Harry Monk

Lost Puppy

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:16:52 +0000

LOST PUPPY
Sunday Sessions
After Ibiza,
Artist: My My (live) Cocoon/Playhouse
Support: Perc (live) Kompakt/Perctrax
Date: Sunday 2nd December 2007
Time: 2pm – v late
Venue: 12 Acklam Road, W10 5QZ
Nearest Public Transport: Westbourne Park

Tickets: £10
THE GIG
My My are playing live for one night only in London as part of their 'Songs for the Gentle' world tour. With
support from Perctrax label owner and Kompakt regular Perc aka Ali Wells, newcomers Star Magix with their
first live performance in London, and DJ extraordinaire toyboy tramp. A superb musical Sunday session in
the newly refurbished 12 Acklam Road (formerly Neighbourhood). Lost Puppy is an intimate Sunday Lounge
Session solely concerned with bringing quality electronica to a discerning, passionate audience.
LINKS
My My: Full discography: www.discogs.com/artist/My+My
Myspace: www.myspace.com/justmymy
Perc: Full discography: www.discogs.com/artist/Perc
Myspace: www.myspace.com/perctrax
Lost Puppy: Free Podcast: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=259823258
Facebook /Last fm Group: Lost Puppy
Tickets: www.ticketweb.co.uk
http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=242856
ARTIST INFO
My My (Cocoon/Playhouse)
Lee Jones & Nick Hoppner
My My have had an incredible year. The cross-over smash 􀀂Fast Freeze􀀂,
which opened Cocoon􀀂s Compilation G release in June, has taken on a life of
its own, and their take on last year􀀂s smash 􀀁Les Djinns􀀂 is still a dancefloor
staple. Delicious remixes for the likes of Motorcitysoul, Piemont & St.
Sebastian have cemented their reputation as intelligent musical talents, and
they have been whipping up crowds all summer with their unique live set.
The members of My My met through their love of music, Brit Lee Jones
followed the scene to its source in Berlin, where they ended up as neighbours
in Berlin´s Mitte. A lifestyle of committed partying, cake baking and long studio
sessions eventually lead to their debut release on Playhouse in 2005. After
My My􀀂s debut album “Songs For The Gentle” released to huge critical
acclaim, Lee and Nick, who form the core of the project, took their music live
to clubs all over the world, including Fabric in London, Nitsa in Barcelona,

Perc (Kompakt/Perctrax)
Ali Wells
Starmagix
Sally Leese & Benny Roberts
Label owner and musical maestro Ali Wells was first signed by James Holden in late 2001,
Ali has since served up a unique fusion of house and techno that has seen him trample
across genre barriers to take his sound around the world. Opening up his discography
with the relentless bass assault of debut single 'I Make Nuclear' Ali has not looked back,
releasing and remixing at a steady pace without ever sacrificing quality in order to be
prolific.
2007 is proving to be the busiest year in Perc􀀂s career. So far this year he has released
the mighty Sticklebrick EP on Adam Beyer􀀂s Drumcode label, 􀀁Up􀀂, his monster
collaboration with Fractal on Kompakt, remixed Trentemoller, Elite Force and Jeff Bennett,
released his own 􀀁Skid Grease EP􀀂 on Perc Trax and licensed a track to a compilation by
legendary DJ Francois K.
Releasing on a host of labels as well as his own Perc Trax imprint, singles such as
'Splashy', 'Ice Cream For Kenton' and the Nathan Fake remixed 'Closer' have picked up a
wide range of compilation requests including Slam, James Zabiela, Francois Kervorkian,
D. Ramirez, Chris Liebing and Ibiza superclub Space plus consistent radio play. Every
original Perc release to date has featured on at least one compilation and recent support
is better than ever coming from Laurent Garnier, Erol Alkan, Misc, John Digweed, Lee
Burridge, Claude Vonstroke, Remute, Chris Liebing, Jeff Bennett, Cass, Chloe and many
others.
August 2007 Interview: www.eq-mag.co.uk/interview13.html
After the huge success of “Songs For The Gentle”, My My have been remixing for labels Get Physical, Klang,
Bpitch Control, Connaisseur, Dessous, Aus Music and others. Expect a new release on Playhouse shortly, and
exciting new sounds and projects from these talented chaps in the year ahead.
Sally Leese & Benny Roberts have this kick ass studio in the depths of Devon where
apparently, during a good session, pixies and elves have been known to materialize.
Star Magix produce their laid back minimal grooves with high definition, high volume
sound systems in mind. Professor Stretch plays a crucial role completing the over all
sound using his extensive expertise & passion to help polish up the tight, bouncy
grooves.
They􀀂ve been ferreting at the controls this past year to bring us a batch of chunky,
uplifting beats that have coalesced into a live set, tried and tested on various festival
goers over the summer and now ready for a London foray.
Talented, unsigned, and gorgeous, we are excited!
Myspace: www.myspace.com/jabastarmagix

Police States, Mind Control, Zeitgeist, 9-11...

