Slob versus Food

The Travel Channel, which features a wide array of shows on various subjects related to Travel, has a few shows which feature Travel related to Food. There are good ones, like Anthony Bourdain's The Layover and No Reservations, and there are some that are not so good like Man v. Food. The show is hosted by Taxi Driver wannabe, Adam Richman, who appears to have won a fistfight with Producers to host it. Whereas Anthony Bourdain exhibits an elegant streetwise style in hosting his shows, Adam Richman may remind viewers of that certain someone who mugged them as they left JFK Airport.

Official Man V Food Website on the Travel Channel

Richman's claim to expertise is having worked at various positions in the Food Industry. My assumption would be (although I will admit to being biased against him, based on him being a SLOB) that he has not been in any White Collar Role in the Food Industry, or with any established quality Restaurant. My assumption would be WRONG, however. Take a look at Richman's Official Bio on the show's Website:

Adam Richman Bio

So, Richman is a "Yale Man"? Hmm . . . that seems incongruous with the gruff and vulgar image he presents to viewers on his show. It should be revealed here, for fairness' sake, that I myself am a Slob. I take no pride in saying this, but I do not wish to change my personae either. I wear black Sweats and black T-Shirts as part of who I am as a Buddhist. I am studying to be a [deeply disturbed] Soto Zen Buddhist Priest, and I wear what I do as part of that Discipline. For Official functions, I would wear a traditional Rakusu and Robe, but the black Sweat Suit serves my day to day lifestyle better. I, however, do not host a Television show.

What ends up troubling me about the show is not anything unique to Adam Richman though. He is no better or worse than any other Slob on Television. What actually troubles me is the glorification of Gluttony that the show paints as a Positive part of American Food Culture. If one had previously suspected, before watching this show, that Americans were ALL just Gluttonous Animals with no self control and/or no semblance of discernment or sophistication, this show might tend to CONFIRM those suspicions.

There is a phrase that is widely accepted, mistakenly so, as a Truism by many citizens of the United States: "Go BIG . . . or don't go at all." Perhaps it is that mentality that has led to the extremely high rates of Obesity among average Americans. The idea of maximizing size, weight, and duration of things/events/ideas in the United States is routinely accepted as appropriate. Shoppers want the maximum amount of whatever they shop for - to be paid for with the least amount of Money. That idea permeates every aspect of American Culture, kind of like the smell of Cow Dung on a Cattle Ranch.

Given our level of comfort with maximizing in the United States, it probably will probably seem like overkill to many people who read my rant about Man v. Food. But, I believe that THIS VERY IDEA is the heart of the problem. In our quest to maximize our consumption and ownership of Everything, we miss the simple pleasures associated with enjoying Anything.

This idea is exemplified by the very core of Adam Richman's show: to take on "Food Challenges." He finds Food Superlative "Challenges" to highlight and conquer as part of the Raison D'Etre of the show. For me, this core motivation for creating the show represents a societal sickness; one that probably needs to be explored in a public manner. And thus, I would ask the creators of the show: Does one have to eat the Biggest Pizza in Boulder Colorado to truly enjoy a Good Pizza?

A good Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich does not have to be the size of a Garbage Truck to be truly appreciated. A delicious Pink Lady Apple does not have to break a World Record in Size to bring a sublime pleasure to the consumer. A large dish of Pad Thai is nice, but if it is more than a person or group of people can consume, then it is superfluous and wasteful. This show promotes that kind of spiral-eyed wastefulness that has given Americans a poor reputation across the Planet.

Again, I am aware that my criticisms may be perceived as petty or unwarranted by many who read them. [Yes, I am actually assuming that someone other than the chronically bored or those in Home Incarceration will read my Blog] But, it is my hope that my insane and poorly written critique of this show will at least inspire those of you with some working Neurons to begin to think. I am not the first person to criticize a "Reality Television Show." I will probably not be the last. I just feel that criticisms of Reality Television Shows, like Man v. Food, should at least stimulate people to question whether or not such shows actually show us Anything of Reality. There is more to Life than competition and enormity. [No, I am not frustrated with my Genitals] There is actually the possibility of a "Zen" type of appreciation of all things; especially those that we eat to sustain us.

Peace and Compassion to you!

