Sunday, 8 June 2025

Appendix: English — The Language of Lazy People and Shortcuts

English didn’t get famous for its precision. It’s the language of shortcuts, snappy phrases, and colorful idioms that let people say a lot with just a few words.

Why say “water causes wetness” when you can just say “water is wet” and be done with it? That’s efficiency at its finest!

English inherited a ton of fancy grammar rules from Latin, French, and Germanic languages—but instead of keeping all those complicated verb endings and case markers, English tossed a lot of them out the window. Who has time for that?

English loves shortcuts so much, it gave us gems like:

  • “Gonna” instead of “going to.” Because why bother with the full phrase when you can just squish it?

  • “Wanna” instead of “want to.” Sounds cooler, feels easier.

  • “OK” — a mysterious abbreviation that took over the world because it’s short, simple, and anyone can say it.

  • “Hang on” — literally telling someone to “hang” while you figure things out. Easy to say, no need to explain.

  • “Piece of cake” — no cakes are involved; it just means something is easy. Why explain it fully when a quick idiom does the job?

  • “Shoot the breeze” — because talking casually should feel as effortless as shooting... well, the breeze. No complicated verbs needed.

These shortcuts make English fun, fast, and practical — perfect for texting, casual talk, and memes. But they also mean English often prioritizes convenience over accuracy.

So when you hear “water is wet,” just think of it as English showing off its lazy muscles. It’s like the language rolled out of bed, threw on some sweatpants, and said, “Good enough!”


Thursday, 5 June 2025

Peter Randall and The Raindogs

Peter Randall and The Raindogs:

  • Formation: The band emerged in the early 1990s after Peter Randall had established himself in the Canadian music scene through his previous band, Timeline. Randall sought to create a new project that blended rock, pop, and Americana influences, which became The Raindogs. The precise lineup and individual band member details remain limited in public records.

  • Musical Style: Their sound combined melodic rock with elements of roots and folk, fitting well within the 1990s Canadian alternative and adult contemporary scenes. Their self-titled 1994 album was produced by Ken Greer (of Red Rider), which indicates a professional studio effort with notable production values.

  • Gigs and Performances: The Raindogs performed primarily in the Toronto and Ontario live music circuits during the early to mid-1990s. They appeared on television programs such as Citytv Toronto’s Breakfast Television and Lunch Television, showcasing their music to a broader audience. Specific concert dates or tour details are not widely documented.

  • Reception: While they did not achieve major commercial breakthrough, the band garnered a modest following and respect within Canadian music circles for their songwriting and musicianship.

  • Legacy: After the band’s active years, Peter Randall transitioned towards humanitarian work and politics, but The Raindogs remain a notable part of his artistic legacy.

If you want, I can help draft a short bio or band history based on this info for promotional or archival use.

 Thursday, June 5, 2025



https://pop-the-cherry-say-i.blogspot.com/2025/06/thursday-june-5-2025-raccoons-are-back.html

The raccoons are back on the radio. Of course they are. Toronto’s preferred theatre of governance continues: the great “one-way door” debate, now in its fifth or fiftieth season. Experts solemnly explain that the method doesn’t really work—especially not with raccoons, who laugh at symbolic gestures and bureaucratic metaphors.

No capturing. No hunting. And absolutely no killing. All effective strategies are either banned outright or considered too uncivilized for modern sensibilities. Instead, we rely on half-measures that make the city feel humane while leaving the residents helpless.

Funny how no one ever went on the radio during the years of infestation—when raccoons nested in attics, squirrels turned basements into nut bunkers, and skunks treated porches like rent-free condos. The public silence was deafening. But now, now that someone’s got a microphone and a quota to fill, we’re pretending to be shocked by the state of things.

I never complained. Thought it was better to just deal with it quietly. But I still remember the pandemic squirrel incident—the one time a rodent made headlines. The city, embarrassed by media pressure, sent both police and firefighters to remove it. As if they were conducting a tactical rodent extraction. Not because it made sense, but because optics.

Sometimes I wonder if I should’ve been a squeaky wheel. Because clearly, in this city, grease doesn’t go to the patient or the pragmatic—it goes to the loudest whiner with the best soundbite.



https://pop-the-cherry-say-i.blogspot.com/2025/06/thursday-june-5-2025-raccoons-are-back.html

Tuesday, 3 June 2025

  Dune is not science fantasy in the Star Wars sense. It's deeply speculative, internally consistent, and grounded in logic, even when it includes extraordinary elements like prescience.


✅ Why Dune is not "science fantasy" (in the fairy tale sense):

  • No magic: Everything (spice, sandworms, Bene Gesserit powers) has rational explanations.

