Blogging from a small part of the Internet linked to NYC.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

What a speech!

Just saw this speech on Metacafe. Charlie Chaplin in "The Great Dictator".


Charlie Chaplain - Amazing Speech - The best free videos are right here

I searched online and found this transcript:

I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be an emperor. That’s not my business. I don’t want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if possible - Jew, Gentile - black man - white.

We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness - not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another. In this world there’s room for everyone and the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone.

The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men’s souls - has barricaded the world with hate - has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost.

The aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in man - cries for universal brotherhood - for the unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world - millions of despairing men, women, and little children - victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people. To those who can hear me, I say: ‘Do not despair.’ The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed - the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.

Soldiers! Don’t give yourselves to brutes - men who despise you and enslave you - who regiment your lives - tell you what to do - what to think and what to feel! Who drill you - diet you - treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don’t give yourselves to these unnatural men - machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts. You don’t hate, only the unloved hate - the unloved and the unnatural!

Soldiers! Don’t fight for slavery! Fight for liberty! In the seventeenth chapter of St Luke, it is written the kingdom of God is within man not one man nor a group of men, but in all men! In you! You, the people, have the power - the power to create machines. The power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful - to make this life a wonderful adventure. Then in the name of democracy - let us use that power - let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world - a decent world that will give men a chance to work - that will give youth a future and old age a security.

By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power. But they lie! They do not fulfill that promise. They never will! Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people. Now let us fight to fulfill that promise! Let us fight to free the world - to do away with national barriers - to do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason - a world where science and progress will lead to all men’s happiness. Soldiers, in the name of democracy, let us unite!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Oldboy

Oldboy. I love this movie. One of my favorite scenes was the "Hammer Fight" scene. It was just a wild ride.

BUT, a couple of friends of mine refuse to see it, because "it's too weird". Their loss.

Rumor has it, that Tom Cruise is interested in an American remake, much like he did with "Vanilla Sky", which was a remake of "Abre Los Ojos" (which was another movie people didn't like originally).

Sunday, November 11, 2007

This was ALMOST my first

When I was young (around 16 or so), I saw a computer system at the local discount store. It was the Aquarius system. I now know it's a Mattel product, but back then, it was just some crappy computer system that came with crappy games and programs, but one that I had to have.

This guy is selling an Aquarius system. He's actually selling his gigantic video game collection (various systems and games) that he's amassed over the years. But he wants $145 for just five basic parts! This guy must be crazy!

When I saw it waaaay back when, it was $99 for the basic system, something like 15 games, about 15 applications, diskettes, a microphone and other stuff. I remember realizing I'd need a shopping cart to buy it.

I didn't buy it then, because $99 was A LOT of money for me. Plus the fact that I didn't have $99. Plus... it was crap! (but I still wanted it.)

Knowledge

I love to know things. I love the Internet because you can spend HOURS and HOURS (literally) and learn something. Yes, most times, the information may be trivial, but sometimes, it's VERY useful. Even the public library pales in comparison.

You can get news from around the world, information on almost any topic (specific or general), personal opinions and insights via blogs, music and videos for entertainment and education, information on other peoples and cultures, new cooking recipes, instructions on so many subjects, ideas and inspirations are a plenty... What can't you get?

I believe people should always learn new things.

But, that said, I think too many people abuse their knowledge. They believe that the knowledge they have somehow grants them some authority or license to do things.

For example, just because you're a doctor, don't think you can cut in line ahead of everyone else. Yes, your professional time may be valuable, your personal time is just as valuable as anyone else's.

Or, because you're a scientist doesn't mean you have some authority over life, such as these researchers who found the OLDEST living thing on Earth, then killed it. Okay, maybe they didn't realize what they had in their possession, but they did it. And it happens on a regular basis.

How about when you go to the hospital with a fever and cough, and the doctor immediately knows what you have (he's seen it a million times) and prescribes you an antihistamine and bed rest, but turns out that was the absolutely wrong thing you needed. Turns out you had a staph infection, and now you're dead. So sorry.

When someone decides he knows better than proven, safe, time-tested procedures, you have a excellent opportunity for a problem. When someone decides that he can do whatever he wants in the name of science, you have an excellent opportunity for abuse.

Knowledge and power are two things that can be easily abused. And the problem is that it's EASY to allow yourself to abuse them. So, please... next time you think you either know better than someone else, or, that you're above someone else, think again, because your places could easily be reversed.

Friday, November 09, 2007

The Charles Schultz Philosophy

I was happy to find this, because it's very close to my own personal philosophy.

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The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners .

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care .

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia."
-Charles Schultz