Hypocritical Slander

The problem with modern society is… wow, how many cynical, pessimistic, fanatic blogs and speeches begin with this over-repeated phrase? Let me begin slightly differently…

In 1890 famous Irish author Oscar Wilde was barraged and besieged with critique and ridicule after initial publication of his only ever novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. The now highly coveted text astounded and vexed the people because it showed the true hypocrisies of Victorian society: how one’s manners come before his morals.

Sadly not much has developed since then. Life is still judged upon name and reputation, and for one to besmirch another’s name is a ghastly offense, an even sue-able offense (defamation).

That being said however society has improved in its jurisdiction and handling of racial slurs; sexist remarks; and insensitive slander. Rarely nowadays do you hear terms such as nigger, gook, or nazi to describe blacks, vietnamese or germans respectively. And before any hecklers get onto my case for these terms: they are not what I practice, I do not use these terms, I am simply pointing out the progression society has made. So society has done well to progress to a stage of equilibrium, where, in the words of the US constitution: “all men were created equal”. However present day you would have some feminists up in arms over the use of “men” as a classification of humans. They would most likely rather a substitution of “men and womyn”.

The point of this hopefully mellifluous rant is that whilst society has done so well to eradicate those derogatory terms, other terms have come up in its place which are not policed, and which can terribly defame and ostracize a poor human being. Terms such as “anti-semite”, “chauvinist”, “homophobe”, and, of course, “racist”. Allow me now to defend my case by breaking down each one of these terms.

ANTI-SEMITE: a term first coined by a German scientist as a more appropriate word for “Judenhassen” – “jew hate”. An actual semite is any person of decent from the area predominantly where the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict is taking place. So whilst many pro-Palestinian followers may be labelled as anti-semites, this is in fact a hypocrisy in itself. The problem lies in that any time anyone makes an anti-Zionistic remark or protest they are labelled an anti-semite and immediately disgraced and their character forever tarnished. The reality of it is is even some Rabbi oppose Zionism, the belief of the formation of a holy land where Palestine once was for Jews and Jews exclusively. Yet because of the immense pressure put upon to never repeat the actions and hatreds that formed the Holocaust society as given so much immunity to people like the Zionists who abuse this power and are leading a genocide of their own, and if anyone speaks out they may as well don the tattered garments of a leper. Now after hearing those words let me make myself very clear: that was a direct quotation from my mind, my beliefs. I am anti-Zionist. I do not approve or condone the Israeli practices affecting human rights of the Palestinians and other Arabs of occupied territories, and neither has the UN since the formation of Israel in 1947. Call me an anti-semite, but be sure to call yourself a hypocrite too.

 

CHAUVINIST: originally just a term for extreme patriotism, but now once again associated with a terrible connotation towards the belief of male dominance over women. This actually first caught my attention with the recent publicity over the SlutWalk protests, a series of protests held in disapproval towards one police officer’s words. Constable Michael Sanguinetti, in a safety forum in York University said in the interests of safety, “women should avoid dressing like sluts”. I’m sorry but, the officer is right. Granted he could have put it in better words, but the precis of what he was saying was that don’t dress or make yourself more vulnerable or enticing to attackers than you need to be, which is a fair point! It is like saying don’t walk alone at night. Same principle. Do not make yourself more vulnerable or put on the guise that you are more vulnerable than you need to be. However he will now be labelled as a sexist and a “chauvinistic pig”, simply because of a faux pas of diction. This is because present day it is damn hard to get by without pissing off a feminist for even simple chivalrous acts that were taught in basic manners.

 

HOMOPHOBE: I do not actually have such a strong argument against this particular derogatory term as the former two save for its misleading connotation. By accusing someone of being a homophobe, rather than an anti-homosexual, it immediately springs forth a connotation of fear and with that, ignorance. So if someone iterates a belief that is not seen as tolerant towards homosexuality he is branded a homophobe, and then on people view him as a misguided, ignorant buffoon whose backwards thinking belongs with that of the 1950′s workplace. Simple fact is: the accusation of homophobia as oppose to anti-homosexuality brings a negative connotation and simply starts off the cycle of ignorance and derogatory name-calling once more.

 

RACIST: had to put this one in here for it being such a prevalent theme in the recent paradigm shift in societal views, aided by the hands of Dr. King and Malcolm X, however once again subject to the same fate as the others. Many of you would have reacted in disgust over my usage of the word “black” to refer to people of “darker complexion”, earlier in my entry. I purposefully inserted that trip wire as to refer to it back here. Nowadays one can be called a racist for a simple comment like “darker complexion”, others don’t even see any racism in the usage of nigger. It varies so greatly from person to person, and is such a sensitive topic that no one is sure of the “correct term”.

