The deist beliefs of the founding fathers are reflected in the architecture, symbolism, and currency design that incorporates the imagery of ancient Greece and Rome from the very beginning of the nation. This art was meant to break away from strict Christian dogma which had troubled Europe before the American Revolution. In this respect America had pagan foundations but not in the sense of being godless or heretical.

 
The structuralist psychologist Jacques Lacan held that the unconscious is shaped like a language and follows the same structural characteristics. It is an elaboration on Freud that looks at the combination of the Imaginary, the Symbolic, and the Real and how it deals with desire as an inherent lack within the individual.

 
Roger Ebert has come out with his list of the best movies of 2005. Some have been nominated for a Golden Globe, which is not as vital as other film festival awards since TV and movies are blended together. There is a very good chance that many of these movies will be nominated for an Oscar and of course this is the time that many movies that are eventually nominated are released in theatres.

 
The thought of the philosophers Deleuze and Guattari look at how order stratifies reality for the sake of control but desire always is able to break through this order in various flows. Order creates binary oppositions such as form and substance that are then crossed through by subversive forces that deemphasize static organization in favor of constant movement and change.

 
With the completion of the Star Wars sestology, one can not only appreciate the saga in chronological order but also understand its techniques in regards to narrative and plot. Seen as a whole there is an underlying them of the conflict between order and chaos that is more in depth than the action and special effects.

 
The basis of state power can be determined not only by its structure of laws and the consensus of the people, but also by the overriding idea of state power that stratifies society. It is a form of control that establishes sovereignty, reenforces it, and captures all forms of life to make it function toward reproducing the overall system.

 
Deconstruction in architecture uses various methods to unearth contradictions and displacements in form in order to make the resident of the building aware of the structure and its design. One of the most important sensibilities evoked is that of the uncanny which is a discomfort upon perceiving what was previously repressed. The uncanny is vital to the full appreciation of deconstructive architecture as an art form.

 
The artist Theo Jansen uses plastic tubing to create unusual moving art that uses no motor or energy besides wind power or pulling on a rope. His artwork resembles alien creatures as they slowly but steadily move in a flowing walking pattern.

 
National Bolshevism is a strange movement that actually merges elements of communism and fascism. It shifts the class struggle that is inherently international toward a struggle between superior and lower nations that praises the unique character of a national identity. It poses universalism or internaitonal tendencies as the real enemy and is willing to maintain class differences in one nation in order to sustain that nation as a whole. This means that its obsession with power is truly a type of fascism that uses the rhetoric of communism.

 
Fredric Jameson is a theorist who has succinctly described postmodernism as the cultural stage made possible by late capitalism. It is characterized by a lack of depth and increased simulation that is caused by the commodification of culture. Not only does this affect the present but it erases the foundation of the past in order to recycle past styles and images without any link to its orginal context.

 
The stage of capitalism that occurs in Empire disseminates production power throughout society but also extends this production to the reproduction of identity and social relations. The system not only creates economic value but also social value which allows for new dispersed forms of control to be initiated.

 
Kurt Vonnegut is one of the voices of sanity that exist in the literary world that is able to speak in public affairs. It is an old-fashioned voice influenced by the New Deal. But it is still relevent in these times as a way to speak truth to power in a clear way.

 
This article reviews a book that looks into how office and school shootings do not appear out of nowhere but are caused by the socio-economic conditions of the last quarter of the 20th century. These are not random acts but failed revolts that arose from individual stress and alienation, and were acted out individually.

 
Slavoj Zizek as a philosopher has spoken about the nature of law. For him, every establishment of law is an act of physical or ideological violence that causes those under the law to internalize its commands. Following the details of the law allows individuals to escape the superego and engage in various acts of desire channeled through law. Law does not occur in a vacuum and it does not leave subjects untouched.

 
The book Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon is one of the greatest works in the last part of the 20th century. It is epic in its scope and broad in its intellectual foundation. One wonders if it could ever be made into a movie, but if it was it surely would win the Oscar for Best Picture.

 
The exploration of the creation of concepts results in various theories. These include concepts as the average or most common of real things, concepts as a particular example of real things, and concepts as explanations of real things. The best definition of concepts that incorporate all these theories is one where concepts are the activation of perception that is within memory.

