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Ashton Kutcher Ad Racist Or Are People Being Overly Sensitive?

drew — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:23:08 +0000

Popchips are this new snack that advertises itself as a newer, healthier, all-natural potato chip. It has enjoyed a little promotion and was fast becoming a household name due to some of its celebrity sponsors and investors, namely Ashton Kutcher.

Most Americans are familiar with Mr. Kutcher of Punk’d fame and former husband of Demi Moore, however, he is making headlines for his not-so flattering involvement in the recent Popchips campaign. Kutcher has a comedic side and most people understand that anything that he is going to be involved with is going to try to be funny. He is often very charming and easy to get along with at most Hollywood step and repeat events. For the most part, he has enjoyed a positive, mainstream reception. That is until he dressed up in brown-face, caricature of an Indian man. After enjoying just a few television runs, which will undoubtedly go viral on Youtube, the advertisement was pulled because many people thought the advertisement was overtly racist. One of the people who has been very vocal about his opinion on this matter is Indian comedian Hasan Minhaj. He feels that Kutcher dressing up in a fake-Indian outfit, face-Indian voice and wearing brown makeup was completely over the top and racist. In light of the controversy Popchips has issued a formal apology and has since taken down the advertisement. However, the question that begs an answer is, does Minhaj’s opinion represent the majority.

A resounding NO, the advertisement is not racist. One can parody without being remotely racist. There is a huge difference. The Popchips commercial is without a parody. I actually made my way over to Youtube to watch the video in its entirety and I find it stunning how the people who are so offended by the Kutcher’s portrayal seems to think that the other three characters portrayed herein are perfectly fine enough to warrant absolutely ZERO mention at all. The Bollywood producer character, however, somehow embodies everything about Indian culture.

Let us be clear. There is a huge difference between being racist and pandering to a stereotype. I do not think that Popchips meant the ad to be racist. It may have been a little crude but racist it is not. The ad undoubtedly played up the typical idea of what an Indian male stereotype would be doing on a dating site. Did they call Indian’s names? Did they suggest they’re inferior? Did they denigrate things that Indians hold as sources of national pride. Now that would be racist.

Indian culture stands on its own as being easily identifiable, easily accessible, and endowed with a rich history and bright future. If you really think that ads like this detract from it, you have less confidence in who you are then you should. If we are able to have an actual sense of humor and laugh at ourselves, we are able to assimilate those identities and they become a source of pride. Instead of whining and moaning about the add, why not make a counter ad lampooning their ad? That would have showed pride and, quite frankly, had a lot more wit than simply complaining about the advertisement.

In short I feel that people should stop taking themselves so seriously and get a sense of humor.

Poker Face: Cowboys vs. Gamers

drew — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:19:36 +0000

© 2012 Casino.org Poker isn't just for the gun slingers and cowboys of old anymore; in fact it is extremely popular on online venues as well. Playing poker online is nothing new, but it is still a far stretch from the good ol' 1880s, and is considerably less dangerous. Now, instead of being stabbed for cheating, you just get your account banned. Also, those you play with today aren't particularly intimidating and you don't have to worry about that new sheriff in town who can't stand the sight of gambling, being a good Christian man, and all. The world of online gambling is a sophisticated one, and you may be asking yourself, is online poker even legal? The answer is both yes and no, and there remains some speculation on the status of US poker players. The legality of online gambling differs from state to state and the only state where it is fairly black and white is Washington State. The UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) made it illegal for US financial institutions to transfer funds to online gambling sites. That doesn't make it illegal for individual players, just online gambling operators who would take advantage of the players. Even in the Old West, gambling and playing poker was questionably legal and the rare few who had their own poker sets had built in pistols in case of a run in with the law. Likely because gambling was synonymous with drinking, prostitution, and general rowdiness that disturbed the peace. Lawmen didn't take too kindly to those roving braggarts swindling the townspeople out of their hard earned coins, so getting all Wyatt Earp was a common occurrence when it came to poker playing. Worst still than the consequences of being caught by law enforcement, was facing your fellow players after being caught cheating with an ace up your sleeve. Casino.org's latest Infographic goes through the differences and the mite few similarities that traditional wild west and online poker share. From distractions, to cheating penalties, to a good day's winnings, poker (online or not) remains an enticing and suspenseful card game for the ages.

