Enlightenment as Mass Deception

2008-06-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

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Utilizing Stuart Hall’s Encoding/Decoding Model on Three iPod Advertisements

2007-03-27T12:48:00.001-07:00

As a cultural theorist, Stuart Hall critiques the practices of everyday life, particularly systems of meaning channelled through the televisual medium. From his analysis of television, Stuart Hall developed a theoretical model to explain the influence of television broadcasts (advertisements and sitcoms). Stuart Hall's called this theory the encoding/decoding model. The basic premise of Hall's encoding/decoding model of communication is that the media apparatus has an interest in production, circulation, distribution/consumption, and reproduction rather than conveying a message (Gurevitch, Scannell, 2003: 139). Stuart Hall's encoding/decoding model focuses on the ideological dimensions of message production and reception in a capitalist world. There is much validity to this theory, and it to understand it completely, one must be knowledgeable of Hall's Marxist background, and the implications of his concepts. This essay will make the case for the utility of this model through an analysis of three Apple Inc. iPod advertisements via Hall's concepts, arguing that his production-reception model is a useful approach to understanding modern mass media messages, especially advertising.

In order to adequately understand the encoding/decoding model by Stuart Hall, it is necessary to draw connections regarding the basic foundations of the encoding/decoding model. To begin, Stuart Hall was profoundly influenced by Marxist theory, particularly ideas concerning the proletariat struggle against the bourgeoisie. Hall's cultural theory is deeply rooted in Marxist theory with which he has translated the intent of media from its base intent of send-message-receive towards an alternative system of production, circulation, distribution/consumption, and reproduction (Gurevitch, Scannell, 2003: 139). In his autobiography, Stuart Hall explains that he was influenced by

the questions that Marxism as a theoretical project put on the agenda: the power, the global reach and history-making capacities of capital; the question of class; the complex relationships between power, which is an easier term to establish in the discourses of culture than exploitation, and exploitation; the question of a general theory which could, in a critical way, connect together in a critical reflection different domains of life, politics and theory, theory and practice, economic, political, ideological questions and so on; the notion of critical knowledge itself and the production of critical knowledge as a practice. (McGuigan, Gray, 1992: 100)

Here, Stuart Hall explains that the reasons why Marxism yielded an immense amount of critical analysis for him. He believed that issues concerning: 1) power, class dynamics, the discourse of exploitation, 2) politics, life, economy, and 3) hegemonic and ideological ramifications towards production and critical knowledge resonated from the media. Understanding the relevance of why Hall utilized Marxism is crucial for the analysis of the encoding/decoding model.

Drawing the connection between Hall's theoretical origins of Marxism and the encoding/decoding model enhances one's understanding of his theoretical conception of media discourse. With the acknowledgement of Hall's Marxist background, the next step is understanding the potential for his theory in today's dominant televisual discourse. In the encoding/decoding model of media discourses developed by Stuart Hall, the meaning of the text is located between its producer and the reader (Hall, 1980). The producer (encoder) framed (or encoded) meaning in a certain way, while the reader (decoder) decodes it differently according to his/her personal background, the various different social situations and frames of interpretation (McQuail, 1994). According to Hall, the meaning within a text is neither a fixed concept, nor a totally uncertain 'polysemy' (Fiske, 1986). Although Hall notes the polysemic nature of meaning in text, one must inevitably take a 'position'. Such a position is the balancing point in the process of dynamics of encoder and decoder, the result of tension between encoder's dominant intention and decoder's reading strategies [provide more details here]. According to this hypothesis, encoder is trying to transfer his / her version of a certain meaning based on his / her personal background and cultural perspective to the decoder, while the decoder will adapt this 'original' meaning into a 'new' version according to his / her background and particularities. In order to conceptualize this transference of meaning from encoder to decoder, it is essential to refer to Figure 1 (Appendix 1). In Figure 1, 'meaning structures 1' refers to the encoder who attempts to insert his/her own intended meaning that Hall describes "Production, here, constructs the message" (Hall, 1980: 129). Once the intended meaning is produced, it is then followed by the medium of discourse, but "at a certain point, however, the broadcasting structures must yield encoded messages in the form of a meaningful discourse" (Hall, 1980: 130). Through televisual discourse, meaning is decoded by the audience. Through this decoding process, the 'new' version of meaning may be consistent with the 'original' one, or be oppositional to it; however, in most circumstances, it is always a result of negotiation. Essentially, Stuart Hall's encoding/decoding model has wider implications once the audience manifests their own meaning. In order to conceptualize the implications of Stuart Hall's encoding/decoding model and audience effects, three iPod advertisements will be deconstructed to illustrate three reading strategies that Hall asserts as 'positions' that decoders take.

Stuart Hall characterized three major reading strategies that, even with a polysemic underlying interpretation, are chosen by the audience in the decoding process. As an artefact to aid in this decoding process, three iPod advertisements will illustrate the significance of Hall's three positions.

Firstly, when the decoder's position is near to the encoder's, he / she will interpret within the frame of the dominant code—the "preferred reading" (Hall, 1980: 136). For example, iPod launched their first advertisement (Figure 2) promoting a new product in 2001. The dominant encoded meaning in this advertisement is perpetual dancing through break-dance moves and other very difficult dance techniques. Essentially, the dominant intent of this advertisement is excitement, joy, and how one may experience a mind-altering temporary pleasure from an iPod. Although this reaction to music is unrealistic and many people in real life do not engage their music in random dancing on the street, Apple has instilled this pleasurable almost innate response from the enjoyment of music. When this advertisement was released, Apple, in their annual report of 2001, reported that: "Net gains before taxes related to the Company's non-current debt and equity investments of $75 million, $367 million, $230 million, and $40 million were recognized in 2001, 2000, 1999, and 1998, respectively" (Apple Inc, 2001: 20), which implies the number of people who have decoded the initial meaning of the encoder: the producer (Apple) professed (encoded) consumption of their product (iPod) and were then broken down (decoded) by the audience in the same way as the encoder intended, in which the high volume of sales on iPods is reflected by Apple Inc.'s 2001 Annual Report. In Figure 2 of Apple's first iPod advertisement, stylistically, there were no flashy colours, or exuberant contrasts but with had sophisticated dancing—a feature of Apple's iPod advertisements it will keep through many years afterwards. Many years later, Apple Inc. formulated a new advertising strategy to excel enthusiasm for the iPod and increase sales (Figure 3 [2005 advertisement]
and Figure 4 [2006 advertisement]). As predicted, Apple Inc.'s Annual report in 2006 explained: "Net sales of iPods increased $3.1 billion or 69% during 2006 compared to 2005. Unit sales of iPods totalled 39.4 million in 2006, which represents an increase of 75% from 22.5 million iPod units sold in 2005" (Apple Inc, 2006: 55). In more detail, Figure 3, advertised 2005, illustrates several people coming together to dance with the long white wire coming to their ears. In this advertisement, the dominant code that is reflected is group dancing, also a response the audience will not help but succumb to performing. Once an individual purchases an iPod, their decoded purchases an iPod, the individual may meet individuals who also have an iPod and then proceed to dance with them. This is very unrealistic, although many individuals who succumb to this dominant-hegemonic position are led in this manner in order to purchase an iPod. Seemingly, the dominant code in this revised 2005 advertisement (Figure 3) asserts that individuals purchase the iPod because of a heightened pleasure that is incomparable to other iPods today.