 
The anti-globalization movement is unique in that it opposes corporate globalization while offering a new type of political organization. Instead of the traditional party coalitions that form within the nation-state, this new movement is a constellation of diverse and independent groups that interact beyond borders. By creating a horizontal network that allows direct exchanges with organizations that agree and indirect exchanges for those who do not, autonomy and solidarity can exist at the same time for a better world for different populations.

 
The idea of alienation is explored in the Matrix movies by its use of virtual reality and how the characters relate to it. However, there are multiple levels of alienation where one was alienated within the society in the virtual reality, alienated because of the virtual reality itself, and alienated by the imposition of technology in the real world. This demonstrates the power of these films to explore critical theory.

 
The use of ferro-cement in building design allows a fluid flexibility that can result in fantastic architecture inspired by science fiction themes. Various artists who use this organic method include Roger Dean, Peter Vetsch, and Eugene Tsui. This style arose in the late 1960's and 1970's and can still evoke a certain retro feel.

 
The rise of postanarchism is a blending of postmodernist thought with anarchist political action. This means that an examination of power is given more depth with the analysis of structural phenomenon, as well as an expansion of how power affects the human condition.

 
The Prisoner's Dilemma is a thought experiment where two people suspected of a crime are held separately. If both confess, they receive a punishment. If one confesses while the other refuses, the former is released while the latter is punished. If both refuse to confess, then they receive a minor punishment. It is a demonstration of game theory and how one would strategize without knowing the actions of the other person. There is literature written about this which poses various forms of analysis.

 
The philosopher Leo Strauss believed that great works of thought had an exoteric, or public, meaning and a esoteric meaning. The esoteric meaning was for those who had the ability to decipher the hidden truth and were able to lead others intellectually. Strauss held this view in regards to John Locke who was one of the most influential thinkers for the beginning of the United States. His conclusions about Locke could influence the principles the nation were built upon.

 
The charging of interest for a bank loan is intended to prevent inflation by slowing down the process of two much money going after too few goods. However, since loans are given out due to fractional reserve credit rather than the money supply of deposits, this interest causes businesses to increase prices in an inflationary manner in order to pay back the loans. Businesses that fail to pay back loans go out of business and decrease the supply of goods in circulation, also causing inflation.

 
The jurist Carl Schmitt was a legal official during the Nazi regime whose theory of sovereign power has influenced modern polticial thought. The current conservative movement in America realize that it is those in power who can determine who are the allies and enemies of the state. Those in power now create a strict demarcation where those who dissent are automatically the enemy of the entire nation.

 
The promise of democracy may also bring about its obstruction. Within a democracy, political parties form but they create a distance between leaders and voters that can become a oligarchy in the long term. The solution to such a paradox is an ethical system that treats all members of society as equals and shapes the behavior of those who are elected into positions of power.

 
The philosophical underpinning of the Bush administration was shaped by the work of Leo Strauss and Max Shachtman. Both of these philosophers influenced the opposition against communism and the need for the United States to be the dominant force in the world. Strauss held that an elite must be able to engage in real politics while the masses are concerned with patriotism and moral values. Shactman began with a socialist approach that became ever more suspicious of Soviet communism. Both believed that the U.S. must be the dominant power in order to spread democracy and the American economic hegemony.

 
The use of mutual credit systems for communities is vital in order to stimulate local businesses and to make sure that they serve the community overall. They offer a funding alternative to the growth of corporations within local areas.

 
Here is a web radio station that broadcasts various music found in science fiction and fantasy presented on television and movies. Usually science fiction is visual in nature, and this site offers a new perspective that completes the full aesthetic appreciation of the genre.

 
The idea of utopia is one that upholds ideals but can also incorporate restrictions that have nothing to do with paradise. Each utopian narrative that tries to portray a perfect society can not cover all aspects of human existence, and so will always require certain aspects that are imperfect. The ideal must always be forced in order to be put into practice.

 
The deconstruction of law requires an understanding of the foundation of violence that begins not only a system of law but that undergirds the process of law and its enforcement. Justice can begin when there is the ability to see the other within a system of law as unique and to insure that the founding violence does not obscure this identity.

 
Thomas P.M. Barnett is a military stategic thinker who has described a new way of looking at the world in regards to terrorism. He makes a distinction betwen the integrated Core and the non-integrated Gap. It is in the Gap where democratic institutions have not developed and where the biggest opposition to the U.S. occurs. He argues that globalization allows connections that can foster democracy and make terrorism unnecessary within the Gap.

