Banksy’s Anonymous Call for Action

Here is a research paper I wrote for my Writ 340 class... enjoy? (I am usually uncomfortable sharing my writing, so I am impressed that I actually posted this.)



I found this video after I wrote my paper. It is an interesting companion to my paper.

As a result of globalization, consumerism has defined a new economic model that thrives on the specificity of supply and demand. This public consumption has challenged many products including art, which has far departed from traditional subjects and presentation spaces in order to offer accessibility to the general public. This departure has established new artistic narratives rooted in the method of display paired with the subject. Due to the increased access and production of art there is an excess of artwork. This mass production creates a constant visual spectacle for the masses. This is seen through most products like shirts or magazines, and also public spaces like billboards and public transportation vehicles. This visual spectacle has been acknowledged by theorists and artists alike, and now creates the new dilemma of how to wade through the mass production for an established meaning often clouded by advertisements. Guy Debord, a Marxist theorist, acknowledges how consumerism is defined by the spectacle, and how with the rise of this consumerist culture, the social experience is defined less by production and more by marketing and mass consumption (Debord 12). Art is abused for the purpose of this spectacle and when paired with institutional “relations of power,” recognized by French philosopher Michel Foucault, the public suffers from exploitation in order to serve economic and social interests (Clifford 139). But this exploitation remains primarily because of the masses’ inaction and indifference to the established systems.

Banksy, an anonymous British graffiti artist, has found a successful solution to this dilemma of power relations and visual spectacle that has resulted from mass production and the established structural systems. He uses graffiti art that is controversial both in subject matter and application to express his criticism of this current system. Banksy boldly calls attention to this spectacle and the political establishments of modern society through the practical use of graphic silhouettes and iconographic imagery in public spaces in order to address the frequent exploitation and inaction in society.

Banksy’s work is well known but he remains anonymous in order to focus on the narrative of his work and not its author. Consumerism runs on branding, by-lines, and labels in order to sell an object through public identification. There is a huge emphasis on the value of a name so Banksy’s anonymity not only brings intrigue to his work but also emphasizes his purpose of recognizing the spectacle that results from mass consumption. There is little the public knows about Banksy’s personal life, but his political and social opinions are clearly expressed through his artwork like in his Happy Chopper piece, Fig. 1, where he adorned a war time helicopter with a bow and a cheerful phrase in order to create a satirical image that allows for public shock or recognition of the negative subject (Banksy, Wall and Piece 38).

Fig. 1. Banksy, Happy Chopper. 2003. Wall and Piece. Banksy. New York: Random House UK, 2007

Banksy has created other, similar images that target political institutions, human crimes, and mass consumed products. Though anonymous, he maintains an active website (see <http://www.banksy.co.uk>) and he has published a book in order to make these critical images even more public than they already are.

Banksy began his graffiti art at young age, and with his experience and he learned how to perfect his techniques, like silhouetting, allowing for his current success in conveying his ideas. In his book, Wall and Piece, Banksy recalls a time when he was eighteen and almost got caught trying to paint “LATE AGAIN” on a passenger train (Banksy, Wall and Piece 13). While hiding from the cops he saw some stenciled text and realized that stencils would improve his graffiti time and allow him to make large bold work that would easily express his ideas. From that point, Banksy perfected his method of graffiti through the development of silhouette-like art. In 2001, Banksy began receiving international attention because of his public stencil work that revolved around “creating art that interacts with its environment - and usually with a satirical, often political, bent” that “exists somewhere between Marcel Duchamp and Houdini” (Fahy 4). James Fahy is accurate in his characterization of Banksy. Banksy is defined by his unconventional methods and critiques of production like Duchamp, and with his Houdini like skills he covers public canvases with his political satires. This description is mildly obscure, but then considerably specific considering the anonymity of Banksy.

These characteristics along with his anonymity provide a unique dimension for establishing a public narrative filled with questions and irony. Banksy states that “it takes a lot of guts to stand up anonymously in a western democracy and call for things no-one else believes in – like peace and justice and freedom” (Banksy, Wall and Piece 35). Though a hyperbolic statement, it is part of his manifesto to call attention to abuses in culture whether it is exploitation or inaction. There are other people in the world who preach similar ideas, but few have successfully expressed this through art in a way that is absorbed by the public as something more than artistic spectacle. Graffiti art is risky because of its illegal nature, but the risk allows for a public image that will gain many spectators.