Secondly, when the decoder's position is opposite to the encoder's, the decoder will create his/her own version of the message with totally different intention; the decoder may read subversively and against the dominant meanings from an oppositional point of view (Hall, 1980: 137). When an individual is functioning under this position, Hall states that "He/she is operating with what we must call an oppositional code" (Hall, 1980: 137). In Figure 2, the individual who decodes this in a "globally contrary way" (Hall, 1980: 137) will undermine the initial message and attempt to rationalize that it is an object that promotes mainstreaming, or a unified hegemony that Apple exerts to promote their iPods. In addition, another individual taking an oppositional position may consider that Apple Inc. is causing major environmental damages and poses a severe health risk. For instance, in an interview with an environmentalist, Giles Slade noted that:

Steve Jobs came out recently and pretty much admitted that the iPod should be thought of as a disposable product. It is a slick, sleek thing, and you would never consider that it comes from a fundamentally dirty industry. In fact, the amount of toxins that go into an iPod is enormous. There are more than 68 million of these things out there, and they are full of cadmium, beryllium and lead. And Apple has deliberately created them so they only last a year. The company has a voluntary take-back program, but how many people use it? They won't say. I am hugely personally disappointed in Steve Jobs. (Tyee Books)

Here, Slade has asserted the negativity of iPod exposure and its long-standing impact on the environment. In a deeply disturbed way, Slade has transformed the initial meaning of Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4 in a way that was contrary to Apple Inc.'s encoded meaning.

Thirdly, and in many cases, the decoder will adopt a negotiated position, which is to accept some aspects of the dominant meaning, but reject and alters others, to suit their understandings and goals. For example, an anonymous blog commenter who initially took a negotiated reading to the dominant code posted:

My friend just gave me his old iPod and I began the investigation on how to change the battery. I couldn't believe that the unit is made so as the owner is not able to do their own battery replacement. Apple wants $100 to have the battery replaced? NOT! I'm glad I didn't buy an iPod and won't. Somebody is getting ripped and it isn't Apple. (MoPhos & Photos)

This individual had clearly been sceptical about purchasing an iPod after watching, perhaps, Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4 iPod advertisements respectively, favouring a waiting delay period before he/she understood every potential bug in Apple's iPods. This negotiated reading creates a very sceptical audience who may or may not purchase the iPod. They may be persuaded by each of these advertising strategies slightly, but not enough to fully gain their cooperation with purchasing the iPod. Instead of looking directly at the advertisements and interest with U2 (Figure 4), or group enjoyment (Figure 3), and the first commercial (Figure 2), the decoder may decide to look at the stylistic features, or the specifications of a particular model of the iPod and based on them, the decoder may decide to oppose purchasing an iPod or want to purchase them. In this stage, Stuart Hall calls it the "a mixture of adaptive and oppositional elements: it acknowledges the legitimacy of the hegemonic definitions to make the grand significations (abstract), while, at a more restricted, situational (situated) level, it makes it own ground rules—it operates with exceptions to the rule" (Hall, 1980: 137). The negotiated decoding strategy is oftentimes what the audience undertakes in order to completely understand the product they purchase, in this case an iPod.

These three positions, as Hall has illustrated, function as an imperative decoding strategy that the decoders undertake. It is the intent of the encoder, in this case Apple, to utilize a predictive measure targeting individuals who decode in a negotiated position and oppositional position, especially. Apple Inc. is fully aware that decoders who undertake oppositional and negotiated readings exist and, subsequently, their advertising strategies will always change until they have fully convinced the negotiator to become their product consumer and the oppositional decoder to become at least a negotiated decoder.

Stuart Hall's encoding/decoding model is an imperative explanation outlining the intent of advertising strategists, such as Apple Inc. and their three advertisements deconstructed in this essay. Using Stuart Hall's model, the intent of advertisers becomes clear; advertisers are the dominant encoders of a messages only to be decoded by the audience in a seemingly clear translation from product to consumer. Although decoders may have multiple interpretations, argues Hall, they inevitably take a position in which he outlines three possible routes of decoding: 1) the dominant-hegemonic position, 2) the oppositional position, and 3) the negotiated position. The intent of advertisers and their encoding strategies are maximizing wealth and continuing the means production, circulation, distribution/consumption, and reproduction. Through this process, positions may be confronted with the same encoded messages throughout many years (Figure 2 [2001 advertisement], Figure 3 [2005 advertisement], and Figure 3 [2006 advertisement]). This perpetuating cycle continues to further capital, to enforce the continuation of the product or service. In this sense, Stuart Hall's encoding/decoding model proves a valuable utility for the analysis of advertisements, their intent, and the methods of decoding audiences take.

2006-12-16T19:59:00.000-08:00

The Archives of Underground Hip-Hop and Rap

This collection of articles will discuss the relative backgrounds of individual artists who are under-reported in the mainstream. This collection will consider the lyrical content, the roots, and the general biographies of the artists that create an amazing architecture of both political and poetic commentary about the social institutions which both oppress and divide them. The following will include:

9th Wonder
Access Immortal
Afu Ra
Akir
Akon
Alchemist
Algorithm
Apathy
Aztlan
Blackstarr
Cage
Canibus
Cormega
Dead Prez
DJ Premier
Esoteric
Ghostface Killah
GZA
Hieroglyphics
ill Bill
Immortal Technique
Jean Grae
Jedi mind Tricks
Jus Allah
K-OS
Mobb Deep
Nas
Necro & ill Bill
Papoose
Public Enemy
Raekwon
Ras Kass
Saigon
Saul Williams
Talib Kweli
KRS-One
RZA
Common

And many more to come later on for sure....

