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Archive for Worksop
Aonia announce plans to record new EP entitled Sunchaser
Posted in News with tags 5th April 2014, Aonia, City Of Shadows EP, Gothic Metal, Melissa Adams, Metal, Sunchaser, Worksop on 8th December 2013 by Nico Davidson
Midlandic mythic metal septet Aonia are currently cloistered away, writing and recording their next release – a six-track mini album of just over half an hour – which is planned for release on 5th April of 2014.
In a contrast to their dark, horror-inspired first release, City of Shadows, the new 'mini-album', entitled Sunchaser is a mixture of the uplifting – and the angry. Aonia's new material sees the band dipping their toes further into progressive and power metal waters, with more prominent and intricate keyboards, as well as featuring dual lead coloratura soprano vocals. Co-vocalist Mel remarks:
Adding (co-vocalist) Jo to the band has given the music a whole new depth and life and I'm so excited by it. We've sung together for years – classically – so we're really comfortable with each other. Having the opportunities for harmonies and contrasts really adds something special to the music. (Guitarist) James has taken on a more prominent role with backing vocals as well, so having the tenor to balance against keeps the vocals and the music cohesive. (Bassist) Gary and (drummer) Tony keep getting tighter and tighter, trying new, adventurous and creative ideas. Finally, (guitarist) Slick can shred like a cheese grater strapped to a chainsaw and Tim's keys add so much drama and emphasis to the music. I am so overwhelmed by how much our music has evolved since we've started preparing this release, while still keeping the heart of Aonia sacred.
Having joined in January of 2012, bassist Gary considers his time in Aonia:
Having a done a lot of gigs in the last 2 years, it will be nice to have some time to reflect on the songs as individual parts and hear them as they will sound in their purest form. I am also looking forward to getting the latest songs created by the new line up out there to as many people as possible. Also, it is fantastic that we are all going to be contributing to the artwork – although I imagine my bass playing skills are definitely stronger than my drawing skills!
Guitarist James is also looking forward to the final product – and this is his first recording experience, as he wasn't in the band when City of Shadows was recorded:
Having been in the band for 3 years now, I've seen virtually all of the various line-up changes. I can honestly say that we as a band have never felt so secure and comfortable with each other and I'm so excited by our future – now more than ever! And I'll be selling something that I actually wrote too, which in itself is exciting!
Keyboardist Tim also comments:
As the newest member of the band, I have been struck by the great atmosphere and rapport there is between us. The songs have such energy and we have an awesome live sound with Mel and Jo's vocals giving us a melodic and harmonic edge that you don't get in other bands. The musicianship in the band is awesome and I hope I can do the songs justice – I can't wait to finish the new EP and to play them to our fans – at the end of the day that's what it's all about!
Vocal recordings, along with the final mixing, will be done by Simon Cliffe of Coventry Recording Studios, who has recorded bands such as Beholder and Internal Conflict. A release party is being planned at the Frog & Nightgown, Worksop on the 5th April, 2014.
Aonia online:
http://aonia.co.uk
http://facebook.com/aoniauk
Aonia – City of Shadows EP (wyrdways.wordpress.com)
Powercake – A Dark Prologue (wyrdways.wordpress.com)
Stillia- 'Living Loud' EP (warringtontribune.wordpress.com)
Silent Jack announce release date for Snakebite EP (valkyrianmusic.com)
Band Of The Month [September, 2011]: Ziyos
Posted in Band Of The Month with tags GMA, New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Valkyrian Music Band Of The Month, Worksop, Ziyos on 1st September 2011 by Nico Davidson
After a long, gruelling week of voting Ziyos have come out on top to become September's Band Of The Month! Ziyos are a five piece metal band from Worksop, Nottinghamshire. They bring a fresh, new sound to the British metal scene without betraying their roots. Since their formation, they have slowly been on the rise in the UK metal underground and have even received support from the Georgia Metal Alliance.
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ziyos
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Ziyos
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/ziyos
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ziyos/156558687711611
Aonia – City Of Shadows EP [2009] (valkyrianmusic.com)
Aonia – City Of Shadows EP [2009]
Posted in Review with tags Aonia, City Of Shadows EP, England, Female fronted band, Femme Metal, Guitar solo, Nightwish, Operatic Metal, Singing, Symphonic Metal, Worksop on 12th June 2011 by Nico Davidson
Band: Aonia
Album: City of Shadows EP
Genre: Symphonic Metal/Power Metal
Aonia, named after the land held sacred to the Muses in Greek mythology, are a six piece female-fronted symphonic/power metal band from Worksop, United Kingdom.
The title track "City Of Shadows" is the first track of the EP. The introduction is very dark sounding, with a combination of a dark symphonic section and a light guitar riff. The track only gets better when the guitars turn aggressive. The drums give the track that extra edge as well. The vocals have are greatly contrasted from high-pitched operatic vocals to more hard rock-styled vocals. The guitar solo keeps the track interesting as well. "Gift of the Curse" comes next with a melodic intro riff. A second guitar, keyboards and drums soon join in leading into the onslaught of metal that is due to come. The drums are extremely intelligently played on this track. The guitar solo is masterfully performed on this track. It's good to see that the epic sound from the first track has carried on.
The next is "Prophecy of the Fallen Kingdom". The intro, straight away, sounds sagaic. The riffs are powerful and astounding. This track, in terms of vocals, has more emphasis on the operatic vocals, which is a pleaser for anyone who is a fan of operatic vocals in metal. The fourth track of the EP is "Rabbit Hole", which begins with a different sound to the previous three tracks. The riffs sound slightly more violent. Piano medleys can be heard through out the track, which contrast well alongside the cutthroat riffs and aggressive drums. The piano medley just over half way through is perhaps the best section of the track, bringing a certain calm before the storm that is the guitar solo shreds its way in.
"Liberate Mei" is the second to last track of the EP. The guitars domineer their way in straight from the start, along side the drums. The vocals contrast beautifully from an aggressive styled vocal section to the angelic operatic vocals. The guitar solo is expertly performed, making the track more fast paced and brutal. The final track of the EP is "The Song", which starts with a heavy, slow-paced melodic intro. The track eventually turns fast paced, with some technical sections from the guitars. The keyboards bring a very symphonic sound to the track, working well with the brutal onslaught on the guitars and drums. The vocals are still going strong as well, thankfully.
It would be a mistake to describe Aonia as a band similar to Nightwish, as Aonia clearly have their own defined sound. With masterfully composed riffs and powerful vocals, City Of Shadows is a must have EP for any fan of female-fronted metal.
Nico Davidson
Wolfthorn – Echoes Of A Forgotten Past EP [2010] (valkyrianmusic.com)


Giving a voice to a minority group who has integrated well into society yet remains invisible in national politics.
Recently, media coverage focused increasingly on Germans from Russia who were portrayed as core electorate of populist AfD party in the context of last year's federal elections. This image has become rather prevalent in public opinion but so far, no attempt has been made to challenge it. We want to do so by making a movie that gives a voice to the affected community as well as conducting workshops that use this movie as a starting point for questions on political inclusion and democracy.
German society, as many other across Europe, is facing the challenge of political polarisation and populism. We want to stand up to this development and strengthen democracy by giving voice to a marginalised and stereotyped community, thus facilitating a dialogue about political inclusion.
Our project aims to increase awareness of the plurality of opinions and experiences within a certain minority community and to challenge the common perception of distinct social groups as a unitary actor. Additionally, the workshops are designed to foster civic education among the participants.
The main point of this project is to encourage a dialogue between Germans from Russia and other communities, since this dialogue currently does not take place. The movie is made to make their voice effectively heart, whereas the workshops are based on a screening of this movie that will kick off debates and seminars on democracy and inclusion involving affected and non-affected people.
This project of is for Germans from Russia to raise their voice against common stereotypes; it is for political actors to gain a better understanding of the issue; it if for everyone to start a dialogue with affected people and to rethink democratic inclusion of minority communities.
We would be glad to discuss our whole project, especially the design of the workshops and possibilities to use the film beyond our project.