Banksy’s art criticizes injustices in society and his covert actions reinforce his messages. Michel Foucault recognized that through the disciplinary training of a political system subjects will act in accordance with the norms to serve economic and social interests (Foucault). It is an established society that exploits the individual and allows for institutions to grow, like the fear created in the panopticon, an architectural figure developed by Jeremy Bentham (Foucault). The panopticon is a prison-like structure and within the structure there is an area where it is possible to survey every prisoner, but the prisoners cannot see the guards making it impossible to identify when one is being watched (Foucault). This fear and uncertainty is the reasoning behind why the general public does not violate governmental laws. This same government fuels monopolies and subordination, eventually leading to public inaction and numbness. Banksy sees the injustice in this fear and as a result creates images like Fig. 2 where a British Royal Guard, the Queen’s guard, is peeing on a wall in order to question and ridicule the system and it’s power.

Fig. 2. Banksy, 2002. Wall and Piece. Banksy. New York: Random House UK, 2007

Banksy challenges the state’s exploitation and the public’s inaction through his work’s humor and irony to identify injustices. These are large claims, but the general “relations of power” that Foucault calls attention to is present in multiple scenarios and Banksy addresses this relationship by displaying his art in multiple locations in order to publicly encourage action more broadly. Banksy cites the following Emo Philips quote as his personal manifesto:

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle.
Then I realized God doesn’t work that way,
so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. (Banksy)

The quote is both simple and direct, like his art, and it is precisely what Banksy emulates in his work, movement for change rather than inaction so wrongs can be identified. Banksy recognizes that “A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to,” so Banksy has become a guerilla street artist in order to be a driving force to encourage action or at least recognition of certain conditions (Banksy, Wall and Piece 21).

Banksy presents his political messages through a variety of artistic mediums, but his most well known work is his graphic silhouette-like graffiti. The use of silhouettes in Banksy’s work is essential considering the risk of graffiti art. With experience, Banksy has found that stenciling silhouettes expedites his work and provides him with more opportunities and locations to adequately display his satirical work given the risk. Silhouettes have a diverse history; some historians dating the technique back to Egyptian and Greek artistic styles, but despite the complicated history, silhouettes generally remain associated with simple European portraiture and not graffiti (Knipe 206). The name “silhouette” was derived from Etienne de Silhouette, King Louis XV’s finance minister. The minister was highly conservative and his stringent monetary tactics established his public reputation as cheap, and as a result cheaply made things were labeled a la Silhouette (Knipe 204). The value of silhouette portraiture was lost with the invention of the camera, but the technique has remained in art and is now being modified in application as seen in Banksy’s graffiti strategy.

Silhouettes are valuable because of their simplicity and “cheapness”, but they are also important for a spectator’s quick recognition and interpretation of the art. In art, there is often the assumption that more detail is better because it clarifies the subject with specifics. However, minimalist art is reduced to fundamental features, identifying the core of the subject for identification. The clarity of the work is up to interpretation, but with a silhouette, similar to minimalism, “nothing is obscured by irrelevant lines… no figure-ground organization is necessary, nor is any special set required by the observer” (Crowley 303). The “cheapness” of silhouetting, identified with its history, is not only practical financially but it ties back to Banksy’s critique of consumerism and “relations of power” (Clifford 139). This “cheap” graffiti art becomes part of the spectacle and with its content, but eventually rises above and actually ridicules its means. Banksy uses public spaces to display his art, so simplicity allows for quick identification of objects in a fast paced environment. Though easily recognizable, silhouettes can also mask certain elements, creating an evolution of meaning through increased observation. Due to the simple form of a silhouette, people assume what the image is but with a closer look finer details can be realized.

