The Search for the One Who Knows Everyone
Archive for February, 2012
“O My Lady Gaga”
An Issue of National Cultural Security
The leaders of this nation have come out with a new list of songs not to be played on the television or radio, calling it an issue of “National Cultural Security”. This should be a relief to many music world lawyers and executives, because popular songs are often used as background without a cent being paid in royalties to American record companies. The songs are primarily those now popular that mention sex, but also those that hint of overt anger and destruction of society. I know of several instances when explicit songs have been broadcast on television and as filler before movies at movie theaters, within the hearing of children (not to mention my children, who speak English), because no one knew what the lyrics meant.
Tree of Melancholy Life
Two Films. Two Worldviews. Two Meanings of Life in Agreement.
I watched “Tree of Life” not long ago, and was struck by the way in which a sleek, reductionist, strikingly modernist (factory and blueprint) version of the American experience was expressed in Catholic terms. Here, life was a symphony of praise, and the discord of sin only proved it’s original beauty. Light was a metaphor for salvation, and the universe was filled with it, filled with the gateways of mystery that glowed with angelic invitation. The glory of God was depicted on the velvet vaulted chasms that actually hide the face of the Creator, natural icons of light within the universe, the things that are showing the things which are not, even the eternal power and godhead. Life begins after death, just as growth begins after the embrace of faith. Hope flows from a heart that affirms mystery, and life is beautified by those who see love in suffering… even if it is Brad Pitt doing the suffering.
Return to the Peach Blossom Spring (Chapter 2)
When Jin passed through the long passage, he noticed that he could not see light from the village behind him when he turned his head back to look. A current seemed to propel his boat quickly through the tunnel, and he shot out the other side with a splash, finding himself in the ocean, with a rocky shore on one side and the wide, wide ocean to the other. The sun was still over the water, so he knew that north was to his left. He struck out in this direction, but was quickly exhausted by the effort, his hands aching as he maneuvered the rough oars. He wrapped his hands in the cloth that wrapped the bread, ate the bread and drank the water, realizing that he hadn’t eaten anything since the day before. And went back to his rowing with renewed zeal. The hot sun beat down, and his water supply quickly ran out, but he kept at it, encouraged by the changing scenery of the coast.
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