I wanna be like...

What can I do? I'm in love with that man...

It's only an ad! but I like it...

I arrived late, I must admit, other people get Joost invitation before, I had been waiting patiently for free download, and now I get it…and I truly like it! So, today for the first time I got it into my computer. Videos, chat, widgets, feeds and everything you couldn’t even imagine 10 years ago. More disruptive than YouTube, maybe. For Hurley and Chen revolution based on user content generated was just the first, isn’t it? While Zennström and Friis – who invented KaZa peer-to-peer file sharing software and Skype, the first internet telephony network – finally slipped a real television network into computer, thanks to a revolutionary video compression enabling online streaming. Revolutions may take so many shapes. Bloody revolutions – but who deserves’em – civil revolutions, and also technological ones. After Gutenberg – in 1439 he invented movable type printing - probably few inventions revolutionised human life as much as the internet. Yap, maybe I’m too fond of new media, and linguistic lessons at university impressed me so much that I still believe in my head there are Chomsky "boxes" housing smaller boxes, each tagged SN, SV, SN and so on. Basically I’m sure the internet will change – already does – our lives. In so many ways we don’t know yet. Linguistically – we write, speak, interact and probably think differently (as Steve Jobs long time ago suggested!). By an anthropological-social point of view, modern structures seem entirely revolved arond the information-sharing-word-of-mouth-Laurence-Friedman-horizontal-society. Its roots are old, but we live on the branches of technological-world based, flowers or thorns blooming. Who knows it? We know there must be a flipside. As always. Because in an obscure-continuously-spinning part of my brain (the one on the left-backside), lies the idea that revolutions cost …sooner or later. Well I came later, so let me entertain that right-placed part of my brain!

Sicko? no thanks!

For an European, the so-called socialist health care system – the term used by Republicans and extra-liberalists to blow upon State run health system – is a fundamental mainstay for State guarantee a sustainable system and equality among citizens, and it’s not a kind of legacy with an ideology of the past. It means every citizen – also illegal immigrants – has the right to be ill and be cured – we’re talking about rights and not business. But it’s a topic many Americans probably do not understand. On one side we have business – which is necessary and – oh yes! – it’s ok for everyone – who wants to be poor? On the other we have such abstract term-not-ideology which is right. Rights cannot be bought, cannot be swapped, they must be given by the Nation you live in – besides some rights are more righteous than others –i.e. more necessary: freedom of speech, vote, education, health. They are not hierarchical – but sometimes the latter most come first: you can refuse to vote, you can stay silent, but if you life is in danger – threatened by diseases - doesn’t matter you can't express your ideas. You must be cured.
As well as for many Americans public (socialist?) health care system sound astonishing, many Europeans strike with terror when they figure a country with insurance based health system – based on economic differences, on privileges.
In Italy, health care system ranks 2nd, according to a UN worldwide survey. Italy is not a socialist country – that’s for sure – funny our socialist legacy - the Resistance Movement - helped Americans free Italy at the end of World War II. We have so many problems. Ask any Italian what he thinks about State run health system. He may say: “some hospitals are loathsome, filthy…” or “you must wait too much for a physical” or other stuffs. That’s ok, but ask them what they think about insurance based health care system…no way, at least we love our ramshackle, rickety hospitals, our queues…for public health works and it’s the same for rich and poor…except for the former to travel overseas and get cure in American hospitals!

La dolce vita has gone

It would be too much hard to explain it properly, but we coined first the word “Paparazzi”. An Italian high and low used word, like Pizza, Mafia or Cappuccino. Well, Fellini’s Dolce Vita left us years ago, but Italy is now obsessed by Paparazzi more than ever. Paparazzi, in these years, seem to hold the real power, even the financial markets and the political establishment fears them. Once a Paparazzi was not interested in politicians’ sexual tendencies or whatever concerning their private lives. Maybe for he knew no magazine or newspaper would ever publish embarrassing pics or support sexual-political scandals. Nowadays it’s different. Politicians, tycoons and vips belong to the same subliminal entity: an (too much) upper, unattainable class, that holds power also (or mostly) due to its popularity. A political class that counts the minutes of its last TV appearance. It’s the post-modern-pop-gossipvictim-society. And Paparazzi are ready. Ready to snap politicians in their “offline” everyday life, catching the most burning secrets of their personal relationships. Just because editors are on the starting grid, with their hands eager to publish gossips and “private” news, often used by other politicians to blacken their opponents. In this degrading media system, Paparazzi do their best to get popularity. And money. In these days a prosecutor is trying to probe on Italian Paparazzi blackmail over politicians and other vips. The result is that we know the Govern spokesman is fascinated by transsexuals. That’s really a great letter from Italy. Or rather a postcard with and embarrassing Paparazzi style pic!
Ciao ciao

Today what a silly day!

Today is woman’s day or something. I’m a woman, but I’m fed up with such a stupid day. Today’s feast celebrates nothing. Surely not issues concerning women condition or gender discrimination.
Besides, I consider my self as feminist as leftist: is something I’m emotionally involved in. Is something I can’t bear anymore, for all the disillusions and disappointments I’ve faced. Being a woman in a Catholic country maybe is even tougher. My work is to write on a international website. But at the end of the day, I feel like an exploited poor working bee. My time, my creativity wasted. I’m a woman and I can’t stand being treated like a silly chick. I want more. I want to be respected and it’s driving me mad. Women have been fighting for years. I’m fighting. I’m fighting my own private battle against all my fears, against this soft discrimination. I can work, I can go out at night. I’ve studied. I’m independent. But what for? My male mates earn more than me. Hold more power than me. And my voice is never completely heard.
I’m proud being woman. Probably, this creeping discrimination is leading me to a wider comprehension of social dynamics and gender relationships. To a wider overview of life here on earth. Maybe to a deeper insight. Don’t know. But I had to write down what I’m feeling today. Or just trying to shape my indignation.
I'm sorry for being so aggessive...
Ciao Ciao

