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ADigitalMan

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Join date
26-Sep-2004
Last activity
7-Nov-2025
Posts
2,947
Web Site
https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalMan-jc3xy

Post History

Post
#194141
Topic
Isaac Hayes Quits 'South Park'
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/194141/action/topic#194141
Time
You'll notice I haven't made any value statements on the Mormons or polygamy. For the record, the Mormons I've known -- and there have been several -- have been generally better people than most mainstream Christians. I may wholly disagree with their religious beliefs, but I can't say that their religion hasn't made them good people. Regarding polygamy, I find it far easier to support than gay marriage. Solomon, the wisest king in the Bible, was said to have a harem of 1,000 wives, so the ban on polygamy isn't biblically motivated. So long as all parties are legal adults and willing participants (i.e. no "secret" wives) I find a law banning it just another form of government intrusion into privacy. It serves no purpose other than to keep some lucky or industrious guys from hogging all the chicks while the loser from High School gets none. That guy had to go into politics and create a law in order to get his fair share.

The great irony is how many men in society fantasize about multiple female partners. I guess that's okay for a one night stand or shooting a porno, but a lifelong commitment? Stopping that evil threat is an important use of our time, energy and resources.

But getting back to the topic at hand, Scientology is just plain nuts. I'll make that value statement here and now. On the whole I'm extremely tolerant of other faiths. But unlike what I said above about Mormons and their genuine goodness in my experience, I have yet to see a Scientologist I respect, much less like. Founded by a crackpot, it's a self-help clique with a pyramid structure that is based on falsehood, paranoia, deception and greed. The religion is not spiritual. The science is not scientific. Retention tactics breed paranoia within the ranks. And the recruitment methods make it the Amway of religion.

When was the last time you saw a Scientology missionary go to the destitute section of town to help heal those who clearly need the most entheta cleared from their soul? Never. Because they don't care about the spiritual well-being of the whole world. It's about money and social status. There's a reason why the Church of Scientology is based in Beverly Hills and not Compton.

I have degrees in Psychology AND Religion. Scientology purports to be both but it is neither. Not by a long shot. Tom Cruise, you don't know Psychology. You don't know the History of Psychology. I do. You and your Scientologist buddies are a cancer on rational thinking. It is even more medically irresponsible than Christian Science, because it doesn't rely on faith to heal, it relies on falsehoods. Fellas, the lava from the implant stations ain't got nothin' on what awaits you in the afterlife. Have you no shame? Have you NO shame?
Post
#194023
Topic
A new chip that could end the HD-DVD / Blu-ray battle before it even begins?!?!
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/194023/action/topic#194023
Time
Is it just me or is Sony's inaugural lineup for HD the worst in history? I mean, damn, they have the James Bond library and they're releasing XXX and 50 First Dates in their first push? WTF????

If you want to make cash off the early adopters, release the stuff that people are willing to upgrade for. Namely all the stuff that took forever to get on standard DVD in the first place. Speaking to no particualr studio, I'm talking about Star Wars. King Kong. Indy. E.T. And some of the stuff that's in wide release like LOTR.

Warner seems to have their head screwed on straight releasing Harry Potter and Batman stuff in its initial launch. These are the tentpoles that people will pay for over and over again. I'm betting the big-ass Superman mega set will be simultaneously released in HD formats.

And I'll still be sitting here watching my 10-year old standard def Toshiba 32" that keeps chugging flawlessly.
Post
#194020
Topic
Sage's Rant of the Moment
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/194020/action/topic#194020
Time
This is over-simplistic, but it isnt' discussed enough: We aren't using that money for it's best purposes. If we allocated more money (not just tax dollars but all those offering plate donations that go to third-world relief) helping Africans to actually develop their land into productive farmland, they'd have a source of food AND income as the worlds population increases.

It's like the old addage "Give a man a fish and he won't be hungry for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll never go hungry again."
Post
#193994
Topic
Sage's Rant of the Moment
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/193994/action/topic#193994
Time
I blame it on the vast majory of baby boomer parents who've done a piss-poor job of child rearing. Between revolving door marriages and coddling our kids rather than teaching them the life skills and discipline they so desperately need, we've created a generation of softies who don't stand for much of anything. There are certainly exceptions to the rule, as there are some stellar youth, but they are few and far between, and I think their numbers are dwindling.

