Friday, July 20, 2012

The Most Hateful Sound Of All...

...is the sound you cannot hear at all.

INFRASOUND WEAPONS
(The Deadly Sounds of Silence)
Posted by DiamondHead

Where do I begin?  For there's just so much to say on this subject It is more important now to us all, than perhaps ever before in the history of mankind.  For infrasound has been envisioned as being a new "clean" so-called "less-than-lethal", "media-friendly" weapon of choice by the military.  Yet, weaponized infrasound is as potentially deadly to the individual as any conventional weapon known to mankind.  More troubling is that because of the plausible deniability of the use of weaponized infrasound, the dangers of weaponized infrasound  getting into the hands of racist right wing extremist groups or corrupt individuals/officials, should be of great concern to both lawmakers and citizens alike. With weaponized infrasound in the hands of the wrong people, they would be capable of harming people on a level that you could not imagine.   

Infrasound waves hug the ground and can travel for long distances through wood,  stone, walls, floors and water without losing strength. Infrasound waves cannot be heard by most people but they can be felt by everyone

Infrasound waves slam into the body causing the body and its internal organs to VIBRATE--much like what happens to a guitar string when you pluck it.  The body becomes like a plucked guitar string.  Objects surrounding the body also seem to be vibrating, but it is just the body that is vibrating.  Infrasound waves slamming into the body can cause parts of the body to swell, then taking hours for the swelling to go down.  Because infrasound waves hug the ground, when it slams into the human body it can cause the body to feel a "pulling down" sensation all over the body, as if the body is suddenly fighting a strong force of gravity.  Standing and walking suddenly feels unnatural and is difficult to do.  It's as if you are fighting against gravity itself to simply move.  Escaping the infrasound waves, if even for a moment, one would feel the body suddenly bounce upward slightly as if released from a very strong pull or force. At a certain frequency, infrasound waves can liquify the bowels and literally pull other bodily fluids downward and out of the body.  (One very frightening incident I read about not long ago on the internet, was about a woman who stated on a forum that she had suffered a miscarriage after feeling "strong vibrations" that apparently her husband did not feel--only her.  After she lost her baby she stated, the vibrations continued much to her perplexity.) This "pulling down" sensation is especially troubling as it can put a great amount of stress on the heart and lungs.  Continued exposure to infrasound waves might possibly enlarge the heart.

Infrasound waves can also cause something called "cavitation" in the human body, which result in bouts of "burping" and "gassing" later on, as the air escapes from the body.  Cavitation is the formation of small liquid-free  air zones ("bubbles") – that are the consequence of forces acting upon the liquid (in this case human tissue). This usually happens when a liquid (or human tissue) is subjected to rapid changes of pressure that cause the formation of cavities.  Cavitation is usually a process used in industrial cleaning applications, since cavitation has sufficient power to overcome the particle-to-substrate adhesion forces, and loose contaminants.  Cavitation is the process often used to degrease and clean guns and to clean dental equipment.  It is widely used in industry for various purposes.  Cavitation should NEVER be forced onto living human flesh.  The very idea of cavitation being caused in the human body via sonic weaponry is an abhorrent and truly unspeakable thing.

Infrasound waves can cause a very uncomfortable feeling of fullness in the chest and abdominal area.  At a certain frequency the pain can be quite unbearable--taking hours to subside and end.  Prolonged exposure can also cause pressure in this area to build to a point where breathing becomes quite difficult.   Infrasound waves can cause painful backache (feeling of swelling and intense pressure and a 'pulling down' sensation).  Infrasound waves can cause something that feels like bee stings or painful pin pricks on the skin.  Infrasound waves aimed at the head can cause debilitating headaches that could last for hours.  Directed infrasound waves can also cause the body to become dehydrated.  At a certain frequency, infrasound waves can quickly cause acute and dangerous dehydration in the body.  Prolonged exposure to directed infrasound waves can affect the throat, causing hoarseness that could last for many hours or perhaps, days. Infrasound waves can also cause sudden bad nosebleeds, nausea, drowsiness, sudden extreme over-heating of the body and sudden rapid heartbeat, mood changes. (During World War II, Nazi propaganda engineers used infrasound to stir up anger in the large crowds that had gathered to hear Hitler. The result was a nation filled with anger and hatred.)   And it can interfere with a person's ability to concentrate.  

