and immediately fell in love with all the characters.
The interview also mentions the other very popular sitcom Lonelygirl15, and after a quick comparison, The Guild is certainly better, perhaps because I can relate to The Guild as I’m one of many addicted World of Warcraft players. I wish for the best of luck in the future for Felicia Day and The Guild.

You can watch the first webisode here:

Web 2.0 doesn’t leave porn behind

WIRED’s commentary Regina Lynn writes that Web 2.0 leaves porn behind, but some of the major communities such as YouTube is also for pornographic material. As kevjumba, the most popular comedian on YouTube, says “Any girl who talks about sex or gonna show her tits is gonna get thousands of views, even is she has nothing smart to saw. I have like 5 subscribers, it’s really bad, like no one watches my videos, but I guarantee you, if I had huge tits or a nice butt, I would have thousands of subscribers. I hate you no-talented hot girls!” – 6 month after he made this video, kevjumba had 50.000 subscribers. He had something smart to say.

Google has a major community with a lot of hidden porn in it. Just look at the Top 10 on Google Video.

2. Woman in Shower
3. Girl caught by boyfriend
4. Webcam Girls Go Wild ( full)
7. Naked Nude Teen Girls
9. SEXY SEXY SEXY … WOW!

Perhaps this isn’t exactly pornography, but pornography isn’t allowed on neither Google Videos or YouTube. However the YouTube template is used on pornsites including community. Then there’s the animé and manga communities, both are used in ecchi and hentai.

YouTube debates – modern communication reaches the politicians ears!

The President of USA is someone who has influence beyond the Earth, who has influence on the Earths entire population, so I thought, perhaps I should start looking into what presidential candidates that were running this time. YouTube and CNN has a feature for just that. On www.youtube.com/debates normal YouTubers is able to question the candidates. I thought that this way is genius, because it”s very rare that normal citizens of countries are able to stand in front of a high-ranked politicians such as Bush, or these senators and ask them about how they are going to help the nation.
I reach question 5, and the subject hits race. Question 6: Class. Question 7: Gender. All the candidates that spoke on these questions, on all the questions are all agreeing that the last eight years (Perhaps even the last 24 years, except candidate Clinton, who is very proud of her husbands achievements) has been disastrous, and that USA has indeed shameful moments. Obama speaks of “Corridors of Shame”, certain areas of USA that could be mistaken for Africa.
Candidate Edwards is against gay marriage, but won”t cite religion as reason to deny gay rights, and I believe that”s revolutionary, but it”s still odd.
As I started to watch these videos, I had a hard time telling them apart. Are they all the same? But as the questions went on, the difference is quite clear. Until now, we might be better of with a black man and a woman instead of that monkey, that USA currently uses as president. Gravel is a bit sensitive, isn’t he? “The only thing worse than one soldier dying in vain is more soldiers dying in vain”, he yells. I think he is a interesting character in this political game, but I don”t mind that Anderson (The person directing YouTube questions to politicians) don”t give him that many questions. Gravel is very unhappy about it, and yells “Is this fair?”, but does make a funny joke about it in question 18.

In question 25, a guy asks “What is your stance on nuclear power?”, and I believe that candidate Edwards mentions that we haven”t found a good nor safe way to dispose nuclear waste, and I wondered what much money are the hosts of nuclear power plants spending on finding a good and safe way to this? I believe that we have an enormous energy crisis at the moment, as we are still questioning whether it is natural or us creating these green house effects!
Question 27 is rather interesting, and Obama definitely handles the situation perfectly and doesn’t have to answer the actual question, “would you agree to be paid the minimum wage?”.
This debate certainly made me think, and apparently these candidates all qualify for being president of the USA for the time being. I have a term during such times, “Campaign Promises”. Candidates promise their nation about what they’ll do to make it all better, but never actually keep it. I hope, for once, that they’ll keep the promises and do something about the problems we have. I believe that USA could be our ’saviour’, if they do it right.
In all, 38 questions has been answered and more to come on 17th of September.

I read something quite interesting just now. Apparently, only two GOP (Grand Old Party, Republican Party) candidates have agreed to participate in the upcoming show in September YouTube/CNN debate. More to come!