2006-11-18T16:06:00.000-08:00

Identity Formation-Selection Theory

By: Sufi Mohamed

Much of the media's influence explicitly encompasses the theory which I will call identity formation-selection.

In this theory, I propose that the media is entirely effecting the wide populace with respect to identity formation. This theory stems from the teachings of the Frankfurt school which continues to influence my perception of the media's reign in political inquiry and philosophical domain. Considerably, the media's influence are quite expansive, but what I put into perspective is the notion of two competing ideals with regards to individual development--identity selection and identity individual formation.

To adequately analyze the identity formation-selection theory, I will first describe what I mean by identity, identity formation, and identity selection.

Identity

Identity is repeatedly argued that it is quite unique among humanists; for example, my friend Levar (philosopher whom I greatly respect) argues that identity is solely unique to that individual. Although this is a highly respected ideal with regard to the definition of identity, I refute the notion that identity is merely a characteristic of that individual only.

Princeton University defines identity like this:

The distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity (source: wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn)

Communications-wise, I believe that identity is not a distinct personality but a result of the following: massification, the public sphere, ideologies and hegemonic influences.

Consider that identity is a result of the aforementioned listed terms. What I mean by massification is the information's spreading (that is the ideologies and hegemonic influences spread throughout the populace either through multiple medias--tv, internet, radio, etc..--or the government's propaganda). Massification contributes to MAINSTREAM ideologies. Due to massification, mainstream ideologies are now in hegemonic practises.

How does this relate to the definition of identity?

Identity does not become a distinct personality, it becomes a mainstream personality which later moulds into a new identity as a result of age and experience. Identity is not a persistent entity, identities are static and imprecise in their desire.

Identity Selection

What does "Identity Selection" mean? This means that the individual doesn't choose an identity, the individual selects an identity.

Because of media saturation, the individual doesn't make his/her own identity he/she finds to be satisfying, rather, the individual succumbs to the gripping threshold of mass media and selects an identity from the pool of identities.

Pool of identities? What does it mean? It implies, because of media saturation, the identities held reserved by the media for a specific group. The media creates identities! How does it do that? Because characteristics and personalities are constructed by the media, they prepare identities for the populace to accept from the pool of identities.

The person doesn't merely succumb to the power of mass media, that person is the result of hegemonic ideals. That person's identity is moulded by the media. The individual does not choose his identity for the media has already chosen it for him.

Identity Formation

This basically means that the individual, through trial and error and with the development of experience and age--especially through self-reflection, becomes the product of his/her own identity. What this means is that the individual after experimentation makes his/her own personality as a result of their own experience. This doesn't mean that the identity is distinct, it is the result of massification that this individual has settled on an identity he/she finds satisfying.

(This theory will be regularly updated as a result of new findings. (c) Sufi Mohamed, 2006)

2006-11-18T15:54:00.000-08:00

The Hegemonic Domain of a Television Dominated Culture

By: Sufi Mohamed

Television appears as the fundamental area of communicative inquiry. Not only does it aspire to bolster the ideals of advertising and production, it also amplifies the growing trend of a nearing consumer-based culture. Television is the domain of our culture. Television is the source of our increasingly cultural-based heritage. Television promises ideals of happiness, longing, and satisfaction by producing a window of opportunity in successfully conquering challenges and seizing our dreams and goals. Television aspires to be a medium that defines our cultural heritage. Television is the final determinant of where our goals and dreams lie. Without television, we are convinced that these dreams are unreal. With television, we are convinced that the possibility of turning the dream into reality is real. Thus, to adequately sell television to possible consumers, broadcasters (at the expense of enormous outcomes) sell a hegemonic practises.

To adequately understand how television utilizes the modes and processes of an increasingly hegemonic structure, we must first look at the definition of hegemony and the ways in which it will be applied to this analysis. According to Antonio Gramsci (1935), hegemony implies "A social group can, indeed must, already exercise 'leadership' before winning governmental power … it subsequently becomes dominant when it exercises power, but even if it holds it firmly in its grasp, it must continue to 'lead' as well." In Gramsci's definition, hegemony is the result of a higher class deloying ideologies upon the lower classes, thereby ontrolling them at their own bidding. Although this is a more sinister approach to hegemony, that is the basic underlying tone of television. It dominates our cultural atmosphere in that its approach is to bind social codes, norms, and values into something purchasable. Television, according to Gramsci, sells hegemonic beliefs.

One of the key features of television and its ability to deploy hegemony is primarily situated in advertising. Arguably, advertisements merely reflect the desires of our everyday need. Television uses our social codes to get us to consume. Social codes are hegemonic, and reside in our desires. For example, why do women shave their legs? Women do not necessarily have to shave their legs, but media advertisement and repeated bombardment with the concept of beauty has led women to believing that it is preferable, that they would not be beautiful if they hadn't. It is natural to grow hair, yet the media depicts hair on women unnatural. In this respect, television creates "false needs to sell items of little utility," notes Professor Bradley. Here, Professor Bradley connotes that television is merely a factory of false preoccupations. Hegemonically, television emphasizes a different method of organizing the public. This method is primarily advertising. The ways in which advertisers effectively suade the public is through analysis of market trends and what they think the public needs. In this moment of enlightenment arises a product which satisfies this need. Hegemonically, advertisers practise reading this market trend and implicate solutions to what they believe may be out of a loss. With this economic approach to hegemonic production, the facilitation of such ideals becomes the centre for economic progress. Using these systems of potential economic gain, advertisers can use hegemonically in such a way to inevitably create a consumer-based culture.

In its attempt to build a consumer-based culture, television advertisements use stereotypes to reinforce these hegemonic practises. Black people are what white advertisers portray them to be. Methods such as these are not even close to creativity. Advertisers have now relied on a humouristic approach to make people remember their slogans for longer. This influences the hegemony of the culture because advertisers embedded codes into the minds of several thousands. It not only promotes a consumer-based culture, it degrades the hegemonic practises of the very essence of that culture.