Fri, 9 Nov 2007 20:27:25 +0000

 WE MUST STOP THE POLICE STATE BY EXPOSING 9/11
Though many different frauds are addressed in Zeitgeist (see Zeitgeitsmovie.com), at the present time the most important issue is exposing 9/11 and thus exposing government sponsored Terrorism. If we do not, they will erode all of our civil liberties and an oppressive, military style, surveillance based Police State will take firm root.  On Aug. 4th 2007, the Senate passed the Bush backed 'spy bill', which preserves & expands the illegal domestic spying program. I hope people are educated enough by this time to know that such legislations have nothing to do with Terrorism, and everything to do with monitoring and controlling American dissent.
Furthermore, on May 9 2007, Bush signed the National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive, which gives Bush near full dictatorial powers in the event of a "National Emergency". Bush, and the people he works for, will be able to do ANYTHING they want if a "National Emergency" is deemed. All they need is a "New 9/11". The US Constitution will no longer be applicable.  In regards to this Directive, Paul Craig Roberts, a former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury during the Reagan administration, has come out and said he feels the White House is preparing to STAGE A NEW 9/11 and the executive order is designed to capitalize on such an attack, specifically to impose Martial Law and Invade Iran.
IN ORDER TO STOP MARTIAL LAW AND THE TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE US CONSTITUTION, WE MUST STOP ANOTHER FALSE FLAG ATTACK. THE FIRST STEP IS TO EXPOSE THE 9/11 FRAUD. THIS IS THE EVENT THAT IS BEING USED TO JUSTIFY THE DEVELOPING POLICE STATE, NOT TO MENTION WORLDWIDE OPPRESSION.

Bush's World War Three

Thu, 8 Nov 2007 20:17:09 +0000

" We got a leader in Iran who has announced that he wants to destroy Israel. So I've told people that if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon. I take the threat of Iran with a nuclear weapon very seriously...." (George W. Bush, 17 October 2007)

Grin and Laugh: "Here's his expression while saying the words "World War Three" (Huffington Post, 17 October 2007)

"I believe that. I believe that [the revolt of passengers on the hijacked flight 93 on September 11, 2001] was the first counter-attack to World War III." (George W. Bush, May 6, 2006)
"This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous... Having said that, all options are on the table." George W. Bush, February 2005)
 
We are not living in a sound and rational World, where far-reaching decisions by the US President are based on an understanding of their likely consequences.
A World War III is no longer a hypothetical scenario.
During the Cold War, the concept of "mutual assured destruction" (MAD) was put forth. An understanding of the devastating consequences of nuclear war largely contributed to avoiding the outbreak of war between the US and the Soviet Union.
Today, in the post-Cold war era, no such understanding prevails.   The specter of a nuclear holocaust, which haunted the world for half a century has been relegated to the status of "collateral damage".
US foreign policy under the Neocons is based on a diabolical and criminal agenda. The "war on terrorism" is a lie; Iran does not constitute a threat to global security as confirmed by a recent IAEA report. Iran does not constitute a threat to Israel.
The US president is a liar, who believes his own lies.
While Iran's non existent nukes are said to constitute a lethal and deadly threat, so-called tactical nuclear weapons "Made in America" are described in Pentagon documents as "harmless to the surrounding civilian population".
In a bitter irony, those who decide on the use of nuclear weapons believe their own propaganda. A preemptive nuclear attack on Iran is upheld as a bona fide humanitarian undertaking which contributes to global security.
And now the US Head of State, who has a limited understanding of geopolitics, let alone geography, is hinting that if Iran does not give up its nonexistent nuclear weapons program, we might be reluctantly forced into in a World War III situation. Bush has insinuated that as Commander in Chief, he could decide to launch a war on Iran, which would result in World War III.
"Dr. Strangelove rides again." In an utterly twisted logic, World War III is presented by the US President as a means to preventing collateral damage.
The war would be triggered by Iran, who has refused to abide by the "reasonable demands" of "the international community".
Realities are twisted and turned upside down. Iran is being accused of wanting to start World War III.

