I’ll be taking a break from writing for a short time. Personal matters are not allowing me to post right now.

I will be back shortly.

• Somnophilia – The fetish of watching people sleep. Catch some z’s.
• Hematolagnia – Blood fetishism. Quite dracula-esque.
• Dendrophilia – Sexual arousal from  . . . Trees. Yes, trees.
• Robosexuality – Attraction to robots. Danger Will Robinson!

Yes, for every item, act, or concept in existence, there seems to be a fetish associated with it. I’ve always found fetishes interesting, and I love to talk to people about their fetish. Sexuality is certainly more complex than “straight, gay, or bi.”

Recently I learned of a fetish that really threw me for a loop: “looning.” That’s the practice of playing with balloons . . . Sexually. Those who engage in such behaviors are called “looners.”

Here is an example site. In describing the benefits of membership, the site proudly declares:

You will see blow to pop, squeeze, sitting, riding, pins, blow explosions, popped balloons, stomping, balloon sex, balloon blowjobs, sitting to pop, squeezing to pop, playing with balloons and inflation videos.

I just ejaculated.

So I studied this for a bit, to try and figure out what exactly about balloons turns looners on. It certainly seems to revolve around the anticipation of it popping, and somehow the sexual tension of approaching orgasm is tied into the tension created by squeezing the balloon. At least, that’s my take. Here’s one brave soul explaining what makes balloons simply irresistible:

Hawt.

Yes, I’m poking fun. But truthfully I like this guy and the fact he has the guts to “come out.”

What gets me is the people who find activities like looning to be bizarre or perverse or appalling. Why would anyone care if someone likes to get off to popping balloons? How harmless could that be . . . Well, I suppose things could get a bit crazy at weddings and bar mitzvahs. But really, who gives a damn. Yet, there is an entire section of the population that just can’t stand when people use their jimmy for things other than missionary-position-procreation.

By the way, I don’t have a balloon fetish. I only like normal stuff, like dead corpses. Yay.

Secondly, I’ve enjoyed watching the various cable news panels discussing the failures of airport security and screening procedures. I’m all for heightened security and preventing future loss of life, so I agree with many of the suggestions of the pundits.

However, I’ve not hear a single person admit publicly that we will never attain 100% safety.

Why is that so hard to accept? The US is comparatively new on the terrorism scene, and perhaps many Americans forget this. Many other countries have dealt with suicide attacks, assassinations, coup d’état, and general social unease for literally centuries. We will never be completely “safe” when flying.

In fact, smoking certainly causes thousands upon thousands more deaths than terrorism attacks ever have, or ever will. Why, then, are we not making a more concerted effort to curb smoking? Or automobile accidents? Or any of the other causes of death that impact our lives on a greater scale than bombs going off on planes?

Money. Fear of traveling impacts the bottom line of our economy in a major way. Oh no, public policy being guided by economic interest? Never!

We as a society will find freedom from terrorism only once we accept that terrorist actions have always been, and will always be, a part of our world. Yes, we should take efforts to minimize risk and damage, but only once our collective fear has abated will we truly triumph.

Thank you WikiPedia, O Great Wellspring of Knowledge for your graphic.

It’s interesting that sex is included in the basic Physiological needs. Note, however, that sexual intimacy is on the third tier.

So I was pondering this concept on Christmas day, trying to put into perspective my rather mundane and depressing holiday season. I thought about all the children with their new iPods and gaming consoles, toddlers with colorful rings that squeak, newlyweds with jewelry that sparkles when the light hits it just right . . . And then I turned my mind to the thousands that died that day from starvation, political prisoners being tortured for the sake of torture, the virtual caste system that results from a free-market economy . . .

I thought about how surreal all of this is. And how unfair it is. And again, how surreal it is.

And then I thought about how small our planet is in the vast expanse known as the universe, and beyond the universe, and all of existence; I am tiny compared to my house, compared to my state, to my world, and then to that universe. 

And then even the thousands that died of hunger are nothing when compared to all of existence.

