The Time Machine

 

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells was published in 1895, initially made into a movie in 1960 and then in 2002.  An Englishman travels to the past then 800,000 year into the future, discovering the end of civilization.

The first story about time travel that became a movie.  Could you imagine what it would be like to travel through time?  What would the far future look like?

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Film - 1982.  A meek and alienated little boy finds a stranded extraterrestrial. He has to find the courage to defy the authorities to help the alien return to its home planet.  Directed by Steven Spielberg.

http://youtu.be/taMnCjzKgd8  The first production depicting an alien as a nice creation as opposed to an alien.  Would you agree?

Twilight Zone Television Series

TELEVISION SERIES:


Created and narrated by Rod Sterling (1959–1964) (156 in the original series) Focused on ordinary folks who suddenly found themselves in extraordinary, usually supernatural, situations. The stories would typically end with an ironic twist.

http://youtu.be/NzlG28B-R8Y


Would you agree that Twilight Zone is one of the most imaginative shows ever produced?

Creative Imagination Workout

This workshop is a tool to “workout” the right hemisphere of your brain to ignite your creative energy and imagination.  We will brainstorm ideas to enrich your creative thinking.

IMAGINATION

Is the ability to form mental images or concepts of what is not actually present to the senses; to create, conceive.

To CREATE means to evolve from one’s own thought or imagination.  To be original you are not copying an idea.  However, you can be inspired by an idea to create something original.  To study true originality, we only merely need to review the classics:  television, film, music, and books.

The reason for this “workout”
The “idea” behind this discussion is due to the lack of creativity energy in the entertainment world today.  We can improve.  The market is full of safe products, “tried & true”.  There are few to no creative risks anymore.  Themes such as romance, mystery (murder mystery), and horror are not risks.  They are “tried to true”. 

We are going back to the drawing board to brainstorm new ideas and possibly utilize them in many ways. 

Let’s experiment a little.  No more copying ideas or remixing.  No more same-old, same-old.  We need to inspire one another.

To be creative often requires thinking outside the box.  Ideas are endless and infinite.

Let’s start with these exercises:

1. What inspires you in life?
2. What do you consider your favorite TV shows, movies, books which utilize creative imagination?
3. List ways to heighten your imagination.

You may submit creative ideas.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:  If you enjoy Reality TV and/or listening to hip-hop, explain why you like it.

Gay Marriage Debate

Though a moderate democrat, my views regarding same-sex marriage may seem liberal.  I am a mid-aged heterosexual and I do respect the rights of homosexuals as I do anyone else. I do believe that two people who are in love with each other, unconditionally, should be allowed to wed and have the same legal right as the State grants any marriage. Some of you feel that marriage should only be between a man and a woman as if they are more righteous than homosexuals.

There is no evidence, that I am aware, that homosexuals are more violent or aggressive than heterosexuals. In fact, the reverse is true. Heterosexuals are the instrument of mockings, beatings, and slayings of homosexuals.

Who's to say that homosexuality is wrong?  Religious activists claim that the bible declares homosexuality a sin. Regardless which verse you may extract this information from to defend your own prejudices, it will and always be up to one’s interpretation. The bible was written by man (claimed through god's dictation), in a different era (B.C.) and of a culture that modern man can barely comprehend. One would be stoned/tortured for adultery, faith in a forbidden religion, censored utterings, or any other number of offenses the king would disapprove of. Thus far, we have no clear evidence to support that god despises gays. In fact, god created gays in the first place. Being a spiritualist, I do not focus on sin but on self-improvement, which is a more constructive state of mind as opposed to focusing on fear-induced “sinning”.

I feel that the real issue here is that the American culture is not yet comfortable with “gay” open affection. Thus, it is only acceptable for a man and woman to kiss in public, though men thoroughly enjoy lesbian viewing.  I personally do not subscribe to public displays of affection.  Gay and lesbian affection would take some “getting used to” in the same way the public adjusted to racism and interracial marriage.

Some blame homosexuals on the spread of AIDS. There is no conclusive evidence that gays caused or spread AIDS.  The first AIDS case was actually traced to a Bantu man who died in 1959. One theory supporting the fact that Africans eat monkey may explain how such a virus may have been initially transferred. 

What, heterosexuals aren't promiscuous? Heterosexuals don't prostitute their bodies? Heterosexuals don't contact STD's? Heterosexuals don't engage in anal intercourse? Only homosexuals?

Now let’s discuss the ongoing argument of nature vs nurture, whether homosexuality is an environmental contamination or a genetic mistake.  You heard of kids who experiment and decide to go “gay”.  You rationalize that they got into the wrong circle; they’re just playing games; and they will grow out of that “phase”.  Do you think gays are masochistic in this way, choosing a lifestyle that would make them an outcast for the rest of their lives? Why choose to suffer?

Yes, homosexuality may well be genetic. Homosexual behavior has been found in other species including ducks, lions, dogs, peacocks, and chimpanzees. Just as prostitution is the oldest profession, homosexuality is the oldest controversy.  Same sex relations have been referenced throughout history.  During the Greek civilization, the first democracy, it was noted that in preparation for marriage, same sex youth were encouraged to gather together to prevent any copulation accidents before the wedding.  