Infrasound waves can cause stiffness of the back of the neck making it difficult to turn one's head in either direction.  Prolonged exposure to infrasound waves can cause fullness in the throat and a choking feeling (as if fingers are pressing against one's throat). At a certain frequency infrasound waves can cause burning, including a feeling of internal burning (i.e. stomach, throat, rectum). 

 High-intensity/low-frequency sound and infrasound are powerful forces, and governments have tested and used them as a weapon of war.
"Today, the US Department of Defense is testing acoustic rifles that can stun and even kill solders." (Source - Feel the Noise, by Jack Boulware)


We know that the military has researched infrasound as a weapon of war.  What we (American public) DON'T know is how advanced their research and development has become and exactly HOW and for HOW LONG weaponized infrasound has been TESTED.  For example: "Has the military developed a highly portable or hand-held sonic weapon capable of shooting infrasound waves through walls and floors?"  How advanced has military research & development become of this highly dangerous and injurious type of weaponry?  Does the public have the right to know?  Is more public disclosure about this weaponry needed?  Perhaps the answer to those questions can be found in the personal accounts of thousands upon thousands of American citizens from coast-to-coast (and citizens of other developed nations around the world), who say that not only have they been repeatedly assaulted by directed energy weapons (DEWS), but that they have also been further victimized by 24/7 365 surveillance and stalking, by organized stalking groups which, according to many victims, often accompanies these continuous attacks on their person, by directed energy weapons.  

 "First you hear like a high-frequency sound--a lot like the old televisions would sound like when you'd turn them on.  Then the vibrations start.  Your body feeling like its vibrating all over really rapidly."--Victim of electronic torture


Although there has been so much said and written about this subject over the internet, there has been and remains a total mainstream news media blackout on this subject. (You would think they would seize the opportunity to investigate and report on this, right?)  Widespread reports over the internet and on radio talk shows, blogs and books, tell of personal accounts of ordinary American citizens who say they have experienced (especially in their homes) attacks by DEWS--and that they continue to, daily.   So, organized by who?  Who would have the finances, the ability, the resources  and the effing BALLS to plan and implement this type of widespread and highly organized and regimented stalking and torture with directed energy weapons?   And, is this 24/7 365 stalking/surveillance intended as an attempt to intimidate or silence victims?  Or could it be that of the many THOUSANDS of tax-paying American citizens who've described what they believe are DEW attacks, that they're ALL just fooling around or imagining it?  What do you think?   Moreover, what would a motive be in attacking American citizens with DEWS?  Weapons testing?  War on "terror"--even including attacking innocent Americans who've committed NO CRIME and done nothing wrong?   At this link see Chapter 4 "Through-Wall Electronic Weapons" http://www.usa-anti-communist.net/mind-control/Organized_Stalking.pdf
...and see Appendix 1: "Attorney's Call Report to National Center for Victims of Crime (3 page affidavit at bottom) http://www.usa-anti-communist.net/mind-control/Organized_Stalking.pdf

Dick Cheney Continues To Lie About Torture

 

Electronic Harassment Surveillance the Police State -- Private Investigator Roger Tolces 2009

"We've Gotta get rid of the Patriot Act"-- Roger Tolces (30-yr+ seasoned, experienced private investigator/bug sweeper for the rich, famous and powerful)

 Electromagnetic Brainblaster (Pub. July 2000--Plans for powerful EM Weapons and Lab Devices. Includes brainwaves and EEGs; behavioral conditioning, mind control, brainwashing and dreamscaping; physiological, psychological, and neurological effects of EMBBs; brain anatomy and physiology, positive stimulations (ie: calming, healing, pleasure centers, arousal, automatic learning, et al); stimulation techniques; optimizing waveform, freq, modulation, duty cycle and other factors; biologic electrical/ magnetic properties, et al. Dozens of photos and illustrations. Countermeasures. Sold for legal educational and entertainment purposes only.)

