Tool Live

For those of you who know about my obsession with Tool and their live shows, and for those of you who have never been to one of their concerts before here are some exclusive pictures from their fan website.

Welcome to a new dimension......

Social Norms Marketing

We have all seen the anti-smoking and drug ads on TV. This is part of a new idea called Social Norms Marketing that looks at social norm perceptions and how it impacts the actual behaviors that the marketing is geared towards by using posters, advertisements, and other media based tools.

Research has shown that the actual actions and the perception of the actions are directly related in a cyclical fashion meaning that you cannot simple change the perception to change the action. And most people who are going to agree with the perception are those who don't have the problems, so the target audience is geared incorrectly most of the times.

Another facet of Social Norms Marketing that is intriguing is the decision to use the inclusion or exclusion theory. Should the marketing be geared towards being an individual or being part of a group.

In conclusion, Social Norms Marketing is an interesting new way of creating social change, but it still needs some work.

Meteor Shower

There is going to be a meteor shower this week that peeks on Thursday and Friday. Here is part of a Space.com article on it:

"Here is what astronomers David Levy and Stephen Edberg have written of the annual Geminid Meteor Shower: "If you have not seen a mighty Geminid fireball arcing gracefully across an expanse of sky, then you have not seen a meteor."

The Geminids get their name from the constellation of Gemini, the Twins, because the meteors appear to emanate from a spot in the sky near the bright star Castor in Gemini.

Also in Gemini this month is the planet Mars, nearing a close approach to the Earth later this month, and shining brilliantly with yellow-orange hue. To be sure, Mars is certain to attract the attention of prospective Geminid watchers this upcoming week."

It makes me wonder what people thousands of years ago would think when something like this would take place. It is pretty logical to think these type of unexplainable events where the cause for religion and mythology to take shape. Now that we can explain why these type of things happen, I think it is also logical to see that just because we do not know the reason behind something doesn't mean there is some crazy mythological or religious force behind it. But I guess hindsight is always 20-20....

With all that said I am looking forward to seeing these meteors burn in our atmosphere.

One more repeat.......

Being an adult you rarely experience the simple happiness of your childhood but for 20 minutes tonight I did. As I was about to board the train to return home from my sister's apartment in Oak Park, up pulled the holiday train brought to you by the CTA. For most people who live in Chicago those three letters have a negative connotation, but for those 20 minutes I was in awe of the effort and random happiness they provided for everyone on the train, especially those unsuspecting individuals like me. Christmas has become a consumer holiday, like everything else in this country, and it is hard to remember why it is so important. Is it the gifts we give and receive that makes it such a joyous holiday? I think not.


On that train I realized the reason I enjoyed Christmas so much is because of the unconditional joy it gives people to be with those they care most for, and the random happiness that comes along with the "holiday season".

I have included some pictures in the email that hopefully will bring you some of that childlike happiness that comes along too infrequently.


Salud.......

Fascism: A repeat

Fascism?

Hmmmmmm......Lets think for a moment about what fascism is......here are some synonyms:

Corporatism, Nationalism , Militarism, Totalitarianism , and anticommunism

here are some antonyms: Liberalism, Freedom, Democracy, Socialism, Individualism

As days go by I begin to realize that our current government resembles Fascism (Hitler, Franco, Mussolini) much much much more than any kind of democracy. Just look at recent examples:

Blackwater in Iraqi is paid by our tax dollars. They are hired mercenaries who are supposed to be there to protect diplomats and other government officials. Why would we hire a private company to due the work that our military should be doing. WHY NOT SPEND THE MONEY ON GIVING OUR MILITARY PERSONAL BETTER EQUIPMENT. Why not use the money to send more troops to guard these diplomats. And why guard these diplomats at all. It doesn't seem like there is much diplomacy happening there does it?

In New Orleans, the government has privatized housing, and education. It seems to me that all the disasters happening around the world have one thing in common.....BIG BUSINESS.

Fuck Haliburtan, Fuck Blackwater and you know what, screw it, the whole fing US GOVERNMENT is big business CORPORATISM, NATIONALISM, MILITARISM

FASCISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So next time you go vote, think about who you are voting for. Think about this Fascist state that our leaders created, and try to vote for someone who isn't in the pocket of big business.

The sad thing is there seems to be very few politicians left in this country who aren't.