The Human Condition - reflections and observations

It seems, at times, a state of perpetual tilting tears...

Portugal drug law shows results ten years on... AFP Reports - Progressive Resolutions #01

(AFP) – Jul 1, 2011 

Lisbon

LISBON — Health experts in Portugal said Friday that Portugal's decision 10 years ago to decriminalise drug use and treat addicts rather than punishing them is an experiment that has worked.

"There is no doubt that the phenomenon of addiction is in decline in Portugal," said Joao Goulao, President of the Institute of Drugs and Drugs Addiction, a press conference to mark the 10th anniversary of the law.

The number of addicts considered "problematic" -- those who repeatedly use "hard" drugs and intravenous users -- had fallen by half since the early 1990s, when the figure was estimated at around 100,000 people, Goulao said.

Other factors had also played their part however, Goulao, a medical doctor added.

"This development can not only be attributed to decriminalisation but to a confluence of treatment and risk reduction policies."

Portugal's holistic approach had also led to a "spectacular" reduction in the number of infections among intravenous users and a significant drop in drug-related crimes, he added.

A law that became active on July 1, 2001 did not legalise drug use, but forced users caught with banned substances to appear in front of special addiction panels rather than in a criminal court.

The panels composed of psychologists, judges and social workers recommended action based on the specifics of each case.

Since then, government panels have recommended a response based largely on whether the individual is an occasional drug user or an addict.

Of the nearly 40,000 people currently being treated, "the vast majority of problematic users are today supported by a system that does not treat them as delinquents but as sick people," Goulao said.

In a report published last week, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) said Portugal had dealt with this issue "in a pragmatic and innovative way."

Drug use statistics in Portugal are generally "below the European average and much lower than its only European neighbour, Spain," the report also said.

"The changes that were made in Portugal provide an interesting before-and-after study on the possible effects of decriminalisation," EMCDDA said.

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved.

Link: Portugal Drug Law... AFP

Reason and Faith? - Image of Intrigue #02

Since the Reason and Faith? posting with the image of a church marquee reading, "Reason is the Greatest Enemy that Faith Has," i have received a few responses from friends. Actually, they are just sending pictures of equally interesting, funny, or ridiculous church marquees from around the states. In the original post, i mentioned that it would be an interesting photography shoot/collection - well, maybe i can just make a little collection of my own right here on the blog. It may not have the high-art meets americana aesthetic that i had in mind, but it should still be interesting.
With that said, i would like to encourage anyone that has pictures of interesting church marquees, or stumbles across them while holding a camera, to please send them my way and i will post the ones that i find suitable (whatever that means within my subjective, twisted judgement). Whether they be philosophically/theologically intriguing, humorous, down-right ridiculous, absurd, or beautiful and thought provoking, please send them. I am not looking to mock, necessarily - just exploring a quirky intrigue that happens to mock itself from time to time. If it happens to be funny or hypocritical then so be it. Thanks.

Below are two of the images recently sent by friends:

Bressonian Quote #19 - Notes from a Master Filmmaker

'... sans manquer de naturel, manquent de nature.'
['... without lacking naturalness, they lack nature.']
- CHAUTEAUBRIAND


"Nature: what the dramatic art suppresses in favor of a naturalness that is learned and maintained by exercises."  - Robert Bresson

The Story of Stuff - Media with Purpose - Video

Link:  The Story of Stuff Project

Middle-Class Suburbanites Fail to See Irony in Their Lives

These parents (left) work constantly to make money to provide a better life for their children, yet in so doing, see them an average of one hour per day. In a recent study, this family reported "no irony whatsoever" in its lifestyle.

Princeton University’s renowned Institute for Advanced Studies revealed yesterday that the middle class, known to French social theorists as the “petit-bourgeoisie,” failed in over 98 percent of measured cases to notice the inherent irony in their lives. Though their very existences are riddled with the   exact opposites of intended meanings that define irony as we know it, the middle class roundly failed to notice it in a barrage of tests conducted over the past six months by IAS.

