Cost of doing something about climate change: hundreds of billions of dollars.
Cost of doing nothing about climate change: hundreds of billions of dollars.
Cost of sending the Environment Minister and Prime Minster of Canada to the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen to do not much of anything either way: Priceless!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Video Game Review
OK, I have yet to put a video game review on my blog owing to the fact that I am in school and the given cost of purchasing a video game brand new usually sees me waiting till the game is cheap brand new or purchasing a video game used.
That being said, I picked up a used copy of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Role Playing Game
Release date: 2006
I haven't played any of the previous Elder Scrolls titles and had only heard good things about the franchise, so I didn't know exactly what to expect but was anticipating a good game, and overall the title does not disappoint.
Graphics. Very rich and detailed. The Elder Scrolls world is huge with plenty of colour, contrast, and texture to the outdoor and indoor worlds your character can inhabit. The only drawback I noticed is that some of the actions the main character can do are a bit 'stiff' looking. For example, when the character jumps, his or her body will remain in the exact same position during the jump which looks rigid, and when the character is standing in one spot and you make the character turn on the spot 360 degrees, the characters legs don't move at all. Otherwise the details on the main character and other characters and creatures in the game are nicely rendered.
Sound. A beautiful orchestral score adds to the fantasy setting of the game. The music shifts nicely to accompany the varying situations the character is in, such as when combat ensues. There are plenty of swordplay and magical sound effects to enhance the fantasy element of the game as well. I noticed Patrick Stewart, of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame, lends his voice to the game.
Play Control. Pretty easy to use overall. I found the map, item, and weapons menus took a little time to get used to navigating wise but your character reacts quickly with a push of a button.
Story. Quite involved with the larger quest consisting of several smaller quests that are not necessary to finish the overall game, but get you experience, money, or other items of interest when you complete the smaller quests. You can modify the race and gender of the main character and even alter the characters 'sign' which changes the game story a little so you get extra replay value out of the game if you play the game again and alter your character according to the race, gender, and good vs. evil alignment you choose for your character.
Graphics: 4.5 out of 5.
Sound: 5 out of 5.
Play Control: 4.5 out of 5.
That being said, I picked up a used copy of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Role Playing Game
Release date: 2006
I haven't played any of the previous Elder Scrolls titles and had only heard good things about the franchise, so I didn't know exactly what to expect but was anticipating a good game, and overall the title does not disappoint.
Graphics. Very rich and detailed. The Elder Scrolls world is huge with plenty of colour, contrast, and texture to the outdoor and indoor worlds your character can inhabit. The only drawback I noticed is that some of the actions the main character can do are a bit 'stiff' looking. For example, when the character jumps, his or her body will remain in the exact same position during the jump which looks rigid, and when the character is standing in one spot and you make the character turn on the spot 360 degrees, the characters legs don't move at all. Otherwise the details on the main character and other characters and creatures in the game are nicely rendered.
Sound. A beautiful orchestral score adds to the fantasy setting of the game. The music shifts nicely to accompany the varying situations the character is in, such as when combat ensues. There are plenty of swordplay and magical sound effects to enhance the fantasy element of the game as well. I noticed Patrick Stewart, of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame, lends his voice to the game.
Play Control. Pretty easy to use overall. I found the map, item, and weapons menus took a little time to get used to navigating wise but your character reacts quickly with a push of a button.
Story. Quite involved with the larger quest consisting of several smaller quests that are not necessary to finish the overall game, but get you experience, money, or other items of interest when you complete the smaller quests. You can modify the race and gender of the main character and even alter the characters 'sign' which changes the game story a little so you get extra replay value out of the game if you play the game again and alter your character according to the race, gender, and good vs. evil alignment you choose for your character.
Graphics: 4.5 out of 5.
Sound: 5 out of 5.
Play Control: 4.5 out of 5.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Whose gonna care for health care?
I've been doing research into the cost of health care in the US and Canada and the hundreds of billions of dollars spent in Canada and trillions of dollars spent in the US on health care is staggering.
The figures reminded me of a report I remember hearing ten years ago, that indicated the health care system in Canada is going to be bankrupt in ten years. Well, that was over ten years ago and we seem to be doing fine.
Although, the reason the health care system in Canada is not broke may be because of all the cuts to health care that the federal government and in turn the provincial government made to health care over the last ten years or more, and the rise of private clinics and/or private medical services being offered to varying degrees across Canada seems to have filled a void in the wake of said cuts.
I think we need to realize that funding health care when health care costs are apparently rising faster then inflation from a purely publicly funded purse is not realistic.
A mixed system of public and private funding should be feasible in Canada as many European countries such as Sweden have a mixed system which is predominately public, but has private elements to it.
I know we cherish our social institutions in Canada, but there is a saying in law that goes 'the law must be stable, but not stand still,' and that certainly applies to the tyranny of tired two dimensional status quo thinking that dominates mainstream politics, economics, and how health care is funded.
Health care reform is inevitable, and we should be thinking beyond the terms of our elected officials when it comes to how we can keep health care accessible to everyone.
The figures reminded me of a report I remember hearing ten years ago, that indicated the health care system in Canada is going to be bankrupt in ten years. Well, that was over ten years ago and we seem to be doing fine.
Although, the reason the health care system in Canada is not broke may be because of all the cuts to health care that the federal government and in turn the provincial government made to health care over the last ten years or more, and the rise of private clinics and/or private medical services being offered to varying degrees across Canada seems to have filled a void in the wake of said cuts.
