truth = transparency

A while ago - almost three months ago - I posted about my desire to have a superhero-like 'cause.' I realized what my cause SHOULD be - no doubt about it in my mind. But acknowledging this cause is merely a first step towards championing it. What I really need to begin doing is defining my cause, and then following through with it.

There are not - usually - masked crusaders darting between shadows and downing mutant foes in today's world. That doesn't mean there aren't superheroes though. I don't think I'm making too big a leap as to say that besides super powers, superheroes are also known for a strict moral code, and for trying to do good things to help society. I would say that a real-life superhero is someone who heroically and admirably adheres to a strict moral code. If I'm right in my assumption that people like Harry Potter and Superman do not exist, then I would think that admirable and heroic do-gooders are all we're left with. And yes, it's very rare, but they are superheroes after all - they're supposed to be exceptional. In fact, their status as "exceptional" is literally unattainable, because it's to the extreme, and that's the point. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive for it. Real-life superheroes, like fictional superheroes, and like Howard Roark, are there to set an example for us to strive towards.

And so? So I shall strive! But what should I strive for? What is worth fighting for? What is a cause can I strive to champion? What 'cause' do I genuinely believe in?

This is not a light topic. I can't imagine dedicating my life to something unless it was something I absolutely believed in. I don't think I could deal with dedicating my life to fighting for something and then failing. Failing is scary! Everyone knows that! And well, while there's plenty of worthy things to fight for, I've always been more interested in improving the life of myself and my friends as opposed to crusading for a cause. I've always been "too cool" to care. But I've come around, or close to. I've realized I've never been too cool for anything, if ever cool at all, and my days of pretending to not care, or being too afraid to care, have, I hope, come and passed.

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In other news, I've made the decision to go out and try to be a television news reporter. It's something I believe in, and something I believe I will enjoy doing. In the past couple years, I've learned a lot about what goes into the making of a good reporter, a good journalist. Much of that education has been observational - I've been watching some of the very best in the business at work - and I believe it's time I begin more doing.

On a simple plane, my experience has been an "ask and report" exercise. I've learned to press and pressure and schmooze and beg and plead and express empathy and excitement all for a bit of information, maybe to get a good sound bite or to attain a piece of knowledge over the phone. This I've learned during my time on the assignment desk, and it has been invaluable. From the reporters though, I've learned something more dynamic. There's the ability to determine fact from fiction from sources, and there's fairness and balance to keep in mind. Then, there's the entertainment factor, the art of storytelling, and this can not be overlooked.

I've learned a good reporter knows something about everything, is quick and always curious, can talk and make friends with anyone, and is courageous.

Atop a journalist's moral code should be a relentless striving for truth. Honesty and accuracy are the cornerstone of a reporter's reputation, and reputation is everything.

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As previously mentioned, a quality of superheroes is that they take their moral code to an unattainable extreme. If a reporter was a superhero, and we took a reporter's moral code to the extreme, where would that lead? The relentless strive for truth -- to the extreme? Where does that take us? What does that even mean? Are we left left with total transparency? Complete clarity and utter lack of mystery?

And is truth subjective? It's more of an existential concept that I've always toyed with in my mind, though I don't think of it as my personal theory towards things - maybe just something I've always wanted to believe. I certainly think it sounds the "coolest" and most progressive, in part because it's the most accepting theory of truth, and I'd like to think of myself as an accepting person. I suppose though that the subjectivity of truth would infer that truth is based on individuality, and to me that seems the most ideal.

Despite my interest in this topic, I know this is not actually how the world functions. Opinions are individual and subjective, but not facts, and people try to push personal agendas and shape views, but there is a 'truth,' even if we don't know what it is.

If truth was subjective, then there could never be complete transparency, because transparency requires that there be 'one' clear truth.

I don't know if the meaning of 'truth' is complete transparency, and I don't know if complete transparency is even a good thing. I would imagine it would be truth, to the extreme. I know, now, that truth will be my extreme cause.

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The irony of all this is that Clark Kent used the facade of being a reporter as a disguise. One of Superman's great traits was his fight for what was 'right,' but he was at his most dishonest when he was pretending to be a reporter.

You're a Twit

I love the Twitter debate. Just love it.

What I love most is how polarizing it seems to be. Love it or hate it? And everyone in between just seems so overwhelmingly perplexed. I think almost without fail, the first 'post' (or tweet, or twit, depending on your level on contempt) seems to be something like the phrase "seriously? is this it?"

