What It’s Like

For anyone who’s wondered what it’s like to have a movement disorder.

Striking Writers Seeking Web Solutions

Here’s a thought–if striking screenwriters can’t get an adequate piece of the residuals from Internet broadcasts and other digital forms of their shows from the studios, why not write directly for the Web for even more money? Especially since advertisers are paying more now for online ads than TV commercials, because the Web audience is exactly who they’re trying to reach–younger, affluent male consumers.

“Everyone has been awakened to the potential,” said Kristen Stavola, a screenwriter who is helping launch a site to host short videos made by top talent.

Writers are being urged to consider putting their work on sites like sites like MyDamnChannel, Break, Heavy and others. And many are doing just that, hoping to keep total creative control over their work and collect as much as half of all revenue–a much better deal than the standard TV gig.

“When major ad sales deals become a consistent reality on the Web, then our business model will become a sure thing for talent craving artistic freedom and a solid paycheck,” said Rob Barnett, the founder of MyDamnChannel and a former MTV and CBS Radio executive.

The Internet Hoax From Hell

I’m sure this tragic fiasco has made the blog rounds ever since it was first reported, but you have to wonder just what was Lori Drew, a supposedly-adult woman, thinking?

Comparing the Candidates on Enviro Issues

Grist provided a round-up of the different presidential contenders and where they stand on environmental issues. They also have video and a transcript of the “first-ever presidential candidate forum focusing on climate change and energy policy” with Kucinich, Clinton and Edwards.

Oasis or Waste?

They built the golf courses. They grew the grassy lawns. And now, in what Grist calls the “Dumb Idea of the Day,” some developer wants to build a water park–in Mesa, Ariz.

McCain Revisited

In an LA Times op-ed, Matt Welch compares presidential candidate John McCain’s recent statements about his post-Vietnam studies with an essay he wrote at the time.

Welch obtained a copy of a National War College thesis written by McCain in 1974, after spending five and a half years as a POW in Vietnam. He wrote the thesis during a nine-month course that, according to McCain, studied “why and how my country had fought in Vietnam.” However, Welch says the thesis is actually “a relatively technical assessment of how the military’s post-Korean War changes to the Code of Conduct for POWs played out on the ground in Vietnam.”

“What does the wide gap between stated subject and actual essay tell us about John McCain?” Welch asks.

Good question.

Welch concludes: “McCain didn’t necessarily attend the National War College to assess the wisdom of Vietnam. But he did reinforce a belief system that he’s carried to the present day: If you must fight, fight to win, and keep explaining to the American people all along why the sacrifice is necessary. Come January, we’ll begin to find out whether McCain’s message is resonating.”

One Less Rat in the Race

An LA Times column by Ezra Klein reminds us that pursuing things isn’t the same as pursuing happiness. Another by Sandy Banks talks about kicking back and enjoying a simple, stress-free Thanksgiving, instead of planning and implementing a complicated, overstuffed one.

Happy holidays to all in simple pursuits.

Green Consumerism–An Oxymoron?

The holidays are all about buying more stuff. At least, that’s what the retailers and product manufacturers would have you believe. But if you want to have an eco-friendly holiday, they say “it’s all about buying environmentally sensitive products–biodegradable cards, gift wrap made from wastepaper and glass objets d’art fashioned from old beer bottles.”

Is it that simple? What if we buy less and give more in other ways?

Bill McKibben writes for Grist: “If you poll Americans this time of year, far more of them regard the approaching holidays with dread than anticipation. It has long since become too busy, too expensive, too centered around acquiring that which we do not need.”

Maybe it’s time to find an alternative to the consumer-frenzy the holidays have become. And Adbusters say you can start by blackballing the Black Friday shopping spree. Buy Nothing Day–I like the sound of that.

Having Trouble Hitting Those Keys?

From the Paperback Writer, “Ten Things For Impaired/Handicapped Writers.” I’ve had pretty good luck with DragonSpeak, also.

The Writers Strike Back Some More

Found another great video on Craig Mazin’s blog, The Artful Writer, about the issues leading to the writers’ strike. This is what you get when you fuck with writers.