The (other) American Dream...

Hi everyone,
As we´ve been talking about the American Dream in Of Mice And Men - whereby George and Lenny imagine their ´little place´ and ´livin´ on the fatta the lan,´´ this week I´d like you to consider a different version of it, according to the American stand up, George Carlin.

He launches into a scathing attack on corporations, whom he believes really control the US with their influence on the economy and politics, and he vitriolically refutes any wide-eyed aspirtions such as George and Lenny´s - that they are in control of their destinies, that they can make it and succeed in life and fulfil their ambitions. Carlin concludes the 4-minute youtube clip by saying ´...that´s the American Dream. Because you have to be asleep to believe it.´

I´d like to know what you think about the two contrasting American dreams. Is George and Lenny´s version now a thing of the past? Do you have anything similar in Argentina?

Click here to see the videoclip but *please be warned that there is some very strong language. If you are an adolescent I strongly recommend that you ask persmission before watching. It isn´t esssential to view it anyway, as I´ve summarised it above.

Have a great weekend!
See you next week,
Steve

MuseumMania!

Hi Everyone,

Since we´ve recently been talking about museums in the past few classes, the opportunity to visit the British Museum website was too good to miss. Click here to get straight to it, and then click on explore, followed by online tours. Once there, you´ll be able to choose one of the many online exhibitions of ancient and moden artwork and artefacts from across the globe.

I checked out the one on Enlightenment: The Birth of Archaeology, which contains exhibits from the UK. It might sound a little dull, and I have to say that in the end it wasn´t really my cup of tea, but I wasn´t bored out of my mind. The Burial Urn was fascinating, but unfortunately some of the pieces hadn ´t stood the test of time and are badly damaged beyond repair. I read a lot of the given information too, which was useful, but next time I think I´ll choose a different display...

No, it wasn´t quite as good as being there in person, but all in all it was still pretty good.

Please choose one of the exhibitions on the website and get back to us with a mini review of it (the language on pp.96-97 of the CB might come in useful here).

Apart from that, have a great weekend!

Steve

Are you the next Lionel Messi? The BBC comes to Argentina...

The BBC website recently reported on a new reality TV show which is aiming to uncover football´s next big thing. In the report, they visit Argentina and talk to some contenders dreaming of becoming the new Lionel Messi.

Take a look at the clip here.

So, what do you think? Has reality TV gone too far this time? Would you be interested in watching this programme? Or even in taking part?
Can you suggest an idea for the next big reality TV show?