Fora Clip of the Week: John Yoo and Torture

Alright, your first thought might be how is John Yoo related to Creativity.

Creative Legal Defense.

When I studied History, I took a course in my final year on American Constitutional History. Sorry, I find it interesting. And this particular interview is rather compelling if you can stomach the fact that he speaks rather abstractly about the expansion of presidential power and torture.

You will note that this is an interview at the Hoover Institute, a conservative / libertarian think tank. I can not imagine him having the wherewithal to give a lecture in front of a live audience. Now, if you don't know John Yoo, he is the infamous administration lawyer under George W. Bush who crafted two legal arguments that are extremely creative in their interpretation of the constitution. First, he asserted that terrorists could be held as enemy combatants to avoid the prisoner of war status under the Geneva Convention. And he crafted the now infamous "Torture Memo" which suggested that the executive had the authority to use "enhanced interrogation techniques" (torture).

I'll let you lay judgement on him.



Stay inspired!

Cheers,
Maurice
Voice One
www.voiceone.fi

Book of the week: Terry Pratchett's Discworld series

Well, I'll take a hit here and admit I like comedy fantasy books. I think this solidifies my reputation as a geek. On the other hand, I strongly believe the two most creative forms of writing are comedy and sci-fi/fantasy. (I'm sure to get a nasty note from someone about that.)

My favorites include Robert Rankin, Tom Holt and Terry Pratchett. While I had read Pratchett's "Johnny and the Bomb" series, the hilarious armageddon book "Good Omens" with Neil Gaiman, and one aptly titled children's book "The Amazing Maurice", I had failed to read any Discworld books until last Father's day (November in Finland) when my wife bought me "The Folklore of Discworld". I had of course heard of the Discworld series, it tends to take up a lot of shelfspace in the Sci-Fi / Fantasy section of any bookstore. However, I thought I would need to start reading him from the beginning. Not so.

Since reading that first one, I have read about 10 more, most over the Christmas holidays. I must say that I found only one so-so one in the bunch. It's hard enough creating characters, let alone an entire world to put them in. Pratchett seems to do it effortlessly.

Stay inspired!

Cheers,
Maurice
Voice One
www.voiceone.fi

Newish Music of the Week: King Missile

I got into King Missile when I was a DJ at the University of Lethbridge radio station. They've been described as Avante-garde rock. I like them because they are funny in a very unorthodox way.

Note: In case, you don't get it. This particular song is a comedic diatribe on the violence in Scorcese films.



(If you are a bit more daring, check out their hit Detachable Penis song. Very funny. NSFW!)

Stay inspired!

Cheers,
Maurice
Voice One
www.voiceone.fi

The Puffin - NASA's Personal Aviation Vehicle

Way Cool! NASA has conceptualized a personal aircraft that flies like the V-22 Osprey. Vertical take-off transitioning into a horizontal flight. It reaches a speed of 140 mph with a range of 50 miles with its electric battery. Yes, it has an electric motor.

Forget a jetpack, I want one of these! NASA has yet to test-fly one. Let's hope it works.



Stay inspired!

Cheers,
Maurice
www.voiceone.fi

Best Ads of the Week

This first one took place in my native Canada. I assume in Toronto. Puma is trying to push the love of football through an interesting guerilla marketing street event. Real Live Foosball. Although football (soccer) is not played as much in Canada, foosball is. Just the pure fun and interaction makes this one a winner. A good effort by Zulu Alpha Kilo Toronto.



This next one is for MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers). At first, I thought it was a bit cheesy, but the message at the end definitely drives home the point. My only question: Isn't this a bit beyond their remit? Does this mean they are against alcohol consumption too now? By Esparza Advertising.



This last one comes from South Africa for the African Diamond Council. Very powerful narrative by Y&R Cape Town.




Stay inspired!

Cheers,
Maurice
www.voiceone.fi

Comedian of the Week: Stephen Lynch and Larry the Cable Guy

For the holidays, I am adding two Christmas themed comedy videos. Both are seriously politically incorrect. But creativity is about thinking differently, sometimes even if it means against any sense of good taste.

Stephen Lynch makes me laugh a lot. Not sure what that says about me. He sings seriously warped comedy songs. This is one of his most famous. It even inspired the Family Guy to copy it on one episode. Anyways, someone liked it enough to create Youtube video. Warning: Extreme bad taste!




After watching Cars again with my kids, I thought to add Larry the Cable Guy who voices Mater in the movie. He's a serious redneck(!), but if you take it a bit tongue-in-cheek he's very funny. Warning: NSFW!




Stay inspired!

Cheers,
Maurice
www.voiceone.fi