That’s fashion – one may say

It’s about D&G new controversial campaign. A man holds a woman to the ground by her wrists while a group of men look on. Following complaints from Spanish consumers’ groups, the Italian stylists decided to withdraw it. Well, the Italian duo commented: "What has an artistic photo got to do with a real act? […] You would have to burn museums like the Louvre or the paintings of Caravaggio."
Probably, according to D&G, Spain is becoming a Medieval Country, with no freedom of expression, where women dress like post-modern Queen Elisabeth Tudor (even her hands covered by gloves), but nobody ever told us. Things are a bit different and more complicated. The message expressed through the advertising is quite violent. There’s a man who – probably – aims to rape a woman under other people’s eyes…maybe this description is a bit brutal, but that’s what I saw…moreover, I’d like to say fashion is nothing but fashion, it’s art, glamour and nothing else. But it’s more complicated. Our society – it’s plain to see – depends on communication. The so called information era. I know which dress to buy, which smartphone. Which book to read, movie to see. I know this kind of society allows me to express my ideas. As well as I know D&G are teasers - some of their clothes are innovative and in early nineties they reached success designing costumes for Madonna’s Girlie Show. But there are responsibilities that cannot be dismissed. It’s more than a simple matter of good taste. It’s about a social violence that isn’t worth to be displayed over enormous placards. That’s all.
Ciao Ciao

Madonna for president

"I want to be like Gandhi and Martin Luther King and John Lennon — but I want to stay alive."
Madonna
I hope she aims to do even better (it's a bit tough...) but that confirms my idea she's planning to start a political career...

First gentleman’s apologies

After Hilary Rodham Clinton presented her candidature in the primary democratic elections, Veronica Lario - Berlusconi’s firstlady – few weeks ago asked publicly her husband’s apologies: he flirts too much with women. That’s firstladies’ revenge!
After her husband took an onemanshow during a party, Veronica wrote a letter to La Repubblica, an Italian newspaper – famous for its attacks to Mr. Berlusconi. The content of the letter was a kind of backward step for women’s dignity (acknowledged after decades of feminists’ fights!).
Just imagine: the poor firstlady – all alone in their big house in Macherio (near Milan) – waiting for her man to come back after an all-night-party (he went there just for business and political reasons!), dressed in a dark silk night-gown, moving up and down, back and forth, singing like Madonna “time goes by so slowly… I'm fed up I'm tired of waiting on you”, drinking whisky, smoking red Marlboros and waitin’.
That’s pop I guess! A firstlady. The wife of one the most powerful men in Italy (maybe in the world), acting like a pretty housewife (desperate as well!), wrote a letter expressing her disappointment, but - at least - her desperation and loneliness.
In the US, Hilary is planning to take her husband’s former place, in Italy…well, Veronica Lario (once an actress!) is playing one of the greatest character she has ever played: the desperate housewife, seeking her beloved husband’s apologies and – thus – defending her dignity.
I love my country!
Ciao ciao

First, it was in Rome – now it’s on my iPod

Few weeks ago, finally I bought The Confession Tour – DVD and CD. It’s amazing. I saw her show in Rome. The Olympic Stadium exploded, for 2 hours it was transformed into a mega dancefloor. And now – after 6 months – I can see it again! In Italy, the Catholic Church didn’t welcome her – as it was supposed to be. She was strongly criticized for singing “live to tell” on a crucifix with a crown of thorns. Like a modern Jesus Christ she was crucified, while denouncing the many deaths caused by AIDS in poor African countries (about 12 million orphans). Marketing, you can reply. Maybe yes. But it was exiting and astonishing. We shivered. And – in my opinion –if we thought about African children even for a second, her communication was successful – not only in terms of marketing. Other images were shown through the big staged screens. People like Berlusconi (auch!), Blair, Bush, Mrs Rice, Saddam Hussain, Gheddafi, and Mr Osama were all together displayed in double-time frames overlapping one another. Dancers, parcour athletes, breakers, lights, videos, great choreographies. Music. Stuart Price, a genius. Her voice (post edited and re-managed) is – at least – much more sexy when she speaks then when she sings. But is sexy. Dressed like Toni Manero. Moving like a smart John Travolta. Even better (almost 50…dancing like a girlie pin up…but charming as an experienced mistress!) That’s entertainment, I thought! That’s art! Maybe my point of view is too biased. But I’m sure gay communities wouldn’t be so visible without her. Besides, she holds power, as a women, never leaving behind her femininity. And never assuming male clichés. But whatever we could say about her is that she’s undoubtedly a genius!

Bye bye!

From Italy to the US

Few days ago, I was reading the International Herald Tribune.
Just one of the many articles about the 2008 Election.
Just one of the many ways to express how US politics are managing their campaign.
A line impressed me so much: “the candidate who can become president in 2008 will be someone who has not become so elastic or doctrinate during the primaries’ long march that he or she can’t win the election”
The word “she” impressed me so much and made me feel envious...
it's about a woman who's trying to become president.

First

With this blog, I'd like to describe how life is in Italy...from my point of view, of course!
I don't have time...but I'd like to show the way we live here in Europe...well, in a particular region of Europe (we're even closer to Middle East than Middle East itself!), where Pacs (here called DiCo), gay union, and ethical issues like euthanasia (or mercy killing) are still banned by the Roman church (the real political power in Italy…)
Besides, since my soul is deeply pop thinking and pop feeling, I'm going to write soon about "softer" issues...like music, fashion (that's Italian style, isn't it?) and other stuffs...
I hope this new venture will make the internet a better place!!!