the list of now

I’m a total Olympics fangirl. I also have a longstanding crush on London. Needless to say, I’ve been looking forward to the opening ceremonies and these events for weeks. I thought Danny Boyle did an extraordinary job with the opening ceremonies and there was a lot that I loved about it. That is going to have to be a separate post though, because right now, I need to rant.

So what has NBC done wrong? Let’s count the ways (so far, since we are only a day into the games):

1. The Unprecedented “Free” Coverage aka Epic Collaboration With Greedy Cable Companies & Corporate Sponsors

I heard on a radio news program weeks ago that NBC would be making more content available online, streaming for free, than ever before! Had it been true, this would have been a huge deal for these Olympics and a growing American public that has been turning towards the internet for more and more content as powerful and greedy cable corporations continue to dominate, restrict access and content and overcharge the masses. It wasn’t.

All the hoopla, preparing people for unprecedented free content was for nothing.  It’s content that can only be accessed if you are already a cable television subscriber. The BBC is offering everyone in Great Britain unrestricted access to pretty much everything online, with no ads or commercials interrupting events. The IOC has a handy youtube channel for everyone in the world to watch events for free, except for us. If you are accessing it from inside the USA, you get only clips and a redirection to NBC. And they expect us to believe that this is about advancement of technology, accessibility and spirit of global unity? NBC is owned by Comcast. You do the math.

And here’s a bonus douchbag punch very few people are talking about – you don’t just have to be a cable subscriber (because I have a basic cable package that comes with my internet), you have to pay for a certain level of package and that’s just bullshit. I logged into my online service just fine, I got to the page with the Olympic events. I clicked on one and an “I’m sorry” message popped up, immediately followed by an ad trying to get me to immediately pay for an upgrade. Quelle Suprise.

We know it’s all about the money, NBC. I’m just so tired of corporations throttling everything that happens in our culture. Just stop pretending you are on our side.

Moving along to their opening ceremonies gaffs… in which NBC goes for gold as if “pissing on us and telling us it’s raining” is a brand new sport…

2. No live broadcast.

A prime-time broadcast was necessary to please advertisers, this is expected. However, why did it have to be the only broadcast? Showing it live and then rebroadcasting was not a ridiculous option. Neither is live-streaming it online. This was their statement:

“We are live streaming every sporting event, all 32 sports and 302 medals. It was never our intent to live stream the Opening Ceremony or Closing Ceremony. They are complex entertainment spectacles that do not translate well online because they require context, which our award-winning production team will provide for the large prime-time audiences that gather together to watch them.

We will be providing clips and highlights of each ceremony online so viewers know what to look forward to in primetime on NBC.”

Fuck. This. Noise. Something is lost when an event, even a “complex entertainment spectacle” that is designed to be a massive global event, is tape-delayed. It loses the surprises, the opportunities for genuine reaction and shared experience. It loses the ability for me to log on to Twitter and connect with a global conversation happening. Just no. Just unacceptable.

This experience was cheapened by NBC making the profit-maximizing decision. One that also allowed…

3. Chopping the Opening Ceremonies to Bits
I had read tweets that tipped me off last night as I was trying to enjoy Danny Boyle’s vision (more on that later), that we were watching a highly edited version. It was only today when I was able to rewatch it, this time on BBC One, that I realized just how much we truly missed.

We frequently noticed some choppy camera work and we thought it was just wonky. No, it was actually, literally choppy. NBC frequently cut-away from moments of music, crowd-reaction and dance sequences. They showed none of the applause, bows and teary-eyed volunteer performers that I found really emotionally satisfying and compelling after each segment, opting to abruptly end them. They cut to commercial in the middle of several parts and did not return to the same place to continue.

So disappointing, but this is editing and a certain amount was expected. What wasn’t expected, however, was blatantly cutting out entire portions for no good reason. Most egregious among them, a really incredible memorial tribute to victims of terrorism. You can see it here on Deadspin. What we saw instead was Ryan Seacrest’s aggressively boring interview with Michael Phelps. To be fair, even if it was riveting, it had no place being in the middle of the effing opening ceremonies.

They also omitted a really cool Sex Pistols bit, which is less of an issue of respect, but still disappointing. I can’t find a decent video of it, but it was part of the montage of pop music, immediately after the awesome Queen part. Paying tribute to punk was not unimportant in a entire bit highlighting Britain’s contributions to pop culture.