 But what about the electro-magnetic pulse weapon? As seen over the internet, some victims of electronic torture believe that they are also being attacked by means of some kind of an electro-magnetic pulse weapon or gun, usually used to disable electronic devices.  The following is an excerpt on info on this:

"No one should try experimenting with any of this stuff without the appropriate knowledge of the safety issues involved.  Working close to the equipment described here can be quite dangerous for humans who are not knowledgeable about working with high voltages and high power circuitry, and (as should be quite obvious) this equipment can be damaging to electronics equipment in the areas surrounding the device.
Governments have long been interested in small EMP weapons." (Read complete article: "Non-nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse Generation"

 

S.P.I.R.A.W.L. states:  "There are sound weapons that operate with the frequencies of infrasound. Infrasound consists of frequencies under 20 Hz that are below the threshold of human hearing. Weapons manipulating these frequencies can cause overwhelming nausea, loosening of the bodily organs and ultimately death. One of these weapons, as it is described in its patent (Subliminal Acoustic Manipulation of Nervous Systems, US Patent 6, 017, 302) “causes disorientation and drowsiness in law enforcement standoff situations."--Read S.P.I.R.A.W.L. complete article here.

"The U.S., Canada, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, Israel, Sweden, Japan, Poland, Yugoslavia, and Denmark have acoustic weapons programs. There is an urgent need for broad public disclosure about ‘non-lethal’ weapons, particularly weapons that utilize sonic frequencies for offensive purposes. "This is patently quite dangerous and irresponsible," says human-rights activist Dr. Steve Wright, who, as director of the Omega Foundation (UK), works with Amnesty International to monitor ‘non-lethal’ weapons. A 1998 report prepared for the European Parliament classified non-lethal weapons as techniques of political control. In an appraisal of those techniques, the Omega Foundation recognized non-lethal crowd control weapons as a growing arsenal of political technologies that pose a threat to civil liberties."--S.P.I.R.A.W.L. (Sound Proofed Institute of Research into Acoustic Weapons Logistics)
  
............More to come in this section!............
Are you still wondering why weaponized infrasound is so damn dangerous? Keep reading...
"Infrasound is especially dangerous, due to its strong vibrations, or oscillations. Infrasound waves hug the ground, travel for long distances without losing strength, and are unstoppable. Not much amplitude is needed to produce negative effects in the human body, and even mild infrasound exposure requires several hours, or even days, to reverse symptoms.
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Waves of infrasound are invisible, but slam into living tissue and physical structures with great force. The sensation vibrates internal organs and buildings, flattening objects as the sonic wave strikes. At certain pitches, it can explode matter."
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100 Cycles Per Second (Hz) - At this level, a person experiences irritation, "mild nausea, giddiness, skin flushing, and body tingling." Following this, a person undergoes "vertigo, anxiety, extreme fatigue, throat pressure, and respiratory dysfunction." (source; the Sonic Weapon of Vladimir Gavreau, by Gerry Vassilatos)
60 - 73 Cycles Per Second (Hz) - coughing, severe sternal pressure, choking, excessive salivation, extreme swallowing pains, inability to breathe, headache, and abdominal pain" were present. In the post exposure phase, test subjects continued to cough, exhibit fatigue, and have skin flushing for up to four hours. (Source - THE SONIC WEAPON OF VLADIMIR GAVREAU, by Gerry Vassilatos)
43 - 73 Cycles Per Second (Hz) - lack of visual acuity, IQ scores fall to 77% of normal, distortion of spatial orientation, poor muscular coordination, loss of equilibrium, slurred speech, and blackout.
1 - 10 Cycles Per Second (Hz) - "Lethal infrasonic pitch lies in the 7 cycle range. Small amplitude increases affect human behavior in this range. Intellectual activity is first inhibited, blocked, and then destroyed. As the amplitude is increased, several disconcerting responses have been noted. These responses begin a complete neurological interference. The action of the medulla is physiologically blocked, its autonomic functions cease." (source; the Sonic Weapon of Vladimir Gavreau, by Gerry Vassilatos)
50 - 100 Cycles Per Second (Hz) - at 150 dB and higher, "intolerable sensations in the chest and thoracic region can be produced - even with the ears protected. Other physiological changes that can occur include chest all vibration and some respiratory rhythm changes in human subjects, together with hypopharyngeal fullness (gagging). The frequency range between 50 and 100 Hz also produces mild nausea and giddiness at levels of 150 - 155 dB, at which point subjective tolerance is reached. At 150 to 155 dB (0.63 to 1.1 kPA), respiration-related effects include substernal discomfort, coughing, severe substernal pressure, choking respiration, and hypopharyngeal discomfort." (source; 'Acoustic Trauma: Bioeffects of Sound,' by Alex Davies)
7 Cycles Per Second (Hz) - The most profound effects at this infrasonic level occur here. Seven Hz "corresponds with the median alpha-rhythm frequencies of the brain. It is also commonly alleged that this is the resonant frequency of the body's organs and hence organ rupture and death can occur at high-intensity exposures." (source; 'Acoustic Trauma: Bioeffects of Sound,' by Alex Davies)-- http://www.lowertheboom.org/trice/infrasound.htm
Did I mention that infrasound also causes uncontrollable crap to happen?
 "Acoustic, Infrasound. Very low-frequency sound, which can travel long distances and easily penetrate most buildings and vehicles. Transmission of long wavelength sound creates biophysical effects; nausea, loss of bowels, disorientation, vomiting, potential internal organ damage or death may occur. Superior to ultrasound because it is 'in band,' meaning that it does not lose its properties when it changes mediums such as from air to tissue. By 1972, an infrasound generator had been built in France that generated waves at 7 hertz. When activated, it made the people in range sick for hours." (Source - Glossary of Non-lethal weapons Terms)