 
The idea of an arcology is of a city that is built in three dimensions in order to be compact and self-sustaining. This would result in everything being within walking distance and able to generate the city's own power using renewable sources. It can be a possible future for urban design that has already captured the imagination of fans of science fiction.

 
A land value tax is an alternative to property taxes where the land is taxed and not the structure built upon it. It allows for funding for local school districts while making it easier for homeowners to improve their houses. It is a fair and efficient tax since it can be applied generally without having to go through a complicated assessment process. It also can discourage blight and absentee landlordism since it is more cost effective to reside on the property and put it to use.

 
The sociology of power looks at how power is held and how it is used within society. Weber and Marx are very relevant to this analysis in that they both examine how society is structured along with the economic system. Power is exercised by those who are part of specific classes and shape the parts of the society as a whole in both of their studies.

 
In order for capitalism to thrive, it must rely on difference. This is the creation of artifical needs and desires that are based on what one does not have. It requires taking naturally occurring differences and making them serve economic ends through consumption and the dependency on wage-earning jobs to fuel consumption.

 
Anarchism is a method that seeks to do away with the structure of the state, since it is the main instrument of exploitation. However there is the question of whether inequality or basic differences would still exist. Anarchism can be realistically possible if pluralism is preserved. The anarchist society is not static but rather dynamic and is not preordained.

 
With the proliferation of problems in the world, it becomes even more necessary for social action to be more responsive and organized. Here are some characteristics of problems and their group solutions that can make the process clearer and able to work despite complexity and multiple causes and effects.

 
The institution of democracy already supposes an ideal core that is actually an illusion created by a transition from a previous state. The democratic spirit strives to be universal but is created in particular cases and implies some exclusion and a nondemocratic source. Democracy is not automatic or necessarilly a natural state.

 
Independent film in the middle to late 1990's introduced new directors such as Wes Anderson who created a new visual aesthetic that was new but also sentimental in some respects. These themes have spread to other films and novels and offered a new type of narrative that is far different from the rough character of previous artists.

 
The question of revolution concerns itself with whether acts of rebellion should be diverse or united into one organization. What is vital is the recognition that revolution must have as its goal the disruption of the power structure and not the taking over of the power structure. In order to keep revolution intact there must be an approach that refuses replacing authority with itself and able to enact positive change.

 
The implementation of a basic income guarantee would not only create economic benefits but further a sense of freedom. This would be the freedom to make economic decisions without being forced into exploitation out of necessity. With a minimum income one would be able to make a wider range of choices that could benefit society as a whole while still earning a stable living.

 
This review of a book by John Rawls looks at how principles of liberalism are not metaphysical but constructed through culture and political actions. There is no outside objective point of view where a sensibility of justice can be imposed, but it is realized through particular cultures.

 
The critical theorist Georges Bataille put forth a study of trangression as a new way to gain insight into human nature. He held that knowledge caused one to move beyond their own self-perception and that it is through the special position of the sacred and profane that one could return to the self and its special insight.

 
The use of cultural symbols in new ways shows the influence that these symbols have had on people through their lives, as well as the imagination of the people within that culture. Here is a clever outlook on the Sesame Street world.

 
The use of the term Infinite Justice in the beginning of the war on terrorism revealed an inner contradiction. It showed that a sense of moral right had superseded a real procedure of justice through established law, as seen in the suspension of international law and legal protections for prisoners. In order for justice to be truly infinite, there would be a different overall attitude toward terrorism that does not cause an escalation of hatred. Only justice can be universally applied, not moral virtue.

 
A new type of taxation takes into account the use and positive effects of community currencies. It allows for a tax on applied value that is made possible when local economics have their own form of exchange.

 
The author Neal Stepehnson is a science fiction writer who has expanded his realm of work to deal with history, economics, and science. His latest series of books called "The Baroque Cycle" deal with these themes and how the modern nation emerged from the age of Reason and Enlightenment.

 
The poverty of the developing nations is exacerbated by the debt that is owed to the World Bank and IMF. Here is a plan that would allow for these debts to be paid while insuring that the local economy is not deprived. Once freed from debt, the developing nations could build sustainable economies that would be fully independent of multinational corporations.

 
The use and growth of cooperative economics is one of the main methods for a sustainable approach to communities. It not only allows for people to determine their own future by working for what they need locally, but the cooperative structure is also a more efficient approach to provide production to consumption needs.