And then suddenly I turned my mind’s eye away from the subject of my thought and to the act of thinking itself, and realized I was suspended in that top blue tier of the pyramid. How depressing is it that I’m depressed about things within the blue pyramid? How selfish is it that I am lonely or desperate for validation or looking for meaning while others have no food or shelter.

During the holidays, homeless shelters are overwhelmed with people wanting to help feed those in need. Is this evidence of a collective guilt in which I share? Is it only called to mind during these holiday moments where excess is the norm; the other ten months of the year, most shelters struggle to find the funding and volunteers they need to stay in operation.

When people ask me why I’m feeling depressed, sometimes I have an easy answer. Sometimes I can say “I’m lonely,” or “My friend hurt my feelings.” Most of the time, though, I say “I don’t know” even though I do. I say so because saying what’s really on my mind would seem so obtuse or dramatic or disingenuous. Can I really say “I hate how capitalism defines people according to net worth” or “I am sad that people eat fast food and don’t care about animal welfare” or “Life is too difficult when you’re smart.”

Even after putting things into a perspective and calling to mind the millions of humans that will live lives of complete despair, poverty, injustice, and pain both physical an emotional, I still want. I still want Tivo. I still pay for a cellphone. I still spend twenty dollars on a meal when I could have spent ten. Or five. Or gone without eating for a day to help someone eat for a week. And this behavior is ingrained, it’s almost innate. It’s not that I choose the wrong path, but that I so often fail to even glimpse another.

How, then, can there be any hope for my salvation?

That question goes in the blue part of the pyramid.

That’s where I live.

This time, however, she’s failed. Failed in an epic way. Here’s the package:

In it Moos says, “. . . the latest web sensation. The Keyboard Cat has become a recurring theme.”

First off, it’s a meme, not a theme, but that’s beside the point. Latest web sensation? Where has she been for the past few years? The original Keyboard Cat (as Charlie Schmidt’s Cool Cat) was posted in 2007, and videos of “Play Him Off, Keyboard Cat” followed soon thereafter. CNN seems to be at least a year behind on this story. This is old news, plain and simple. Oh, by the way, Michael Jackson died.

Fail.

This highlights a larger problem, however. I remember years ago watching a program on “kitchen crank” and its rising popularity. It was touted as a new drug. I had watched people make kitchen crank literally years before. The same with ecstasy and other designer drugs. Somehow it was “breaking news” years later.

Even more hysterical was this news piece on FOX:

The epicness of this failure is beyond words! And that background music! I declare!

4chan was founded in 2003. Apparently it took FOX a few years to learn of their “secret website.” I laughed and expelled cookie bits onto my keyboard when I typed “secret website” just then.

If you don’t know what 4chan is, or any chan for that matter, or happened to not have heard of the keyboard cat, then shame on you. Acceptable excuses for being ignorant of such things include being 1)old, or 2)a Luddite. Regardless, it’s safe to assume you’re not a news correspondent, so you needn’t feel too awfully bad (put down the knife, hun).

Lulz.

All braingrit.com content will now be syndicated on Blogger at http://braingritonblogger.blogspot.com/

As with all our syndications, comments remain open only at braingrit.com.

A map of internet trends, based on the subway layout of Tokyo, produced by informationarchitects.jp

This is a one post of a developing multi-part series examining issues related to the iMan phenomenon and its philosophical implication. For a full listing of posts, refer to posts tagged with iMan, or click here.

—————————————-Part 1: Introduction to the iMan—————————————-

Myspace, FaceBook, Flickr, Xanga, Blogger, Twitter, XBox Live, Faceparty, yadda, yadda, yadda . . . They are all filled with iMen.

The iMan is known but not understood, spoken to but not spoken with, heard but not listened to, retorted but not respected. The iMan is everyone but thought of as “everyone else.” It is he and she, but still an it. iMan is the person as an it. It’s an itMan, noMan, partMan, fakeMan, psuedoMan. She is everything but a person, he is nothing but a something.

As you read this, unless you have my acquaintance in the fabled “real life,” I am the iMan. You are the iMan. We are iPeople of the internet communication age. We are bodiless entities of questionable merit. The philosophical implications of iPeople are vast and not yet understood, creating a society in ethical crisis in which the crisis is not yet recognized, especially among the younger generations that will be most impacted.

