Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
June 11, 2008
Author Salman Rushdie, who has been dodging a fatwa ever since outraging the Islamic community with his 1988 book The Satanic Verses, mentioned video games during a recent appearance on The Colbert Report.
RUSHDIE: ...I think the only good sign is that a lot of the younger generation in Muslim countries really wants that change. So maybe they will bring it.
COLBERT: What can we do to help? Can we send them video games?
RUSHDIE: I think video games, YouTube, you know, these are the things that will change the world. Because when people see what garbage everybody else is consuming, they want it too.
A bit of a backhanded compliment, no? But still...
Via: Kotaku
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Posted 02/09/10 at 01:16pm
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:10pm
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:00pm
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:53pm
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:51pm
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:51pm
Andrew Eisen: Eye color isn't covered either but I doubt it would be considered legal to refuse to hire people with green eyes.
Andrew Eisen: Eye color isn't covered either but I doubt it would be considered legal to refuse to hire people with green eyes.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:48pm
Andrew Eisen: My explanation is longer than the Shoutbox will allow. Suffice to say that while those who are discriminated against do have legal recourse, anti-discrimination law should specifically cite sexual orientation so that there’s no question about it.
Andrew Eisen: My explanation is longer than the Shoutbox will allow. Suffice to say that while those who are discriminated against do have legal recourse, anti-discrimination law should specifically cite sexual orientation so that there’s no question about it.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:42pm
Valdearg: "There is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from employment discrimination; it remains legal in 29 states, and in 38 states to do so based on gender identity or expression." From the Human Rights Campaign.
Valdearg: "There is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from employment discrimination; it remains legal in 29 states, and in 38 states to do so based on gender identity or expression." From the Human Rights Campaign.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:40pm
Valdearg: @AE: Why don't you think I'm correct? I know Wiki could be flawed, but as far as it says, its up to date as of June 2009.
Valdearg: @AE: Why don't you think I'm correct? I know Wiki could be flawed, but as far as it says, its up to date as of June 2009.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:39pm
Andrew Eisen: I don't think you're right but I really don't know and don't have the time to find out. However things actually are, it's very clear how they actually should be.
Andrew Eisen: I don't think you're right but I really don't know and don't have the time to find out. However things actually are, it's very clear how they actually should be.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:34pm
Valdearg: "just because there's no specific state level protection for it, doesn't make discrimination right or legal." I would disagree. If there's no laws against it, it makes it perfectly legal. It's definitely not right, but perfectly legal to do.
Valdearg: "just because there's no specific state level protection for it, doesn't make discrimination right or legal." I would disagree. If there's no laws against it, it makes it perfectly legal. It's definitely not right, but perfectly legal to do.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:33pm
Valdearg: Meaning in 29 states, private sector discrimination against gays is perfectly legal.. Sickening.
Valdearg: Meaning in 29 states, private sector discrimination against gays is perfectly legal.. Sickening.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:33pm
Valdearg: 19 states have no protections, and another 10 only have protections for public sector jobs.
Valdearg: 19 states have no protections, and another 10 only have protections for public sector jobs.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:32pm
Andrew Eisen: Well, most businesses have equal rights policies in place and just because there's no specific state level protection for it, doesn't make discrimination right or legal. Still, no argument against adding such protections.
Andrew Eisen: Well, most businesses have equal rights policies in place and just because there's no specific state level protection for it, doesn't make discrimination right or legal. Still, no argument against adding such protections.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:28pm
Valdearg: More information. Apparently, it's worse than I actually thought.
Valdearg: More information. Apparently, it's worse than I actually thought.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:28pm
Valdearg: Check the link. Apparently, its more like 20 states that have no protections.
Valdearg: Check the link. Apparently, its more like 20 states that have no protections.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:26pm
Andrew Eisen: In the US? Not that I'm aware of. Sad if true.
Andrew Eisen: In the US? Not that I'm aware of. Sad if true.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:25pm
Valdearg: @AE: Actually, I think, at least for now, businesses can still discriminate against gays in a few states.. Something like 5 or 8. Its part of why Gay Rights Advocates are in support of the Employee Nondiscrimination Act, or ENDA.
Valdearg: @AE: Actually, I think, at least for now, businesses can still discriminate against gays in a few states.. Something like 5 or 8. Its part of why Gay Rights Advocates are in support of the Employee Nondiscrimination Act, or ENDA.
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Comments
I don't think it is a backhand comment at all. Some games are, in fact, garbage. You can't get Bioshock or Zelda or even Sim City every single time. That is a perfect idea. All our crappy games should be sent overseas. That way there will be room for more good ones on my already full shelf.
I've always wondered why the CIA doesn't force detainees to continuously play Barbie Horse Adventures; it has all the torture than waterboarding, but without all the messy controversy!
sorry, *of* waterboarding!
Give me an edit button, or give me death!
speaking of barbie horse adventure did you happen to glance upon the Penny-arcade comic making fun of it? http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/5/26/
oh and heads up:it has an edit button
----Reno to Thompson "I'm only interested in virile men. That’s why I'm not attracted to you." This kids, is what we call a grammatical smack down
I think I see a positive use for shovelware.
I believe the expression is "Damned with faint praise"...
Gift.
I dunno. It felt more like a tongue-in-cheek remark at popular media these days. Nothing worth getting riled up over, imho.
Agreed, sounds like the generic "Everything the younger generation likes is garbage" comment that is recycled by every generation when they get older.
Oh I'm not getting upset over it, that comment came with an *eye-roll*. Plus I love the expression "Damned with faint praise" and this is a perfect example :)
Gift.
Sort of slow on the uptake as this episodes was shown last week if if I remember correctly.
I was thinking the same. I knew I saw this episode awhile ago.
Either way, I wouldn't look too much into this. It seems more like a random comment (and a stab) at today's satire.
David Cronenberg once interviewed Salman Rushdie. The interview was the inspiration for eXistenZ, wherein a video game designer is the subject of a fatwa. He's okay, but he's no Brain O'blivion (Marshal McLuhan). ;-)
I wish we could have two Cronenbergs. I don't want to sacrifice the one for the other. He does good horror, but he is an amazing director. I think eventually he will stop being so serious and recombine his talents.
Check out Vincenzo Natali. He also has a very unique and fantastical world in his head.
Not a backhanded compliment. Until (at some point in the distant future), games are considered high art, they (like most modern movies, music, etc) will be considered "garbage" by the powers that be. Authorities do not fear high class art they can more easily control. They fear low class art that is consumed by the masses and whose message they cannot restrict.
Grrr! I hate the CRTC!!!! (Canadian Radio and Television Commission)
Thanks to them, Comedy Central can block Cdn IPs and forward them to Comedy Network, which has nowhere near the collection of clips that DailyShow and Colbert's websites have...
-- If your wiimote goes snicker-snack, check your wrist-strap...
I took this as a comment more on "pop culture" then video games. Its a matter of saying there is a lot of garbage out there. And yes a large number of video games are just that garbage, especially considering that most people do not draw a distinction between games you buy in the store or flash games you play online.
Yes, I thought he meant Pop Culture as well. Kind of made me smile, yesterdays 'garbage' is todays '...Sold at auction for three quarters of a million...'.