"Of course, the military industrial crowd has been jerking off over infrasonic weaponry (“acoustic weapons”) for decades.  Do a Google search to find titillating reading of varying degrees of credibility."-- (The Misuse of Infrasound: Industry, military, and now the cops Nov 18, 2011)

  ("Presidential Commission: Directed Energy Weapons Used On American Citizens in Tests 1/2")

 It's no wonder that the military industrial crowd has been jerking off over weaponry that can do all this...

"From about 100 to 140 decibels infrasound causes a variety of biological symptoms depending on the frequency and power level. Basically, the higher the power level, the greater the damage. The effects include: fatigue, pressure in the ears, visual blurring, drowsiness, imbalance, disorientation, vibration of internal organs, severe intestinal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Higher power levels can liquefy bowels, and resonate the internal organs causing death. Infrasound can also cause feelings of pressure in the chest, choking, irregular breathing patterns, and respiratory incapacitation. 

High powered, low frequency sound from about 30 Hz to about 100 Hz (just beyond infrasound) causes the following biological effects: fatigue, blurred vision, bowel spasms, pain or damage to internal organs, feelings of fullness in the chest cavity, chest wall vibration, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, choking, and respiratory impairment.

Infrasound causes a variety of psychological effects depending on the frequency and power level. It can cause the following: loss of concentration, disgust, apathy, sadness, depression, fear, anxiety, and panic attacks. “These transmissions” said Dr. John Alexander in his December 1980 article, The New Mental Battlefield, “can be used to induce depression or irritability in a target population.”--New World War: Sonic Weapons by Mark Rich  ( 'New World War')

 ...and yet  is a stealth-like weapon, capable of being engaged from a considerable distance.   

Again, because of the silent nature of infrasound waves; because you cannot see it; because it has the ability to easily travel considerable distances through water, wood, stone, brick, walls  and floors...all undetected and because these soundwaves can be controlled and directed with precision, infrasound, as a weapon, has the potential to be exceedingly dangerous to the individual.  In the hands of the corrupt individuals/officials, infrasound weapons (also know as directed-energy weapons) could be used to endlessly and mercilessly harass, torture, maim or even kill--leaving victims with no proof (no court-quality evidence) of said atrocities committed against their person or even the knowledge of who is doing this to them.

  "Some organic and inorganic objects can function as resonance chambers. These objects are usually enclosures with a small opening. For instance, a glass or bottle will act as one. On a larger scale, the chest/abdominal area of the human body functions as a resonance chamber. Even an entire room with an open door or window can be used as a resonance chamber. Sound can be used to shatter or explode objects after resonance has been achieved.
Resonance can be induced electromagnetically by an infrasonic pulse generator, which can establish a link, for instance, to a person’s inner organs by resonating it in their chest area. Once this connection occurs, the power level of the generator can be increased, which would automatically transfer the energy to the person. If the power level is moderate, the person may experience pain in the chest area, or their organs may vibrate. Increasing the power level will destroy their organs."--New World War: Sonic Weapons by Mark Rich

 

 Stay tuned...