Television has an interesting ability to fragment the audience or viewers. With the increasing selection in choice, the modern consumer has the ability to move between different ideas towards another. For example, viewers may change the channel from news to another broadcast, from sports to pornography and vice versa. At any time the viewer can change the channel without any hesitation. Moreover, television is a medium whereby the broadcaster can select his chosen audience and reflect their image back upon them. The broadcaster can dictate the ways in which hegemonic ideas are used upon that group and translate it back to them. For example, in a skateboarding commercial, the broadcaster can use a bunch of guys dressed as punks to describe his/her product. In this way, he targets the groups of punks out there in the culture to purchase this name brand and not another. The goal of the advertiser then becomes the negotiation between various hegemonic practises.

In conclusion, television reflects our hegemonic ideals and self-reflexively shows who we are and what we have become

2006-11-18T15:52:00.000-08:00

The Increasing Expansion of a Technologically Dependent Culture

By Sufi Mohamed

Technology is an interesting utility. Not only does technology function as a way of life, it makes the stuff of life easy. Donna Haraway in A Cyborg Manifesto (film and communications theorist) noted that, "by the late twentieth century, our time, a mythic time, we are all chimeras, theorized and fabricated hybrids of machine and organism; in short, we are cyborgs." From Haraway's description, the combination of man and machine has brought us to the realization that we have grown too dependent upon technology. To adequately understand the formation of this technological necessity, I will first describe the progression of technology, technological autonomy, the beginnings of a new public sphere existing in the realm of cyberspace, and the future's imminent direction.

Technological progress can be traced directly to the invention of the telegraph. The telegraph futhered the concept that communication can be done through distance. However, developed primarily as a slot for significant military usages, the telegraph's ability for long range communication led to the invention of the telephone. Functioning under the same umbrella of communication, the telephone's primary duty was to defeat distance. Distance has always proved a threat to communication and in every instance, the mere act of trying to conquer this distance has become communication's primary motif. The telephone merely emphasized the importance of long distance communication. Following the telephone came its successor--the radio. Such long range communication was not possible through the mere transmission of electromagnetic waves in which a receiver picked signals from amongst the atmosphere and resonated its frequency through verbalized mode. Following the radio, another medium of equal (if not greater) importance came to light with the development of television. What differentiates television from all other mediums? Simple, television's vital importance lies in its graphic and visual representation of reality. Television has given technology a different outlook and now life can be seen through another medium of equal relevance to today's population.

From the result of all these mediums and their efforts to defeat distance, nothing has done it so greatly than the Internet. The Internet is a vital utility in our very lives. The internet gives us meaning toour lives. The Internet has furthered Haraway's futuristic man-machine concept of cyborg lives. Why does such a powerful entity like the Internet become so critical in its constructing of our lives? Regardless of denial, if an individual does not learn how to use the Internet, they will not be hired for any job opportunities.

Technological autonomy basically means:

[Technology] is seen as a largely external - 'outside' of society, 'supra-social' or 'exogenous' (as opposed to 'endogenous'). Rather than as a product of society and an integral part of it, technology is presented as an independent, self-controlling, self-determining, self-generating, self-propelling, self-perpetuating and self-expanding force. It is seen as out of human control, changing under its own momentum and 'blindly' shaping society.

Technology's rampant growth has given us a shady outlook on life. Technology is shaping and reshaping our lives. It is forming the umbrella of our culture and is moreover infused with the hegemonic structure which governs the populace. We do not realize the impact technology is having now, we will never know. We believe that technology is in our grasp, that it follows our needs and desires without question. Technology doesn't only follow us, it also marks a path of our history. Technology moves through time and space only to conquer the here and now. That is, technology's ever-changing form and structure is making lives easier, perhaps even too easy to the point of alienating the individual in their own world. iPods sadly contribute to this existential alienation without question. Those who refuse to believe it are merely idiots who do not understand the ramifications of technological autonomy.

By Cyberspace, I mean telematic communication, not some widely science fiction nonsensicality. Telematics basically means the physical attribution of cyberspace (i.e. networks, wires, etc..). Cyberspace is functioning today as a new medium of a newly emerging public sphere. Cyberspace is the convergence of all media forms into a single attribution--the Internet. It not only gives us authority, cyberspace gives us a mock identity to experiment upon. In the realm of cyberspace, we are not restricted any external forces. With increasing onlinization (resources being transferred to the internet), it gives a new meaning to surfing the internet. Cyberspace is our realm of discourse, our new public sphere. It is both traditional and modern at the same time; it is capable of moving through portals and domains; it is capable of combining knowledge of all forms; it is capable of making enterprises; it is capable of uniting the global community. Cyberspace is the new frontier of technological determinism--that is, our greatly dependent technologically infused culture, or as Haraway puts it, "We are cyborgs."

2006-11-18T15:48:00.000-08:00

The Paradox of Doreen

Walking down Brock University minding my own business, I encountered a character so foul, so atrocious, so bespeaking of suicide that I managed to swirve out of its path before utter destruction. I sit here writing this as a testament for the survival of my life. Here it is:

It had been two weeks before midterm exams were underway. My friend Catwoman asked to meet me to meet her on the main floor of the library. The library was a place designed specifically for study group sessions that also had a photocopy areas surrounding the perimeter of the room. Walking down the hallway, I encountered some dumb blondes as usual and perhaps walked by 30 or so people and found that there were no black or brown people of the 30. There were probably 29 asian people of the 30 I walked past on my way to the library. It was around the time when exams were nearing and it was 2 weeks before our first exam---Communication Studies.

At around 12:30pm I stepped foot into the library and found that there were 2 black people on different computers. I looked around the room and found that the room measured 4 meters across on all sides---left, right, up, down (having listed these, I saved you an attempt to construct what I meant about "all sides). I did have lunch before coming the library so I was assured that I'd be studying efficiently. When I stepped into the study group/photocopy area room, guess what? There were more asian people and 1 black person and several caucasian people.

Earlier that day I told my friend Darkwing Duck to meet me in the library 12:30 in the photocopy area/study room section of the main floor of the library. When he came, he was utterly shocked at the grotesque sight in which he later told me appalled his very senses---Doreen.....