  • Future sight isn’t mystical — it’s evolutionary and drug-enhanced perception.

  • Religions are sociological constructs, not supernatural truths.

  • Psychic powers like the Voice are biological training-based.

  • No impossible physics: No FTL travel, no teleportation — only folding space via guild navigators using spice-induced multidimensional awareness.

Frank Herbert called it "anthropological science fiction", not fantasy.



So where does Dune sit?

LabelFitWhy
Hard sci-fi✅/⚠️It’s too speculative for “hard” but logically coherent.
Speculative epic sci-fiGrand scale, deep political and ecological worldbuilding.
Philosophical sci-fiExplores power, destiny, ecology, evolution.
Science fantasyNo true fantasy or magical logic.





In contrast:

WorkFantasy ElementLogical Inconsistency
Star WarsThe Force, space magicSound in space, lightsabers with mass, no science basis
AnnihilationDNA-refraction shimmerPhysics-breaking mutations, symbolic transformations
The Fifth ElementAncient prophecy, god-beingTotally magical logic
DunePrescienceLogically justified by spice and human evolution




So yes: Dune is one of the most internally rational epics in sci-fi — mythic in scale and structure, but not mythic in logic.

  Kristin Adams, the Canadian actress known for her role as Natalie in the 2004 film Childstar.


🎬 Career Highlights

Kristin Adams is a Canadian actress with a diverse filmography spanning over two decades. She gained recognition for her role as Natalie in the 2004 film Childstar, a satirical comedy directed by Don McKellar. The film explores the challenges faced by a young American actor and his overbearing mother during a film shoot in Canada. Adams' portrayal of Natalie contributed to the film's critical acclaim, including four awards from the Vancouver Film Critics Circle, such as Best Canadian Film and Best Director. en.wikipedia.org

Beyond Childstar, Adams has appeared in various film and television projects. Her notable film credits include Falling Angels (2003), Where the Truth Lies (2005), and Leslie, My Name Is Evil (2009). In addition to her film work, she has made appearances in television series such as Beach Girls (2004), My Babysitter's a Vampire (2009), and At the Mercy of a Stranger (1999).

Thursday, 29 May 2025

 Red Carpets and Red Flags: The Rise and Rise of Cancel Culture

By Scholx


1970–1975

Terminology: Blacklisting, Shunning, Boycotting (legacy from earlier decades)
Context: Political activism and personal views led to unofficial blacklisting or career limits, but no formal “canceling.” Media tightly controlled narratives; no social media or widespread public campaigns.
Examples:

  • Jane Fonda — Vietnam War activism backlash (“Hanoi Jane”).

  • Paul Newman — Political activism caused tension but career intact.

  • Marilyn Chambers — Stigma crossing from adult films.

  • Marlon Brando — Political stances caused friction, no career loss.

  • Angela Davis — Controversial political support.

Analysis:
Boycotting was limited and informal, mostly driven by political blacklisting or social stigma. Public campaigns were rare and slow, with low levels of “canceling” as we know it today. The trend was stable but low, with isolated cases.


1975–1980

Terminology: Public Backlash, Controversy
Context: Scandals and activism drew media attention; studios controlled damage. “Canceling” as a term was absent.
Examples:

  • Richard Pryor — Drug problems public but no career collapse.

  • John Lennon — Political activism led to FBI surveillance, public backlash.

  • Jane Fonda — Continued activism with ongoing backlash.

  • Bill Cosby — Some controversy for views, career intact.

  • Liza Minnelli — Drug issues surfaced but career viable.

Analysis:
Boycotting increased slightly due to more vocal public opposition and media coverage, but still mostly controlled by studios and slow to affect careers deeply. The level was moderate and rising, but no widespread cancel culture yet.


1980–1985

Terminology: Falling out of favor, Career setbacks
Context: Media scrutiny increased; personal troubles caused limited industry pushback but no mass cancellations.
Examples:

  • Robert Downey Jr. — Early drug use began hurting career.

  • Dustin Hoffman — Misconduct allegations surfaced but no cancellation.

  • Tommy Lee Jones — Difficult behavior known but no fallout.

  • Mel Gibson — Rising star, clean image.

  • Mickey Rourke — Career slowed by personal issues.

Analysis:
Boycotting and “canceling” were sporadic and based on private industry decisions rather than public campaigns. The level was low and stable, with personal issues affecting individual careers quietly.


1985–1990

Terminology: Backlash, Public criticism
Context: Tabloids and TV exposed more celebrity misbehavior; public backlash grew but didn’t usually cause cancellations.
Examples:

  • Robert Downey Jr. — Drug arrests began damaging career.