At some point in our information evolution, a divide occurred between those using a computer and those who weren’t. This chasm was so expansive, the crevasse so deep, that existence itself was torn, creating two separate realities. They are interdependent in existence (in fact one being ontologically necessary for the other) yet independent in cause and consequence. The users inhabit a world known as “online,” and are appropriately called “online people.” The non-users live in “RL” (“real life”) and are known as “people.”

Now, you may think I speak facetiously. It is true that I do not believe that a “rift” occurred in the truest sense, creating another dimension or the like, but I do intend to say that ethically speaking, or speaking of things in a pragmatic sense, there has been created a separate category of persons, and with that comes a new system of ethics, metaphysics, language, culture, etc. It is the aim of this series to examine exactly these things.

Continued in part 2: The False Dichotomy

View the trailer here, posted in my video section.

Viewers get a first-hand look at corporate intimidation and coercion of farmers, the mistreatment and abuse of animals and workers alike, the science of genetically altered food and animals, the potentially dangerous (and disgusting) methods of food preparation, the unethical nature of commercial farming operations, the failure of the USDA and other government agencies to properly regulate food safety, the plight of the middle class and working poor trying to feed their family, and much, much more.

Truly every facet of the food industry is touched upon, and in almost every case, I learned something new and usually surprising. While I have never been a big meat eater to begin with, after seeing this film I felt convicted to never again eat commercially farmed meat. I had made this pledge long ago with beef and pork, but out of laziness allowed myself to eat commercial fish and chicken. I will certainly never do that again. The only meat I will consume now will be from ethically responsible sources.

It is important to note that this film IS NOT an attempt to convince the viewer to become vegetarian or some vegan hippie, but rather simply to become informed about their food source and take responsibility for what they put into their body. It promotes healthy, nourishing food in general, not a specific diet. I believe that’s what makes this film so honest and powerful; it is not an attempt to promote a specific or philosophical position other than the obvious: be ethical.

Food Inc. is currently available for immediate streaming on Netflix, purchase at major retailers, or rental at your local video store. WATCH IT!

Also, you may want to check out the film’s official website here.

Without a doubt acne.org is the place to go if you’re looking for a supportive community, honest reviews, and straightforward advice regarding acne. There you will also find Daniel Kern’s line of products, all of which are excellent in quality and priced fairly. Let me also say that I am in no way affiliated with acne.org or Daniel Kern, nor do I receive any kickbacks or compensation from their site. I just simply love the products. In addition, people without acne may also be interested in some of their non-medicated products, such as the moisturizer.

In a nutshell, here’s what makes acne.org different than truly anyone else:

1. Acne.org was originally established as a non-commercial, not for profit website for people struggling with acne at any age. Kern was interested in fostering a community where people could share their experiences and discuss in a fair and unbiased manner what works and what doesn’t. The line of acne.org products came much, much later. He’s not out to make a quick buck.
2. The website encourages open discussion of acne.org products, featuring both critical and complimentary reviews, and Kern is engaged actively with the community with the sole intent of making the best quality and most effective products possible. Also, you will find literally thousands of reviews of all sorts of skin care products, from moisturizers to prescription drugs.
3. All of the products use clinically proven ingredients. There are no crazy pseudo-science claims or general mumbo-jumbo. Acne.org is transparent, responsible, and ethical. What more could you possibly want in a company?
4. All the products are priced extremely low.
5. Most importantly, acne.org is centered not around products, but around a method – Daniel Kern’s “method” – of treating acne. Kern stresses that it’s not his products that do the work, but the way in which products are used.

I use five different products from acne.org so I will keep the review of each short and sweet.

The core of Daniel’s system is Benzoyl Peroxide, an acne treatment that has been around for decades and is proven effective. Many people think that all Benzoyl is created the same, and I’ll be the first to tell you this couldn’t be further from the truth. There is a huge difference in pharmaceutical grade BP and your average crap on the shelf. This is certainly the former. This 16oz tub is priced at $32.03 ($2/oz). This may seem pricey, but compared to a comparable product such as Neutrogena’s On-The-Spot treatment, priced on Amazon.com at $6.39 ($8.52/oz) for a tiny .75oz tube, this is a bargain of a lifetime. Again, 16oz of the Neutrogena product would cost $136.32! Plus, it seems to last forever. 5 of 5 stars.