Kara Walker is a studio artist, but she utilizes silhouettes for this very purpose of evolving meaning in a simple image. At first glance, Walker’s work seems romantic and poetic with childlike silhouettes channeling historical caricatures. Her trees set a stage for “stock” characters involved in a fairy tale, but when observed more closely disturbing elements become apparent causing discomfort in the spectator through sad realizations of cliché stereotypes and harmful race and gender realities (Pinder). For example in Kara Walker’s Cut, Fig. 3, the black silhouette appears to be a graphic image of a girl dancing, but then once realizing the finer details the spectator is aware of the suicidal action of the subject cutting her wrist.

Fig. 3. Kara Walker, Cut. 9 April 2009 .

The silhouettes allow for the stereotypical historical associations, but when paired with sexual and grotesque imagery additional narratives evolve. Walker uses recognizable antebellum clothing for quick reads of her silhouettes. Banksy utilizes public icons like Mickey Mouse, children, The Mona Lisa and other similar images for quick recognition like Walker, but also to put emphasis on his unique social commentary.

Banksy uses silhouettes because of the ability for additional concepts to evolve and with his use of contradicting elements he calls attention to current societal conditions. Upon first glance of Banksy’s Bomb Hugger piece, Fig. 4, a cute girl is easily recognized, but with an extended look it is realized that a bomb is in her arms.

Fig. 4. Banksy, Bomb Hugger. 2003. Wall and Piece. Banksy. New York: Random House UK, 2007

Similar Banksy works include: a tank with a megaphone on top, a religious icon with a halo circling a gun, a British Royal Guard spray painting the anarchy sign, and the iconic Che Guevara image repeated but slowly melting away. These images are always bold and eye catching, appealing graphic art for the masses, but the combination of conflicting elements establish critical narratives that identify current conditions. Bomb Hugger critiques current events of war and how war is perceived through the media, affecting children. The Che Guevara piece, Fig. 5, calls attention to mass media and how many people purchase this iconic image on products, but the meaning is lost through the excess of production.

Fig. 5. Banksy. Wall and Piece. Banksy. New York: Random House UK, 2007

Banksy put the collection of images on a bridge above an area in London that sold Che products

These satirical images challenge the viewer to consider the connotations not only of the image but its location, which adds meaning when recognizing nearby landmarks or local historical events. Banksy has artwork in the south that relates to racial issues as well as social problems that were addressed with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (Banksy). The images are eye-opening and make a strong statement about human establishments. By making these images public they are unavoidable and often shocking considering the circumstances, whether it be the location or the subject. Like Banksy’s particularly controversial piece where he painted a KKK member hanging in a noose on the side of a Chevron station in Alabama (Fahy 4). This strategy is similar to how Debord aimed to redefine conditions in order to show reality. Debord presented a concept called the dérive, which is an example of seeking truth and transforming social order. Acknowledging that spectacles are a denial of life, the dérive aim to wander in order to study a terrain or create “emotional disorientation” to construct “real” situations (Theory of the Dérive 52). They simply do unconventional things to confuse and awaken people to “reality.” Banksy does not believe that people are disillusioned like Debord, but Banksy does believe that his public graffiti can help construct change in action and reaction by awakening people to harsh realities.

Graffiti allows Banksy to criticize and challenge society through his subject and application. Banksy recognizes the controversy of graffiti but believes that “despite what they say, graffiti is not the lowest form of art… it’s actually one of the most honest art forms available. There is no elitism or hype, it exhibits on the best wall a town has to offer and nobody is put off by the price of admission” (Banksy, Wall and Piece 8). Knowing the possible power of graffiti when used appropriately, Banksy even encourages others to participate. For a series, Banksy stenciled traditional type on public walls “legalizing” graffiti like in Fig. 6 (Banksy, Wall and Piece 60).

in order to clearly articulate his statement about “the endless recycling of an icon” and how people wear and absorb revolutionary products but never take any actions themselves (Banksy, Wall and Piece 47).

Fig. 6. Banksy. Wall and Piece. Banksy. New York: Random House UK, 2007

Soon after he stenciled these signs, the walls were covered with graffiti showing the true structural power of public institutions as discussed by Foucault. This series identifies how the masses are aware of guidelines and yearn for extended self-expression but remain idol unless cued to act. Often Banksy displays satirical images to critique wrongs in society hoping to encourage action, but give the existing numbness sometimes Banksy takes the extra step to call for it like Fig. 6 or in similar work where he stenciled text stating, “Designated Riot Area” (Banksy, Wall and Piece 67).

