>			>
		>

>			>
		>

>			>
		>

• He was in that one movie as a dull teacher who kept repeating “Bueler”…
• He was the casual genius on that one kooky game show in the 90s…
• He’s the right wings answer to Michael Moore!

Just watched Ben’s movie “Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed” last night. It was a lot more fun than I was anticipating… which means it has been a while since I appreciated just what a fun guy Mr. Ben Stein is. I really enjoyed the movie, in much the same way I have enjoyed Michael Moore’s movies… just without the downer hangover afterwards. Ben is just really cool. He opens up a lot of cans in this little movie… I will think through some of it and return…

You only have to read a little bit of Ben’s wit to appreciate him…

• Ben on Snopes
• Ben’s Website

Categories: Movies, Theology
No Comments »

>			>
		>

>			>
		>

In my daily NPR listening I have taken in at least three stories on the emerging technology of FMRI, or Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a mashup of technology and medicine in which doctors and scientists are able to effectively see what you are thinking. What’s more, is that after observing the visual response of someones brain for a little while, patterns emerge in which the observer “knows” what you are thinking.

In the past few stories on this technology the application and studies have usually been focused on helping doctors understand how drugs affect patterns in the brain and how people suffering from mental illnesses like schizophrenia may be helped. That is all well and good, but in each story the future application of this mind reading device is hinted to be lie detecting… and of course marketing… I think I am getting sick…


Show me more… »

Categories: Technology, Experiments
No Comments »

>			>
		>

>			>
		>

>			>
		>

I am an independent film producer. Independent in the sense that I have just myself and a few friends to team up with on a project. The budgets are determined by us, how much do we want to spend on our movie. These days “independent” movies are popular, mostly because there are a lot of good indie films done through spin off mini studios from the big boys. They receive huge budgets and resources compared to anyone like myself. They also have actual experience… unlike myself… I am a few notches below experienced when it comes to “making movies for real”. Most people that create films with my level of experience end up with something that no one really wants to watch… I have made a few of those. So when you find a truly indie film that is actually watchable… even compelling… its note worthy. These guys are my heroes…

• Primer The Movie
• IMDB For Primer
• Shane Carruth

Categories: Movies, Compliments
No Comments »

Its exciting stuff. Thanks to everyone who has been working to bring this opportunity to Michigan, I hope we are ready…

• Michigan Film Office

Categories: Movies
No Comments »

http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php?month=03&day=29

Dealing with the reality of God, and the historical reality of Christ will change you.  I can’t escape it.  Sometimes I think I am entering into it by entering into my beliefs and doctrines but it is really just religion…

we must stop using religion as if it were some kind of a lofty lifestyle-we must be spiritually real.

I have this collection of information that I never asked for, all of these experiences that I am not sure ever happened, and this mysterious calling, guidance, longing, relationship that is never resolved.

faith?

setting your heart on what He wants, and thinking His thoughts, you will be considered impractical and a daydreamer.

I like this one probably too much, either out of authenticity or a lack of maturity I seem to end up here often.

You should trust no one, and even ignore the finest saint on earth if he blocks your sight of Jesus Christ.

I like this one even more… but is it fueled by my Ferris Bueler inspired disdain for authority or the result of a life that performs for the audience of One.

Categories: My Utmost for His Highest
No Comments »

>			>
		>

Oh the great mass of wasted time, effort, thought, energy, and peace offered at the all consuming alter of customer satisfaction…

Make it look cool!

Bring me the hot stuff!

I am the customer and the customer is always right…

I would like a toaster with wings on it…

Fine, here they are…

Categories: Complaints, Technology
No Comments »

What an interesting turn of events. My fundie baptist college of yesturyear is certainly having some issues…

• The Cedarville Situation
• News Paper Articles

Categories: Cedarville, College, Theology, Criticisms
No Comments »

>			>
		>

Foreign films are refreshingly different from Hollywood productions, Kontroll is just such a film. If I had not spent the last summer traveling through Europe via train, I may not have enjoyed this film as much as I did. We jumped on a lot of trains and subways without tickets… we never got chased by the Kontroll though…

• Kontroll on IMDB

Categories: Movies
No Comments »

http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php?month=03&day=25

A person who is a beautiful saint can be a hindrance in leading people to the Lord by presenting only what Christ has done for him, instead of presenting Jesus Christ Himself.

I friend of mine once relayed a story to me about a yearly award ceremony for grade school Christians at a church or an academy or something.  Every year they would give out a T.U.R.K.E.Y. award.  Each letter stood for something and the whole thing added up to “The Best Christian of the Year Award”.  My friend seemed to be haunted, years later, by the standard of this person’s achievement… especially the Y part, which stood for Yieldedness.  Perhaps someone could accept such an award as an early adolescent, and humbly agree that they are indeed a Thankfully Un-hateful Righteous Kind Enigmatic Yielded individual… but  I believe this kind of recognition gets much more difficult to swallow as life goes on.  Our behavior is not who we are.  We are people that need a savior in a billion distinct and unique ways.  If we pursue this relationship we are fortunate to see parts of our life and behavior redeemed over time.  Someday we might even achieve T.U.R.K.E.Y. status according to some church committee, but what do we care… we know God and we know the truth about ourselves.  Some men are better than others (in thought and deed), but the better ones seem to be preoccupied with better things than figuring out if they are better or worse than others.

Categories: My Utmost for His Highest
No Comments »

>			>
		>

>			>
		>

My Revolution

“Revolution is a serious thing, the most serious thing about a revolutionary’s life. When one commits oneself to the struggle, it must be for a lifetime.”

Angela Davis (Black Panthers)

My life has been a violent revolution from the very beginning.


Show me more… »

Categories: Toast Masters
No Comments »

>			>
		>

There are moments when all anxiety and stated toil are becalmed in the infinite leisure and repose of nature.

~Henry David Thoreau

Categories: Travel, The SuperTrip, Music, Movies
No Comments »

>			>
		>

>			>
		>

>			>
		>

I had the good fortune of watching two great movies this past week at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Visual Futurist and Blade Runner the directors cut.

Anyone who has seen Blade Runner knows it sets the standard for futuristic sci-fi noir. I didn’t realize that the genius behind the look of most every sci-fi movie I appreciate (Blade Runner, Tron, Aliens…) was the son of a preacher man from Detroit, Syd Mead.

He likes to draw… he’s good at it… and he knows it…

I was struck by his humility in light of his accomplishments, he still just draws… because he likes to. He likes a challenge. He wants his art to be approachable by people. It’s certainly creative, but it never intends to escape humanity.

Syd Mead’s work reminds you of something you have never seen before.

What an amazing gift to be able to give to people.

• Official Syd Mead Website

Read more to see a youtube preview of the documentary about his life.


Show me more… »

Categories: youtube, Technology, Art, Movies
No Comments »