I suspect the trend may be reversing itself. Being a parent of a toddler, I'm amazed at the number of people in my generation who are letting one parent quit work to actually raise the child properly (one-on-one parenting in the formative years is extremely important), and who are teaching their kids self-reliance. We still seem to be showering our kids with too much material stuff, but I'm noticing more quality time being spent between parent and child that seemed to be sorely missing in the generation of current high school/college kids. This is far from the rule, but I'm seeing evidence of it.

It's important, because there is a major problem in "Generation Y." Those of you who are in it probably don't see it, but trust me, it's there, and is is at the heart of what Sage is talking about.

That said, there's nothing wrong with being multi-cultural in a democracy made up of the wretched refuse from every other shore. What is important is what you do with it. It is okay to be tolerant of other's differences and to be assertive about your political beliefs while also being good at math and medicine. These aren't mutually-exclusive concepts.
Post
#193990
Topic
Isaac Hayes Quits 'South Park'
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/193990/action/topic#193990
Time
My understanding was that Big Love was about a polygamous sect of Mormonism if not the official church. Two major clues: It's set in Utah, and more importantly, the two slutty girls at the fast food restaurant were snickering about the devoted followers of Moroni. I might have been putting 2 and 2 together and getting 22, but I do think the show is based on the many offshoots of Mormonism in Utah/Idaho who still practice polygamy, even if the practice is unsanctioned by the mother church.

Harry Dean Stanton's character "Roman" mentioned 4,000 attending sacrament the previous Sunday. The disclaimer at the end mentioned the study that found 20,000-40,000 (theres a W-I-D-E range for any statistician) practicing polygamists in the U.S. I did the math and realized that Roman isn't some small leader of a cult like the Branch Davidians. If you're preaching to 10-20% of all the active polygamists in the U.S. that's quite a following. No surprise that he travels in a caravan with bodyguards, and no surprise that he's hiring PR consultants to improve image and reach.

This show looks to be quite interesting.
Post
#193818
Topic
Isaac Hayes Quits 'South Park'
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/193818/action/topic#193818
Time
Well, until former Scientologists started talking, the whole alien threat crap was, as South Park also noted, held back from members until they reached a certain level of ... oh, call it what it is: giving. Once you gave enough cash they tell you the "truth" about the evil lord Xenu and the whole story behind where the Thetans come from. This is where the sane and the truly-f'ing-nuts are separated. Some people hear that and say "You mean I've been giving you my cash for this crap?" while others say "Wow! I knew there was a giant conspiracy keeping the truth about the secrets of the universe from the common man. Here, have some more cash and let me help recruit some more rich assholes for you."

You know, "Big Love" is yanking off the covers of Mormonism's polygamous adherants. I'd LOVE to see a group of Hollywood producers who aren't afraid of Scientologist intimidation and retribution create a similar show that totally exposes that cult-fraud in a similar way. Or maybe Morgan Spurlock can infiltrate the religion for 30 days and document it on film. Now THAT would be the best film that would never see the light of day.
Post
#193714
Topic
Jesus Cartoon controversy
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/193714/action/topic#193714
Time
The Christian solution is to avert ones eyes and pray for the soul who would come up with such a blasphemous depiction. The fundamental difference between the two religions is that Christian Clerics don't go inciting violence as the answer, while Muslim clerics are, for the most part, either outright inciting violence or silently standing by. Even that piece of shit Falwell doesn't go actually encouraging the bombings of abortion clinics, no matter how venomous he feels towards the pro-choice crowd, and he is the shining example of Fundamentalist Christian leadership. He may like 'em, but he isn't shouting from the pulpit for his followers to burn every clinic to the ground. (BTW, this is not an invitiation to get into a debate on that hot-button issue, it's just an analogy.)

Here is an appropriate quote to the whole religion-meets-free-speech argument, written by the late great Frank Zappa. It was the warning label he crafted for his own albums in response to the PMRC. While it centers around music, its spirit is very relevant to the whole cartoon controversy.

WARNING/GUARANTEE

This album contains material which a truly free society would neither fear nor surpress.

In some socially retarded areas, religious fanatics and ultra-conservative political organizations violate your First Amendment Rights by attempting to censor rock & roll albums. We feel that this is un-Constitutional and un-American.