To describe her would take eternity. She concretely defined herself among the stereotypes of common dumbfounded black females consistently aired on BET (Black Entertainment Television). This station isn't entertainment but a station which exploits the black stereotype producing more idiotically deranged losers with IQs of 60 or less---the quotient of retardation. Not only was her level of retardation explicitly expressed through her mental state and reasoning capacities, it also showed in her face. I was sure I had seen a the dumbness of blonde white skinned stereotypes reflected upon a black dumbfounded retard. I was quite amused actually but Darkwing Duck showed a grief-stricken expression (a What-The-Fuck-Had-I-Just-Seen expression).

In my attempt to assist Catwoman in her Communications Studies exam outline provided by Professor Bradley, Doreen interrupted! Interestingly though she asked me what the definition of a "proletariet" was to which I replied, "Are you serious?" Sadly I began to realize the level of intellectual-limited students Brock University accepted. In my attempt to say "Stuff," I overtly used language beyond Doreen's capacity of understanding which Darkwing Duck found humourous. Throughout the session, I deployed language which shut Doreen off completely from my attempt to assist Catwoman.

However, I sadly ended up talking to Doreen. The paradox is what I call Mind Rape. Darkwing Duck refers to this comparison as, "The psychological equivalent to the torture that goes on in Guantanamo Bay." He thoroughly believes that she "probably takes [...] one hour to cook minute rice." Moreover, Darkwing Duck thoroughly notes that "She's so dumb...FUCK! SHE'S SO DUMB!"

In my attempt to ceaze laughing at Darkwing Duck's expression across the table, I look sternly into the dumbness that is Doreen. From my observation, I have titled this paradox Mind Rape. This is my definition of Mind Rape: It occurs among black people who constantly watch BET and mimick those stereotypes in real life only to show their retarded behaviour, expressions, and intelligence quotient of 60 or less (retardation) with constant memory loss and lack of memory storage beyond two words.

What's the paradox you ask? Simple! If you're a black woman, you're 7/10 times going to be inflicted upon this disease which I call Mind Rape. Since white people don't watch BET, I can safely assume the black populace watches BET rather than CBC. If you think this is stereotype, fuck you. It is observational analysis interpreted in a way that leads me to conclude such an idea. It is merely BET's fault.

2006-11-16T19:35:00.000-08:00

Under Investigation:
The Moral Murderer (a.k.a The Taint)
By Sufi Mohamed

An aspiring collector of music, videos, and literature, the Taint is currently extending his network beyond the boundaries of Soulseek. Considering the recent deliberations about piracy and the boycott currently affecting record labels, the Taint doesn't give a shit. Carefully choosing his worthy selection, the Taint currently extends his connection with users in a voluminous level: politics, music, video, and martial arts. Prospective in his attempt to bring a network of more users (who do not have access to his Soulseek shares) for frequent browsing and downloading, the Taint's popularity continues to remain an engraved etch within the World Wide Web. To further analyze what the Taint can offer you, one must fruitfully enjoy a look into his categories!

Politics

The Taint is primarily interested in conspiracy theories. Although, for him, conspiracy theories include: 1) media conglomerization (media control through means of business interests); 2) Religious expansion; 3) Religion and deception; 4) Expansion due to Economic interests (i.e. Globalization); 5) Cultist behaviour. In his Soulseek index, the Taint has organized an array of carefully researched publications in an attempt to negotiate relevant sources from the irrelevant. In his research, his thoughts regarding imperialization and American global hegemony spark an intriguing arrangement of sources.

Music

The Taint's prominence lies in his collection of music. Compulsive in his organization of music and weighing the differences in his collage of music genre interests, it would seem that the Taint is primarily interested in Underground Hip-Hop and Rap. Due to his political nature, the Taint finds an interest in lyrical sense, relevance, and unity. Consistently promoting voices otherwise unheard by the mainstream popular culture, he runs several attempts to unify mainstream hip-hop and rap listeners to the pleasures of the underground. The artists which convey, for him, the best lyrical contents include: Immortal Technique, Papoose, Rakim, Jedi Mind Tricks, Nas, Akir, Cormega, Big Pun, and Kool G Rap.

Videos

Conscious in his choice of videos, the Taint seeks entertainment to the closest mind-altering enlightening experience. In his Soulseek index, one sees that the Taint is interested in: comedy, erotica, music videos, documentaries, and movies. Bringing an array of diverse interests into his video collection, he disseminates interests of comedy, satire, and innovations in humour (Family Guy, Southpark, etc..). Overseeing the relevancy of videos and whether or not it would be something that his users would download is a matter of subjective opinion; however, from what I have experienced, the Taint seems consistent in broadcasting the interests of the wider public.

Martial Arts

Having been influenced by the integrity of Martial Arts, the Taint is a disciplined student, since having been martial led since 3 years old, the Taint has developed an intriguing resume of fighting styles and techniques. Also, in his video collection, it's clear that martial arts and their respective techniques would be a prominent component in his arsenal of shares.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE TAINT

2006-11-11T21:25:00.001-08:00

Soulseek -- A Guide For Soulseek's Constant Visitors

Soulseek is an interesting piece of software. It not only provides you with all of your downloading and uploading of music files, it also encompasses an environment for growing and independent artists to reach their audiences and more. Recently, as a user of Soulseek myself, I've come across both intellectual artists and enthusiastic writers. This environment not only encourages a wide interest in your similarities, it is also home to an interesting group of individuals who not only do private recordings of their works but also write an array of interesting pieces ranging from poetry to politics.

So the purpose of this blog entry is to help you see which users you ought to look after for just in case you meet them. Here are their profiles from the best to the worst.

First of all, you will have to download this version of soulseek so that you can view the following individuals in the rooms:

Soulseek Client 156b

Cointelpro + Babigak:

Very interesting character, Cointelpro certainly is. He's definitely one that you can converse intellectually with to no viable end. He also has a very interesting index of music ranging from hip-hop to alternative to the dreaded subcultural mistake called Emo. Hahaha, I'm not entirely sure if he has EMO tracks, however I highly doubt that. He's got some awesome rap and hiphop though so if you ever want to have an intellectual conversation from philosophy to the philosophies of sex, Cointelpro is the man. As for Babigak, she's definitely Coin's woman. Very nice, very smart (law assistant) and, because of her practise, she is quite organized.