Sunday, July 8, 2012

TOO Freaking Cute For Words! :)

German Shepherd Confused By Talking Dog.


--DiamondHead

Friday, July 6, 2012

Cheap, Cheesy "B" Horror Flicks That We Love

This actually looks like one of the best performances Barbara Stanwyck gave, here in William Castle's The Night Walker (1964). Even by today's standards for horror films, this one looks like it has more than a few good scary moments in it.  I love how Stanwyck raises two clinched fists and lets out her classic 'Stanwyck scream'.  
Last night I saw the very B-cheesy film "The Tingler" with "Vincent Twice, Vincent Twice" (remember "Vincent Twice" from Sesame Street?). 
 But "B" flicks are best in black & white-not in color.  Don't you agree?  What is YOUR favorite?   And now, Vincent Price speaks about a different type of horror...

Vincent Price On Racism And Religious Prejudice 

Thank you Mr. Price.

--DiamondHead
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That looks like a GREAT old horror movie! You know, Barbara Stanwyck happens to be my favorite classic film actress of ALL time. Why? Because she had all the right elements--toughness and vulnerability; tenderness and spunk. I think her pinnacle role was in 1937's "Stella Dallas". I STILL tear up when she pretends to drive away her daughter, Laurel, in order to get her away from herself whom she considers "low-class" so her daughter can have a life amongst the upper crust or what I'd call the"stuck up-crust".
(Starts at 2:09)
And that scream of Stanwyck's in "The Night Walker"--oh, that epic scream. Someday I want to have the opportunity to dramatically clench my fists and scream operatically! 
By the way, if you like William Castle and his cheesy goodness flicks, then check out the infamous "Psycho" rip-off Homicidal (1961)
You'll either giggle hysterically at the ridiculously bad dubbing and fake teeth or keep getting cinema deja-vu and just decide to watch "Psycho".
Regardless, it's cheese-tastic!
--MyVintageSoul 
https://twitter.com/MyVintageSoul
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Talking about "Stella Dallas", there...now THERE'S a movie loaded with socio-economic innuendos and class struggle.  This is veering off from the "Cheap, Cheesy "B'' Horror Flicks, but the subject of "Stella Dallas" is too good to pass up.  I'll get back to our subject after interjecting this.   
I agree that "Stella..." is one of Stanwyck's finest performances.  While it may be true that the movie overemphasized the differences between the classes (embodied in the character of "Stella"), it seems as if her character was afflicted with a kind of self-destructive "virus".  After having finally snagged this socialite husband of her's and having had his child, "Stella" throws it all away because she decides she does not want to conform to the cultural norms of his class.  She despised her own class (mill workers) and pursued the man she married to escape her class.  Yet later...after the fact, she rebelled against him, what he stood for and efforts on his part to change her.  Years later, after her daughter was nearly grown, Stella realized what an idiot she had been and backtracked--this time wanting the "high-class" life for her daughter to the point of cutting her loathsome self off from her daughter.  This movie was as much about cultural warfare as it was about class struggle.  I have to admit though, the ending "wedding scene" as almost too much for me.  
Not only does Stella cut herself off from her daughter, her ex-husband, her only child's wedding, but she cuts herself off from the human race...leering into the window at her daughter's wedding like some "stray dog" passing by.  Her character self-imposes the "penalty" of personae non grata.  Regardless of her low-class ways, she was still a human being for crying out loud!  But the way they wrote it, this again, was self-imposed by the character of "Stella" so as not to make the upper-crust characters out to be the heartless bad guys.  It just made "Stella" look stupid.  Really.  What proud mother would peer into a window at her only daughter's wedding like some stray dog or cat?  This is such a good film, loaded with so much about culture and class wars.  So much more could be said about it.  And I think it would make a good remake, maybe with Halle Berry in the role of "Stella".
--DiamondHead 
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On the topic of one of my FAVORITE movies, "Stella Dallas", I have to say this about the character and theme of the film: Stella had the right to be who she was and be accepted and loved by the people most important to her--her husband and daughter. 
Her daughter, "Laurel", DID love her for who she was, but Stella was so wrapped up in meaningless elitist trappings that she couldn't just accept that. She felt that she had to drive her own child away in order to have some sort of snobbish life amongst the "upper-class".
And what does all of that nonsense mean in the end, anyway? Class distinctions, snobbery, how one talks or dresses? They're just irrelevant divisions amongst human beings...and that's what we all are, regardless of how poor or noble we are born--just regular human beings.
I think that this perspective might be a LOT more emphasized in a 21st century remake, in a society where there are so many more important things happening to us as humanity than "class distinctions". But of course, in the 1930's, elitism must've been so much more important to people and that was reflected in "Stella Dallas", because in the end, she simply doesn't win.
As for Halle in the role of 'Stella' in a modern remake--YES! That would be a SUPERB twist I'd absolutely love to see. Perhaps she could portray a working-class African-American marrying into a wealthy Caucasian family. It would be interesting to see themes of classism and racism intertwined, and how it would affect her character. 
--MyVintageSoul
 *************************************************************************************  Quoting you..."Class distinctions, snobbery, how one talks or dresses? They're just irrelevant divisions amongst human beings..." Well, I wouldn't exactly call them "irrelevant" divisions.  For example, just look at this male character from another movie...
  
