Excess and Algorithms: Mission Statement

Posted: October 1, 2013 in Excess and Algorithms
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by @anarchyroll
August 26th, 2013

 

Economics is not complicated, it’s taxing, pun intended. Studying the subject at a novice level reveals that the entire field is nothing more than a simple field purposely hidden under a camouflage tent of complicated sounding language. One must become familiar with these terms because they build upon each other, layer after layer after layer after layer until it is believed that only computer algorithms can be used to do the work of insiders and professionals that are hired by normal people because they just don’t want to think about it. Why? Because the terminology is so complex looking and sounded it makes someone who spends forty hours a week or more working a “normal” “day” job believe that they need someone to do it for them. Putting computers in charge of making trades by the millisecond was not a victory for simplicity either.

 

Studying economics and writing about it is as fun as it sounds, in that there is reward for the time invested, that reward is of course knowledge. There is a flood of knowledge available for consumption in the field  of business and economics, and it is almost too easy for one to drown in it.  I personally do not have a background in economics, I did not formally study it, I have not worked for a hedge fund, a brokerage, in New York trading stocks, or in Chicago trading options. I listened to The Warren Buffet Way on audio book and became fascinated with the field. Several books later I found myself compelled to regularly check websites like Reuters, Business Week, Bloomberg, The Economist, and CNBC so that I could regularly bathe myself in daily economics and market terminology.

 

So what is Excess and Algorithms? It is the business/economics blog for me, @anarchyroll. My other blogs feature my writings on hard news/journalism, pro wrestling/mma, philosophy/spirituality, and sports. I originally wanted each blog to be a separate website, but I got mentally buried in concern of the aesthetics/design of each one and used that as an excuse to procrastinate. So I’m going to start writing and posting content online and go from there. Eventually I would like to combine all five blogs into one website and present the material like a digital newspaper/magazine akin to VICE, Uproxx, and Kinja.

 

I am passionate about each subject I blog about and aspire to be a professional reporter/writer of. I received my bachelor’s degree in media communications from Northeastern Illinois University this past May. I want to make sure that I am applying what I have learned, that I am keeping my writing skills sharp, that I am staying productive as a person, and that I am working towards my overall goal achievement desires. Writing about economics truly tests me as a writer. Presenting the information in an easy to read manner for anyone regardless of education level is difficult and time consuming. Researching the articles takes hours and sometimes days.

 

I will be writing an article on quantitative easing in the coming week. I started doing research and before I knew it five hours had gone by and all I had was a thesis statement. This both exhausted and excited me, because I knew that I was challenging myself as a writer. Writing about wrestling/mma is easy for me. Writing about sports and philosophy are both easy for me. Writing about hard news as a journalist isn’t easy but isn’t hard because I have so much formal training in it. Writing about economics is as challenging as investing. I hope to learn as much about the investment world as I learn about myself as a writer. I will be buying the knowledge and information with my time and energy, then selling it to you at a discounted rate of a thousand words or less. Fair trade?

Sports Roll: Mission Statement

Posted: October 1, 2013 in Anarchy Journal Constitutional
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by @anarchyroll
August 31, 2013

 

There is not a shortage of sports writers in this country or in the world. There are countless talking heads on five or six 24 hour a day sports television channels on basic cable alone, let alone on premium packages, not to mention written print and digital media. And let us not forget the infinity of negative opinions that is sports talk radio. I have always been a big sports fan and have always been opinionated about what I see when I watch sports. After all, it takes as much effort and skill to be a Monday morning quarterback as it does to be a backseat driver.

 

As I read books and listened to audio books in the subject of philosophy/spirituality/personal development I became less opinionated about sports. I became less knowledgeable on the day to day, hour to hour events of the sporting world. I stopped listening to sport talk radio almost completely. I disconnected from cable television so ESPN, Comcast, etc were also eliminated from my daily media intake. I found that the vast majority of sports opinion was negative, and in most cases not even veiled in creativity, credibility, or objectivity.

 

However, when I would encounter quality sports journalism, it peaked my interest as much as any kind of news or entertainment media I consume. Whether in a newspaper, magazine, web page on radio or television I found that the people who were good at their jobs in sports media were bona fide heroes of mine. The blending of creative writing and news has always gotten my blood pumping and thoughts dancing. Quality sports writers and broadcasters in my opinion are masters at combining creative and media writing.

 

So what is Sports Roll? It is the sports blog for @anarchyroll under the Anarchy Journal Constitution digital media writing umbrella. My other blogs feature my writings on hard news/journalism, pro wrestling/mma, economics/business, and philosophy/spirituality/self actualization.     I would like to combine all five blogs into one website and present the material like a digital newspaper/magazine akin to The Daily Beast, Kinja Network, and UPROXX. These are all subjects I am passionate about and would like to become a professional reporter/writer of. I received my bachelor’s degree in media communications from Northeastern Illinois University this past May. I want to make sure that I am applying what I have learned, that I am keeping my writing skills sharp, that I am staying productive as a person, and that I am working towards my overall goal achievement desires.

