Terry Howard

Personal blog of Terry Howard, guy from Orlando, Florida that likes fishing, literature, technology and saying what's on his mind.

Terry Howard
Orlando, Florida

View LinkedIn Profile
View CFLFR Profile
View Blogger Profile
View MySpace Profile

Links

Politicizing Playtime

Posted by Terry Howard @ 8/20/2003

I've come across a few articles in recent times on the subject of whether or not to allow children to play with toys that depict or relate to war, firearms, etc.. as well as playing the common "bang-bang-you're-dead" style of games. The two camps are generally of the view that it is either a horrible activity that only teaches children murder and violence or it is a great way to teach children the meaning of the importance of our national protectors who risk all to ensure our security. Quite frankly, I think everyone needs to take a reality check on the issue.

While the parents debate the issue back and force, painting the nature of the toys in their own flavor of politics, the kids seem to still be running around in the background having fun pretending to be good guys or bad guys, cops or robbers, heroes or villains all the while ignoring whatever nonsense their parents shout at each other. That grown-up talk is always a tiresome bore to kids with more important tasks at hand. The fact of the matter is that Pacifism, Militarism or any other "isms" are just not needed in their world at this point. What the kids are exploring is the nature of differences, right and wrong, conflict and all the other base elements of human society. Children understand (if you parents are doing your job) that playing the role of the robber or bad guy does not equate to approving of their behavior. They know that in the end they will get caught or lose the war, it is, after all, how it goes down on their favorite shows and movies. GI Joe always saves the day and Rambo always takes out the Commies. That's why most fights at the start of a "war-game" are over who gets to be the good guys or the cops. Maybe if you have a kid who always insists on being the head of the SS you might have a problem, but I'd have to wager that's a rare case. Parents should be happy that at least they understand there is a right or wrong. Indifference is the worst evil of all.

I remember when I played these games as a child it was never about violence or even about expressing military might. It was the simple enjoyment of pretending to be a hero, emulating the brave doughboys in WWII movies or running down the perps like TJ Hooker. Heck, I even yelled "Yeehaw" as a jumped my bike over ramps, but I never felt inclined to run from the cops or help my uncle to run shine (for the record, none of my uncles have stills that I know of.) It's just another case of parents prematurely barging in on their childrens' simple playful imaginations with the ugly realities of the confusing muddled world we adults create for ourselves.

I grew up with my own arsenal that consisted of everything from a faux bolt action .22 rifle and squirt guns closely resembling UZIs and miniature AK-47s to F-14 Tomcats and even futuristic fighting machines. To date I can proudly say I have neither slaughtered innocent people needlessly nor did I rush right out to join the military at 18. I do, however, occasionally get the inclination to enter my car through the window as opposed to opening the door.

Labels: children, games, kids, play, violence

0 comments

Equilibrium DVD Review

Posted by Terry Howard @ 8/12/2003

Equilibrium is a sci-fi thriller that seems to have slipped through the cracks in 2002 amongst what I can only assume was a flurry of advertising for the usual hyped up hits. It's a shame, because this sci-fi action thriller has a thoughtful enough story line and premise that rides on the back of a string of action sequences that put The Matrix to shame.

Set in the proverbial "not so distant future", after a third world war has ravaged mankind, society has taken drastic measures to survive their own murderous tendencies and concocted a medical solution to a social ill: Feeling. Emotion has been determined to be the root of all problems; hate, jealousy, prejudice, pride and all the devastation they have spawned. The drug is called "Prozium" and I couldn't help but laugh at the obvious reference to Prozac. The scenes of the populace walking almost mindlessly about their daily tasks stopping only to take their scheduled doses, simultaneously, paints the backdrop well for the world in which the story takes place.