Online Content Masters – Degree Programs That Can Elevate You to Blog Superstar

drew — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:58:32 +0000

Let’s face it: many blogs aren’t going to win a Pulitzer. They’re self-involved, poorly-edited, and the only person who cares about the life of the blogger is usually the blogger. A lot of blogs are also becoming crowded with posts about looking for the best online masters programs or moms reviewing coupons. But if you want to make your blog the best blog you can blog, it’s important to get some things straight first. There are a few tricks to successful blog writing, and if you can get the hang of them, you greatly increase your chances of having a readable blog. Having a particular focus to your blog will guide people interested in your niche to read about you. It also will force you to leave out fluff readers don’t care about. If you write about your sex life, very few people will want to read about your cat’s dialysis treatments. And odds are, an audience that wants to read about your cat’s dialysis treatments really doesn’t want to know about your sex life. Posting regularly, having a well-designed page and networking with other bloggers will help spread the word. If you can work in a few keywords to each post, you stand the best chance at being discovered by a sympathetic audience. And if you can’t do it on your own, consider some of these online master’s degrees to learn some insider tips. If writing is where you tend to falter, consider looking into a Master of Arts degree in English and Creative Writing with a focus on nonfiction at the Southern New Hampshire University Online. You’ll find your narrative improving and will be able to entertain your audience with better honed storytelling. With the level of training you can expect from a program like Southern New Hampshire University, you can join the ranks of bloggers with book deals, such as Christian Lander, author of Stuff White People Like, and Julie Powell, the creator of the blog that hatched the film Julie and Julia. The New School’s Center for Public Engagement hosts an MA in Media Studies. This innovative program allows students to take classes from anywhere to satisfy their interest in the developing field of social media and related networking. With a degree in media studies, you’ll be able to create a multimedia blogging experience to captivate your readers. If you are seriously interested in marketing your blog and developing the widest audience possible, the Online Mini-MBA in Social Media Marketing at Rutgers is a great option. Though this program isn’t an “official” MBA program, it’s a fantastic complement to education already gained from a traditional MBA. With the social media program, you’ll be primed and ready to leverage your blog as far as it can go and network more effectively. It will also teach you how to stay on the cutting edge of new media, which will inform your choice of future strategies. Maybe you want to be the next Belle Du Jour or Perez Hilton. Though neither of them has a master’s degree in communications, it’s a more competitive field than ever. And if you want to learn everything you need to remain competitive, going with an online degree can teach you the ropes.

Online College That Prepares You for a Career in Law Enforcement

drew — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:58:55 +0000

More than once you might have heard an individual or two bragging about a degree in marketing or maybe public relations, but how many people have you heard bragging about a degree in Law Enforcement? Changes are that the answer is probably not many, but not for the reason you might think. The explanation is that the people with this type of degree don’t have time to brag – they act! Learning about criminal justice and deciding to take a career in the field is rewarding, however it will be almost all-encompassing.

One of the most interesting study choices, and at the same time a door to various potential careers, is a degree in Criminal Justice. Online, of course.

There are quite a few specializations available, depending on the level you want to study. The standard Bachelor’s Degree will take four years to complete, but after you have acquired a deeper understanding of law, criminology, and police administration, you have direct access to entry level positions for junior officers. From there, a position of police detective – with additional specialization in murder, organized crime, and narcotics – is the most straightforward path to a practical career.

If you are interested more in the analytical aspects of crime, you can direct your efforts towards becoming a judge or a prosecutor – legal careers with higher degrees of prestige. Probation and social rehabilitation is a softer specialization which is a very popular choice among women in this field while also being in high demand.

