Verily, Thy Pants Art on Yonder Ground

…with your pants on the ground.

Crazy phenomenon, right?

I know that I totally missed the train on this song. However, “General” Larry Platt’s diatribe on urban youth culture has caught on quickly. I’m thinking of the ways why it was so effective…I mean…it’s catchy, that’s for sure. However, I think that the audience was ready for it.

1. Really, I think that many communities may be tired of the style itself. I’m guessing that when Platt was fighting for civil rights and helping his community, he didn’t imagine that two generations later that many would be copying fashions that promote conspicuous consumption.

2. Ennui. Yeah, I said it. Ennui. I think we are becoming weary of the 20th century and all the crap that came with it. I think there were thousands of really great things and people that came out of it. But, I believe that this song is holding a lens to something that has overstayed its welcome. 1 out of 10 are jobless; families are struggling in this country. Then how can young people stand around with “gold in their mouth” while 200,000 people are dying in Haiti? Why have we donated millions (that have been unused so far), sent a rapid response, and people still suffer?

I don’t have easy answers, or compose fair rhetorical questions (see the end of last paragraph). I do know that we need to take the changes that are coming and roll with them. We can succeed as a nation, as consumers, and as individuals. We need to let go of the shameless and empty pursuit of vast wealth, overnight fame, conspicuous consumption (do you REALLY need those rims?) and drug-assisted athleticism.

The sooner we can see our situation and roll with it, the faster we can get better.

I know that this is a gaming blog, so in spirit of this post, I’m including a relevant link.

I encourage educators, kids and the curious to check out Ayiti: The Cost of Life. This is a simple simulation that asks the player to help a friendly Haitian family survive and succeed in spite of poverty, sickness and violence. This can be a great learning tool for Social Science teachers who wish to immerse their students in current events.

Don’t buy gold, buy a game! Seriously. Perhaps I’ll give my reason in my next post.

-R.

10 Best Films of the Decade (That I’ve Seen)

Alright! The Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year gauntlet has been navigated with varying degrees of success. One more look back at the last decade in list form.

As with my last post the only criteria is that the films were released between 2000 and 2009. Once again, in no particular order with number one being the exception.

10. Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

9. Gladiator (2000)

8. Sin City (2005)

7. Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2 (2003/2004)

6. Super Size Me (2004)

5. Lord of the Rings (2001 – 2003)

4. Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)

3. Nochnoy dozor-Night Watch (2004)

2. Star Trek (2009)

1. Good Night, and Good Luck (2006)

Two reasons why I chose George Clooney’s Biopic for number one. First, and less importantly, it was a clear message to a press that had become too cozy with the Bush administration’ s agenda. Second, and MOST importantly, it was the movie my fiancee and I saw on our first date. That in itself makes it the best film of the First Decade.

-R.