The Musings of Scott

To say that the past few weeks have been hectic for me would be an understatement. Much like the fabled Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, I have recently found my life flipped: turned upside down. However, like that very same prince I have managed to stay upbeat and energetic during this time of lost stability and uncertainly, optimistic that the changes ahead of me will be for the better.

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It is time to stop hoping and to start acting. Your true power as a citizen is in your votes. Inform yourself beyond the superficial and wield this right as the responsibility and privilege that it is.

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Get your geek on

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Highlighted Marketing Tech News

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The title says it all so let’s skip the introductory paragraph that you were going to pass over anyways for the 5 reasons I think Google+ is a game changer in the social realm:
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Many guffaws are being had at Anthony Weiner’s expense, not so much for being yet another politician with his pants down, but for getting caught by a rogue tweet. It seems Mr. Weiner’s Klout score has been steadily rising since admitting to his sexy social networking ways this week, and the drama has been further unfolding as the press rabidly devour every new detail. Let’s see how well Rep Weiner’s Klout score reflects his sudden boost in influence:

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EconStories.tv knocks one out of the park with the sequel to it’s Keynes vs. Hayek rap battle. This video is a well crafted argument, and ultimately a solid depiction of American economic policy. 2011 is not even half way through, but I am doubting anyone exceeds the cleverness and production quality of this intelligent satire.

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Ever since my first persuasive writing class in college, back in 2002, I have been an outspoken marijuana reform activist. It only took the United States 10 years to recognize that Prohibition doesn’t work (as it only creates untaxed crime), yet Prohibition 2.0 has been running for 40+ years despite being clunkier, less effective, and at times undermining the advancement of our society. China recently released a counter report on human rights against the United States, and the saddest part is that this piece of propaganda made a valid point. Why does the “land of the free” have 5% of the world population yet 25% of the world’s prisoners? Why are so many minorities locked up, that the ratios cannot be rationally justified? These were all issues I wrote about last year on the subject of marijuana reform.

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Do not ever say that the desire to “do good” by force is a good motive. Neither power-lust nor stupidity are good motives.
- Ayn Rand

4/15 Atlas Shrugged Releases
Relying heavily on a grassroots following from fans of the book, the independent film Atlas Shrugged releases to selected theaters tomorrow. (Find One Near You). I made it a goal of mine to get through Rand’s version of Atlas Shrugged before I watched the movie. It was lengthy and long winded at points, but it’s also an impressively detailed and elaborate argument for the philosophy of individualism. If you agree with her philosophy you’ll get sucked into the story she uses to illustrate her points, while even those that fundamentally disagree will be forced to think. Like a strategist, she combines an insightful analysis of human behavior coupled with first hand experience of the then “cutting edge” political philosophies (which still rule).
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We all know the two party system is failing our country. It’s easily purchased by conflicting private interests, and each side spends 80% of it’s rhetoric pointing out the corruption and flaws of the other. One of the key motivators I hear for people’s voting choices is their terror of the other guys. Furthermore, as I pointed out with religion, one size does not fit all with questions of philosophy and morality. Since it’s widely agreed upon that the current system is broken, perhaps it’s time we looked at new systems. I am a devout constitutionalist, but I feel this is a more elegant system which may have been overlooked (factions of political parties had not been in the design of the checks and balances) or out of the reach of a non-digital civilization.

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