4. Offensively Terrible Commentary

It was actually just offensive and embarrassing how awful the commentary by Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira was. Painful. First off, it was way too much. There was no tasteful introduction tempered with allowing us to observe quietly and hear the music for extended periods. Nope. Constant. Distracting. Chatter.

It was obviously poorly “scripted” – one of the justifications for the tape delay was needing to script it so that American audiences would understand the complexity – and it was clear that they were directed to narrate as if we were were all five years old and watching the Macy’s Parade.

I also don’t know how much of their delivery was scripted or ad-libbed, but they sounded uninformed and ignorant themselves. During Danny Boyle’s tribute to British Pop Culture, the Digital Age and Youth, they harped – literally repeatedly harped on teenagers being “a parent’s worst nightmare”. Oh those kids and their gadgets, har har har! Way to miss the point, assholes.

To add insult to injury, that particular segment ended with Sir Tim Berners-Lee, there in person, tweeting his iconic ideal (the words lighting up in the crowd around the arena) “This is For Everyone.”  And Meredith Viera says “If you don’t know who Berners-Lee is, don’t worry…neither do we”. That kind of statement with a laughing tone doesn’t just say “I’m uninformed,” which is embarrassing enough for a national news anchor, it says “Don’t know? Who cares?”

Why should we? It’s not like the creator of the world wide web is an integral part of American culture too, right? Ugh. It’s bad enough we don’t give a shit about other countries, but can we at least agree that it’s fucking shameful to ignore science and technology and refuse to learn our own history?

The Parade of Nations was a shitshow involving awkward and sometimes inappropriate commentary about war, scandals and politics interjected when they were supposed to be honoring the athletes. And then when there was important and appropriate moments to provide more information – for example discussing the countries that sent women this year for the first time, making this the first Olympics with women from all nations, they were flippant and dusted over it. They didn’t even show the Saudi Arabian women – which is a huge deal.

5. Honoring Danny Boyle’s creative vision with a brief interview… or not… How about that Queen?

This killed me. I was really excited to get to hear Danny Boyle say a few words about his show. Throughout this process, his emphasis was on the thousands of British volunteer performers and participants who made this possible. He was very clear to include the construction workers who built the stadium at an integral moment in the show. It’s obvious his vision was about so much more than pagentry. So what did our American Commentator ask about first? Working with the Queen of course. Fine, fine… whatever, Americans know who the Queen is… moving along. Oh WAIT. There was no moving along. In fact, she rudely interrupted him to redirect him BACK to the Queen.

For those of you who missed it, here is a recap of what happened (more or less):

Meredith: And now we get to talk to Danny Boyle! Danny, out of this entire really beautiful and creative display, the big moment, the money shot* was obviously James Bond and the Queen! Tell us what it was like working with the Queen!!! How did you get her to agree to this? What was it like? What was it like? What was it like? Queen Queen Queen Queen Queen?

Danny Boyle:  Well, you know, it was all arranged through other people, so I didn’t actual have to ask her directly, but the working part was fun. She’s really sharp, takes direction well. HOWEVER, let me talk for a minute about all our volunteers and I specifically also wanted to highlight one of the most important parts of this show were the people who built this arena—

Meredith: No but really, Danny, focus – Queen! Queen! Queen! She is known for her sense of humor! Queen blah blah blah Queen!

Danny Boyle: ((Looks at the camera like “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, America.”))

—–

And that was it. I’m only barely exaggerating. Her rudeness was beyond.

*Oh and I didn’t make that part up, she actually used the phrase “money shot” in reference to James Bond and the Queen.

Stay classy, NBC.

In the post I wrote yesterday, I discussed recent comments Gordon had made regarding the Tiverton High School GSA and also mentioned how other officials and the school’s superintendent had publicly voiced their disapproval of his remarks and support for the group.  The growing chorus of responses to his comments is a very good thing and several people had called out how inappropriate and misguided his attitude was.

I wanted to point out one response in particular that was excellent. Today, in a Letter to the Editor on the Patch website ,where Gordon’s initial inflammatory comment appeared, an alumni of Tiverton High, Sarah Jey Whitehead went a step further.  In her letter she completely spells out why his statements and disapproval aren’t just out of line, but actual homophobic harassment and bullying in that they single out students who identify as LBTQ and their supporters in an attempt to silence their visible identities in school.   She explains to him the difference between sex and sexuality, and the identity politics that go along with that.  My favorite part is where she very clearly and eloquently breaks down the heteronormative culture of the average high school:

High school itself could essentially be conceived of as one big Straight Club that everyone is, by default, expected to join. From what I have heard, the Tiverton GSA is responding constructively and respectfully to that dynamic, by initiating a dialogue that acknowledges sexualities that are often overlooked or condemned.

