#the number of times I have used the phrase controlled voyeurism this week is... a lot

[slayerkitty]

There has been ongoing discussion of Only Friends amongst a few of us about central themes of the show and ideas Jojo seems to be exploring. We ended up in a discussion on ephemerality that led to a broader discussion on what the show is trying to say about permanency, mostly through the use of things like Boston's photography, surveillance videos, and other audio/visual means.

We also touched on the idea of voyeurism being a running theme (potentially tying back to the very public nature of queer culture in the 80's and 90's) based on the different medias being presented and the frameworks that each episode has used so far. I posited at the time that the different frameworks of each episode could be a type of voyeurism (and because we've brought up control), a type of controlled voyeurism; the voice overs, talking heads and even the Twitter posts are great for giving the audience insight into character insights, feelings and emotions but only what they want us to see.

There was also discussion in the tag about how this show feels like a throwback to sort of a late 90's aesthetic over all (I can't find this post - specifically I'm thinking of a post that mentioned OF had a very Dawson's Creek aesthetic, which hit me like a truck when I read it because YES). Given that Jojo was born in 1984, so I think this post about OF being the voice of 80's babies is right.

So, you must be asking, duh, we've already talked about this. What's your point?

All of this extremely prolific long-windedness is because I noticed something while watching the Let's Try MV from the OST as well as the BTS videos that have been released so far and I don't think anyone has mentioned it.

In the MV, shots from the show (both what appear to be canon and a smidge of BTS material) are shown like they were filmed on a mid-90's camcorder. This also happens in the in the BTS videos as well (episode 1, episode 2.)

Also, both the MV and the BTS videos have visual effects. Transitions like lens flares, static, and whatever that blippy line distortion was on VHS tapes that we fixed with the tracking buttons (if you know, you know) repeatedly show up in both.

(Please prepare yourself for some absolutely horrible screenshots; I have no skills in this area, lmao, but I wanted a couple of visuals)

(What? No, I didn't choose these three screenshots because of the colors, absolutely not. I also absolutely am not tagging @respectthepetty because of it either, nope. Don't know what you're talking about.)

But Slayerkitty, you ask, what does it mean?

It definitely shows that we're on the right track regarding this, I think, because using it in the MV and BTS materials is a very deliberate choice given the amount of photo, video, and audio focus the show has done to this point. Interestingly, you could also say the BTS videos are a type of controlled voyeurism as well, since it's a specific peek at how things were made (the view they want us to have lol).

(Also interesting but I'm not sure if it means anything or if they just thought it looked cool, but in the MV from about 2:29-2:40 and 2:52-3:10 the scenes are all "camcorder" video and the second time stamp is pretty much all BTS footage.)

(P.S. I also don't think anyone mentioned it before now, but that fluffy jacket/cardigan thing we're all obsessed with that Ray wore in episode two is what Khaotung is wearing the MV. It looks like they probably shot the episode two car scene and the MV the same day/night.)

Tagging the ephemerality squad and anyone who's posts I linked to, in case you guys have any thoughts: @waitmyturtles, @wen-kexing-apologist, @ranchthoughts, @chickenstrangers, @lurkingshan, @twig-tea, @clara-maybe-ontheroad, @distant-screaming, @shouldiusemyname

I know I forgot someone, I'm sure! Apologies if I did. I'm gonna have to make a list, lol.

[keywestlou]

STATE POLICE EMPLOYEES OF HOMELAND SECURITY

9/11 gave birth to new protective measures. Bush 2, Obama and Trump initiated actions to more fully protect the U.S. A problem has arisen. Trump once again has gone too far.

Many of Thump’s initiatives as bad as the federal government climbing into bed with a husband and wife.

Trump is a control freak. His goal to dominate everything. He understands not the Constitution and the limits it imposes on the Presidency.

His habit is to go a step too far.

A recent Trump wrongdoing involves the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Tennessee’s State Police.

They are no longer employed by the State of Tennessee. They are employees of the Department of Homeland Security.

How he accomplished it, I do not know. However, it is fact.

Once again, Trump is wrong. The State Police being taken over by a federal agency cannot be legal. A clear violation of state rights.

Does it scare you? It should. The state trooper giving you a speeding ticket has powers far beyond that of a normal state trooper. Why? My speeding ticket is none of the federal government’s business!

Is there another reason? Can it be to place “troops” in Trump’s control in the event he deems such necessary? Like refusing to leave the Presidency because he plans on declaring the November 3 election “rigged.”

Whatever way Trump turns, he continues to make life for the American people more difficult.

Coronavirus has brought many new and different ways as to how the American people live. One is the way people shop. Pandemic buying the new vogue.

Actually called “eCommerce” shopping. More and more are going to delivery shopping.

The second quarter of this year found a 44 percent spike in delivery orders. Areas that have expanded include groceries, building materials, garden supplies, and furniture.

