web speak

Twitter is growing so fast, the failwhale was flying this past week. There's even a FW Fan Club! Mashable is honoring the Tweet BD. My dadio still argues that Wikipedia is not reliable. Good grief, wiki's are almost as old as the web -- around for 14 years! When you google anything wiki is typ the top hit. If you don't believe me, check the UD . Amazon is basically old school now, but Kindles are koolio. Are you a newness-seeking, self-improving tree hugger? If so, 43 things might be 4U.
I chose this goal. But, don't facebook or friend me, cause I don't do tweeny pic sites. I do tweet and blog, of course. I had to explain to the dadio *be sure and UD that one* that blog is a portmanteau of web and log. He's not a q-tip but sometimes not too hip. And, surely you youtube. All you need is an HDMI cable for PC TV and convergence is yours. If you watch George Gobel on it, tho, you are beyond old -- you're antediluvian (and I did it.) OMG!!!

Religiosity

I made an outline for a non-fiction book called "Religiosity" a few years ago. In fact, I'll go dig that up and link to it. My approach was quite different from Bill Maher's documentary "Religulous" (a made up term, right Bro Bob?) Maher's mocking tone almost kept me from watching. Humor is one thing, but this "documentary" (used loosely) was done in the tradition of Borat's Culture Learnings; both use ambush and deceptive interview techniques that are truly beneath Maher. I felt sorry for some of the people duped into getting on camera -- although Maher would tell me, "I simply asked if they wanted to be on my documentary about religion. If these people are egomaniacs, that's their problem." I can hear him. And, that's true. Politicians, preachers, and all the pontificating Jesus Freaks -- they just tangled with a tiger. I guess that's their problem.

I actually don't mind him body slamming a "brilliant scientist", or greedy, gold-wearing televangelist but there was something pathetic about tackling truckers and the unsuspecting Puerto Rican congregation. Like slamming an ant with a hammer. Hollywood Holy Land? That one deserved a good raking. And, his final commentary, much like his closing remarks each week on his HBO show, was poignant. I loved the Vatican segments and the liberal priest who went toe-to-toe with Bill. Woot!

Notice, there was no mocking of Taoism, Buddhism or meditation. Perhaps because we don't have such silly, hypocritical non-sense. It's hard to make fun of calm introspection and methods of seeking peace. Much easier to mock gay Gladiators for God, or Jews for Jesus. But, will it change anyone's beliefs? Probably not. Those deeply entrenched in indefensible bizarre beliefs only get madder when someone mocks them. I know -- when I used to smoke, nagging did not help. Alcoholics can not be mocked out of drinking, and UFOlogists will always have Roswell!

My final word: When you personify God, you're in a dicey realm. I wanted to tell Maher, look, God is not jealous -- just misunderstood. Idolatry is the worship of false gods. Perhaps everyone should ponder that.

tweeting

Look at how much my blog pic and PerezHilton's look the same! Wow, Horselover_fat is out there, too!! :)

Micro-blogging! What a hoot! I've been hearing more and more about Twitter. I thought it must be another Facebook thing, and I really have no interest in MySpace or Facebook. But, with so much buzz the last couple of weeks, the whole world's a Twitter! Barbara Wa Wa explaining it on the View, the founder on Charlie Rose (PBS), Anderson Cooper tweeting! I had to check it out. Well, you really can't unless you sign up. so I did. I've only been Tweeting a few hours, and I have six followers! More than on my blog. (that could be bad -- creepy stalkers?)

Which brings me to the point of this post. Why do we do this? Blog, tweet, put ourselves out in public? I've been thinking about it a lot. I know why the WOW writing group blog is good. We're a bunch of writers from all over the US that couldn't have the exchange we do without the blog. That was the reason I set up my first blog years ago, in hopes it would evolve into an online writing group. It never did. I still have that first post. (Xanga April, 2001)

But, generic blogging? Networking? Everyone networks or collaborates in some way, unless you're a hermit, right? I heard Marc Andreessen explain it as being just a few degrees away from anyone. (Marc, you know, developed the browser, as we know it.) I have no answer here. I would love for whoever sees this to comment -- PLEASE -- with pros and cons. I can think of more cons, but hate to put those negative vibes out there.

As for Twitter, it's just a hoot. You simply answer that basic Twitter Question: So, What are you doing now? (only 140 characters, but hard to resist!) I'm blogging! What are YOU doing?

PKD Transmigration Day

It was 27 years ago today that Philip K Dick left this dimension and began an amazing adventure Beyond.

