Writing For Radio.

( ) = to indicate pause

underlined = to indicate emphasis

We marvel at them (.) in a way we all want to be like them (.) they offer us an escape from the trials of the real world (.) allowing us to become engulfed in theirs (.) a place where good always prevails and the necessity of evil is short-lived (2)

They colour the world with their graphic existence (.) characterised by strength and independence (.) suave and elegant (2) some riddle us with fancy cars (.) some glide through the air (.) others pierce it with an impenetrable force as onlookers watch in awe (2) we are fascinated by them (.) fictional characters (.) narratives that explore a life outside reality (2)

We long to be like them (.) mutants (.) creatures that defy the laws of nature (.) yet we are compelled to read about them (.) watch them as they dedicate themselves to protect (.) to serve (.) to defend (2) a God-like figure (.) a Saviour (2)

A brand (.) integrated into the lives of ordinary people (.) affecting who we are and how we think (2) they represent a kind of freedom (.) yet they are isolated (.) imprisoned (.) ideological (2) they represent justice (.) of which they will defend to the death (2)

We can never know their true identities (.) they hide in the shadows (.) much like the monsters from our nightmares (.) we come to fear them (2) they all have a dark side (.) most live double lives (2) yet they continue to remain anonymous (.) even in the rawest of moments (2)

Reflections of a fair and just world (.) we admire them (.) they are revolutionary (.) distinct (5)

                                    What are they?



     Music by Brandon K. Guttenfelder. Available under Creative Commons.

Hume's "Essay Concerning Human Understanding": An Analysis.

(Following on from: http://scifichick93.blogspot.com/2011/12/hcj-seminar-paper-291111.html)

Published in 1751, Hume's "Essay Concerning Human Understanding" became so significant that it was said to have awakened Kant from his 'dogmatic slumbers'.

As an amendment of his earlier Doctrine "A Treatise of Human Nature" which sadly "fell dead-born to the press", Hume's "Essay" was instead a shorter and more analytical piece.

I hope my analysis proves helpful to anyone else struggling with the Scottish Empiricists philosophy...

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS REVIEW.

WARNING. REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.

"The thrill is in the chase, never in the capture." (Agatha Christie)

Prepare yourself for a banterous bromance, devilish disguises and a generic German villain who is determined to bring about the death of western civilisation, as a case of mistaken identity leads Holmes, Watson and their gypsy counterpart on A Game Of Shadows.

Image available under Wikimedia Commons.

Guy Ritchie is back, directing in my opinion, a brilliantly executed portrayal of the quick-witted detective's unforgettable escapades.

I found the first Sherlock Holmes film, in which Holmes was faced with the challenge of defeating occult sorcerer Lord Blackwood, rather underwhelming. Considering the supernatural storyline was a reference to author Doyle, it lacked the ominousity and the shock value that makes his stories so appealing.

Reading 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' it is evident that the films detach themselves significantly from the books. Instead, Ritchie has chosen to revamp Holmes into a modern-day action-hero, being portrayed as the "physical type" rather than the "thinker", making the film a comedy of sorts. 

In my opinion, he has done an elementary job. The bullet-time sequences are iconic as we are invited to enter the poetic mind of Holmes in a way that is somewhat intrusive yet captivating all the same. Robert Downey Jr never fails to impress with his portrayal of the sinister Holmes, and the on-screen chemistry between him and Jude Law is undeniably charming.

VERDICT:
"If convenient, come at once. If inconvenient, come all the same."

Festive Frenzy.

I am currently enjoying the satisfying lull that follows Christmas and New Year, having spent most of my time catching up with family and friends after twelve intense weeks of forceful motivation and hard work.

Granted, my first semester turned out to be both fun and enriching and I now embark on a New Year freshly bathed in knowledge and experience.

Wishing you all an exceptional New Year.

Wintershall Nativity (19/12/11)

Squelch. Squelch. Squelch.

As we embarked upon a muddy trench with umbrellas in hand, we anticipated the Christmas spirit brought about by the annual nativity play. The sky was a translucent burn't blue. Typical as the rain continued to pour down.

The breeze was chilling as we passed beacons of fire orientated on both sides of the path. Their essence filled the smoky air comforted by their warmth. My shoes were an inconvenience as they moulded into the clay-like mud that blanketed the pathway.

The service began at the top of the hill with Mary riding a donkey that was guided by Joseph. The crowd, like a swarm, were led east by a star to a near-by barn. I was more concerned about falling into the sticky mud that was now riddled with shoe impressions.

When the service finished we were guided along a walkway scattered with hay and were given the opportunity to interact with the cast. This was the highlight of Mum's evening as she got the opportunity to shake the hand of the man who played Jesus in the previous production.

The service was performed by a troupe of Christian volunteers and was mildly compelling. I'd seen them earlier this year in The Passion Of Christ (a reenactment of the Easter story) and even then, by their presence alone you could tell they had the passion.

How will you be celebrating Christmas this year?

Happy Blogiversary!

That's right. On this day in 2010, I set up my blog.

Mainly with the intention of making a good impression at university, as this time last year I was halfway through drafting my personal statement. 

How times have changed. I am now at a university I love. I am studying a course that I love and I am living with housemates that I, well, love.

We've spent most of the day decorating the house with paper chains as we're all cheapskates when it comes to Christmas.

(insert reference to bonding here)

At 4:32pm it's already getting dark outside and it's turned bitterly cold. I'm cuddled up in bed with freshly washed sheets feeling rather nostalgic. I want to savour these moments as they don't come by often.

I hope you've enjoyed reading and there's plenty more to come.

I mustn't forget to credit my rather awesome housemate Devan for the rather punnerific title (casual neologism). #TheOneWhatsAttemptingBlogging

The Electronic Mode Code - Can You Crack It?

This is the question on GCHQ's state-of-the-art transmitters as the intelligence agency use social networking sites to recruit a new generation of super sleuths.

According to The Daily Telegraph (1/12/11), GCHQ has introduced an internet-based code-breaking game "tracking down" people with the skills for successful hacking in an attempt to combat the high levels of cyber crime present in the current computer age.

This unconventional method differs greatly from their previous attempt, in which they would invite particularly bright students, notably students from Oxford and Cambridge, for a "cup of tea and a chat".

McChesney (1998) defines Political Economy (PE) as "the nature of the relationship of media and communications systems to the broader structure of society" - shaping the way we see the world.

From a PE viewpoint, GCHQ is exercising a certain degree of power over society. Arguably, they are using this exercise to categorize people into levels of intelligence and ultimately, how spy-worthy they are.

This kind of power signifies the decline in the necessity of education by seeking people who are "self taught" in the art of computer hacking. It is made clear that this new media is "socially shaping" the way we view the world as it is made more accessible to the public. 

This is something we would associate with a Capitalist Economic System.

I have skills.

All information and quotes sourced from The Daily Telegraph (1/12/11). 
For more information, visit: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/.

Additional Sources:

- Lister, M 

 "New Media: An Introduction" (2009)