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Zines & Lit
ouroboros ponderosa
THE WAY IS THE LAW
← Taoist Writings & Primitivist Ideals Pt. 2: Writings Attributed to Chuang Tzu
Spring's (A)-Comin! Prepare for Revolt! →
Taoist Writings & Primitivist Ideals Pt. 3: The Primitivist Chapters
Posted on March 19, 2012 by Cody Meyocks under Anti Civilization, Primitivism, Religion
The Primitivist chapters come from the works of Chuang Tzu, though scholars have concluded that they were written by a later author and were then tacked on to the original Chuang Tzu manuscripts. These later works are known collectively as the Outer Chapters, the first four of which are attributed to the Primitivist. From the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:
"[The Primitivist] espouses a viewpoint similar to that found in the Taode jing differing principally in that it is not addressed to the ruler… Because of their advocacy of a return to a government and social organization [sic] similar to that found in primitive tribal Utopias, [A.C.] Graham has labeled these chapters as 'Primitivist.'"
The Primitivist Chapters address familiar anarchist themes, such as the abolition of government, laws, and religion (especially attacking Confucian claims of high virtue and sageliness which became the cultural backbone of the Chinese empire; see the first part of this series). But he goes a step further in clearly identifying domestication as a crime against nature, and always weighing values against their measure of harmony with the natural Way (or the Tao as he would have it). This firmly fixes the Primitivist in the realm of anti-civilization theory, and my hope is that his writings will hearten us with the knowledge that some have come before us on our rugged trail.
Note, I have taken liberties certain liberties with the translation. My sparse commentary is presented in italics.
8. Webbbed Toes
Webbed toes and extra fingers seem to come from nature, yet, functionally speaking, they are superfluous. Goiters and tumors seem to come from the body, yet in their nature, they are superfluous. And (similarly), to have many extraneous doctrines of charity and duty and regard them in practice as parts of a man's natural sentiments is not the true way of Tao. For just as joined toes are but useless lumps of flesh, and extra fingers but useless growths, so are the many artificial developments of the natural sentiments of men and the extravagances of charitable and dutiful conduct but so many superfluous uses of intelligence.
People who abnormally develop charity, exalt virtue, and suppress nature in order to gain a reputation, make the world noisy with their discussions and cause it to follow impractical doctrines. Is this not so? Of such were Tseng and Shih (disciples of Confucius). Those who commit excesses in arguments, like piling up bricks and making knots, analyzing and inquiring into the distinctions of hard and white, identities and differences, wear themselves out over mere vain, useless terms. Is this not so? Of such were Yang and Mo. All these are superfluous and devious growths of knowledge and are not the correct guide for the world.
He who would be the ultimate guide never loses sight of the inner nature of life. Therefore with him, the united is not like joined toes, the separated is not like extra fingers, what is long is not considered as excess, and what is short is not regarded as wanting. For duck's legs, though short, cannot be lengthened without dismay to the duck, and a crane's legs, though long, cannot be shortened without misery to the crane. That which is long in nature must not be cut off, and that which is short in nature must not be lengthened. Thus will all sorrow be avoided.
Charity and duty are surely not included in human nature. You see how many worries and dismays the charitable man has! Besides, divide your joined toes and you will howl; bite off your extra finger and you will scream. In the one case, there is too much, and in the other too little; but the worries and dismays are the same.
Now the charitable men of the present age go about with a look of concern sorrowing over the ills of the age, while the non-charitable let loose the desire of their nature in their greed after position and wealth. Therefore I suppose charity and duty are not included in human nature. Yet from the time of the Three Dynasties onwards what a commotion has been raised about them!
Moreover, those who rely upon the arc, the line, compasses, and the square to make correct forms injure the natural constitution of things. Those who use cords to bind and glue to piece together interfere with the natural character of things. Those who seek to satisfy the mind of man by hampering it with ceremonies and music and affecting charity and devotion have lost their original nature.
There is an original nature in things. Things in their original nature are curved without the help of arcs, straight without lines, round without compasses, and rectangular without squares; they are joined together without glue and hold together without cords. Why then should the doctrines of charity and duty continue to remain like so much glue or cords, in the domain of Tao and virtue, to give rise to confusion and doubt among mankind?
Ever since the time when Shun made a bid for charity and duty and threw the world into confusion, men have run about and exhausted themselves in the pursuit thereof. Is it not then charity and duty which have changed the nature of man? Therefore I have tried to show that from the time of the Three Dynasties onwards, there is not one who has not changed his nature through certain external things. If a common man, he will die for gain. If a scholar, he will die for fame. If a ruler of a township, he will die for his ancestral honors. If a Sage, he will die for the world. The pursuits and ambitions of these men differ, but the injury to their nature resulting in the sacrifice of their lives is the same . . . .
All men die for something, and yet if a man dies for charity and duty the world calls him a gentleman; but if he dies for gain, the world calls him a low fellow. The dying being the same, one is nevertheless called a gentleman and the other called a low character. But in point of injury to their lives and nature, of what use is the distinction of "gentleman" and "low fellow" between them?
Besides, were a man to apply himself to charity and duty until he were the equal of Tseng or Shih, I would not call it good. Or to flavors, until he were the equal of Shu Erh (famous cook), I would not call it good. Or to sound, until he were the equal of Shih Kuang, I would not call it good. Or to colors, until he were the equal of Li Chu, I would not call it good. What I call good is not what is meant by charity and duty, but taking good care of [natural] virtue. What I call good at hearing is not hearing others but hearing oneself. What I call good at vision is not seeing others but seeing oneself. For a man who sees not himself but others, or takes possession not of himself but of others, possessing only what others possess and possessing not his own self, does what pleases others instead of pleasing his own nature. Now one who pleases others, instead of pleasing one's own nature, is just another one gone astray.
In our bleak modern landscape, the various causes and projects of the Left present themselves as a clear parallel to the Primtivist's critique of charity and duty. As Kaczynski essentially surmised in his writing on over-socialization and the left, charity is not only a half-hearted attempt to resolve inequality, it is also a direct result of that inequality and an attempt to resolve it in terms of upper-class values.
Nietzsche wrote in his Natural History of Morals that, "Every morality is—in contrast to laisser aller [letting go]—a part of tyranny against 'nature.'" Ah, and the Taoists would agree. The concept of wu wei, literally non-action, is the fundamental cornerstone of Taoist morality (as we'll talk about when we get to the Tao te Ching). Wu wei is not a moral pacifism, nor is it a nihilistic denial of personal power. What it refers to is a return to the organic state of things, to life itself without the superfluous attachments of praise and shame, profit and loss, or duty and charity. This Taoist ideal is akin to Emerson's roses when he wrote, "These roses under my window make no reference to former roses or to better ones; they are for what they are."
Only when abiding in non-action can the "Great Work"—the spontaneous, unobstructed nourishment of life, by which the pine tree grows in seamless unity with the elements—be accomplished.
9. Horses' Hooves
[Taming a Horse]
Horses have hooves to carry them over frost and snow, and hair to protect them from wind and cold. They eat grass and drink water, and fling up their tails and gallop. Such is the real nature of horses. Ceremonial halls and big dwellings are of no use to them.
One day Polo (a famous horse-trainer) appeared, saying, "I am good at managing horses." So he burned their hair and clipped them, and pared their hooves and branded them. He put halters around their necks and shackles around their legs and numbered them according to their stables. The result was that two or three in every ten died. Then he kept them hungry and thirsty, trotting them and galloping them, and taught them to run in formations, with the misery of the tasseled bridle in front and the fear of the knotted whip behind, until more than half of them died.
The potter says, "I am good at managing clay. If I want it round, I use compasses; if rectangular, a square." The carpenter says, "I am good at managing wood. If I want it curved, I use an arc; if straight, a line." But on what grounds can we think that the nature of clay and wood desires this application of compasses and square, and arc and line? Nevertheless, every age extols Polo for his skill in training horses, and potters and carpenters for their skill with clay and wood.
[Governing an Empire]
Those who manage (govern) the affairs of the empire make the same mistake [as the horse-trainer, the potter, and the carpenter]. I think one who knows how to govern the empire should not [make that mistake]. For the people have certain natural instincts — to weave and clothe themselves, to till the fields and feed themselves. This is their common character, in which all share. Such instincts may be called "Heaven born." So in the days of perfect nature, men were quiet in their movements and serene in their looks. At that time, there were no paths over mountains, no boats or bridges over waters. All things were produced each in its natural district. Birds and beasts multiplied; trees and shrubs thrived. Thus it was that birds and beasts could be led by the hand, and one could climb up and peep into the magpie's nest. For in the days of perfect nature, man lived together with birds and beasts, and there was no distinction of their kind. Who could know of the distinctions between gentlemen and common people? Being all equally without knowledge, their virtue could not go astray. Being all equally without desires, they were in a state of natural integrity. In this state of natural integrity, the people did not lose their (original) nature.
[The Error of the Sages]
And then when Sages [philosophers of various schools] appeared, crawling for charity and limping with duty, doubt and confusion entered men's minds. They said they must make merry by means of music and enforce distinctions by means of ceremony, and the empire became divided against itself. Were the uncarved wood not cut up, who could make sacrificial vessels? Were white jade left uncut, who could make the regalia of courts? Were Tao and virtue not destroyed, what use would there be for charity and duty? Were men's natural instincts not lost, what need would there be for music and ceremonies? Were the five colors not confused, who would need decorations? Were the five notes not confused, who would adopt the six pitch-pipes?
Destruction of the natural integrity of things for the production of articles of various kinds — this is the fault of the artisan. Destruction of Tao and virtue in order to introduce charity and duty — this is the error of the Sages.
Horses live on dry land, eat grass, and drink water. When pleased, they rub their necks together. When angry, they turn round and kick up their heels at each other. Thus far only do their natural instincts carry them. But bridled and bitted, with a moon-shaped metal plate on their foreheads, they learn to cast vicious looks, to turn their heads to bite, to nudge at the yoke, to cheat the bit out of their mouths or steal the bridle off their heads. Thus their minds and gestures become like those of thieves. This is the fault of Polo.
In the days of Ho Hsu (a mythical ruler) the people did nothing in particular at their homes and went nowhere in particular in their walks. Having food, they rejoiced; tapping their bellies, they wandered about. Thus far the natural capacities of the people carried them. The Sages came then to make them bow and bend with ceremonies and music, in order to regulate the external forms of intercourse, and dangled charity and duty before them, in order to keep their minds in submission. Then the people began to labor and develop a taste for knowledge, and to struggle with one another in their desire for gain, to which there is no end. This is the error of the Sages.
The Primtivist makes an obvious contradiction in [Governing an Empire] when he cites the human instinct "to till the fields" as a natural one, and we might wonder how this is any different from cutting up the "uncarved wood" and carving up the "white jade." Nonetheless, he levels many of the same criticisms that anarcho-primitivists have against domestication, labor, ceremony, and art.
This chapter has special significance for me, because there is nothing I love more than wild horses. How about I put a bridal on Polo and see how he likes it?
When the Primitivist observes that the "minds and gestures," of domesticated horses, in trying to escape their bridles and bites, "become like those of thieves," and that "this is the fault of Polo," he leads us smoothly into the next chapter which deals with the morality of a famous robber named Cheh, and his not-so-innocent victims.
10. Rifling Trunks
[Stimulating Thievery]
The precautions taken against thieves who open trunks, search bags, or ransack tills, consist in securing with cords and fastening with bolts and locks. This is what the world calls wit. But a strong thief comes and carries off the till on his shoulders, with box and bag, and runs away with them. His only fear is that the cords and locks should not be strong enough and the loot will fall out! Therefore, does not what the world used to call wit simply amount to saving up for the strong thief? And I venture to state that nothing of that which the world calls wit is otherwise than saving up for strong thieves; and nothing of that which the world calls sage wisdom is other than hoarding up for strong thieves.
[The Tao among Thieves and the Work of the Sages]
An apprentice to Robber Cheh asked him saying, "Is there then Tao (moral principles) among thieves?"
"Tell me if there is anything in which there is not Tao," Cheh replied.
"There is the sage character of thieves by which booty is located, the courage to go in first, and the chivalry of coming out last. There is the wisdom of calculating success, and kindness in the equal division of the spoil. There has never yet been a great robber who was not possessed of these five qualities."
