After the greatest financial heist in our history, the modern day 'Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse' continue to ride roughshod over the people whom can least afford it. They are -
One - a rapacious financial system.
Two - escalating organized violence.
Three - abject poverty for billions.
Four - exhaustion of the earth’s resources.
And they continue to gallop unchallenged because we're not questioning the accepted norms.
The documentary, Four Horsemen, is the debut feature from director Ross Ashcroft which reveals the fundamental flaws in the economic system which have brought our civilization to the brink of disaster. 23 leading thinkers – frustrated at the failure of their respective disciplines – break their silence to explain how the world really works. Find some time to watch this.
Here's the trailer. You can watch the entire documentary online at Renegade Economist.
Showing posts with label morality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label morality. Show all posts
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
The Inventor
According to the filmmaker, Benjamin Gibson, - earlier this year I proposed an idea to my 92 year-old neighbor and life-long inventor to shoot a short film documenting many of the inventions he's created throughout his life.
Nervous at the idea that many of his un-patented inventions may be compromised, Carl opened up to me in a much different way than I had originally intended, sharing his inspirations and the philosophy behind his life-long passion of creating - to help his fellow man.
The "Old School" generation, you've got to love them. They know what's important in life.
The Inventor from bzgibson on Vimeo.
Nervous at the idea that many of his un-patented inventions may be compromised, Carl opened up to me in a much different way than I had originally intended, sharing his inspirations and the philosophy behind his life-long passion of creating - to help his fellow man.
The "Old School" generation, you've got to love them. They know what's important in life.
The Inventor from bzgibson on Vimeo.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Making A Deal With The Devil
"The Collector" is a Canadian supernatural television drama about a soul-collector (Morgan) who gets permission from the Devil to try to save the souls of his "Clients" during their last 48 hours on earth.
Morgan Pym looks 30, but was born in 1322 AD, a monk who sold his soul to cure the woman he loved of Plague. But when his deal ended 10 years later (as all deals with the Devil do), his beloved died, and Morgan went to work for the Devil collecting souls, rather than go to Hell himself.
Six centuries later, Morgan begins to rediscover his own humanity, and makes a new deal with the Devil, which allows him to try to help his clients make amends for the bad luck caused by their bargain. Morgan and his clients are bound never to reveal the true nature of their situation to anyone else. Revealing the truth to an innocent results in both parties being sent to Hell.
Morgan often fails, but never gives up trying to prove that everyone, no matter what they've done, can earn redemption…perhaps even himself. Here's an episode from the show entitled "The Pharmacist". What kind of deal did she make with the Devil? [Part 1]
The Collector: The Pharmacist [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5]
Morgan Pym looks 30, but was born in 1322 AD, a monk who sold his soul to cure the woman he loved of Plague. But when his deal ended 10 years later (as all deals with the Devil do), his beloved died, and Morgan went to work for the Devil collecting souls, rather than go to Hell himself.
Six centuries later, Morgan begins to rediscover his own humanity, and makes a new deal with the Devil, which allows him to try to help his clients make amends for the bad luck caused by their bargain. Morgan and his clients are bound never to reveal the true nature of their situation to anyone else. Revealing the truth to an innocent results in both parties being sent to Hell.
Morgan often fails, but never gives up trying to prove that everyone, no matter what they've done, can earn redemption…perhaps even himself. Here's an episode from the show entitled "The Pharmacist". What kind of deal did she make with the Devil? [Part 1]
The Collector: The Pharmacist [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5]
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Hombres Armados | Men With Guns
Dr. Fuentes is a medical doctor and professor nearing his retirement, and is concerned about leaving a legacy. He taught a group of seven - something he views as one of his greatest accomplishments - that trains young people to provide health care to impoverished citizens in the outlying hill country, where small agricultural communities struggle to survive.
Dr. Fuentes has recently heard rumors that his former students are lost, and possibly dead, so he musters up the courage and travels into the outlands to investigate, and meets Men with Guns.
According to Roger Ebert, it's not until he begins his journey that he discovers a world much different than the one he had imagined. The doctor's journey is enlarged by John Sayles into an allegory about all countries where men with guns control the daily lives of everyday people.