The Free Hugs Campaign

The Free Hugs Campaign was origally started by one man, Juan Mann, from Austrualia, in 2004. In 2006, Juan Mann uploaded a video to YouTube showing himself walking down Pitt Street Mall in Sidney, holding a sign with the words “Free Hugs” written on it. Shimon Moore, the lead singer of Sick Puppies filmed the event, and used his own music in the video.
During the campaign, the police forced Juan Mann to stop the “free hugging”, as Juan Mann had not obtained public liability insurance worth $25 million for his actions. Juan Mann and his companions used a petition to convince local autherities to allow them to continue hug other people, without the insurance. They reached 10.000 signatures, and thereafter they were allowed to hug people again.
Participants of the Free Hugs Campaign decided to declare an official International Free Hugs Days, which will be the first weekend after the 30th of June every year. On Saturday the 7th of July this year, or more specifically on 7/7/07. The purpose of the day is to promote the Free Hugs campaign. The organisers are hoping that hundreds of people around the world will be distributing free hugs on this day. That day is also known as 777, the YouTube Gathering day in New York.
Today, this is an international campaign, and the International Free Hugs day is used for it’s purpose. I’m quite upset that it’s actually illegal to hug strangers without proper insurance in Australia, however I can’t talk for other countries. In the right perspective, it sounds like being in Hell. When I watched the campaign by Juan Mann, I was deeply inspired. It has reached more than 16 million views on YouTube, also it was being published on famous “Goodmorning America” show. Many has followed his example, and uploaded videos of themselves giving away free love and hugs in their homecountry.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

The final book of Harry Potter has arrived. J.K. Rowling should be proud of herself, as she wrote the most popular series of books in human history. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows sold approximately 8.3 million copies just in the United States., and takes the place as the fastest selling book, and could easily beat the record sales of the Bible this year. I enjoy reading the Harry Potter books, and I can’t possibly question why the books are so popular. However, I think that this time, it went over the edge. Rumours has told me something quite strange. Unfortunately, I can’t do any research before I’ve read the book as there’s spoilers everywhere. One rumour told that $110 million was spent on security for the books. Another said that they opened trauma-phone lines in case little children couldn’t deal with the death of either Harry, Ron or Hermione. However, that’s rumours. A few things, we do know for a fact is that people actually stole copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and published it on the Internet. A simple search on Google, and you have the “best” book in history, or at least readers choice. Even though, these books was guarded 24/7, and none were allowed to enter the guarded rooms except those who had to deal with them. Then there’s the Pottermania, revived from the Beatlesmania, a so-called frenzy that unleashes in young girls heads whenever something big happens regarding the mania. Have you ever seen a Beatles concert, where they every now and then showed the audience? You can’t even hear the music for all those screaming girls. If you search for Harry Potter on Google, you get 191.000.000 hits. This is a large amount, even for Google. But why Harry Potter? There’s many enjoyable books, just as good as Harry Potter, but never reached this level of fame. Philip Pullman’s “Dark Materials” trilogy is just as good, and the first book, The Golden Compass, is going to the movies in December 2007. Then there’s Tamora Pierce, who written many books, some better than Harry Potter. According to analysts, they say that it’s because of the Internet. Harry Potter just had a great deal of luck and good timing. The Internet, as you may know, is a great place to share thoughts, and if we both seen the films or read the books, then we might have a good conversation. Like sheeps, just following what’s up a head.
The most breaking news is that Harry Potter didn’t make it first everywhere. In Beijing, the new film “Chuck and Larry” sold for $34.8 million, while Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix got number two, and only made $32.2 million. Also Harry Potter won’t reach the NYT Bestseller list – at all.
I just read that a Teenage girl killed herself because of fake spoilers. The news reporter said that her room was filled with toys, models and other Harry Potter merchandise.

Conversation with God

Chris Battaglia had an interesting MSN Messenger conversation with God.