Banksy is widely appreciated, but even those that do not respect his work are unable to ignore his messages because of the techniques he uses that incorporate graphic imagery and public spaces. Banksy has identified his own manifesto but his ideology is more appropriately defined by a quote from the Indian Mystic Osho, “Creativity is the greatest rebellion in existence.” Banksy sees the injustices in society, formed through consumerism and governmental control that spawns a public numbness. Banksy uses his creativity and unique graffiti method to rebel and to encourage rebellion. He adds to the visual spectacle present in society in order to criticize it through his satirical images. His method and his imagery are both ironic in nature to call attention to societies wrongs. Though anonymous he is able to make a call to action or at least awaken the public.

Works Cited

Banksy. 20 March 2009 .

Banksy. Wall and Piece. New York: Random House UK, 2007.

Buzzell, Colby. "I Am Banksy." Esquire Dec. 2005: 198-204.

Clifford, Michae. Political Genealogy After Foucault Savage Identities. New York: Routledge, 2001.

Crowley, Miriam E. "A Puzzle-Picture in Silhouette." The American Journal of Psychology 65 (1952): 302-04. Jstor. University of Southern California. 23 March 2009 .

Fahy, James P. "Breaking the Banksy." Birmingham Weekly 11 Sept. 2008, 12th ed., sec. 2: 4-6.

Guy Debord. “Theory of the Derive.” The Situationist International Anthology. Ed. And trans.
Ken Knabb. Berkeley: The Bureau of Public Secrets, 1981 (no copyright). 50-54, 372.

Guy Debord. The Society of the Spectacle. Trans. Donald Nicholson-Smith. New York: Zone Books, 1994. 11-24

Kara Walker. 9 April 2009

Knipe, Penley. "Paper Profiles: American Portrait Silhouettes." Journal of the American Institute for Conservation 41 (2002): 203. Jstor. University of Southern California, Los Angeles. 23 March 2009 .

"PART THREE: DISCIPLINE 3. Panopticism." Michel Foucault: Panopticism. 22 Aug. 2001. Cartome. 2 Apr. 2009 .

Pinder, Kymberly N. "Missus Kara E. Walker: Emancipated, and On Tour." The Art Bulletin 90 (2008): 640-49. ProQuest. University of Southern California. 23 March 2009 .

I am in love

will Paul Rudd.

I have always enjoyed Paul Rudd, even back in his Clueless and Friends days, but this video sold it. I am in love now. It's odd that Sesame Street would do that. Well, they tend to make good things overly cute. Like when Feist was on:



Anyways back to dreaming about Paul Rudd. That video is amazing because -

1. He is wearing an earth costume (GO GREEN!) that only reveals his forearms making his limiting dance moves absolutely adorable.
2. His lip snarl and sexy rendition of "Earth Rocks" trumps those muppets by far.
3. His comedic genius. His subtle actions are priceless. The Huffington Post put it well - "infectious joy and self-deprecation can't help but make you laugh."

His sexy dancing can even make Jon Stewart laugh, a lot.



Random thoughts >>

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Stop the drama over the Obama dog! There are bigger issues at hand. Ahhhh I hate the media. I almost cried during the Inauguration when one station spent a good half hour with a writer from Harper's Bazaar in order to discuss Michelle's outfit. We have a new president and you want to talk clothes? Or remember when Obama was in his "honeymoon" period and several stations covered his diet and his exercise routine. Jon Stewart had a nice response to this earlier this year:

Random News station: "Obama likes herbal tea, trail mix, and guacamole"
Jon Stewart: "We have all been to a grocery store, this isn't news. This is news - Barack Obama eats only bugs."

Thank you. Trivial news is pointless especially during our current situation. Well, then again, this trivial stuff is more entertaining than the economy, and actually it is helpful because the economy runs on confidence and if all the public sees is economic failure then things will spiral out of control. But current news - Pirates! Not awesome, but then awesome.