 

Sports is entertainment for me, no different than any other television show or movie. That paradigm is why I am such  a pro wrestling fan.  My sports blog could just as easily be my TV show or movie blog, but I watch little of either because my visual entertainment time more often tends to be used watching sports and sports entertainment. Football, basketball, hockey, and baseball will be the sports I write about most, in that order, since those are the sports that I watch in that order of frequency and enthusiasm.  Mixed martial arts may over time bleed into the sports blog because pro wrestling is my biggest passion in life and that blog which is currently split between rasslin’ and mma may over time just become completely dedicated to WWE, TNA, ROH, indies, lucha, and pureoso.

 

Many of my inspirations for pursuing a degree in journalism, which became a degree in media communications are sports journalists and/or sports broadcasters. Michael Wilbon, Tony Kornheiser, Jim Rome, Jonathan Hood, Bob Costas, Dan Patrick, Scott Van Pelt, Jim Lampley, Neil Everett, Bob Ryan, Max Kellerman, Skip Bayless, Woody Paige and Stephen A Smith have all provided me with equal parts entertainment and inspiration via radio and television for many years. Sports writers like Rick Reiley, David Haugh, Bert Sugar, Mitch Albom, Peter King, Bill Simmons, and Mike Lupica have all had me confusing reading nonfiction with being entertained, heaven forbid. These are my inspirations for sports writing/journalism, these will be the benchmarks I strive for as I try to grow and evolve as a writer.

 

Lastly, and what proves to be the main reason that I will be regularly writing a sports blog, is that I have personally been told by more strangers than any to be a sports reporter. From school child age through adulthood people I have met at parties, bars, coffee houses, and through friends have told me that I should be working for ESPN, FSN, Comcast, Dead Spin, etc. This is not simply a situation of me thinking I’m cool because my mom says so. I have been complimented on my intelligence, lexicon, charisma, style, etc by many people. However, it is almost solely been while talking about sports that I have been told that I should get involved with it in a journalistic or broadcasting related endeavor. So rather than resist, I will do as one of my favorite philosophers advises and follow the sign posts that come into my life. But I’ll save the philosophy for my philosophy blog. Now you and I both know the purpose of Sports Roll. Let the games begin.

Stimulus Space Response: Mission Statement

Posted: October 1, 2013 in Stimulus Space Response
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by @anarchyroll
August 31, 2013

What is Stimulus Space Response? On the lighter end of the spectrum, it is a term in communication theory within the symbolic interactionism concept. On the heavier end, in the philosophical world, it is what makes us uniquely human, it is what separates us from animals. How? Because unlike animals we have a space between what happens to us and our response to what happens to us, therefore we can utilize our inherent freedom of choice on how to use that space AND how to respond to what has happened to us.

What makes us uniquely human? That is pretty heavy if you ask me. Shout out to the opposable thumb. If one wanted to take a scientific view I’m sure there are other specific parts of the brain and human anatomy that make us uniquely human. Hey, if you know what they are, write a blog about them 🙂  The purpose of this blog is for me to write about what I have learned in my studies of philosophy, spirituality, self improvement, personal development, and self actualization.

Reading books and more frequently listening to audio books by Napoleon Hill, Charles Haanel, Andrew Carnegie, Dale Carnegie, Stephen Covey, Tony Robbins, Richard Bandler, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Eckhart Tolle and others have all had profoundly positive effects on my life. I want to share the information, what I have learned, how I have applied the lessons, and how I think others can benefit from the general principles that the authors write about. I also feel that writing about the material, what I learned, and how I changed will provide an additional layer of evolution to my growth. Lastly, these philosophy/spirituality/self help blogs serve as an additional layer of a five part media writing portfolio I am building.

I would like to combine all five blogs into one website and present the material like a digital newspaper/magazine akin to VICE, Huffington Post, and The Guardian. The other blogs will be about hard news/journalism, business/economics, pro wrestling/mma, and sports. These are all subjects I am passionate about and would like to become a professional reporter/writer of. I received my bachelor’s degree in media communications from Northeastern Illinois University this past May. I want to make sure that I am applying what I have learned, that I am keeping my writing skills sharp, that I am staying productive as a person, and that I am working towards my overall goal achievement desires.

