a curious social experiment

It’d be interesting to know how many people do not qualify for the following survey that I received from “Bored of Studies” on behalf of McNair Ingenuity Research.

The aim of the survey was to ‘obtain teenage views on a range of issues’ yet, paradoxically that statement was followed by a disclaimer ‘Some people may not qualify to complete the survey. If this is the case you will be informed within 1 minute of starting the survey.’

So click the link, see how far you get and read the rest of the post afterwards.
http://atmst.net/utr.php?e=kgPtkktDragxMQHFQiggDEgB&url=66d4e71d387b191dbf7e4cb2b66cf1dc*McNairIngenuity*http://www.mcnairingenuity.com/surveys/894DH%20Partner%20survey/894dh.htm*2

No judgement will be passed on anyone who did get to the end, that’s not what I take issue with. It’s the fact that the first question “Have you drunk alcohol in the past week?” – the supposed qualification question to which if you answer No, then well, you can’t contribute anything of use so skedaddle, really skews the whole survey and reminds me of so many newspaper articles/polls that give us shocking statistics on the rate of teenage drinking and the factors that underlie it but rarely never stop to inquire from those 4% (OK that’s a bit of an exaggeration) of teenagers who don’t drink as to why they don’t.

Maybe that sort of news wouldn’t be sensationalist enough for a society which has become accustomed to hearing that this generation is a bunch of hard-drinking, drug abusing, short attention span possessing, no-hopers.

But nonetheless, McNair Ingenuity Research could have easily continued the survey for those people who answer “No” to the first question:

What factor/s caused you to not consume alcohol?
a) Moral prerogative
b) Didn’t like the taste
c) Didn’t have access to it
d) Religious reasons
e) Parents wouldn’t let me
f) Health reasons- allergies etc.
g) Legality- it’s a crime
h) Negative past experience
i) Friends don’t drink
j) And so on..

What is your view on teenage drinking?
a) It is an abhorrent social phenomenon!
b) It’s illegal, therefore it’s wrong
c) There’s no harm in teenagers drinking in moderation, it’s just not for me
d) It’s a choice teenagers are mature enough to make, so society should stop judging us.

Will you drink in the future?
a) Yes, next week
b) Yes!... just waiting till my 18th
c) Yes, but only in moderation
d) Probably, if I ever acquire a taste for it
e) Never, teetotaller for life!

That is by no means exhaustive, but I think the point’s been made. But they didn’t ask those questions, so I guess we’ll never know why the ENTIRE teenage population of Australia doesn’t drink (which is the impression one gets from the media)...

OK, time to neutralise the sting of all this outrage about one-sided depictions of adolescence with a completely unrelated recommendation: the blog ‘a certain romance’ is très awesome (hello free –and guilt-free- music downloads + illuminating ruminations on the relationship between life & music) and makes one wonder just what are they putting in the water in Austin, Texas - also hometown of Shearwater and Voxtrot (two very different but ingenious musical outfits <-- Shearwater is especially haunting and beautiful)...

Count L.

You Saw This Coming.... Now Start Hyperventilating!

So Eight-Sters... We all know that some time this post was going to pop up, and I'd like to take the pleasure of starting it myself, then offering this canvas to another who wishes to paint on their interpretation of the (teenage) world's most interesting fleeting past-time... for the moment: watching a swoony R-Pattz on the big screen.

Yes, this is a post about Twilight. Well, at least he seems excited.

Having been shockingly delayed in my oogling of R-Pattz, I watched said movie yesterday (29th December). I entered with, let's face it, low expectations. I came out not quite satisfied (he only showed a strip of his bare chest!) but not so disappointed.

I could ramble on for hours, and then go into one of Disco Read's crazy rants about philosophical takes on Edward Cullen's biceps but I'd thought a reader's digest version would be better (especially if you're reading this on New Year's Day very tired).

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly:

THE GOOD:

It was indeed very exciting (as an avid Twilight and R-Pattz fan myself) to see the translation from text to film. I thought that the post-editing effects were ok, (but not ohmygoshfrickinfabulous) and that Bella was very very VERY pasty (even more so than vampy boy).

The baseball scene was good (good music), as was what I shall deem Ray Ban's scene... you know what I'm talking about!

The sweeping shots of the beautiful pine trees in the forests were nice.

And for a little Asian representation, I thought that Justin Chon (aka. Eric) was HILARIOUS! Definately didn't see his comedic streak through Meyer's books.

Charlie Swan, Bella's dad, was surprisingly funny with all his pepper spray talk.

THE BAD:

The whole 'mood' of the film. It was a bit deadpan to me - not helped by Kristen Stewart (aka. Bella) who could not crack a meaningful smile for the whole movie. Her acting was a bit lifeless to me.

Scene in the restaurant. SNOOZE! It should have been good, but I was focusing on eating popcorn the whole time.

Rosalie. Could Nikki Reed take an acting class? Or at least look the least bit invested in her role in anything.

Alice. Not chirpy enough, looked a bit aloof. Hope she gets better in the next film.

Edward's 'sparkle'. Any kid with a SFX program could have done that on his laptop.

Soundtrack, except for the Baseball scene, especially the song for the ending credits. What the?!

THE UGLY:

Jacob... oh JACOB! There was so much POTENTIAL! But no, there had to be that wig. That wig! I was gunning for you in Eclipse! Not anymore, it seems. The actor who plays Jacob, Taylor Lautner, is rumoured to be cut out of New Moon because producers don't think he's manly enough. I say, lose the wig before you do anything.

James. Ok so he's the bad guy, but Cam Gigandet is HOT HOT HOT! He played Volchuk in The O.C and in this movie he's a pasty freak with long hair.

(what could have been... point proven)

So what overall? IMDB gives Twilight 6.0/10. I'd say it ranges between 6.5 and 7/10. It wasn't THAT bad, and there are mixed reviews, but you've definately seen (and hoped for) better.

~ Hurley Who?

PS. Took me so long to find a picture of Edward with Ray Bans... APPRECIATE!