Greed Is Good: The Villainy of the On-Screen Capitalist
May 31, 2013 at 5:11 am | Posted in Pajamas Media | Leave a commentTags: Alien, Batman, Capitalism, Charity, Comic books, Ferengi, Fringe, Gordon Gekko, Money, Profit, Robocop, Star Trek, Superman, Total Recall, Wall Street
by Walter Hudson – PJ Media – May 30, 2013
Having written for some weeks now on the villainous archetypes found in our entertainment culture and how they both express and influence our philosophy, I now come to a personal favorite: the cliché of the corporate villain. The greedy, unscrupulous capitalist stands so well established that the introduction of a successful businessperson in our stories elicits animus just short of audible hissing. As with the black-hatted, silent film villain twirling his mustache, or the masked burglar wearing white and black stripes while holding a bag bearing a dollar sign, we know immediately upon beholding a well-dressed corporate executive that they are not to be trusted.
Much as The Princess Bride’s Vizzini abused the word “inconceivable,” far too many of our storytellers wield “capitalism” haphazardly. It does not mean what they think it means.
The Gospel from Planet X: Why Aliens Ignite the Imagination
May 16, 2013 at 11:06 pm | Posted in Pajamas Media | Leave a commentTags: Alternative Energy, Capitalism, Conspiracy Theories, Environmental, Futurism, Geek Culture, Movies, religion, science fiction, Videogames
by Walter Hudson – PJ Media – May 16, 2013
Editor’s Note:
Check out Walter’s previous articles in this ongoing series Thursday mornings exploring video games, cultural villains, and American values at PJ Lifestyle. From May 2: “Beating Back the Nazi “Sickness” and last week: What Zombies Teach Us About Human Nature. And also see Walter’s A Reason For Faith series, reprinted last week here. In these four articles Walter begins to formalize his task of synthesizing the Judeo-Christian tradition with Ayn Rand’s Objectivism and Tea Party activism. - DMS
In one of the most vivid dreams I can recall, I witnessed the landing of a plainly alien spaceship. It came lucidly, dancing on the edge of wakefulness, informed by enough of my rousing consciousness that it felt particularly real. I remember the feeling that my feet were glued to the ground, that I couldn’t move if I wanted to, not on account of some external force, but due to an overwhelming sense of awe and anticipation. The one thought dominating my mind: everything is about to change.
Though it was only a dream, I retain the memory as vividly as though it were of an actual experience and believe I will respond similarly if ever confronted by a true interplanetary delegation. Something about that kind of moment, when the veil lifts upon an existential mystery, produces an irresistible thrill. Perhaps that tops the list of reasons why our popular culture remains ever fascinated by the prospect of extraterrestrial life.
What Zombies Teach Us About Human Nature
May 9, 2013 at 2:19 am | Posted in Pajamas Media | Leave a commentTags: Apocalypse, Capitalism, Community, Night of the Living Dead, The Walking Dead, Warm Bodies, zombieland, zombies
George Romero’s 1968 Night of the Living Dead
by Walter Hudson – PJ Media – May 9, 2013
Last week’s article: Beating Back the Nazi “Sickness”
Zombies are all the rage these days. AMC’s The Walking Dead reigns as the top-watched drama on basic cable. Films like Warm Bodies, Zombieland, and I Am Legend stand out among recent entries in an enduring horror subgenre. None other than Brad Pitt will headline this year’s World War Z, which looks to amp up its action well beyond the shuffling flesh-eaters of yesteryear.
That’s to say nothing of video games, where the undead continue to suck cash from willing gamers anxious to live out an apocalyptic fantasy. Whether its Resident Evil, Left 4 Dead, or downloadable add-ons to Call of Duty, zombie hoards batter down the doors of our collective consciousness. What exactly makes them so popular?
Why Is Michael Moore Pretending He Hates Bailouts?
March 7, 2011 at 1:45 pm | Posted in NewsRealBlog | Leave a commentTags: Bank Bailouts, Capitalism, Communisim, Federal Bailouts, Hollywood, Labor Unions, Michael Moore, NewsReal Blog, Public Employee Unions, Revolt, revolution, Socialism, The Concession Stand, unions, Wisconsin protests
by Walter Hudson, contributed to David Horowitz’s NewsReal Blog
It was only a matter of time. I’m surprised it took this long. Michael Moore has finally added his shrill voice to the cacophony of thugs in Wisconsin.
“Right now the Earth is shaking and the ground is shifting under the feet of those who are in charge,” said Moore…
“America is not broke … Wisconsin is not broke,” Moore said. “The only thing that’s broke is the moral compass of the rulers(…)”
Repeatedly saying “America is not broke,” Moore said “the country is awash in wealth and cash … It has been transferred in the greatest heist in history from the workers and consumers to the banks and the portfolios of the uber-rich.”
Avowed Anti-Capitalist Michael Moore Sues Weinsteins… Over Profits
February 10, 2011 at 6:00 pm | Posted in NewsRealBlog | Leave a commentTags: Bob Weinstein, Capitalism, Harvey Weinstein, Hollywood, lawsuit, Michael Moore, NewsReal Blog, Profit, The Concession Stand
by Walter Hudson, contributed to David Horowitz’s NewsReal Blog
Filmmaker Michael Moore has sued Harvey and Bob Weinstein, accusing the brothers of “Hollywood accounting tricks” and “financial deception” that cheated him out of at least $2.7 million in profits from the hit documentary Fahrenheit 9/11.
Moore’s claim may be legitimate. It may not be. Regardless, his choice to sue is further evidence in the ongoing case against his character in the court of public opinion.
Moore’s entire career has centered around excoriating capitalism and profit.
One of Moore’s most strongly held convictions is that, as he declared on the CNN program Crossfire in 2002, “Capitalism is a sin. This is an evil system.”
Read on at David Horowitz’s NewsReal Blog…
Tackling Bill Maher’s “NFL Is Socialist” Rant
January 31, 2011 at 9:00 am | Posted in NewsRealBlog | Leave a commentTags: Bill Maher, Capitalism, Economics, Football, HBO, Hollywood, huffington post, NewsReal Blog, nfl, Real Time, Socialism, The Concession Stand
by Walter Hudson, contributed to David Horowitz’s NewsReal Blog
Americans must realize that what makes the NFL so great is socialism. Such is the thesis of Bill Maher’s most recent “New Rule” on HBO’s Real Time, and a companion column in the Huffington Post.
I can only imagine the delight with which Maher concocted this clever-sounding notion and unleashed it upon the world. It’s quintessential Maher, the kind of rhetorical titty-twister he regards as legitimate intellectual combat. Of course, as is so often the case with Maher’s superficially sound arguments, this latest exercise in carnival cognition unravels upon cursory examination.
It’s no surprise that some 100 million Americans will watch the Super Bowl next week… Because football is built on an economic model of fairness and opportunity, and baseball is built on a model where the rich almost always win and the poor usually have no chance…
Read on at David Horowitz’s NewsReal Blog…
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