Jeffrey

My Hero's New Book

Very brief plug of a Book written by a personal Hero of mine, Father Gregory Boyle, S.J. "G-Dog," as he is known to some of the young men and women he works with, runs the largest Gang Intervention Program in the United States. For many of us, he is the Embodiment of what Christians have described Jesus Christ to be. The book is a collection of stories from his years of working with Gang Bangers, and it has special meaning to me because I know Greg Boyle personally, and I wish to emulate some of the successes of service to others that he has accomplished. I urge everyone to buy the book and be inspired by Los Angeles's own equivalent to Mother Theresa. The link to the book on Amazon.com is below:

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion

If you do not enjoy this book, then there is something seriously wrong with you. Peace and Compassion to you.

Jeffrey

Jimmy Caps on the Job

On Tuesday, January 10th, of this New Year, the Los Angeles City Council voted 11-1 to pass a new City Ordinance that would require the provision of, and use of, Condoms on the set during the production of all Adult Movies made in the City. A second vote is required before the Ordinance would take effect, however.

Mail.com version of the Story

This is actually quite a significant gesture. Since about 90% of all commercially distributed Adult Movies made in the United States are made in the San Fernando Valley, (sometimes known as the "Porn Valley"), this Ordinance will deeply affect the Porn Industry as a whole. The Industry already engages in mandatory HIV Testing for all its Actors and Actresses, but the City is acting to prevent a proposed Ballot Initiative by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation from being voted into Law in the next Election.

What is interesting is that, for an industry which routinely sells materials including unprotected sex, and brags about "Creampies," "Oral," "Anal," and other gimmicky names of the transmission of bodily fluids, there is a relatively low rate of transmission of STD's. There are complaints that Porn Producers routinely violate the Rights of Adults acting in their Movies, and independent groups investigating the issue generally agree that these Producers are not the most responsible group of people in the World.

However, what concerns people like myself, in this time of Regulation Phobic Government, and a Healthcare Mandate Phobic Population, is that an industry that engages in Morally Taboo but perfectly legal activities is being targeted for regulation. While I am completely in favor of Actors and Actresses in the Adult Industry being encouraged to use Condoms in their professional activities, does the City of Los Angeles really need to tell consenting Adults what they can and cannot do Sexually? Will this Ordinance apply to small scale Husband and Wife Producers as well?

I can imagine that the torches are already being lit, and the Bibles are being procured from the shelves here. But, when the Federal Government, Cities, States, and Counties seem to take issue with preventing Banks from foreclosing on Homes they don't even own, corporations pumping toxic waste into the Ground Water to get Natural Gas and Oil, and our Military is dropping bombs on counties whose leaders we don't like, is telling the Adult Film Industry to use Condoms really in line with our "National Values"? We don't regulate the worst offenders in our Society, why are we so anxious to regulate an Industry whose products people obvious want? Someone is buying Porn, or it would not be made.

So why is there a push to stamp out the Global Pandemic of STD's being transmitted by Adult Film Stars having unprotected Sex to the innocent citizens of the United States? Well, it could be that it is part of a greater agenda to push our core values as a society ever more towards the Conservative end of the Political Spectrum. Aside from Ron Paul, all the members Rogue's Gallery of Candidates in the Republican Party who are running for President have declared their religious beliefs as part of their agendas. Since they all are Conservative Christians, (I include Catholics and Mormons among the Conservative Christians - sorry you Born Again people who think differently - actually, I don't care what you think), it would seem likely that they would support any regulation that would tend to impeded the production of sinful Adult Movies.

Will this move create more Jobs in Los Angeles, or protect our poor children from Poverty? Probably not. Does it actually decrease the likelihood that a Resident of the City Los Angeles will contract HIV? While it may actually prevent the transmission of STD's on the sets of Adult Movies, it should be noted that there has been no reported cases of Adult Industry related HIV in five years. How many people in the Political Industry have possibly transmitted HIV to others during that same period?

And, what kind of precedent does this set for those who create Laws? Unprotected Sex is not illegal. Adult Film production is not illegal. However, this Ordinance would make Unprotected Sex illegal for those who wish to profit from it in a legal manner. Is the Porn Industry a form of legalized Prostitution anyways? Technically, it is. The fact that a third party, in the form of a Producer, is paying for the Sex to take place does not change the fact that two or more individuals are being paid to have Sex. That is actually the Definition of Prostitution. Someone approves of it, or no Adult Industry products would sell.