The saddest aspect of this debate or any prejudice is that this culture is fighting over nothing more than a human being's sexual preference. The majority of these targeted, innocent humans are tax paying, law abiding U.S. Citizens. Some are religious, others hold college degrees and pursue prestigious careers. A few are geniuses. Others have made a large contribution to the country, either by serving in the military or through entertainment, etc.  How many actors and performers do you know are gay?  Ellen DeGenerous and Adam Lambert to name a couple.  Some are politicians and teachers, and a few save our lives as police officers, doctors, and nurses. Many of which make fine parents, raising open-minded well-balanced children.

They are just like us, aren't they? The majority of the homosexual population are not rapist, sex maniacs or pedophiles. They are us. They are merely human beings struggling through life's challenges just as we are. What makes us cry, may make them cry. What angers us, may anger them.  Likewise, what makes us attracted to the opposite sex, may draw them to find a desirable same gender mate.  They have feelings, eat, and sleep just like we do. Homosexuality is an altruistic behavior of expressing love to another human being, nothing more, nothing less.

If anyone needs to change their attitude and behavior, it's us, the heterosexuals. We need to learn acceptance and respect, and teach this to our children. Prejudice fuels hatred, not love; and hatred destroys, not builds. This nation needs more nation-building and love.

Change Bully Behavior to Tolerance

Change Bully Behavior to Tolerance

April 20, 1999              Columbine shooting

April 16, 2007              VA Tech Massacre

March 30, 2008           Victoria Linsay was attacked by six cheerleaders in FL and placed on Youtube for the best shock video

April 9, 2008                Baltimore art teacher, Jolita Berry, was attacked by her student and placed on Myspace. 

January 2010                Phoebe Prince of Massachutsetts hung herself after relentless bullying. 

April 27, 2010              8-year-old Shaniya Boyd of Gilmore Elementary, Baltimore, attempted to jump a school window after being attacked in school because she has celebral palsy.

September 2010           Gay bullying related suicides:  Asher Brown and Tyler Clementi 

Ellen DeGeneres speaks out, “Being a teenager and figuring out who you are is hard enough without someone attacking you.”

In the eyes of a student, school is often perceived as one long prison sentence, and in some cases, total anarchy -- mob rule.  How can anyone obtain a proper education in such a disruptive environment:  drugs, gangs, fear, peer pressure, fights, bullying, etc?  Once the innocent become victims of harassment, they are instructed by their parents to report the incident to the teacher.  The “tattler” then gets beaten up for doing so.  The results, the victim learns to silently tolerate constant abuse or leaves them no choice but to fight. 

The “system” is losing control over its ability to educate.  It has become a see-how-much-I-can-get away-with game.  The joke is on us, the tax payer, the community.  Who has control over the system, the faculty or the students? 

We hear the catch phrase, “Dumbing down of America”.  If this is not true, then why do consecutive generations push the envelope on “coolness”?  The culture has shifted from a rebel without a cause image of James Dean, with a black leather jacket and cigarette of the 1950s to the mean-and-creepy Hip-Hop generation.  Shock value fashion has youngsters loaded with body art and piercings in crude places, not to mention baggy droopy-drawers partially mooning passers by.  The frayed/slashed holes in denim jeans add a final touch as if a homeless drunk just left a bar fight in a horror movie.  The point is, how can our young people possibly acquire self respect dressed this way?  Instead, they’ve earned an “I-don’t-give-a-sh.. attitude”.  Our kids are not aspiring; they are expiring. 

The question begs, what is happening to our young people?  It all begins with teasing and harassing.  This juvenile behavior has always been justified away as “kids are cruel,” which means it is acceptable to be cruel because kids are kids.  These instigators turn into bullies.  Since “kids are cruel” we should allow their misbehaviors go unpunished into adulthood facing no consequences for their wrong doings?  What messages are we sending our young people?

Studies have shown that violence in the media does desensitize the minds of our children. Naturally, young people learn by imitating behavior. 

Many say the parents are responsible for disciplining their own children.  But do they?  Most caretakers work full-time, many of which are struggling single parents, while others are more or less children themselves.  Can we really trust parents to be a positive role model to teach respect and integrity?  If all parents were responsible to discipline their own children, there would be no need for school intervention.

We can’t spank them anymore.  The nation has become so sensitive to the issues of child abuse that these accusations are being used against us.  If an adult lays a hand on a misbehaving child to discipline, they are charged with child abuse.  Kids know the laws and use abuse as a weapon to protect themselves from being punished by adult figures. 

Students should feel enthusiastic about going to school, not in fear.  Folks, this is the 21^st century.  These children are the future of this country!  If we are going to grow as a nation, we need to teach our children toleration and acceptance of others regardless who they are:  gay, sick, slow, unattractive, eccentric, awkward, etc.  Everyone, regardless their ethnic background, religious affiliation, status, or weaknesses has special qualities that need to be cultivated to make a contribution to this wonderful world.  There is no such thing as a perfect person.     

Education needs to be reexamined to bring about meaning into a child’s imaginative world.  The system needs to inculcate team building skills into student’s thinking, not nit-picking.  Youngsters should be taught independent thinking, as well as critical thinking, questioning their own values and environment instead of blindly accepting it.  Appreciation of humanities, especially differences in others must be stressed from preschool on up.  Education should be thought of as friendly, fun, and purposeful. 

Do not overlook that children are emotionally immature.  Children need to be taught toleration of differences in others, learn how to respect each other, and learn how to earn respect and trust from others.  Do not assume they already know these basic principles of humanity.  Let’s get back on track, shall we?