Some of the men are with the government, some are guerrillas, some are thieves, some are armed to protect themselves, and to the ordinary people it hardly matters: The man with the gun does what he wants, and his reasons are irrelevant--unknown perhaps even to himself.
[Original video link remove by source]
Dr. Fuentes has recently heard rumors that his former students are lost, and possibly dead, so he musters up the courage and travels into the outlands to investigate, and meets Men with Guns.
According to Roger Ebert, it's not until he begins his journey that he discovers a world much different than the one he had imagined. The doctor's journey is enlarged by John Sayles into an allegory about all countries where men with guns control the daily lives of everyday people.
Some of the men are with the government, some are guerrillas, some are thieves, some are armed to protect themselves, and to the ordinary people it hardly matters: The man with the gun does what he wants, and his reasons are irrelevant--unknown perhaps even to himself.
[Original video link remove by source]
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The Future Of Technology
While pharmacist positions may slowly become like hens' teeth, the sky's the limit in the job market for well-trained workers using cutting-edge technologies. The prospects for work are out of this world!
But don't just take my word for it. Here's just one advertisement for a company preparing the world for the future, when only two classes of people remain on this planet, the super rich - and the rest of us.
Source: Armadyne Corporation and Elysium
But don't just take my word for it. Here's just one advertisement for a company preparing the world for the future, when only two classes of people remain on this planet, the super rich - and the rest of us.
Source: Armadyne Corporation and Elysium
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Free Beer: The Truth About Dishonesty
Bestselling author and professor of psychology and behavioral economics at the Center for Advanced Hindsight at Duke University, Dan Ariely discusses how the principles of behavioral economics can help us understand some of our irrational tendencies, specifically the mechanisms at work behind dishonest behavior and cheating.
One of the most interesting lessons at work is understanding our capacity to think of ourselves as honest - even when we act dishonestly. The implications of Dan's research are far reaching and include a better understanding of the most recent financial crisis and some of the many challenges facing healthcare.
Source: The RSA
One of the most interesting lessons at work is understanding our capacity to think of ourselves as honest - even when we act dishonestly. The implications of Dan's research are far reaching and include a better understanding of the most recent financial crisis and some of the many challenges facing healthcare.
Source: The RSA
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Hitler's Children
Their family names alone evoke horror: Himmler, Goering, Göeth, Hoess. What's it like for Nazi Party members offspring to have grown up with a surname that immediately raises images of mass murder and genocide? How do they live with the weight of their ancestors' crimes? How do they cope with the fact that they are the children of one of the greatest abominations in history?
Hitler’s Children is a unique documentary film that reveals, for the first time, the ways in which family members of high rank senior Nazi officers from Hitler’s inner circle struggle with the burden of carrying a terror-inducing surname.
During detailed interviews, descendants of Frank, Goering, and Himmler, amongst many others, share the feelings of guilt and responsibility that accompany them in their daily lives. What happens when the children of the perpetrators of this genocide eventually meet with the children of the victims?
Already broadcast on BBC, Hitler’s Children distribution rights in North America have been purchased and it's expected to screen in theaters in the U.S. in 2013. Here's the trailer -
Related posts: The Real Drug Nazi
Hitler’s Children is a unique documentary film that reveals, for the first time, the ways in which family members of high rank senior Nazi officers from Hitler’s inner circle struggle with the burden of carrying a terror-inducing surname.
During detailed interviews, descendants of Frank, Goering, and Himmler, amongst many others, share the feelings of guilt and responsibility that accompany them in their daily lives. What happens when the children of the perpetrators of this genocide eventually meet with the children of the victims?
Already broadcast on BBC, Hitler’s Children distribution rights in North America have been purchased and it's expected to screen in theaters in the U.S. in 2013. Here's the trailer -
Related posts: The Real Drug Nazi
Sunday, October 14, 2012
The House I Live In
Drug addiction - it's a terrible problem in America.
I don't profess to have all of the answers as to why people abuse drugs, nor do I have a solution to the problem. There is no simple solution to such a complex problem. But, I do think that many of us agree that how we've been addressing this problem for the past forty-years isn't working very well.
Perhaps it's time we tried approaching the problem from a different point of view?
