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capri0mniIn ascending order of length, behind cuts (with commentary):
First, the song which opens this video is one of the best encapsulations of Epicurean philosophy I've come across, since I discovered what Epicurean philosophy is.
The "Vlog Brothers" are John Green (Yes, the author of The Fault in Our Stars), and his younger brother Hank. In 2006, when YouTube was just starting out, they made a pact with each other to record daily videos for each other, alternating days, so they can actually see and hear each other, rather than communicating by email; after the first couple of years, they cut back on the volume, and now, they alternate between Tuesday and Friday. Because John Green is a well-known and beloved author of YA fiction, these videos attracted a wide, young, audience, and it wasn't long before the audience got included in the conversations, too. One of the "Rules" they've set up for themselves is that the videos must be 4 minutes or less (except when educating an important issue).
So that's why Hank is talking so fast, why he opens with "Good Morning, John," and why he closes with "I'll see you on Tuesday."
What I find so inspiring about Epicurus is that, after accepting as given that:
He then came to the conclusion that the meaning of life is Happiness, and that Happiness = Wisdom + Friendship. I mean -- for example -- Nietzsche read Epicurean philosophy, accepted the first three givens, but then decided he wanted to end up in a very different place. Well, I know which road I'd rather travel.
Second:
A poem about educators who use their power to abuse students, but it ends with a positive tone. She uses "the F-word" a few times, but it's as an exclamation of emphasis and/or surprise, rather than anger.
Third:
About what makes a good flag, and how so many city and regional flags are so bad. It's part educational presentation, partstand-up sit-down comedy. I've watched this 6 times in the last couple of days, and I still laugh out loud at all the vexillological punchlines.
It's also got me thinking of the challenge of designing a Disability Pride flag that goes beyond the blue stick-figure wheelchair person. That very well may be a separate post, soon.
First, the song which opens this video is one of the best encapsulations of Epicurean philosophy I've come across, since I discovered what Epicurean philosophy is.
The "Vlog Brothers" are John Green (Yes, the author of The Fault in Our Stars), and his younger brother Hank. In 2006, when YouTube was just starting out, they made a pact with each other to record daily videos for each other, alternating days, so they can actually see and hear each other, rather than communicating by email; after the first couple of years, they cut back on the volume, and now, they alternate between Tuesday and Friday. Because John Green is a well-known and beloved author of YA fiction, these videos attracted a wide, young, audience, and it wasn't long before the audience got included in the conversations, too. One of the "Rules" they've set up for themselves is that the videos must be 4 minutes or less (except when educating an important issue).
So that's why Hank is talking so fast, why he opens with "Good Morning, John," and why he closes with "I'll see you on Tuesday."
What I find so inspiring about Epicurus is that, after accepting as given that:
- the Cosmos is made of invisible atoms,
- we're all gonna die when our atoms eventually disperse, and:
- Death = Nonexistence
He then came to the conclusion that the meaning of life is Happiness, and that Happiness = Wisdom + Friendship. I mean -- for example -- Nietzsche read Epicurean philosophy, accepted the first three givens, but then decided he wanted to end up in a very different place. Well, I know which road I'd rather travel.
Second:
A poem about educators who use their power to abuse students, but it ends with a positive tone. She uses "the F-word" a few times, but it's as an exclamation of emphasis and/or surprise, rather than anger.
Third:
About what makes a good flag, and how so many city and regional flags are so bad. It's part educational presentation, part
It's also got me thinking of the challenge of designing a Disability Pride flag that goes beyond the blue stick-figure wheelchair person. That very well may be a separate post, soon.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-17 11:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-01-18 12:34 am (UTC)That's why it occurred to me, in the wee hours, this morning, that voting on a city's flags, should only be open to the fifth grade kids in that city's schools. First: ten year olds know how to pick a really cool, awesome design. Second: it should be easy enough for a child to draw -- so ask the children to draw them, and vote on their favorite. Third: the kids are the ones who are "The future of the city" -- it's going to be more their flag than some middle-aged stuffed shirt.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-18 06:06 am (UTC)Our country flag can't even be told from Australia's (there's a difference of a star) and has a foreign country flag inset. We voted late last year on a new design, but frankly the 5 chosen by the government for the referendum were horrible: still too complex, and most used the colours and fern symbols of our national sports teams. I mean, WTF?
WE'RE A COUNTRY, DAMMIT, NOT A SPORTS TEAM!
The one that one and has to go up against the existing flag is basically based on a sports flag. It's complex, dull, have dull colours, and SPIT!
They rejected so many wonderful, beautiful submitted designs. There were two voted on that were actually simple and striking (even if with sodding black in them - rugby has a lot to answer for) but no, the sports fans picked the bloody fern.
/rant
no subject
Date: 2016-01-18 11:09 am (UTC)It's also a native species endemic to New Zealand.
But you're also right -- it's really horrible that something ancient and sacred has been trivialized and reduced to a marketing logo, by the very culture which abuse the Maori to begin with (See also: American sports teams such as the Washington Redskins: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Redskins_name_controversy)
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Date: 2016-01-18 09:38 pm (UTC)https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/the-nz-flag-your-chance-to-decide/?gclid=CIOpyMWotMoCFQqjvQodINsF0w
Here is the koru one:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/assignments/which-is-your-favourite-flag/12567509/Why-the-Koru-flag-is-the-best-of-the-bunch
Sigh. More stupidity from the government - and the sport-made population.
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Date: 2016-01-18 11:09 pm (UTC)I'd like to see your design... Do you have it online?
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Date: 2016-01-19 12:15 am (UTC)https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/the-nz-flag-your-chance-to-decide/gallery/design/7215
I wish DW would provide easy comment links as LJ now do.
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Date: 2016-01-19 11:16 am (UTC)*I actually like a lot of adolescent boys -- but homework, and thinking about the broader context of the culture, are not among their strengths.
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Date: 2016-01-19 07:21 pm (UTC)I despair of this country sometimes, for its utter stupidity.
And I'll still have to vote for the sodding sports fern next year because it's better than the foreign flag - just about anything but the submitted kiwi farting rainbows or laser-eyed kiwi would be. Sigh.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-19 09:38 pm (UTC)*shakes head*
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Date: 2016-01-20 12:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-01-20 01:31 am (UTC)See my comment to
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Date: 2016-01-20 04:32 am (UTC)Too late for us though - we're stuck with one or other of two crap flags, but maybe at least the old foreign one will go.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-20 10:36 am (UTC)