In memoriam

Pray for the souls of all our fallen service members, and for all who are in the line of fire. Remember, greater love hath no man than this: that he lay down his life...

Something to Share

I've just discovered Lindsey Stirling. I really love her videos. Here's an example:

In case you're wondering why, first, I'd have to say that her face is utterly radiant with joy and enthusiasm for what she's doing.

Second, I've been of the opinion for some time that innovative art very often consists of taking elements of two or three disparate styles in a given medium, or else elements of disparate media, and combining them. Lindsey Sterling combines violin with hip-hop dance. I know from experience that it is tough enough to play trumpet while walking, let alone stomping. Keeping the bow on the strings of a violin while bouncing around as she does is a challenge in and of itself. To simultaneously play well and dance well is a remarkable feat.

Third is her authenticity, which this video makes clear she values. She clearly loves her music and choreography. But in addition, she avoids several inauthentic and self-exploitative variations of femininity, such as this one or its byproducts. She is feminine and beautiful without any attempt to be a trollop like Lady Gaga or Kei$ha or the Pussycat Dolls or.... you get the idea. Her sexuality is not something she flaunts, and I say kudos. She reflects God's beauty in a way that seeking to be hot cannot.

Doing It Wrong

Salute to Thomas L. McDonald, over at God and the Machine. He said this in discussion of a proposed MTV "reality show" following various peoples' attempts to have their first sexual encounter:

If sex is everywhere, it’s mystique vanishes, and we forget its real purpose: to bond a married man and woman, and to produce the next generation. It’s not a spectator sport. It’s not even a particularly interesting subject of conversation. If you find yourself reading and talking about and watching sex, then you’re doing it wrong. (emphasis added)

I Love This Video

Salute to Creative Minority Report. Watching it, I could not help but laugh with delight. Enjoy!

Whatever could be wrong with porn?

Tatsuya Ishida, creator of Sinfest, is growing up. Contrast one of his most recent:

with some early work which involves recognition for sluts, tramps, and hos. I'm proud of him for facing up to the truth about pornography, and hope he continues to progress. Incidentally, this one starts my favorite series in the strip, a theme revisited here and here, oh, and here. Whoops -- here too.

Prophecy

Written in 1968:

It is also to be feared that the man, growing used to the employment of anti-conceptive practices, may finally lose respect for the woman and, no longer caring for her physical and psychological equilibrium, may come to the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment, and no longer as his respected and beloved companion.

Published in 2010:

The notion that Playboy turns women into sex objects is ridiculous. Women are sex objects. If women weren't sex objects, there wouldn't be another generation. It's the attraction between the sexes that makes the world go 'round. That's why women wear lipstick and short skirts.