Without the books and authors I will be writing about in this blog I would be lost. I would not have graduated from university, I would not know who I am, or what I want in life. I would confuse being a consumer of material goods with purpose. I would confuse my friends and family with my enemies. I would confuse personality for character. I would confuse tasks with goals and activity with achievement. I would confuse my schedule with my priorities. I would confuse my comfort zone with my lot in life. I would confuse nervousness with excitement. I would confuse my ego with my soul.

I believe a lot of people have the same confusions, and I personally know many who do as well. I do not confuse myself with a guru or a qualified teacher. I am at present, very much, an amateur. But I aspire to be a professional. Jeff Bridges, a philosopher of Dudeism recently said on an episode of The Nerdist podcast that being a professional means “doing it even when you don’t feel like it.” My mind and body started tingling when I heard that. It felt like a missing piece of my mental/emotional puzzle had been dropped into my lap. This blog, as well as my others are me taking an additional step towards being a professional writer. The material I will be writing about in this blog helped me to lay the foundation internally for which I will be building upon externally with my writing.

I want to help, I believe I can help. I may be an amateur but I can help you by being a reblogger of philosophical/spiritual/self help information. Welcome to Stimulus Space Response, I look forward to our journey together.

Potato Shooter: Once in a Generation Opportunity

Posted: October 1, 2013 in Anarchy Journal Constitutional
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by @anarchyroll
August 26th 2013

An event has unfolded not seen in mainstream wrestling for twenty years. The two faces of the WWE, the number one and number two, are both injured at the same time for a prolonged period of time. John Cena and Sheamus are both out of action for 4 to 6 months with a triceps and shoulder injury respectively. Both injuries are legit, both timelines however can be works, as has been the case in the PG Era, Cena’s injury in 2007 being the most flagrant example. However, both men are likely to stay on the sidelines until after the new year to be both healthy and rested for the Road to WrestleMania that begins at the Royal Rumble.
 

Every member of the WWE roster both main and developmental should be as happy and excited as they can possibly be. Not at the misfortunes of others, but at the literally once in a generation opportunity to take an assisted leap towards grabbing a brass ring of World Wrestling Entertainment. Cena and Sheamus collectively are the face of WWE, one need only download their overly promoted app to see that both men literally are the symbol of the RAW and Smackdown brands.  Both of the franchises are out until January, part timers like The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, and Chris Jericho have all fulfilled their contractual obligations for 2012, and there is zero news or even credible rumor of an available needle moving name like Batista, The Rock, or Goldberg being brought into the fold. What is WWE left to do to fill the void for the remainder of the year that involves presenting seven hours of original television content a week for the next 19 weeks?
 

With Triple H’s brief track record of calling the shots the answer is as obvious as it is positive to fans of my ilk; push young talent.  Fans should not be discouraged by the current pseudo New Corporation that has formed between the McMahon family and Randy Orton.  This angle/storyline is merely a vehicle to push Daniel Bryan in a way that Vince McMahon is comfortable and familiar with; that being the white hot babyface chasing the heel champion for the title making the face that much hotter. The angle merely takes up a handful of segments between RAW and Smackdown each week, even if it were to take up a full hour, that leaves six hours per week not counting NXT that needs to be filled.

 

One can always play fantasy booker, in future articles I will do just that starting with TNA/Impact Wrestling. However, one need not take a turn to unrealistic town to know that this is the time for the young lions to show what they got. Any promo, special move, or merchandise idea they have saved for a special time, now is the time to do/pitch it. Any favor to call in with a veteran or office personnel, now is the time to call it in. Any meeting they get called into between now and Jan 1st 2014, sell yourself as if St. Peter was on the fence about letting you in at the pearly gates. If you’re Kassius Ohno (Chris Hero) start lifting weights with a smile on your face three times a day every day with an IV of whey protein pumping into your veins. The times is now gentlemen!

 
Not since both Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage exiting stage left in 1993 has there been this kind of opportunity for young wrestlers in “the show” to succeed and exceed with a perfectly legit shortcut dropped into their laps. There are no more than one contender for each title in WWE. Recent signees like Sami Callihan and Samurai Del Sol NEED be pushing to get on NXT television. NXT standouts like Adrian Neville (PAC),  Bo Dallas, Corey Graves, Leo Kruger, Sami Zayn (El Generico), and Xavier Woods (Consequences Creed) NEED to be pushing to get called up to Smackdown. Opening match players like Justin Gabriel, Zack Ryder, and Drew Mcintyre NEED to be pushing to get into the US and IC divisions. Mid Carders that don’t have a MITB briefcase like Cody Rhodes, Fandango (Johnny Curtis), Antonio Cesaro (Claudio Castagnoli), R-Truth, and Kofi Kingston NEED to be pushing to get in the main events. And main event jobbers like Dolph Ziggler, Wade Barrett, Kane, and Christian NEED to be pushing to get that World Heavyweight Title on their waste to (re)establish credibility with fans and cement their made men status.

