Thursday, July 20, 2006
Un buen blog de temas tecnológicos
Para los amantes de la tecnología, gadgets, chácharas o como les llamen a los aparatitos electrónicos que tanto nos gustan, no dejen de visitar el tecnoblog de Ives Laurent.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
The latin giant
I am amazed to see the news regarding all the demonstrations that have swept across the USA. Those immigrants lead very complicated lifes, and it must be both relieving and empowering to be able to go out to the streets and shout "I exist! I am productive! I am not a criminal!"
When somebody tells you something over and over again, there is a big chance you'll end believing it. These immigrants have heard for ages that they are invisible, and now they are starting to notice that to be the first minority is to hold a certain amount of power, however shaky and diffused.
I really doubt that the latin community will stay united for long after a migratory policy has been issued, but at least, after this, they'll no longer feel invisible.
When somebody tells you something over and over again, there is a big chance you'll end believing it. These immigrants have heard for ages that they are invisible, and now they are starting to notice that to be the first minority is to hold a certain amount of power, however shaky and diffused.
I really doubt that the latin community will stay united for long after a migratory policy has been issued, but at least, after this, they'll no longer feel invisible.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Bush and the immigration policy
If things weren't so serious, it would be funny. A country that prides itself in being "the melting pot" of cultures, is now so xenophobic that it intends to build a wall to stop immigration. That will not only be expensive, it will also be quite futile. Three facts make it impossible for it to succeed.
First, the border is much larger. Unless they build a fence that stretches along the entire border, it will be just a matter of finding a different spot to cross.
Second, the income differences are so huge between Mexico and the USA, that people will still find it worth while to take their chances and try to cross by any means necessary -fence or no fence- as many times as it takes to finally make it.
Third, the immigrants that are already there are "constructing" a support network for future immigrants, helping relatives and friends to make the jump. Sure, the measures will make it tougher to cross, but not impossible. Since it can be done, it will be done.
Also, another point of the bill that is quite ridiculous is that, since they want to make it a crime to immigrate without papers, it will be possible for police to stop any random guy who looks like an immigrant, even if he was born in the USA, and ask for papers, and if he fails to produce them (left them at home, lost his birth certificate, whatever) he can then be treated like a criminal and jailed, and later deported. That does sound quite fascist to me. Anyone want to share a thought on that?
First, the border is much larger. Unless they build a fence that stretches along the entire border, it will be just a matter of finding a different spot to cross.
Second, the income differences are so huge between Mexico and the USA, that people will still find it worth while to take their chances and try to cross by any means necessary -fence or no fence- as many times as it takes to finally make it.
Third, the immigrants that are already there are "constructing" a support network for future immigrants, helping relatives and friends to make the jump. Sure, the measures will make it tougher to cross, but not impossible. Since it can be done, it will be done.
Also, another point of the bill that is quite ridiculous is that, since they want to make it a crime to immigrate without papers, it will be possible for police to stop any random guy who looks like an immigrant, even if he was born in the USA, and ask for papers, and if he fails to produce them (left them at home, lost his birth certificate, whatever) he can then be treated like a criminal and jailed, and later deported. That does sound quite fascist to me. Anyone want to share a thought on that?
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Star Wars, the end of an era
I have seen some comments in internet forums or in some blogs which speak of this last Star Wars movie as the end of an era. I think that is a bit nonsensical. Let me explain.
First, nobody really expects movies to go on forever. Some have aggravated us with Freddy Krugger and Jason and their gazzillion movies, but being realistic, no movie plot-line can give too much to sequels and prequels.
Besides, everybody thought the saga had ended in 1984 above the fourth moon of Endor. The fact that we got an extra series of movies was only a bonus, one that nobody really expected when they left movietheaters after watching Luke become the last Jedi Master.
My second reason is the fact that in the last 20 years, we have seen the publication of quite some novels, short stories, comic books, books, trading cards, etc. etc. etc. that have expanded the Star Wars Universe so much it would take somebody as old as Yoda to see it all. Numerous characters have been created that are as appealing as those from the classic trilogy: Talon Karrde, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Mara Jade, the Solo twins, and so many more!
Movies or not, writers will keep creating more adventures in that universe, thrilling us just as much -if not as spectacularly- as the movies.
They all create a single entity which is sooo much more than just the movies... that I know that we will have Star Wars for many years yet to come. Rest assured.
See you on a galaxy far far away...
First, nobody really expects movies to go on forever. Some have aggravated us with Freddy Krugger and Jason and their gazzillion movies, but being realistic, no movie plot-line can give too much to sequels and prequels.
Besides, everybody thought the saga had ended in 1984 above the fourth moon of Endor. The fact that we got an extra series of movies was only a bonus, one that nobody really expected when they left movietheaters after watching Luke become the last Jedi Master.
My second reason is the fact that in the last 20 years, we have seen the publication of quite some novels, short stories, comic books, books, trading cards, etc. etc. etc. that have expanded the Star Wars Universe so much it would take somebody as old as Yoda to see it all. Numerous characters have been created that are as appealing as those from the classic trilogy: Talon Karrde, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Mara Jade, the Solo twins, and so many more!
Movies or not, writers will keep creating more adventures in that universe, thrilling us just as much -if not as spectacularly- as the movies.
They all create a single entity which is sooo much more than just the movies... that I know that we will have Star Wars for many years yet to come. Rest assured.
See you on a galaxy far far away...
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Revenge of the Sith
So, the circle is now complete, as Darth Vader said so many years ago. And now, Lucas has proven he can still direct a movie. I was quite disappointed with the first two prequels, as his storytelling habilities seemed to be a thing of the past. Now, I have to admit that this one rivals Empire Strikes Back for the title of "the best movie of the saga".
What amazed me is that in spite of all the special effects, we still see the characters emotions. We perceive Anakin's love, anger, frustration and understand his slow descent to the Dark Side of the Force. It seems to be avoidable, and such knowledge makes it so much more intense, our feeling of loss so much more palpable.
The Empire is born amidst betrayal: the Jedi order, the Republic itself, and in the center of all the events, Anakin drives it all, with an all too human rage that brings a galaxy back to... peace. His goal is to finish the war, and to keep his love from dying. He achieves the first thing, but the manipulation of the Sith Master Darth Sidious will deny him the second. That can send any man into the clutches of the Dark Side, any day. So close, and yet so far away...
Great movie. If you haven't seen it, go now.
What amazed me is that in spite of all the special effects, we still see the characters emotions. We perceive Anakin's love, anger, frustration and understand his slow descent to the Dark Side of the Force. It seems to be avoidable, and such knowledge makes it so much more intense, our feeling of loss so much more palpable.
The Empire is born amidst betrayal: the Jedi order, the Republic itself, and in the center of all the events, Anakin drives it all, with an all too human rage that brings a galaxy back to... peace. His goal is to finish the war, and to keep his love from dying. He achieves the first thing, but the manipulation of the Sith Master Darth Sidious will deny him the second. That can send any man into the clutches of the Dark Side, any day. So close, and yet so far away...
Great movie. If you haven't seen it, go now.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
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