tagged w/ Social Life
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The desire to be properly seen was one of the reasons that, for decades, the performing legends of the Western world paraded through Avedon's studio door; many of them could understand their own talent, but they couldn't fathom what it was in them that attracted the public so powerfully. In Avedon's studio, his subjects were called on to improvise; whether a professional showman or just a novice, they had either to mask or to pronounce themselves. From Avedon's perspective, all choices were telling. His task was to encourage, interpret, re-stage and retouch the portraits in order to confirm and confer identity.
Whether Avedon was mourning his father in a series of harrowing death-bed portraits, capturing dramatic portraits of renowned celebrities or exploring the burned-out faces of Utah drifters, within the camera’s vigilant focus the position of a head, a hand, or a lidded eye assumed the significance of a symbol. These studies have a dark glamor. The glamor of Avedon’s portraits, the arrangement of balance of line, texture, figure, and shadows within the frame, speaks with an uncanny, heartbreaking eloquence.
This detailed article includes a large number of stunning, darkly glamorous Avedon photographic portraits and two videos about his masterful work. In addition, it presents a remarkable photo-gallery comprised of additional remarkable pictures that speak with a heart-rending power.The desire to be properly seen was one of the reasons that, for decades, the... more
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Far from turning teenagers into anti-social loners, video games help them engage with friends and community, says a report.
The Pew Internet study of US teenagers found that few play alone and most join up with friends when gaming.
It found that many used educational games to learn about world issues and to begin to engage with politics.
The report also found that gaming had become an almost universal pastime among young Americans.Far from turning teenagers into anti-social loners, video games help them engage with... more
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Yes indeed, it has become very, very dark in here. And looking back, home is far, far away.
This piece presents a number of stunning photographs, shown for you in high-resolution. In addition, it includes an original, remarkably dark and haunting avant-garde music video.Yes indeed, it has become very, very dark in here. And looking back, home is far, far... more
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This is a remembrance to Coney Island as this American Icon nears its last days, one more victim of greedy urban gentrification. This piece includes a number of vintage photographs and two videos. One of the videos is the classic Edison short film, "Coney Island at Night."
This Edison short features the revolutionary night photography of Coney Island around the turn of the century, shot by the Edison Studio filmmaker Edwin S. Porter on June 25th, 1905. His camera caressed the lit-up amusement center with long sweeping movements, producing an eerie beauty. The smooth pans and tilts were a remarkable technical accomplishment at the time, given the fact that night scenes required much longer exposures.This is a remembrance to Coney Island as this American Icon nears its last days, one... more
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On September 11th, 2008, the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks, Wofford College, a small liberal arts college in South Carolina that had been segregated up until 1963, paid honor to Vernon Baker. Baker is the only living African-American to have been awarded the World War II Medal of Honor.
For his acts of valor during WWII, Baker had earned the Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, The Distinguished Service Cross and The Medal of Honor. However, it took 52 years before those heroics were recognized. Baker, because he was an African-American, was not honored for his bravery until 1997, when he and six of his comrades were finally awarded the Medal of Honor from then-President Bill Clinton at a White House ceremony. Baker was the only member of the group of honorees who was still alive.
Wofford College President Bernie Dunlap presented Vernon Baker with the college's third annual Sandor Teszler Award for Moral Courage and Service to Humankind to a thunderous standing ovation during Wofford's 2008 Opening Convocation Ceremony. Dunlap and Wofford College Dean David Wood also presented Baker, who is now 89-years-old, with an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree and Spartanburg's Mayor William Barnet followed by giving Baker a key to the city.
This detailed article includes a number of photographs, three videos and a documentary about Vernon Baker's acts of valor during WWII.On September 11th, 2008, the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks,... more
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Tyler Perry is the star of what is still known as the “chitlin’ circuit.” He’s a moody, funny and astoundingly prolific writer/producer/director/actor. As an actor, Tyler is best known for his fabulous fashion looks when he's all dressed up in the rockin' floral print frocks (with an Adam’s apple) as the no-nonsense Grandma Mabel “Madea” Simmons. Grandma Madea presents the very finest in cross-dressing minstrelsy.