In theaters this beginning this month the documentary, The House I Live In, examines the economic, as well as the moral and practical, failures of the so-called "war on drugs," and calls on the United States to approach drug abuse not as a "war," but as a matter of public health.
We need "a very changed dialogue in this country that understands drugs as a public health concern and not a criminal justice concern," says the film's director, Eugene Jarecki.
Jarecki also says, "The 'tough on crime' strategy failed. We created a war on drugs, which is a trillion dollars spent over 40 years, 45 million arrests, leading to nothing. Drugs are cheaper, purer, more available than ever before, and used by younger and younger people. Who can stand by that?"
I think a lot of people might agree with him. The House I Live In is showing in Phoenix next month. I'll make sure to see it and report my review in the comments section of this post.
Source: The House I Live In
I don't profess to have all of the answers as to why people abuse drugs, nor do I have a solution to the problem. There is no simple solution to such a complex problem. But, I do think that many of us agree that how we've been addressing this problem for the past forty-years isn't working very well.
Perhaps it's time we tried approaching the problem from a different point of view?
In theaters this beginning this month the documentary, The House I Live In, examines the economic, as well as the moral and practical, failures of the so-called "war on drugs," and calls on the United States to approach drug abuse not as a "war," but as a matter of public health.
We need "a very changed dialogue in this country that understands drugs as a public health concern and not a criminal justice concern," says the film's director, Eugene Jarecki.
Jarecki also says, "The 'tough on crime' strategy failed. We created a war on drugs, which is a trillion dollars spent over 40 years, 45 million arrests, leading to nothing. Drugs are cheaper, purer, more available than ever before, and used by younger and younger people. Who can stand by that?"
I think a lot of people might agree with him. The House I Live In is showing in Phoenix next month. I'll make sure to see it and report my review in the comments section of this post.
Source: The House I Live In
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Genocide: Worse Than War
I've discussed the horrors of genocide, and the human behavior surrounding it, a few times before on The Cynical Pharmacist. I'm always intrigued by human behavior and about what causes intelligent people to embrace the dark side of life.
Although originally produced a couple of years ago, it's just now that I discovered the documentary entitled "Worse Than War" on my local PBS station. It's a must-watch for the younger generations.
It's a film that documents the multiple genocides of our century, discussing the reasons behind them, why they continue to occur, and what can be done to prevent them. Although I disagree with Mr. Goldhagen's solution to prevent future genocide, I found his film informative and thought-provoking.
You can watch the entire film on your local PBS station, or the linked website. Here's a clip from the film of interviews with imprisoned murderers who participated in the Rwanda genocide -
There's a reason why I posted this one clip from the documentary. It highlights the mentality of those criminals who perpetrate these types of crimes against humanity. To me, most crimes are perpetrated because of two things - ignorance and selfishness.
If you notice in this clip, the one criminal discusses his crimes only as they relate to himself. He doesn't believe ignorance played a role, and doesn't see how he was manipulated by psychopathic leaders to commit his crimes. He expresses no remorse, nor empathy. It's all about him.
Like I've said in my previous posts about crimes against humanity, the small groups of selfish sociopaths and psychopaths who create these hateful situations almost never personally commit their crimes themselves, yet are still able to achieve their goals, and are seldom held accountable.
They're successful because of their abilities to manipulate ignorant and selfish people (video) into supporting their efforts and committing the crimes on their behalf. They find enablers.
And this is where I disagree with the filmmaker's solution for preventing future genocide.
To me, the only solution in preventing the further atrocities of genocide comes from within each of us. It's not something that requires "other" people to address and prevent, especially selfish, apathetic, or corrupt politicians from other countries.
Genocide would never occur again if most of us were a little more skeptical and less trusting, looked beyond our own selfish motivations, controlled our emotions, and didn't enable these psychopaths to suck us into their sinister schemes. It's often as simple as being aware, and just saying "NO".
Although originally produced a couple of years ago, it's just now that I discovered the documentary entitled "Worse Than War" on my local PBS station. It's a must-watch for the younger generations.
It's a film that documents the multiple genocides of our century, discussing the reasons behind them, why they continue to occur, and what can be done to prevent them. Although I disagree with Mr. Goldhagen's solution to prevent future genocide, I found his film informative and thought-provoking.
