Putting the fix in!

Here's a video giving details of a conversion of a 12 speed Nishiki bicycle to Fixed Gear.
For some reason the duration is given as 14!!  It's only 7 min.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv9o-RW89UU

Oh say, can’t you see!

          Certainly within my lifetime and that of most others, it can hardly be disputed that American stock has rarely been lower and is continuing to sink. With international communications capability increasing exponentially, there is no longer any way of filtering out undesirable, objectionable or subject matter detrimental to the national image it might wish to portray. In the circumstances I find it regrettable that the producers of American TV continue to spew out a succession of trashy, lurid offerings aimed at the lowest common denominator. In order to fulfill their commercial mandate to perform well in the ratings war, TV companies seem hell bent on displaying the seamy side of society for the whole world to see. There is a whole range of TV “reality shows” which rely upon a plethora of corrosive life styles of the participants. Apparently, the ability to titillate audiences who may subsequently buy the products of the advertisers, trumps all other considerations. Decadence and debauchery sells. Whatever has happened to American pride to accept and tolerate this scandalizing of their reputation and why? Over the years, I have had the opportunity to visit the USA on many occasions. Never have I run across anything or anybody who exhibited anything close to the antics of the rogues’ gallery below.

          Although this omnipresent diet of dumbed down entertainment is anomalous to the true state of things, to the viewing millions around the world particularly in Third World countries, what they see on their screens will in all probability be seen as representative of American “culture”. The one thing that is common to all is the seemingly inexhaustible supply of intellectually-challenged individuals more than happy to humiliate themselves on national television where they can obtain their ten minutes of fame (-and perhaps a few bucks!).

          The following shows, although by no means exhaustive can, and in all probability do, provide ample evidence to global viewers anywhere, that the USA, far from being “-the land of the free and home of the brave” is more an environment where to be dysfunctional, stupid and generally flawed is the norm.  

          In terms of being the most outrageous and obnoxious, the Jerry Springer Show (once described by TV Guide as “The worst TV show ever”) probably leads the pack, closely followed by its spin-off, The Steve Wilkos show, where the choice menu is comprised of lurid, titillating topics illustrating  the basest of human behaviours of which homophobia, incest, infidelity, pedophilia, pornography, prostitution, abuse and transvestism are just teasers. The entertainment is often augmented by participants engaged in spirited fisticuffs.The Mauri Povich Show follows suit but with the emphasis more on marital infidelities, teenage pregnancy, sexual infidelity, paternity test results with associated weeping and hysteria. On all these shows, the dialogue is usually incomprehensible due to the continuous bleeping out of certain popular expletives which comprise the nucleus of the dialogue. It seems odd that whilst wallowing in all the above listed major human failings which provide the core of the show; the utterances of naughty words are totally unacceptable.

          Next come a couple of shows both featuring troupes of quite bizarre performers. Firstly, “Operation Repo” (which according to Wikipedia is not even “real”) features a tattooed group of weird individuals who engage themselves in simulated vehicle repossession with everyone behaving badly. Apparently footage mainly consists of dramatic re-enactments of erstwhile real events. Next there is “Dog the Bounty Hunter” which follows another similar selection of odd-ball, fringe-element characters as they track down fugitives from justice sometimes involving dramatic confrontations. Both main characters in the latter have had chequered pasts reportedly including prison time. With nothing but a sheet of paper as their credentials it is astonishing that given their appearance, anyone would even give them the time of day. A rush to the phone to dial 911 would seem more likely.

          A new variation on the theme of excess which was unknown to me until recently has appeared. Campus P.D. is recorded in several college towns across the US. Basically the show deals with confrontations between law and order cops and an assortment of binge drinking, puking, pot smoking, obscenity mouthing (again appropriately bleeped) university students.

          For the intelligentsia there are several pop justice shows of which “Judge Judy” is representative. Here, instant dispute resolution is neatly achieved between commercials within show time, whilst feeding the huge ego of the judge.

          Finally what to me is the most decadent of all. Indeed it seems to be the epitome of what I consider to be real pornography. Man v Food features a series of challenges wherein a professional glutton attempts to scarf down gargantuan servings of unhealthy, fatty, artery-clogging, conglomerate style food. In a situation where undernourishment and starvation is a fact of life for countless millions of people around the world, I cannot imagine anything less appropriate. Should this manifestation of conspicuous consumption ever appear in any regions where access to a communal TV is probably more likely than an adequate meal, their perception of the USA can be imagined. On the plus side it contains fewer naughty words and with less bleeping, presumably makes it more acceptable to the guardians of public morals.

          Sadly, it continues unabated. Is it likely that a group of right-minded individuals will eventually combine forces and cry “enough”, or will insatiable corporate avarice continue to be the default setting? I certainly hope that something is done -but I’m not holding my breath.