If you already have a job and are looking to change careers or advance, an Associate Degree will certainly be a better fit since it will take only two years to complete. However, the perspectives are clustered around auxiliary jobs in Law Enforcement or Legal Services. An online Master’s Degree is even more advanced since it pertains to a particular topic of research which makes those with them very valuable for companies looking to specialize in something. This type of degree is recommended for those who in the long-run target middle-management or administrative positions, either in the public or in the private sector.

Those who are currently working should know that they can breathe easily since most of the top online programs found in the non-profit portal Police Employment do not require a regular campus presence, even though there are some programs which practice hybrid systems.

However, this is not the full scope. As you can imagine, there are a few things which rightly cannot be learned via online platforms. For example, a police officer, who has learned to fire a gun only by watching videos online, might shoot the wrong perpetrator because of an error in judgement and lack of experience.

Some police agencies favor the standard .38-caliber police handgun while others prefer the semi- automatic pistol. You will be taught how to handle the gun, clean the weapon, and will probably shoot more than 1000 rounds before your training ends. ... patrol time spent behind the wheel of a car is also important.

In order for these anecdotal scenarios to remain fiction, almost all the programs will most likely include a requirement to complete an internship, or a part-time activity in a Criminal Justice organization within your community. Other educational or training programs that will help you enter this field will imply: either law related certifications, sports, or similar training that demonstrates good physical aptitudes.

If you are interested in a prospective career in Law Enforcement a good place to start matching your online degree is the Career section of the US Department of Justice. And remember, the act of serving justice will always preserve its own dignity.

Horror Stories from Visits to the Ultrasound Technician

drew — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:33:34 +0000

Having a baby can induce a incredible anxiety in women because regardless of how much they read, it is hard to give yourself an obstetrics education in just a few months. Especially while you’re pregnant. This means families will have to seek the advice of an expert and may not have anyway to tell if their doctor is incorrect or making any mistakes. Everyone woman would like to believe her obstetrician graduated top of their class at the University of Washington, but in fact, many give care that seems like it came from one of the online doctoral programs. In a blog entry for The New York Times, expectant mother Lisa Belkin said that she had once interviewed a country doctor in Texas who was reputed to be excellent at predicting a baby’s gender. His secret? He told the parents one gender and wrote the opposite gender on the patient’s chart. If the baby came out as promised, then he looked like a genius. If a baby of another gender came out, then he simply pointed to the chart and told the parents that they had been mistaken. Fortunately, the much more accurate ultrasound machine has replaced the good country doctor. Yet that ultrasound machine is run by a human, and humans inevitably make mistakes. In a discussion thread on the “What to Expect” a woman with the username 20Amberly11 disclosed that her ultrasound technician told her that her baby was a girl during her initial examination. When the she objected, the technician checked again and decided that the baby was a boy. What’s a mother to do when the ultrasound technician can’t decide the gender? Sometimes, the human behind the ultrasound forgets how exciting and yet nerve-wracking going through an ultrasound can feel. User nikibebe of the BabyCenter community complained that her ultrasound technician started the session by criticizing her for emptying her bladder 45 minutes before the ultrasound. When the mother or her boyfriend had a question for the technician, they received a curt response. For example, when they asked her whether they were having a boy or a girl, the technician snapped, “I couldn’t see anything, but if I were you I wouldn’t be calling my baby a him if you know what I mean.” An ultrasound should be a positive and special experience for parents. The ultrasound is the first glimpse of a new life and the first way that parents meet their children. However, the machine can’t interpret the results. That part remains the purview to its all-too-human operator. Sometimes, operators make the wrong gender predictions. And sometimes, they throw a bucket of cold water on what should be a beautiful experience. Ultimately, ultrasound machines and their operators predict gender correctly 97 percent of the time. However, there’s always the danger that their prediction may be wrong. All parents can do is choose nursery colors that would work for either gender and try to hope for healthy, not a boy or a girl. And when it’s time for the baby shower, keep all of the gift receipts.