You can watch the entire film on your local PBS station, or the linked website. Here's a clip from the film of interviews with imprisoned murderers who participated in the Rwanda genocide -
There's a reason why I posted this one clip from the documentary. It highlights the mentality of those criminals who perpetrate these types of crimes against humanity. To me, most crimes are perpetrated because of two things - ignorance and selfishness.
If you notice in this clip, the one criminal discusses his crimes only as they relate to himself. He doesn't believe ignorance played a role, and doesn't see how he was manipulated by psychopathic leaders to commit his crimes. He expresses no remorse, nor empathy. It's all about him.
Like I've said in my previous posts about crimes against humanity, the small groups of selfish sociopaths and psychopaths who create these hateful situations almost never personally commit their crimes themselves, yet are still able to achieve their goals, and are seldom held accountable.
They're successful because of their abilities to manipulate ignorant and selfish people (video) into supporting their efforts and committing the crimes on their behalf. They find enablers.
And this is where I disagree with the filmmaker's solution for preventing future genocide.
To me, the only solution in preventing the further atrocities of genocide comes from within each of us. It's not something that requires "other" people to address and prevent, especially selfish, apathetic, or corrupt politicians from other countries.
Genocide would never occur again if most of us were a little more skeptical and less trusting, looked beyond our own selfish motivations, controlled our emotions, and didn't enable these psychopaths to suck us into their sinister schemes. It's often as simple as being aware, and just saying "NO".
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Face The Nation | Penn State Panel
Guess which panelists are on the sports payroll and seem to be "toeing the corporate line"?
Sunday, July 22, 2012
The Super List | A Short Film
The forces of evil are very powerful influences that continue to draw many to the dark side inherent within each of us. Regardless of the reasons, almost all who embrace the dark side do so because they've been faced with challenges and difficulties they felt the light side was incapable of fixing.
But, falling victim to the dark side can often be avoided by taking the time and effort to create a list of our own personal strengths, weaknesses, and even super powers beforehand.
Make a list. It will keep you aware of your abilities and allow you to be prepared to face adversity, and keep you from acting inappropriately when confronted by "other" forces emanating from the dark side.
Does anyone else see the inherent qualities and abilities this young man already possesses without having to resort to using his super powers? They're easy to miss if you're not looking.
One of them really stands out above the rest, making him a good candidate for a career in pharmacy.
THE SUPER LIST - a Super Villain Short Film from Will Gallego on Vimeo.
But, falling victim to the dark side can often be avoided by taking the time and effort to create a list of our own personal strengths, weaknesses, and even super powers beforehand.
Make a list. It will keep you aware of your abilities and allow you to be prepared to face adversity, and keep you from acting inappropriately when confronted by "other" forces emanating from the dark side.
Does anyone else see the inherent qualities and abilities this young man already possesses without having to resort to using his super powers? They're easy to miss if you're not looking.
One of them really stands out above the rest, making him a good candidate for a career in pharmacy.
THE SUPER LIST - a Super Villain Short Film from Will Gallego on Vimeo.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
In The Shadow | Dans L'Ombre
Are you still a "Wearer", or have you become "Wearerless"? Only your shadow knows for sure.
Dans l'ombre | In The Shadow - Short Film from Fabrice Mathieu on Vimeo.
Dans l'ombre | In The Shadow - Short Film from Fabrice Mathieu on Vimeo.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The Modern Day Cynic
In Greek history, Diogenes of Sinope is considered one of the founders of the cynic philosophy. He was born in Sinope (modern-day Sinop, Turkey), an Ionian colony on the Black Sea, in 412 or 404 BCE and died at Corinth in 323 BCE.
Diogenes maintained that all the artificial growths of society were incompatible with happiness and that morality implies a return to the simplicity of nature. This meant rejecting all conventional desires for wealth, power, health, and fame, and by living a simple life free from all possessions.
Of course, embracing a cynical lifestyle and living a cynical lifestyle are two very different things, especially if one has the responsibilities of a family. But, I try to embrace this philosophy.
While I've personally rejected the ambitious societal desires for excessive wealth and fame and live very simply, I do maintain possessions, seek income, and worry about my health. I still bitch about the unethical, immoral, corrupt, and criminal behaviors that those societal desires create, but don't totally reject all conventional desires. You can't expect me to live in a cave or to eat chipmunk.