 
The phenomenon of CSI is examined by noted science fiction author J.G. Ballard. The specific cold and detached nature of the T.V. show, that is described, creates a unique environment that moves beyond a stereotypical police show.

 
Ludwig Wittgenstein is a philosopher that has had increasing appeal among artists, despite his approach that appears to rely on logic rather than aesthetics. However, he developed a method of thought that relies on discovery and the finding of problems rather than solutions, which is similar to artistic work. He also wrote in an aphoristic way that resembles a type of poetry.

 
Mutualism is a type of anarchism that believes that the market can exist outside of capitalism. This means that people should own the means of production, through cooperatives and self-owned businesses, and that trade must move through voluntary associations where each participant is equal. This economic stance is combined with a social libertarianism to create an individualist form of anarchism.

 
The everyday activity of people in cities creates chances for experience and understanding of the aspects of life in general. It is through these moments that one can reach a realization that is beyond ideas and shows how meaning can exist within the world itself.

 
The current debate on Social Security has sparked questions about how to fund retirement if something happens to the program. One alternative uses the existence of cooperatives and self-sustaining intentional communities. People could contribute money or time to local cooperatives in order to build up a credit that can be used upon retirement from that cooperative and other copperatives across the country that are networked together. This is a complement to Social Security where senior citizens are able to have access to goods made by democratic businesses in order to support themselves.

 
The modern economy can be said to have three levels made up of the hyper-real, the real, and the hidden. The hyper-real is that of the spectacle and commodified culture, the real is material production and consumption, and the hidden is the use and production of technical knowledge that creates new types of material production. It is an analysis that incorporates both material and immaterial economics and the use of data at all levels.

 
Libertarian Municipalism is an anarchist approach that holds that government should not form above the city level. Each city would be collectively organized and the cities would be part of a federation system in order to work with each other. This applies especially to economic matters as well as property ownership.

 
The suburban landscape is one of isolation and boredom that relies on consumerism to exist. It is interesting to show how people try to live their lives in this artificial environment and the angst that results.

 
In science fiction movies there is the added enjoyment that is beyond seeing action and special effects. There is the ability to see and appreciate minute details of a futuristic landscape or new applicaiton of technology. The continuing "Star Wars" series allows people to be passive in some parts with action scenes, but there are other parts that allow a higher form of audience engagement in discussion of alien civilizations that is the favorite aspect for the committed fan.

 
The idea of urban design needs to be reevaluated for a sustainable future. This could be done through post-industrial intentional communities. It would be a combination of the arcology approach and the traditional communes that have been established for the last 40 years. It would be different from communes in that the structure must be flexible and be able to create products for their own use to be economically independent.

 
The presidential election of 1972 was a great turning point in American politics. The Democratic Party initiated new internal reforms that allowed the primaries to decide on the candidate instead of the party machine, choosing someone who unequivacolly opposed the Vietnam war. Unfortunately, because the convention ran long, McGovern's speech was made after 1:00 A.M. so many voters did not hear it. This is a shame since it is one of the finest convention speeches of the 20th century.

 
The use and preservation of the commons becomes ever more relevant as corporations attempt to privatize and copyright all aspects of culture. Since the commons, in its many forms, are hard to manage then there is a need to create associations of commons that keeps each one distinct and local.

 
The study of utopias reveal something about the political imagination and what one sees beyond a position in time, space, and society. Utopias are considered to be non-existent yet still not be fictional. It is all a matter of a construction of institutions and the elimination of overriding problems that define a utopian perspective.

 
The current economic situation is explained as a rising budget deficit offset by an increasing monetary supply and the selling of bonds to foreign nations. The increase in money without an increase in economic activity creates inflation, and the nations that are buying bonds are using money that U.S. consumers spent on foreign goods. This is overall a precarious place for the United States.

 
The Downing Street Memo is a memo written to the British Prime Minister before the Iraq war that stated that intelligence on Iraq had to be manipulated to show a reason for invasion by the U.S.. This reveals a deliberate attempt by the U.S. to provoke a war based on lies and there is a growing response to this memo and a demand for an investigation. Some believe that this will lead to a possible impeachment.

 
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of James Dean. Acclaimed for the three films he starred in, there is always speculation about what his extended career would have been. He could have floundered in his later years like Marlon Brando, or continued to excel like Paul Newman.

