Korroktheunseeable's Blog

Keep the Beat sweeps Humber tonight!

korroktheunseeable — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:06:20 +0000

When I was in Grade 9 I was fortunate enough to take part in an event that would change my life for the better. In the first semester I witnessed an event known as “Keep the Beat”. This was a coffee house followed by a 24 music marathon, played in the cafeteria of my high school. At this event we had Brownsound and Cone of Sum 41 come in and talk about their experiences in the war torn countries of Africa. It at this event I became enamored in the efforts of this activist group.

Online Promotional Art for a Keep the Beat event

After 5 years of living my life, I have found this group to be very relevant to me. Due to my involvement with a wide array of organizations I have become very concerned with child soldiers. Which is why I advocated a “Keep the Beat” event at Humber College. While not a 24 hour event, this coffee house is an event to help gain awareness and to listen to some great music.

If you attend Humber College or the University of Guelph-Humber and would like to participate in this event please visit the Residence Cafeteria and 7:00pm tonight.

My Undercover Mission into the Bowels of the Internet: 4chan

korroktheunseeable — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:25:23 +0000

4chan. The name itself strikes fear into those who have witnessed the power to the internet unbound. Some believe it is a Leftist site harboring illegal activity while others find it to be a cancer that is sweeping through the internet. This post will be an analysis of my observations in 4chan.

Would you think that this was the symbol for Evil?

I have spent 3 months lurking through these swamp pits known as “Boards”. This is where many of the popular memes and macro images appear from. Rickroll, LOLcats, Advice Dog, all of these memes started in the pages of 4chan.

My involvement has been minimal fortunately. I have only observed the forum threads and have refrained from posting any threads as of right now. My scientific research has been purely observational.

I have observed the following percentages in this realm.

5% Well adjusted intelligent people. age range 24-35

40% Meme followers. Only there to be part of the next big meme. age 14-19

10% Scum of the Earth. Legitimate illegal/ammoral material circulating. age unknown

45% Socially maladjusted outcasts attacking anything they can find. age 12-25

Before you think that I am marginalizing these users. It is important to power of anonymity. Every post published on this site is given the author title as “Anonymous” meaning that no one is able to trace who posted the comment or thread. (Read: Trolling) This is the very essence of the internet. Complete uncontrolled culture being devoid of major funding. An organism that was created and simply let go.

4chan at time of creation circa 2003

4chan today. Yeah I don't know what happened either

So I suppose I will end this post by stating that whether you believe that 4chan is a monster, or just a couple of kids playing with photoshop. It cannot be denied that the power that is being wielded is very unnerving. I firmly believe that after my research I can safely say, that those of a weak heart should not tread there.

Post a comment, or participate in the poll. Love to hear your feedback.

Culture Jamming (Is that Raspberry?)

korroktheunseeable — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:05:51 +0000

Remember the scene in Spaceballs when Lone Starr jams the radar one the Spaceball cruiser? That is pretty much what “Culture Jamming” is. The act of altering set cultural pieces of media for the purpose of activism and propaganda. I’ll show you an example and we’ll go through the workings of a culture jammed.

This ad was spoofed by the epicenter of culture jamming culture, Adbusters.org a website that fuels a powerful magazine that is released monthly. The original ad was for a Calvin Klein fragrance called “Obsession” The most basic message being sent is that the ad is trying to sell the perfume which is completely legitimate. However, it is very clear that there are other messages being perpetuated.

What this spoof is discussing is two things. One being that women themselves obsess over having sex. This message is in fairly poor taste because this implies that all women are O.C.D. for sex. Which I believe is wholeheartedly not the case. The second message is that wearing this perfume will grant you the ability to get sex at any time you want. Personally, I wouldn’t want to have sex with her. Look at the spine for goodness sake, it’s like looking at Skeletor.

Skeletor purchaser of fine perfume

So in the end, I suppose this spoof is a pretty good eye opener for how advertising companies market products. I certainly find it amusing that these messages are accepted. However, it is refreshing to know that someone is noticing these trends and is willing to put a satire on it.

Buy Nothing Day. Brilliant or Bulderdash

korroktheunseeable — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:34:45 +0000

Buy Nothing Day is an anti-consumerism day perpetuated by social activists all around the world. Normally held the Friday after the American Thanksgiving this event marks awareness for over-consumption. The message is to begin making better decisions about the materials we use and to simply consume less.