Of all the PKD links, I chose this (top title) because the article discusses how much Phil wanted to be known as a mainstream, literary writer and not just a sci-fi hack.

Today we don't think of sci-fi writers as disparagingly as during the "peeled eyeball" phase that Phil endured. Phil called it that because he said no matter how sophisticated his story, they would create a cover with a peeled eyeball to attract the adolescent males -- the main market for the lurid covers at that time. Sci fi movies have become blockbuster hits for Hollywood, and some of the best in recent years have been made from Philip K Dick stories and novels. As I've said in my own articles, and somewhere in my novel, Phil did become mainstream and made a shitload of money -- posthumously. He certainly has been vindicated.

Last year was the 20th Anniversary of a magazine that honored Phil quite often, Sci-fi Eye

Next year, is 2010... Arthur Clarke released a sequel to his 2001: A Space Odyssey in January of 1982. That book is called 2010: odyssey two Phil probably knew all about it and read it the minute it came out. Clarke was about ten years older than Phil, from England and Phil probably enjoyed his work. Next year PKD would have been 82, 28 years after his death. (28 - 82) That's phildickian and definitely an Omen that Now is the Time to publish AKS!

the Shack (Update!)

I just read (well, listened to the audio version of) the Shack. I won't spoil the plot line for you, (too much info on back cover and web sites) but I am going to discuss the premise. It's a "guy talks to God" novel, as self-described by the author(s.) (Plot is the story line and specific events, whereas the premise is the overall "arching" concept.) OK, once again this is an effort to personify God. A new, different way, but still God as a person (or people, in this case.)

I thought last year when Oprah introduced the world to Eckart Tolle and millions participated, we were moving on, away from "God as people." I thought the New Age had finally arrived. That humanity was accepting the concept of God within, not as an external, separate being. So, are the 6 or 7 million people reading the Shack agreeing with the concept or questioning it? Have YOU read it? Thoughts??

Now that I've finished it (as of 02.28.09) parts are better than I thought,with some pretty challenging concepts of What Is. Other parts are so ridiculous it's hard to keep going. But, on the audio version you get a bonus. An updated afterword now that millions of copies have sold, and a radio interview. My final thought is that for people who think of God as a white-haired old white man, it will definitely expand your view, and might be a bridge toward even more expansive versions of "god."

The positive side, for me, is clearly it's not too late to get my GodForce concept out. My Beyond the GodForce (c)1991 (officially registered and protected) addressed the personification of God. AKS dabbles in that, quite a bit, too.

Whether you embrace Tolle, the Tao, meditate and know that God is within; or believe old man God wrote the bible himself and is still "out there" someplace waiting to punish or reward you, go ahead and try "the Shack." (samples and info on the right side bar.)

And, please, COMMENT!! We don't discuss religion on WOW, but it's fair game here in Crypto land. Jump in! And, I thank Brother Bob for chiming in. He did read it.

the Oscars

Every year I think I won't get caught up in these award shows; Globes, Grammys, SAGS and finally Oscars. I stayed away from Globes and SAGS, but couldn't resist peaking into the Grammys and now I'm in full blown Oscar mode. Not that red carpet BS -- I will never care what people are wearing, who had a face lift, or if I ever see Joan Rivers again. But, here I am at 1:30 in the morning watching Tavis Smiley (who I never watch, barely have an awareness of) with clips of Actors and Directors from the nominated movies. Seeing Sean Penn just now really confirms that he should win over Mickey Rourke. Mickey is not acting so much as living out his dream revival on screen. Penn is acting. Wow! The clip I just saw could not be more different from his actual persona.

Also, I'm so glad I saw Slumdog Millionaire. Clips do not do that experience justice. I'm astounded that people can simply refer to it as a wonderful movie. The flash back scenes and "real time" torture were so horrific I could not watch a lot of it -- necessary, compelling, but extremely difficult to watch. You should have that warning. I feel it should win Best Picture (even tho I haven't seen the other four.) I'll see all of them on DVD, but I really didn't need to see a re-enactment of Tricky Dick on the big screen. That, along with the intimate scenes (and Nazi angle) of "the Reader" can be seen in the privacy of my own home. Ditto for Milk and Button.

So, I hope to see Kate Winslet, Sean Penn and Danny Boyle celebrating Sunday night. (Boyle, along with 18 yr old Dev Patel and the beautiful Freida, on behalf of the many Oscars Slumdog deserves and I hope wins at the 2009 Oscars.) Get game -- click on the title link and make your predictions now!!