(Included in this clip is the famous 'clearing the table' scene.)
There's nothing really wrong with a little refinement.   Class snobbery and refinement aren't necessarily synonymous.    A really curious thing about the character of "Stella" is that her character is the antihero who is often viewed as the "heroine".  And why?  Merely because of her low-class status.  Stella supposedly "keeps it real" by refusing to adapt to the cultural norms of her husband's class with her stubborn determination to "keep it real".  Yet, if you really look at this character, you see that there's nothing "noble" about throwing away your marriage and breaking up your family--which is what "Stella" did.  If Stella wanted "keep it real" (thus avoiding all those "meaningless elitists trappings"), she certainly might have instead married another mill worker as her hillbilly mother did.  Why get into the water if you don't intend to swim?  But Stella wanted more.  And she went into the relationship with "Seven" with her eyes wide open, making it no secret even to him that she wanted to be part of the upper-class--his world.  So, Steven wanted Stella to adapt, to bend a little... give and take, as most couples who have successful marriages do.  When he tried to give Stella what she wanted, she resisted and threw it all back in his face.  The night Stella broke up her marriage to Steven, he let her know that her habits were going to reflect upon him and affect his bottom line...his job
 He got a transfer to a job in New York and he wanted to take Stella with him.  She refused to go to New York, refused to adapt to cultural change anymore, refused to work to keep her marriage intact and basically sent her husband packing--and all because she could not give up being low-class and tacky.   "Stella" wasn't keeping it real.  If you want, *keeping it real*, Woody Allen keeps it real in Small Time Crooks.  
 The character of "Stella" was no heroine.  Just a low-class cow who made a schnook out of her high-class husband.  What a real tribute to Barbara Stanwyck, who was very convincing in the role and high-class all the way!  "-)  --DiamondHead 

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy 4th! 2012

Click on pic to enlarge.
"You cut the turkey without me?!" ;-)

--DiamondHead

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LOVE 'Avalon'...it's a true representation of the diversity that makes America great. 

Without immigrants and the numerous contributions they've made to American society, I dare say we wouldn't have become the strong nation that we are. It's wonderful that you brought up this movie on such a holiday, the 4th of July!

Happy 4th!!! 





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Oh, I LOVE your 4th decor.  It's so beautiful~!  And you know, you're right.  What would America be without her immigrants who have greatly helped to shape this nation?  Without so many different kinds of people we'd be a lot less interesting.  No where has the success of diversity been more evident than the home of that lady above, in the harbor.  The fireworks are beginning outside!
--DiamondHead

NANO! BIG things in VERY little packages

A WONDERFUL INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD OF Nanoscience

The strange new world of Nanoscience, narrated by Stephen Fry



MORE
a look at nano technology...

'The Wonders of Nanotechnology' (Excellent seminar, by the way.)




--DiamondHead

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Books To Make You Go...WHAT?!