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So, Sir David Attenborough, the narrator of BBC's brilliant series Planet Earth, has recently become more vocal about the need to reduce the population to help protect wildlife. Predictable but too funny. I do agree, a continuously growing population does have ill-effects on the environment, but their proposals are in line with China, the only different is that they are requesting not mandating a limit to family size. Also, this organization, Optimum Population Trust, is focused in the UK. I am pretty sure that island is not the biggest threat in terms of population and environmental damage. Their three aims all start with the phrase "to advance," but how have I never heard of them before? Hmmmm


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Worst case scenario - you have swallowed the Higgs Boson, the God Particle, what do you do? Follow Michael Rottman's 10 steps or die. This is a real threat. Be prepared.

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Nooooo I followed a link and it was to something entertaining on Twitter!! My hatred is dwindling. I was convinced that the triviality of Twitter was worthless (kind of a redundant statement but true), even for an internet addict like myself, but things of interest/value can be found. Damn. Ahhh I love MythBusters. I am glad they keep only "human food" in their fridge.

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Countdown - 1 day until I am 21!

kp's life update

According to mapquest.com, USC is 17.52 miles from my parents' house. I live near campus, but even with that short distance I go home less than some of my friends who live on the east coast. My mom kindly mails me hand written letters, probably weekly, because of my absence and her love. For Halloween this year, I received 3 different spooky themed cards. My parents show me lots of love but I remain a terrible child and simply contact them by phone - sometimes. Ok, I am exaggerating a little bit, but it is a pretty embarrassing situation considering the short distance apart. I guess it is a good sign that I have established some sort of life here at USC - sorry parents.

So, my dad called me twice while I was in class today. Apparently, he forgot I was a student... low age joke again? Maybe. (Love you dad!) While talking, I casually dropped the hint that I had to hang up because of an induction ceremony I had to attend. In response to that, my dad told me that I was a bad child and didn't know how I could forget to inform him about such a thing. This blog post is for you family members, here is my current life update. Again, pretty sad that I am writing this and not calling, but some of you will see me Sunday and I will tell you more personal stuff then. (My parents guilt me into coming home!!! Palm Sunday, :) bah big deal.)


USC stuff:

I was just initiated into the Lambda Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honorary. / I am still working as a designer at USC's Spectrum Design studio. / I am still the Editor in Chief of USC's yearbook. We just restructured it so I am not the only student leader. I now have additional minions (section editors) I get to control - bwahahahaaaaahhh. / I am doing additional design work on campus - Greek Service Day, Disability Awareness - Wheelchair Basketball Event, USC EMS, AIGA, and Canterbury USC. / I am working on passing the UCLA/USC Rivalry Blood Drive torch to URSC. / I am still participating in the Roski School of Fine Arts Workshops funded by an NEA grant. / Class is fine as usual, just too much work.

Outside of 'SC:

I received an Honorable Mention in the Steal this Idea Design competition. / Mark just promoted me to COO of Momentum. / Last night I saw the band, Get in More Fights!, in concert because one of the members went to high school with my friend. Listen to their song Back and Forth (cute lyrics). They have better stuff, unfortunately it isn't posted on their MySpace page. They sound like Architecture in Helsinki meets The New Pornographers. / I tried the most fantastic tacos the other day in a completely shady area of LA! It was probably violating loads of health codes and I wasn't just a minority, I was the only white girl in the area, but it was all worth it. 6 awesome carne asada tacos. / My social life is really busy, I can't keep up...

Future stuff:

Tonight I am helping organize an apartment complex party here in Mardi Gras. / Tomorrow I am going to see Beautiful Little Fool, a School of Theater play, and after I am going to a 90's themed party. / Saturday is Springfest at USC - lots of good bands will be performing like Brand New. / I turn 21 soon!!! / I am going to Coachella the weekend after my 21st with a few friends including Eric who has the same birthday as me. / I bought tickets to see Spinal Tap in concert - so great! I wish Aliviana wasn't in Europe. Spinal Tap was our freshman movie. / I am going to Rome this summer to study Italian. / During winter break next year, I am going to Egypt with my family!!!! (My grandparents are amazing because they take my sister and me to incredible locations to teach us about different cultures and science. I am truly lucky. It may be cliché, but I can honestly say that I am the person I am today because of many of my travel experiences with them.)



