Thursday, October 23, 2003
Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic(absorbs heat)?
First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time?
So we need to know the rate that souls are moving into Hell and the rate they are leaving. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving. As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Some of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there are more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially.
Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added. This gives two possibilities:
1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.
2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.
So which is it? If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa Morrison during my freshman year, "...that it will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you," and take into account the fact that I still have not succeeded in having sexual relations with her, then #2 cannot be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and will not freeze.
Anon.
University Of Washington
First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time?
So we need to know the rate that souls are moving into Hell and the rate they are leaving. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving. As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Some of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there are more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially.
Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added. This gives two possibilities:
1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.
2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.
So which is it? If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa Morrison during my freshman year, "...that it will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you," and take into account the fact that I still have not succeeded in having sexual relations with her, then #2 cannot be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and will not freeze.
Anon.
University Of Washington
Saturday, October 18, 2003
To read A response to Is This It?......(published below) by Karl Whitney click on the following link
Also keep on eye on Karl's excellent website, Dumbriffs.
Also keep on eye on Karl's excellent website, Dumbriffs.
Is This It? - Why modern music has failed to excite me....untill now.
This weekend sees the arrival of the most anticipated album since…... well since The White Stripes last outing. The Strokes second LP I guess though is surrounded by more then just anticipation. For many it’s an exciting prospect and an important landmark in their listening years. Yet, much as I enjoyed ‘Is this it?’, and much as I too am looking forward to hearing ‘Room on Fire’, I’m not massively excited. In fact little in modern music excites me. And I’m just 23!
So What?................. Well, I dunno but the ability of music to excite me, or at least infuse me with an emotion I can’t readily get, has always been important to me. Growing up during the Brit Pop era has perhaps instilled this in me. It set a standard by which I measure. Whatever about the music of that time, the era was every bit as exciting as what I believe punk to have been. Brit pop certainly doesn’t compare to the punk era in terms of musical influence but it injected a lot of pride and did an awful lot for guitar music at the time. The movement’s ability to excite outside of the music could be attributed to the lack of widespread internet use at the time. Also the NME, if memory serves me right, was fuckin’ good. It was like a bible. With that in hand, and a large aerial so as to hear The Evening session on Radio 1, music was exciting. It was easier to hear about good groups and good tunes. Even Cast, arguably the biggest disappointment of the nineties, were good for 10 minutes. Their debut was crackin’.
The world and his dog await album #2
Since then though, since Jarvis partied too hot and headed for Paris, since Damon grew up, and since Oasis stopped doing drugs – (that’s the strangest of the lot. In 1995 in one of those ‘it’s never gonna happen articles’, Oasis giving up drugs would certainly have out manuvered Aliens dining with the President to the number one spot). But it’s happened. It’s affected how I approach music now and how it interests me. This is particularly depressing. A real jab in the nuts. It all really culminated in Witnness 2002 headlined by Oasis and the Prodigy and featuring a host of Brit pop bands new and old on the bill. A fantastic line up for me personally, at least on paper. The gig and performances were terrible. Absolute shite. It urks me just to think back on how terrible it was. The only good thing I can take from it was a wonderful eccentric BDB performance and a set from Damien Rice which confirmed his status as an Irish artist miles ahead of the rest. Sure I still get excited by music but only when I delve into the past. I suppose the last Springsteen album was a pivotal moment for me. I mean I’d always listened to the greats and more besides. What Springsteen’s last album gave me though was a tunnel to mine. I got into his exemplary back catalogue. I began to truly explore Dylan, Young, Cash, Ramones, Clash, Television and a host of other artists I’d previously just touched on. The Ramones stuff really knocked me for six. Excellent stuff and I’m also finally appreciating The Wedding Present thanks to an album made by a great friend of mine. I’ve also discovered some great trad music in the shape of Martin Hayes. It’s fantastic……. but depressing. All the good stuff seems to be in the past.