MBA Mentality: The Rise and Fall of Rap Moguls

drew — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:16:01 +0000

Rap stars have made millions of dollars spitting lyrics about making millions for years. However, all of the discussion surrounding making money never includes any mention of going to business school or sorting through MBA program rankings to ensure they were getting a top notch education in learning to manage their money. This leaves many to wonder if these stars have an education that they aren’t telling people about. Sean “P Diddy” Combs was recently listed by Forbes Magazine as the wealthiest hip hop artist for the second year in a row. His estimated $551 million fortune trumped the $460 million accumulated by Jay-Z, part owner of the NBA’s New Jersey Nets. Alas, not all hip hop stars have been so fortunate. Whether it’s a lack of business acumen, a far too trusting demeanor, or both, many rap and hip hop stars seem to lack the skills and smarts necessary to keep the enormous wealth they earned during their recording careers. It seems that street smarts do not always equate to Wall Street smarts. The most notable fall from hip hop grace is the story of MC Hammer. This former Oakland A’s batboy and U.S. Navy Petty Officer was a hit in 1990 with his album Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em. This album was ranked #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 for 21 weeks. His next album Too Legit To Quit was not as successful, but did go triple platinum in 1991. Despite all of this success, a series of lawsuits, bad investments, and poor business decisions caused MC Hammer to file for bankruptcy only five years later. Hammer’s fall was so dramatic that it was made into a movie. Recently, Hammer has been preaching about his Christian beliefs and making a business comeback as a web entrepreneur with websites dedicated to dancing and a new search engine called WireDoo. MC Hammer is not the only rap mogul to have fallen on hard times. In 1998, the philanthropic rap pioneer Master P was listed by Forbes as one of the 40 highest paid entertainers. His estimated annual income of over $50 million came from his musical success and the success of his business empire including No Limit Records, No Limit Clothing, and Advantage Travel. This has all come crashing down. An exodus of talent, combined with lawsuits and a business partner in jail for murder all contributed to the destruction of No Limit Records, and this man who once had an estimated worth of $600 million can now only afford $271 a month in child support payments. Lawsuits from former employees for back wages have deepened his financial woes, pushing him to the brink of his second bankruptcy filing since 2003. Suge Knight joins Hammer and Master P as a master of his own financial disaster. The once notorious and violent head of Death Row Records filed for bankruptcy in 2006. Arrests and convictions in 1996 and 2003 led to prison terms that no doubt played a part in his financial failings. Even after the bankruptcy filing, Knight has continued to have legal trouble, including a February 2012 arrest for marijuana possession and outstanding traffic warrants. As the mafia bosses used to say, it isn’t how much one earns, but how much one keeps that matters. Clearly many rap stars would benefit from a few lessons on business management and how to hold onto their wealth.