 ★★★★★ 

Cleansers are a dime a dozen, and in truth most are unnecessarily harsh. Kern’s product is a simple, straightforward cleanser that doesn’t over-dry and does what it says: cleanses your skin. It’s unscented and lathers nicely and can also be used for shaving. A comparable product might be Cetaphil ($21.44 for two 16oz bottles, $.67/oz) or Purpose ($18.98 for two 12oz bottles, $.79/oz). The acne.org 16oz product is only $9.50, $.59/oz, and just as effective without the marketing hype. 4 1/2 of 5 stars.

 ★★★★½ 

This moisturizer is gentle and effective, without any special fancy ingredients, perfumes, dyes, or packaging. It absorbs into the skin without leaving it greasy or looking like an oil slick, and is lightweight in feel. Also, it contains no SPF, a plus for people like me that are often sensitive to sunscreens or don’t need to use one on a daily basis. A similar moisturizer would be Cetaphil Lotion 16oz for $11.37 ($.71/oz). Kern’s moisturizer costs $19.40 for 16oz ($1.21/oz). This is one instance where acne.org loses on price. In addition, some people on the acne.org forums have complained that this moisturizer causes a burning or stinging sensation, something which I myself have experienced. However, I’ve also experienced burning with every other moisturizer I’ve ever tried. My solution is to put the lotion on immediately after showering, BEFORE applying any medicated products. Somehow this avoids the burn for me. I continue to use this product because it works well, even if it costs a bit more.  3 of 5 stars

 ★★★☆☆ 

Alpha Hydroxy Acid with Licochalcone, or AHA+, combines the benefits of AHA (something you should know about if you do any shopping in the hygiene and beauty section) and Licochalcone, a licorice extract that reduces facial redness and is often found in rosacea treatments. This product is absolutely fantastic. It’s great for everyone, even those without acne, because it’s designed simply as an intense moisturizer and chemical exfoliant. This isn’t an “acne treatment” per se, it’s simply a beauty product, and it’s awesome for sun-damaged or aging skin (and the fine wrinkles that come with it). It comes in a large 6oz tube for $16.11 ($2.69/oz). Comparable products include Alpha Hydrox at $10.25 for 6oz ($1.71/oz). Again, Kern’s product loses on the price comparison. However, the addition of Licochalcone is very important to note, as the Alpha Hydrox product (nor any comparable product I can find) contain this ingredient. Also, the feel of the product is less sticky and absorbs more quickly than other AHA treatments I’ve tried. It just works. 4 and a half stars.

 ★★★★½ 

Jojoba oil is a miracle of nature, seriously, and its uses and benefits had long been discussed on the acne.org forums before Dan finally introduced this product. What sets jojoba apart is its chemical similarity to the human body’s natural oil, sebum, and thus it is absolutely non-comedogenic (non pore-clogging). If you’re not familiar with jojoba or why on earth you’d need it, you could use it as a: moisturizer, make-up remover, shave prep, hair conditioner, lip balm, and massage oil. For people with oily skin, using this product actually helps reduce facial oiliness because it “tricks” your pores into producing less oil. For people with dry skin, it absorbs nicely and is extremely moisturizing. You really could go on and on about jojoba, but I’ll leave it to you to do your own research. By the way, Dan’s product is also organic. At $14.75 for 8oz, it’s half the price of the organic jojoba sold at my local health food store (roughly $15 for 4oz). Five stars.

 ★★★★★ 

Dan also offers “kits” of his products at an even deeper discount.

In conclusion, regardless of whether you’re going to acne.org for the price or for the quality, I must again stress how remarkable it is to find a company that is honest in their marketing and presentation, as well as being actively engaged with their customer base. The fact that Dan runs his shop in such an ethical way, without crazy packaging and advertising, is enough to win me over.