Just like The Mamas and The Papas song.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
The scariest book I ever read
No, it was not Twilight. Nor did it feature any of the usual monsters of the week hunted by the Winchester brothers *dreamy eyes* (even though reading it may scare the crap out of Dean).
Eric Schlosser wrote a frank and engaging examination of one of the biggest icons of Americana: Fast Food. Its history unfolds in early 20th century and helped produce some of the biggest self made men in the US, the perfect embodiment of the American dream.
This book exposed the nightmarish side to these success stories. From unfair business practices that ruins small businesses, fatal food contamination, hideous and slave-like working conditions, to the globalisation of obesity via fast food and even exploitation of children through advertisement, Schlosser exposed any number of issues that we do not think about when we unwrapped our burgers. Although most of the companies featured in the book refused to officially cooperate in his research, Schlosser was able to persuade a number of the employees of those companies to speak to him; giving him first hand accounts of what lay behind the shiny facade of the big corporations that made the fast food machinery what it is.
Naturally the corporations featured in the book did not take it lying downand fought back with threats of lawsuits and such. Boldly, Schlosser invited them to conduct fact checking and prove any of the allegations in his book as untrue. Although there was much blustering and threats, none of the corporations named in the book took legal action against him. Instead, they launched an online campaign that petered out like a deflated balloon.
What I find most interesting in the book is that even though the successes of the individuals that built these giant corporations underscore the possibilities promised by the American Dream, it came at the expense of the iconic Western cowboys and the freedom promised in the frontiers. As small and medium sized ranches disappear to the pressures of economy, it also diminished the mythical tough men of the West: suicide rate of the American cattle ranchers and farmers are three times the average in the country (refer to page 146). The legendary West featured in films and dime novels are now lost in the mist of history.
Books like Fast Food Nation makes one pause and contemplate one's decisions over things that were previously taken for granted. I don't think a reader of the book would immediately swear off McDonalds and KFC. But perhaps you would scrutinise the fine print even more after reading this. After all, caveat emptor.
Like Dean Winchester often said; it is people who are the worst monsters, not the demons and ghouls and beasties that stalk in the night.
Did not feature these darlings.
Eric Schlosser wrote a frank and engaging examination of one of the biggest icons of Americana: Fast Food. Its history unfolds in early 20th century and helped produce some of the biggest self made men in the US, the perfect embodiment of the American dream.
This book exposed the nightmarish side to these success stories. From unfair business practices that ruins small businesses, fatal food contamination, hideous and slave-like working conditions, to the globalisation of obesity via fast food and even exploitation of children through advertisement, Schlosser exposed any number of issues that we do not think about when we unwrapped our burgers. Although most of the companies featured in the book refused to officially cooperate in his research, Schlosser was able to persuade a number of the employees of those companies to speak to him; giving him first hand accounts of what lay behind the shiny facade of the big corporations that made the fast food machinery what it is.
Naturally the corporations featured in the book did not take it lying downand fought back with threats of lawsuits and such. Boldly, Schlosser invited them to conduct fact checking and prove any of the allegations in his book as untrue. Although there was much blustering and threats, none of the corporations named in the book took legal action against him. Instead, they launched an online campaign that petered out like a deflated balloon.
What I find most interesting in the book is that even though the successes of the individuals that built these giant corporations underscore the possibilities promised by the American Dream, it came at the expense of the iconic Western cowboys and the freedom promised in the frontiers. As small and medium sized ranches disappear to the pressures of economy, it also diminished the mythical tough men of the West: suicide rate of the American cattle ranchers and farmers are three times the average in the country (refer to page 146). The legendary West featured in films and dime novels are now lost in the mist of history.
Books like Fast Food Nation makes one pause and contemplate one's decisions over things that were previously taken for granted. I don't think a reader of the book would immediately swear off McDonalds and KFC. But perhaps you would scrutinise the fine print even more after reading this. After all, caveat emptor.
Like Dean Winchester often said; it is people who are the worst monsters, not the demons and ghouls and beasties that stalk in the night.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Brains and beauty
What do Hedy Lamarr and Werner von Braun
vs
have in common apart from near-Alpian ancestry?
They were both rocket scientists.
Did you know that Natalie Portman, winner of this year's Oscars for Best Actress, was a straight A student who competed in the Intel Science Talent Search and has a degree in neuroscience? There is a long history of women who made it big (or even modestly impressive) in Hollywood who are also brainy thinkers and does work in the fields of mathematics, engineering and science.
Here's to beautiful and intelligent women the world over!
vs
have in common apart from near-Alpian ancestry?
They were both rocket scientists.
Did you know that Natalie Portman, winner of this year's Oscars for Best Actress, was a straight A student who competed in the Intel Science Talent Search and has a degree in neuroscience? There is a long history of women who made it big (or even modestly impressive) in Hollywood who are also brainy thinkers and does work in the fields of mathematics, engineering and science.
Here's to beautiful and intelligent women the world over!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Amazing Diamond
I have always had a thing for Shara Worden's (aka My Brightest Diamond) voice. She is a trained opera singer with an amazing range and depth as well as texture, though I do not know if she's a coloratura soprano. I first fell in love with Gone Away, one of the best songs to slash your wrist by when pining for a former lover. But what she executed in this video is both cute and awesome and I think you will agree with me that it takes amazing lungs to sing this flawlessly while stamping as hard as she did.
*chin-hands in admiration*
*chin-hands in admiration*
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Life is unfair ...
... kill yourself or get over it.
Oh dear ...
Sadly, the truth hurts.
Priorities ... I has 'em.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Word of the Day
bumbaste (v.)
(1) To beat on the posteriors; hence, to flog, beat soundly, thrash.
(2) ? To finish off, ‘dispose of’ (a can of liquor).
(2) ? To finish off, ‘dispose of’ (a can of liquor).
1) I would like to bumbaste him soundly for his penchant of using bombastic terms.
2) Defeated, Ed gazed impotently at the beer he longed to bumbaste.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Hallmarks of a crazy weekend
Just ... *sigh*
Monday, Monday ...
Wake me up when Friday comes around again, okay?
Monday, Monday ...
Wake me up when Friday comes around again, okay?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Valentine's Revenge
Valentine's Day is not just about lovers reconnecting with one another. It could also provide an excuse for the lovelorn to drive down to the love shack to get some.
But one should also be careful to protect oneself to avoid the fate that inspired this song.
Also, if you are a gentleman trapped in a mine with a few dozen another men (or any on a seafaring vessel, or an oilrig, WHATEVER), try not to share the inflated doll that is made available. It is safer to stick to sudoku.
But one should also be careful to protect oneself to avoid the fate that inspired this song.
Also, if you are a gentleman trapped in a mine with a few dozen another men (or any on a seafaring vessel, or an oilrig, WHATEVER), try not to share the inflated doll that is made available. It is safer to stick to sudoku.
Hysterical history
Lol-tastic stuff of yore.
Deaf by bullet.
Hipster Einstein is hip.
As worn by Victoria Regina.
Toll collectors: they are everywhere since time immemorial!
Witch hunt: a different prey.
Admit it, it's a manpurse.
For the days you're too lazy to chop your own wood.
Monday, February 14, 2011
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