John Smif:

Having met this individual, he's pretty chill about everything and everyone. Going into Philosophy, this guy can really soften the hard edges of people like myself. Smif can really entertain you with some awesome ebonics, even though sometimes it's hard to understand his slang, he's definitely more entertaining than most comedians I see on Comedy Central. He's definitely someone you can talk to about anything and he'd 9/10 times befriend you. The 1 difference implies that if you are an asshole and you don't entertain him with your assholeness, he's more likely to be bored of you and therefore not be your friend. Look out for this dude!

Moralmurderer:

This dude has the #1 best soulseek index I had ever seen since I began with this program. Very helpful and kind, he's helped me try out some amazing tracks and some awesome music that I never thought I would enjoy, such as Jedi Mind Tricks. He even has an interesting pornographic listing of files which might interest you, hahahaha. Currently developing some kind of website through advertising promotion, he's definitely one hell of an interesting user and very kind, very respectful, and very entertaining. If you encountered him, you would be morally murdered!

Jeranamo + Kaye

Firstly, Jer and Kaye are an awesome couple. Even though they're in a fairly distanced relationship (live in the US, just different states), they get along together very well. Jer is one of the few whose loyalty and honourable presence would definitely help you find what you need in this program, or what you are trying to look for. His woman, Kaye, is super-kind, very respectful, and infinitely helpful. All my conversations with her are always emotionally enlightening and she's very chill. I have a feeling Jer and Kaye will turn into Mr. V_____ (last name which I will not disclose FUCKER!)

Scotty:

This dude is a very entertaining individual. Smart as well, although not everyone enjoys his criticisms. Moreover, he is very careful where his observations produce their conclusions and is equally careful where he inputs his criticism. Even though we didn't work together very well at the beginning, we've found a common ground and discovered that we're somewhat the same when it comes to exposing liars (Barnabus Collins).

Now on to the worst! First on the line is!!!!!

Barnabus Collins:

This person weighs 450lbs, his name is Chris, and he claims he is a writer! Of all professions, why did he choose this is beyond me! All he does is increase tension, writes in such a way that makes assumptions more than the content of what he initially wrote! Is that what a writer does? OF COURSE NOT! Now, he claims to be a writer and that he writes for newspapers and goes out all the time. Now, when you weigh 450lbs, the only place you would attend is the bathroom, not outside because you would have to pass through the stairs to see daylight! Now, his dicksuckers (annonymous, SftnPnk, Technischer Horror). He is very condescending and intellectually oppressive. The funniest part is, his ego is contradictory! Seriously, how could anyone believe they are intelligent and successful if their work hasn't even been heard of? You know what else? He also belittles his competition when he finds that he is being challenged. So, be careful if you challenge him, he might call you IGNORANT, AND IGNORANT! Cointelpro notes that the term "burnout" appears to be his favourite. Even though Cointelpro literally has an objective look in life, he deems him ignorant when in fact he is ignorant, very contradictory just like his ego!

SftnPnk:

Although once nice to me, it seems that I had become disposable after defending BC's inability to write! This woman is 40+ years old, still on soulseek, is "married" and has a child. Now, she spends most of her time on Soulseek, has probably 10 external harddrives because she indexes 80,000+ files. Probably trying to find the only competition she could win.....beating everyone's index! If you do end up meeting her, she'll measure dick and compare it to BC's. If it isn't as small as BC's, then she won't suck you....once you're 450lbs, it becomes really hard to measure whether or not you have a dick!

Technischer Horror:

This guy is 4th dude annonymous had went for. Not realizing that he has made a collosal mistake, he'd realize what a whore does by nature soon. I will broadcast the results for sure.

2006-11-09T14:58:00.000-08:00

GRUNDISMS

-- Subject: What Do You Guys Think of PM Harper --

"To begin, I would like to remand people that the liberal party initially deployed troops in Afghanistan. They did so to protect our freedoms and security, and also to emancipate the Afghan people from a misogynist regime that was a safe-haven for terrorist organizations (al qaeda)." -- September 21, 2006 11:08 AM

"I also commend them for defending the state of Israel during their recent conflict against hezbollah in Lebanon." -- September 21, 2006 11:08 AM

-- Subject: Crisis in Darfur --

"In order to make people apprised of this crisis, we must first get a UN mandate declaring that what is occurring in Darfur is indeed a genocide. The conflict that broke out in the western region of Darfur in 2003 has resulted in at least 200,000 deaths and nearly 2 million displaced. " -- September 24, 2006 4:56 PM

"It is abundantly clear Khartoum, the Sudanese government, is working in concert with the militia to execute its war on the 5% of Christians, mostly farmers, living in the Darfur province. Unfortunately, like they did in Rwanda, Somalia and Iraq, the UN is turning a blind eye on the war-torn refugees. " -- September 24, 2006 4:56 PM

"Like Iran, it appers the Sudanese government has some pals on the UN security council." -- -- September 24, 2006 4:56 PM

-- Subject: Defending Israel --

"I am not going to refute that the Israeli bombing was reprehensible and has hurt Israel in the eye of public opinion, but mistakes are made in all wars. In Iraq, for instance, the Abu Ghraib scandal was a colossal mistake by the American military and the USA has suffered because of it. And to a lesser degree, one could argue the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagaski was terrorism. But it summarily ended the Second World War on the pacific front." -- September 22, 2006 4:52 PM

"However, isn't it interesting that Islamic fascists, most notably hezbollah, and the governments of Syria and Iran, never make a mistake?" -- September 22, 2006 4:52 PM

"Iran's government wants to control the Middle East, and blackmail the world with its weapons program and support of terrorist organizations." -- September 23, 2006 5:51 PM

"Thirdly, Israel wants peace. Most rational people understand that. They've withdrawn from Gaza, dismantled Israeli settlements on the West Bank, and helped broker yet another UN Peace Deal calling for the dismantling of hezbollah's rockets, and the end to its barbaric actions." -- September 23, 2006 5:51 PM

"There's a much bigger picture here: hamas and hezbollah are no different than al qaeda. They are cut from the same thread: Islamic fascism." -- September 23, 2006 5:51 PM

"It is apparent some people perceive Israel as a rogue nation with a hidden agenda, just as there are some who believe the USA delivered the war on terror on its doorstep. That line of sentiment should be engaged and defeated in debate. " -- September 25, 2006 8:49 AM