So, I guess you could call me a "Jack Cynic".
But did you know that there are actually some modern day cynics in your midst? I guess the Great Recession has made some people think about what's most important to them, money or freedom?
Meet Daniel Suelo. Suelo gave up on money in 2000.
One day he walked into a phone booth, pulled out thirty-dollars and left it. Twelve years later, Suelo still does not have a personal I.D., bank accounts, a modern home, an automobile, does not take government money, or live off of federal welfare. Suelo lives in caves in the canyon lands outside of Moab, UT., harvests wild foods, eats roadkill, and dumpster dives.
Suelo is not an isolationist though. He's still very active in the Moab community, SE Utah politics, and he is also an active blogger.
The American Who Quit Money To Live In A Cave from David Eckenrode on Vimeo.
Diogenes maintained that all the artificial growths of society were incompatible with happiness and that morality implies a return to the simplicity of nature. This meant rejecting all conventional desires for wealth, power, health, and fame, and by living a simple life free from all possessions.
Of course, embracing a cynical lifestyle and living a cynical lifestyle are two very different things, especially if one has the responsibilities of a family. But, I try to embrace this philosophy.
While I've personally rejected the ambitious societal desires for excessive wealth and fame and live very simply, I do maintain possessions, seek income, and worry about my health. I still bitch about the unethical, immoral, corrupt, and criminal behaviors that those societal desires create, but don't totally reject all conventional desires. You can't expect me to live in a cave or to eat chipmunk.
So, I guess you could call me a "Jack Cynic".
But did you know that there are actually some modern day cynics in your midst? I guess the Great Recession has made some people think about what's most important to them, money or freedom?
Meet Daniel Suelo. Suelo gave up on money in 2000.
One day he walked into a phone booth, pulled out thirty-dollars and left it. Twelve years later, Suelo still does not have a personal I.D., bank accounts, a modern home, an automobile, does not take government money, or live off of federal welfare. Suelo lives in caves in the canyon lands outside of Moab, UT., harvests wild foods, eats roadkill, and dumpster dives.
Suelo is not an isolationist though. He's still very active in the Moab community, SE Utah politics, and he is also an active blogger.
The American Who Quit Money To Live In A Cave from David Eckenrode on Vimeo.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Turning A Blind Eye
I recently watched the movie, Sleepers, and it got me to thinking about those sorry-ass human beings at Penn State who turned a blind eye, or passed the buck, after witnessing or becoming aware of the alleged rape of young boys being perpetrated at their "institute of higher education".
I keep thinking of how those brave, strong, heroic athlete-types must have cowered in fear of losing their jobs or being blackballed if they didn't turn a blind eye to their leader's alleged depraved crimes.
I keep thinking of how college students, our future leaders, could possibly dismiss such horrendous crimes and then support the alleged perpetrators by rioting after they were brought to justice.
I keep thinking what's in store for those young boys as a result of allegedly being continuously raped for years because everyone selfishly turned a blind to the abuse?
But even worse, I keep thinking of the image of our society those young boys must have had in their minds while they were being abused, and when they realized that their "heroes" dismissed them as being an expendable part of the business of college football.
I wonder if those abused young boys envision the same bright future for themselves as the rioting college students do, or if they'll instead turn to violence or drugs in order to treat their "collegiately-damaged" sense of self-worth? What do you think?
I keep thinking of how those brave, strong, heroic athlete-types must have cowered in fear of losing their jobs or being blackballed if they didn't turn a blind eye to their leader's alleged depraved crimes.
I keep thinking of how college students, our future leaders, could possibly dismiss such horrendous crimes and then support the alleged perpetrators by rioting after they were brought to justice.
I keep thinking what's in store for those young boys as a result of allegedly being continuously raped for years because everyone selfishly turned a blind to the abuse?
But even worse, I keep thinking of the image of our society those young boys must have had in their minds while they were being abused, and when they realized that their "heroes" dismissed them as being an expendable part of the business of college football.
I wonder if those abused young boys envision the same bright future for themselves as the rioting college students do, or if they'll instead turn to violence or drugs in order to treat their "collegiately-damaged" sense of self-worth? What do you think?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)