The Most Moral Among Us

So, here’s something I’ve talked about before, but I’ll revisit it in light of the current election…

Certain figures in American politics (mostly on the Right) tell me, quite forcefully, that they represent the best in us. They say they are principled, strong, wise, and, for lack of a better term, genuinely American and truly Christian.

Which may be so…but…well…

I am a middle class, middle-aged chap who lives in the suburbs. I pay my bills on time. I don’t deal in drugs or steal cars or snatch purses. I have never cheated on my wife and don’t intend to. I don’t molest children. I even go to church on a regular basis.

And yet…

I just can’t escape the feeling that if those figures in politics, with all their self-professed morality, should come to power…

I might find myself in a very difficult position. I might find my, shall we say? position in society…terminated.

With extreme prejudice.

Taking Hate Seriously

Here’s an interesting piece of history. Until quite late, as late as 1940, a surprisingly large number of well-informed people thought that Hitler’s anti-Semitism was more show than real. It was, some people thought, merely a way of stirring up the masses, and would dissipate soon enough.

It made sense, really. Hitler was an Austrian, and an admirer of Karl Lueger, the mayor of Vienna who preached but did not practice anti-Semitism.

Only afterwards, did people realized that Hitler had been, all along, entirely ...and terribly...in earnest.

Why do I bring this up? Well, the amazing thing is how often in history we encounter exactly this sort of situation. A monster comes along and tells us precisely what he...or she...is going to do. But nobody believes him...or her. It is all put down as rhetorical flourish.

And then...and then...too late, we learn the truth.

Which is why I bring it all up now. It seems like we’ve got a few people making similar statements today...calling for violence...or making excuses for violence.

We do see it on the Left. Let’s be honest. It’s there. Seek and you shall find.

But, at least here in America, what I find most disturbing is its presence on the Right... in the statements of certain candidates.

And sometimes I fear that we are, once more, making an error...that we are discounting these remarks, a little too easily...

Because, history seems to show that when someone talks about expulsions, concentration camps, carpet bombing, targeted killings...we need to take them at their word. For they may well mean it.

Or even if they do not mean it, well, soon enough, there may well appear, some dreadful literalist, with no subtlety and no sense of humor, who shall make horribly real what his...or her...mentor considered merely abstract speculation.

And from that, boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, we might never recover.

This is the first of a series of short videos which I shall do about my father. And my mother. Their lives. And their deaths.

The videos will accompany a book which I’m also writing about them. When it’s done I’ll post links to where you can find it.

Why am I doing this? Well, as an homage to them. As a way of dealing with my feelings toward them. And, because we all go through this eventually, as a way of stating my affinity with the world.

With, that is, you.

mjt

My latest video...this one a little postmodern in that it talks about art and artist in an age of intelligent creations ...

Yet another experiment

So now I'm trying something else new. I have been posting my videos to Youtube, but then it dawned on me...why not just post them to Google drive (or wherever) and then provide a link to them?

Let's see if it works.

My father's obit...

Another little experimental video. I think this is a little more successful than the previous one, and I learned a great deal while making it (notably getting a better handle on having a picture in a picture).

Still, I think it didn’t quite work out as well as I’d hoped. The idea of a conversation between present, past, and future is an interesting one. But I’m not sure I completely pulled it off here. The meaning of the “future” framework around the major part of the story (my vide0) is just too obscure.

Still, it was interesting to make. (And yes, I really did have this talk with a friend.)

This may be the last of the purely experimental ones for a while. So, stay tuned for the next project...

Just a little meditation on the joys of being an obscure non-entity

Dedicated, with real affection, to those futurists who attempt to predict coming events to the best of their ability, regardless of who their prophecies might offend. And, with perhaps less affection, to those consultants who tell their clients only what they want to hear.

Plus, maybe, a little speculation on the capacity of ideology to blind us to peril.

And, finally, perhaps, some thoughts on the long term effects of the automation of white collar professions.

And part 4 of the Pucket Saga

And here, finally, is part of the Plucket saga :-)

cheers
mjt

And part 3 of the Magnificence of Rudolf O. Plucket!

I'll be interested in seeing how people respond to these. They are my very first attempt at story telling with limited animation. Clearly, I need a lot more practice before I get to the level of high-, middle-, or even low art. But, it is a fascinating experiment for me.

The Magnificence of Rudolf O. Plucket - Part II

My second attempt at telling a fiction as a multiple part, limited animation video. This is Part 2 of a four episode series.

Keep in mind, this is only an experiment...

mjt

The Magnificence of Rudolf O. Plucket - Part 1

Here's something quite new...

This is my first experiment at telling a fiction as a multiple-part, limited animation video.

This is part one. Parts two through four will follow.

Maybe not as close to the bone as my confessional pieces, but I’m learning a lot by doing them.

See what you think.

mjt

Once again, I've been stupid. And done an animation about it.

Like it says, I've been stupid and done a video about it.

The good news is that this is an interesting experiment, combining animation with live video.

Ode To Consumption

Just a little protest written when I was temporarily overwhelmed by the sheer ferocity of holiday shopping. Plus a few terrors about whether or not our society can survive in its present form.

But, don’t worry, I promise, in a week or so I’ll be back to normal and salivating over sports cars like a normal person.

On why the universe doesn't give a d*mn about your morality...

Like it says...

The Very Young Therapist

On why you should never play the martyr card...

Acid, Base...Shame

Another of my animations. This one deals with shame...my own shame, to be precise...but also that of others'

And how really useless, self-destructive, and dangerous it is.

Note to readers...and viewers

Wonder if I will do any more explosive-cargo writings as opposed to videos. No idea. The videos just seem to be more interesting at the moment. Though, truthfully, they don’t get much viewership.

Also, I am tempted to abandon the videos of myself. They worked, sometimes, but at others they just seemed repetitive and boring. And my technique is crude. As my son David put it, quite respectfully, “We need to work on your lighting.” Meaning, at the moment, with the camera I’ve got and the light and shade of things in my office, I look a bit like a cast member of the Walking Dead. And we’re not talking the folks that are still alive.

So I’m focusing on the animation. I suppose that’s pretty crude, too. I’m no cartoonist or professional animator. But, still, my little moving pictures are a hell of a lot more interesting than moi…even if I were (to quote Bloom County)a great Robert Redfort-esque male beauty.

Perversions...

this week's confession. A particularly embarrassing one.

But...

Confession...and Demons

Hey, All,

I'm working with some graphics and animation software. See what you think of this.