The video presented here is a selection from Tyler Perry's very funny, albeit bittersweet play, “Madea Goes to Jail.” Grandma Mabel "Madea" again stars Tyler Perry, with Madea once more wearing a humble beflowered gown as she holds court with members of her family. In this particular episode, Madea gives her very good advice on love, relationships and keepin' on going in life.
This article includes humorous photographs, as well as an extremely comical, but also very serious video from “Madea Goes to Jail.”
While watching this might you just might well end up thinking about your own relationships and life!!Tyler Perry is the star of what is still known as the “chitlin’... more
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“American Stories of Hope” is a remarkable and touching new series of short films by Qasim Basir. Qasim is a young filmmaker living in New York City who has been inspired by Barack Obama. He wanted to produce a series of short films to capture the quality that he most admired about Obama.
It was by no means easy for Qasim to achieve his vision. It took everything that he had to pull together enough resources to be able to finish the series of films. Along the way, he received free assistance from a number of usually highly paid professionals and raised most of the financial support for the film series through friends' donations.
Entitled The Inspiration of Barack: "Yes We Can" Film Series, Qasim refers to them as "Seven American Stories of Hope." Each of the short films is about different people who, in the face of hardships in their lives, have become inspired by Obama to confront their hardships and take an essential step forward. The first public screening of "The Inspiration of Barack: 'Yes We Can' Film Series” takes place on Friday evening, September 12th at The Tribeca Cinemas in New York City.
This article includes a number of wonderful photographs, as well as one of the very touching and inspiring short-films from Qasim's “Seven American Faces of Hope” film series.
Please have a look at this short film. No matter what your own particular political stance might be, I think that you'll find it to be inspiring.“American Stories of Hope” is a remarkable and touching new series of... more
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"Little Dinosaurs" is an elegantly simple, award-winning animated short-film. Within a time-frame of 60-seconds, the film addresses important contemporary social issues at both practical and global levels. First, it speaks to the issue of bullying, which is currently a major concern for schools and communities in many countries. Secondly, it invokes thoughts about children working together and achieving a sense of unity. Finally, "Little Dinosaurs’" narrative can be abstracted to a global level, in particular to thoughts about the daunting present-day struggles to confront terrorism and tyranny.
The film's message on the world-wide issue is a declaration that, “If we don’t unite against tyranny, we will all be slaves to fear.”
This composition includes several colorful high-resolution images from the film, as well as the acclaimed, beautifully animated 60-second film, "Little Dinosaurs.""Little Dinosaurs" is an elegantly simple, award-winning animated... more
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To be young and gay or lesbian in the 1970s was to anticipate that your life would be shackled by constant fears of personally devastating public exposure, your life marked as an isolated and lonely, elusively secretive journey, and your closest personal relationships always hidden behind darkened bar windows.
No single person could have changed all of that, and certainly not all the changes have been achieved today. But a few powerful figures have given gay and lesbian people the confidence that they needed to stop lying to and about themselves.
People told Harvey Milk that no openly gay man could ever win political office. Fortunately, he ignored their advice. And after Harvey Milk became the first openly gay man elected to any substantial political office in the history of the world, thousands of astonished people wrote to Milk thanking him for finally giving them a chance to emerge from the shadows of mankind and to join the human race.
The new amazing biographical motion picture, Milk, pays homage to Harvey Milk. The film is directed by the Oscar-winning Gus Van Sant, who also previously directed My Own Private Idaho and Good Will Hunting. Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk, with James Franco playing his life partner, Scott Smith, and Josh Brolin as Dan White, Milk's eventual killer. The new film about Harvey Milk is being described as big, brash, bold and already looking as though it could be a major contender in the motion picture awards season.
