Two memes on my radar
Jul. 15th, 2005 09:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
New meme:
Suddenly, everyone hates Tom Cruise.
I am not sure why this is. Some strange parodic references to this and that have trickled down to me, but without context they are meaningless. They do provide me with google terms I can use, however. Probably I'll go research them now, but I just wanted to note this here before I figure out what's going on.
Just-noticed meme:
People who run for exercise don't jog; they run. And the word for these people is: runners.
I wonder if this is just regional. I want to jump to the sexier conclusion that it's actually the result of a successful rebranding effort by the running-for-exercise community, since "jogger" is probably right down there with "mime" for most middle-Americans.
Suddenly, everyone hates Tom Cruise.
I am not sure why this is. Some strange parodic references to this and that have trickled down to me, but without context they are meaningless. They do provide me with google terms I can use, however. Probably I'll go research them now, but I just wanted to note this here before I figure out what's going on.
Just-noticed meme:
People who run for exercise don't jog; they run. And the word for these people is: runners.
I wonder if this is just regional. I want to jump to the sexier conclusion that it's actually the result of a successful rebranding effort by the running-for-exercise community, since "jogger" is probably right down there with "mime" for most middle-Americans.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-16 02:26 am (UTC)I'm not sure what the fuss is about, because everyone knows that modern medicine is all a sham and spending tens of thousands of dollars to exorcise the Thetans from your body is all worth it. What? You haven't heard of them? They're the spirits of the aliens who were thrown in the volcanoes by Evil Galactic Ruler Xenu 75 million years ago and now they POSSESS US ALL.
Just last week I was at a mall in San Jose and there was a kiosk, complete with e-meters, offering free "stress tests." I also seem to remember that when you were here 5.5 years ago we saw a big Scientologist building on Market in SF.
Now he's marrying a 26-year-old or something, and they're both gonna live happy Scientologist lives forever and ever. Awwwwww, isn't that sweet?
no subject
Date: 2005-07-16 02:36 am (UTC)I say hip hip hurray to Tom Cruise for drawing attent to the political and profit driven history pharma psychiatry. Then again, I myself did an MA thesis that argued similar views.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-16 02:54 am (UTC)If not, then you probably don't really hold similar views to TC and his Scientologist brethren.
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Date: 2005-07-16 07:30 am (UTC)Yep. I sort of did argue that. See: http://www.livejournal.com/users/glowingwhispers/1971.html
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Date: 2005-07-16 02:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-16 03:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-16 03:25 am (UTC)More likely that they're doing this all over the place but most of my friends are in one people's republic or the other, so I haven't heard.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-16 02:33 am (UTC)I agree with the 'runner' rather than 'jogger' rebranding distinction. It's cool to be hardcore athletic at the moment rather than be a chipper flaneur.
As for the Tom Cruise one, I agree with you here too. To understand this, I find myself relating this phenomenon most strongly to A J Ayer's concept of emotivism, i.e. many are just regurgitating dominant culture norms and I assume that they are disingenuously reporting a current state of mind.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-16 02:53 am (UTC)I don't see the problem with the term "jogger". Aren't "runners" people who are trying to avoid the Sandmen after "Last Day"?
no subject
Date: 2005-07-16 02:55 am (UTC)Year of the City 2005. Carousel begins.
Date: 2005-07-16 03:07 am (UTC)I was thinking that as I turned the big 3-0 last month.
We're not worthy
Date: 2005-07-16 03:22 am (UTC)See xymotik's prostration below.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-16 03:09 am (UTC)running v. jogging.
Date: 2005-07-16 03:48 am (UTC)Probably has more to do with heart rate than much else. I consider myself a slow runner, but I suppose somewould say I jog. (except that sounds like I need a better support bra or something.)
no subject
Date: 2005-07-16 03:58 am (UTC)(I'm a runner--there's a definite ecological/sociological structure to the fittness community, and at my old strength-oriented gym you could tell the runners from the purely strength-oriented guys from a mile off. Body-builders are quite different again, and aerobics people are likewise distinct. Lots of sub-divisions, based on everything from body type to age to sex to what wacky theory of fittness you believe in.)
no subject
Date: 2005-07-16 04:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-16 04:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-16 03:08 pm (UTC)I think most people's problem with him is that he's coming off as a self purported expert because he "read the research papers on how they came up with these theories" and is now the absolute expert on all topics psychiatric. And since Matt didn't read them so he's a total idiot (which might be true) AND all of Matt's experiences with friends and family are moot, because he didn't read the research papers.
So, Tom, having read a few research papers (I suppose that TC is now a scientist and understands scientific theory (the scientific method, as would be taught), understands testing methods, etc etc etc) and is expert in all things science.
Another reason might be an interview in Germany where when asked "So what would you do if the aliens came...." (like in the movie, or perhaps like a more friendly alien visit) he just babbled and laughed "I dont know... "
Personally, I used to think TC was kind of cool and had half a brain. Since the Germany interview he carries himself like a nit-wit unable to answer a hypothetical question from a fan and then comes off as self taught expert on psychiatry because he's read a few research papers. He's just a hollywood whacko now.
IMHO.