WBZ provides top quality investigations

The I-Team of WBZ is at it again, exploring the depths of trechery and corruption that run through the Bostonian bureacracies. Their most recent target: MBTA .... lunches.

I shit you not, this investigation centers around a monthly catered lunch that honestly sounds mediocre, based on their decriptions of "chicken and pasta." Am I the only one to find this an absurd news story? Sure the likes of Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears are are ridiculously lacking in any intellectual stimulae, but at least they are crazy enough that the semi-educated will recognize them as entertainment based news stories. This story, on the other hand, rests in that shadowy alcove known only to local news stations, the innards of a toilet, if you will. The MBTA is $8 Billion in debt, a catered lunch is hundreds of dollars at most, I hardly think this is the source of their financial instability. What's next, being amazed at the fact that they are *gasp* paying their employess?

It's almost like WBZ hired Sarah Palin to come up with their leads.

Almost.

I'm not smiling, Pepsi

By Al on Tue, Oct 28, 2008 3:48 pm

Pepsi recently unveiled their brand spanking new logo, which they paid $1.2 billion for.

Now I am a person that gets fired up (in a bad way) when people talk in the language of corporate America. For example: Our brand represents permanence, strength, and purity. I recently read that of White Castle. I declare shenanigans. White Castle makes cheap shitty (but delicious) burgers to make money. That is what their brand represents.

SO, when Pepsi said their logo was made up of a series of, and I kid you not, smiles, I near had a heart attack. It looks more like someone bending over and their lifting over their lower back, if you ask me. (you can take a gander at http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/the_new_pepsi_challe...)

Now, I'm not against the rebranding. I think it is probably a good idea that they are changing packaging and how their items are sold and represented (including Gatorade and Tropicana). Right now they are simply a Coca-Cola immitator, hopefully with this new branding they will step more into their own category. I just wish they could keep the corporate b.s. out of it. It in fact makes me not want to buy their product, as I can imagine the overweight, unoriginal, senior executives around a conference table throwing these ideas back and forth while wearing their smug grins and killing puppies (okay, so I exaggerate a bit.) "Let's call them smiles, it will make people happy."

I, for one, am tired of being treated like I am 4 years old by the corporations that dominate modern advertising. Talk to us like we are adults, and you might get a better response.

Banksy gets painted over

By Al on Fri, Oct 24, 2008 11:24 am

International artist of our time, Banksy, was dealt a blow recently when a London council deemed his work "common graffiti" and initiated plans to paint over his famous "One Nation Under CCTV" work. The image depicts enormous large white letters and a child observing, while a CCTV (a real one) watches the scene.

It is understandable that the officials in London feel obligated to treat all citizens equally and to do their job according to the book, but history will surely look upon their actions as destruction, and not restoration.

Apple delivers... for a price

By Al on Tue, Oct 14, 2008 3:46 pm

Today in California, Apple introduced its newly redesigned notebook lineup. The new collection features seamless metal enclosures, ridiculously improved graphics capabilities, and a sexy, buttonless, glass trackpad. They look sleek and simple, masterfully executing Apple's signature subtle design. Steve Jobs even got a few lulz during the presentation by flashing his bloodpressure on screen, referencing the frequent rumors of his demise.

But goddamnit, $1,299 is too expensive for a standard set up. They've cut the white plastic MacBook down to just under a grand, but it's sure to be phased out shortly in favor of the new design (and it has no real technlogical improvements.) As tempting as it is to upgrade to the new design, the economy just can't support $1299-$2499 laptops. Give us a $799 MacBook, Apple!

In Defense of Hipsters

By Al on Wed, Oct 8, 2008 4:36 pm

There is currently a surge in criticism for the group of twenty somethings labeled hipsters by their contemporaries. They are painted as apathetic, judgmental, and materialistic leeches. While these people do exist, they are not the people who established what has become the hipster urban culture (and frankly I'm pissed whenever a yuppie applies such a persona to the whole group.) I've seen little defense of the hipster scene, and believe it deserves respect. Therefore I am going to do something that before was unthinkable: I am going to label the hipsters. It's in their defense, honest.

Modern hipsters in Boston can generally be found lugging guitars or other instruments around the city on foot or on bike. Although it's noted that a flare for experimental electronic music is common among the group, a return to the pleasures of simple acoustic is refreshing. I'd say a characteristic of hipsters is a general appreciation of all music.

Furthermore, the surge in bicycling should definitely be appreciated. Especially today, with the myriad of environmental concerns and dependence on foreign oil our nation has, reverting to human powered, simple machines is wonderful! Beyond that, it has developed a forward thinking, socially aware culture that rallies behind it.

Art has also benefitted. A large amount of people labeled hipsters generally come from middle class families, where cliques and mass consumerism generally dominate the early years. This exploration and appreciation of art as these young people develop into adults has yielded some very interesting results. Without formal training or knowledge of art beforehand, guerrilla (street) art, and photography have been flooded with new techniques and experiments that are achieving international acclaim. Take a stroll down Westland Avenue in Boston for a little exposure (while it lasts.) A current favorite, stenciled on the side of an apartment building, is the portrait of Charles Darwin with the words "Think" and "Feel" upon his head and beard. The modern art of the 90's, where a solid red canvas or splatter of paint was said to be brilliance, is being replaced by actual works that have political meaning and emotion behind their creation. With the advent of technology and affordable cameras, this has only helped the movement.

Generally these socially aware twenty somethings have an appreciation for locally owned businesses and organic food as well. Farmers Markets have benefited, and ethically produced foods have seen a boom in business. I'm not going to be so bold as to say the hipster generation was responsible, but they helped. With a growing number of developing palettes, you can also find many young people in foreign restaurants, exploring the cuisine of different cultures as well.

Every generation has a counterculture: from my experience with the group, the hipsters of Boston are generally friendly, healthy, artistic, and aware of national issues. They vote. So say all you want about the apathetic, judgemental, and shallow faux-hipsters who have adopted nothing but the style, but remember that every counterculture has its copycats, and don't judge the group by their weakest link.

Boston Hoods

By Al on Sat, Aug 30, 2008 11:48 am