If this first trailer is anything to go by, Gus Van Sant's Milk is going to be a big movie that takes on big issues in contemporary American life.
This detailed article presents biographic notes about the life and times of Harvey Milk, a number of photographs from the film, and the official HD trailer of Gus Van Sant's stunning biopic, “Milk.”To be young and gay or lesbian in the 1970s was to anticipate that your life would be... more
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Jeff Stearns' short classically animated film "What Are You Anyways?" explores the life experiences of cultural backgrounds that lie outside of the white breadbox. This is a humorous, yet serious film about the struggle of finding love and identity through the trials and tribulations of growing up.
The wonderful animated film is included.Jeff Stearns' short classically animated film "What Are You Anyways?"... more
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Confronted with the approach of Hurricane Gustav, by Sunday afternoon a historic evacuation of Louisiana's Gulf Coast, the largest evacuation in state history, had been completed. Two million people had joined in an exodus that left New Orleans standing in near silence, quiet as a ghost town. Policemen and National Guardsmen were carrying guns as they stood watching over the city's empty streets, while the nation anticipated that Hurricane Gustav could rival Hurricane Katrina in its destructive power.
This article presents a number of stunning photographs that show the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and a video showing New Orleans as a “ghost town” after the flooding. In addition, it includes a deeply moving, memorable photo-gallery that documents Katrina's shattering aftermath, which is accompanied by music audio.Confronted with the approach of Hurricane Gustav, by Sunday afternoon a historic... more
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Yes indeedy, this is one cocky and sexy muscley guy! He's just so, so over-the-top vain!! And this buff beefcake guy just loves to show off his chiseled abs whenever he can....such a narcissistic exhibitionist he is! Well, maybe that's real luck for us!!
Includes a number of stunning photographs of this alluring, muscley dude, as well as a video where the beefy guy gets to strut his muscley stuff. In addition a great photo-gallery presents a lot more pictures of this dudester in some more of his enticing muscley poses, and it's accompanied by music audio.
Have just a little tiny peek here, and enjoy yourself!!Yes indeedy, this is one cocky and sexy muscley guy! He's just so, so... more
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Reviews of Obama's acceptance speech demonstrate that some of the more recognized political-pundits in both the traditional mainstream media and the new media tended to churn out reviews reflecting a tenuous ability to grasp deeper or complex meanings, reviews that were extremely superficial.
These political pundits are often the media's well-known public political voices, but they are public voices that frequently are distorted by a narcissistic conviction of self-entitlement. In fact, the truth of the matter is that they look at crucial political events, such as events now taking place in the presidential election, as their own sparkling merry-go-round where their last political love affair is simply an entrée to their next encounter.
Unable to grasp the deeper and more complex meanings of critically important political events makes these pundits unable to convey those deeper meanings to the public. Therefore, the American people are left unable to depend upon them to be sources of reliable information, particularly during times when especially urgent or decisive political situations might arise.
This detailed article presents a number of photographs and three videos (including the video of Obama's entire nomination acceptance speech). In addition, a remarkable photo-gallery documents Senator Obama's entire presidential campaign, which is accompanied by music audio.Reviews of Obama's acceptance speech demonstrate that some of the more recognized... more
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This is a short documentary following an ex-gang member's struggle to turn his life around. It was produced for a class at Brooks Institute and is the student's final documentary project before leaving school to pursue a career in photojournalism and documentary filmmaking.This is a short documentary following an ex-gang member's struggle to turn his... more
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Matthew Mitcham did two very surprising things at the Beijing Olympics. First, he snatched a gold medal away from the apparently invincible Chinese diving team. Second, Mitcham openly told anyone who asked about his sexuality that he is gay. Matt is undaunted on the platform, and he’s just as fearless about his personal life.
Making his Olympic debut in Beijing in the 10m platform event, Australia’s Mitcham earned four perfect 10’s on his last dive Saturday night, winning the men’s 10m platform diving competition. His stunning upset victory prevented China from sweeping all eight of the Olympic diving gold medals. Not only was Mitcham’s triumph an astonishing upset win, his sixth and final dive was the highest scoring dive in Olympic history.