We are talking about protecting and supporting young people’s senses of self here- and in equating this agenda with delinquency, lewdness, and cruelty, I hope you understand that you are bullying too.

And, on that note, an Anti-Bullying Alliance sounds like a great idea for another new organization- but changing the current title of the GSA would not only deny their right to name the social issue immediately at hand for them, but it in effect would imply that there is something wrong with discussing that issue. Seeing that the Straight Club that is High School culture can persist as it has without debate around the issue of sexuality, it would appear that sexuality is not the issue here, but gay people, and those who choose to ally with them.

Word, Sarah Jey Whitehead.  Perfectly put.

It is important that this appeared on the local Patch website, not only as a direct rebuttal to Gordon’s latest hi-jinks, but as a primer for the entire town and community.  Although I was happy to see how many comments support the GSA, the town also has several vocal comment-trolls that don’t see any problem privileging their opinions and religious beliefs about gay people over the safety of students and their right to not be bullied or told to lie and stay silent.  And her letter is the first that doesn’t just say “Shame on you” to Gordon, but distinctly spells out the reasons why his attitude is fucked up and calls him out for the true plain homophobia at the root of his supposed concern to taxpayer dollars.  Please go read the entire letter because it’s excellent.

And Ms. Whitehead if you read this, thank you for bringing the verbal smackdown to a debate that really needed your voice. Well done.

Tomorrow is the Day of Silence.  It is an annual day of action started by GLSEN in which students and teachers at schools across the country plan protests, events and take a day-long vow of silence to represent the bullying and silencing of LGBTQ youth.

Obviously the necessity of a day like this personally resonates with me, as someone who stayed closeted and afraid all through highschool. With the recent suicides of several gay youth, all stemming from situations of bullying and harassment, it would seem like any reasonable human being could understand this issue.  Right?

I mean, it would take quite a bigoted, ignorant asshat to go out of their way to condemn or pick on a group of people working towards acceptance and safer schools for all students, wouldn’t it?

Well here he is, meet Rhode Island State Rep. Dan Gordon.

Here’s the short version of what happened.  A senior at Tiverton High School started the school’s very first Gay-Straight Alliance.  The local Patch website ran a great little story about her and the new group. I read it and was really proud and excited for the students.  I thought about how grateful I would have been to have that when I was in high school.  I thought about what a difference this would probably make in the lives of youth in this community.

Well. Representative Gordon had some other thoughts.  This one he posted in the comments on the blog:

“And this is why if I have anything to say about it, Tiverton will lose school funding to local charter schools. It doesn’t matter if gay or straight, if sexual meet-up groups are being promoted in our schools rather than improving test scores, that school is failing. Is it really more important for our children to get ‘sexed-up’, than learning advanced math?”

Since then he’s gone on local public radio to insist he’s not homophobic and defend himself. And it got worse, with him remarking that if students weren’t flaunting their sexuality, perhaps they wouldn’t be getting bullied.

I wonder if the words “ignorant gaybashing fuck” happened to get spraypainted onto Rep. Dan Gordon’s home, the perpetrator could use the excuse “Well.. if he wasn’t flaunting his homophobia, perhaps he wouldn’t have gotten singled out.”  (not likely. and I don’t plan to find out!)

But continue to flaunt, he does.  This dude is proud of picking on a group of students!!!

He has refused to apologize more than once, even though the local superintendent and other officials have stood by the group and condemned the comments.

And today, I visited the Patch site to see that he had sent in this gem:

Rep. Gordon:  School Officials Who Support GSA Add to Teen Delinquency

I mean… I don’t know what I’m more shocked about, that he’s still trying to talk his way out of this after everything he’s said or that anyone can still type with their head that far up their own ass.

So Mr. Gordon, if you can read this, here is your homework assignment for the Day of Silence and I will borrow a phrase that my darling partner likes to say -

Shut up and stop missing the point! 

If you want to tell this elected official your thoughts on his behavior, here is all his contact info:

email: rep-Gordon@rilin.state.ri.us

Providence Office:
State House
Room 323
Providence, RI 02903
Fax: (401) 222-6142

Portsmouth Office:
35 Alan Ave
Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871
Phone: (401) 222-2259

If you are a student, teacher or youth-organizer taking part in an action tomorrow, I salute you and hope you have a very successful and empowering day tomorrow!