So, how long will it be before unmarried people, who wish to have Sex after dates are required to wear Condoms? Does that seem like a huge jump to you? Well consider this, it is currently legal for you to agree to pay for Dinner, an expensive Concert or Play, and some other "Gift," with the full knowledge that Sexual Intercourse is the reward at the end of the expenditures. However, if you agree on specific amounts and items in advance of having Sex under those conditions, it is considered to legally be Prostitution. Think I'm spouting fiction here? Look it up, or ask a legal expert.

So, that being the case, what is to stop a City, in a supposed effort to prevent Crime and Disease associated with Prostitution, from passing Regulations that prohibit Sex between unmarried Adults where one party pays for the other's evenings' entertainment, or gives the party a "Gift"? Well, it could legally be done in much the same manner as the Ordinance that Los Angeles City is passing on the use of Condoms on the sets of Adult Movies. Would it pass Constitutional muster? Who knows? It is something to think about after the knee-jerk "Atta-boy" that might otherwise ooze from our mouths.

Is it important for Adult Film Producers to encourage Actors and Actresses to use Protection on the set? Yes. That is always best. But, when the possibility exists that Husband-Wife small scale productions could be impacted by such rules, is it really okay that they should be forced to change their sexual behaviors by a City Government? Do Adult Film Producers abuse Actors and Actresses by forcing them to have unprotected Sex on the Set? Numerous reports indicate that they do. Will this Law likely stop such Producers from forcing their Actors and Actresses to have unprotected Sex in their movies? Probably not. They probably will not even move production outside of the Porn Valley. They will likely make their movies, and just distribute them through more discreet channels, where fewer eyes are on them. This Ordinance is an interesting push to regulate something that affects very few people's lives currently. However, the potential for even more intrusive and restrictive Laws is cleverly hidden behind it. It is not a good idea.

Jeffrey

Please Share My Blog With Others!

If you like the Picture of the Chicken, (there is no actual reason why I chose this specific picture, by the way), and you like the foolishness that I post on my Blog, then PLEASE consider sharing the link to my Blog with your Friends and Enemies! I have many insane and meaningless things that I am attempting to accomplish with this Blog, and having you share it with others moves me closer to WORLD DOMINATION! . . . I mean my Goals. So, help a poor guy out and let every Sentient Creature you are familiar with know about this Blog! Thanks in advance!

Jeffrey

The New Sideshows and Cruelty

The picture above is of one Phineas Taylor Barnum (P.T. Barnum), Sideshow Mogul, Circus King, and generally cruel bastard. He made a living off of exploiting those suffering from horrible defects & malformations, and parading fraudulent Exhibits as centerpieces of an Empire of Hoaxes and Exaggerations. He raised the idea of a "Publicity Stunt" to new heights of profitability. Today, with the advent of "Reality Television," his feats would likely barely raise an eyebrow. On the Evolutionary Chart, P.T. Barnum probably would not sit very prominently as a prime example of an "Evolved Human Being." Then again, at least we can be thankful that we don't see his face in ads attempting to sell us Timeshares, Luxury SUV Leases, or Beers with that promote Pride in their Consumption.

The Barnum Museum Home Page

Though Barnum was not the first soulless and greedy twit to exploit the defenseless and outcasts of Society, he was one of the first to be World Famously successful at it. It is quite likely that he inspired Shows like "The Gong Show," "Cops," "Big Brother," "Survivor," and a slew of other degenerate shows that have followed since then. Comedian Daniel Tosh, (see photo below), has taken his cruel sideshow mentality into the Internet Age with the Comedy Central show "Tosh.0." The show features Tosh contacting people of questionable intelligence and sanity who have foolishly posted videos on the Internet, so that he can cruelly and relentlessly make fun of them.

Tosh.0 Official Website on Comedy Central

What strikes me about shows like Tosh.0 is the total and absolute disregard for the Humanity or Dignity of the poor hapless people it targets. Daniel Tosh is an androgynous character, whose comedy is reminiscent of  Dennis Miller, only from a slightly more intellectual base. And let me add that while many people found Dennis Miller to a clever Social Commentator, the truth is that he was little more than ill-informed tool of people much brighter than himself, with an unjustified sense of arrogance that fooled many people into believing that he was something other than a cruel Toad. [No, I do not like him] Tosh dispenses with the self-important smugness, but keeps the cruel and exploitative tone in his "Web Redemption" adventures. The people he features have their interactions with him edited in a way to make them look cartoonish and less than Human. That gives the viewer license to laugh without conscience, and feel a sense of superiority over them.