“There are countless examples of irony evident in the lives of suburban consumerism-based nuclear families,” Institute spokesperson Jody Clewes said. “These ironies, however, are totally lost on the fatuous, unthinking middle class.”

The IAS released over 75 sample questions and answers to demonstrate its findings, ranging from irony evident in social and political agendas, all the way to personal lifestyle choices.

Most striking was the middle class’s predominant self-definition as “socially liberal,” with regard to equal civil rights and fair treatment for society’s impoverished. This stood in marked contrast to the middle class’s recent trend toward gated, exclusive communities as well as voting for lower property taxes in high-income areas and higher taxes for those living in low-income communities with racially exclusive public schools. Of those polled, 100 percent saw no irony in this.

Similarly, the suburbanites were asked if the frequently cited justification of “wanting to provide my children with a better life” stood in contrast to working seven days a week to accumulate money. Despite the ever-widening gap between parents and children, and the skyrocketing divorce rate resultant from a lifestyle focused not on family but on careers, all those polled responded, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

As for middle-class suburban lifestyle, there was a similar lack of “irony recognition” among the respondents.

When quizzed about the familiar practice of “saving money” by purchasing retail items “on sale,” when the items are not needed even under non-sale conditions, only one of the 68 housewives polled reported noticing slight irony. It was later confirmed that the woman had recently been “chewed out” by her husband for spending too much on extravagant, fashionable hats.

“What we’re seeing here,” UCLA sociologist T. Hubbard Meyer said, “is that these people sincerely do not see how absurdly comic and borderline pathetic their lives are. Of course, as part of academe, I live on campus and do not have to deal with such societal trifles.”

Middle-class Americans also failed to see the irony in avoiding physical activity by driving everywhere and using elevators instead of stairs, and then joining an expensive health club. The study also queried the logic of drinking diet soda for health reasons, despite the fact that soda is universally defined as a non-healthy “sweet,” with “diet” merely representing a lower-calorie version of soda with no inherent nutritional value...

For the full report follow the Link:  The Onion

Absurdity of the Moment - #03

absurdism |əbˈsərdˌizəm|

noun

the belief that human beings exist in a purposeless, chaotic universe.

I think this sums it up pretty well. Hmmm? No need to add much input.

Links: 

purpleunions blog

Why NY Matters - Andrew Sullivan

Stephen Colbert Has Some Advice for Republicans Looking for the Youth Vote - Gawker Video

Hilarious and Disturbing - 06/16/2011 from Gawker

by Matt Cherette — If there's one big advantage that Barack Obama has over his Republican counterparts, it's the youth vote. Which is why Kenneth del Vecchio, a former New Jersey judge, created a pro-life horror movie called The Life Zone in an attempt to attract younger, conservative voters. On tonight's Report, Stephen Colbert took del Vecchio's idea and explained how other Republicans could take advantage of it.


Thanks to my brother's slightly unhealthy fascination with Gawker (understood, honestly) for this video and quite a few other hilarious posts.


Follow the Link for the Video:  Gawker - Stephen Colbert Has Some Advice for Republicans Looking for the Youth Vote - Video

Today's Total Eclipse Of The Moon: How To Watch - NPR News Blog

Those of us in North America won't be able to see it happen "live," but if all goes well we can catch a webcast of what's going to be "an unusually long total lunar eclipse" today.

Basically, every continent except North America will get a view. Adding to the celestial drama: Spaceweather.com says "exhaust from the erupting volcano in Chile could alter the appearance of the eclipse." The moon may look darker than in other eclipses.

Now, for those who can't go out to watch, there's this option: the Sky Watchers Association of North Bengal, India, is hosting a live webcast.