" As aforementioned in my previous messages, Israel has made mistakes, and they are perceived as war-mongers by the left-wing press." -- September 25, 2006 8:49 AM

"It’s troubling you believe the Hezbollah terrorists are justified in their carnage because Israel, backed by the UN, peacefully carved out a homeland after World War II. " -- September 28, 2006 7:30 PM

"Vile people like this believe, for that reason alone, Israel is bad, and any and all violence against them is permitted." -- September 28, 2006 7:30 PM

-- Subject: Iran is the puppeteer --

"Iran was behind the recent terror attacks on Israeli forces and civilian infrastructures. The entire conflict is part of their Holy War, or in other words, World War III. Simply put, Iran is the world's most dangerous country. Any sane person will tell you that." -- September 25, 2006 9:18 AM

"In Iran, we have a rogue nation whose soul desire is to develop nuclear weapons, while provoking a war in the Middle East. Unlike North Korea, Iran is not saber-rattling with a rusty sword." -- September 25, 2006 9:18 AM

"Having Israel attack Hezbollah inside Lebanon and Hamas in Palestine means more Arabs will despise Israelis. More will become terrorists, but what is Israel supposed to do?" -- September 25, 2006 9:18 AM

"I’ll swing it this way: Imagine terrorists infiltrating the Taiwan-Chinese border, killing several Chinese soldiers and kidnapping an equal amount; China is going to retaliate. Or imagine terrorists sneaking across the Atlantic Ocean killing 3,000 thousand Americans and injuring thousands more. Like China, the USA or any sovereign state, for that matter, would retaliate against any country harboring those terrorists." -- September 25, 2006 9:18 AM

"Iran is the sum of all fears" -- September 28, 2006 7:16 PM

"Even a PINHEAD could conclude that the Iranian Islamic Republic regime poses a much greater and more tangible threat to world stability than Israel. Don't spin the truth and don't be a poppinjay. " -- October 17, 2006 12:21 PM

-- Subject: The O'Reilly Factor --

"And remember: The 'Spin Stops Here' because Bill O'Reilly's looking out for you!" -- October 17, 2006 12:30 PM

"Don't smear me. And don't denegrate my integrity. What would you know? On the contrary, I do read news." -- October 20, 2006 4:41 PM

"Judging by yet another ANTI-SEMITIC response of your's..." -- October 20, 2006 4:41 PM

"It is a FACT they have withdrawn from the Gaza strip, dismantled Israeli settlements on the West Bank, and helped broker yet another UN Resolution for the dismantling of hezbollah's rockets, and the end to its barbaric actions....THAT IS A FACT...That’s another glaring fact" -- October 21, 2006 3:58 PM

"In conclusion, by not denouncing hezbolla, but instead deciding to glorify and champion their atrocities and the actions of Iran, you are held in contempt. Your refusal to acknowledge Israel’s way of life and its religion is under attack by the aforementioned terrorist organizations and rogue nations, is another example of your defiance and can interpreted as anti-Semitism.In conclusion, by not denouncing hezbolla, but instead deciding to glorify and champion their atrocities and the actions of Iran, you are held in contempt. Your refusal to acknowledge Israel’s way of life and its religion is under attack by the aforementioned terrorist organizations and rogue nations, is another example of your defiance and can interpreted as anti-Semitism." -- October 21, 2006 3:58 PM

"It is interesting to note the Arab world has done very little to deal with the plight of the Palestinian people. If they were truly looking out for them, they would have solved the humanitarian crisis already." -- October 21, 2006 4:30 PM

"My apologies for referring to you and Sufi as indirect anti-Semites. I retract all the previous comments and references I made connecting you to anti-Semitism. I did not intentionally, nor personally try to demonize or label you as an anti-Semite, but when you defended Hezbollah, I took great umbrage to it. I rushed to a conclusion and viewed your unrequiting support for Hezbollah to be anti-Semitic." -- October 22, 2006 8:36 PM

"However, you would be remiss if you did not acknowledge Israel has withdrawn from Gaza, dismantled their settlements on the West Bank, and helped broker another UN Peace Deal calling for the dismantling of Hezbollah's rockets, and its kidnapping of Israeli soldiers." -- October 22, 2006 8:36 PM

-- Subject: Toby Kieth or Dixie Chicks??? --

"Wow... " -- October 20, 2006 4:27 PM

-- Subject: South Dakotas Ban on Abortion --

"The best way to protect women is take the perverts off the streets, which is what the liberals failed to deal with for the better part of 13 years!" -- November 3, 2006 9:49 PM

-- Subject: Is the mind flawed? --

"Donald S. Rumsfeld. God Bless Him!" -- November 2, 2006 9:56 PM

-- Subject: Liberal Convention --

"Regardless of who is bestowed as liberal leader, Harper will quite decisively capture a majority government next election." -- September 22, 2006 4:52 PM

-- Subject: Brian McMullan for Mayor --

"After equating Israel to a terrorist organization, you should be reprimanded as well. " -- November 3, 2006 9:32 PM

2006-11-09T14:38:00.000-08:00

Technological Distancing
by Sufi

The Unabomber's Manifesto Thesis

The Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race. They have greatly increased the life-expectancy of those of us who live in "advanced" countries, but they have destabilized society, have made life unfulfilling, have subjected human beings to indignities, have led to widespread psychological suffering (in the Third World to physical suffering as well) and have inflicted severe damage on the natural world. The continued development of technology will worsen the situation. It will certainly subject human beings to greater indignities and inflict greater damage on the natural world, it will probably lead to greater social disruption and psychological suffering, and it may lead to increased physical suffering even in "advanced" countries.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, if I hadn't experienced enough I just witnessed proof how technology distances us. It is very interesting because technology attempts to connect us artificially. Technology doesn't care about its users, the connection is artificial!

Artificial Connection:

What this means is that we are becmoming extensions of technological "improvements". Here's an example:

A cellphone acts as a commmunicative device to bring us together right? WRONG. The freaking suppliers of your cellphone service don't give a fuck if you are connected with your friends and family! They want you to have it so that you can use THEIR service, THAT is artificial connection.

The suppliers of cellpones and cellphone planners are merely puppets to the controlling grasp of wealth and disordered capitalist ideologies.