Am I being too picky? I’m sure your listing off a host of great bands consistently delivering great stuff. But is it exciting? Sure it’s great to have Evan Dando back on track, SFA are fantastic but moving into a bit of a hole in terms of progressing. I suppose though they were always ahead of the pack, maybe the packs catching on. Coldplay are great, great, great but they lack something. I can’t pin point it. Radiohead, badly drawn boy and blur are hit certain buttons but are interesting more then entertaining. Primal Scream have lost me. Oasis are stuck in the mud. Ryan Adams great… and that’s about it.
In Ireland The Frames are ploughing away and their new stuff is certainly earmarked in bold on my list of records to buy but such is the amount of times I’ve seen them perform and socialise around Dublin, the more they sort of seem like acquaintances of mine who are in a band. Local heroes. Kittser’s first two albums really excited me and I couldn’t get enough of him to such an extent that I saw him live about 13 times in the space of a year. He was always fantastic but again he feels like an acquaintance now. He even drinks in my local in Dublin. The awe factor is gone. Add to that the fact that, from what I’ve heard, his new stuff hasn’t really grabbed me. We’ll see though.
British sea power -something to shout about at last
Damien Rice on the other hand is very exciting. He’s a true star and very much musically driven. I love the fact that he jumped ship on his initial band, Juniper, just as they seemed destined for a high level of success - at least by Irish standards. He left because he didn’t like the musical direction he was being pushed in and for that I really respect him. It took about 5 years for him to get to a stage where he was happy to record again. He obviously has a great filter in terms of what songs he puts out in the public domain. I’ve yet to hear a bad Damien Rice song and in his mammoth live sets he has a lot more material then his sole recorded work may suggest. He’s also very wary about over exposure and genuinely isn’t keen on huge success. A great quality. I love his live performances even more and I forgive him the awful Witness 2003 set. He will though have to get used to big outdoor gigs. They lie around the corner for Mr. Rice. What I love about Damien live is his theatrical side and communication with his audience. It’s all too rare with artists these days. Along with Jarvis Cocker and Bruce Springsteen he’s the best live performer I’ve seen. On my all time top five gig list his show last Christmas at the Olympia ranks second only to the boss. He excites me. I hope he continues to.
Now finally to the reason I began this rant in the first place. The structure to my argument has been poor so I forgive you if you’ve lost me. Basically I began writing this piece cause, (aside from Damien Rice and BRMC); no new music really and truly does it for me…….. untll now….. I hope.
Damien Rice - hiding from the spotlight
I’ve just watched Later with Jools Holland and got the buzz. British Sea Power my friends. I think they hold the key. I’ve been impressed to the extent that I can’t wait for 9am to come around so I can get their album, (As I write this it’s 1.29am – just 8 hours to go!). I haven’t felt like this since August 21st 1997. The album in question all those years ago was a massive disappointment. Not an awful album but only a couple of notches off. I don’t think it takes a genius to work out what it was.
No, British Sea Power look like the band I’ve been waiting for. Judging on what I’ve just seen on ‘Later…’, they won’t let me down. How to describe them? Well, they played two tunes – Remember me and Carion. Both were amazing. They sent a shiver through me. That’s not a poncey way to get across how great they were. I literally got a shiver! The music has dabs of a lot of bands whirled into one. They’re not really like one or the other, just tinted with various bits. They’ve got the eccentricity and melodies of SFA, the sound of Television, sort of guitar and riffs style of the Pixies – they rock in the same sort of way. They also have the intensity of Joy Division and the front man has the same look of Ian Curtis. That look of as if nothing matters but the here and now and the music being made. Don’t get me wrong they’re by no means dreary or depressing. They seem like a fuckin’ great rock band without having to be overtly loud to make people listen. Most satisfying of all though, their debut is titled something like ‘The first great album by British Sea Power’. I think I’m hooked already.