I think we need to realize that funding health care when health care costs are apparently rising faster then inflation from a purely publicly funded purse is not realistic.
A mixed system of public and private funding should be feasible in Canada as many European countries such as Sweden have a mixed system which is predominately public, but has private elements to it.
I know we cherish our social institutions in Canada, but there is a saying in law that goes 'the law must be stable, but not stand still,' and that certainly applies to the tyranny of tired two dimensional status quo thinking that dominates mainstream politics, economics, and how health care is funded.
Health care reform is inevitable, and we should be thinking beyond the terms of our elected officials when it comes to how we can keep health care accessible to everyone.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Hulk - Blu-Ray Disc Review
Hulk Smash!
Oh yeah, a classic line! For the 2008 release of The Hulk, starring Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, aka The Hulk, Liv Tyler, and the always great acting William Hurt and Tim Roth, this most recent movie version of The Hulk is a great overall movie.
If you recall it was not more then five years before the last Hulk film was released with Eric Bana playing the lead character and Ang Lee directing (not a departure for Ang Lee at the time at all).
The previous movie version of the Hulk was, well, not that great overall, and thankfully it's most recent incarnation is a step up.
Video: Wow! The previous Hulk movie release came out before the Hi-Def revolution and the most recent version of The Hulk takes full advantage of the Hi-Rez age with vibrant colours, amazing black levels, and no noticeable digital artificating, or grain. There are some scenes where The Hulk is hiding out in a cave while it is raining and those scenes really show off the black levels.
Sound: You get a DTS-HD master audio track for hi-def playback and a standard Dolby Digital track for compressed surround sound playback. The hi-def sound is fantastic with lots of surround use during chases scenes with helicopters, gunfights, and explosions that will make your subwoffer rumble.
Story: Without getting into too much detail, if you remember the original Hulk TV series you will be pleased that Lou Ferrigno has as a cameo as security guard in it (and Lou is still quite buff because that is what you needed in the 70's before CGI). The script is pretty tight and the continuity and flow is solid with good acting throughout. There is a hint of what might come in a sequel at the end of the movie with the appearance of another famous superhero character.
Though if you were to compare the Hulk as a Marvel Character to some of the other Marvel characters you kind of feel The Hulk is not quite as cool as Spiderman or Wolverine. But that is just my opinion!
Video: 5 out of 5.
Sound: 5 out of 5.
Story: 4 out of 5.
Oh yeah, a classic line! For the 2008 release of The Hulk, starring Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, aka The Hulk, Liv Tyler, and the always great acting William Hurt and Tim Roth, this most recent movie version of The Hulk is a great overall movie.
If you recall it was not more then five years before the last Hulk film was released with Eric Bana playing the lead character and Ang Lee directing (not a departure for Ang Lee at the time at all).
The previous movie version of the Hulk was, well, not that great overall, and thankfully it's most recent incarnation is a step up.
Video: Wow! The previous Hulk movie release came out before the Hi-Def revolution and the most recent version of The Hulk takes full advantage of the Hi-Rez age with vibrant colours, amazing black levels, and no noticeable digital artificating, or grain. There are some scenes where The Hulk is hiding out in a cave while it is raining and those scenes really show off the black levels.
Sound: You get a DTS-HD master audio track for hi-def playback and a standard Dolby Digital track for compressed surround sound playback. The hi-def sound is fantastic with lots of surround use during chases scenes with helicopters, gunfights, and explosions that will make your subwoffer rumble.
Story: Without getting into too much detail, if you remember the original Hulk TV series you will be pleased that Lou Ferrigno has as a cameo as security guard in it (and Lou is still quite buff because that is what you needed in the 70's before CGI). The script is pretty tight and the continuity and flow is solid with good acting throughout. There is a hint of what might come in a sequel at the end of the movie with the appearance of another famous superhero character.
Though if you were to compare the Hulk as a Marvel Character to some of the other Marvel characters you kind of feel The Hulk is not quite as cool as Spiderman or Wolverine. But that is just my opinion!
Video: 5 out of 5.
Sound: 5 out of 5.
Story: 4 out of 5.
Tiger Woods .... Just a mere mortal
It is easy to forget that celebrities, politicians, and professional athletes are mere mortals. They have the same genetic makeup as every other human being on this Earth.
And yet, when their personal lives become embroiled in scandal and conspiracy, their problems are thrust into the limelight and kept there for however long the tabloids can feed off the proverbial fodder.
I personally don't judge Tiger Woods for his infidelity. How many cases of infidelity are before the courts right now as I write this in the general public?
Why should Tiger Woods personal shame become a public forum on infidelity when it is happening all the time around the world to other people?
I say we should focus less on making a public spectacle and moral case of Tiger Woods infidelity, and more time focusing on our own lives.
And yet, when their personal lives become embroiled in scandal and conspiracy, their problems are thrust into the limelight and kept there for however long the tabloids can feed off the proverbial fodder.
I personally don't judge Tiger Woods for his infidelity. How many cases of infidelity are before the courts right now as I write this in the general public?
Why should Tiger Woods personal shame become a public forum on infidelity when it is happening all the time around the world to other people?
I say we should focus less on making a public spectacle and moral case of Tiger Woods infidelity, and more time focusing on our own lives.
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