I am definitely forgetting things, but that list is the stuff that first came to mind. When I recap my life, my school friends usually freak out. I am known for outrageous life stories and my friends usually try to predict my shenanigans... but often they can't, I am too, well, crazy.

Carpe Diem, man! Go big or go home!

My biggest pet peeve is people who take things for granted. Life has too many fantastic things to offer.

(This must be a terrible post to read for any non-family members or people who don't care about my personal life. I kind of apologize if I have wasted your time. This is a pretty random entry.)

musings of a giant

Last night I skyped with Becky, one of my oldest and best friends. She is currently studying abroad in Europe. We have gone to school together since kindergarten and because she loves me so much she followed me to 'SC. Actually, no. She "begged" me to go to USC. I was set on the east coast and the only school I was considering on the west coast was USC. I eventually narrowed down my choices to Tufts and USC. Considering both programs, I got over my stubbornness and picked 'SC because it had everything I wanted and needed. Tufts was only a finalist because of its location.

Despite being best friends, Becky and I are always in competition. As lame kids, we would compare our grades in math, our drawing skills in art, and even the size of our calf muscles. Yes, I know - absolutely bizarre. I still claim I won the calf competitions. However, I did have an advantage because of my height. Becky still defends her calf victory based on the fact that she was active in karate, tennis, and a few other things and I was just a defensive player in soccer. My job in soccer was to intimidate other young children with my height and nothing more.

I was a giant in elementary school. My friend Whitney was also tall, but now, she is just average (only in height). Her mother loves to tell the story about how happy she was to find out Whitney was not the tallest girl in elementary school. Below is part of a newspaper clipping that covered the 5th grade Eco Hunt that Becky and I participated in. The Eco Hunt was basically a daylong scavenger hunt in the Arboretum. They gave us compasses and dumped us in the pseudo-forest. I think we came in third. I am a nerd and would probably post this photo because of the subject, but I just wanted to showcase my 5th grade height. Unfortunately, this is the best elementary photo I have right now in my apartment.



I am still tall, but no longer beastly in comparison to other people my age. I don't know how I sprouted so fast! My family is not particularly tall, but as a child, I did cry when we were out of milk. No matter the cause, I think my height, though responsible for many of my insecurities, helped me develop my confidence, independence, and emotional strength. (Who knew blogs could be so deep?!)

Today I love my height, well, most of the time. It can be a downer since I am taller than the average guy height, but then taller women are more successful... Some of my closest girl friends joke that they are my children because of the height disparity among us. Becky is always amused when I stand on my knees... because it makes her feel taller? I don't know. Either way it's funny. In NY this past week, my teacher so kindly named me monster woman when I emerged wearing heels.

(not so) fun facts

The top 10 in demand jobs in 2010 did not exist in 2004.

1 of every 8 couples married in the US last year met online.

If MySpace were a country, it would be the 5th-largest in the world (between Indonesia and Brazil).

India has more honors kids than America has kids.

Scary, right? I am preparing for jobs that don't exist yet. Social networks will rule the future. I will probably marry someone I meet online. And my job security is threatened by China and India. Ohhh globalization.

My conclusion - don't go to school, buy a super computer, and don't bother talking to people because you can always meet them online. :)

Ok, not really. But read Thomas Friedman's book, The World Is Flat. It is an essential update on globalization.

It is funny considering all this as I write on my blog...

hope for America's youth...

I am not the biggest Metallica fan, but I love classic rock and I thought this picture was pretty incredible. I found it on the Huffington Post's comedy page under the title "The Best Picture You Will See Today." You could crack it up to the "Guitar Hero generation" but I agree with the Post and think of it as a message of hope. In my opinion, nausea is synonymous with pre-packaged child/teen star. Where did all the good music go? Disney please stop.

I miss you blog

I am now mildly addicted to blogging. I haven't written on my blog for a few days and I feel guilty, like I am flaking on a obligation. When in reality I don't have to write anything besides the few posts required for my writing class. I have only had one required post so far.