god says: oi
cbattaglia says: hey there
god says: lol
cbattaglia says: ?
god says: u know who i am?
cbattaglia says: sure. you’re the big cheese
god says: lmao, got that right
cbattaglia says: what’s up?
god says: nothing much. u?
cbattaglia says: same
god says: …so, got any questions for me?
cbattaglia says: i guess… is that why you’re talking to me?
god says: sure. lol
cbattaglia says: ok. well, i guess the biggest one right now would be: why are you talking to me?
god says: why not?
cbattaglia says: seems kind of random. i mean, i don’t even believe in you. usually you appear to people who already preach about you 24/7
god says: yeah… i’m kind of tired of those guys. they’re mostly brown-nosers and spin doctors, so i figured i’d try something different today
cbattaglia says: is that why you’re using MSN, instead of the preferred “visions” methods?
god says: how do you know this isn’t just a vision?
cbattaglia says: …touche, god.
god says: lol
cbattaglia says: but seriously, why me: an atheist? why not a Muslim or Buddhist or Hindu?
god says: y would i appear before them? i’m looking for a change here. they already believe in me
cbattaglia says: how so?
god says: at the core, all spiritual beliefs are the same. they’re about knowing deep down that there is something more out there, some sort of presence, and framework, guiding a universe that feels too complex to be random
cbattaglia says: i see, but they all believe different things…
god says: the core is the same, and that core is me. to some, i am more than one being. to others, i have more eyes or limbs. some even believe that i have no physically recognizable form. the interpretations may vary, but my existence is constant
cbattaglia says: ok, but if this is true, why all the fighting in hatred done in your name? it’s kind of pointless if they’re all fighting for the same side
god says: lol, don’t go pinning that on me. and yes, it’s completely pointless. the fact that they commit these atrocities in my name pisses me off to no end
cbattaglia says: then why don’t you stop it?
god says: because that’s not how i roll. i’m not the babysitter of earth, or any of the other planets. the reason i gave u guys free will was so that i wouldn’t have to hold ur hand all the time. i have a life too, y’know
cbattaglia says: ok, makes sense
cbattaglia says: wait… other planets? do those planets have life?
god says: of course! lmao y wouldn’t i put life on other planets? u guys aren’t my 1 special little project. and i must say, u aren’t the best of the bunch, either. not the worst, but…
cbattaglia says: hehe, i bet
god says: anyway, like i was saying, i don’t enjoy being attached to the causes of everyone who craves comfort, power, validation, etc, but i can’t really blame them. false security is the warmest blanket there is. i do hate it when i’m held responsible for nature’s stuff though. that shit is on autopilot. it just works with what it’s given
cbattaglia says: so gays didn’t cause you to make Katrina?
god says: lol no, and what’s with people attaching me to their views on gays? i have no problem with them. what i do have a problem with is my name being used to mask personal insecurities
cbattaglia says: doesn’t it say something in the bible about homosexuality being wrong?
god says: i didn’t write that thing. lol this is what i was talking about earlier: the spin doctors. i may be at the core of all spirituality, but everything that branches off of that isn’t from me
cbattaglia says: i see… so you don’t endorse any “holy” texts?
god says: lmao! NO! do u know how many times those things have been translated, interpreted and re-written to include or exclude certain passages??? i’m pretty sure there’s even a story out there about my son making a trip to Utah. it’s like a plot for a bad teen movie. i don’t even have a son. lol
cbattaglia says: wow. interesting. so jesus wasn’t yours?
god says: …no, and i won’t pay the child support, either. mary’s just trying to cash in on the lie
cbattaglia says: so all of this stuff that happens, everything done in your name, it’s all bullshit?
god says: well, i’ll be honest: no. i do enjoy screwing around with the brown-nosers a bit to see where they’ll take it. like, i’ll appear for some believer all important-sounding with a quest that really has no meaning, and sit back while the drama unfolds. it’s pretty funny
cbattaglia says: that’s a little petty for the almighty, no?
god says: hey, i get bored too. u guys r my tv. lol
god says: if u think that’s bad, u should see what i’ve done to other places…
cbattaglia says: i don’t think i want to know
god says: lol
cbattaglia says: one thing i would like to know, though, is what happens when we die
god says: u die
cbattaglia says: …and?
god says: that’s it
cbattaglia says: oh
god says: lol, don’t worry, reality is a tricky thing. u still technically live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew u, so u’re not completely gone, if u catch my drift
cbattaglia says: i think i do… sort of
god says: lol
god says: i g2g
cbattaglia says: ok, cool, but just so you know: i still don’t believe in you
god says: oh? why not?
cbattaglia says: because our conversation here proves you exist, yet (as referenced by Douglas Adams) you refused to ever do that, because “proof denies faith, and without faith, i am nothing.”
god says: oh, right… lol
*god has signed off

I find it interesting, because I learned from it. I’ve been quite decisive about the matter of god. I don’t believe in god, that’s simply my belief, but I don’t deny his existence. This made my believe a little bit more in it, because makes a lot more sense. Often we discuss the holy texts of any religion, and this simply denies that it hasn’t been written by God, which makes perfect sense to an agnostic and atheist like myself. He created a universe, and won’t touch it more than having a laugh by himself. Quite interesting. I hope that God contacts Chris again.

Super cool school

Steli Efti, the founder of Supercoolschool, has written a very interesting ebook.
It begins like this:

7 Lessons You Learned @ School That Could Possibly Ruin Your Life

How the public school system tried (successfully or not) to inhibit your development and seven simple remedies for your personal freedom. Read, reflect, discuss and take action – that ́s what it’s all about. To start a conversation with you and make some positive changes [...].

Read more here.
This some of the most revolutionary words I’ve seen in a long time. My exam objects tells me to do one thing, but I do another. I failed the test, but I’ve written something that matters, something out of order, something others call unrealistic, but it expanded what truth is.

Wearetheweb.org

Did you thought that “Weird Al” Yancovic was nerdy in “White and Nerdy”. You got it all wrong. Wearetheweb.org fights for net neutrality and Internet freedom, and I suggest that you do it too.

“We love the Internet”

A Net Neutrality Message for Everyone: We Are the Web
The issue of net neutrality is reaching a boiling point, and the results will affect every Internet user in the US. We Are the Web is here to raise awareness with the help of some of the web’s biggest names: Leslie Hall, The Tron Guy, and Peter Pan.
This is happening in Europe too!