  • Mel Gibson — Career ascending, no controversies.

  • Christian Slater — Drug and legal troubles hurt image.

  • Winona Ryder — Rebellious image but career strong.

  • Richard Gere — Criticized for activism but working.

Analysis:
Public criticism and boycotting increased but were still largely limited to media backlash and damage to reputation rather than formal cancellations. The trend was rising moderately.


1990–1995

Terminology: Public relations crisis, Career trouble
Context: 24-hour news cycle increased pressure; arrests/scandals led to lost roles or bad press.
Examples:

  • Robert Downey Jr. — Multiple arrests, jail, lost roles.

  • Mel Gibson — Career strong, no scandals.

  • Winona Ryder — Slight public scrutiny.

  • Mickey Rourke — Career decline.

  • Charlie Sheen — Drug/behavior problems began.

Analysis:
Boycotting began to affect careers more tangibly, with studios dropping or suspending actors for public trouble. Level was moderate and increasing.


1995–2000

Terminology: Firing, Dropped from projects
Context: Studios became less tolerant of bad behavior; dropping actors became common for career protection.
Examples:

  • Robert Downey Jr. — Dropped from projects due to addiction.

  • Charlie Sheen — Ongoing issues, still working.

  • Mel Gibson — Career strong.

  • Drew Barrymore — Drug problems, successful comeback.

  • Mark Wahlberg — Past criminal history questioned.

Analysis:
Boycotting evolved into formal industry action such as firing or dropping actors, with public support. The level was high and rising, starting to resemble early cancel culture dynamics.


2000–2005

Terminology: Career setbacks, Public fallout
Context: Internet and early social media amplified scandals; public apologies and rehab became part of recovery.
Examples:

  • Robert Downey Jr. — Rehab, slow comeback.

  • Mel Gibson — Controversies brewing.

  • Winona Ryder — Shoplifting arrest, career setback.

  • Lindsay Lohan — Legal and partying issues began.

  • Britney Spears — Personal struggles emerged.

Analysis:
Public scrutiny and boycotting rose sharply due to digital media growth. The level was high and rising, with public opinion playing a larger role.


2005–2010

Terminology: Public backlash, Boycott calls
Context: Social media platforms grow, enabling public to call for boycotts and hold celebrities accountable quickly.
Examples:

  • Mel Gibson — 2006 anti-Semitic rant sparked huge backlash, studio distancing.

  • Lindsay Lohan — Ongoing publicized legal troubles.

  • Winona Ryder — Rebuilding after shoplifting scandal.

  • Charlie Sheen — Public meltdown begins.

  • Tiger Woods — Infidelity scandal destroyed image.

Analysis:
Boycotting became more public, organized, and impactful, especially with social media amplifying calls. Level was very high and rising sharply.


2010–2015

Terminology: Call-out culture, Online shaming
Context: Online shaming and call-out culture rise; studios respond more rapidly to controversies.
Examples:

  • Mel Gibson — Continued condemnation.

  • Lindsay Lohan — Reputational damage ongoing.

  • Amanda Bynes — Public mental health struggles heavily ridiculed.

  • Charlie Sheen — Fired from show after meltdown.

  • Kanye West — Controversial statements spark backlash.

Analysis:
Boycotting reached a peak in public engagement and speed, with social media mobs influencing industry decisions. Level was very high, possibly at its peak.


2015–2020

Terminology: Cancel culture, De-platforming
Context: The term “cancel culture” is mainstream; careers destroyed quickly after allegations or offenses.
Examples:

  • Mel Gibson — Attempted comeback met with criticism.

  • Roseanne Barr — Cancelled after racist tweet, show canceled immediately.

  • Kevin Spacey — Career ended after abuse allegations.

  • Louis C.K. — Lost deals post-misconduct admission.

  • James Franco — Allegations impacted projects.

Analysis:
Boycotting and canceling became institutionalized and normalized; speed and severity increased. Level was very high and peaking.


2020–Present

Terminology: Cancel culture fully established
Context: Instant global response via social media; studios and sponsors sever ties rapidly.
Examples:

  • Gina Carano — Fired for controversial posts.

  • Shia LaBeouf — Misconduct accusations led to role losses.

  • Armie Hammer — Sexual abuse allegations caused removals.

  • Johnny Depp — Legal battles and backlash hurt career.

  • Mel Gibson — Continues comeback attempts amid controversy.

Analysis:
Boycotting/canceling is now fully embedded in Hollywood culture, fast, widespread, and often irreversible. Level remains very high, with some calls for moderation emerging.