Adds new meaning to burning the calendar at both ends...

Art Is Resistance
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We have a winnner!



Art Is Resistance
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Labels: Funny, music, Music Videos, Videos

With a title like: "A Case for Ghosts - An Objective Look at the Paranormal" I was expecting to read theories about how ghosts could be real and how they 'work'. I was expecting case studies, scientific analysis and interviews that generate data to support those theories. (Otherwise, the title would be "A Case *against* Ghosts") Unfortunately, that isn't what I got.

To be fair, you should understand that writers who release through a publisher don't always get much/any say in the cover graphics, jacket copy and title of their book. The publisher supposedly has a better handle on what kind of name/color/words to wrap the book in to give it a larger appeal, so it wouldn't surprise me if Mr Danalek shares in my disappointment. Whether the fault of Mr. Danelek or his publisher, "A Case for Ghosts" was Severely Mis-Titled, directly resulting in several unfavorable reviews online.

That said, the book is not necessarily bad. If you tear the cover off the book and cross out the title (physically or mentally) you could give the book a charitable review, and I'll try to do so here:

The Bad:
Almost every chapter starts with an interruption. "In this chapter, we will talk about X. But, before we can learn about X, first we should Y..." Eventually the chapter gets around to subject X, but the digressions were annoying, and calling attention to them only made them worse. Instead, Y should have been included as a sidebar, footnote, or simply worked into the text where necessary. The start of the chapter should hook the reader, not detour them into definition-hell or but-first-some-history-purgatory.

Mr Danalek mentions plenty of cases that warrant our "serious consideration", but fails to give any specifics. In fact, there aren't any facts about the cases he mentions AT ALL, and this is frustrating for those looking for objectivity (Remember, we crossed off the title...) The bibliography is severely anemic. Nothing here indicates Mr Danalek experienced these cases himself. The lack of facts in this text makes it difficult to lock in any of the argument. It can't have been difficult to get some real-world data or cases to ground his arguments upon. Without something to base his case on, his arguments have no more weight than the ghosts he is studying.

In one chapter, Mr Danalek denounces the idea of demons, proclaiming them to simply be angry ghosts; spirits of the formerly living who were mean people when they were alive, and the only difference is that they're dead now. In a later chapter, he quickly accepts the concept of Guardian Angels (or Spirt Guides) as though the truth were obvious. Overlooking the fact that these are merely opinions, these two beliefs are completely incompatible. You simply don't get one without the other, that would be like only believing in "Good" people and not "Evil" people, or in the "Beneficial" uses for Gravity or Electricity, without believing in the "Dangerous". I can tolerate Mr Danalek's lack of objectivity, but I won't tolerate inconsistency.

The book does go off-topic a bit. There's a whole lot of personal information in this book, and I'm always wary of books that have too much "I...Me...My" in them. There are also diversions (some of them pages in length) into Mr Danalek's analysis of Religion which needs either its own section, or should be marked as 'outside the scope of this book'. This issue should have been caught by an editor.

The Good:
Mr Danalek has done some research, and he is knowledgeable on the subject of the ghostly aspects of the paranormal. He provides all sides of the issues of hauntings, different types of ghosts, spirit communications, possession and other tasty topics, then he provides his opinion on what he believes throughout the writing and in the conclusion of each chapter. I'm pleased to see that he entertains views that he does not agree with.

For a philosophical overview of such an esoteric subject, the writing is easily accessible. Not much by way of jargon, and what little is used is clearly explained. The book is a good overview of the subject, covering a wide range of paranormal topics but staying in the Ghostly realm, and thankfully leaving out Bigfoot, Aliens and the Loch Ness Monster.

The Upshot:
"A Case for Ghosts" gives a good, broad overview of the Spiritual subsection of the Paranormal. Those interested in the field of Ghost Hunting should pair it up with "How to be a Ghost Hunter" by Richard Southall.

Ignore the title. Don't expect any objectivity in "A Case for Ghosts - An Objective Look at the Paranormal". Expect to see a rundown of all sides of a broad range of issues, followed by Mr Danalek's opinion on the matter. Those already familiar with the subject and seeking answers, proof or research - [jedi]this is not the book you're looking for[/jedi]

Art Is Resistance
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Labels: Book Review

My preference for the Final Voyage would be a Viking Longboat set aflame.

Getting your ashes shot into space via Celestis was a reasonable second choice...

...but getting your ashes made into pencil lead pretty much trumps that idea.

Just when you think you've heard it all. Thanks to Neil Gaiman for the link.

Art Is Resistance
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Labels: Cool Product

This is a fantastic idea:

Dr Wicked's Website Write or Die lets you set up a word-count goal and a time limit. If you pause for too long, or get distracted, the screen turns red, then your words start getting erased! Talk about motivation!

At any point, you can hit Done and save what you've written to your clipboard. The website also offers the following HTML code as a badge of honor. Its a bit messy, I haven't edited it, just dropped it in so you can see what it looks like:

	2
1
lab.drwicked.com

I'll let you guess what the two words were...

Thanks to Lifehacker for the link.

Art Is Resistance
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Labels: Cool Website, Writing

If you haven't head about Sleevefacing, you're in for a treat. The official definition from the official website: "one or more persons obscuring or augmenting any part of their body or bodies with record sleeve(s) causing an illusion"



Art Is Resistance
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Labels: Cool Invention, Funny, Videos

Art Is Resistance
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Labels: Funny, Politics, Videos

At first, I found it strange that Mr Cuneo chose "American" as the focus for his book, American Exorcism (2001, Doubleday). I was more interested in the Exorcism than the American, and Mr Cuneo is obviously more interested in the American than the Exorcism, but I was still able to get quite a bit out of it.

Mr Cuneo chalks up much of the (American) uprising of demonic possession and exorcism in the 20th century to the (American) Entertainment Industry. More specifically, the release of William Peter Blatty's 1973 blockbuster film "The Exorcist" and Malachi Martin's book, "Hostage to the Devil". And rightfully so, since the number of "possessions" and officially appointed Exorcists has increased exponentially since these works were released. Did you know Exorcists now have their own Association?

"American Exorcism" covers the media blitz surrounding the subject of Exorcism, and the more famous and infamous cases. It covers everything from Real Exorcists appointed by the Roman Catholic church, to the Evangelical ministries of "Deliverance". The Rogue priests performing exorcisms without the approval of the church to the charlatans, cultists, and kooks who see demons behind every questionable human behaviour.

The Good: Mr Cuneo does his homework. He doesn't simply study the case files from the comfort of his office, he goes out and interviews all the important people, he attends the conferences and the exorcisms. He gives you his findings and his opinions based on firsthand experience.

Most importantly, unlike the majority of books in this minor field, Mr Cuneo is a true open-minded skeptic. He's a Sociologist first and foremost, and I think he's got an accurate view of Americans and what makes them tick. He isn't a priest or a religious convert, passing off his opinion as research. This makes "American Exorcism" a truly objective work, which is truly rare in this field.

The Bad: Sadly, the only bad is the stupidity, gullibility and American-ness of Americans. But you knew that already.

The Unfortunate: In all of Mr Cuneo's research, he never came across anything he was willing to classify as demonic. Call me "American", but I would have loved to get a glimpse of something behind all the smoke and mirrors.

The Upshot: "American Exorcism" is an absolute necessary book for anyone researching Exorcism, especially as it pertains to its effect on American culture.

Art Is Resistance
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Labels: americans, Book Review, Cultural Observation, Demonology