Check it out:

Watch live streaming video from swansiliguri at livestream.com

For more information and the complete Blog from NPR follow the Link:  NPR News Blog
This post is actually more for the sake of my nephew, Henry, but enjoy the intrigue nonetheless.

Simple - reflections and observations

Watched two buddhist monks in full traditional garb lightly tread ground as they walked to the back of a multicolored Thai Food Cart in South Austin with their friend, the spitfire owner, a small but tough (and funny as hell) older lady of Thai descent - all smiling. It reminded me to reopen some buddhist literature and philosophy of younger days. Albert Camus, thoughts on absurdism, and my recent rereading of The Stranger linger in my head as well. Readings and thoughts and ration that have long been familiar to me, available to me, read and reread, and yet seem newly found once again.
As to the inherent meaning of life that humanity is endlessly in longing for (you know, the one that doesn't exist yet has spawned infinite philosophical theory, formal organization and alignment, academia and absolutism of all sorts, religions, more religions, etc.)
The whole point, the purpose itself, is to escape pain (inherent in humanity and life) and to find Happiness - this IS the meaning in itself (or at least the only one feasibly available to human capacity) - the discovery OF meaning for oneself. That's it. It is most definitely a subjective experience that must be had as such, but oddly there is a communal consistency throughout humankind and history OF that experience.
Hmmm? It seems so simple.
How do i keep forgetting? Not simple.

My Morning Jacket, Gideon - A Song for the Day

Watch My Morning Jacket perform live, May 31 2011

Indie rock darlings My Morning Jacket will debut their new album Circuital in style: with a performance in Louisville, Kentucky’s historic Palace Theatre. No ticket? No problem. Watch the performance live on youtube.com/mymorningjacketvevo.

The show marks the next installment of the original music series UNSTAGED, in partnership with American Express and VEVO. UNSTAGED pairs bands with iconic film directors to create one-of-a-kind live performances.

Director Todd Haynes (Velvet Goldmine, I’m Not There) will conduct the show. Haynes has been engaged with pop music throughout his career, crafting films that have frequently looked at music icons through an unusual lens: inVelvet Goldmine, he approached glam rock through the guise of a fictional, Bowie-like rock star named Brian Slade. In I’m Not There, six different actors inhabit or embody Bob Dylan’s many-faceted career. A subtle provocateur, Haynes has always looked to transgress social norms in his work.

As an indie band that often flirts with experimental elements, My Morning Jacket are a natural match for Haynes. The group burst onto the scene in 2001 with the release of their sophomore album At Dawn. Alt country had become the fashion among many northern rock bands, but as native southerners, these Kentucky boys came by their twang honestly. When they drenched it in oceans of reverb, what could have been relatively straightforward country rock verged on otherworldly.

Over the years, the band has evolved, experimenting with neo-psychedelia, reggae and progressive rock and even emulating Prince. Circuital sees the band returning to its early influences -- and returning home to Louisville to perform in the Palace Theatre, an ornate Spanish Baroque-style theater built in 1924. The theater oozes with atmosphere: the trompe l’oeil ceiling looks like an open sky, and a “hall of faces” features over a hundred sculptures of Socrates, Beethoven, Dante and more. The venue also has amazing acoustics -- and, according to some reports, a ghost...

Follow the Links for more info:  YouTube Blog

My Morning Jacket Unstaged

My Morning Jacket Official Site - New Album, Circuital

Filmmaker Quotes and Video: Stan Brakhage

Imagine an eye unruled by man-made laws of perspective, and unprejudiced by compositional logic, an eye which does not respond to the name of everything but which must know each object encountered in life through an adventure of perception.

~ Stan Brakhage, from Metaphors on Vision

One of my favorite Brakhage pieces.

WhoMadeWho - "Every Minute Alone" - A New Song for the Day

I was just recently made aware of this band from Denmark and am somewhat smitten by the video.  It was released April 25th on Kompakt.  Follow the link to their Myspace page for more info and music: WhoMadeWho.