It is seen therefore that without the teachings of the Sages, good men could not keep their position, and without the teachings of the Sages, Robber Cheh could not accomplish his ends. Since good men are scarce and bad men are the majority, the good the Sages do to the world is little and the evil great . . . .
When the Sages arose, gangsters appeared. Overthrow the Sages and set the gangsters free, and then will the empire be in order. When the stream ceases, the gully dries up, and when the hill is leveled, the chasm is filled. When the Sages are dead, gangsters will not show up, but the empire will rest in peace. On the other hand, if the Sages do not pop off, neither will the gangsters drop off. Nor if you double the number of Sages wherewith to govern the empire will you do more than double the profits of Robber Cheh.
[Down with Wisdom, Knowledge, Charity, and Duty!]
Banish wisdom, discard knowledge, and gangsters will stop! Fling away jade and destroy pearls, and petty thieves will cease. Burn tallies and break signets, and the people will revert to their uncouth integrity. Split measures and smash scales, and the people will not fight over quantities. Trample down all the institutions of Sages, and the people will begin to be fit for discussing (Tao). Confuse the six pitch-pipes, confine lutes and stringed instruments to the flames, stuff up the ears of Blind Shih Kuang, and each man will keep his own sense of hearing. Put an end to decorations, confuse the five colors, glue up the eyes of Li Chu, and each man will keep his own sense of sight. Destroy arcs and lines, fling away squares and compasses, snap off the fingers of Chui the Artisan, and each man will use his own natural skill. Wherefore the saying, "Great skill appears like clumsiness." Cut down the activities of Tseng and Shih pinch the mouths of Yang Chu and Mo Tzu, discard charity and duty, and the virtue of the people will arrive at Mystic Unity.
If each man keeps his own sense of sight, the world will escape being burned up. If each man keeps his own sense of hearing, the world will escape entanglements. If each man keeps his intelligence, the world will escape confusion. If each man keeps his own virtue, the world will avoid deviation from the true path. Tseng, Shih, Yang, Mo, Shih Kuang, Chui, and Li Chu were all persons who developed their external character and involved the world in the present confusion so that the laws and statutes are of no avail.
[The Age of Perfect Nature]
Have you never heard of the Age of Perfect Nature? In the days of Yung-cheng, Tat-ing, Pohuang, Chungyang, Lilu, Lihsu, Hsienyu-an, Hohsu, Tsunlu, Chuyung, Fuhsi, and Shennung (all legendary ancient rulers), the people tied knots for reckoning. They enjoyed their food, beautified their clothing, were satisfied with their homes, and delighted in their customs. Neighboring settlements overlooked one another, so that they could hear the barking of dogs and crowing of cocks of their neighbors, and the people till the end of their days had never been outside their own country. In those days there was indeed perfect peace.
[Love of Knowledge as a Source of Chaos]
But nowadays any one can make the people strain their necks and stand on tiptoes by saying, "In such and such a place there is a Sage." Immediately they put together a few provisions and hurry off, neglecting their parents at home and their masters' business abroad, going on foot through the territories of the Princes, and riding to hundreds of miles away. Such is the evil effect of the rulers' desire for knowledge. When the rulers desire knowledge and neglect Tao, the empire is overwhelmed with confusion.
How can this be shown? When the knowledge of bows and cross-bows and hand-nets and tailed arrows increases, then they carry confusion among the birds of the air. When the knowledge of hooks and bait and nets and traps increases, then they carry confusion among the fishes of the deep. When the knowledge of fences and nets and snares increases, then they carry confusion among the beasts of the field. When cunning and deceit and flippancy and the sophistries of the hard and white and identities and differences increase in number and variety, then they overwhelm the world with logic.
Therefore it is that there is often chaos in the world, and the love of knowledge is ever at the bottom of it. For all men strive to grasp what they do not know, while none strive to grasp what they already know; and all strive to discredit what they do not excel in, while none strive to discredit what they do excel in. That is why there is chaos. Thus, above, the splendor of the heavenly bodies is dimmed; below, the power of land and water is burned up, while in between the influence of the four seasons is upset. There is not one tiny worm that moves on earth or insect that flies in the air that has lost its original nature. Such indeed is the world chaos caused by the desire for knowledge!
Check out that last paragraph! Can you believe this stuff was written over a thousand years ago? Pert near prophetic. Even before the sickly glow of streetlights flooded out the stars, even before the world faced the widespread depletion of soil and water sources (of all things), even before Al Gore turned us all on to global warming, the Primitivist was on it! Shows what a sharp mind attuned to nature can pick up on.
Anywho, this chapter demonstrates in various ways how humanity mucks things up by meddling with the nature of the Tao. Whether meddling with the hearts by creating virtue and piling up treasures, meddling with the ears by creating music, or meddling with nature through the vanity and delusion of knowledge, the Primitivist is clearly not a fan of meddling. This chapter borrows various themes from the Tao De Ching, such as from chapter 57 ("The more laws are created, the more criminals there will be") and chapter 80, of which [The Age of Perfect Nature] is nearly a verbatim recreation. The Primitivist's distain for "knowledge" sheds some light on the Christian myth of the fall from grace (see Genesis 3), and echoes the sentiment of Chuang Tzu on technology (see section 5 of the previous article in this series).
In case you're curious about what the Primitivist has against "the hard and white," which he keeps railing on, "hard and white" are yang attributes, the contemplation and distinction of which were a favorite pursuit of the learned sages who did so much to disrupt the Tao. Endless mouthfulls of discriminations and discernments surely accompanied any discussion of the yang and yin, cornerstones of Chinese philosophy, among highly educated, supposedly wise men. Not to mention the hours of tedious contemplation these sages indulged in to arrive at their conclusions (which are, of course, of trivial consequence). The Primitivist, rather, prefers uncontrived simplicity and a natural clarity of mind, states that serve life and nature rather than the vanity of scholars and sages.
11. Letting it Be
[Leaving People Alone versus Government]
There has been such a thing as letting mankind alone and tolerance; there has never been such a thing as governing mankind. Letting alone springs from the fear that men's natural dispositions will be perverted, and tolerance springs from the fear that their character will be corrupted. But if their natural dispositions be not perverted, nor their character corrupted, what need is there left for government?
Of old, when Yao governed the empire, he made the people live happily; consequently the people struggled to be happy and became restless. When Chieh governed the empire he made the people live miserably; consequently the people regarded life as a burden and were discontented. Restlessness and discontent are subversive of virtue; and without virtue there has never been such a thing as stability.
When man rejoices greatly, he gravitates towards yang (the positive pole). When he is in great anger, he gravitates towards yin (the negative pole). If the equilibrium of positive and negative is disturbed, the four seasons are upset, and the balance of heat and cold is destroyed, man himself suffers physically thereby. It causes men to rejoice and sorrow inordinately, to live disorderly lives, to be vexed in their thoughts, and to lose their balance and form of conduct. When that happens, then the whole world seethes with revolt and discontent, and we have such men as Robber Cheh, Tseng, and Shih. Offer the entire world as rewards for the good or threaten the wicked with the dire punishments of the entire world, and it is still insufficient (to reform them). Consequently, with the entire world, one cannot furnish sufficient inducements or deterrents to action. From the Three Dynasties downwards, the world has lived in a helter-skelter of promotions and punishments. What chance have the people left for living the even tenor of their lives?
Therefore, when a gentleman is unavoidably compelled to take charge of the government of the empire, there is nothing better than inaction (letting alone). By means of inaction only can he allow the people to live out the even tenor of their lives. Therefore if the gentleman can refrain from disturbing the internal economy of man, and from glorifying the powers of sight and hearing, he can sit still like a corpse or spring into action like a dragon, be silent as the deep or talk with the voice of thunder, and the movements of his spirit call forth the natural mechanism of Heaven. He can remain calm and leisurely doing nothing, while all things are brought to maturity and thrive. What need then would one have to set about governing the world?
[Government and Virtue]
Tsui Chu asked Lao Tan [Lao Tzu], saying, "If the empire is not to be governed, how are men's hearts to be kept good?"
"Be careful," replied Lao Tan, "not to interfere with the natural goodness of the heart of man. Man's heart may be forced down or stirred up. In each case the issue is fatal. By gentleness, the hardest heart may be softened. But try to cut and polish it, and it will glow like fire or freeze like ice. In the twinkling of an eye it will pass beyond the limits of the Four Seas. In repose, it is profoundly still; in motion, it flies up to the sky. Like an unruly horse, it cannot be held in check. Such is the human heart."
[The Decline of Natural Virtue]
Of old, the Yellow Emperor first interfered with the natural goodness of the heart of man, by means of charity and duty. In consequence, Yao and Shun wore the hair off their legs and the flesh off their arms in endeavoring to feed their people's bodies. They tortured the people's internal economy in order to conform to charity and duty. They exhausted the people's energies to live in accordance with the laws and statutes. Even then they did not succeed. Thereupon, Yao (had to) confine Huantou on Mount Tsung, exile the chiefs of the Three Miaos and their people into the Three Weis, and banish the Minister of Works to Yutu, which shows he had not succeeded. When it came to the times of the Three Kings (the founders of the three dynasties, Hsia, Shang, and Chou [2205-222 BC]), the empire was in a state of foment. Among the bad men were Chieh and Cheh; among the good were Tseng and Shih. By and by, the Confucianists and the [Mohists] arose; and then came confusion between joy and anger, fraud between the simple and the cunning, recrimination between the virtuous and the evil-minded, slander between the honest and the liars, and the world order collapsed. Then the great virtue lost its unity, men's lives were frustrated. When there was a general rush for knowledge, the people's desires ever went beyond their possessions. The next thing was then to invent axes and saws, to kill by laws and statutes, to disfigure by chisels and awls. The empire seethed with discontent, the blame for which rests upon those who would interfere with the natural goodness of the heart of man.
In consequence, virtuous men sought refuge in mountain caves, while rulers of great states sat trembling in their ancestral halls. Then, when dead men lay about pillowed on each other's corpses, when yoked prisoners jostled each other in crowds and condemned criminals were seen everywhere, then the Confucianists and the Mohists bustled about and rolled up their sleeves in the midst of shackles and fetters! Alas, they know not shame, nor what it is to blush! Therefore it is said, "Abandon wisdom and discard knowledge, and the empire will be at peace."
The distinctly anarchist tone of this chapter should be self-evident. Though the last sentence ironically uses the words empire and peace in the same breath, the contradition probably is a result of translation, as it is common for the blunt minded to conflate the territory–the land itself–and the state which claims it. But we will do well to remember that the lines which divide countries on a map are purely fictional, functions of the kind of "knowledge" which the Primitivist would do away with in order to restore peace.
Buddhists have a very illustrative term for this type of knowledge: māyā, which essentially means illusion, or more specifically the kind of thinking which imposes artificial human concepts upon the world, afterwards forgetting that they are not latent therein (think agriculture, racism, land boundaries, etc). The foremost and most fundamental of these illusions is considered the misunderstanding of one's own nature, resulting in the perception of one being an ego separate from the cosmos, when, of course, we are the Tao.
The writings of the Primitivist provide a salient look at the tension that arises when a nature-based spirituality faces the devastating force of civilization, and gives us some useful insights into the nature of the beast, both within and beyond, out yonder. He reminds us that there was a way of life before alienation, before our faith in nature was lost, a Way of peace and plenty, which is the source and destiny of all life. The Tao.
This entry was tagged anarchism, anarcho primitivism, anarchy, chuang tzu, dao, daoism, daoist, green anarchy, nature, outer chapters, primitivist, psychology, spirituality, tao, taoism, taoist. Bookmark the permalink.
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Postscript to the Postscript: Another Ship of Fools!
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Spring's (A)-Comin! Prepare for Revolt!
Taoist Writings & Primitivist Ideals Pt. 2: Writings Attributed to Chuang Tzu
Daoist Writings & Primitivist Ideals Pt. 1: Introduction to Daoism
The Hitchhiker's Guide to Hitchhikers & the Circus of Flying Seeds!
The Wise Words of Walking Buffalo
Navigating by the Stars III: The Constellations
Navigating by the Stars II: The Sun and Moon
Navigating by the Stars: Finding True North by the Big Dipper
Mitakuye Oyasin: A Lakota Sioux Prayer
Poetry: The Wooden Bowl
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An Open Letter to Everyone who Thinks I'm a Worthless Lazy Bastard
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Wild Things by Paul Sieveking
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Golden Calves Grazing the Earth (Civilization, Symbolism, and Zen)
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I know I haven't been around much in the last couple of weeks. I haven't been feeling all that great and it's been really hard to do many art projects with Hailey. I'm sharing a little secret over on my other blog that will explain why I haven't been feeling very well. Check out Hailey's secret.


