http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Tue, 22 Feb 2005 03:38:41 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/02/22/033841.php Animesh RawalAny TV-intensive weekend is obviously full of commercials. And of course, that translates into zillions of ads. I saw a nice commercial for "Sleepwell mattresses". And then I realised... Almost everything is sold with the promise of sex. Be it cosmetics, deodorants, lingerie, clothes, shoes, alcohol, motorcycles, cars, even toothpaste. Buy "AXE" and no gal would be able to keep her hands off you. Buy "Synergie Garnier Body Cocoon" and all guys will fall at your feet, etc, etc.But when it comes to mattresses, they are marketed as how good they are to sleep on! Imagine a mattress that was sold on sex! Mmmm.... I bet that would outsell all other mattresses put together!Wake up guys!!! Exploit the idea before it gets stale! Culture25831@blogcritics.org Tue, 22 Feb 2005 03:38:41 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/01/25/004813.php Animesh RawalThe other day I was browsing through the various channels when the words "Out of Order" caught my eye, splashed across the screen on a channel I otherwise never bother to watch. Hallmark.Anyway, even though I had never seen any of the actors in the movie ever before, for some reason I was hooked. "Out of Order" is an extremely compelling movie, with an amazing screenplay and fabulous dialogue.The movie is about a man who tries to remain faithful to his depressed wife. His job is made much harder by the fact that he is good looking and has a roving eye. I especially liked the part where the wife's confrontation with her stepfather is depicted as a boxing match titled "The Raging Bullshit"!A must watch. Video24655@blogcritics.org Tue, 25 Jan 2005 00:48:13 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/01/20/004748.php Animesh RawalSOMEONE thinks like me. SOMEONE thinks laziness is good for health. SOMEONE thinks exercise can harm the body. SOMEONE thinks the best thing you can do is sleep. SOMEONE thinks laughter is what keeps you healthy.In a new book called "The Joy of Laziness: How To Slow Down And Live Longer", two German scientists have outlined my entire philosophy of life!!! Check the story here.See the original entry here. Books24450@blogcritics.org Thu, 20 Jan 2005 00:47:48 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/12/21/011204.php Animesh RawalI recently finished reading "The Razor's Edge" by W. Somerset Maugham. Highly recommended for anyone with a questioning mind. It's the story of a man who, after experiencing the brutalities of war first hand, decides to abandon his girlfriend and a secure future that lay ahead. Instead, he travels around the globe in search of answers. Brilliantly written, the novel would stir into thought even the most unresponsive mind. Based on true experiences, the novel catches grabs you on the very first page. It is written with the writer as the first person, narrating the story as he sees it developing. The soul-searching narrative appeals to anyone with a sense of wonderment towards the world. I am not saying that you will find all the answers in here. What I'm saying is that you may the right questions. Oh, and by the way, it is also an entertaining read. Given my current state of mind (Driven in no small measure by my meagre workload -see the post titled '42'- and the movie Swades), it took me several days to finish it, going over many passages repeatedly and deciphering new meanings each time. A definite must-read. Books23490@blogcritics.org Tue, 21 Dec 2004 01:12:04 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/12/14/022445.php Animesh RawalI was watching "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and Ms Monroe was stressing again and again that Diamonds are a Girl's best friend. Suddenly I thought "Who's my best friend ?" All I could conjure up was an image of an eight- year old Spitz with ears hanging all the way to the ground.A DOG IS A MAN'S BEST FRIEND. What good is a diamond? Does a diamond wag it's tail and jump up with joy everytime you reach home? Does a diamond leap up and try to drown you with it's licks? Does a diamond cause women to come up to you when u're taking it for a walk just to ask "He's soooooooo cute!! What's his name?".Sorry to disappoint you, but the answer is - NO. You keep your diamonds, Marilyn. I prefer my Dog. Yet another reason why men are from Mars and Women from Hell oops.. Venus. Video23240@blogcritics.org Tue, 14 Dec 2004 02:24:45 EST