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Rhu's Journal: The Half-Blood Prince Experience Part 2 is now added!

#61 User is offline   Chefelf Icon

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Posted 03 September 2005 - 09:47 AM

QUOTE (azerty @ Sep 2 2005, 04:03 PM)
If you live in America, it's a little harder to see, because you are inside the bubble and you can't see out.  Once you are somewhere else, it becomes far more obvious just how uneducated Americans are when compared with most other countries.  Sorry all you Americans, but there it is.


You've absolutely right, sir. It's a lot easier to judge a group of people when you're on the outside looking in. Thank you, azerty, for showing us all what ignorance really is.
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#62 User is offline   civilian_number_two Icon

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Posted 03 September 2005 - 01:10 PM

QUOTE (Jen @ Sep 3 2005, 09:35 AM)
Excuse me, did you just reference a major disaster to prove your point that Americans are ignorant and uneducated?

Hear hear!

We hear NOW that it was "well known" that the levee was only built to survive a class 2 hurricane, and what they thought they had coming was a class 5. Some official warnings came out to get out of town, and folks who had places to go left immediately. The poor stayed behind. The responsibility to make sure the stragglers heeded the warnings was not on the stragglers themselves; desentitized by years of bullshit threat levels and warnings, they figured they could just hole up in their homes, away from the windows, and wait it out. They had nowhere to go anyway, so that's what they figured was their best bet. If you look at the footage, there aren't a lot of rich people there (although amittedly there are some tourists as well who thought it would be cool to see a major disaster).

Had the government of New Orleans sent out the warning "The levee is going to break, the entire city will be flooded and the water will not roll back, and thousands will die; please get on the busses provided and retreat to nearby <city here> where disaster shelters have been arranged for you," then folks would have evacuated. Where were all these evacuation busses, and where was the President, BEFORE all this happened? The mayor of New Orleans can piss and moan that the Federal Governement dropped the ball after the fact, and he is absolutely right. But he failed his own people weeks before Bush had his turn. All he had to do was to call the office of the President and put in a call for help evacuating the town. If the President ignored him, he'd have one more thing to complain about. Missing too were his calls to other cities for asistance before the fact. Missing in the long run was an effort to enhance the levee if it was known to be substandard. What is the civic government doing with its money? I know that's a piss-poor towen, but there must be some income from Mardi-Gras.

God, the common man is taxed to death for a reason. Surely taking care of the people in times of crisis ought to be somewhere in the top ten. And foremost it is the responsibility of those who "know" the dangers properly to impress on those that don't. In the aftermath of this disaster, we learn once more how low a priority the US governement places on its poor.

(Also dropping the ball are the folks in the Canadian government who have not rescued their own stranded tourists. I mean, God damn them for still being there, since tourists by definition can afford to leave and have somewhere to go, but all the same it's our responsibility to send a helicopter and airlift those dumb bastards out.)

Jen shows remarkable restraint when she says it is in poor taste to use Katrina as an excuse to pick on poor people and to call them stupid. Anyone wants to use Katrina as an example of American stupidity can meet me in the Debate forum, where I will break your virtual legs.

Back to Harry Potter: The word "Philosopher" was not removed from the title because a bunch of uneducated Americans saw the book and decided not to read it; they never had the opportunity. The word was changed before the book was ever published, probably by a college graduate armed with a cynical image of the average kid. And what a thing to think:"This book was successful in England, but our kids are not as smart as English kids." Shame on you, publishing types, shame. These kids are smarter than you think. They instantly memorized the names of 1000 Pokemon characters; I think they can rise to the occasion.
"I had a lot of different ideas. At one point, Luke, Leia and Ben were all going to be little people, and we did screen tests to see if we could do that." -George Lucas, in STAR WARS: the Annotated Screenplays (p197).
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#63 User is offline   scubasteve4lyfe Icon

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Posted 03 September 2005 - 06:57 PM

QUOTE (azerty @ Sep 2 2005, 01:03 PM)
I just saw War of the Worlds (called Världarnas krig here) and that irritating teenager was about as American as it gets.  That movie was very American; everybody freaking out thinking it must be terrorists...


If something was attacking my homeland, I honestly doubt I'd automatically think, "ALIENS!" But yes. Retarded movie.
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#64 User is offline   Chefelf Icon

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Posted 03 September 2005 - 08:20 PM

I sure do like that Ron Weasley. What a scamp!
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#65 User is offline   azerty Icon

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Posted 04 September 2005 - 11:39 AM

Sorry chaps!

I meant to wind you up, but not that much. Anyway, I've been on the inside and on the outside too. It's a fact that you can't see out from inside the bubble, (even Plato knew this with his cave and shadows and all that). If you've never been anywhere else, what are you basing your view on? Some people say things like they never learned to read and it didn't do them any harm. No I suppose not... who am I to argue?

Sorry about the disaster of course, (and the victims), and I have already sent in some cash to assuage my concience, just like I did with the Tsunami victims.

