Cultural Commentary – Page 11

NFL Journalism: Where Balls Matter More than Women, Children, and Brains

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Colin McMahon

The New England Patriots are worse than Hitler. That is, if you believe the overwhelming negativity directed at the Patriots within the past week. The reasoning behind this: after last Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the Colts, reports surfaced of an investigation against the Patriots with regards to ball inflation. This basically means that the Patriots are being ACCUSED of cheating. Not a game-determining cheat mind you, nothing as serious as that, but still – cheating is cheating and the integrity (scoff, excuse me) of the NFL sport must be protected. I don’t mean to undermine what the Patriots MIGHT have done. Cheating is cheating and, IF found guilty – they should face appropriate consequences. “Deflategate” as it has come to be called, has called back into question much more serious issues of integrity, however, in my mind at least. The integrity of major sports journalism is under question… and it might be doing worse than the Patriots.

Even with the ball deflated, players (Colts and Patriots) agree that it had little-to-no impact on the game.

This article will focus primarily on ESPN and Sports Illustrated, two of the larger and more trusted sources of sports journalism in America – and specifically their handling of the DEVELOPING Deflategate situation.

The Patriots are not liked around the nation. One does not have to look far to find evidence of this. Part of the hatred has foundation. In 2007, the New England Patriots were found guilty in Spygate, essentially cheating by recording more signals than they were supposed to from the other team. Were they the only culprit of this: probably not, but still – cheating is cheating and I, as a New England Patriots fan, found the punishment fair. No one is above the rules.

The New England Patriots cheated 8 years ago. This does not make all current and future allegations against them immediately true.

Part of the hatred comes from something else though: the Patriots are a good football team. No, that’s an understatement. They are a great football team. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady might be the best coach-quarterback combo in the history of the game. I don’t say that just as a fan, there are numbers to support this.

Okay, cool – the Pats rock, how does this matter? Well, sports journalism is made up partly of former players: people who have played largely within the past ten years… also known as: a lot of people the Patriots beat. If you think this does not matter, if you think that athletes and former athletes do not have huge egos – you are fooling yourself. So right away, the POTENTIAL exists for bias. I am not going to accuse anyone of anything without evidence…

Want some evidence?

Let’s talk about Jerome Bettis, an excellent former player who now does analysis for ESPN. I have zero issue on Bettis reporting facts. Here is a link to his video discussing the Ray Rice incident, which occurred at the beginning of the season. Wow, okay – he is very supportive. Granted, all the facts were not known at that time but he appears to be approaching the situation with an open mind. Cool…

Here he is on the Deflategate INVESTIGATION:

Holy f*ck. What happened to the calm, thoughtful, contemplative Bettis that we saw earlier? Patriots are known felons? Sir, even by the loftiest of standards: the Patriots have never broken the law. Rules, yes – but not law. These are both videos taken from (at the time) ongoing investigations. One is about balls being properly inflated, one is about a woman being beaten unconscious. Excuse me for saying but: your passion appears misplaced.

Now let’s talk about Michael Rosenberg, a New York journalist who writes for Sports Illustrated. Rosenberg has a past of putting things in perspective. He fairly called out and condemned the handling of the Adrian Peterson situation from earlier in the year. Rosenberg has struck me as an intelligent and thoughtful journalist, but one of his articles goes much too far. I would bother to tear apart the piece he wrote on the Patriots after INITIAL REPORTS of Deflategate surfaced, but someone else beat me to it. Journalism is not about reporting thoughts, or rumors, or making wild accusations based on what you read on the Internet. That’s what blogging is for. Journalism is about reporting the facts. Judgement is left to others. There is not one fact in Rosenberg’s list of wild accusations against New England, and yet this was posted on a very reputable sports site.

The rush to judgement has caused many Patriots' fans to tune out the allegations, or make fun of them completely. — The rush to judgement has caused many Patriots’ fans to tune out the allegations, or make fun of them completely.

Okay, back to ESPN. Over the past week, I have seen headlines like “Don’t Believe Brady” (later changed to “Hard to Believe Brady”). Again this gives the impression that the Patriots have already been found guilty. The have not. In fact, if you’re wondering why I haven’t gone more into the facts of the case, it is because they keep changing. I will get to that in a sec, but I wanted to draw attention to one more fun article from ESPN first.

This one.

Let me be beyond clear: truth is not an opinion. It never has, nor never will be influenced by the common consensus. So why does this article exist? Maybe to show that around the world, people are not taking the Patriots at their word? Hard to believe that ESPN readers wouldn’t trust them after reading headlines like those I just mentioned.

