Dark Matter

Today I watched a short animated documentary about the state of science. It basically taught me that we know nothing about anything.

The film, interviewed narration set over cartoon imagery, discusses what scientists know and don't know about the mysteries of the universe. Right off the bat I learned something interesting; if you look at what the universe is made of, scientists can only identify 5% of it. The rest is either Dark Matter (which makes up 20%) or completely unknown material.

It's all very ominous. 

So there's a lot we don't know. The film discusses the two main ways scientists try to learn what we don't know: micro-research and macro-research. While some spend their time splitting atoms and labeling quarks, looking for what makes up the smallest known matter, others are looking outward what lies beyond the galaxy. Both of these methods might very well turn up the same answers, just in different ways. 

As someone who knows nothing about science, I am amazed at how little they know about science. As he states in the film, most people assume science of this era is just an exploration of the finer details. In reality there is still a lot of very big, very complex issues that need answers. 

You can watch this film on vimeo here.

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Success: Richard St. John TED Talk

Today I watched a 4 minute TED talk by Richard St. John on the elements of success. 

St. John doesn't say what he does for a living, though he does say "this is really a 2 hour presentation I give to high school students cut down to 3 minutes." So I assume he's a teacher or something of that ilk. 

His lecture, though inspiring, doesn't tread any new ground. He tells us to work hard, surround ourselves with like-minded individuals, and do what makes you happy. He spent 7 years conducting over 500 interviews with some of the most 'successful' TED speakers and attendees, and that's what he has to show for it. I have to be honest, I expected something a bit more profound. 

He seems more interested in sucking up to TED and its fans and speakers more than answering what makes someone successful. He has an awful lot of nice things to say about the other people that speak at TED, but little in terms of specific, original ideas to become successful, or even the different ways success can be defined. 

If you want to watch 3 minute video of a stranger telling you how to be successful, go right ahead. But I'd recommend you follow your head and your heart, and you'll get just as far, if not farther. 

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Occupy Documentary

Today I watched a documentary about the Occupy Chicago protests. The film was created by fellow protesters. I was hoping the film would dive into some of the deeper motives behind the protests, but the 20 minute film instead merely skimmed the surface of the issues.

Not sure if you can read the text. It basically says "Capitalism Sucks"

I am a supporter of the Occupy movement. Had I been alive during the 60's I would have supported all the protests that were happening then as well. I think protesting is a given right that should be exercised frequently. To not protest means there's nothing that could be improved, reformed, or left to discuss as a country. I support the rights of all protesters, even Westboro Church and the Tea Party Movement. As Voltaire once said, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to your death the right to say it."

But I take issue with those who only protest. Protesting, though a good starting point, will rarely create enough of the change needed to make a difference. Protesting is the ignition- the spark that can get bigger, more sustainable actions underway. It's biggest functions are to: 1. highlight a problem. 2. Address it. 3. Inform others. 4. Prove that no one is alone in opposing it. 5. Rally around a common solution.

That's where I take issue with this documentary. It's supposed to be an official product of the Occupy movement, but it barely dives into the real problems that Occupy should be addressing. It shows footage of the thousand-strong crowds, of the the police barricades and the clashes that ensue. But there's little time spent on the big, looming question: what comes after the protests? Where do we go from here?

Maybe I'm not the intended audience. I am already on board, and sympathetic to the cause. Maybe this is more for the fence sitters who are still believing the outdated stereotypes about the kinds of people who protest. But eventually enough of the population will start to favor the cause, and will want to know that there are steps in place to take us off the streets and into the next phase, whatever that might be.

Overall the documentary is fine for what it is, but I am still looking for more.

You can watch it on Vimeo here.

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One is One...Or Is It?

Today I watched a very brief TED talk about the number 1 and units of measurement.

The video's only 3 minutes long, which means by the time you finish reading this post, you could have watched the whole thing.

Christopher Danielson wonders about the number one, and when is it singular and when is it part of a whole?

Best quote: "Think about toaster pastries: they come in packs of 2, then they get put together in sets of 4 to make a box, so when I buy 1 box of toaster pastries am I buying 1 thing, 4 things, or 8 things?"

As someone with no love of math, I wish teachers had posed questions like this to me at an early age. I don't think skill factors into academia nearly as much as general curiosity- if I could have only developed an  interest in math I would have had the desire to get better and understand it more.

Oh well, I'm not an old dog yet, no reason to think I can't fall in love with math now.

You can watch it here:

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Amar (All Great Achievements Require Time)

Today I watched an amazing short documentary called Amar. I think someone posted it on Tumblr.

This is one of the few docs I'm hesitant to say much about, because you just need to watch it. Not that there are spoilers or things to ruin, I just know any review I give isn't going to properly capture why it's such a good film. I don't even think I could tell you what makes it so good. There's almost no dialogue, music, or characters besides the main child, Amar. But it gave me a lot to think about.

'Amar' is a 10 min documentary that follows a young Indian (I think?) boy through his day. The film's description is this:

Amar is 14 and top of his class. Someday he'd like to be a professional cricketer, but for now he's the family's main breadwinner, working two jobs six and a half days a week on top of attending school in the afternoons. This short observational documentary is a simple journey with Amar through his daily life.


That's all I'm gonna say about it. Just watch it. 


You can watch it here:


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Peepshow

Today I watched a documentary about the British tv show 'Peepshow'. I think I found this documentary on Tumblr. Peepshow is a BBC show staring David Mitchell and Robert Webb. I first learned about these dudes from their amazing sketch show, 'The Mitchell and Webb Look". Here's one of my favorite sketches ever: 

 Mitchell and Webb: Scooby Doo

The documentary is just a basic overview of the show; its genesis, the behind the scenes work, the characters, and the actors that play them. There are a couple of cool stories from the cast and crew thrown in too. 

Having only seen one or two episodes of Peepshow, I really learned a lot. It makes me want to watch more of it. I, like most comedy nerds, automatically assume most British comedies are going to be good, and this one seems to promote that assumption. 

I suggest you go watch some 'Mitchell and Webb", then go check out Peepshow, then hit up the doc for some trivia. 

You can watch the documentary in entirety here: 

 

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Running Man Documentary #2

Today I watched the second documentary on the 'Running Man' Dvd. If you've never seen the movie, it's awesome. Seriously one of my top 5 favorite Arnold movies (up there with Total Recall, 6th Day, and Kindergarten  Cop).

This documentary is about the current police state within America. I thought this was a pretty interesting subject choice for something as relatively shallow as a Schwarzenegger movie, even considering its relation to the movie's subject matter. Why take a cheesy 80's movie and make it a platform to preach your political views? What do you gain? You just run the risk of alienating audience members. Plus the obvious fact that Arnold's a committed Republican...

That being said, most of the documentary was in line with my own views, so I was willing to let that slide. The film mainly focuses on the Patriot Act, and the many many ways it impedes upon and invades our civil liberties. I could stand on my soap box and wail about the amazing injustice we call the Patriot Act, but I won't. 

I'll just say this- are we safer than we were before 9/11? Are these extreme measures (wire tappings, illegal searches, detainment without trial) making a noticeable difference in our safety? Or even our perception of safety? There's a difference between being safe and feeling safe. In my opinion Americans have given up a lot of freedoms without gaining any stronger sense of safety. 

Anyway, as far as political docs go, this is not the most hard hitting or informative. But considering it's 20 mins on the 2nd disc of a Arnold movie, it isn't that bad. 

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