 

Now to very gracefully rap up this long-winded, yet hopefully thought provoking blog entry. The main point of this entry was to point out the fallacy in the eradication of certain derogatory terms with the replacement of other, not yet as widely offensive terms. The point of the message is this: someone is always going to complain about what you say, that is the beauty of words. You can convey a message in so many different tones to provoke so many different moods. A simple choice of diction or turn of phrase can transform you from a saint to a pariah. The important thing is to be able to not let it hinder you and blockade your progress, for that is its very motive. Stand against the labelling and clasification, and don’t let it stop you being what you are.

Follow the old nursery rhyme: “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me“

Arctic Monkeys, Zenith

I am currently in school after Arctic Monkeys played in the Zenith last night. This was my first concert, excluding underage fest, and I have to say, it was bloody fantastic.

I went to the concert with the man from Twickenham, the little dutch boy and the spacey girl. I was quite surprised when I saw the Zenith, I honestly expected an outside venue. When we got in, I was again surprised, mostly at all the other things in the concert hall than just the stage. They really had everything geared up, with an entire wall with hangers acting as a coat room, a t-shirt stall, an overpriced drinks stall and even a hot dog vendor.

Mystery Jets were opening for the Arctic Monkeys, so when Arctic Monkeys were meant to come on at 8:30 Mystery Jets played. They played for about an hour, ok songs. I find their songs very poofy, and always singing about love, but in a gay way. Still, some of the rhythms were good, and the mosh pit was fairy chilled.

Arctic Monkeys did not start until 10. But they did make one hell of an entrance. Curtains drawn, lights blinding the crowd and starting with one of their most recognized songs. Throughout the night they played a good playlist of their best and most well known songs. They had the right mix of mosh-able and mellow songs for resting from the pit.

By the end of it I was exaughisted. 5 seconds into the Mystery Jets we had lost spacey girl, and I saw her again only at the end, at our meeting place. Meanwhile, throughout the concert, I had managed to lose my shoes twice during Mystery Jets, and managed to find them again, and even lost one at the beginning of Arctic Monkeys. 2 songs later, I found it again. The man from Twickenham crowd surfed, as well as Skittles rocker, who we saw.

Overall it was an insane night, which was alot of fun, especially getting home. The coat room was a bleeding nightmare. They had barriers up for some reason, which meant people would be climbing over the railings and those already over the railings were being crushed worst than when they were in the mosh pit. It took me an hour to get my leather jacket and grey hoodie back, a mistake I will not be doing next concert. After I did finally get out of the coat room mosh, I found my party had abandoned me, and I had to run after them to shout at them, and run again for the next U-bahn. Then the S-bahn wasn’t going to come for another 30minutes, this is at 12:30 at night mind you. So me and the man from Twickenham procured a taxi for the journey home.

I now have a rule book for going to concerts. 1: Don’t bring expensive leather jackets. Bring shite grey hoodies that you don’t care if it is nicked. 2: If there’s a girl with you, make sure she has a backpack you can stuff your hoodie in and so she has bottles of water with her. 3: Wear two pairs of thick socks. 4: Tie your laces.

Poker

I participated in a game of Texas Hold ‘em Poker on Friday this weekend. I am no noob to the game, I have been playing mediocrely for the past year or so. However this was a special occasion, the Swedish cynic had recently obtained a new poker set for the anniversary of his birthday. It was an impressive set I must say. A large wooden box, polished mahogany. Inside a liftable tray of 200 clay chips, 2 packs of plastic playing cards, and to top it all off, coasters and ashtrays underneath the tray. This truly was the most pimpin poker set I have ever laid eyes on.

The night went on quite interestingly. We were 8 people sitting around a large rectangular table. The shape was at annoyance to most, apart from myself, who was sitting on the end with no fear of anyone seeing my cards. The first hour or so nothing especially interesting happened. People played cards, threw chips, drank their beer and their coke and their whiskey.

It was not until about 2 hours into the game that differences became apparent. 2 people cashed in and left, leaving it a more intimate game, and I unfortunately, was at the end of my 10 euro buy in. I decided to buy in another 10 euros even though throughout the whole night I had only won one hand. The biggest problem I saw was that with that number of people, bluffing was out of the question because it is guaranteed that someone has a decent hand.

The night continued on. We must have played for about 4 hours. The man on the receiving end of a tumbler of Jack Daniels had a large pile of chips in front of him, we later learn a total of 25 euros, after only a 10 euro buy in. For that hour between me buying back in and then, I still had not won a single hand, and my chips were being depleted quickly. It was only on a lucky hand of a three of a kind with one other opponent that I managed to win a total of 20 euros. I had managed to buy back my two entries and broken even. I had a few euros left, that which I spent on a possible straight on the final hand.

IB

Next year I am enrolling myself to the International Baccalaureate Diploma to best maximize my credentials for university. The IB requires 6 subjects: primary language, secondary language, a humanities, a science, mathematics and an elective. It also requires you take 3 at Higher Level and 3 at Lower. Each topic is rated on a scale of 1-7. This then adds up to a points maximum of 42 points plus 3 bonus points of your Community and Service, Extended Essay, and TOK class.

I am crossed with my higher level subjects. I am taking English A1, German B, Economics, Physics, Maths, Computer Science. Of that, my original plan was to take English A1, Economics and Physics Higher. I am interested in studying law, however not definite, and I am trying to keep my options open. However I have learnt that if I wanted to study Economics or Engineering in the UK, both courses require a maths Higher, which is suicide according to graduate students. However I have been recommended to do maths higher. It seems the suicidal part is not just the theory, but also the workload to understand the theory. It is said that the workload of maths higher is equal to the workload of all 5 other subjects combined.

I also have to look at it from a points perspective. If I take English A1, Economics and Computer Science, that would exclude any chance of engineering, but would lead me to a maximum points situation.

Another alternative is to take English A1, Economics and Physics higher, as well as Maths higher. This way if I find it too difficult at the beginning I can drop down and still have my 3 HL subjects. But this is also not only gearing me up for Maths HL, but an extra 3 as well, meaning zero of a social life if I wanted to get respectable points.

A third option is to take English A1, Economics and Physics higher, and if during the IB I realise that I want to study Engineering, take Maths HL as a single course during my gap year. This would provide the simplest option, but with the draw back of a gap year.

Ideally, I want to study either Law, Engineering, something to do with writing, or something to do with acting. If I study Law, I will need the maximum points, and they will not care about my maths grade. If I choose Engineering, they will require Maths and Physics HL as well as respectable points.

If I want to do something in writing, English A1 is essential, which is no problem, but I personally find journalism a mediocre job, and creative writing of novels a bore job with little success. TV writing came to me as an option, but personally, I think that the best writers are those who do it on the side.

The same I believe for anything drama related. I enjoy acting, I believe I have a certain talent and no modesty. However going on that purely contradicts my values. I see money and security and rank higher than following my passion. I want something to show for life. I do not want to end up an amateur actor like my cousin who is still living with his parents at 27. I will take drama courses in university, fufill my need for teh stage, and who knows, I might get some acting. I might get to write a Doctor Who episode and star in it.

One can only dream…

But back on the real world, in terms of IB. I will take English A1, Economics and Physics HL. This leaves my options open whilst giving my maximum points without ruling out Engineering. And I feel I will most likely go with Law, as I enjoy finding loopholes, writing formally, and knowing what my rights are.

Skins Tonight?

I actively take part in the watching of E4′s TV show ‘Skins’. It is a most enjoyable program, with an interesting beginning to a 4th season. However I also have a physics test and french test in the morning. Is it worth it?

Most nights I end up reading until 12 anyway, so in a way this would not be a difference. And if I were to have a shower in the morning it would awaken me. And if anything significant were to happen in the show as the trailers suggest I might be at the submission of my other active viewers comments.

However this physics test is essential towards my getting a 7 in physics this year, which would be helpful to my Grade Point Average at the end of this Grade 10, but ultimately, insignificant to my IB choices of next year.

I have decided, I will watch the new airing of Skins, but from the security of my own bed, that way I may maximize my hours of sleep.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

This entry is on the newly read book “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde and its relation to the newly produced movie loosely based on the book, “Dorian Gray” (2009).

I shall not succumb to the level of the indigent immigrants across the Atlantic by referring to this entry as a “blog”. The word itself is harmless enough, a Web-log, shortened to a “blog”, my prejudice is nothing towards that. It is moreover the point of when one utters “blog”, one instinctively thinks of the stout American stationed behind a computer typing about random shite in his barraque. This is nothing of the sort. This “blog” instated at this Uniform Resource Locator (URL to those less educated) is to practice my already exceptional command of the English language to help me greatly in the years to come, through my schoolwork and possibly when it comes to career choice.

