Song analysis
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Choose one of your favorite songs, a favorite song both musically and
lyrically. What is the song about? What about the music makes you like the
song? What...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Movie Review
The movie that I've seen most recently that memorably shows some unique values and worldviews is Green Street Hooligans. The different worldviews can be seen most clearly throughout the development of the main charcter, Matt. Matt is a relatively nice kid who is wrongfully expelled from Harvard (because of his roomate) but, because he is a cautious, no-conflict person, he accepts his unfortunate situation and goes to England to see his sister. It is here where his views of the world would change most significantly. He meets his brother-in-law's brother who, grudingly, ends up taking Matt to a soccer game and exposing him to the ultraviolent, ultra crude world of soccer firm (basically gangs) hooliganism. They fight the firms of other soccer teams for nothing more than reputation and adrenaline. Though frightened by this world at first, Matt soon falls in love with the lifestyle. He says that the best part isn't knowing that your friends have your back, it's knowing that you have your friends' backs. The prevailing values are pride and fighting no matter the cost. Later, though, Matt sees the dark side of this violent lifestyle as close friends are seriously injured and even killed for no reason other than revenge. He then turns away from the firm, but takes a self-confidence and willingness to stand and fight with him. He now knows that there is a time to fight and a time to let things be... what makes a man great is being able to discern between the two. This last view, at its core, is something I agree with very strongly. It is, however, something that is incredibly difficult to apply to real life.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
An Over Exaggerated Issue?
We hear about the issue of alternative fuels in many different forms. Often it is mentioned by car companies that are producing more fuel efficient cars or cars that run on electricity or ethanol. Other times we hear about it from politicians with opposing views regarding the subject which can also be filtered through the media. But but how significant do you guys think the related issues (global warming, pollution, etc.) really are? There are significant numbers of people that think the issues are over exaggerated, including influential politicians. Do car manufacturers simply take advantage of the increased awareness of fuel usage to sell more cars, selling us brand new, "bleeding-edge technology" cars? Do politicians focus on these issues to garner more support for themselves? Doesn't the world have more pressing issues like world hunger or raging wars?
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Fossil Fuel Consumption
It's interesting, when studying the history of fuel in general, to consider why we chose to run our vehicles on such pollutant fuels. After all, the Model T was originally designed to run on ethanol, but was re-worked to run on normal gasoline because of cheaper prices and availability. In addition, electric cars were fairly common (compared to today) for a number of years, making up as much as 7% of all of the United States' cars. But, for whatever reason, gasoline became the fuel of choice. Now, over 60 million barrels of oil are produced and consumed every day. As a result, a pollution issue that was considered negligible when the first automobiles were produced has become the source of major controversy worldwide.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Song Analysis - Belief
Musically speaking, "Belief" by John Mayer is probably one of my favorite songs at the moment. It just has a relaxed feel with some slightly troublesome undertones. Those undertones become far more evident, however, when one actually listens to the words that are being sung. Mayer seems to have some pretty intriguing views about the world, some of which I agree with, some of which I'm not so sure about.
He starts out by saying that people, in general, tend to believe the same thing as those around them. There may be different "belief systems" but, within those systems, nobody "breaks rank," or really thinks for themself. He also notes how this can be both a good and a bad thing (after all, religion gives many people undeniable peace). The bad comes because different people run into each other that believe different things but, since neither of them are willing to consider the other's beliefs, they don't know what else to do other than "go to war"--often literally. I believe that, by writing this song, Mayer is submitting a challenge to whoever will listen to carefully consider their motives for such devastating and hateful actions. Often people's motives simply boil down to belief which, according to Mayer, is frequently random and unfounded.
Is there anyone who ever remembers
changing their mind from the paint on a sign?,
is there anyone who really recalls
ever breaking rank at all
for something someone yelled real loud one time?
oh, everyone believes
in how they think it oughta be
oh, everyone believes
and they're not going easily
belief is a beautiful armor
but makes for the heaviest sword
like punching underwater
you never can hit who you're trying for
some lead the exhibition
and some have to know they tried
it's the chemical weapon
for the war that's raging on inside
oh, everyone believes
from emptiness to everything
oh, everyone believes
and no one's going quietly
we're never gonna win the world
we're never gonna stop the war
we're never gonna beat this
if belief is what we're fighting for
what puts a hundred thousand children in the sand?
belief can, belief can
what puts a folded flag inside his mother's hand?
belief can, belief can
He starts out by saying that people, in general, tend to believe the same thing as those around them. There may be different "belief systems" but, within those systems, nobody "breaks rank," or really thinks for themself. He also notes how this can be both a good and a bad thing (after all, religion gives many people undeniable peace). The bad comes because different people run into each other that believe different things but, since neither of them are willing to consider the other's beliefs, they don't know what else to do other than "go to war"--often literally. I believe that, by writing this song, Mayer is submitting a challenge to whoever will listen to carefully consider their motives for such devastating and hateful actions. Often people's motives simply boil down to belief which, according to Mayer, is frequently random and unfounded.
Is there anyone who ever remembers
changing their mind from the paint on a sign?,
is there anyone who really recalls
ever breaking rank at all
for something someone yelled real loud one time?
oh, everyone believes
in how they think it oughta be
oh, everyone believes
and they're not going easily
belief is a beautiful armor
but makes for the heaviest sword
like punching underwater
you never can hit who you're trying for
some lead the exhibition
and some have to know they tried
it's the chemical weapon
for the war that's raging on inside
oh, everyone believes
from emptiness to everything
oh, everyone believes
and no one's going quietly
we're never gonna win the world
we're never gonna stop the war
we're never gonna beat this
if belief is what we're fighting for
what puts a hundred thousand children in the sand?
belief can, belief can
what puts a folded flag inside his mother's hand?
belief can, belief can
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