From 2002 until 2006, Mitcham was an award winning diver in both junior and senior national and international diving competitions. But in 2006 he suddenly quit diving, suffering both emotional burnout and physical exhaustion after spending years in the Australian program’s rigid training regimen. For a long period of time the young Mitcham had to battle anxiety and depression, which led him to begin psychotherapy and required him to spend some time on medication.
A year later, Mitcham returned to the sport and in 2008, Mitcham won all three of his diving events at the Australian Nationals. He followed this spectacular comeback appearance by winning the 2008 Diving Grand Prix event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Then just three months prior to leaving with the Australian team to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Mitcham made headlines in Australia when he revealed to the Sydney Morning Herald that he is gay. With his public statement, Matt Mitcham became a historic Olympic figure, the first and only man among 10,500 Olympic athletes to have publicly stated that he is gay while still participating in Olympic competition.
When asked what this Olympic victory meant to him after the tumultuous ups and downs of his last few years, Mitcham stated, “Everything, absolutely everything I’ve done has been for this. I knew it was a far chance, but I did absolutely everything I could to give myself the best chance of doing it. It’s actually happened, and I never thought it would.”
This detailed article includes a number of stunning photographs, as well as two videos (the amazing 10m platform diving finals, which includes Mitcham's unforgettable historic final dive; the 10m Olympic Gold Ceremony).
Enjoy and marvel at this young man!! Matthew Mitcham did two very surprising things at the Beijing Olympics. First, he... more
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This is My American Dream. Celebrating Obama/Biden for America. The article includes great photographs, Dave Stewart's new All-Star "American Prayer" music video and a wonderful photo-gallery with photographs that cover Barack Obama's entire presidential campaign.
Please have a look and enjoy!!This is My American Dream. Celebrating Obama/Biden for America. The article includes... more
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Herb Ritt is a widely acclaimed photographer known for his elegant photographs of muscular, glamorously masculine men. Portraiture of the nude physique is Ritt's main theme: models, athletes, muscular men and bodies that express force, sensuality and beauty.
Perhaps more than any other photographer of his generation, Ritt redefined masculine glamour with his notoriously on-the-edge images of modern-day Adonises, whose highly muscular physiques he adoringly mythologized in his photographic studies.
This detailed article also presents a number of Ritt's stunning photographs, a music video and a photo-gallery of his on-the-edge portraits of these glamorously masculine beauties.Herb Ritt is a widely acclaimed photographer known for his elegant photographs of... more
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Fritz Lang's amazing 1927 film "Metropolis" has recently been described as a contemporary symphony of fear. "Metropolis" is a landmark in the development of film noir. The film's depiction of brutal capitalism and its message calling for the importance of compassion is hugely relevant today, although its crucial message is largely ignored by the rich and powerful.
This detailed article includes a number of stunning vintage photographs and video from Lang's amazing film, "Metropolis."Fritz Lang's amazing 1927 film "Metropolis" has recently been described... more
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MIT's "Technology Review" has announced its listing of the 2008 "Young Innovators Under 35." MIT's annual listing (the TR35) honors 35 young innovators who have made outstanding contributions to the fields of medicine, electronics and nanotechnology, among others.
This detailed article includes photographs and a video announcing the list of honored young innovators.MIT's "Technology Review" has announced its listing of the 2008... more
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Yes indeed, this is one very sensual, sexy and darkly brooding tattooed guy. The piece includes a number of absolutely stunning photographs of this hot, somber muscular fellow, all presented for you in remarkable high-resolution.
It also includes a music video about the guy, music audio and a great gallery showing photos of this deeply intense, gorgeous stud.
Have a look and enjoy yourself!!Yes indeed, this is one very sensual, sexy and darkly brooding tattooed guy. The... more
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