If you are not taking part in the Day of Silence, but you want to show your support for those who are, please speak out and spread the word that it’s happening.  I will be tweeting tomorrow about it with the hashtag #dayofsilence and tumblring stories about it all day.

The beat between apathy and rabid, nagging, annoyance.  Do I have distaste for these things?  Not necessarily, I don’t care enough.  I start to develop exposure angst, when I do not I wish to see, hear, read, or discuss them EVERYWHERE.

1.  Justin Bieber + his stupid hair
Unless everyone wants to join me in my ongoing campaign to refer to him as “Justin Beaver”.  Then we can talk.

2.  Mel Gibson
So new recordings have proven that Mel Gibson is a racist, misogynist, threatening, abusive dickhead and he comes up with all kinds of creative ways to express those aspects of his personality.   I can understand people being outraged and offended, what I don’t get is why anyone is surprised or still talking about it excitedly.   Tell me when he has consequences for this behavior.  (Or when more men in our culture do, period.)  Until then, I’m tired of everyone being titillated by disgusting displays of 18 different kinds of fucked-up privilege.

3.  Mark Zuckerberg

And the movie hasn’t even come out yet!

4.  People who get off on bashing Twilight + Twihards

It’s like this:  I don’t care and neither should you this much.  Obsessing over hating something like this and the people who love it is just as tired, if not more, than the constant media circus around the SMeyer empire itself.   If it’s as stupid as you claim to think, can’t you find something more worthy of your passion and energy? Your pretension is unbecoming.

I’m not on either side, even though I really dislike the whole phenomenon at this point, generally speaking.  I read. I viewed. I ranted. I shut up.  It’s that easy to get over!  REALLY.

5.  This one was supposed to be “Excuses from BP”

And it was going to say something about how I care most about the people in the Gulf who are suffering (and will suffer a long time) because of this and how I didn’t want to hear shit for excuses anymore. There have been nearly 90 days of excuses, failures + finger-pointing.    I only wanted to hear from BP if they made any progress on stopping it.

I’m happy to say I won’t be ranting about this one, because they have actually made some progress on stopping it. (Finally)  I am hopeful, but I know there is a lot of work to be done to clean it up and fix the many, many layers damage done to Gulf area and the people who live there.

I am not at all apathetic about this one.  This conversation needs to be everywhere and I hope it is.

Click here to read more of This Week in Aggressive Apathy.

This is a follow-up to my previous post on how the Governor of RI is an Asshat.

The protest was well attended and beautifully planned/designed.  There was no yelling or signs and although I understand how powerful large people in groups with anger can be… this was totally different.   Everyone was there because of the outrage over this veto, but it was peaceful and a little bit somber.  The crowd with the candles lined the walk up to the state house and there was an actual mock funeral procession up the walk and onto the stairs, accompanied by organ funeral music over a PA.  It was very visual and in that way, very powerful.

It’s important to note that this was not a protest planned by a particular organization or a coalition of organizations, as they often are.  This was a few citizens calling up to get a permit, and organizing all their friends and people in their immediate communities to actually DO something instead of sitting around and complaining.   They did it with no budget and within a very short amount of time.   That’s excellent and inspiring.  Proof that we can ALWAYS do something and sometimes that something ends up being very powerful and getting recognized locally by the people who can make changes.

There was coverage by local news.  The Providence Journal:

PROVIDENCE — About 150 protesters lit candles in the dark Thursday night and followed a black casket up the walk to the State House steps.
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Six pallbearers placed the coffin on the white marble steps, a seventh placed a wreath of white roses upon it, and Joe Roch, 29, of Providence turned to address the somber crowd.
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“We’re gathered here tonight out of a mutual sense of anger and frustration at Governor Carcieri’s recent veto of the domestic partners funeral bill” Roch said. He drew applause when he referred to comedian Stephen Colbert’s “shaming” Carcieri on national television.
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Although Carcieri killed the bill, Roch said, “Tonight we present you not with the mangled, defeated corpse of a dream deferred, but with a greater hunger for progress and equality for every man and woman in Rhode Island.”
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Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts told those attending the protests that “almost every single member of the House and Senate supported the legislation,” called the governor’s veto “a cruel act” and promised the next session of the General Assembly would overturn the veto.

And on local news network WPRI: