Raw Consciousness

VIDEO GAMEs - Hot Coffee and what not...

I am not a fan of Grand Theft Auto.  I can see contrary to the reactionary knee jerk reactions that there is indeed a game besides the "shock value" and on that I will give it my respect.  By now many have read on the hot coffee mod issue, so I won't repeat what you can read elsewhere.  On this I really think Take Two's biggest mistake was to say the hackers added the content, they just didn't flip a switch.

Now as much as I respect Hillary Clinton in some respects, I really think that other than making Take Two put out a new version without the secret normally unlockable content, spending too much cash on this could be a problem.

I think The Inquirer has a good article, referencing yet another article on this which you care read here:

[ from the coffe mod author ]  (<- I got this one wrong)
[ from Steven Johnson ]

"Dear Sen. Clinton: "I'm writing to commend you for calling for a $90-million study on the effects of video games on children, and in particular the courageous stand you have taken in recent weeks against the notorious "Grand Theft Auto" series. "I'd like to draw your attention to another game whose nonstop violence and hostility has captured the attention of millions of kids — a game that instills aggressive thoughts in the minds of its players, some of whom have gone on to commit real-world acts of violence and sexual assault after playing. "I'm talking, of course, about high school football."

Read the rest, it's interesting.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY - High contrast homework - success!

I just came from my photography class and my teacher was very pleased, somewhat impressed and happy of all the progress I have made. He basically told me this last batch was easily the best set of photographs that I have given him as a group.  I am happy because I like them too. These are not all of them but I want to share some of the best:

Of his very favorites- the wood with the shadow to the left, the rock with the crack and little depth of field, the last black and white photo, both of the red photos, the blue and specially in particular the 435 numbers shot.

Comments & critique welcome. You don't have to agree with him or me.  Needless to say, all photos are (C) 2005 Copyright Ricardo Hernández-Mahado.

UNDERSTANDING LIFE - 1 - The blind can't understand clouds

I wanted to open a new category based on things about life I am observing - some recently, some accumulated over years of hitting several walls (of titanium no less).  And of course, from my biased point of view.

So here goes Observation #1: The blind can't understand how clouds

I heard some time ago that one of the things- and I welcome any corrections - that blind people can't really visualize is clouds no matter how much it is explained to them- unless they were previously able to see them.  And this reminds me something I have noticed:

- A lot of people simply don't seem to be able to communicate in areas where the experiences don't overlap. I would say the mayority

- It requires *active and concious* effort to empathize with someone else, who is relating to you feelings/experiences that you are not familar at all with

- Some very smart people make the dumbest mistakes even after being warned by others

- Person X continues hurting ( without really meaning to - or so it seems) person Y even after Y has mentioned said things hurts him/her.

- A lot (the mayority again?) of people seem to subscribe to what I think now is a fallacy (more on that on some other life observation), of "if that person did X & Y then everyone can"  On that basis they judge others accordingly, not taking into account - or better put- completely incapable of taking into account the particular circumstances of that other individual.  Things like possible depression, family troubles that put undue stress, financial worry etc.

I have come to the conclusion that human beings learn a dual nature language of experience that consists of thoughts & feelings. If they haven't learned that particular language, they just won't be able to communicate and more importanly empathize- no matter how much they try.  I suppose it can be said those who really try hard may get a bit more ahead than the standard non-try, but still there are issues.

There is a huge lack of understanding of this, by the average human.  I am certainly not immune.

MY LIFE - Sexy Christian spam....

I just received an interesting spam with a graphic... so I decided to share it. It talks about an on line dating site called sexy christians and makes a case for people that are screened for being hot or something.  I just couldn't help contemplating the irony of the name and the image.

If a woman's back in underwear offends you, don't click here.

UPDATE: Imporant! Do NOT be tempted to enter any information whatsoever into this website. This came from spam. Out of curiosity I entered some bogus but valid data, and it threw me onto a webpage where you need to enter more data on a far more "generic" online dating site.  I suspect they collect this data for spam purposes. I realize I may be stating the obvious but I also realize many don't realize this is not a good idea.

If you want a quality online dating website I can recommend www.match.com.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY - Hey, where are the pictures?

Ok, I just want to make clear that yes, I am still and plan to continue taking the photography class that I am taking, I am learning a lot, making progress and have more photos to show.  I just haven't gotten around posting them.  In particular:

- Surfing- 2nd time
- Trees - 2nd time
- Kitchen batter/food processor items on a window (playing with light, exposure, etc.)
- Yellow (this one I blew as I didn't scream in my photos "yellow" but now I know better)
- Homework on high contrast (my very latest) - I went to Pyramid Lake to find some subjects and a town in the middle of nowhere between where I live and Ventura in California.

So yes, it's been fun and challenging and there's definitively more to talk about this subject....  I will say this:

If you are going to a recreation area, make sure you bring:

- LONG pants
- "Off" or whatever insect repellent you want.

Because just within seconds of me getting out the first time, like four flies *really* wanted to greet me, say hi, hug me or something. Even with the wind. VERY annoying. And yes, I had just showered.