   Media Blackout
World public opinion has its eyes riveted on the cataclysm of "global warming". World War III on the other hand is not front page news. We are talking about the loss of tens of thousands of lives: the consequences of the US military agenda which includes the preemptive use of nuclear weapons in a very concrete way threatens the future of humanity.
At present US and coalition forces including NATO and Israel are in an advanced state of readiness to launch an attack on Iran. Leaders of the coalition fully understand that such an action will result in a World War III scenario. Escalation scenarios have already been envisaged and analyzed by the Pentagon. US sponsored war games have even foreseen the possible intervention of Russia and China.
World War III has been on the lips of NeoCon architects of US foreign policy from the outset of the Bush regime. It is contained in a document published in September 2000 by the Project of the New American Century (PNAC),
The PNAC's declared objectives imply a "long war", a global war without borders::
"defend the American homeland;
fight and decisively win multiple, simultaneous major theater wars;
perform the "constabulary" duties associated with shaping the security environment in critical regions;
transform U.S. forces to exploit the "revolution in military affairs;"
Former Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney had commissioned the PNAC blueprint prior to the 2000 presidential elections. The PNAC outlines a roadmap of conquest.
The pre-emptive nuclear doctrine contained in the Nuclear Posture Review is supported by the Republican Party and Washington’s conservative think-tanks
George W. Bush is an instrument of powerful economic interests. A preemptive war on Iran has widespread support by the US Congress, it is also supported by America's European partners and allies. Leading Republicans have expressed their support for a preemptive World War III scenario. In a 2006 interview at the height of the Israeli bombing of Lebanon (July 16, 2007), former Republican leader of the House Newt Gingrich candidly acknowledged:
"We’re in the early stages of what I would describe as the third World War and, frankly, our bureaucracy’s not responding fast enough and we don’t have the right attitude. And this is the 58th year of the war to destroy Israel and, frankly, the Israelis have every right to insist that every single missile leave south Lebanon, and the United States ought to be helping the Lebanese government have the strength to eliminate Hezbollah as a military force — not as a political force in the parliament — but as a military force in south Lebanon.
The Bush Administration has adopted a first strike "pre-emptive" nuclear policy, which has now received congressional approval. Nuclear weapons are no longer a weapon of last resort as during the Cold War era.
In a classified Pentagon document (Nuclear Posture Review) presented to the US Senate in early 2002, the Bush Administration established so-called "contingency plans" for an offensive "first strike use" of nuclear weapons, not only against the "axis of evil" (Iraq, Iran, Libya, Syria and North Korea), but also against Russia and China. 

Husband Convicted Of Manslaughter After Dutch Oven Goes Wrong

Wed, 7 Nov 2007 20:42:18 +0000

Mr Brian Flannery was convicted of 2nd Degree Manslaughter today at Peckham Crown Court, receiving a 5 year suspended sentence for the accidental death of his wife, Gloria Flannery, by toxic suffocation, after he gave her a 'Dutch Oven' that went, as the Judge described it, 'horribly, horribly wrong'.
The case for the prosecution argued for the charge of Murder, putting it to the court that, late one weekday evening as Mrs Flannery was reading a Jackie Collins novel in bed and unwinding for sleep, she was suddenly and forcibly pinned under the duvet by Mr Flannery, who sealed the edges with his weight while simultaneously releasing an enormous bolus of flatulence, which displaced all the available oxygen so that Mrs Flannery passed out nearly instantly, and was dead within 30 seconds.

Arguing for the defence, Mr Cavendish QC, stated that Mr Flannery was deeply upset and regretful. The incident was intended as a light-hearted practical joke, indeed it was the first time Mr Flannery had even tried what is commonly known on the street as a 'Dutch Oven', and even then only after hearing some friends talking one evening in the pub after five-a-side football, about 'doing it' to their wives 'all the time'.

They argued that Mr Flannery had miscalculated two crucial factors which led to the tragic outcome. The first being Mrs Flannery's military tucking in of the 600 weight cotton sheets when she made the bed that morning, which created a near airtight seal . Secondly, Mr Flannery had neglected to remember that he had attended a long business lunch at an Indian restaurant on Brick Lane that day, at which he had consumed a dozen onion Bajees, eight Poppadom, six Samosas, and an extra large beef Vindaloo with garlic naan, all washed down with 8 pints of Guinness beer. The resulting trapped wind, which he released within a 6 inch proximity of Mrs Flannery's face, came in at around 6 litres gas of 95% methane by volume.

During sentencing, the judge, The Hon Dame Roberts, said, "I accept that you did not intend that your wife should die in this manner, and I note both your grief and regret, which is why I will suspend your sentence on the grounds of time already served. Nonetheless, the conviction remains, in the hope that you will be an example to other husbands and boyfriends across the UK, and a ray of light to their long suffering wives and girlfriends, that this frankly gross, and often dangerous practice can no longer be taken lightly, or risk facing such tragic consequences as you have."

Outside the court, an emotional and weary Mr Flannery said, "I am truly very sorry for what I did to my wife, and living with the guilt of what I done is punishment enough. I just hope that others will learn from my mistake. I swear, I will never, ever fart in a woman's face again. At least, not in private."

9-11 & Other optical illusions

Tue, 6 Nov 2007 20:05:39 +0000

There's a wonderful optical illusion which involves a graphic of a ballerina spinning around on one leg. It's called "The Spinning Silhouette Optical Illusion"
Click/Pastek: http://dailyscare.com/2305/9-11-and-other-optical-illusions

This illusion elucidates a very important principle concerning subjective reality, and helps to illustrate a point about the vastly differing views people can hold about events such as 9/11. Some people who look at the spinning figure will first affirm that she is bouncing on her left leg while twirling in a clockwise direction. Others may avow that she is instead bouncing on her right leg and spinning in a counterclockwise direction. Indeed, you can have many people looking at this animated graphic at the same time and not agree as to what is happening. This idea is not really foreign to many people who have made the journey from one belief about 9/11 to its diametrical opposite.
First - we must try and deconstruct the illusion and find out what is going on. When you look at a silhouette of a figure it is not possible to determine if it is facing you, or facing away from you. There is no depth to the figure, it's just an outline - our Left/Right designation of what we visually perceive will set the stage for our belief of what follows. If the human cut-out is interpreted to be facing you then you will assume it is her left foot touching the ground, and vice versa if not. The information is not sufficient when viewing a black and white silhouette, our brain makes an assumption at first glance and then proceeds toward a logical eventuality based upon that assumption.
When you first look at the optical illusion you are subjected to your own implied interpretation. It's interesting to analyze our mindset while going through the entire process of discovery in figuring out this type of problem. I looked at it initially and told myself to concentrate on which leg she is bouncing on - I was sure it was the left, how could anyone doubt it - you can see it, can't you? You would have to be an idiot to think otherwise - anybody who does not see it must be a lunatic. But then something happens, there is a period of thought and analysis, and then a question of our belief. As we catch ourselves seeing the right leg touching and the figure rotating in the opposite direction, there arises doubt concerning our convictions. We come to the ultimate realization that we can be fooled, and it is embarrassing to admit that those assertions we would stake our lives upon, and the derision we feel toward those who do not agree with us, are after all only based upon an illusion.
"When you change the way you look at things - the things you look at change" - Wayne Dyer

It's just a trick - now I can look at the spinning figure and see it going either way - usually by focusing my attention below the dancer upon the movement of the shadow - yes, it's her left leg touching the ground while going clockwise, and yes it is also her right leg touching and she's going in the opposite direction. This understanding of the illusion cannot be achieved until we take the time to study it, as well as our part in viewing it. The key is an awareness of ourselves as witness to illusion that passes for reality, followed by a willingness to discover the nature of the phenomenon. One must in a sense step outside of oneself and watch the watcher. Now I'm ashamed that I could be so sure it was her left leg touching and everyone who disagreed must be stupid, moronic, unpatriotic, knees painted purple, whatever. If we do not take the time to study and understand the trick we will forever be stuck inside this reactive mindset that is subject to misdirection or assumption. Any guesses where I'm going with this?
Years went by and I believed it was the planes hitting the towers of the World Trade Center which caused them to fall. It's simple isn't it? It was those radical Muslim guys, wasn't it? And we should be afraid of them and hate them shouldn't we? NO - it's a lie. If you still believe these things it is because you have not educated yourself about the event and have based your opinions entirely upon what you've been told. Optical illusions are fun, and when we discover the trick we can understand that it is only a matter of subjective reality - both realities being true depending on how you look at it. It is not the same thing as a real world event like 9/11. Now we must look at physical objects and dynamic processes, and more to the point, we must consider the fact that thousands of people were mass-murdered on that day. Then we made war in Afghanistan and Iraq, then a few million more were killed and displaced, now we've got innocent people being tortured, shoes off at the airport, Department of Homeland Criminals . . .we could go on here for a bit. You owe it to yourself and your country to find out if there is any shred of evidence to support the assertions made by the 9/11 truth movement. This is much more than a mental exercise where we can train ourselves to believe both realities depending on interpretation. There is only one reality about 9/11 - yet we have two diametrically opposite belief systems about what happened. I'm telling you that if you still believe the official "conspiracy theory" about this tragedy, it is because you have not taken the time to educate yourself and study the event and realize the trickery being foisted upon you by the US government. Ask yourself how you would react if you found out that they were truly responsible, ask what you could do about it when the mainstream media is controlled by the same people involved, as is the Congress, the military, the courts.
"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists" - J. Edgar Hoover

