John Oliver embodies, with actual success, all of my failed comedic endeavors. I've praised him before, but I still don't think he gets enough credit.
I grew up thinking I was going to be an "artist," but slowly learned I was no good at that. The creatives I looked up to always taught me that artists have a social responsibility to comment on the world around them. I hope I was able to capture that sentiment with whatever I did. John Oliver & Team does it with nuance, intelligence, humility, care, and while being incredibly funny.
In this episode he interviews Monica Lewinsky. How she was able to put her life together after going through a meat grinder is beyond me — I know I am not strong enough to have withstood what she went through. What an incredible individual with a great sense of humor.
Showing posts with label John Oliver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Oliver. Show all posts
Monday, March 18, 2019
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Encryption: The F.B.I vs. Apple
Lunch + Last Week Tonight With John Oliver. It's a great combo until you're taking a sip of your drink and Mr. Oliver drops a funny line.
Encryption is a concept that's been in the public light lately due to the F.B.I vs. Apple debate. I saw a lot of people post and share Apple's defense of their position when it was released. It was almost as if the F.B.I was completely out-of-bounds in this case. I, however, saw nuance in this discussion.
I can see why so many people voiced their support for Apple. The tech giant is much sexier than the F.B.I and viewed favorably. Aside from style, there is substance to support Apple too. If someone held a gun up to my head and forced me to completely side with Apple or the F.B.I, I, too, would assemble on the Apple side of the debate. But this is not that easy. The conversation about security vs. privacy is a long and ongoing talk. I'm positive that the same people that swiftly and firmly sided with Apple would be equally outraged, at Apple, if a follow up incident occurred that the F.B.I could have prevented with encrypted information. You can't have both absolute freedom and absolute security.
Encryption is a concept that's been in the public light lately due to the F.B.I vs. Apple debate. I saw a lot of people post and share Apple's defense of their position when it was released. It was almost as if the F.B.I was completely out-of-bounds in this case. I, however, saw nuance in this discussion.
I can see why so many people voiced their support for Apple. The tech giant is much sexier than the F.B.I and viewed favorably. Aside from style, there is substance to support Apple too. If someone held a gun up to my head and forced me to completely side with Apple or the F.B.I, I, too, would assemble on the Apple side of the debate. But this is not that easy. The conversation about security vs. privacy is a long and ongoing talk. I'm positive that the same people that swiftly and firmly sided with Apple would be equally outraged, at Apple, if a follow up incident occurred that the F.B.I could have prevented with encrypted information. You can't have both absolute freedom and absolute security.
Monday, April 6, 2015
John Oliver + Edward Snowden Interview
Finally got around to watching this. I am so glad people are getting excited about Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
•I hope when we are all dead and gone, and some future civilization tries to piece together what kind of species we were, that they will find the clip of msnbc cutting away from a congresswoman to cover Justin Bieber. I also hope they have the context of Justin Bieber before they do. I foresee, at that point, them picking up all their gear and saying, "Let's get the fuck out of here! These idiots clearly deserved to die!"
•I think Oliver might've been harder on Snowden than most journalist. If journalists need a distancing tool like comedy to be tough, then all our journalists should be comedians.
•How sobering it must've been for Snowden to see that people only wanted to engage in a conversation about the NSA and surveillance when it came to dick pics. And how aware of Oliver to understand that we are all idiots.
•I hope when we are all dead and gone, and some future civilization tries to piece together what kind of species we were, that they will find the clip of msnbc cutting away from a congresswoman to cover Justin Bieber. I also hope they have the context of Justin Bieber before they do. I foresee, at that point, them picking up all their gear and saying, "Let's get the fuck out of here! These idiots clearly deserved to die!"
•I think Oliver might've been harder on Snowden than most journalist. If journalists need a distancing tool like comedy to be tough, then all our journalists should be comedians.
•How sobering it must've been for Snowden to see that people only wanted to engage in a conversation about the NSA and surveillance when it came to dick pics. And how aware of Oliver to understand that we are all idiots.
Friday, March 20, 2015
John Oliver On The NCAA
Fantastic segment by John Oliver.
I remember during my last few years at the University of Minnesota is when TCF Bank Stadium was agreed upon. I don't follow college sports, but I had no issue with the construction of a new stadium as long it was responsibly financed and constructed and extensively looked over. Then I remember getting the bill for my tuition and seeing that the students of the University of Minnesota would also contribute to the funding of the stadium. Even then, it didn't make sense nor did it feel right that students would see an additional expense tacked on to their already bloated tuition. I still at times curse TCF Bank Stadium as I walk by it. Not because some of my money went into building the stadium, but because people felt it was acceptable to force students to help pay for it.
So to see that "student-athletes" are also taken advantage of is no surprise to me. Is there anyone and anything the long reaching hand of the profit motive cannot corrupt?
I remember during my last few years at the University of Minnesota is when TCF Bank Stadium was agreed upon. I don't follow college sports, but I had no issue with the construction of a new stadium as long it was responsibly financed and constructed and extensively looked over. Then I remember getting the bill for my tuition and seeing that the students of the University of Minnesota would also contribute to the funding of the stadium. Even then, it didn't make sense nor did it feel right that students would see an additional expense tacked on to their already bloated tuition. I still at times curse TCF Bank Stadium as I walk by it. Not because some of my money went into building the stadium, but because people felt it was acceptable to force students to help pay for it.
So to see that "student-athletes" are also taken advantage of is no surprise to me. Is there anyone and anything the long reaching hand of the profit motive cannot corrupt?
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