Billy's Balloon - Short Animated Film by Don Hertzfeldt

A good friend sent this animated short my way and it is worth a viewing. I have a real soft spot for this sort of primal, two-dimensional animation and the concept is quite funny though almost uncomfortably harsh at times - but i like that aspect as well.  Oh yeah, I apologize for the pop up ad - damn embedding from you-tube.  It can be closed out easily.

President Obama as Comedian - 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner - Video of Interest

He's even good at delivering punch lines - impressive - and then turns around to deliver tonight's address with, quite obviously, very little sleep but the utmost grace.  Impressive indeed - and may we appreciate the rare moment of national unity and communal alignment that will inevitably grow from today's news, only to fade too quickly.

Reason and Faith? - Image of Intrigue

Just a little thought for the day.  I could make a pretty strong, and logical, argument for the reciprocal of the above message, but who needs healthy debate and shared differences when you have religion? My friend sent this picture a while back from the South East and I recently rediscovered it.  It says so much with so little - take it as you please. For infinite interest, bewilderment, and occasional humor, just do a tour around the Southern states reading the church mini-marquees.  You will be amazed at what you find - and it would make one hell of a photography project.

Blank City - Featured Film of Interest/Documentary

Blank City is currently premiering at the IFC Center in New York. The website offers a list of other scheduled screenings around the nation as well as an impressive list of festival selections worldwide.  

Summary:  BLANK CITY tells the long-overdue tale of a disparate crew of renegade filmmakers who emerged from an economically bankrupt and dangerous moment in New York history. In the late 1970's and mid 80's, when the city was still a wasteland of cheap rent and cheap drugs, these directors crafted daring works that would go on to profoundly influence the development of independent film as we know it today.

Directed by French newcomer Céline Danhier, BLANK CITY weaves together an oral history of the “No Wave Cinema” and “Cinema of Transgression” movements through compelling interviews with the luminaries who began it all. Featured players include acclaimed directors Jim Jarmusch and John Waters, actor-writer-director Steve Buscemi, Blondie’s Debbie Harry, Hip Hop legend Fab 5 Freddy, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, photographer Richard Kern as well as Amos Poe, James Nares, Eric Mitchell, Susan Seidelman, Beth B, Scott B, Charlie Ahearn and Nick Zedd. Fittingly, the soundtrack includes: Patti Smith, Television, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, The Contortions, The Bush Tetras, Sonic Youth and many more.

Blank City Official Trailer from Celine Danhier on Vimeo.

Link:  Blank City

Hoping for an Austin Screening announcement soon.  Thanks to arkhive. for bringing this one to my attention - it's always good to have aware and interested friends in NYC.

Resources for New Screenwriters & Filmmakers: Kurt Vonnegut at the Blackboard

Blog of Interest:  Resources for New Screenwriters & Filmmakers: Kurt Vonnegut at the Blackboard - Lapham’s Quarter...

Link:  "Kurt Vonnegut at the Blackboard"  -  Lapham’s Quarterly  

Anecdotal Humor - Troubletown by Lloyd Dangle

I can't really attest to the entirety of the satirical collection (or really any of the other cartoons posted) on this blog, Troubletown, but a friend sent this my way (i think via Ebert's blog) and I thought it was worth sharing - a bit heavy handed and blunt maybe, but it hits right on target - and, it's funny/painful. I have had to ask this very question to myself many times.

50 Years Later: Learning From The Bay Of Pigs - Article and Image of Intrigue - NPR

Members of Fidel Castro's militia gather in Cuba's Escambry Mountains during the ill-fated 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion.

Fifty years ago Sunday, a brigade of around 1,500 CIA-trained soldiers stormed the beach in Cuba's Bay of Pigs. It was the opening phase of a secret mission to overthrow Fidel Castro and, President John F. Kennedy hoped, halt the spread of communism throughout the world. 
Things did not go as planned.

For the full article follow the Link:  NPR