The point is that the coverage has been horrible. Want the facts of the case? Colts defensive player D’Qwell Jackson DEFINITIVELY started the investigation into the possibility of deflated balls… until he didn’t. Bill Belichick was DEFINITELY the mastermind behind the cheating… until it was (and currently is) DEFINITELY Tom Brady. With all this disbelief going around – against the Patriots, against the NFL, it seems that no one is levying it against the people who are reporting the news. What is going on? How do we even know there was ever a scandal and not some accident?

During his press conference, Tom Brady denied all involvement in the SUPPOSED scandal. He was then asked several times if he was sorry. HE JUST SAID HE DIDN'T DO IT! — During his press conference, Tom Brady denied all involvement in the SUPPOSED scandal. He was then asked several times if he was sorry. HE JUST SAID HE DIDN’T DO IT!

Let’s say (and this is just a scenario based on known facts): 36 balls were inflated for the game, 11 of them came out below the guidelines. Tom Brady, being the hometown quarterback gets first pick. Brady, who has already stated his liking of under-inflated balls, chooses those he feels least inflated (not knowing that it is below league regulation). Then Andrew Luck chooses, then the remaining 12 go to special teams. Saying this happens is admitting that NFL officials made a mistake (hard to believe I know, especially in this playoff season). But it is just that: a mistake. Doesn’t sound nearly as sexy as a cheating scandal, but this may be the truth.

“Things are going to be fine — this isn’t ISIS, no one’s dying.” Tom Brady said this and it is a fair point. This isn't even Baltimore or Minnesota: where actual crimes happened. — “Things are going to be fine — this isn’t ISIS, no one’s dying.”
Tom Brady said this and it is a fair point. This isn’t even Baltimore or Minnesota: where actual crimes happened.

The truth that does not appear to matter since the Patriots were found guilty by the media on day one. Come on guys, we get that you don’t like us. I don’t like the Yankees, the (New York) Giants, or either of the Manning brothers – but I would never call any of them cheaters without all the facts.

For anyone wondering: the NFL is currently finding a hard time linking the deflated balls to any purposeful wrongdoing. Doesn’t matter, ESPN and Sports Illustrated have already ensured that the Patriots reputation has suffered. Guilty until proven innocent… and if innocent then conspiracy. Hey journalists, I know you might take offense from a Patriots-fan and internet blogger telling you this… but do your jobs.

The appropriate punishment, as long ago determined by the NFL, is a $25,000 fine by the way… in case anyone was wondering. Rules should not ever be broken… but you can kill someone or you can go 5 miles over the speed limit. This is the latter.

What Gamergate Says about "Gamer" Culture

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Gamer: “a person who plays games and especially video or computer games.” – Merriam-Webster Dictionary

We are many of us, gamers. What began as a small minority of people thirty-forty years ago has ballooned into a large portion of the present population. Games are everywhere. Computers brought them into the home. Consoles like the Atari 2600 and the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) brought them to our TVs. Today, smartphones allow many people to carry a large game library around in their pockets. And of course, before that: there were board games. As time passed, the gaming population grew and diversified. People who were never “gamers” before suddenly found themselves glued to the screen. Basically: change.

The Nintendo Wii was the first console to explode gaming into entirely new markets.

With change comes great things. More gamers = more games. No two ways about it. The industry has exploded and now we have major publishers and casual people all making games together. Choices. Choices. Choices. New technologies, new controllers, new concepts. More gamers have greatly increased the variety of experiences to be found when gaming. Has there been a negative?

Of course: Gamergate (not to be confused with GamersGate… which is a really unfortunate name to have right now).

For those out there who don’t know, I will summarize. Indie game developer Zoe Quinn created Depression Quest, a game designed to help people struggling with depression. Following the suicide of actor Robin Williams, Quinn elected to release her game for free on the popular gaming marketplace, Steam. She charged people only “what they wanted to pay” and gave all proceeds to charity. I know, sounds like the pillar of controversy so far.

There were some who felt Quinn was using Williams’ suicide for personal gain, despite the before mentioned facts. Her largest detractor, however, came in the form of her ex-boyfriend, who alleged that Quinn had a relationship with Nathan Grayson in order to receive a favorable review for her game. Was there a relationship: yes. Did Grayson ever write a review: no. Did he write an article about Quinn: yes, months before the relationship.

Regardless, some people felt that the ethics of video game journalism had been violated. This is not the first time such accusations have come up. Popular gaming review site Giantbomb was founded after a critic gave a bad review to a game that had wanted to receive a good one. The reviewing bias of other AAA titles, such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Call of Duty, Destiny, and others has also been called into question.