And think me not as one who uses the pronoun “one” at free will. On the contrary, I try not to include it in my writings since I had been enlightened of its origin. The English language is a living language, and is ever-changing. The French language is somehow seen as one of a “posher” level. The pronoun “one” is a direct translation of the French on. On in French is used, in speech mostly, to say “we”, as in the royal “we”, which gives any situation a grander and more educated perspective. The English, taking the translation literally, have integrated this word into the language of the great 200 years ago, and used present-day rarely, for the pompous image we receive upon hearing it. The only reason it re-occurs in this entry a repeated several times is its use in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde, and you would agree that after reading, or viewing, something spectacular you do take upon its influence. Plus, I do not mind the pompous reference when using it, as I am proud. Or shameless. One and the same if you look closely enough.

Now to detour from the trailings of my mind and focus to the intent and title of this entry. “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde is a magnificently written novel written by an exceptional author. Oscar Wilde is one of the most well quoted authors of all time for his witty sayings and writings. The book itself is well written, with beautifully descriptive chapters at times, and the most delightful of characters. The character I enjoyed the most was that of Lord Henry Wotten, whose beautiful cynicism is captured beautifully by Colin Firth in the movie.

This gets to my second point, the incredible inaccuracy of the movie to the book. Never before have I seen producers divert so greatly from the story as these people have. Having said that, the movie standing by itself is a great achievement, and gets Oscar Wilde’s quotes across. But the fact that they seem to have included a large amount of orgies (which only an asexual would protest to), a completely new character as far as I could tell (Lord Henry’s daughter), the completely different approach to disposing of bodies, and the way two of the characters die.

Separate these two works entertain greatly, but should be left separately.

The Boat that Rocked

Amazing film. I thought it spectacular, very humorous and with a solid storyline. And of course a superb soundtrack. This has opened up my musical taste to 1960′s rock. Also impressive cast.

I will most likely have a series of entries all on reviews of the music I will be listening as a result of this.

As I had mentioned earlier, I had a disscusion with a man from Twickenham all on this specific type of music, and we found an interesting idea: The rock n roll of the 1960′s of the pirate radios has turned into nowadays alternative, and a branch of indie rock. For you see we saw an advertisement for a German radio station, advertising that it broadcasts Rock and Pop, which was rock n roll in the 1960′s, but has now turned into shit like Pink.

Also Volkswagen Vans

5 People

Name 5 people you would want to sit around a table with, living and dead. This question was queried to me the other day and after much consideration I have come up with my 5, though this will probably be edited numerous times:

1. Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde was a famous controversial Irish writer in the 1800′s, and his wit and humour is quoted everywhere.

2. General Gregory Zhukov

Zhukov is regarded as the greatest army general of WWII, commanding the huge Soviet armies against the Nazis. He was “put away” by Stalin shortly after the war after Stalin realised that Zhukov was more popular than him.

3. Ronan O’Rahilly

Ronan O’Rahilly was an Irish buisnessman who was the founder of Radio Caroline in the 1960′s. BBC Radio did not broadcast any Rock music, so after O’Rahilly tried to get some music broadcasted, he decided to create the pirate radio station Radio Caroline which was situated on a boat in the North Sea.

4. Pete Doherty

Regarded as an iconic man when it comes to indie and alternative rock, Pete Doherty is most well known from his success in the band The Libertines, alongside Carl Barat. The band disbanded in 2004 after Doherty’s publicized drug addiction.

5. Guy Ritchie

The greatest director of all time, Guy Ritchie’s films are legendary.

Free Gaff

Attended a party this weeekend without the parents’ knowledge. Provided great experience. Then again in the words of Oscar Wide “experience is the name men give to their mistakes”, Cigarette Smoke is difficult to get rid of! However in the words of the man who was bent over the bucket, successful party! He learnt an important lesson of mixing drinks, mostly not to do it. The rest of the night included a girl begging another girl to play strip poker, a Chink stealing shisha tobacco, and a man from Twickenham wearing lip stick.

Overall the Chink was an annoying fucker, as he thoroughly wrecked the night. He filled the room with the now immovable smoke, put out a cigarette in a plastic cup which forced the owner to chuck it, knocked the shisha pipe and most of the alcohol over to save a cigarette, put many cigarette burns into the carpet, and stole a packet of shisha tobacco.

The next day after the house was fumed with air fresheners and windows were opened, what was left of the original party group met up for a savory Irish fry-up, to which a small Dubliner could not finish hers as she had started with the four pieces of toast and ended with the three discussing course seleciton. then the man from Twickenham and the Irish lad discussed Rock n Roll, Alternative Rock and Indie Rock.

The smell of smoke is still lingering in the air, so an acceptable excuse will be after I “came back” from the “night-out” and decided to sit on my couch with a can of Pilsner and a cigarette and look like an extra out of Eastenders.

A successful weekend in manys eyes, however a most likely imprisonment for the next weekend, so the next entry might be slightly short.