I'll post a review in a few days, meanwhile try the following:
British sea power official site
hear some live tracks
album review and samples
This weekend sees the arrival of the most anticipated album since…... well since The White Stripes last outing. The Strokes second LP I guess though is surrounded by more then just anticipation. For many it’s an exciting prospect and an important landmark in their listening years. Yet, much as I enjoyed ‘Is this it?’, and much as I too am looking forward to hearing ‘Room on Fire’, I’m not massively excited. In fact little in modern music excites me. And I’m just 23!
So What?................. Well, I dunno but the ability of music to excite me, or at least infuse me with an emotion I can’t readily get, has always been important to me. Growing up during the Brit Pop era has perhaps instilled this in me. It set a standard by which I measure. Whatever about the music of that time, the era was every bit as exciting as what I believe punk to have been. Brit pop certainly doesn’t compare to the punk era in terms of musical influence but it injected a lot of pride and did an awful lot for guitar music at the time. The movement’s ability to excite outside of the music could be attributed to the lack of widespread internet use at the time. Also the NME, if memory serves me right, was fuckin’ good. It was like a bible. With that in hand, and a large aerial so as to hear The Evening session on Radio 1, music was exciting. It was easier to hear about good groups and good tunes. Even Cast, arguably the biggest disappointment of the nineties, were good for 10 minutes. Their debut was crackin’.
The world and his dog await album #2
Since then though, since Jarvis partied too hot and headed for Paris, since Damon grew up, and since Oasis stopped doing drugs – (that’s the strangest of the lot. In 1995 in one of those ‘it’s never gonna happen articles’, Oasis giving up drugs would certainly have out manuvered Aliens dining with the President to the number one spot). But it’s happened. It’s affected how I approach music now and how it interests me. This is particularly depressing. A real jab in the nuts. It all really culminated in Witnness 2002 headlined by Oasis and the Prodigy and featuring a host of Brit pop bands new and old on the bill. A fantastic line up for me personally, at least on paper. The gig and performances were terrible. Absolute shite. It urks me just to think back on how terrible it was. The only good thing I can take from it was a wonderful eccentric BDB performance and a set from Damien Rice which confirmed his status as an Irish artist miles ahead of the rest. Sure I still get excited by music but only when I delve into the past. I suppose the last Springsteen album was a pivotal moment for me. I mean I’d always listened to the greats and more besides. What Springsteen’s last album gave me though was a tunnel to mine. I got into his exemplary back catalogue. I began to truly explore Dylan, Young, Cash, Ramones, Clash, Television and a host of other artists I’d previously just touched on. The Ramones stuff really knocked me for six. Excellent stuff and I’m also finally appreciating The Wedding Present thanks to an album made by a great friend of mine. I’ve also discovered some great trad music in the shape of Martin Hayes. It’s fantastic……. but depressing. All the good stuff seems to be in the past.
Am I being too picky? I’m sure your listing off a host of great bands consistently delivering great stuff. But is it exciting? Sure it’s great to have Evan Dando back on track, SFA are fantastic but moving into a bit of a hole in terms of progressing. I suppose though they were always ahead of the pack, maybe the packs catching on. Coldplay are great, great, great but they lack something. I can’t pin point it. Radiohead, badly drawn boy and blur are hit certain buttons but are interesting more then entertaining. Primal Scream have lost me. Oasis are stuck in the mud. Ryan Adams great… and that’s about it.
In Ireland The Frames are ploughing away and their new stuff is certainly earmarked in bold on my list of records to buy but such is the amount of times I’ve seen them perform and socialise around Dublin, the more they sort of seem like acquaintances of mine who are in a band. Local heroes. Kittser’s first two albums really excited me and I couldn’t get enough of him to such an extent that I saw him live about 13 times in the space of a year. He was always fantastic but again he feels like an acquaintance now. He even drinks in my local in Dublin. The awe factor is gone. Add to that the fact that, from what I’ve heard, his new stuff hasn’t really grabbed me. We’ll see though.
