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Archive for category Politics, History, Society
Back For Another Round Of Social Pornography
Posted by Mac in Health, Politics, History, Society, Usher Syndrome on 16.01.2010
Lately there’s been an ongoing debate in Norway on the social security system and the various social benefits. This debate seem to pop up every once in a while and is not exactly new under the sun. Living in a more or less free and democratic country it is also necessary, you have to question the validity of your current system and occasionally measure it up . Being young and disabled I am directly or indirectly one of those whose condition and ability are in danger of being discredited and whose living conditions may very well be affected.
I was one of four disabled people featured in an article attempting to give those that is the statistics a face, so to speak. Obviously things don’t get much more public than this and I feel a need to explain some of my personal perspective on the debate. This is not really why this blog exist, but it is the only available and unedited medium I’ve got ready access to and if someone Google my name they are likely to find their way here.
How I Went Through Hell And Got A Few Seconds of TV-Time
Posted by Mac in Health, Politics, History, Society, Usher Syndrome on 26.10.2009
Caption from my interview with NRK
Thursday the 22nd was a bizarre day for me, so unusual I simply have to blog about it now that I’ve had the chance to catch my breath. I ended up on the evening news and surprisingly enough, it wasn’t because I robbed a bank or threw a cake in the face of politician. I got to flash my questionable mug on NRK which is a national, state-owned TV-channel, basically a Norwegian version of BBC. Love it or hate it, the channel and its news is at least classic and not sensationalist tabloidish in style, they seem to try to keep a fragment of integrity and quality even these days. I was interviewed and brief excerpts where used in a case on a just released report on the condition of the social security system and a lot of other things. There where some heavy criticism, and I was apparently chosen to sort of give the victims of the issues at hand a face. Read the rest of this entry »
Suicide – Redemption Or Damnation
Posted by Mac in Featured, Health, Politics, History, Society on 20.11.2008
Loosing a loved one is never easy, be it old age, an accident or because of one of many mortal diseases, it leaves an open space in our hearts and minds. Deaths often leave the bereaved with a feeling of guilt – “I should have done more” – but rarely is this feeling as strong as when someone take their own life. In a religious and legal context, suicide is often considered a sin and even a felony in many countries. With the suicide rates as high as ever before, the phenomenon is of increasingly current interest. It’s a social problem and even described as a public health problem by the WHO. This both because of the emotional damage it causes to those left behind, but also the indirect costs on the national economy and public health services. The amount of failed suicidal attempts is huge, and some many require hospitalization and extensive medical treatment afterwards. Read the rest of this entry »
US President Episode XLIV: A New Hope
Posted by Mac in Politics, History, Society on 05.11.2008
Well, it’s done. Finally. Months and even years of buildup culminated last night as the United States of America chose a new president. Not only is he partly African-American, he is a democrat and what many claim to be “a socialist”. He has executed a close to flawless election campaign, playing his strengths and skillfully avoiding uncomfortable questions. The on-going financial crisis became his catalyst and also the final blow to McCain’s candidature. In the end Obama seems to have won a striking victory, putting a brutal end to eight years of republican rule. McCain himself admitted his defeat and showed his greatness in singing Obama’s prize and advocating the need for unity amongst Americans. Read the rest of this entry »
On Being A Conscious Voter
Posted by Mac in Featured, Politics, History, Society on 29.10.2008
Elections are often considered the ultimate proof of democracy. By voting, the inhabitants of a country exercises their most principal right and has a direct influence on who get to govern, or alternatively, how an issue is solved. Even nations under the absolute rule of a dictator often has elections and in theory, a democratic system, albeit the true power resides with one man or group. In practise this is of course nothing but a public secret, but the facade is kept up regardless. If you’re as lucky as I am, you live in a country where we do in fact elect our politicians. One can always argue how true and real one’s particular democratic system is in a theoretical and technical sense, but I’ll leave that for another time. What interests me is the way modern, western practical politics tend to work. As they say, voting is a privilege, and exercising that right is something that should not be taken lightly on. I’d like to spend some lines on the subject “voter-awareness”. Read the rest of this entry »
Financial Crisis And 9/11 [rant, engage!]
Posted by Mac in Featured, Politics, History, Society on 11.10.2008
If you haven’t been living under a rock lately, you are probably aware that the world economy is going loco these days. The stock markets drop like there’s no tomorrow and especially many banks are in deep shit. Governments all over the globe are in a frenzy, trying to stabilize the markets by pouring money into financial institutions. Banks in the US, Iceland and UK are already kept artificially alive in an attempt to avoid total collapse, and many more are likely to follow. It appears we’re well on our way into a recession, and parts of the story behind it might interest you. Read the rest of this entry »
MMORPGs – The Genre That Changes The World?
Posted by Mac in Featured, Politics, History, Society, Technology, The Internet on 08.10.2008
I’m a gamer and that’s hardly a secret or something I’m ashamed of. I’ve played video games since the late 80s, when the Nintendo 8bit system was the king of the hill, I’ve killed and been killed in online FPS games, I’ve fought through musky dungeons and organized massive 40-man raids. I have dominated the world and spammed ICBMs, forcing virtual Napoleons and Ghandis on their knees, begging for mercy. I’ve been the king of the world, and lost it all when a game crashed and the save was corrupted. I’ve ripped my headset off my head and throw it on the floor with force enough to shatter it in five(!) different parts, and I’ve cheered like there was no tomorrow when our raid killed an important boss. I’ve been there and done much of it. I simply love games and they play a major part in my life. Read the rest of this entry »
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Welcome To Mind Over Madness
Mind Over Madness is my site. It's a pretty personal place where I can post and host some pictures and play around with a little web-design. Sometimes I even blog a little (d'oh)! I can pretty much guarantee you won't find the meaning of life, the universe and everything here, but you'll see some of my photographic efforts and get the chance to read a rant every once in a very rare while.
