More

One of the best aspects of the internet, I think, is the easy access to short film and animation, the latter of which is my favorite. It can be sad, heartbreaking, and beautiful. The best makes us pause and consider our world in a new light. Of all the animation I've seen on the internet, the one my thoughts return to most is "More" by Mark Osborne. It is beautiful and sad in its reflection on hope, dreams, and work. This short film says more about the value of dreams and labour in our world than any book I've read yet. More by Mark Osborne

In a similar vein, though without the depth of feeling, is this short animation based on the Radiohead song "Creep"

And to lighten the mood (as you're probably rather depressed by now), here's something totally different but that I quite enjoyed: The Muffin Tree

Jon Stewart and Crossfire

Television so rarely offers us truely unplanned moments that are not filled with the superficial pettiness of "reality tv". This now-famous visit by Jon Stewart to the live CNN show "Crossfire" does this. The program was taken off the air shortly after this episode (was this the last?).

To attack the show so intelligently, so confidently, on live television is a testiment to Jon Stewart's brilliance. In a political climate where speaking out against what is widely (blindly?) assumed to be truth is so controversial, moments like these act as role models for the outspokenness we should all aspire to.




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