 
The use of school uniforms, especially in public schools, may seem to be a case of hiding disparaging social and class differences and speeding up the process of getting ready for school in the morning. But it hides the fact that conformity becomes more stressed in a school environement, and there is an assumption among many that young people must be prepared to be a non-individual throughout their lives.

 
Amy Goodman is the host of the radio show Democracy Now! and is one of the true progressive voices on talk radio overall. She offers a real critique of the staus quo whether or not it is lead by Republicans or Democrats, and shows that there can be a real media independent from corporations and government intrusion. The real hope lies in the fact that her approach and model spreads as an alternative.

 
Here is an interesting comparison between the philosophers Heidegger and Foucault. Heidegger deals with the manifestation of being, while Foucault deals with the manifestation of power in the body. Both show how being and the body is similarly subsumed by inauthentic existence and subjectification to power.

 
Here is a novelty gift that also sends an environmental message. It is a mug that has a map on its side where land disappears when something hot is poured into the mug. It acts as a visual aid for global warming.

 
Here is a review of the writings of Lewis Mumford that discusses technics or social organizations that arise in the modern era. Technics are more than machines but ways of doing things to build cities and other complex systems. In the post-industrial age the definition and use of technics must be revised.

 
Here is a site that describes the use of cargo containers as units of housing. With some slight modifications and combined with other containers they can act as durable and cheap housing that is efficient in construction as well. This can be helpful in developing countries especially.

 
There is the emergence of a new social class in the wake of the turn of the century. The Cultural Creatives are those who look toward developing a sustainable environment as well as nurturing the self. Actually naming this class allows for others who may show characteristics to identify themselves and find ways to act upon their needs and desires which is to enact positive change. They may be the driving force in the upcoming decades.

 
The Green Party is a growing progressive political movement and is strongest in New York state and California in terms of enrollees and continual existence so far. There is also an emerging use of blogs by the Green Party. The combination of new forms of communication and a new alternative to Democrats and Republicans is a great step forward.

 
The emergence of network studies emphasizes the interactions among parts of a whole. There is an increasing sense of familiarity between these networks and dialectics in modern philosophy. This may mean a rebirth of a philosophical construct in a more scientific form.

 
The Matrix movies may have ended but they still elicit much speculation. Here is a blog that compiles various essays and articles that look at the philosophical foundation of the movies and their repercussions in viewing reality.

 
Here is a blog that is more than current events or personal musings. It is a site that blends philosophical essays with the blog format. In this case it is the application of postanarchist theory, which is the merger of postmodernism and anarchism.

 
The movie "The Matrix" is a work of science fiction that allows for multiple perspectives of analysis and interpretive thought. Here is a unique review of the movie from a strict Maoist point of view. In particular it examines the methodology of revolt and how it can be compared to revolution in real life.

 
The election of the new Pope is a great historical event, regardless of whether one is Catholic or not. The succession is like a royal lineage, was equal to various kings and princes at one time, and can be considered the longest in history. The possible candidates include Cardinal Arinze from Nigeria, Cardinal Ratzinger from Germany, and Cardinal Tettamanzi from Milan. I am willing to make the prediction, in any case, that the new Pope will call himself Clement XV.

 
Here is an essay that discusses the political nature of the philosophy of Gilles Deleuze. Deleuze not only dealt with the binding hierarchial structures that shape society, but also explored how structures can be internalized within individuals. Since all production is based on desire, including political production, then there is also the phenomenon of people desiring their own oppression.

 
Whole Wheat Radio is a webcast from the Alaskan wilderness that uses music suggestions from its audience. Using the interconnection that is prevalent with the Internet, one has the emergence of a Internet radio station that gives an opportunity for independent and alternative music that is regularly shaped by feedback. This results in a great amount of quality from something very small that can reach most of the global population.

 
Robert Crumb is a cartoonist and illustrator who was been recognized each generation since his beginnings in the 1960's. He began in alternative comics and has had an award-winning documentary made about him in the 1990's. He has been both controversial and critical of American society, which constantly requires further discussion of his work.

 
There is an increasing concern over oil and its use as the main fuel source for the world sparked by the Iraq war and rising gas prices. The oil dependency not only harms the environment but destabilizes global security. Now that we are in the stage of peak oil where oil output will only decrease over time from now on, there is an urgency to turn to alternative power sources.

 
With the emergence of the issue of peak oil, there is a renewed interest in the possibility of societal collapse. Here is a review of two new books that studies the fall of civilizations. They look at the patterns that have occurred in the past in order to plan for the future.