Jet fuel can't melt structural steel, molten metal does not appear unless there is sufficient explosive energy involved. Freefall speed cannot be achieved unless sufficient mass is removed as in controlled demolition. NORAD does not stand down unless directed. You do not remove and destroy evidence unless you are guilty of the crime. Gag orders are not issued unless you want the truth suppressed. Video tapes are not withheld unless you are lying. Patriot Acts are not made into laws unless you want to institute a fascist state...we could go on here for quite a while. Look at the answers I get from people when I bring up these points - they tell me I'm a moron, I'm not an engineer, etc. Thanks folks, you explained the melted steel really well with that answer, and you are obviously well-versed in the sciences AND classical literature, and let me help you along with your line of reasoning - I'm also overweight, I'm getting older, balder, blinder, etc. But none of this ad hominem stuff bespeaks to any of the central incongruities being raised. It only illustrates that you are in a certain stage of understanding about the event, and would rather get angry with the messenger instead of dealing with the message, and I'm still standing here trying to explain X. I've been in your spot and I've felt the same anger, I've looked at myself carrying erroneous baggage contrived by others to provoke me towards hatred, and I can understand the indignation of people who are disgusted at the 9/11 truth movement. Once, I felt exactly the same way they do. Until we receive factual information about what's going on, our first response is always going to be hostility against anyone who can't plainly see the spinning ballerina so obviously bouncing on her left leg going clockwise. That is the critical difference between myself then and now - information.
“Strange times are these in which we live when old and young are taught in falsehoods school. And the one man that dares to tell the truth is called at once a lunatic and fool” - Plato

I went to pick up my child from school the other day, and while waiting outside the classroom I looked at a big mural put together by the students. This bed sheet sized piece of folk art displayed a person's head in the middle, with all these circles around it containing one word messages like hope, understanding, curiosity, character. Inside the graphic head which occupied the centre were similar messages and aphorisms, obviously representing the dynamic of learning, growth and development, and all presented in the most positive and uplifting way. When my children were born I was awestruck with the miracle of creation and the sanctity of life. What happens to us? Why can I not feel that sense of wonder when considering most of the adults in this world? Moreover, if that mural in the school is really indicative of our society's values and its hopes for our young - why do we witness so much deceit and corruption by our political leaders and governmental institutions. Obviously, there is a lot that happens to us between that state of being newborn and becoming an adult.
"The moment a baby is born a collective effort is made to chain him to servile dependency on various beliefs. This is all the educational systems have ever done, and yet they say their aim is to liberate man. But what really happens is that a shrewd and subtle mental slavery slowly overtakes the mind of the individual. This system does not teach people how to think, it simply pumps them full of beliefs. It does not encourage doubt, it does not allow rebellion, and the products of such an educational system are usually unable to think for themselves" - osho

The ability to think for yourself is of paramount importance in this survival game. If you allow your opinions to be formed by society through the media, you will inexorably be led down a path of moral contradiction and unconscious collusion. Everybody I know who is "switched on" about the current situation has shut off their TV a long time ago. When you unplug yourself from the daily lies and misdirection there unfolds new possibilities for awareness - when you change the things you look at, you begin to redefine what is actually important and relevant in your life. It's a funny thing - when it comes to our personal computers we all have anti-virus programs as well as various other utilities for filtering out the steady barrage of trojans, worms, spyware and everything else that is constantly being thrown at us. We realize the importance of protecting ourselves from the harmful elements that might corrupt our personal computer - but what about our brain? What about the constant bombardment of garbage we are inundated with on a daily basis through network news, advertising, sitcoms and infotainment? One of the most significant things you can do to start the detoxification process in your life is to shut the TV off. Talk to a real person, read a book, go somewhere, build something, experience through your own senses instead of sitting there for hours at a time entertaining yourself in front of the CIA controlled electronic brain manipulator.
"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose" - Helen Keller

