I have spent many Sunday afternoons with my dad watching Nascar. Usually by lap twelve I am already asleep. I truthfully do not know how someone can watch a whole Nascar race and be enthused the whole time. Personally I think it is one of the most boring things to watch on t.v. today, and I have many reasons to back up this statement.
In a Nascar race, drivers turn only left on almost all tracks. Nascar could be a bit more interesting if they throw in a right turn! I can't watch cars go around in counter-clockwise circles over and over again.
Another reason Nascar is boring is because races last 200 laps or more. Does there really have to be that many? Why can't Nascar speed things up instead of having people watch left turns for FIVE HOURS!
All of the cars in Nascar are terrible looking. Sure they may have some cool colors, but people can barely see designs because there are millions of sponsor stickers covering the entire car. Plus all of the cars are the same. Sure one car may be a Chevy, or a Dodge, but it doesn't matter. All of the cars have the same engines and body styles to keep things "fair".
I often ask why there are so many flags in Nascar. For instance, a yellow flag is a caution flag, where drivers have to slow down and get into a line. Yellow flags are for when accidents occur or when debris is on the track, but is it really necessary to clean up the debris? Why can't Nascar leave it on the track to create an obstacle course?
I have found only a few things that can make Nascar interesting: crashes and the last three laps. Crashes are great for many reasons. Seeing a car fly through the air or burst into flames can make the past hundred laps bearable to watch. Also the last three laps can be interesting, especially if it is a close race. If there are two cars battling for the lead in the last few laps, things can get pretty tense.
With all things said, I would still rather watch paint dry then an entire Nascar race.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Can Video Games Be Useful?
While trying to think of ideas for this weeks blog, I got frustrated. Instead of punching a hole through my drywall in my room, I decided to take my "blog anger" out on video games. While killing hordes of aliens, I thought to myself, 'is this worth my time? Should I be trying to think of ideas for my blog, instead of saving the universe from impending alien doom? Do playing video games help me at all in life?' While trying to ignore my thoughts, and focus on the game, I had an epiphany. The answers to all my questions was right in front of my face. It turns out video games can be useful (sometimes)!
For me, video games can have ill-effects when played to often. I usually lose track of time, and before I know it, it is 10:00 p.m. and I have four papers to write. However, when played in moderation video games can help me quite a bit. Instead of taking anger out on real people or things, I take it out on aliens, zombies, cars, or anything else video games have to offer.
If people play the right video games, they could learn to make decisions faster. For example, if someone where to play a fast-paced video game, they would be forced to make quick decisions. A fast-paced video game could also help with hand-eye coordination as well. If ravenous zombies where coming after you, you would have to press the right buttons fast enough, otherwise you would be eaten.
Some video games are designed to teach children. Because video games are a great form of entertainment, they can keep kids hooked on certain subjects.
While I may procrastinate a lot using video games, they have helped in certain situations (this blog being one of them).
For me, video games can have ill-effects when played to often. I usually lose track of time, and before I know it, it is 10:00 p.m. and I have four papers to write. However, when played in moderation video games can help me quite a bit. Instead of taking anger out on real people or things, I take it out on aliens, zombies, cars, or anything else video games have to offer.
If people play the right video games, they could learn to make decisions faster. For example, if someone where to play a fast-paced video game, they would be forced to make quick decisions. A fast-paced video game could also help with hand-eye coordination as well. If ravenous zombies where coming after you, you would have to press the right buttons fast enough, otherwise you would be eaten.
Some video games are designed to teach children. Because video games are a great form of entertainment, they can keep kids hooked on certain subjects.
While I may procrastinate a lot using video games, they have helped in certain situations (this blog being one of them).
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Meanings to Fight Club
Besides being violent and hilarious at the same time, the movie Fight Club is deeply philosophical in many ways. The movie, starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, is about two men channeling their problems through fighting. Both of the men eventually start a fight club, which grows rapidly into other states and continents.
Within the movie are many points directed towards the flaws of American Culture. The character Tyler Durden, played by Brad Pitt, makes many remarks in the movie about being an American and wanting everything, but still becoming less and less happy. Durden remarks, "we've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off." In a way, Durden is correct, because the only things people see on T.V. these days is action movies, music videos, celebrities, ect. all living their dreams. Even Disney movies point out that "anything your heart desires will come to you". Sadly, that is not the case, no matter how much wishing upon a star you may do.
A lot of focus in the movie is towards possessions and the things people do to get them. The narrator of the story, played by Edward Norton, works everyday to buy his expensive possessions. However, they all get destroyed from an explosion within his condo. Afterwords, the narrator talks with Durden about the situation. Durden eventually explains, "the things you own end up owning you." Everyday Americans go to work, just to buy certain possessions. Sure, some of those possessions are necessities, but many are not. We buy clothes to fit in with certain people, expensive cars to make our neighbors envy us, and many other things for terrible reasons.
Overall the movie shows many great representations flaws in American culture. I personally would say that not all American culture is bad, but Fight Club surely shows its downsides.
Within the movie are many points directed towards the flaws of American Culture. The character Tyler Durden, played by Brad Pitt, makes many remarks in the movie about being an American and wanting everything, but still becoming less and less happy. Durden remarks, "we've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off." In a way, Durden is correct, because the only things people see on T.V. these days is action movies, music videos, celebrities, ect. all living their dreams. Even Disney movies point out that "anything your heart desires will come to you". Sadly, that is not the case, no matter how much wishing upon a star you may do.
A lot of focus in the movie is towards possessions and the things people do to get them. The narrator of the story, played by Edward Norton, works everyday to buy his expensive possessions. However, they all get destroyed from an explosion within his condo. Afterwords, the narrator talks with Durden about the situation. Durden eventually explains, "the things you own end up owning you." Everyday Americans go to work, just to buy certain possessions. Sure, some of those possessions are necessities, but many are not. We buy clothes to fit in with certain people, expensive cars to make our neighbors envy us, and many other things for terrible reasons.
Overall the movie shows many great representations flaws in American culture. I personally would say that not all American culture is bad, but Fight Club surely shows its downsides.
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