 
Here is a collection of essays that deal with the idea of the nomad. They are each unique and some make reference to the work on this subject made by the philosopher Gilles Deleuze. In other words, they are all variations on the theme of nomadic existence.

 
There is an increased need for supporting local businesses and contributing to the empowerment of communities in this age of multinational corporations. The Interra Project is the creation of a new credit and savings card that rewards use of community economies and contributes to activist causes. It is organized by a decentralized system and formed by the founder of VISA.

 
Bruce Sterling is a science fiction author who has written extensivley on emerging technology and the way it affects society. Here is an article that discusses the way consumer products are conceptualized when their production, circulation, and consumption are aided by computers and communication technology. It creates a new identity of objects and new relationships of production. Design becomes an intrinsic part of the work of science fiction.

 
Here is a list of science fiction works that can appeal to those who consider themselves socialists. This makes sense since there has always been a utopian aspect to science fiction. Overall, science fiction must be about ideas and their playing out in fantastic situations.

 
Direct action is a vital aspect of the protest movement. It is also a supplement to election work. However, there are many misconceptions about direct action. Once these are revealed, and corrected, then one can have a better idea of what to do in terms of direct action and progressive political work.

 
The phenomenon of emergence has resulted in various studies and examinations of cooperation. Here is a map of the areas of emergence with the names of experts in these fields. It is overall a multidisciplinary approach that looks at how parts interact to form a whole.

 
The personality of Abraham Lincoln has fascinated historians and biographers for many years. There has even been continuing rumours of his latent homosexuality. Here is an article by Gore Vidal that examines these rumours to see if they are valid.

 
With an integrated global economy, one can see the emergence of a new sense of physical space. There is the rise of the Space of Flows where businesses are more decentralized and connected, moving beyond the limits of nations. This means the importance of global cities and the telecommunication infrastructure are vital for the increasing power of global economics.

 
The Oscar ceremony last week resulted in a fairly wide distribution of wins for a variety of movies despite the restricted nominations. Out of the 24 categories I predicted 9 correctly, including Morgan Freeman for Best Supporting Actor and Jamie Foxx for Best Actor. Movies which should have been nominated for higher categories like The Motorcylce Diaries and Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind won Oscars for lower categories. Overall it was an interesting night.

 
The prevention of teenage pregnancy and transmitted diseases requires extensive study of the sexual behavior and connections of high schoolers. Here is a chart of the sexual connections in a high school that occurred six months before the study. It shows one great cluster of interconnected activity but various monogamous relationships as well.

 
Here is an interesting collection of figurines based upon the art of Hieronymus Bosch. They are characters that are seen within his paintings that attempt to personify nightmares and damnation. He was not only a visionary in his time, but could be considered a forerunner of surrealism.

 
More of the global population will be living in large cities in the futue. What is vital is that these megacities become more sustainable in order to prevent further ecological damage. There are new methods being employed in various urban settings that will improve living conditions and make it possible for the environment to be protected. These improvements are more of a necessity in order to survive in the future.

 
Here is an interesting movie review that incorporates the philosophy of Gilles Deleuze. It shows how dissent confronts power in a nomadic way. It also reveals the relevance of critical movies in this time of war and the Patriot Act.

 
Here is an interesting use of a watch that tells time the same way that Stonehenge tells time with the sun. It demonstrates the use of old technology in new ways. It is also a compelling timepiece.

 
William Irwin Thompson postulated the idea of the meta-industrial village as the result of the decentralization of cities and the miniaturization of technology. Here, previous stages of civilization could be encapsulated and used to better the quality of life of inhabitants without the negative aspects.

 
Here is an interesting use of conceptual art in order to transmit information. The rise and fall of stocks are communicated through an Internet connection to a valve system that controls the height of fountains. The resulting display conveys multiple types of information in a way that is far different from reading stock quotes in a newspaper.

 
This is an interesting layout of the distribution of federal taxes in the United States. It demonstrates that most tax revenue goes into military spending as compared to social spending. It visualizes the emphases of the government overall.

 
Lyndon Larouche is a perennial presidential candidate who has gathered much controversy. His campaigns and public speaking incorporate elaborate conspiracy theories and a reliance on large public works as well as industrial programs to help the economy. Some have said that he is an anti-Semite and a possible fascist, but his speaking and writing style is so complex that this is hard to ascertain.