I have had plenty of stuff to write about over the past few days, but I have been overwhelmed. One reason is the Undergraduate Student Government election. The ticket I was volunteering for encountered several obstacles. On Tuesday we were banned from campaigning for 36 hours. Then on the last day of the election the ticket was completely disqualified. Minor transgressions were punished with harsh rulings by a biased elections commission. One of the other tickets has made similar and more extreme violations, yet has seen no punishment. I don't want to rant, I was very frustrated and now I am just indifferent towards USG and their structure. We ran an honest and educated campaign and I am proud regardless. My friend Mat said that this is just politics, which it is, but usually there is some form of checks and balances like another commission that we could appeal to. One biased student geared the hearing towards unfair results. She claims that she only did what was right, but it is only right if you apply those harsh standards to all other tickets. Not only is this a sad situation for my campaign, but also for all the students who voted for Owen and Maya.

The Daily Trojan editors wrote, "Discarded votes are worse than unchecked boxes. When students on this campus exercise their right to abstain from political involvement, it can be disappointing. When that same bloc shows up to the booths to say who it wants to see elected and is ignored, it is disgusting…Undergraduate Student Government is muting the same voices it has so much trouble encouraging to sound off in the first place.”

For additional reading on this situation, check out two Daily Trojan articles linked below. Also, read the student responses. Some are eloquent describing the unfortunate situation and some tell the election commissioner to burn in hell... This is quite the election year.

Caine-Babla barred - Elections Commission said promise of $10,000 for student groups violate USG bylaws.

USG needs to address lack of transparency.

Due to my busy schedule I am unable to watch a lot of live tv, so I catch up on shows on my computer. I was watching a little Jon, then a little Colbert, then a little Conan... and I stumbled upon this brilliant video!! Enjoy the Conan and Colbert dance off!



It is incredible what Colbert can do with invisible string. I am quite jealous. I have been practicing and have yet to successfully lift my eyebrow.

On the topic of entertainment, I am really excited for the Watchmen movie. It is a movie based on one of the most celebrated graphic novels of all time. I recently re-read it on my plane flights to and from New York to get even more pumped for the movie. Not only is it an exciting moving for comic book fans, but it will be a remarkable film regardless of your Watchmen knowledge. Below is a video that shows how they are bringing Dr. Manhattan to life. So incredible! The Wired website has additional videos that go behind the scenes of Watchmen. Midnight showing anyone?



For a few years I have been a huge fan of the New Zealand folk comedy duo, Flight of the Conchords. They are getting big now, but I am proud to say that I knew about them before their wonderful HBO show. The group just ended a poster competition on their website and I missed the deadline!!! It ended at 11:59 AM EST, but I assumed it was midnight along with several other participating fans. Either way, I am not too sad because I didn't actually finish the posters I was working on. I did create one (below) based on the Conchord's Hiphopopatamus vs. the Rhymenoceros song. I got flows that glow like phosphorus...




Now off to do some laundry. A presto!

PS - cutest thing ever!!! Kittens!!!

LOL

LOL = laugh out loud for those of you who live under a rock.

Below are a few funny things that have kept me entertained recently.

Laugh a little. If it isn't funny, tell me, and I may need to reevaluate what I think is funny. I am easily entertained and often laugh at inappropriate times. Even if my laughter is sometimes misplaced, I believe life should be enjoyable and laughter can only do good. There are actual studies proving that laughter can improve ones health.

One of my favorite books is the Name of the Rose. Basically it's Sherlock Holmes meets Jesus... in the book, one of the monks tried to hide a manuscript that had evidence that Jesus laughed. The monk wanted laughter to be forbidden because it destroyed the disciplining power of fear. So don't be bogged down by fear - LAUGH!!

To quote the brilliant Oscar Wilde,
"Life is too important to be taken seriously."
and
"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all."

Carpe Diem.

(sorry my laughter comment was not meant to be that "deep," anyways, enjoy!)

Nuclear subs collide in Atlantic > BBC news
Apparently their anti-sonar devices to hide from other subs was "too effective." Of course the French and British would collide.
The Score:
HMS Vanguard - 0
Le Triomphant - 0
(I think they should consider renaming the subs)

Jon Stewart always cracks me up, but his recent bits on Obama are genius! Who can make fun of the perfect president of change? Nobody, unless you are making fun of how perfect he is...

Presenting "the Hope-and-Change-O-Meter"
I took a screen shot of the meter during the "Big 'Bama's House" episode. The meter placed Obama between Gandalf and Wizard FDR - What a president! Full of hope and change!!