The Science of Hotel Stays: 7 Ways to upset Your Housekeeper

drew — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:17:40 +0000

We have all heard the horror stories about rock or pop stars that 'trash' their hotel room or guests that commit crimes and leave the hotel staff to clean it up. More often than not, journalists and forensic science colleges are so caught up in the damage and carnage that they forget to remind society that there are people who have to clean these messes up. Take Keith Moon, now deceased and former band member of The Who. He was celebrating his 21st birthday back in 1967 when he threw a 5-tier birthday cake into a group of friends. Then one guest decided to empty five fire extinguishers onto the floor of the hotel room. It was Moon himself who told reporters later that the hotel damages amounted to $24,000. More recently, Johnny Depp and former girlfriend were found sitting among a huge pile of rubble in a hotel Presidential Suite. Depp blamed an armadillo for the mess, but strangely enough, no one could find the creature. Depp was charged over $9700. Along those same lines, Lindsay Lohan and an ex-boyfriend completely trashed a hotel room for three day that 'stank of cigarette smoke’ and was full of trash everywhere including a syringe. The room was called a 'pigpen,' and some considered it a sign of what was to come in Lohan's life. So, that should make us all feel better about the messes we leave behind on vacation, there are still plenty of less obvious (and less expensive) ways to cause your housekeeper’s chagrin. 1. Throw your towels all over the bathroom floor or on the carpeting or bed. It’s even worse if they’re wet. 2. When you check out, be sure to leave all the lights turned on, as well as the heat or air conditioner. Full power is preferred. 3. Steal everything: glassware, towels, bathrobes, and other items disappear from hotel rooms. If you think something may be sacred, burn it, or throw it out the window (this may cause fiscal penalties - beware!) 4. Don’t bother with using the “Occupied” sign. 5. Party the night away and leave without attempting any cleanup. Rock on! 6. Eat yummy snacks and leave remains on the floor, tables, and under beds. Sticky, cheesy foods are preferred. 7. No matter what you do, under no circumstances leave a tip, especially if staying for an extended length of time and plan on being a bad guest. Any one of these things might be OK, so be sure to cover your bases by committing at least three or four of the above-mentioned suggestions. These would have proven particularly useful to know 2007, when a Spanish hotel chain asked 30 people to trash their rooms. One would think they made-do.

College Drinking Games: A Brief History

drew — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:07:35 +0000

There must be a natural attraction between games and drinking, because drinking games enjoy a history as old and long standing as alcohol, itself. Plato, the father of knowledge, was the first to record the past time. He described a game in which a bowl of wine was filled and passed from person to person at the table. Admittedly, that doesn’t sound like much of a game, but it undoubtedly got the job done! Drinking got its game on in short order. The ancient Chinese had a whole series of drinking games involving dice and riddles. By the time of the Tang Dynasty, a game had evolved wherein players picked lots from a silver canister. The lots ordained which players had to drink next, as well as how much. The Chinese even had referees and a registrar of rules. Additionally, Colonial pubs were centers for socializing, where patrons attempted to create a slew of new ways to mix games and drinks. With the advent of widespread college education, drinking games were poised for evolutionary hyper-drive, especially considering those getting in accredited classes online could now devote the time they save commuting to invention. Beer Pong has practically become a national sport in fraternities and dorms across the country. Dartmouth College is given credit for the invention of the game, dating back to at least 1955. Basically, Beer Pong involves numerous cups of beer and a couple Ping Pong balls. Cups can be arranged in a variety of ways, but each side has its own cups. When one team or player successfully lands a ball into a cup, the opposing player or team must drink it. The game can be played with or without ping pong paddles. There is even a National Beer Pong League, with prizes of up to $50,000 and information on official variations of the game. Should a Beer Pong enthusiast find his or her self lacking cups of beer or balls, there is a Beer Pong mobile app available to quench the thirst, conveniently. Another popular drinking game is ABCs. No equipment is required, except a ready supply of refills. The game is played in rounds. The first player offers a word that begins with “A”, saying something like, “A is for apple.” The next player must then repeat the first player’s sentence and add onto it with a “B” phrase. Example, “A is for apple. B is for boy.” This continues until a player fails to remember the entire sequence, at which time they must finish a drink. Other games involve cards, dice, movies and TV shows. Ingenuity across the globe has managed to create an almost endless supply of reasons to drink and ways to make it entertaining. The online website College Beer Games has an entire list of games that can be played almost anywhere, anytime, provided there are cups and beer nearby. They have even created a Splash Pong Beer Table marked like a football field, which is perfect for football season and tailgate parties. Let the games begin and bottoms up!