Walmart a perfect example of a company prospering via the increased delivery demand. Walmart’s sales were up 97 percent in the second quarter of this year compared to the second quarter of last year.

America has been recognized till recently as the smartest nation in the world. First in most things.

I don’t have to tell you not any more. Trump has made it possible for the U.S. to lose its #1 ranking in many areas.

Coronavirus is one. It is literally killing us. The whole world has been affected. Some countries have taken way more aggressive steps than the U.S. to eradicate the problem.

Australia for example. Australia is using high tech “surveillance drones” to catch people outside not wearing masks.

The University of North Carolina was the first institution of higher learning to close down. After one week of in class operation, it has told students they must go virtual to continue their educations. The high numbers of new virus infections demanded the course of action.

Yesterday, Michigan State and Notre Dame advised they were closing down in room classes.

Notre Dame experienced 146 coronavirus cases in the first 8 days it was open.

Notre Dame is shut down for 2 weeks. A wait and see period. Michigan State for the entire semester.

It appears the people have won in the Post Office battle. It was announced by the Post Office’s de Joy yesterday that all recent cutbacks, etc. were suspended till after the election. Mailboxes will be returned to where they stood, mail sorting machines put back in place, overtime permitted, employees paid for overtime, and whatever else was involved.

This is a President Reagan situation. Recall his deliberations with Russia. “Trust, but verify.” Everything must be rock solid so Trump cannot do something negative again a few days before the election.

Coronavirus has added a new phrase to our language. Pandemic proxy. Means in effect that more people will be voting by mail than at the polls. The reason being no one wants to get the disease. Especially the old.

Florida’s primary was yesterday. A huge senior citizen state.

It was reported this morning that mail in voting dominated. Few actually voted in person in comparison.

Bodes well for Biden.

The media was flooded this morning with reports concerning the Senate Intelligence Report re its investigation into the 2016 election,  Trump, and some Trump colleagues. The query was whether there was Russian interference in the 2016 election and who knew what when.

The Report was positive. There was interference and named who.

There were suggestions of perjury. Some involved had lied during the Mueller investigation and before Congressional hearings.

The Report was slightly less than 1,000 pages.

The Report could be Trump’s Waterloo.

Wikileaks is involved.

U.S. persons involved, including Trump, openly accepted Russia’s help. Recall Trump’s statement on TV back when: “I love Wikileaks!” Why did he say that in the middle of a campaign?

The Russian information was received and used to help the Trump campaign.

Podesta was Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager. His e-mails were a considerable portion of the Russian help provided.

The Report makes clear Trump’s claim that Russia helped him was a “hoax” is a bald faced lie.

Recall also, at some point Manafort was Trump’s campaign manager. The Report indicates Manafort owed millions of dollars to Russian banks at the time.

Everyone tells us Russia is doing it again. Already interfering in the 2020 election. We seem to be doing nothing about it. U.S. intelligence has warned Trump. He refuses to take their advice. I doubt he will pay attention to any of the items contained in the Senate Report.

Mitch McConnell has issued a statement that he doubts the Senate is likely to pass a stand alone bill re the Post Office. Typical politics at its worst. The problem a simple one. Put the Post Office back where it was a month ago and give the Post Office $25 billion to assure everything is covered re mail balloting.

Sally Yates spoke last night to the “Democratic convention.” One line sticks in my mind: Trump “trampled on the rule of law.”

Oh, to be one of the very rich! To do things like sending men to Mars.

Silicon Valley has produced a ton of millionaires. Some are interested in “biohacking.” A process that could produce “eternal life.”

Biohacking is making alterations to the human body to keep it younger. A fountain of youth, in effect. Sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel.

The rich involved want to be “immortal.” Can’t knock them for desiring such and putting their money where their mouths are.

PayPal founder Peter Thiel is a leader in the biohavcking movement. His plan simple. Inject the blood of a teenager into an older person. The practice is known as “parabiosis.”

It has already been tested successfully on mice. The mice had a “massive rejuvenating” experience. The males were chasing the females.

Thief does not believe in the “ideology of the inevitability of death.”

NETFLIX has a series beginning tomorrow concerning  what has been described herein. It is titled appropriately BIOHACKS.

Key West’s local elections were held yesterday. Mayor Teri Johnston was reelected by a large margin in a three way race. She won with just under 60 percent of the vote.

Actor Peter Gallagher is 65 years old today.

I met him some 25 yeas ago at Atlantic Shores. He was with two lovely ladies.

We all had our clothes on. We joked that qualified us as “voyeurs,” which was true that day.

We chatted a bit. A nice guy. Very friendly.

I have not seen him featured in a movie in years. I assume he is in retirement.

Enjoy your day!

  STATE POLICE EMPLOYEES OF HOMELAND SECURITY was originally published on Key West Lou