Speaking of hope and change - check out Japanese Obama below. Yes We Can do magic!! I bet all the magicians out there are thinking - "Change was my line!" This video was posted on Inauguration Day. The Huffington Post made the brilliant conclusion that "perhaps this is a racial metaphor for the magic of America electing a black president?" Yes, I think so.



All those tabloids about that mom who gave birth to octuplets are driving me crazy. Especially the rumor that the mother, Nadya Suleman, got plastic surgery done to look like Angelina Jolie! So ridiculous - can't there be multiple mothers that collect children? Come on! Time magazine puts it well in their pop chart - "Rumor: OCTOMOM had plastic surgery to look more like Angelina Jolie. Truth: that is Angelina Jolie"

This weekend the Jonas Brothers were on SNL. That is brilliance alone. I believe it was one of those I am laughing at you not with you moments. Especially the sketch with Alec Baldwin. Baldwin was pretending to be the long lost 4th Jonas Brother, Gary. When Alec returned the purity ring... priceless. Watch the videos on Hulu, especially this digital short "Property of the Queen." If the Jonas Brothers made music like that, I might actually listen to them. The song Africa is sure to be a hit with the lyrics - "I've been to Africa. Africa, I broke a sweat."

I laughed for a good 5 minutes when my sister showed this to me (it is one photo in a series) -


Looks like a woman chasing birds in the street. Well, that is exactly what it is. She got out of her car to chase the birds because they were causing a TRAFFIC JAM in the little town where my sister goes to school. How cute. I have the 110 freeway.

Below is a text from my friend Andrew detailing the conversation he had with a practically deaf co-worker. (He is a "court" translator. I think he is the only person who learned English as a first language.)

Old deaf Jimmy: Who is that young lady?
Andrew: Who? Where?
Jimmy: On your coffee cup?
Andrew: Oh... That's Garth.
Jimmy: Oh you mean the Jennies Garth?
Andrew: No, from Waynes World.

Last night I saw Lance Bass (of 'N Sync) speak!!! That fact alone made the event entertaining, but Lance was actually funny! The stories he told were incredible. I haven't laughed that hard in a while. He began talking about 'N Sync and how they began their career in Europe and actually didn't know their boy band potential. They dabbled with all genres, apparently even techno. Then Lance told about his experience becoming a cosmonaut in Russia. He trained in Star City, Russia, which is the Russian equivalent of Area 51. Some of his stories were pretty scary. Hearing them, I am surprised he survived. We ended the night by recording a video with Lance that will be sent to the International Space Station. I am going to be broadcasted in space with an 'N Sync member!!!!!

I hope you laughed at least once. If you didn't, I am not sure how we get along.

how I learned to stop worrying…

about Cheney’s bomb.

It was almost too perfect that Cheney appeared at Obama's inauguration in a wheelchair, but apparently that was not symbolizing his departure from politics. We still have Dick around to warn us of highly probable terrorist attacks. Perfect timing!! Skip “change,” let’s keep Gitmo active and then I can still wear my travel shirt. I actually own this shirt… so embarrassing.


Who cares about the new administration’s “honeymoon?” Sorry Obama, hope doesn’t even get a break.

(I believe every TV station has used honeymoon multiple times, but unfortunately, the thesaurus couldn’t provide me with another word to use. It is the new political buzzword. Honeymoon is quickly reaching maverick status. I will never be able to attend a wedding or watch Top Gun without throwing in a fun sarcastic remark.)

Heyyyy Ice Man, ignore current events because Maverick takes you down in this plot!!
Nice wedding, enjoy the honeymoon! Do it for Obama!!!

The state of affairs is so bad that people are using Microsoft Songsmith (just terrible = microsoft songsmith - corny musical infomercial) to turn stocks into catchy jingles that are easily elevator worthy. Thanks Andrew for the video, but I only managed to get through Bank of America’s decline. Stocks the Musical.

Now if my political ramblings were not enough, here is my quote of the day:
"Unfortunately, I will never be able to use shuttlecock and Iran in a sentence again." - Rachel Maddow
Confused?

And here is a funny spoof about The Weekender.