So this is where technology is prevailing and the human race being subjected to sever mutations.

Artifical connection wants us to become more distant from each other. We get the idea that we really don't need to speak to each other in person anymore that we can easily speak together hundreds and hundreds of miles away. That doesn't connect us, it distances us. Communication shuold have been made in plain view which heightens a sense of community. Artificial connection won't allow that to happen, unfortunatley because of the hurried stressful nature of the human condition.

Now, another phenomena occurs when you ask an individual when your recipient (the person you want to contact). The individual is either a good friend or a family member of the one you seek but the most astonishing thing occurs when they say "I don't know" which is what they oftentimes say!

Why do they say that?

They say that because they haven't the slightest or faintest idea that their closest ones are not around them and they haven't got a clue where they went! How can that be?! Simple! It's because of technological distancing. Life has become so hurried that technology makes it stressful and in doing so it alienates us! It also attempts to distance us but it works anyways.

Next time when someone asks you where a person you know is, just tell them he/she is before you sound like a fucking dumbfuck for not knowing.

Technology Blows and I love It For Giving Me The Time To Write On HERE! =D

2006-11-09T11:12:00.001-08:00

THE ELECTROMAGNETIC EXISTENCE OF GOD
by Sufi Mohamed

This theory I discovered when study physics back in grade 11. I perceive the Electromagnetic Spectrum self-reflexively. The EM spectrum only reinforces the categories of colour we can only see. First, before I explain the theory, I have to first explain the Electromagnetic Spectrum in terms of science to suit some scientific backing to this theory.

There are classifications in the Electromagnetic Spectrum. The spectrum basically discusses the energy potential and the disadvantages and advantages of certain light fixtures within the EM spectrum. I've uploaded an image to this blog entry ( Figure 1) that demonstrates from left to right the following:

Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Visible Light, Ultraviolet Light, X-Ray, and Gamma Rays

Firstly let's discuss radio waves. Radio waves are the same kind of energy that radio stations emit into the air for your boom box to capture and turn into your favourite tracks. They are used for transmission of data via modulation.

Secondly, "microwaves are waves which are typically short enough to employ tubular metal waveguides of reasonable diameter...In a microwave oven, this effect is used to heat food. Low intensity microwave radioation is used in Wi-Fi" ( www.wikipedia.org)

Then, of course, comes infrared radiation. It is the part of the near-optical spectrum we perceive as heat rays, and these are emitted by stellar objects such as the sun. Infrared radiation is detected by satellites and ground telescopes revealing the centres of galaxies and gas clouds!

Next is Visible Light. Here is an interesting quote which I will explain later (source: www.wikipedia.org):

Visible light (and near-infrared light) is typically absorbed and emitted by electrons in molecules and atoms that move from one energy level to another. The we see with our eyes is really a very small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Now, onto Ultraviolet Light. For the purposes of simplicity, I shall cite Wikipedia again:

Being very energetic, UV can break chemical bonds making molecules unusually reactive or ionizing them, in general changing their mutual behaviour .

After UV rays, on the EM spectrum you'll find X-Rays. The wavelengths of this section are so very short that it pierces through objects/people giving it the ability to see through things. They are so fast. Once captured and reimaged, they depict an we desire. They are also very dangerous.

Then, after everyone of those rays I mentioned above, you'll find the next to impossible to quantify. It's called Gamma Rays. Agreeably, astronomers and scientist generally find that "these are the most energetic photons, having no limit to their wavelength"

Now, I will analyse what this means in context with God. Looking above, I mentioned a quote whereby the author stated that visible light is only a "very small portion of the [EM] spectrum]". Now, if, for instance we could see microwave emissions or infrared emissions, wouldn't we also see things differently?

I propose that there are different planes in which God resides in. Each of the 7 categories of waves are planes of existence. God exists in a different plane. God does not appear in teh Visible light plane because it is so limited. I don't propose that these wavelengths confine God. God simulataneously exists within all these wavelengths. However, the reason we can't see God is because he exists on a different plane. God is always there, but exists in a different plane, primarily in the Gamma.

Our entire senses are honed only to the visible light section of the spectrum. We don't feel radio waves, we don't hear gamma rays, we can't see microwave waves. However, each of the wave properties are a MEDIUM or PLANE. It means that we, humans, are confined to the visible light. Going to another medium would severely damage us both biologically and mentally. IF we had the ability to move through these mediums without any harm to us, we would see what our confinement let us not. We'll have a better relationship with God.

God exists with us but chooses to exist in mediums that we cannot see? Why? It's a test of our devotion to Him.

What we can't see doesn't mean it doesn't exist!

2006-11-09T11:12:00.000-08:00

HEGEMONY OR SURVIVAL
America's Quest for Global Dominance

Excerpt by Noam Chomsky

A few years ago, one of the great figures of contemporary biology, Ernst Mayr, published some reflections on the likelihood of success in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. He considered the prospects very low. His reasoning had to wdo with the adaptive value of what we call "higher intelligence," meaning the particular human form of intellectual organization. Maryr estimated that number of species since the origin of life at about fifty billion, only one of which "achieved the kind of intelligence needed to establish a civilization." It did so very recently, perhaps 100,000 years ago. It is generally assumed that only one small breeding group survived, of which we are all descendants.

Mayr speculated that the human form of intellectual organization may not be favored by natural selection. The history of life on Earth, he wrote, refutes the claim that "it is better to be smart than to be stupid," at least judging by biological success: beetles and bacteria, for example, are vasly more successful tha humans in terms of survivval. He also made the rather somber observation that "the average life expectancy of a species is about 100,000 years."

We are entering a period of human history that may provide an answer to the question of whether it is better to be smart than stupid. The most hopeful prospect is that the question will not be answered: if it receives a definite answer, that answer can only be that humans were a kind of "biological error," using their allotted 100,00 years to destroy themselves and, int he process, much else.

The species has surely developed the capacity to do jjust that, a hypothetical extraterrestrial observer might well conlude that humans have demonstrated that capacity throughout their history, dramatically in the past few hundred years, with an assault on the environment that sustains life, on the diversity of more complex organisms, and with cold and calculated savagery, on each other.

Welcome to my blog!

2006-11-09T10:31:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, my name is Sufi and I will provide here some intelligent briefings about culture, technology, society, academia, and politics. Enjoy!