In order to maintain the great society, which has now found total peace, Draconian rules are applied. Death is the only sentence for possessing books, music or adornments and the judge, jury and executioners are the Clerics, a sort of FBI agent-Jedi hybrid. Christian Bale plays a head Cleric whose dedication to the cause seems unshakable. As the movie progresses his "faith" begin to falter when he misses a dose of Prozium and slowly begins to feel. The concept of feeling for the first time is interesting and Bale portrays it well enough. Predictably he comes under suspicion and some light intrigue follows.

Granted, the story is not entirely new, and writer and director Kurt Wimmer (Sphere, The Recruit) makes no bones about it, conspicuously tipping his hat to Orwell's 1984 with the ever present disembodied head named "Father" dictating the edicts of the society throughout the movie via oversized television screens. I halfway expected some triathelete to come running out and toss a hammer and start selling people Macs at one point. The real draw of this movie is the action. If you're like me you're tired of the stop-action-swivel-the-camera-angle doldrums of the Matrix. It was a great effect when new and original, but after seeing it over and over again in everything from Fred Durst videos to snack food commercials it's time to put that old mare down. Equilibrium instead offers a ground breaking revolutionary idea, "live-action". A well choreographed fight scene at full speed gives you way more than stretching a 10 second cartwheel out 5 minutes, and the change is refreshing. You get everything from akimbo handguns to samurai swords and just plain blunt instrument beatings. Okay, sounds pretty violent but the guy just starting feeling emotions, so cut him some slack. One of the first scenes is very cool, and makes good use of what I could only describe as "negative space". It's not so much about what you can see, but about what you can't.

The DVD extras are nothing too great, just making ofs and director commentary, not exactly up to the level of most sci-fi themed titles. Overall, this movie may not be too terrible new in story concept, but it pays its homage to where it gets its ideas from well enough. The action is definitely worth the trip and well worth the price of admission.

Labels: dvd, equilibrium, movie, review, sci fi

A Modest Proposal

Posted by Terry Howard @ 8/07/2003

I applaud the American Cancer Society's support of organizations, companies and governments denying employment to smokers. In these times of national trouble, when the most obvious endangerment is that of our economy and financial status as the richest of nations, we must ensure that any and all actions are taken to preserve every dime. Now is not the time to think of the rights of citizens, but rather the financial toll those rights take on us as a society. We must expound upon abstractions to link certain actions to fiscal responsibility, and for good measure, add that we are doing it for the children.

To do my part, I want to offer further suggestions for ways in which we can save ourselves the awful monetary burdens that our citizens impart upon us.

1) Deny employment to those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and weight problems. Our pastry and potato chip industries have been advertising their dangerous products for years which have devastated the health of our nation's workers. Increased healthcare costs and an overall reduction in employee agility have long plagued the private sector and local government offices.

2) Disabled pay for their own accessibility. The Americans with Disabilities Act shamelessly panders to economic leeches whose disabilities result from automobile accidents, rock climbing injuries, or any number of preventable activities that we need to legislate into criminality. The cost of building improvements such as access ramps, hand rails, and special parking spaces alone cost businesses billions every year. This is surely a financial burden no one but the irresponsible should have to carry.

3) Internment camps for smokers. Since they should not be employed, smokers will need to be rounded up into camps lest they wander the streets and be left to their evil deeds. Some studies show that 95% of crimes are committed by people who have at any time smoked a cigarette, which is evidence of the general miscreant nature of those who smoke. By separating them from the populace, first by social barriers, and then physical barriers, their unnatural genes cannot be spread to the next generation.

4) Reduced wages for employees with poor senses of humor and less than average social skills. Research has shown that an enjoyable work environment directly affects productivity. Employees who do not smile often or partake in regular office comradery attack the bottom line. In an effort to compensate their sandbagging, lower wages should be imposed until the appropriate sense of humor is obtained.

Hopefully these measures would ensure that people's pursuit of happiness and general enjoyment will not decrease the amount of money we have to spend on lobbying to impart our morality and opinions upon the general populace who are obviously unaware that no other issues at this time are more important to our nation's courts and legislature than that of not smoking.

Labels: employment, rights, smoking