Anyway, it was American publishers who changed Harry Potter for Americans, not anyone else. I don't know why it happened, but I am sure the publishers have their reasons. It is funny that the rest of the world generally know that there are 2 versions of the books and films, but Americans mostly don't.

And I apologize for bringing the hurricane victims into Rhu's Half-Blood thread.
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#66 User is offline   Chefelf Icon

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Posted 04 September 2005 - 03:47 PM

I think America is obsessed with changing things for no reason. For the most part the changes just seem unnecessary. Changing the title of the book may have made it a little more marketable but in the end it doesn't really seem to matter.

This is, of course, far better than taking British sitcoms and rather than showing the originals, re-filming them with an American cast. That makes little or no sense at all.

Then there is the worst thing: Taking american cartoons from the 80's such as G.I. Joe and He-Man and remaking them with new animation. I am of the firm belief that you should either A ) make a brand new cartoon or B ) show the originals. It's just a waste to remake them. Everyone loses.

I can understand (in a weird way) why they'd want to change the first Harry Potter book, not knowing how successful it would be here in the states. This is probably why each subsequent book has been changed less and less.

At this point, Book 7 could be nothing more than 700 pages each containing nothing but the word, "Fart." and it would probably still sell 10 million copies.
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#67 User is offline   scubasteve4lyfe Icon

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Posted 04 September 2005 - 04:52 PM

QUOTE (Chefelf @ Sep 4 2005, 01:47 PM)
This, of course, far better than taking British sitcoms and rather than showing the originals, re-filming them with an American cast.  That makes little or no sense at all.


I rather like the American version of The Office, though you just can't beat Ricky Gervais.
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#68 User is offline   Chefelf Icon

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Posted 04 September 2005 - 05:45 PM

QUOTE (scubasteve4lyfe @ Sep 4 2005, 05:52 PM)
I rather like the American version of The Office, though you just can't beat Ricky Gervais.


It seems pretty okay but I've never seen the British version to compare it to.

BUT IT'S NO BARTY CROUCH! biggrin.gif
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#69 User is offline   Rhubarb Icon

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Posted 04 September 2005 - 08:42 PM

Chefelf - I only skimmed the last few pages of this thread so I'm not sure whether someone already told you this, but the Philosopher's Stone wasn't a real thing. In Medieval Europe it was a thing of legend... someone apparently decided that somewhere in the realms of potentiality existed a stone that could a) give the owner eternal life/youth, and b) turn lead into gold. Precisely how it was supposed to do those things I have no idea. Alchemy was basically form of science devoted to searching for this stone... if only the right combination of chemicals or whatever could be found, they'd be able to make this awesome stone (that isn't all alchemy was good for obviously, but many treated it as such). Kings and other rich fellas would hire them to conduct research into finding/inventing it.

According to stories, Flamel (an actual real person) was a 14th century bookseller dabbling in alchemy, who through his business somehow got hold of this ancient book with precise instructions on how to make the Stone. After he got it translated, historical records state that he somehow suddenly became very rich. Surprising to all, he apparently used a lot of it for public good, donating it to hospitals and the poor. He became something of a celebrity when he died because rumour came out that he'd discovered the Stone at around that time, and reports abounded of people claiming to have seen him and his wife still alive and well. Like Elvis.

So yeah. Philosopher's Stone is about as real as all the pixies and dragons in Rowling's books.

This post has been edited by Rhubarb: 04 September 2005 - 08:42 PM

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#70 User is offline   civilian_number_two Icon

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Posted 04 September 2005 - 10:07 PM

QUOTE (Rhubarb @ Sep 4 2005, 08:42 PM)
Chefelf - I only skimmed the last few pages of this thread so I'm not sure whether someone already told you this, but the Philosopher's Stone wasn't a real thing.

Among other things probably not real are the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail, and certainly not real were the Fountain of Youth and Noah's Ark. I dare to say that Chef know this, and by "real thing," he meant "stuff of legend outside Rowling's material." He's right in pointing out that the subsequent books do not have Harry seeking out other artifacts of legend.
"I had a lot of different ideas. At one point, Luke, Leia and Ben were all going to be little people, and we did screen tests to see if we could do that." -George Lucas, in STAR WARS: the Annotated Screenplays (p197).
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Posted 04 September 2005 - 10:44 PM

I was going to post in response to Rhubarb but I think civ2 summed it up already. biggrin.gif

I mean "real" in the sense that it is a "real" myth or legend that existed outside of the fantasy world that Rowling created. Not real in the sense that there is a real stone that can make people immortal.

But that would be friggin' awesome if there actually was a REAL stone that could keep people alive forever and I only just realized now. I'd feel a little humbled by that but it would be worth joining the armies of secret soldiers that battle to win posession of it.

unsure.gif
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#72 User is offline   Zatoichi Icon

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Posted 07 September 2005 - 10:42 AM

Read the entire thread all at once.

QUOTE (Rhubarb @ Jul 23 2005, 01:00 AM)
THE POWAH OF LOVE DEFEATS EVIL. Hahahahahaha.

LOVE, HARRY, LOVE. LOVE IS WITHIN YOU. LOVE IS YOUR STRENGTH. LOVE CONQUERS ALL. LOVE LOVE LOVE.


What, never heard a certain Beatles song?

I had the pleasure of reading the 1st three books all at once, waiting over a year for the next two, and reading book six soon after it came out. I saw each of the movies soon after they had come out. I have really enjoyed all of these books so far with only a few minor complaints. I enjoy trying to figure out in my head all of the little mysteries. I don't enjoy the relatively minor (compared to Star Wars) inconsistencies. I agree that the last two books were less stories in and of themselves, and more of a part of a story. The references to things although somewhat enjoyable to try and remember, really sucked when it took too long. An appendix or something would be nice. Not owning any of the books is a real drawback as well. I must agree with what someone else posted Rowling - bank account = much better literature.

As for the intelligence of America:
An acquaintance of mine did something along those lines for her debate for English Comp. II. In a statistic she showed I found out that on average children in America are usually more intelligent than those of other countries. Looking at older age groups reveals that adults from other countries are usually more intelligent than ones living here, and by other countries I'm not talking about third-world ones. How's that for looking in from the inside? I have traveled all over the east coast of the US and to other countries. I also consider myself fairly well read for eighteen. Like my father I am a jack-of-all-trades. I probably know enough information an almost any subject that I can at least grasp the concepts being thrown about. I think it really sucks that European History or even African or Asian isn't more fully covered in the States. To me it is far more interesting (even if I am a bit of a US History dork).

Edit: instead of the remakes of old cartoons, I really wish that they would air them instead. I don't have the money to by them from the internet or anywheres else.

This post has been edited by Zatoichi: 07 September 2005 - 10:45 AM

Apparently writing about JM here is his secret weakness. Muwahaha!!!! Now I have leverage over him and am another step closer towards my goal of world domination.

"And the Evil that was vanquished shall rise anew. Wrapped in the guise of man shall he walk amongst the innocent and Terror shall consume they that dwell upon the Earth. The skies will rain fire. The seas shall become as blood. The righteous shall fall before the wicked! And all creation shall tremble before the burning standards of Hell!" - Mephisto

Kurgan X showed me this web comic done with Legos. It pokes fun at all six Star Wars films and I found it to be extremely entertaining.
<a href="http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/cast/starwars.html" target="_blank">http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/cast/starwars.html</a>
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Posted 23 March 2006 - 10:22 AM

I hope this is the right thread for this. If not - too late now.

Last night I was really board. I thought about reading Harry Potter. I have read about 3 chapters of the first book, and I just couldn’t take it anymore. Right about the time Professor McGarnigable or whatever turned her desk into a pig - I had to stop.

How regoddamndiculous is that? Everybody keeps telling me those books are so awesome . I just don’t see it.

I was really board and I came a little too close to picking it back up, but I was saved at the last minute by the new season of South Park which aired around the time I was making my way to the bookshelf.

Can’t I just skip the first book? Its just all so boring… and stupid. As a real life witch - I find the idea of turning your desk into a pig,.. well… retarded, for lack of a better word. Its just so goddamn cheesy.

Anybody care to talk me down from the ledge, or should I take the plunge and read it?
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Posted 24 March 2006 - 04:03 AM

You should never read the Harry Potter books if they distress you as a "real life witch" (LOL, by the way). They are 100% ridiculous nonsense from beginning to end, the sort of stuff you write for children when you're hoping their parents don't already know about Roald Dahl.

I for one like the first three books a lot, in the contexts that they are children's books and that I will likely never read them again, not even out loud to a child. The first of the three, the one you're having trouble with, is IMO the best of the bunch. So, bad news there. For the fourth story I think I prefer the film. The fifth and sixth book are rubbish, and in my opinion unfilmable. I will give credit to any screenwriter who can sift through the numerous timekillers and find a viewable story there.

Anyway, I wouldn't call them important literature and by no means should you bother with them if they go against the grain of what you believe to be less nonsensical, like talking to dead people or trying to curse ex-lovers with genital warts or whatever it is you do. tongue.gif

edit-typo that I just couldn't let stand, man.

This post has been edited by civilian_number_two: 25 March 2006 - 04:28 AM

"I had a lot of different ideas. At one point, Luke, Leia and Ben were all going to be little people, and we did screen tests to see if we could do that." -George Lucas, in STAR WARS: the Annotated Screenplays (p197).
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#75 User is offline   Madam Corvax Icon

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Posted 24 March 2006 - 05:07 AM

Civ, I love you biggrin.gif . But you already know that, don't you?

And yes, Goblet of Fire is a quite enjoyable flick. I had great hopes for Prisoner of Azkaban (Gary Oldman!) but I was disappointed.
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