 

Now is the time, not later. The Road to WrestleMania is where youth movements and veterans looking to finally get the big shot go to die this side of Rey Mysterio. WWE backstage politics is more than 50% congruence testing, now is the time for those who want to be the top guy to pass the test and grab the ring. Jim Ross, John Cena, and Triple H constantly reference the lack of desire to “own the place” this recent generation of superstars posses or lack in this case. What they mean is that the guys not named CM Punk and Daniel Bryan (Brian Danielson) have been too afraid of getting fired to stand up like men with complete confidence and say “I AM THE NEXT HULK HOGAN! I AM THE NEXT STEVE AUSTIN! I AM THE NEXT JOHN CENA!” Now is the time gentlemen to tell that to yourselves, to the fans, and to the office. This is when Vince, Stephanie, and Triple H will take a chance, not in January. The Undertaker, Bret Hart, Yokozuna, Shawn Michaels, and Kevin Nash can all a test that when the faces of a generation go away, WWE has to replace their spots and title reigns with somebody, might as well be you.

Anarchy JC 1: #Murdoch Finds a new #VICE

Posted: September 29, 2013 in Anarchy Journal Constitutional
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by @anarchyroll
August 25th, 2013

According to a variety of reports last week, 21st Century Fox bought 5% of VICE for $70 million.  21st Century FOX formerly known as News Corp, values the company at $1.4 billion. In the era of decaying and dissolving journalism, that is quite an accomplishment for an entertainment entity built on a foundation of gonzo journalism. Shane Smith, the co founder and CEO of VICE is very enthusiastic about the deal. His quote, which appeared in each source used for this article is, “We get to make all the content we want? With the best platforms in the world? Grow our brand exponentially? Become the next global media brand? And all the while own the vast majority of the company and vote 95% of the board? Where-do-we-fucking-sign?!”

 
VICE has certainly earned the benefit of the doubt that they will not change their style. They have held a virtual media stranglehold on the early adopter and hipster segments of the 18-34 year old demographic for the better part of a decade. I am a huge fan of VICE, and full discretion, hope to one day write and report for them in the spirit of what Tim Pool  has been doing over the past three years. However, as much as VICE has earned the benefit of the doubt that they won’t be manipulated by FOX, Rupert Murdoch has that much more earned the benefit of the doubt that he will try and succeed in manipulating them. One need only consult the documentary film Outfoxed to see the slow burn narrative Murdoch may use to influence the way VICE presents its content.

 
When a person signs a deal with the devil, it is always front loaded with benefits. $70 million upfront, barely a sliver of minority ownership given away, and a metaphoric key ring into the media markets of India, Italy, and Germany. VICE seems to have gotten one by “the man” and “the system” by being able to fund their anti establishment style of journalism and media content production. But there is no such thing as something for nothing, and if something seems too good to be true, it is. VICE now has a portfolio of minority owners, all of whom are or have corporate interests. A global talent agency (WME), a global marketing group (WPP), a bank (Raine), and now 21st Century FOX. VICE also habitually uses sponsorship money from Vitamin Water (Coca Cola), Toshiba, Intel, and General Electric. The terms rebel and anti have a permanent restraining order from corporate money and influence companies like that provide, yet VICE keeps getting deeper in with the biggest and most money thirsty.

 
I believe VICE has positive intentions and that they know what they are doing. I also know that they are the type of entity that welcomes devil’s advocate questions and scrutiny. They are yet to report this story on their own website. I have checked their website repeatedly each day since this story broke and one would only know about this deal because they check other news websites; why is that? 25% of VICE is now owned by international corporations that couldn’t give two fucks about journalism or fact based reporting; what is their specific influence on VICE’s content? Rupert Murdoch has bled his conservative (modern day US Republican party) agenda into all of his media enterprises; when does he try to do this with VICE? Has VICE considered Murdoch could use his influence on their other sponsors and minority owners to do this? Where does VICE selling itself a la carte to the highest bidder end? How is VICE the one media entity that doesn’t allow its content to be watered down and have its balls cut off by high level corporate cash synergy?

 
I am a fan and a friend of VICE. A bucket list goal of mine is to be a reporter for them. I’m not writing this article with my nose turned up, with a sarcastic tone, or a sense of moral superiority. I am passionate about truth and knowledge/information dissemination. The story of FOX buying into VICE is clouded in translucency rather than transparency. VICE has yet to report it. The only non entertainment, online news entity to report this story, was the original reporters at the Financial Times. Something stinks about this deal and the people and reporters my generation would turn to investigate it further, are the very people excepting $70 million from Rupert Murdoch.

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