If we are to believe the most positive spin on Gamergate, it was misdirected anger after all of the other breaches in the ethics of video game journalism. Really though, even if those allegations were true: are we really getting mad at the person who designed a game that helps people with depression? A game she released for free? “What a bitch” are not the words that come to mind.

There are some who feel that games really are not a big deal and really should not be used in most areas of political and civil strife.

That’s the positive spin. In reality, Gamergate is nothing more that the extreme hateful reaction of a small minority in the face of change. In the weeks following the lies against Zoe Quinn, many people were targeted by Gamergate. To say there was a pattern in which people were targeted would be an understatement. Do a check right now. If you are a woman, you would have been targeted. Men: not so much.

Because receiving death threats and having information leaked is the most sensible way to make money.

I am not going to try to give the event a balanced spin because I do not feel it deserves one. Regardless of the state of video game journalism, Gamergate was wrong and, in some cases, illegal. People were threatened with physical violence and it even went as far as death threats. I say people but really: women were the target. Whether it was Quinn, Anita Sarkeesian (who I personally do not agree with), Felicia Day, Brianna Wu (again, notice the pattern), Crimes were committed against each of these women and that is never excusable.

Gamergate punched a black eye in the public image of gaming culture. Let me stress one more time: whoever leaked personal information, threatened to hold a shooting, made death threats: these are all serious crimes. I hope these individuals are tracked, found, arrested, and persecuted to the full extent of the law. Forget leaking nude photos, this is much more serious.

Chris Kluwe, one of the harshest critics of Gamergate, was not targeted. I could say more but please: read his words.

Okay, that said: Gamergate means nothing exceptional to gaming culture. It has been the actions of a few radicals, not the overwhelming majority. In the months following these unfortunate incidents, many in the industry have been very public in their condemning of Gamergate. Many gamers have also stepped forward and voiced their support of Quinn and the other victims involved.

To go back to what I wrote in the beginning: gamers are everywhere. If you have a population of at least hundreds of millions, some of them are bound to be a**holes. That’s just a fact. I do not say that to excuse the behavior, but let’s examine some other examples of large cultures reacting to certain situations.

Gay Rights

Popular opinion: whether you’re for Gay Marriage or not, most people conclude that homosexuals are human beings like everyone else. They are entitled to the same treatment of respect and courtesy, and really – being gay is (thankfully) no longer the incredible taboo it once was, in certain areas at least. Okay, here is the extreme:

Interracial Marriage

Popular opinion: sure, why should color of skin matter if two people love each other? Well, let’s ask this enlightened soul:

Immigration

Popular Opinion: Okay, very complex issue. There’s a lot of opinions out there. Safe to assume though, most people don’t think like this:

Gaming

Popular opinion: everyone is entitled to play games, they are for everyone.

Well f*ck.

There will always be idiots, in any culture. A vocal minority, composed of the worst humanity has to offer, who will spew their vile hatred at pretty much anything that offends/scares them. The good news is that: most are not championing their cause but rather speaking and acting against them. This is progress. Gaming is changing, becoming more inclusive every year. People are going to have to deal with that.

Being a “gamer” means nothing more than the fact that you play games. It is not an elite group, it is not something to be proud of or ashamed of. Men are gamers, women are gamers, children are gamers. Heck, even this lizard:

Hmmmm, actually now that I think about it, that lizard may have slept with someone to get a popular Youtube video. #Lizardgate

How to Survive a Horror Scenario

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Colin McMahon

When entering a horror scenario, odds are you (and hopefully your friends) will be going up against one of the following:

1) Someone who has meticulously planned an evening of horrific rampage.

2) A supernatural force that does not need to bother with trifles like plans.

3) Both.

There are few things worse than an evil mastermind who refuses to die.

Hopefully it will not be scenario three. While the situation is dire in any case, there are ways to prepare for the literal fight for your life. After watching a multitude of horror films, as well as spending significant time outdoors – this is the official definitive Red Rings guide for surviving the worst night of your life.

1) Weapon Choice

Here is where many people falter. Ask anyone what they’d like to have and you will receive answers like: a machete, a sword, a gun, a chainsaw. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. WRONG. Machetes and swords get stuck when dull and can be easily broken if they aren’t made well. While the gun is the logical choice for someone trained to use firearms, the average person is not a murderer and will not be able to easily shoot a moving, attacking foe in the head or other lethal point. And chainsaws… I don’t know how Leatherface does it. Anyone who has actually used a chainsaw will tell you that it involves slow, meticulous strokes to inflict any real damage. Also it runs off an external power source. In short: chainsaws suck worse than anything else.

Sorry Ash, it's not groovy. — Sorry Ash, it’s not groovy.

