They Just Don't Get It

While reading this post on TUAW I discovered this James Cameron quote.

"I don't feel that I'm making movies for iPhones. If someone wants to watch it on an iPhone, I'm not going to stop them, especially if they're paying for it, but I don't recommend it. I think it's dumb, when you have characters that are so small in the frame that they're not visible."

Then I saw David Lynch's quote.

"Now if you're playing the movie on a telephone, you will never in a trillion years experience the film. You'll think you have experienced it, but you'll be cheated. It's such a sadness that you think you've seen a film on yourf---ing telephone. Get real!"

This level of arrogance can only come from someone who is so deeply involved with his craft that he assumes everyone on the planet experiences his work like he does.  It is ridiculous to assume that everyone experiences movies with the same depth as an award winning director.  So much so that I feel a need to parody the sentiment.

(entering parody mode)

Did I tell you all that I started a new business?!  Yeah, it's true.  After years of sweltering in the summer heat I have decided to develop and sell a line of fans that not only move the air around the room, but also cool the room.  What?  Someone invented that already?  Never mind.  My version is far superior.  So much so that I will only allow users to experience my new CoolFan technology if they have it blowing directly in their face.  Head on.  Exactly eighteen inches away, no more no less.  

All you people who use fans off to the side, or on the ceiling, I have to ask.  What are you thinking?  You are crazy for wanting to experience CoolFan technology in a personalized way!  

(leaving parody mode)

Ah, I feel better now.  Thank you for indulging me.

Why Government Bureaucracy is Bad

I am not saying bureaucracy by itself is good or bad. I am saying that Government bureaucracy is bad. For everyone. Why? Because Government bureaucracy has no competition.

You see bureaucracy is prevalent in large Capitalist companies as well as Government. However, when you find a bureaucracy in a Capitalist company you will find it is doing it's best to compete with other bureaucracies in it's market segment. This competition is what keeps businesses healthy and profitable.  Competition also allows these companies to provide better services for less money. Simply put, competition is vital to giving the customer more of what they want for less money.

The problem arises when you assign a segment of the economy that was previously controlled by a competitive, Capitalist bureaucracy to a Government bureaucracy. When the Government controls a market segment they make competition illegal. This means that the service you receive, and the price you pay for that service, is no longer controlled by the customer, it is controlled by the bureaucracy.

Say what you will about how politicians will be responsible to the citizens, and that through elections we will be able to control the level of service, as well as the prices, in a Government bureaucracy. The truth is that one of the principle tenants of any bureaucracy is politics. If you have worked in a large bureaucracy, whether it be Governmental or not, you know that politics make the bureaucracy run. And the one thing you can say about politicians is that they only look out for themselves. Oh, and they lie, cheat, steal, etc to do so.

So, with the recent passage of the Government Health Care Bill we have given 1/6th of our nations economy, as well as the Capitalist bureaucracies that make up our current health care system, over to a non-competitive Government bureaucracy. (It's going to be a Government run health care bureaucracy, regardless of what the pundits are saying.) And that means that we have given up our right as consumers to tell the health care system what we want.  

We have given up choice.  

We have given up freedom.  

We have given up the power we wielded as consumers.  

...and we will be worse off for it.

Cruis'n

Here are some sporadic thoughts on our first Cruise.  Pictures and video to come.

- In Cruise parlance "Western Caribbean" = Mexico (specifically the Yucatan Peninsula)

- Carnival Cruise lines attempts to create a 24x7 party atmosphere, complete with loud 80's music and seizure inducing light effects.

- Cruising is not designed for people who enjoy being on a boat.  Cruising is designed for people who want an all inclusive resort hotel that changes beaches everyday.

- DON'T MISS THE BOAT!  (seriously)  

- You will never, ever, go hungry.  However, you might not feel like eating.

- Ernesto's Fajita Factory in Cozumel is within walking distance from Carnival's pier, don't pay for a cab. 

- However, taking a cab in Cozumel can be a great experience.

- Don't underestimate the beauty of crystal clear sea water.  Pictures DO NOT do it justice.

- A 30 minute walk along a deserted beach in Progreso can clear a year's worth of detritus from your mind.

- Waves rock you to sleep.

- As always: pack light, travel happy.