I find this event to be fairly light hearted, simple, has very little cultural significance. The event itself is similar to the Live 8 concerts held around the world. “HEY EVERYONE! MAKE SURE YOUR AWARE OF THIS! BUT DON’T DO ANYTHING NOW! NOW WE PARTY!”

To say that awareness can change something is idiotic.Talk minus action equals zero. Buy Nothing Day does go the one step further than Live 8 and actually stops buying things for a day but in the end they are going to start buying again the very next day. So what is the point?

This isn’t a rhetorical question. I genuinely would like to know what the purpose of Buy Nothing Day is if every single person is just going to buy something the very next day.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think.

Net Neutrality and You (and the guy behind the curtain)

korroktheunseeable — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:20:36 +0000

There is a growing crisis surfing the world wide web. A storm approaches between the freedoms of the internet and those who wish to profit off of its unlimited use. One could say this is a call to arms. To take action against the forces of evil. And no I am not talking about 4chan.

Their symbol alone is terrifying

I am speaking of Net Neutrality. Net Neutrality is a basic principle that states that anyone, anywhere has the ability to create their own website and has the freedom to visit any site they wish. Despite this ideology there are those who wish to control the powers of the internet for the sake of profit. Paying for e-mail services, blocking and controlling which particular sites are accessible and a multitude of other features for sheer profit is the final goal of some internet service providers.

To learn more about this menace to the cyberspace check out

http://www.savetheinternet.com/index.php

Media Hegemonies

korroktheunseeable — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:54:26 +0000

Have you ever wondered which companies own other companies? I know it seems like a bit of an odd question to ask, but think about it for a second. Chances are that some things you thought were never connected are in fact, owned by the same company.

Picture Related?

I’m going to get in depth with the Corus Entertainment Company. A company that somehow seemingly owns my childhood. Bear with me on that last statement and let me explain. Corus Entertainment, which is based in Toronto, Ontario, owns a vast array of television, radio and animation companies. This will become clearer as I continue.
When I was a child watching my favourite shows on YTV and Teletoon (Beast Wars, Reboot, and Uh Oh). I was simply transfixed I couldn’t look away from the sheer awesome of these shows. When the shows were done I would go and do something else. But I failed to notice the last credit which was Corus Entertainment.

Uh Oh I miss you...

As I grew older and my interests started to change I began to watch the Documentary Channel and CMT Canada. These shows feed my need for both Medieval weaponry and Garth Brooks. At the same time, I would listen to two radio stations, Y108 which is based in my home town of Hamilton, Ontario and 102.1 The Edge from Toronto. Occasionally, I would hear some fateful words, “A Corus Entertainment network”.

I have only just recently realized that this one Company has seemingly feed me my entire entertainment diet. From when I was a child to this very day. I have been fed a healthy diet of Cous cake and eaten at the trough of entertainment. Perhaps I am a Corus baby and I always will be, or maybe they have been feeding me subliminal messages for years. Who knows? Oh well, at least I have Uh Oh.

Why Corporate News should be like a Ghost Story

korroktheunseeable — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:42:44 +0000

It is not hard to say that much of the news we receive is fake or has severe bias. Certain stations have very opinionated statements about politics, policies and pie. The general opinion on such topics is the demand for less bias and more straight forward news. People demand that we turn against those who would sell us news that is not the entire story, and even less if it has even some political agenda behind it. I however will advocate a different opinion. I believe that we should embrace bias news and juts imagine your listening to a ghost story around a campfire.

Tonight on Fox: The Zombie Machete Wielding Psycho!

I know this sounds a bit crazy but hear me out. We all know how ghost stories work. Someone tells a story, and let us assume it is a story that you already know. The person is telling the story pretty well, but its a little different from what you have heard. Some details are missing and some are added, but the story as a whole is the same. You have a good time, appreciating that stories are allowed to change over time.

If we weren’t so concerned over the minor details and appreciated the story as a whole we would be much happier. After all don’t you just love a good scary story?

