BWZ Quick Picks! |
Hybrid Website integrates interactive Webshow with real-time political news
Often one way to make a better world is to
know how to skillfully satirize the world at large with A Modest Proposal.
We already know that politicians are so thoroughly in bed with the entertainment
industry that to show a JPEG of their relationship would require a blue-ribbon
campaign icon and an age warning. AND Interactive Communications Corp., using
the newest Internet technologies, has built an entertainment-oriented drama-based
Webshow that blends real life politics and fictional characters in a way
that has not been seen since Dan Quayle attacked Murphy Brown's baby.
Imagine a Webshow with a complex back-story that is rich enough to be real, and that has bona-fide audience interaction. Log on to the site to find and follow Jack Parrish, a 38 year-old computer whiz kid who gets involved with the American political process...by running for President.
Experience Jack Parrish on the ballot and in the headlines at the same time as Clinton and Dole. See daily polls, referendums, and access newsgroups. Hear Real Audio "read" the voice-mail of characters. The advanced technology, (which includes JavaScript frames, animated gifs, and is optimized for Netscape's 2.0 browser), is the underpinning for a story that is based upon the premise that the user has obtained access to the computer network at Parrish's campaign headquarters; the technology also creates a screen design that employs the illusion that the user is actually inside the characters' personal computers.
In case there are people reading this review/announcement about Candidate
96 who don't appreciate the beauty and necessity of political sarcasm,
if there's anyone wondering "What good is THIS Webshow?", note that
Candidate 96 is designed by the people who created MTV's "Rock The
Vote" not only to be entertaining but to get more people involved in the
political process.
Recycle!
A Handbook for Kids
by Gail Gibbons
$4.95 (Paper)
Ages 4-8
Little, Brown and Company is arguably the finest and most exciting children's
book publisher on the planet. [For complete details on Little, Brown and
Company, including freebies, see: Harrington, Barry and Christensen, Beth:
Unbelievably Good Deals That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're A
Teacher: Contemporary Books (1995), pp. 37-38]. Little, Brown and Company
sums up Recycle! well: "Ever wonder what happens to all that plastic,
glass, paper, aluminum, and polystyrene after the recycling truck picks it
up? Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the process of recycling, complete
with fascinating facts about garbage and helpful tips on ways that you can
help clean up our environment!" Recycle! IS the most simple introduction
to the recycling process, yet doesn't shy away from explaining the scientific
complexities (e.g., "Leachate is a powerful substance that is produced when
rotting garbage mixes with rainwater."). The book strikes the perfect tone
and has the perfect touch for an introduction to this extremely important
issue. It's clear enough and exciting enough for children to absorb and enact
immediately.
TIMBER!
From Trees to Wood Products
by William Jaspersohn
$16.95 (cloth)
Environmentalists will enjoy looking through this book about as much as the squeamish would enjoy looking through a physician's color-enhanced photo journal on surgery. However, TIMBER! is an excellent book which names our society's use of fallen trees, thus providing comprehension for what the timber industry is doing, (or what they've rationalized that they are doing). Hence, next time Timmy asks you, "What do they make when they cut down trees?", you can answer: "Homes, baseball bats, boats, furniture, fences, paper, newspapers and magazines, and musical instruments." BWZ provides a balanced point of view on all the subjects discussed, not an extreme one-sided attitude, and thus TIMBER! is, paradoxically, a companion piece to RECYCLE!.
We have a varied readership, from those who may agree with a specific article to those who disagree with an editorial or even the environmentalist philosophy. Yet the best any of us can hope for is that we truly look at the opposing philosophy and try to envision a balanced solution. For within contrasting opinions--be they between war-torn nations or tree-farmers and conservationists--we must come up with better solutions than the ones either side is currently espousing. Do we let companies strip-mine? Force replanting? Cut selectively based on a forestry expert's guidance? Whether one reads TIMBER! looking for facts for or against the timber industry, the important aspect is that one can glean comprehension of their opponent's thinking. Only in a state of understanding one another will a balanced resolution--a real solution--occur.
Mel
Gibson's Braveheart: A Filmmaker's Passion
This 28 minute video is available to consumers as a free rental. About seemingly everyone's favorite movie, this "making of" Braveheart brings to light many concerns of the "Better World" philosophy. Gibson's award-winning epic is a stirring portrayal of a 13th-century struggle for human rights. This behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Braveheart shows amusing glimpses of Mel Gibson dressed in ancient Scottish battle-garb while speaking to the crowds of medieval warriors via a bullhorn. This film, Braveheart's companion piece, also offers stunning cinematographic images of Scotland and Ireland. The choreographed battle scenes and stunts are amazing, as is the technology of using mechanical horses to bring 13th century combat to life.
Michael
Jackson's "EARTH SONG" and Heal The World Foundation
Michael Jackson has released a fifth single off of his HIStory album, a maxi-single of remixes of his song of voiced concern for the environment, "Earth Song". Jackson continues to be mowed over by the media despite his tireless efforts to give back to the world and to write songs that are powerful and positive. But his fans aren't listening to the media...the HIStory CD is said to have sold ten million copies at this time.
Beyond his nature of giving on a spiritual and performance level, Jackson continues to donate fathomless amounts of money, time, and gifts to those in need all around the world. Who knew that Michael Jackson donated $1.25 million dollars plus proceeds from this half-time performance at Super Bowl XXVII to his Heal L.A. program? The Heal The World Foundation, founded in 1992 and named after the song "Heal The World" off his Dangerous CD, is "a charitable organization to aid children and the environment." Its mission statement is: "Healing, plain and simple." Its goals include "providing medicine for children and fighting world hunger, drug and alcohol abuse, and child-abuse." His accomplishments range from providing forty-seven tons of winter relief supplies--including medical items, blankets, winter clothing, and shoes--to the children of Sarajevo, to Heal L.A. where he is supporting problem-solving programs for inner-city youth by providing education, mentoring, and immunization campaigns. His donations are too sizable to include here, but they can be found by visiting the Heal The World Foundation Website, (above), this related page, or by contacting the foundation at the address below:
Heal The World
5959 Triumph St.
Commerce, CA 90040
1(800) HEAL-123, which is 1(800) 432-5123
Jackson contributes to all of his charities via the Heal The World Foundation; everyone from local charities to United States Presidents have asked him for money. For more information about what you can do, this section on the Heal The World Foundation Website is a "Become Involved" area, where he lists organizations that could use YOUR help RIGHT NOW.
The address for obtaining information or donating your own time and/or money is:
Heal The World Foundation
11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 370
Los Angeles, CA. 90025
Make that change.
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