There's something else that unifies many people I know within the 9/11 Truth movement. That is an awareness of a bigger reality of which 9/11 is only a part. Once you start down that road of inquiry and discovery it is truly a bumpy ride - layer upon layer of deceit and manipulation unfold until every precept we may have once held about our society and our role in it gets called into question. You begin to see a different side to many issues - it's like your new-found ability to look at the spinning ballerina both ways and understand that it is but a contrivance. You realize that certain people will purposefully manipulate the information we receive toward an agenda, only instead of being hidden, it is so blatantly obvious to you now.
The frog who lived in a well thought that his entire world consisted of the well, himself, and the portion of the sky that he was able to see from the bottom of his home. The frog bragged and felt very proud of his home in the well - the walls, the water, the mud and all of the lowly creatures it ruled over. One day, a sparrow flew down to the well and greeted the frog. The frog boasted to the sparrow of its grand kingdom. The sparrow looked down into the well and laughed. Then she told the frog about the sky, the earth and the vast span of water. She described the miles upon miles of deserts, the lush grasslands and endless mountains. After listening to these words, the frog in the well was shocked into realization of the things he was willing to see and hear in his own small world - Ancient parable
These malevolent forces that have set upon their task of controlling humanity have always been with us. As we widen the circle of our understanding through education and awareness, the circumference of darkness also increases as we begin to imagine what we do not know, but so does the sense of fulfillment in our lives as we engage our environment and affect change toward a more dignified realization of our humanity. I haven't met one person yet who is sorry they embarked upon that journey.

The Bill Hicks Top 10 'Whores of Corporate Music' Awards

Mon, 5 Nov 2007 20:00:59 +0000

Cast your votes for the finalists of the 2007 Bill Hicks ‘Whores Of Corporate Music' Awards. A definitive countdown of the Top Ten recording artists most likely to bend over, relax, and take a good, hard length from a well known corporation, in exchange for endorsing their products or brand.

Dalai Lama doc UK premiere

Fri, 2 Nov 2007 19:37:48 +0000

THE UK PREMIERE OF DALAI LAMA RENAISSANCE

Dates: Thursday 15th & Friday 16th November 2007
Time: 8.30pm
Venue: Central Hall, Westminster
Street: Storey's Gate (opposite Westminster Abbey)
City: London SW1H 9NH
Nearest public transport: Westminster Underground
Doors open from 8.00pm
Tickets: £8 - Advance bookings: www.bethechange.org.uk or 0845 4585925

THE PREMIERE

The filmmaker, Khashyar Darvich (Producer-Director) will introduce this inspiring documentary, narrated by Harrison Ford, as part of the Be the Change ‘The Sky’s The Limit’ 3 day conference towards a blueprint for a sustainable future, this year dedicated to Anita Roddick.

REVIEWS

“A revelatory documentary” Kyoto Journal
A provocative, even enlightening film” Montreal Gazette

LINKS
http://www.bethechange.org.uk
http://www.dalailamafilm.com/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0953363/
http://www.dalailamafilm.com/synopsis.html
http://www.dalailamafilm.com/trailer.html

SYNOPSIS
This is a revelatory documentary about the "Everyman" journey from egocentric consciousness to something more sublime. The film follows forty global experts in their fields who travelled to Dharamsala to advise the Dalai Lama. The first scenes reveal a hilariously clashing hootenanny of mild-mannered Engaged Buddhists, solemn Catholics, gabby physicists intent on demonstrating the convergence of quantum physics with ultimate reality, New Agers dressed in purple, social change visionaries, and progressive economists, all engaged in "synthesizing" and "witnessing" brain-storming to collect all their brilliant ideas to present to the fourteenth Dalai Lama. This well-educated and well-mannered group then revolted against their endlessly patient facilitators, in a gray-haired inverse variation of the "Lord of the Flies." Throughout the chaos that ensued, each player was shown as confronting her or his own ego, as much as they confronted the facilitators and fellow participants. Their conflicts with each other, and most of all, with their own egos were actually uplifting, as they struggled to be truthful and respectful while their "bubbling over" clashed with the facilitators' attempts to create some order out of the unwieldy explosion of dialogue.