"Unwind"

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgho2nYDl4x65MsE4RH05B3riOu5dH8Mtf4Dkwv9Ylk9tvEeMRmkKxGOzW6VBlZpAaY6YLhew4LSpCMmbnU38cPtkuNfHwwweE8AWbHcoKv5xys4QbACFZoEBYpQW202f2ZBtqx2B1RH_Q/s1600/unwind.jpg

by Neal Shusterman 

 

As you know, Diamondhead, I'm an apocalyptic/dystopian sci-fi JUNKY. I read anything and everything from this genre and consider myself an apocalyptic cinema aficionado (fancy word for obsessed).

Sometimes for no reason at all, I quote random lines from my favorites--THERE IS NO RENEWAL!! or TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF ME, YOU DAMN, DIRTY APE!


So, I always am more than a little interested whenever I come across a book or movie that fits this 'world gone cray-cray' scenario and boy, does Neal Shusterman's Unwind fit the bill.

 

Actually a Young Adult novel, it deals with some seriously dark and mature themes....who does and doesn't have the right to their own life, institutionalized murder (the "unwinding" process), and betrayal of youth by society and their own families. The people who should be protecting them at any cost, routinely betray them and lead them to their deaths, and this is all socially condoned as normal and routine behavior.

 Set in a world after a devastating second Civil War called The Heartland War raged between pro-life and pro-choice advocates, peace was achieved by a horrifying resolution: between conception and thirteen years of age, a child must not be touched BUT between thirteen and eighteen years of age, their families could choose the option of "unwinding", a sanitized word for the legalized murder of these youth by taking their body parts and giving them to people in need of transplants.

 

WHAT?! 

 

 Both because abortion is outlawed and this sick alternative is available, teenagers are constantly being murdered for any and every ridiculous reason that enters their parents/guardians heads. For the protagonist, Connor, it is because he is going through normal teen rebellion, for the character of Risa, it is because she is not a perfect piano virtuoso, and for the character of Lev, it is because his religious fanatic parents plan to "offer" him up as a tithe for their "faith".


When reading the summary and detailed reviews of this book, I became interested in the complexity of these themes. Every human being has the right to life, yet within the world of "Unwind", the natural right of these youth to life is denied and they are treated as little more than property. It's a disturbing exploration into a society that has completely devalued the life of youth via psychological mind-tricks: it's not REALLY murder, it's just "unwinding".

In the book, parents and guardians begin to use this 'option' as a crutch or excuse for not being parents. With the case of teen rebel, Connor, his parents choose to simply 'eliminate' him instead of helping him work through what are essentially, transitory, problems.

It's a horrible perspective of what could happen if human beings lost all sense of responsibility for others. 


I plan to get this book from my local library, and then perhaps, give a full review when I'm done!

 (by the way, I have no idea why my post came out in caps.) 

--MyVintageSoul 

https://twitter.com/#!/MyVintageSoul

 Unwind: Short Film 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9snP4HuRsr4

 Amazon and Good Reads 

http://www.amazon.com/Unwind-Neal-Shusterman/dp/1416912045  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/764347.Unwind 

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Don't worry about the caps. It must be a glitch with Blogger. I also typed in print and my posts have come out in script. Can't seem to fix it either.  I'm working with the old Blogger dashboard as long as they have it.  They're replacing the old dashboards with the new ones in a few months and I'll have to switch over then. 
--DiamondHead 
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It's really true that there's 'nothing new under the sun'.  Your description of this book Unwind, immediately reminded me of stories I heard of what the Nazis did to German children long before they began killing Jews and other non-Aryans.  German children and youths were also killed for being in a sense, perfectly normal--like your character "Conner".  Hitler decreed that German men be sterilized if they had even some slight physical defect.  And many German men and women were denied the right to have children.  This storyline also seems like some crazy crap ultra-right Republicans/Conservatives might do in a dystopian future.  It's a form of eugenics repackaged. Doesn't matter that they "allow" children to be untouched in the womb.  The important point is that they still don't value life.  Children are "unwound" later on if they don't "measure up".  I wrote a lengthy commentary on this very subject a while back.

This (and so-called, aryanism) is what is at the heart of eugenics.  It's always about imperfect people passing judgement on others and stepping into the role of judge, jury AND executioner.  VERY right wing!  I've seen people harshly criticize right wingers for protecting life inside the womb while at the same time devaluing life outside the womb.  You can't have it both ways without looking like a hypocrite--which is also what they've been viewed as by some liberals.  This is young adult material?  It's pretty heavy stuff for teens, IMO.
--DiamondHead