Visual Approximation of the Boggey Man

Trolling. A History, A Monster, An Art

korroktheunseeable — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:28:56 +0000

Trolling is an act conducted by people known simply as Trolls. These are people who dwell in the darkest recesses of the internet to attack unsuspecting internet users in hopes of causing controversy.

This chart explains the birth of a Troll

A question you might be asking is why would someone intentionally hurt people emotionally. The answer is simple. For the lulz. Laughing at the expense of others is the simplest answer as to why trolls exist. They often lurk on sites like (but not limited to) 4chan or 2chan. Anywhere where comments or opinions can be shared, there are likely trolls lurking.

There is no government for trolls, they work completely autonomously from any form of structure. They like it this way. Some do operate under a single alias known as Anonymous. Although there is no governing body there are certain rules that have appeared online. Some of them include

Rule 6: Anonymous can be an uncaring, senseless monster

Rule 14: Do not argue with trolls – it means that they win

Probably the most infamous rule. Rule 34: There is porn of it. No Exceptions.

Rule 43 :The more beautiful and pure a thing is – the more satisfying it is to corrupt it.

While I don’t condone the senseless destruction of peoples beliefs or feelings, there is something to admire in the willingness not to except foolishness as a standard. While the motivation is corrupted, the basic idea is still there. Forcing people to back up what they say with either evidence or personal conviction. Leads to people feeling more confident in what they believe in. Therefore, they feel better about themselves.

And if you disagree with anything I’ve said. It means I’ve won. Trolling is an art.

Come get me

La Senza Unintentionally Ruined My High School Life

korroktheunseeable — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:22:53 +0000

La Senza, you are a cruel mistress

It is safe to say that this women is highly desirable to both sexes. Men want her, women want to be her. On a superficial level, this image quantifies many desirable points. She probably went to a college, successful financially, and is supernaturally attractive.

Now at this point it should be noted that this is not the girl next door, your sisters’ friend, or the girl across from the lecture hall. This is a super-model with hours of preparation for the photo and probably a few hours involved after the shoot. This is an advertisement for La Senza, a fairly successful lingerie company.

Located primarily in large commercial centers these stores often have very large window posters showing various women in various (lack of) clothing in various positions. I would often walk by them during my formative teenage years, these being among the more impressionable times. Seeing these fully developed, beautiful women in windows made me establish that what I was looking at were in fact, fully attainable, normal women.

Your in my grade 10 science class right?

I used these models as the standard when I compared others to them. Too short, hair not long enough, talking, all these things I criticized quietly to myself. No girl could satisfy me. I didn’t know that I was unrealistic, I just didn’t know any better. Now I wasn’t completely oblivious to what these posters meant. These were pictures of models showing underwear to teens, and women who wanted to buy them. I knew that much, but I was confusing myself into thinking that the women I was looking at normal women.

This is probably why I only had one girlfriend in all four years of high school. And so, in summary I blame La Senza for ruining my high school life. Setting my standards too high and not realizing that normal people are normal and super models are supermodels.

What is Mass Media? for dummies.

korroktheunseeable — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:27:34 +0000

What is Mass Media? Being in a mass media class the question is often raised. More often than not, large discussions begin and sometimes incendiary arguments arise. I usually sit out of these conversations and ponder that very question, in confused silence.

EDIT: This video has been removed for terms of use violations. However, I recommend you look it up on Youtube. Search: Banana Phone Sesame Street

What is Mass Media? I have been researching furiously trying to find the answer. I have searched through archival libraries, interviewed some of the leading minds in the field of study. In fact just prior to writing this blog, I was speaking with the CEO of CTV and even he said he couldn’t help me with my quest for understanding of this seemingly esoteric term.

Suddenly I realized the answer. I realized I didn’t know what the word esoteric meant. Thinking it sounded cool I looked it up in the dictionary, and I thought “Wow, this is great. Having a book that tells me the definitions of words with the flip of a page.” Thinking about this I immediately searched through the dictionary and found the answer I so desperately craved!

The definition of Mass Media according to the Collins Pocket Reference English Dictionary Canadian Edition!

Mass Media: a means of communication to many people such as television or newspaper

Further investigation lead to the definition of a means

Means: That by which something is done

I finally have my answer! Mass Media is the form that information takes when distributed to the masses! My God! The brilliant truth is enveloping me! CTHULU FHTAGN!!!!!