The Butterfly Dream

Thu, 1 Nov 2007 19:43:35 +0000

THE BUTTERFLY DREAM
C. W. Chan

Chuang Tzu, a contemporary of Mencius, is universally regarded as the greatest Taoist after Lao Tzu. His butterfly dream is probably the most celebrated dream ever to be recorded in the history of Chinese Philosophy, which makes it almost impossible to omit in any serious expositions of Chuang Tzu's works. Whether or not the dream actually occurred is not a matter of great importance. What is important is that it has captured the minds of generations of Philosophers. My aim in this essay is to discuss a number of views that I find interesting.

Once upon a time, Chuang Tzu dreamed that he was a butterfly, flying about enjoying itself. It did not know that it was Chuang Chou. Suddenly he awoke, and veritably was Chuang Chou again. He did not know whether it was Chuang Chou dreaming that he was a butterfly, or whether it was the butterfly dreaming that it was Chuang Chou. Between Chuang Chou and the butterfly there must be some distinction. This is a case of what is called the transformation of things.
Discussion: "This shows that, although in ordinary appearance there are differences between things, in delusions or in dreams one thing can also be another. The transformation of things proves that the differences among things are not absolute "
The first piece of work that we are going to look at is the paper by Kuang-Ming Wu: Dream in Nietzsche and Chuang Tzu . Even though Chuang Tzu and Nietzsche lived centuries apart, they, nevertheless, have much in common when it comes to dreams. For Nietzsche, reality is subjective and dream is objective. That is, what we see around us and do everyday are all products of our dreams. They are not correct descriptions of reality, but something subjective and illusory. It would be a mistake to take dreams as not dreams but something real.
Chuang Tzu, however, preferred something more compromising: "When I say you are dreaming, so am I." In other words, we are all dreaming. This is best illustrated in his butterfly dream story. 'The passage:
Once upon a time, Chuang Tzu dreamed that he was a butterfly, flying about enjoying itself. It did not know that it was Chuang Chou.
tells us that, in the dream, he was perfectly clear about his identity, but after he was awakened, this became uncertain.
Suddenly he awoke, and veritably was Chuang Chou again. He did not know whether it was Chuang Chou dreaming that he was a butterfly, or whether it was the butterfly dreaming that it was Chuang Chou.
In other words, awakening gives rise to ignorance or uncertainty. Hence, in reality, we are all dreaming. This awakening to ignorance also demonstrates Nietzsche's claim that all cultural activities are nothing but dreams. According to Wu, Nietzsche merely stated this but did not provide any evidence.
Having concluded that reality is subjective and dream is objective, Nietzsche did not say that we should regard dreams as some nocturnal fantasies that we should dismiss. Instead, he advises us that we should use them as a guide in our daily activities. Similarly with Chuang Tzu, having concluded that there must be, ontologically, a distinction between the butterfly and himself, though epistemologically unsure, and that this is nothing more than a transformation of things, he, too, advises us that we must forever live and be content with this constant transformation.
Next, we shall look at the paper by R.E. Allinson: A Logical Reconstruction of the Butterfly Dream: The Case for Internal Textual Transformation. On this occasion, Allinson looks at the ordering of the lines in the original passage. In order to achieve logical consistency, he said, some of the lines in the original passage should be rearranged. For example, the lines
He did not know whether it was Chuang Chou dreaming that he was a butterfly, or whether it was the butterfly dreaming that it was Chuang Chou.
should be put before the lines
Suddenly he awoke, and veritably was Chuang Chou again.
since the state of uncertainty should be attributed to dreaming, not awakening. Hence, the story should read:
Once upon a time, Chuang Tzu dreamed that he was a butterfly, flying about enjoying itself. It did not know that it was Chuang Chou. In fact, it did not know whether it was Chuang Chou dreaming that he was a butterfly, or whether it was the butterfly dreaming that it was Chuang Chou. Suddenly he awoke, and veritably was Chuang Chou again. Between Chuang Chou and the butterfly there must be some distinction. This is a case of what is called the transformation of things.
Furthermore, if Chuang Chou was in a state of uncertainty, after he was awakened, then how can he be sure that there must be a distinction between himself and the butterfly, as stated in the last verse.? In other words, the state of the mind should proceed from Uncertain -> Certain, and NOT from, Certain -> Uncertain - > Certain.
It's clear from both the original and the modified version of the story that from Chuang Tzu's point of view, and perhaps from philosophers in general, objects or things should have no absolute representations; under different states of consciousness things look different. To state what consciousness actually is is beyond the scope of this essay. What I would like to say, however, is this: If consciousness is defined as the ability of realisation, then different states of consciousness are just different states of awareness. Using this definition, we can say that there exist two states of consciousness in the passage, namely, dreaming and awakening. But could there be actually three states of consciousness, instead of two, as it's usually interpreted? The first is the normal dream state when Chuang Tzu dreamed about the butterfly, which he thought was himself. The second is what I called the day-dream state - a sort of intermediate metastable state between dreaming and awakening. In fact, it~s during this day-dream state that he was being subjected into not knowing whether he was just now dreaming he was a butterfly or the opposite, the butterfly dreaming that it was Chuang Tzu. It wasn't until he was more or less fully awake, the third state, at the level of the so-called correct philosophical understanding, that he concluded the dream with the idea of transformation of things.
Rearranging the content of the passage as Allinson has done, would, in my opinion, destroy that essential message that the story is trying to convey, and that is, even when one is awake - in this case partially awake - such transformations are still possible. Based on this argument, the so-called raw version of the story is sufficient as it stands. Furthermore, as pointed out by William James, every great philosopher has his own vision. In order to grasp the philosophy of a Philosopher, one needs to see things from his point of view. If in attempt to explicate philosophy one adopts the attitude based on a particular set of beliefs as a correct format of philosophy, one would inevitably face the consequence of generalisation.
The question why he dreamt of the butterfly and not a tiger, for example, can be attributed to the way the mind functions and the role it plays in dreaming: what's within is manifested without; our personality is a representation of our inner-self. Chuang Tzu was the sort who enjoyed living in total freedom. The butterfly he dreamt of was. therefore, him, or what he wished to be.