What you will need will depend largely on what you’re facing. That said, there is one weapon choice that will work very well in most scenarios:

Not flashy, not dependent on a finite external power source. Does not matter if it is sharp or pointed or anything like that. Nothing spells offense like a long, easy-to-use piece of solid metal. The odds of this thing breaking are very slim and it is tough to imagine it getting stuck. Added bonus: most people can travel freely with a metal baseball bat without raising suspicion or prompting the local authorities to take action. This is the perfect weapon for most scenarios. Even if you are fighting a supernatural force, this bat may at least slow it down. That said, you will need more against beings from another world. One thing in particular… but it isn’t pretty.

2) The Supernatural Conduit

Things like demons do not just appear on our plane of existence for no reason. There is always a conduit, something binding the supernatural force to this world. You need to find it and destroy it. The downside is that it can be anything. That said, there are usually some physical indicators that a certain object may be more than what it seems. A book does not raise red flags. A book bound in human flesh and inked in human blood does. Also, look for something recently touched. If you’re out in an isolated setting: odds are that someone disturbed something. No one is going to blame you for unwittingly opening up a demon portal… as long as you own up to it quickly.

Opening Pandora's box happens. Just be sure you know where it is so you can break it. — Opening Pandora’s box happens. Just be sure you know where it is so you can break it.

3) Tools

You’re going to need two types: tools for survival and tools for destroying the supernatural conduit. Fortunately, these can overlap. First things first – you will need a dependable source of fire. Fire is great for so many reasons. It can keep your warm, signal for help, or burn and destroy whatever is attacking you. Dependability means having back ups.

Overall, I feel that this is superior to the traditional lighter. It is easier to keep a steady flame going and it holds more fuel. Bring two of these and matches. That is being safe.

Other traditional tools involve things like knives and bug spray. I should not need to explain how knives can be useful. Bug spray however, keeps away mosquitoes… and is a can of propelled flammable poison. The more toxic, the better in this case. Other useful tools involve a compass, a map, salt (useful for adding flavor and making anti-demon rings), batteries, flashlights, and basically anything else you can think would be good to have if you were stranded alone in the woods – because that might be your situation by night’s end.

Supernatural tools are a little different. You really don’t want to have too many of these because odds are that most of them will not work and they will just be dead weight. Silver comes to mind as a definite. Silver is a material that has long been believed to have special properties against evil. Salt also, has already been mentioned. I would recommend also a symbol of YOUR particular faith. A cross is not going to do much without belief behind it. Also: most holy symbols are easy to make with sticks, so it is not essential to bring these. If you bring one, you better believe in the power behind it.

4) Communication

Cell phones may have been the single greatest invention of our time. The ability to talk with others from virtually anywhere is a much-needed defense against horror scenarios. That said, cell phones are only great if they have two things: power and a signal. If you’re venturing far from the dominion of civilization, that signal might be hard to come by, so bring a satellite phone. They’re expensive but they don’t need to be bought, just rented. Phone companies agree that “during emergency or disaster recovery situations, satellite phones also prove to be the most reliable method of communication, making them an ideal crisis management communication solution.”

If it's good enough for Sam Neil on an island full of dinosaurs, it is good enough for you. — If it’s good enough for Sam Neil on an island full of dinosaurs, it is good enough for you.

Enough said. Make sure you have one and a reliable power supply for it.

5) Allies

Sure, you can call them “friends” but in a war for survival, such a term becomes trivial. Regardless of which scenario, the singular you is at a disadvantage. Nothing levels the playing field like numbers of dependable human beings. Do not think “how am I going to survive this,” think “how are we going to survive this.” Those people who think only of themselves – how many horror movies has that type of jackass survived to the end? Make a plan, strategize, communicate, and above all: stick together!

Do not be like those people.

6) Your brain

Assume that you are dealing with an intelligent adversary who is likely stronger than you are. You are not going to be able to work up sufficient muscle mass to tip the scale in one night – I don’t care how much you lift, bro. This is going to be a battle won by intelligence. Again, the allies help a lot here. The more minds, the easier it is to overcome whatever nightmare scenario your opponent has dreamed up.

Use common sense, do not break off to investigate noises or pick up that one thing you left behind. Identify which threat you are dealing with and respond accordingly. If you can do this, you may just survive the worst night of your life.

I feel like things like nudity and drug use are overblown. Really, the only question you need to worry about is: are you being an idiot right now? If yes, your odds of death really just skyrocketed.

This post prompted courtesy of Man Crates! Everything a man needs is only a crowbar away (crowbars are also excellent weapons in this situation, just saying).