As an alternative to these government-supported programs (designed to keep you docile and ignorant), Barking Pumpkin is pleased to provide stimulating digital audio entertainment for those of you who have outgrown -the ordinary-.

The language and concepts contained herein are GUARANTEED NOT TO CAUSE ETERNAL TORMENT IN THE PLACE WHERE THE GUY WITH THE HORNS AND THE POINTED STICK CONDUCTS HIS BUSINESS.

This guarantee is as real as the threats of the video fundamentalists who use attacks on rock music in their attempt to transform America into a nation of check-mailing nincompoops (in the name of Jesus Christ).

If there is a hell, its fires wait for them, not us.
Post
#193710
Topic
Superman Movie
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/193710/action/topic#193710
Time
Originally posted by: greencapt
And am I the *only* person who can only think of Kevin Spacey as 'Dr. Evil' whenever I see shots of him as Luthor?

http://mlans.dynip.com/blogpics/2002-08/2002-08-06-spacey-thumb.jpg


No. No you aren't, Greencapt. And I'm glad I'm not the only one who has had this on the brain. I keep hearing "You'd better watch your frickin' self, Kal-El."
Post
#193439
Topic
Jesus Cartoon controversy
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/193439/action/topic#193439
Time
Originally posted by: InfoDroid

To me, it seems to be a statement about mainstream Christianity's seemingly blind and unwavering endorsement (if not outright campaigning) of the Republican party over recent years and the current neo-conservative administration they helped to power.


That isn't mainstream Christianity. Don't be fooled into thinking it is. Its a loud, aggressive minority that gives the majority a very bad name. The trouble with the majority is that, up until Katrina, it wasn't speaking out enough. But those days are over, and the current administration is going to be mired in the waste-filled muck churned up by that storm for three years.
Post
#193430
Topic
Isaac Hayes Quits 'South Park'
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/193430/action/topic#193430
Time
South Park is an equal opportunity offender, and that's what makes it work so well. I hope we get some cartoons of Mohammed this season.

As a devout Christian, I enjoy that show's jabs at religion every time. Not all Christians have Mr. Twig up their ass when it comes to religious humor when it speaks the truth. Monty Python cured us of that in '79. Jews rip on themselves all the time (Seinfeld, The Hebrew Hammer, History of the World, Richard Belzer's stand-up, the list goes on) and hardly anybody from their faith gets their knickers in a twist.

I'm curious as to why it took Isaac Hayes four months to denounce the episode. Perhaps he's feeling the pressure from the higher-ups in his cult? Because you CAN'T associate with ANYBODY who badmouths Scientology if you're in the club.

For those who haven't seen the episode, find it and watch it. Then spend a few days googling the crazy crap South Park showed us and you'll see that it's pretty much all true. ... and is even worse than what was covered. Perhaps the best debunking site is Operation Clambake. You'll never see Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley, John Travolta or any of those pricks the same way again. Maybe it's just the Thetans talking, but I think L. Ron is laughing right now at all of them from his cozy room in Hell, where his stacks and stacks of cash incinerated upon arrival.

Post
#192991
Topic
BEAUTIFUL WOMEN NEW RULES IN FIRST POST (NSFW) UPDATED RULES
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/192991/action/topic#192991
Time
Originally posted by: JarHead413
Anyone got pictures of the gorgeous lady from Willow.......who I think married Val Kilmer. I actually, by saying that, I think I remember seeing some here, but I don't wanna look again.


Didn't she bare her ta-tas in Pink Floyd: The Wall? I think she was one of the groupies during "Young Lust" if I'm not mistaken.
Post
#191130
Topic
ADigitalMan's Guide to MPEG2/AC3 Editing
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/191130/action/topic#191130
Time
The mixed elements are indeed hard to separate. Typically I group the six channel wavs so that an edit to one will make an edit to all, then temporarily break that grouping if I need to make a tweak to the center channel. Occasionally I've needed to flow in a bit of music from the soundtrack here and there, but mostly I've been able to mix the sound by crossfading the DVD's L&R channels while leaving a gap or a patch from another area in the C channel.

I can readily think of two examples where I had to find a snippet of music from the CD soundtrack:

Killing Jake Lloyd's "Yippieeeee" when he was freed, and shortening Vaders "Noooooooooooooo." I'm sure there are others but those two stick out in my mind.