apple juice

I have never voted. Like most people I am utterly disenchanted by politics. Like most people I regard politicians as frauds and liars and the current political system as nothing more than a bureaucratic means for furthering the augmentation and advantages of economic elites. Billy Connolly said: “Don’t vote, it encourages them,” and, “The desire to be a politician should bar you for life from ever being one.

From a barn-burner of an essay from Russell Brand about politics. We no longer have the luxury of tradition

His observations about left-ist political movements lacking excitement are pretty interesting:

As John Cleese said, there is a tendency to confuse seriousness with solemnity. Serious causes can and must be approached with good humour, otherwise they’re boring and can’t compete with the Premier League and Grand Theft Auto. Social movements needn’t lack razzmatazz.

The right has all the advantages, just as the devil has all the best tunes. Conservatism appeals to our selfishness and fear, our desire and self-interest; they neatly nurture and then harvest the inherent and incubating individualism.

The amazing thing about this – besides the lack of precaution in speaking in public on a train – is that someone from the NSA calls up Heyden to let him know someone is listening in on his conversation! Yikes.

Former Spy Chief Overheard Giving Off-The-Record Interview from Acela Train

The episode came to a remarkable conclusion shortly after Matzzie noticed Hayden receiving a new phone call, and joked on Twitter that Hayden’s office must have heard what was happening and called to warn the former spy chief.

photomelissa:

Looking west with the sun.

I would love to move to NYC. I miss the bagels and the Pizza. What would I do with my Red Sox obsession?

Cute video.

Ninety-seven percent of scientists agree: #climate change is real, man-made and dangerous. Read more: OFA.BO/gJsdFp

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 16, 2013

It’s going to take a lot more than tweets to get new policy on climate change. but there is hope. You probably read the guardian’s recent post that 97% of scientific papers on climate change agree that it is man-made. You’ve also probably read that we’ve passed 400ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Here’s hoping that the next 30 years brings serious and sustained action on climate. Time to vote the deniers out of office… Glenn Gruenhagen of Glencoe – I’m looking at you for starters. “United Nations fraud and lie”? Conspiracy theory much?

the new daft punk is my official summer record. there is a wonderful groove permeating this record. I’ve only streamed via iTunes. Contemplating a vinyl purchase. But it’s $33.49 on Amazon. That is a serious premium over the digital version.

graduation is nearly upon us this year, and I just found this speech by David Foster Wallace. Worth a listen.

THIS IS WATER – By David Foster Wallace from The Glossary on Vimeo.