British sea power -something to shout about at last
Damien Rice on the other hand is very exciting. He’s a true star and very much musically driven. I love the fact that he jumped ship on his initial band, Juniper, just as they seemed destined for a high level of success - at least by Irish standards. He left because he didn’t like the musical direction he was being pushed in and for that I really respect him. It took about 5 years for him to get to a stage where he was happy to record again. He obviously has a great filter in terms of what songs he puts out in the public domain. I’ve yet to hear a bad Damien Rice song and in his mammoth live sets he has a lot more material then his sole recorded work may suggest. He’s also very wary about over exposure and genuinely isn’t keen on huge success. A great quality. I love his live performances even more and I forgive him the awful Witness 2003 set. He will though have to get used to big outdoor gigs. They lie around the corner for Mr. Rice. What I love about Damien live is his theatrical side and communication with his audience. It’s all too rare with artists these days. Along with Jarvis Cocker and Bruce Springsteen he’s the best live performer I’ve seen. On my all time top five gig list his show last Christmas at the Olympia ranks second only to the boss. He excites me. I hope he continues to.
Now finally to the reason I began this rant in the first place. The structure to my argument has been poor so I forgive you if you’ve lost me. Basically I began writing this piece cause, (aside from Damien Rice and BRMC); no new music really and truly does it for me…….. untll now….. I hope.
Damien Rice - hiding from the spotlight
I’ve just watched Later with Jools Holland and got the buzz. British Sea Power my friends. I think they hold the key. I’ve been impressed to the extent that I can’t wait for 9am to come around so I can get their album, (As I write this it’s 1.29am – just 8 hours to go!). I haven’t felt like this since August 21st 1997. The album in question all those years ago was a massive disappointment. Not an awful album but only a couple of notches off. I don’t think it takes a genius to work out what it was.
No, British Sea Power look like the band I’ve been waiting for. Judging on what I’ve just seen on ‘Later…’, they won’t let me down. How to describe them? Well, they played two tunes – Remember me and Carion. Both were amazing. They sent a shiver through me. That’s not a poncey way to get across how great they were. I literally got a shiver! The music has dabs of a lot of bands whirled into one. They’re not really like one or the other, just tinted with various bits. They’ve got the eccentricity and melodies of SFA, the sound of Television, sort of guitar and riffs style of the Pixies – they rock in the same sort of way. They also have the intensity of Joy Division and the front man has the same look of Ian Curtis. That look of as if nothing matters but the here and now and the music being made. Don’t get me wrong they’re by no means dreary or depressing. They seem like a fuckin’ great rock band without having to be overtly loud to make people listen. Most satisfying of all though, their debut is titled something like ‘The first great album by British Sea Power’. I think I’m hooked already.
I'll post a review in a few days, meanwhile try the following:
British sea power official site
hear some live tracks
album review and samples
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
A Daily Infringement
A couple of weeks ago I was privleged enough to be amongst an audience addressed by Wilf Mbanga, founder of the recently closed 'Daily News', an independent daily newspaper in Zimbabwe. The publication literally had its printing presses removed because the zimbabwen government disliked what it printed.
In an address to the students of London's City University, Mr Mbanga spoke of intimidation, fear, assaults on young journalists, and of his time spent in jail in the quest for freedom. That freedom being freedom to report the truth.
Mr Mbanga's tale was harrowing, extraordinary, and inspiring. It is a story reeling of the importance of press freedom in every country and is all the more pertant for the people of this country to gauge given recent developments in the Irish governments views of the Irish media. The announcement that a government appointed statutory press council is to be looked into has rightly provoked outrage amongst Irish journalists. It is a blatant attempt by the government to curb freedom of the press and to influence what content can and cannot be published.
The conflict between the Zimbabwen government and the aforementioned 'Daily News' is interesting in that it parallels between what the Irish Government are setting out to do in this country. Essentially it boils down to influencing the media, and thus influencing public opinion.