The Funny Side of Criminal Justice

drew — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:43:50 +0000

Direct from courtrooms across America, real live bloopers from the transcripts of Court Reporters. This may be something they leave out in an online criminal justice school or police academy, but it is definitely something to look forward to in a normally serious field of study. #12 ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active? WITNESS: No, I just lie there. #11 ATTORNEY: What is your date of birth? WITNESS: July 18th. ATTORNEY: What year? WITNESS: Every year. #10 ATTORNEY: How old is your son, the one living with you? WITNESS: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember which. ATTORNEY: How long has he lived with you? WITNESS: Forty-five years. #9 ATTORNEY: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo? WITNESS: We both do. ATTORNEY: Voodoo? WITNESS: We do. ATTORNEY: You do? WITNESS: Yes, voodoo. #8 ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning? WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam? #7 ATTORNEY: Mrs. Smith, do you believe that you are emotionally unstable? WITNESS: I should be. ATTORNEY: How many times have you committed suicide? WITNESS: Four times. #6 ATTORNEY: What is your name? WITNESS: Ernestine McDowell. ATTORNEY: And what is your marital status? WITNESS: Fair. #5 ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people? WITNESS: All my autopsies have been performed on dead people. #4 ATTORNEY: Ms, were you cited in the accident? WITNESS: Yes Sir, I was so 'cited I peed all over myself!! #3 ATTORNEY: Are you married? WITNESS: No, I'm divorced. ATTORNEY: And what did your husband do before you divorced him? WITNESS: A lot of things I didn't know about. #2 ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated? WITNESS: By death. ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated? #1 ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning? WITNESS: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?" ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you? WITNESS: My name is Susan. Normally, lawyers are smooth operators, however sometimes lawyers put their feet in their mouth and the court reporter has no choice but to record it. That way it is forever written in stone and part of the great, American justice system.

Creating An Online Culture of Internet Memes

drew — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:45:12 +0000

Zeddie Little. Does the name sound familiar? Probably not. But Zeddie Little is the face behind “Ridiculously Photogenic Guy,” one of the newest, most successful memes going viral today. Responsible for pictures tagged “Runs marathon and wins...my heart,” “Enters a straight bar...leaves gay bar,” and “Wins America’s Next Top Model...didn’t enter,” Little is the hottest face on the internet (and we mean that metaphorically and literally). But what made him popular? This guy didn’t need to go to an accredited college online to learn how to be photogenic, nor how to make himself a web icon for it. So the ultimate question remains, what makes any meme popular, or even possible? First of all, as a definition of terms, a meme is a piece of cultural information that spreads from person to person. The Internet has facilitated massive expansion of memes across the world. Since a meme has to spread from, what better environment than the globalized Internet, which can transmit a joke in under a second from Shanghai to Los Angeles, South Africa to the Antarctic? One of the best theories on what makes a particular meme popular was proposed by John of the Zeray Gazette: penetrability and instantaneous comprehensibility can make or break a meme’s potential. Penetrability is the widespread appeal of culture information. A meme that doesn’t cross the borders of niches will likely not gain popularity, because it will fail to stick with other audiences that could spread it further. A meme that can’t spread can’t take hold. Instantaneous comprehensibility is a matter of short attention spans: if the joke doesn’t make sense in less than ten seconds, people won’t wait long enough to have it make sense later. Take LOLcat for example. LOLcat is arguably the most popular meme to date, or at least one of the most recognizable. They might have their start in 1870s photography by Harry Pointer who added text to pictures of cats, but the better guess is that people really love their cats, and want other people to know it. LOLcats owe their popularity to 4chan and the genesis of “Caturday” in 2005. Caturday was a weekly event: post pictures of your cats with captions about as legible as a cat actually standing on a keyboard. The trend took hold, and seven years later, “I can haz cheezburger” is a household phrase. OK Go has also made careers out of turning their music videos into memes. White men dancing badly in backyards, choreographed routines on treadmills, Rube Goldberg machines, and one-shot videos are all pretty safe bets for viral status. Regardless of the music supposed to be on display, their videos are what rocketed them into stardom, and you probably won’t hear the band complaining. There’s really no telling what will make for a successful meme. With so many flooding the web every day, there are certainly pictures doomed to fall through the cracks. But if it’s funny enough and has a wide enough audience? Ever heard of rickrolling? Watch them go.