text:
How Law Students Can Decide Whether or Not They Should Clerk for a Judge: Should You Do a Clerkship or Not?
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By Harrison Barnes
from Los Angeles Office Managing Director
370 Reviews Average: 4.2 out of 5
Most law students believe that clerking with a judge improves their marketability.
However, there's more to clerking than that.
Clerking with a judge will give law students skill and insight that can help them through their career.
Every year, we receive numerous phone calls from practicing attorneys as well as law students, inquiring whether or not they should pursue a clerkship with a judge in order to make themselves more marketable. At the outset, it is important to note that the value of a clerkship should not necessarily be something that you view as a marketing tool. Beyond making you marketable, a clerkship has far greater significance because the skills and level of insight you will acquire during your clerkship will be something that should help you throughout your career, regardless of what practice area you ultimately end up in.
Harrison Barnes
In evaluating whether or not a clerkship will make you marketable, it is important to understand the differences between state and federal clerkships. These distinctions are examined below.
A. Federal Clerkships
Typically, the most prestigious clerkships have been those with federal judges. At top national law schools, students compete very aggressively for federal clerkships more so than they do for state judicial clerkships. Given the prestige of a federal clerkship, it can often make you marketable far beyond the geographic area where you are clerking.
At the federal level, the order of prestige of clerkships is typically (1) the Supreme Court, (2) circuit (appellate) clerkships, (3) federal district court (trial court) clerkships, and (4) clerkships with United States magistrates (who do a lot of the grunt work for federal district court judges). There are also several specialized courts (such as Federal Tax Court) that are of approximately the same prestige level as federal district court clerkships. For obvious reasons, clerking for the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court is generally considered the most prestigious clerkship there is. Similarly, a clerkship with a federal district judge in the Eastern District of New York is more prestigious than a clerkship with a federal district judge in Bay City, Michigan, for example, because there are far more people competing for clerkships in larger metro areas. Attorneys who clerk for the most prestigious judges are typically those whose marketability is likely to be increased as a result.
Most attorneys applying for federal clerkships apply to work either for federal district judges (district court clerkships) or for federal appellate judges. District court clerkships involve actual issues being litigated at the trial court level and typically have more in-court action. In a district court clerkship, you may see many of the same lawyers in court day in and day out. In a circuit court clerkship, you are likely to see the attorneys involved only when they present their appellate arguments in court. Appellate clerkships involve mainly research and writing about issues the trial court has already ruled upon and reviewing the District Court's errors. Appellate clerkships typically involve more arcane and novel issues of law than are typically litigated at the trial level. In an appellate clerkship, you are less likely to get to know the lawyers involved in the underlying litigation.
B. State Court Clerkships
There are also different distinctions in the state court system; ordinarily, you will also have a Supreme Court, appellate courts, and trial courts. The same prestige distinctions are also present at the state level, with a state Supreme Court clerkship being the most prestigious. Just as certain federal district courts in various geographical locations are considered prestigious places to clerk in, so too are the state courts in different states. In general, if you are clerking for an appellate court in a highly populated state, this will be more prestigious than if you are doing the same thing in a smaller state.
The problem with a state court clerkship is typically something that is also an advantage. While a state court clerkship will not necessarily increase your chances of being marketable anywhere throughout the United States, it can do you a tremendous amount of good in the area where you are clerking. Clerking for a state court will make you a candidate with important local contacts. The fact of the matter is that most litigation (even at the most prestigious law firms) is conducted in state, not federal courts. Accordingly, a state court clerkship will provide you with a better understanding of state law than you would ever get as a federal clerk. If you are planning on working in the area where you are clerking, the state court clerkship should be enormously valuable.
C. Final Thoughts about Clerking
You need to remember that considering accepting a clerkship is much like mulling where to go to law school. There are major national law schools that vary in prestige, and there are smaller local law schools that vary in prestige. For example, attending a law school like Yale is going to give you a serious advantage when you are applying to law firm positions throughout the United States. A law school like Yale might be compared to clerking on the Supreme Court. Conversely, a smaller, more local law school like the University of Toledo is not going to give you as much an advantage throughout the United States. This school will, however, probably give you good options in Toledo, Ohio.
Accordingly, before you accept a clerkship, you need to have a good understanding of whether or not you want to work in the area where you will be clerking. The clerkship is most likely going to make you marketable if you are seeking to work in the state where you are clerking. You should also do some research regarding where various judges' former clerks ended up working. By acquiring this information, you can also get a decent idea of what your marketability might be following the clerkship.
The value of your clerkship should not necessarily be viewed as a tool to make you marketable. Clerking is something that gives you tools and memories that most clerks carry with them throughout their careers. When you sit on the judge's side of the bench, you get the feeling that you are really part of the legal process and have the idea of how decisions are made and the implications these decisions have on peoples' lives. Most clerks describe the year they spent clerking as the most relaxing, intellectually challenging, and interesting year of their lives. And this is really the essence of a clerkship. It allows you to see the inner workings of the legal system, work closely with a judge, and will provide you with a level of illumination about the legal system itself that you will carry with you throughout your legal career.
Our belief is that you should not clerk simply because you think it is something that will get you a better position. A clerkship is something that you should do because it will add depth and meaning to your future legal career. We do not believe that a state court clerkship (especially with an appellate judge) can possibly hurt your marketability. Indeed, the skills and understanding you pick up during your clerkship will be carried with you throughout your career.
See Law Schools That Send the Most Attorneys to United States Supreme Court Clerkships for more information about getting a clerkship in the US Supreme Court.
Click here to contact Harrison
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Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays
You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts
You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives
Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.
Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.
To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.
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Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.
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text:
eHealth: Current Evidence, Promises, Perils, and Future Directions Vol: 15
Timothy M. Hale
Partners Connected Health, USA
Wen-Ying Sylvia Chou
National Cancer Institute, USA
Shelia R. Cotten
Michigan State University, USA
Studies in Media and Communications
This special volume contributes to the rapidly growing body of eHealth research, presenting a selection of multidisciplinary studies on the role and impacts of technology and the Internet in health communication, healthcare delivery, and patient self-management.
The use of the Internet and new communication technologies have impacted nearly every aspect of life in recent years. These technologies hold tremendous promise to improve systems of healthcare and enable people to better understand their health and manage their healthcare. However, there are also risks to the use of eHealth technologies. Empirical evidence is urgently needed to examine the use and impacts of eHealth technologies and to inform targeted health communication interventions.
Chapters explore both old and new challenges associated with technology-enabled care. These include the persistence of social determinants in shaping Digital Divides in access and use of eHealth technologies, the unintended consequences associated with electronic medical records and pagers on healthcare professionals' ability to control their work time, and how self-tracking and quantification may exacerbate gendered norms of the body and health. Other chapters provide updated information on trends in and predictors of people's trust of health information channels, how people make credibility assessments of online health information, the role of personality traits in perceived benefits in online support group participation, and how online health resources impact people's sense of empowerment and the use of healthcare services. Finally, chapters explore the future potential of eHealth in addressing the needs of underserved communities and guide the creation of new technology-enabled intervention strategies.
Introduction: Promises and Perils of eHealth; Timothy M. Hale, Wen-Ying Sylvia Chou, Shelia R. Cotten
Chapter 1. "I Went Home to Google": How Users Assess the Credibility of Online Health Information; Erin Klawitter and Eszter Hargittai
Chapter 2. Trust in Health Information Sources and Channels, Then and Now: Evidence from the Health Information National Trends Survey (2005-2013); Chan L. Thai, Anna Gaysynsky, Angela Falisi, Wen-Ying Sylvia Chou, Kelly Blake, and Bradford W. Hesse
Chapter 3. Health-Related Information Seeking among Deaf Adults: Findings from the 2017 Health Information National Trends Survey in American Sign Language (HINTS-ASL); Poorna Kushalnagar and Raja Kushalnagar
Chapter 4. The Impact of Health Practitioners' Use of Communication Technologies on Temporal Capital and Autonomy; Cynthia Wang
Chapter 5. Tracking Health and Fitness: A Cultural Examination of Self Quantification, Biomedicalization and Gender; Amy A. Ross
Chapter 6. The Third Digital Divide in the Health Domain: Is Internet Use for Health Purposes Associated with Health Benefits?; Efrat Neter, Esther Brainin, and Orna Baron-Epel
Chapter 7. Who is Likely to Benefit Most from Online Cancer Support Communities? The Role of Personality Traits; Yuchen Ren and An Xiaojing
Chapter 8. Positive Impacts of Online Health Information Seeking on Health Perceptions and the Mediational Relationship with Health Communication and Sense of Empowerment; Gül Seçkin, Susan Hughes, Cassie Hudson, David Laljer and Dale Yeatts
Chapter 9. Developing a Graphic Text Messaging Intervention for Smoking Cessation Targeting First-Generation Chinese Immigrant Men: Insights from Focus Group Interviews; Emily B. Peterson, Xiaoquan Zhao, Xiaomei Cai and Kyeung Mi Oh
Chapter 10. Using Social Media to Help Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Young Adults Quit Smoking: An In-depth Interview Study; Ashley Sanders-Jackson, Christopher Clemens and Kristen Wozniak
Timothy M. Hale is the Associate Director of Product Development at Partners HealthCare, Connected Health Innovation (CHI) and an Instructor at Harvard Medical School, USA.
Wen-Ying Sylvia Chou is a Program Director in the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch (HCIRB) of the Behavioral Research Program (BRP) at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), USA.
Shelia R. Cotten is MSU Foundation Professor in the Department of Media and Information at Michigan State University and the Director of the Sparrow/MSU Center for Innovation and Research, USA.
Aneka Khilnani is a recent graduate from Santa Clara University with a BS in Public Health Science, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.


The Grade 3 Piano exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for eighteen months to two years and who are ready to consolidate their final stage as a beginner player. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 2and since acquired greater use of technique, rhythms, co-ordination and musical understanding. Improvisation phrasing is now confident and articulate and candidates have started to develop the beginnings of stylistic awareness.
You will be examined on your choice of Performance Pieces from artists such as Adele, Coldplay and Nora Jones.
The pieces in the grade book can be used for both the Grade Exam and Performance Certificate. The expectation and length of pieces are designed so candidates can continue their understanding and execution of notation accuracy, values, evenness of sound, tone quality/consistency, technical control, expression, articulation and sync at a high beginner level.
At Grade 3 there are three groups of technical work: Scales, Arpeggios and Chord Voicings.
Major, natural and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios need to be played hands together, in straight or swung feel, ascending and descending. Pentatonic scales are right hand only. The melodic minor scale needs to be played hands separately, and the chromatic scale on A needs to be played hands together.
The examiner will ask for a selection from each group and A, B and C need to be played to a compulsory metronome click.
Rhythms: Eighth notes, finishing on a quarter note.
Rhythms: 3/4: Eighth notes, finishing on a dotted half note. 4/4: Eighth notes, finishing on a whole note.
Candidates will be asked to play one of harmonised scale exercises from memory. The examiner will state the exercise. This exercise is performed to a metronome click.
Rhythms: Whole, dotted half, half, dotted quarter, quarter, eighth notes, eighth note ties, associated rests.
The Sight Reading test is in the form of a 4–8 bar melody.
The Improvisation test is in the form of a 4–8 bar chord progression, with all chord symbols indicated.
At Grade 3 there are two ear tests: Melodic Recall and Chord Recognition. Both are previously unseen and an example of each is shown in the grade book.
The examiner will play a 2 bar diatonic melody in the key of C major, with a range up to a fifth.
The first note of the melody will be the root.
The examiner will play a sequence of chords each with a C root note, then ask the candidate to state the chord quality of two of the chords from a choice of major, minor, diminished, augmented, dominant 7 and major 7th. The examiner will select which two chords.
The test will be played twice, each time preceded by a one-bar count-in. Credit will be given for speed of response.
Chord degrees of the scale.
Identification of pitches in the bass clef within the stave.
Whole, half, quarter, eighth and associated dotted notes/rests, quarter/eighth note triplets and associated rests within one crotchet length.
Different artists and song titles from the same genre as the piece chosen.


text:
Political Crossroads And Way Ahead
By Laksiri Fernando –
Dr. Laksiri Fernando
There are all indications that politics in Sri Lanka has come to a new stage; sort of cross roads or crisis. The government has terribly stumbled on several policy and political issues, leaving the impression that it has lost or is losing momentum and leadership. There is new polarization on the ethnic front simmering underneath or even on the surface.
The government has not been following a proper democratic path since the beginning, and if that was understandable during the war time (2006-2009), it is not the case after the end of the war. Things have become much worse since then for no excuse. The 18th Amendment was a turning point.
After the war, reconciliation should have been the first priority. This is apart from economic targets or 'Wonder of Asia.' No one disagrees with having economic targets for development whether all are realistic or not. But that is not a substitute for reconciliation or other political issues such as reinstating democracy after a long drawn out war. For reconciliation to begin there should be a political solution or even some arrangement for that. At least the elections should have been held to the Northern Provincial Council without delay. Proper negotiations should have been initiated with the TNA whatever the difficulties. That was not done.
The government first stumbled on the issue of the UNHRC resolution. The failure to understand the difference between 2009 and 2012 was the main reason. Immediately after the justified war in 2009, majority of the international community or the UNHRC was not ready to condemn Sri Lanka. In addition, the Ambassador in Geneva was highly skilled in bringing a broad coalition in support of the country. But no country believed that terrorism was the only problem behind the conflict in Sri Lanka. They only wanted to give Sri Lanka a chance for reconciliation and human rights. This does not necessarily mean that all countries vote purely considering human rights issues. There are other interests involved.
The situation in 2012 was different. It was not a failure of the new Ambassador in Geneva. She was only caught up in a bad strategy from Colombo. It may be correct to argue that the report of the LLRC was only out in November 2011. That was the subject of the resolution. Therefore, you need more time. But the countries primarily voted at the UNHRC considering Sri Lanka's performance since 2009 on reconciliation and human rights. Even those who voted against the resolution, in solidarity with Sri Lanka, emphasised the need for improvements.
Now after the resolution, the foreign policy or diplomacy has gone to the other extreme. The government has virtually sacked the Ambassador in Geneva as the scapegoat. Sending her to diplomatic 'Siberia' is as good or bad as sacking. The Minister has presented an Action Plan for LLRC implementation to the US which is not presented in Parliament or to the people. It is argued that instead of 'offensive diplomacy' 'defensive diplomacy' should be the strategy. There is no diplomacy called 'offensive' or 'defensive.' Diplomacy should be for national interests, at times 'assertive' and at times 'compromising' depending on the circumstances.
Apparently, under international pressure, the jailed former army commander, Sarath Fonseka, is finally released. It is a good thing. He should not have been jailed in the first place. People in general were not sympathetic to his cause and his imprisonement undoubtedly created a dip in the regime's popularity. He was charged not only once but several times. He was the bete-noir of the President. His release has created more political damage to the regime than his imprisonment. The political vindictiveness is exposed. The release is also seen as a growing weakness of the regime. The arbitrary imprisonment and equally arbitrary release of both Fonseka and Tissanayagam have raised questions about the rule of law, integrity of the executive and independence of the judiciary.
Sri Lanka has again come to crossroads on the ethnic front as well. First, it was Dilithura communal violence and then Dambulla mosque attack. There is no question that the keynote speech by R. Sampanthan at the ITAK convention has created new barriers to the reconciliation process. No one can ignore it. The Sinhala extremists are jubilant over his statement to prove their point. But he is not the only one who is trying to reinvent the ethnic conflict wheel again. Many statements by the Defence Secretary are clearly disturbing virtually dictating terms to the Tamil community. One wonders whether he has joined the JHU. More than his statements, what is happening on the ground in Jaffna and in other parts of the North according to credible reports are disturbing. The Tamil people are coerced on all fronts.
There are so many other problems that perhaps skipped the minds of the general public particularly during the war. They are related to democracy, defined in its broadest sense of the term to include economic justice as well. After the war, people first wanted to enjoy the apparent 'peace'.. Now three years have elapsed.
There is no doubt that the economy is still improving. As one Minister himself said, when there is the (Asian) tide, all boats are lifted. There is no particular magic about it although the economic management is not particularly bad in my opinion. What is bad is the waste as well as misuse of economic resources by the politicians. This is happening top to bottom, from national institutions to local government. There is favouritism and political restrictions on business. Not only politicians but some of their appointed bureaucrats are the culprits.
A recent example is the now aborted share deal between the National Savings Bank (NSB) and The Finance Company (TFC). When the market share was around Rs. 30, the NSB was ready to buy 13 per cent of equity for Rs. 50 per share from the TFC. Some politicians must be behind this deal. What was intended was to misuse the savings of the public. It is true that public enterprises are not sold under the present regime, but they are misused. Mihinlanka is one example. The culprits were not punished but rewarded.
There has been a spate of price hikes recently. That was only a symptom. Although the overall per capita income is increasing, the benefits are not evenly distributed among the people. Some get more than the others. This is not only a problem of capitalism. In addition, measures are not taken for fair income redistribution. The welfare measures are only basic. Much could be improved if there is will. Priority is given for tamashas, but not for actual projects. What is necessary is not only to give jobs in the public sector, but to create opportunities and a climate for people to engage in their own productive enterprises and businesses. That is how the development could be sustained.
Most depressing is the apparent corruption going on at all levels. There are credible reports from the transparency international. On the corruption index, Sri Lanka is in the 86th position in 2011 out of 183 countries. It is bad as Panama or Bulgaria. Corruption in politics or at the political level, which is most prevalent in Sri Lanka, is not properly reflected in this index. Ordinary people are the most knowledgeable about this matter.
The political scene is steadily deteriorating. The antics of Mervyn Silva are still going on with blessings from the highest authority. Otherwise he could not be a Minister or even an MP. Most of all, he is the Minister for Public Relations! The murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra reveals another aspect of the regime. Apart from external violence, there is internal violence. Within the broad UPFA coalition and even within the SLFP, the Rajapaska family and close associates control the reins of power as is obvious. Any dissent is suppressed through various means.
Although the security establishment is made out to be professional, there have been so many unresolved killings and disappearances. The killing of The Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunga is one of them. Some are not disappearances but daylight abductions. The Defence Secretary's recent explanations to the BBC or The Sunday Leader are not satisfactory. There may be some inaccuracies or exaggerations, but most of the cases reported are real and disturbing. If not for the recent international pressure after the UNHRC resolution, the situation would have been much worse. However, the solution should be 'home-grown.'
Democracy helps unite the minority Tamils and Muslims with the Sinhala majority. This is apart from addressing the specific grievances of the minorities. Democracy gives a common ground for broader coalition of all communities who are concerned about the issues of violence, corruption and communalism. Without broader democracy, minority rights cannot be achieved.
If the struggle against terrorism was the first phase of democratic struggle in the country, the second stage should be against the triple evils of violence, corruption and communalism. Communalism may manifest as chauvinism on the Sinhala side and separatism or fundamentalism on the minority side. They all impede democratisation and development. If democracy is not re-established properly soon, the development will suffer.
There is talk about a regime change. Perhaps it may be necessary when the time is ripe. But it should be through the democratic process whatever the existing weaknesses. But regime change per se is not a solution as Namini Wijedasa has effectively pointed out. There should be policy change and change of behaviour. There should be efforts to rebuild the independent institutions in the meanwhile. Many professional groups could contribute to this effort by resisting political interferences.
For parliamentary and presidential elections, there are some years to go. But some provincial council elections might come soon. It is doubtful whether a breakthrough could be achieved at these elections. People may need more time.
Preferential vote is generally considered a cause of violence and electoral corruption. But the people also can use the preferential vote to get rid of violent, corrupt and communal politicians of all sides and all parties. What might be necessary is some assistance to the general public to identify violent, corrupt and communal politicians. There may be some politicians who are not or less corrupt or violent. But they may be virulent communalists. All are evils of democracy and there is a need to get rid of them. Public education may be necessary on these issues.
Sri Lanka Not Holding Out For Another War Hero
Tales Of Soldiers
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / June 4, 2012
The tragedy is that politicians in Sri Lanka deliberately choose to take the wrong turn at every crossroad we have reached in our post-independence history. The wrong turns we have repeatedly taken have brought us to where we are now. The end of war left us at the most important and critical crossroad as a nation. However, we once again have been led into the wrong turn. Can we retreat and take the right turn even now?
John Wayne / June 4, 2012
It is now time for regime change in Lanka- brought about by Lankans sick and tired of Rajapakse and his jumbo family and Cabinet of criminals, goons, fools and geriatrics who are looting Lanka and enriching themselves. Ordinary people are paying economically for gross and criminal economic governance and the poor are in real terms poorer today than three years ago given depreciation of the rupee and loss of purchasing power. The only good news is that the growth in agriculture and fisheries in the northeast had kept food inflation under control. Aside from this economic and financial crime is rife despite the rosy pictures painted in five star hotels by the CB accountant and criminal. Nivard Cabraal is not an economist and does not have the necessary qualifications to head the CB – he merely lies big time to hide his incompetance and crimes.
Cabraal must be held accountable and tried for financial negligence and economic crimes – accountability must start at the top for 3 cases of: waste and misuse of public funds on the Hambantota Commonwealth Games bid scam and the NSB-TFC scam and the losses to the EPF caused by playing the stock market. Time has come for ACCOUNTABILITY for ECONOMIC and Financial crime. Like the Iceland former PM who was charged and found guilty of negligence for the crash of the Iceland Banking sector.
Cabraal likes to say that key international organisations such as the IMF, World Bank and the ADB have stated that Sri Lanka's economic management is on course towards stability and growth but these are the same intellectually an morally bankrupt institutions that failed to do anything about the European debt crisis until it was too late. Today the lower classes in Greece are paying for the greed of the rich enabled by the trickle up policies of these so-called international financial and development institutions which should be SHUT DOWN.
Lady Gaga / June 4, 2012
Yes indeed the IMF and WB must GO! So too must Cabraal and the Rajapkse louts! "Unemployment rates are Low" claims Cabraal the fibber. Wonder where he gots his economic fundamentals from?! People are queuing at job agencies to go abroad and do menial jobs as servants to earn a little more. There is no job creation or real economic growth and salaries of professionals at an abysmal depth.
A Senior Lecturer in the University system has an all inclusive salary of 42,000 SLR (less than 400$ a month). And Cabraal and the Minister for Economic Development (who has not go a bachelor's degree) claim per capita GDP is increasing and that Lanka is a "middle income county" – surely the University lecturers should then be paid better?! In the US and Singapore average Senior lecturers make over 6000$ per month. The figures simply do not add up and the people are fed on economic spin to hide financial crime! Cabraal says that the economic fundamentals are good – what a bunch of crap!
India / June 4, 2012
The Statement here that the economy is ok is bunk!
I know people who have lot their retirement savings because of the depreciation of the rupee, as the CB goes on a borrowing spree and encourages the State banks to borrow to fund Rajapakse's white elephants (like Miihin Air, and all the state institutions that are being looted by his family and cronies), which will cause a banking sector crash, while the rupee crashes and the cost of living goes up and poor get poorer!
Also, Cabraal's bank accounts should be frozen and he must be impeached and forced to declare his assets. So too the Rajapakse Bros and sons and their sports businesses. Time indeed for some ACCOUNTABILITY!


Located on a beautiful barrier island just a few miles from historic Charleston, South Carolina lies Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Escape from the concrete and office walls on a weekend getaway. Do you need help planning? See our detailed schedule below.
Upon arrival at The Sanctuary, you can park your vehicle in the complimentary parking area after checking in with the front desk staff.
Walking through the front doors, you will experience a seaside mansion where you will be surrounded by the grandeur of the architecture and hospitality at its finest.
The Ocean View Suite – The Ocean View Suites offer a spacious 1,100 square feet, a king bed in the bedroom and a pullout sofa bed in the living area, and an expansive private balcony overlooking the grand lawn and the Atlantic Ocean. It's not the highest end room but it still has the ocean view, tons of room, and a balcony.
If you arrive early enough, you can catch a sunset from your balcony or take a stroll along the beach before getting a relaxing sleep in your king-sized bed.
8 am – Room Service – The best way to start your relaxing weekend in Kiawah is to order room service. With endless choices from top chefs, I'm sure you'll find the best meal to start your day.
9 am – The Sanctuary Spa – The Signature Massage – A unique massage experience using heated, grain-and herb-filled wraps that are placed on key tension areas and major muscle groups to induce deep relaxation and increase the therapeutic benefits of the therapist's massage strokes. Results include relief of muscle tension, increased circulation and a relaxed, nurtured feeling. Don't bother to bring cash for a tip; you can charge it to your room. The only thing you need to bring with you is peace of mind.
11 am – A Morning Stroll on the Beach – The beach is a short walk from your room and over a beautiful bridge. Endless sand, calm waters, and beautiful cottages make it a picturesque experience any time of day.
Just a few steps from your room and within sight of the Atlantic Ocean, two outdoor swimming pools provide exclusive retreats. Separate adult and family pools allow guests to choose the atmosphere of their choice for relaxation and fun.
The indoor swimming pool offers the opportunity for guests to take a leisurely dip, a vigorous lap or participate in a Hydro Toning Fitness Class.
Since we visited in late November, the indoor pool was the best option.
6 pm – The Ocean Room for Dinner – The only steakhouse in the U.S. to earn both Forbes 4 Star and AAA 4 Diamond ratings, The Ocean Room specializes in the preparation of locally sourced beef, seafood, poultry and produce which are prominently featured on the seasonally changing menu.
Ask for a window table for the best views. I'd suggest the Filet Mignon and don't forget to save room for dessert. The Chocolate Brownie Dome is a celebration of the senses and the hot butterscotch on top will warm your heart.
9 pm – Movie Night – Return to your room for a movie with loved ones.
8:30 am – Check out – Check out of your room now so you can enjoy the rest of the day without time restrictions.
Generally, courses of the caliber of Osprey Point are in private club settings with restricted memberships and high membership fees. However, since Osprey Point is now part of Kiawah Island Golf Resort, anyone can enjoy this beautiful Lowcountry gem. Not only is Osprey Point a world-class layout, Osprey Point's large, elegant clubhouse is available for guest's use. It's a favorite of not only after-round libations and dining, it's a favorite location for wedding receptions and special event functions.
1 pm – Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House – Featuring succulent meats smoked daily in-house, signature sauces & sides, and over 60 local & imported beers, Cherrywood is the perfect way to end your weekend getaway at Kiawah Island. Order the Combination Platter and choice half portions of any two house smoked meats.
Saturday Alternative – Be a Tourist and Visit Charleston – Just a 20 minute drive from Kiawah Island, Charleston is full of history and stunning beauty. If you're not a golfer, you could visit the City Market in Charleston. Consisting of four blocks of open-air buildings, City Market is one of the most vibrant and historic places in all of the South. Strolling through the Market, you will encounter an assortment of vendors selling goods including paintings, pottery, sweetgrass baskets, and jewelry. Steeped in history and charm, the City Market will reaffirm stories of the friendly people and laid back pace of Charleston.
Kiawah Island is ten miles of wide, immaculate, ocean beach. Soothing, romantic, and sports-orientated, Kiawah Island offers a unique weekend getaway no matter what your preference.


text:
@import Quick;
@import Nimble;
@import XCTest;
@import UIKit;
@import PinLayout;

QuickSpecBegin(ObjectiveCSpec)

describe(@"test Objective-C interface", ^{
    __block UIViewController* viewController = nil;
    __block UIView* rootView = nil;
    __block UIView* aView = nil;

    beforeEach(^{
        Pin.logMissingLayoutCalls = false;
        Pin.lastWarningText = nil;

        viewController = [[UIViewController alloc] initWithNibName:nil bundle:nil];

        rootView = [[UIView alloc] initWithFrame:CGRectMake(0, 0, 400, 400)];
        [viewController.view addSubview:rootView];

        aView = [[UIView alloc] initWithFrame:CGRectMake(40, 100, 100, 60)];
        [rootView addSubview:aView];
    });

    afterEach(^{
        Pin.logMissingLayoutCalls = false;
    });

    describe(@"generic objective-c tests", ^{
        it(@"Access Pin properties and methods", ^{
            [Pin initPinLayout];
            [Pin layoutDirection:LayoutDirectionLtr];
            Pin.safeAreaInsetsDidChangeMode = PinSafeAreaInsetsDidChangeModeAlways;
            Pin.logWarnings = true;
        });

        it(@"basic pinlayout calls", ^{
            aView.pinObjc.topValue(10).layout();
            expect(@(aView.frame)).to(equal(@(CGRectMake(40, 10, 100, 60))));
        });

        it(@"using Pin.logMissingLayoutCalls", ^{
            Pin.logMissingLayoutCalls = true;
            aView.pinObjc.topValue(10);
            //expect(Pin.lastWarningText).to(contain(@"PinLayout commands have been issued without calling the 'layout()' method to complete the layout"));
        });

        it(@"using Pin.logMissingLayoutCalls set to false", ^{
            Pin.logMissingLayoutCalls = false;
            aView.pinObjc.topValue(10).layout();
            expect(@(aView.frame)).to(equal(@(CGRectMake(40, 10, 100, 60))));
            expect(Pin.lastWarningText).to(beNil());
        });

        it(@"check the access to PinLayout methods from objective-c", ^{
            rootView.pinObjc.wrapContent().layout();
            rootView.pinObjc.wrapContentInsets(UIEdgeInsetsMake(0, 0, 0, 0)).layout();
            rootView.pinObjc.wrapContentTypeInsets(WrapTypeAll, UIEdgeInsetsMake(0, 0, 0, 0)).layout();
            rootView.pinObjc.wrapContentPadding(10).layout();
            rootView.pinObjc.wrapContentTypePadding(WrapTypeHorizontally, 10).layout();
        });
    });
});

QuickSpecEnd

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
'Watchmen' – Superhero redux on HBO Max
!Featured, based on a comic book, Blu-ray, Cult Movies, DVD, HBO Max, satire, Science Fiction, Streaming Movies, superheroes, SVOD, thriller 08/13/202208/13/2022 Sean Axmaker
Zach Snyder delivers perhaps the most faithful adaptation of Watchmen (2009, R), the landmark graphic novel by writer Alan Moore (uncredited on screen, as is his tradition) and artist Dave Gibbons, that anyone could hope for.
Moore's story reimagines the history of comic book superheroes in the real world of global politics and complicated (and at times psychotic) psychologies and his original characters echo familiar icons of the DC Universe (right down to the "Justice League"-like team). It wasn't necessarily new when it was written in the 1980s and is certainly not now, but the execution of the graphic novel pushes every element of the conception to mythic and apocalyptic dimensions while acknowledging the psychosis driving so many of the characters. Snyder, a comic book fan, is as slavishly faithful as possible to Moore's original work, from the opening murder of the brutal, bloodthirsty Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) to recreations of Gibbons' artwork in key scenes.
Snyder gets the schizoid conviction and moralistic hysteria of Old Testament avenger Rorschach (perfectly embodied by Jackie Earl Haley right down to his throaty, phlegmy "hrrrmmm"), a Batman-like character on the edge of insanity; the vestiges of human emotion struggling with existential disconnection in Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), a scientist whose very atoms have merged with the universe and given him unlimited power and a god-like perspective on the world; and the arrogance and false piety of industrialist gazillionaire Adrian Veidt (Matthew Goode), aka Ozymandias, the smartest man in the world, whose show of suffering for all the souls he kills is a piece of theater he stages like a martyr. There's also Nite Owl (Patrick Wilson), a fifties-style science hero with a veritable Batcave filled with his inventions, and Silk Spectre (Malin Akerman) following in the footsteps of her mother (Carla Gugino), who was the superheroine pin-up of her generation.
The story of costumed superheroes into the real world offers a visual spectacle to be sure, but it emphasizes the "novel" in graphic novel: narrative complexity, character dynamism, the density of fiction and history and commentary swirling together. It swirls with metaphysics and meta-storytelling but also digs into the psyches and complicated relationships between the characters. Snyder streamlines the story, judiciously editing out subplots and side-stories, and he even dares to change the details of Moore's original ending, twisting it with an insight so perceptive that one wonders if Moore would have done the same had it occurred to him, so beautifully does it wrap itself within the self-contained mythology and the character dynamics.
In the age of big screen superhero spectacle, Watchman is still something special, a film that privileges mystery and conspiracy and deeply damaged or confused characters over endless scenes of CGI battles. It is not the best comic book movie ever—it is more compelling than exciting and lacks the urgency and passion and dynamism of Nolan's Batman movie or the best of the Marvel universe—but it's deep dish storytelling and offers a fascinating take on costumed heroes that no other big-budget movie has grappled with. Not even Snyder's own subsequent Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice or Justice League. And for that it has earned its place in the comic book movie pantheon.
The Director's Cut, which runs 24 minutes longer than the theatrical version, delves even deeper into the characters and the culture of their world and is works well in the home video setting, where it's easier to settle in to a longer experience. Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut weaves in animated sequences of the "Tales of the Black Freighter" comic book featured in the graphic novel (frankly, I don't think it works in the context of the feature). At this time, they are only available on disc and VOD.
Add to My List on HBO Max
On DVD and Blu-ray and on SVOD through Amazon Video (original theatrical cut
and Director's Cut
), iTunes, GooglePlay and/or other services. Availability may vary by service.
Watchmen: Director's Cut [Blu-ray]
Watchmen: Director's Cut [DVD]
Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut [4K UltraHD + Blu-ray]
The theatrical version is available in a single-disc edition with no supplements and the longer Director's Cut is on the DVD Special Edition and Blu-ray edition.
The most obvious additions to the Director's Cut are the death scene of Hollis, the original Nite Owl (it's a beautifully executed scene that perfectly translates the scene from the novel), and scenes of Nixon and his cabinet contemplating a first strike as the Cold War moves closer to going nuclear. But just as enriching are the little character bits laced through the film and the added length provides more time to reflect on the characters, their motivation and their fractured psyches: not just the schizoid conviction and moralistic hysteria of Old Testament avenger Rorschach and the sadistic psychosis of the Comedian, a brutal Fascist beating and murdering whoever he can under the facade of patriotism, but the growing disconnection of Dr. Manhattan and quantum logic that makes him both everywhere at once and tied to the moment of human experience, and the God complex and false piety of Ozymandias, who manages to profit from his plan to save mankind. It's a thoughtful film swirling with metaphysics and meta-storytelling and I find that those dimensions come through even better on home video, which is well suited to slower narratives filled with novelistic detail. The longer cut delivers just that.
The featurettes are not as interesting or detailed as the film's fans might hope for (and of course author Alan Moore is completely absent from any and all supplements). The 28-minute "The Phenomenon: The Comic That Changed Comics" is a decent survey of the origins and impact of the original graphic novel and the 17-minute "Mechanics: Technologies of a Fantastic World," with physicist James Kakalios (an unofficial scientific adviser on the film), looks at the science behind the fiction, but neither are all that revelatory. Exclusive to the Blu-ray edition is the "Immersive WB Maximum Movie Mode," which adds a twist to the familiar interactive audio-video track of little featurettes, interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, storyboards and comic book panels popping in the screen. This mode is most effective when Zach Snyder literally steps into the frame to discuss a scene in depth, at times stopping and rewinding to pick out details and illustrate his points.
2009, Billy Crudup, Blu-ray, Carla Gugino, Comedian, Dr. Manhattan, DVD, HBO Max, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman, Matt Frewer, Matthew Goode, Nite Ow, Ozymandias, Patrick Wilson, Rorschach, Silk Spectre, Stephen McHattie, VOD, Warner Bros., Watchmen
What to stream: 'A League of Their Own' – the series on Prime Video, 'Five Days at Memorial' on Apple TV+, 'Day Shift' and '13: The Musical' on Netflix
Will Smith is an 'Enemy of the State' on Peacock