 
My predictions for the Oscar nominations were very unsuccessful. The Academy chose many safe movies, such as "The Aviator" and "Finding Neverland", rather than nominations of strong movies that deserved recognition. In short, Hollywood sucks. One can take solace in the Independent Spirit Awards that is held the night before the Oscars, and honors films that are strong on plot, directing, and acting. Here are my predictions for the winners of the Academy Awards.

Best Picture: SIDEWAYS
Best Actor: Jamie Foxx in RAY
Best Supporting Actor: Morgan Freeman in MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Best Actress: Catalina Sandino Moreno in MARIA FULL OF GRACE
Best Supporting Actress: Laura Linney in KINSEY
Best Animated Film: THE INCREDIBLES
Best Art Direction: THE AVIATOR
Best Cinematography: HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS
Best Costume: TROY
Best Director: Mike Leigh for VERA DRAKE
Best Documentary: SUPER SIZE ME
Best Documentary Short: HARDWOOD
Best Film Editing: THE AVIATOR
Best Foreign Film: THE SEA INSIDE
Best Makeup: LEMONY SNICKET’S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS
Best Music: THE VILLAGE
Best Song: "Look To Your Path" from THE CHORUS
Best Short Animated Film: GOPHER BROKE
Best Short Film: LITTLE TERRORIST
Best Sound Mixing: THE AVIATOR
Best Sound Editing: THE INCREDIBLES
Best Special Effects: I, ROBOT
Best Adapted Screenplay: THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
Best Original Screenplay: ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

 
This year's Oscar nominations are possibly the most disappointing in many years. The choices are relatively safe films and there is a complete exclusion of many worthwhile movies altogether. This requires more time to ponder in order to make any successful predictions as to who will win.

 
The Internet is a great format for computer-generated art. This is further enhanced by the mathematics behind the art, resulting in amazing visuals that can be appreciated on multiple levels.

 
Here is an interesting map that shows the distribution of the many ways that soda is called. Color-coded counties show where some parts of the U.S. say soda, others say pop, while others say coke. The various trends cross state borders and some counties differ from their surrounding areas.

 
Last week's inaugeration was significant in that there was a visible show of anti-war protestors that was even covered by the mainstream media. These demonstrations were the explicit expression of those who have been opposing Bush since the last inaugeration. Despite the simple majority that Bush received to win the election, there is still a growing dissatisfaction with the war, the Patriot Act, and corporate control of culture and economics.

 
The philosopher Gilles Deleuze postulated the idea of the nomadic war machine that is the opposite of a state structure. It is the force that is constantly heterogeneous and fluid as compared to an organized society or government. The war machine can be appropriated by the state machine, where it becomes a military force and loses its adaptive qualities.

 
The rise and increasing influence of popular consumer culture has many critics, but there is still an increase in consumpiton.
This article discusses this occurrence and makes a distinction between mass culture and consumer culture and shows how revolt has a tendency to be commodified.

 
With online stores one is made aware of the phenomenon of the niche markets.

 
Along with the various writings of Gilles Deleuze, there are also many commentaries on his philosophy. Here is an elaboration and explanation of his book Difference and Repetition, which discusses the immanence of being and its various actualizations. For Spinoza and Deleuze, being has no transcendental aspect and all existence is an acting out of being.

 
With the rise of the creative commons, copyleft, and open source software there is an emerging movement to preserve and expand the public domain. This is vital especially in terms of cultural works such as text, music, and other works. It is a movement inspired by the efforts of Larry Lessig and various college students that fear the encroaching ownership of corporations and the destruction of public and fair use.

 
Here is an interesting article that deals with the effect of narrative on public fact. It is relevant in that opinions of president Bush before his first election helped create a fictional story that in a way predicted his actions in office.

 
Here is an interesting perspective on cartoon reality. This artist has attempted to depict the skeletal structure that would exist for various cartoon characters. These skeletons would be based on the physical shape of bodies and the resulting supposed biology. They are not only accurate but offer a new dimension to these characters.

 
During the presidential election there was the extensive use of rhetoric about strict father figures and nurturing mother figures in the persona of Bush and Kerry. Here is an article that proposes that there should be an emphasis on community for progressives to appeal to voters in upcoming elections. It argues that the parent analogy assumes that people are subservient to authority and allow others to make decisions for them. Since progressives offer a new vision, they must use a new language to frame their proposals and outlook.