Connelly & Keanu make Earth stand still

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:55:16 +0000

Jennifer Connelly has signed on and Kathy Bates is negotiating to star in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" for 20th Century Fox. Keanu Reeves has already boarded the sci-fi remake.
Scott Derrickson will direct the pic as his follow-up to "The Exorcism of Emily Rose." Ryne Douglas Pearson wrote the screenplay; David Scarpa penned a recent draft.
Story kicks off as aliens land on Earth carrying a message for all humans: Live in peace or be destroyed. Connelly is set to portray Helen Benson, the role Patricia Neal played in the 1951 original.
Fox has set a December start date in Vancouver.
Erwin Stoff is producing alongside Derrickson's partner Paul Boardman, who also produced "Emily Rose."
Connelly is shooting the ensemble comedy "He's Just Not That Into You" for New Line. She will then segue to "Day the Earth Stood Still."

Oh, No. Anything But The Womens Prison...

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:16:37 +0000

Tennis Coach Claire Lyte was found guilty yesterday of conducting a lesbian affair with a nubile young minor. The court judge told her she faced an "inevitable" custodial sentence in a women's correctional facility. Claire responded, deadpan, "Oh, no. Please. Not the women's prison. Locked up with all those other women. Oh. Anything but that."

Former Wimbledon player Claire Lyte, 29, had sexual relations with the child between May 2005 and June 2006 while working as a coach at the Lawn Tennis Training Academy at Loughborough.
She shared a bed with the girl, wore her underwear and was caught engaging in oral sex by the child's mother.
Liverpool crown court heard the mother caught her daughter and the coach naked in bed together in October 2005. The jury was told that Lyte, who coached the girl for 10 months, had offered to babysit her.
Following a lengthy trial, in which normally apathetic, and mostly male, Jurors attended in record numbers, the Judge read the verdict yesterday and announced that sentencing would take place in November. Outside, the long queue of members of the public, again, mostly male - who have been vying for limited spaces on the public benches since the trial began - was hushed by a creepy murmur of excitement at the verdict.
It is rumoured that Claire Lyte has already cut a deal for the rights to her story with Larry Flynt, of Hustler magazine, who have been running a weekly, "Sun Newspaper" style photo-comic strip of lurid details of the case as they unfolded in the court.
Ms Lyte was last seen high fiving her lawyer at the back of the court.