Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Pato Shooter


This is the link to Project one.  The process I used to upload my .swf file onto blogger has recently changed due to some changes with the previous file hosting program that I was using.  Now, I put my .swf files onto my syr.edu hosting site.  I am currently attempting to resize and crop the game to a specific size, but that will take some effort in the program Dreamweaver, which I am yet to understand thoroughly.  My final project for project one is called Pato Shooter.  This game was an introduction into action scripting for me.  I am not familiar with the system nor its interface and through this project I am becoming more familiar with the language at hand.  This project is very simple.  You shoot what is in front of you and proceed and advance onto other levels.  It does not get any simpler than that.  

Thoughts on Virtual Jihadi

One thing I've learned in life is to "pick your battles" and this situation between the government of Troy and Wafaa Bilal reinforces that certain beliefs on political, economical, and social topics are worth fighting for. I understand that the subject matter at hand is a very touchy subject for thousands and thousands of Americans. Millions of people internationally have been affected by the war in Iraq. It is obvious that people (AKA government of Troy) focus more commonly on the negative aspects of political reality because in the realm of politics peoples emotions are easily affected.  I think it is necessary to stir the pool of emotions because that is going to be the stepping blocks needed to make a change in today's social structures. From my perspective the government of Troy is attempting to be the peacemaker in a sense. Wafaa Bilal's artistic approach focuses on touchy content; the War, President Bush, mis-construed stereotypes, and what USA's reason is for being in Iraq. These topics have been up for debate and criticized since the beginning of the war and the people that are sick and tired of everything are primary components that are actively engaged in making a change in today's world. These people are the protesting organizer's and motivators that are going to produce a "ripple effect" that will eventually change and alter you and me to become more active. Margaret Mead said, "Never underestimate the ability of a small group of committed individuals to change the world. Indeed, they are the only ones who ever have."  Overall, I think that this is an unfortunate situation that people don't want to have to deal with and the government of Troy is handling it poorly.  At the same time Virtual Jihadi is gaining more media coverage online and across television.  If I were to balance out the pros and cons on this situation I would make an assumption and say that through all the negative emotions that are being affected, Virtual Jihadi, Wafaa Bilal, and the local community will come out stronger and smarter in the end.  This is just the beginning and the first droplet in the pool of water. 


Want More Information on the topic:


http://www.wafaabilal.com/about.html


http://www.wafaabilal.com/media.html


http://www.youtube.com/user/TroyisFree