But why have I chosen to focus on these Sideshow Kings now? Well, aside from my own personal loathing of both the cruelty and inhumanity of such exploitative shows, I think such shows have led us to something even more reprehensible:

No, that is not Jabba the Hutt, from the Star Wars Movies, though he could easily be a less scrupled relative. It is Roger Ailes, Head of Fox News. Where as P.T. Barnum and Daniel Tosh have conducted their shows for much smaller audiences, Fox News has an audience that actually spreads around the World. If Barnum and Tosh are Show Business Tools that simply use others to make themselves rich, then Roger Ailes is the God and Lord of such types. Fox News uses a similar type of sideshow technique to promote the interests of large corporations, and wealthy scumbags around the World. So to expand the analogy, if Barnum and Tosh are minor Demons, Ailes is the Prince of Darkness, Satan.

In the world of cruel exploitative Media, Ailes has done things that might likely make even P.T. Barnum blush with shame. Fox News does not solely make a mockery of poor misfits and outcasts, it makes a mockery of Reality as an Objective and Verifiable Commodity. That is why, even though it might seem more logical to compare Ailes to Yellow Journalism Giant William R. Hearst, Hearst ultimately did not achieve the levels of depravity and exploitation that Ailes has. Ailes has engaged in practices that takes "News" in a direction that really has little to do with "News" at all.

Aside from the fact that Fox News has no "News" absent editorials at all, it also presents its "News" in the most cruel and inflammatory manner possible. Fox News does not simply "Report" on any event, newsworthy or otherwise; it also assassinates Reality. Exaggeration involves the idea of adding things to a story that might not be completely accurate. Fox News moves far beyond exaggeration, into the realm of overt Lies. They do this in a manner that not only dispels truth and accuracy, but also seeks to exploit the ignorance of their audiences, and harm those who Fox News has determined to be their "Enemies." And unlike Barnum or Tosh, they do it for the hidden Sociopaths that own Newscorp, and the large Corporations that hire Newscorp to do their bidding.

Now, do I have ALL the information/proof necessary to make a conclusively solid case that Roger Ailes and Fox News act in a deliberately deceptive manner? No. I have some information to this effect, but probably not enough to act in a legal manner against them. Therefore, I am required to add the caveat that I make my assertions as a matter of opinion. I do not represent these ideas to be anything but my opinion, but I do implore my readers to do their own research on Fox News. I think that, if you have not already been convinced that Fox News is "Fair and Balanced" by their propaganda, you may find that you agree with my opinions.

Oh, and as to the other sideshows on Television and Internet, I would hope that Humankind might grow away from laughing and gawking at the misfortunes of others for cruel and inhumane pleasure. If that is not the case for you, then I hope when someone sticks a camera and microphone in your face during a dark time in your life, you have the ability to find the sideshow exploitative "News" experience entertaining. Peace and Compassion to you.

Take Pride In Your Beer

Today, I posted an obviously unwelcome and conflict-inspiring comment on my Facebook page about the recent Ad Campaign by the Company which brews Samuel Adams Beer. It can be seen on the following Front Page of their Website:

Take Pride In Your Beer

Now, I am a believer in Free Speech and Free Enterprise as much as the next guy . . . actually, I am not . . . just pretend that I am, however, so I can make my convoluted point. But, after the responses I got to my criticisms of the Ad Campaign, I thought I should go a little further and anger a few more people by expanding them.

While I realize that I run the risk of my opinion getting me sued by Samuel Adams' Lawyers, I feel the overwhelming need to say something in rebuttal to this Ad Campaign. And, for those of you who consider Beer to be "Sacred," I honestly question both your priorities, and your sanity. And for the record, this is all just one very very poor person's opinion:

Samuel Adams Beer has produced a Commercial suggesting that individual consumers should "Take Pride in your Beer." It should be noted that, in my opinion, Samuel Adams makes a fairly good Beer, as Beers go. However, there is something quite disturbing in the Idea that ANYONE would consider the consumption of Beer, let alone a specific brand of Beer, to be something that one should express Pride in.