The power to influencing public opinion was key to Zimbabwen President Robert Mugabe's waging of war against the 'Daily News'. Founded in 1998 by Wilf Mbanga and launched in 2000, the'Daily News' was a breath of fresh air in a government controlled media. Mbanga described it's introduction as serving to make "the people feel freer".
Driven by fair and truthful journalism, and independent of any political ties, the 'Daily News' rapidly became a thorn in the side of Mugabes Zanu-PF government. In its short life span it rapidly established itself as the nations number one newspaper, outselling the government controlled 'National daily herald'.
More importantly though it served as the first Zimbabwen publication to truthfully inform its citizens as to the corruption and murderous activities being carried out by Mugabes government against the people he was elected to represent.immediately almost immediatly powered to rid Zimbabwe of The Daily News. It closed down, as I said, last month after months going through the courts and months ofironicallyation.
Ironicly, after Mugabe played every trick in the book including changings laws, paying judges,etc. The paper won its case in court after appeal. By this stage though the police had confiscated the papers printing equipment, effectively closing a publication, which unfortunately does not have the financial clout to purchase new equipment
For those interested The newspapers website is still functioning with its message board now a source for the papers readers to communicate news
www.dailynews.co.zw
Also read an article from Wilf published in The Guardian
http://media.guardian.co.uk/mediaguardian/story/0,7558,1051506,00.html
A couple of weeks ago I was privleged enough to be amongst an audience addressed by Wilf Mbanga, founder of the recently closed 'Daily News', an independent daily newspaper in Zimbabwe. The publication literally had its printing presses removed because the zimbabwen government disliked what it printed.
In an address to the students of London's City University, Mr Mbanga spoke of intimidation, fear, assaults on young journalists, and of his time spent in jail in the quest for freedom. That freedom being freedom to report the truth.
Mr Mbanga's tale was harrowing, extraordinary, and inspiring. It is a story reeling of the importance of press freedom in every country and is all the more pertant for the people of this country to gauge given recent developments in the Irish governments views of the Irish media. The announcement that a government appointed statutory press council is to be looked into has rightly provoked outrage amongst Irish journalists. It is a blatant attempt by the government to curb freedom of the press and to influence what content can and cannot be published.
The conflict between the Zimbabwen government and the aforementioned 'Daily News' is interesting in that it parallels between what the Irish Government are setting out to do in this country. Essentially it boils down to influencing the media, and thus influencing public opinion.
The power to influencing public opinion was key to Zimbabwen President Robert Mugabe's waging of war against the 'Daily News'. Founded in 1998 by Wilf Mbanga and launched in 2000, the'Daily News' was a breath of fresh air in a government controlled media. Mbanga described it's introduction as serving to make "the people feel freer".
Driven by fair and truthful journalism, and independent of any political ties, the 'Daily News' rapidly became a thorn in the side of Mugabes Zanu-PF government. In its short life span it rapidly established itself as the nations number one newspaper, outselling the government controlled 'National daily herald'.
More importantly though it served as the first Zimbabwen publication to truthfully inform its citizens as to the corruption and murderous activities being carried out by Mugabes government against the people he was elected to represent.immediately almost immediatly powered to rid Zimbabwe of The Daily News. It closed down, as I said, last month after months going through the courts and months ofironicallyation.
Ironicly, after Mugabe played every trick in the book including changings laws, paying judges,etc. The paper won its case in court after appeal. By this stage though the police had confiscated the papers printing equipment, effectively closing a publication, which unfortunately does not have the financial clout to purchase new equipment
For those interested The newspapers website is still functioning with its message board now a source for the papers readers to communicate news
www.dailynews.co.zw
Also read an article from Wilf published in The Guardian
http://media.guardian.co.uk/mediaguardian/story/0,7558,1051506,00.html