Our Society allows such surreal nonsense to be used in advertising on a regular basis, but we have no public discussion on the possible implications such language carries. Without going into the Citizens United Supreme Court Opinion, and my anti-elitist mentality, I will say that there are few legal restraints on what Advertisers can and cannot say. However, at best, Beer is a more mild Intoxicant, containing lots of calories with ZERO NUTRITIONAL VALUE. At worst, it is an Intoxicant, causing people to lose control of their faculties when it is over-consumed. While most Beers are not teeming with the grossest of ingredients, I doubt that anyone would assert that Beer is any sort of "Health Food."

Though Beer drinking is ancient, and innocuous enough as a practice, elevating it to something that people should be "Proud of," is kind of a slap in the face to Abject Reality. For all those who have actually accomplished extraordinary feats and created gifts to Humanity that we all feel pride in remembering, putting a Beer in the Museum next to them seems a bit vulgar. For example, Jonas Salk, the Developer of the Vaccine that eradicated Polio in the World, probably should not be compared to Jim Koch, the Founder and Chief Brewer of the Boston Beer Company in terms of relative achievements. And, with all deference to Mr. Koch as well, nobody should really be as excited about Beer as Jim Koch claims to be. We used to call people like that "Alcoholics." I guess we just call them "Entrepreneurs" anymore. I know I will be hated by some for saying this too, but it needed to be said.

From the responses I got on Facebook, I see that many people do not fully understand what the implications of are of this Ad Campaign. They see Beer as something that is simply consumed for pleasure, and something of a standard of Americana, related to our History and Social Structure. So, allow me to post a couple of pictures that show more accurately what there is to "take Pride in":

Here is a really uplifting report from the Centers for Disease Control on Obesity and Obesity related Deaths:

CDC Report on Obesity (PDF Format)

And here are some real Prideful Statistics on Drunk Driving:

Drunk Driving Statistics

Hopefully, I have offended the largest possible Beer Drinking and Beer Producing groups by now. If you are one of those offended, please understand that I am not indicting the idea of drinking Beer at all. I am simply suggesting that asinine Ad Campaigns like the "Take Pride In Your Beer" are just another part of the mindless orgy of Product Endorsements that sell dangerous lifestyles over actual quality products.

I should confess here that I do not consume Alcohol anymore. After suffering from the ravages of Alcoholism for many many many years of my Life, I gave it up years ago. However, I did have the pleasure of tasting Samuel Adams Beers before completely engaging in a personal prohibition on its consumption. It is an excellent tasting Beer, and I take no issue with the quality of the product at all. However, I would suggest that their Ad Managers might be consuming a little too much of their product, and should probably consider thinking a bit more about a socially responsible alternative to suggesting that people be proud of consuming Alcohol.

Just one Zen Ape's opinion!

Jeffrey

2012: My Return to Insanity, and this Blog

Dear Readers,

For a period now, I have been writing this Blog as a way to attract attention to a number of other projects that I have been working on. Well, for the this last year of existence on Earth, 2012, I have decided to go back to the same sarcastic and unpopular writing style that I developed many years ago when I was living a Life of extreme misery and poverty (oddly, it is the same Life I live now). And no, I do not believe in any of the nonsense about the World ending in 2012. And yes, I was taking a cruel poke at those who do.

The Blog is actually becoming a way for me to vent my frustrations, and share my useless observations with people of questionable judgment and/or sanity. I will, like I have promised many time before without honoring, being making more frequent postings on it. The posts may cover any subject that my clearly disturbed mind might latch on to, or anything that happens to fall out of my pocket as I pick up clothes to do the laundry. What it will not do, however, is become anything similar to a source of News or relevant commentary. I am neither bright enough, nor interested enough in World Events to be a voice of any importance in the World. I am, however, occasionally capable of saying something mildly amusing, and often capable of saying numerous things that are downright stupid and angering.

So, for this upcoming year, I invite you to come and read this Blog when you feel so hopeless that you can't go on any longer. When your Hope is dimming, and you have the knife blade to your throat, come to me. My writings will either cheer you up, or give that needed courage to make the deep cuts you need for relief.

Jeffrey