No one needs to make a list of internet fads - websites that are wildly popular one moment and leave the public's care just as fast seems to happen all the time. In fact, it surprised me to hear recently that Myspace was celebrating just its 5 year birthday. I feel like Myspace has been around forever! Facebook, Purevolume, Napster. All have had huge staying power but overall have not been around very long - especially when one thinks about how long the internet has been around, and will be around.

Where Twitter falls on the proverbial dart board is a heated debate. I for one, believe it will have huge staying power, with the potential to become almost, but not quite, as integrated as Facebook and Google into the fabric of the internet. When I tell people this though, I get some extremely heated responses. I love that.

There always seems to be three very clear, distinct, and immediate reactions to something new, and not just in the technology sphere. There's one circle that immediately rejects, another that immediately embraces, and the third, a "silent majority," if you will allow me to utilize some 70's political lingo. The third group is the wait and see, the independents, and they'll be the ones to actually decide which way things go.

The thing is, I see the potential. One day soon, when everyone's phone is also an mp3-playing, internet-surfing, GPS, walkie talkie, video game consol, emailing device... I expect a tool like Twitter to be ideal. I do not yet have one of these contraptions; my bulky Verizon LG is doing just fine thank you (yeah, that one >>).

The key to the success of Twitter will of course be if can come up with a realistic business model for revenue. Twitter has said it plans to announce a revenue plan this year.

Dont' be surprised if Oprah's show - yes, that Oprah Winfrey who has had a love affair with Michael Phelps and is also #6 on my list of really rich people who are most likely to pull off being Batman - becomes the platform for such an announcment later today. Ashton Kutcher - who’s on track to be the first with 1 million followers on Twitter - will be her guest. Twitter co-founder Evan Williams is also expected to make an appearance.

One day, when I'm in downtown DC for some reason, and I tweet this fact into my phone, and a friend calls me to hang out soon after because they too happen to be downtown, and knew where I was because I told my phone so, then Twitter will have improved my life.

And while waiting for my friend to arrive, I can check the daily major headline news just by being on Twitter because my cheap and effective subscriptions to news services like nbclocaldc will keep me updated with news and links to their website, then Twitter will have improved my life.

And when planning my weekend, I can Tweet to a pre-specified circle of friends asking what I'll be up to later that night to let them know, then Twitter will have improved my life.

And when bored out of my mind, I can check Twitter for random links from friends and stalk people like we all used to with AOL - except now with less effort - then Twitter will have improved my life.

And when I stop talking to people eye-to-eye and only have conversations through Twitter, I will officially be a twit, and Twitter will have ruined my life.

State of These Gentlemen (Part 2)

Please check Part 1 for our mission statement and introductions to our first six Gentlemen.

Here are the remaining six -

Adam Winer - Newly minted Assignment Editor (in training) at NBC4 here in the district, Adam is also a former General Manager of WMUC. He's currently a DJ there as well, establishing his new MUCRakers program to help address local issues in College Park. He continued the long running WMUC tradition of getting fired from the Diamondback, where he was a film critic, and can still be found opining on the world of cinema at his personal blog ireviewfilm. Here at These Gentlemen he's known for his inisightful articles on current events, culture, and getting defensive when people critique the media. His '5 Rich People Most Likely to Pull Off Batman' is our most widely read post yet. Also, half the city has seen him naked.

Damien Nichols - A former president of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), Damo is a noted local activist in the areas of drug policy and the environment. Much like Mr. Pratt, there's a high likelihood that one day Damien will be entering the field of public service, though most likely on opposite sides of the ticket. Damo's unique and accerbic writing style is most often applied to the political sphere, where his one of a kind brand of cerebral humor and scathing analysis has provoked some of our liveliest discussions. A self described 'professional smart-ass' with no fear of polarizing his audience, his biggest concern is that if he hasn't left you thinking, he hasn't been trying hard enough.

Scotty Maxwell - The current General Manager of WMUC (are you sensing a lineage yet?), Scotty continues the proud tradition of Gentlemen to hold that post - and currently on his second term, he's done an incredible job so far. His heart is given over to his one true love, and as the host of Leave the Hall: True Metal Radio, he's been dishing out that love weekly for years. Forged in the fire of the world, he is the elder statesman of our group, and we kneel before his words as we would the Viking Prince he oft resembles.

Brittany Graham - Brit is an actress and freelance costume designer whose work can next be seen in the costumes of "Not Such Stuff" with the Venus Theatre Company. In addition to her theatrical work, she's also a web designer and will hopefully be teaming up with Dan in our continual advancements of the site. She's one of our three newest Gentlemen, with a noted interest in art and fashion, and can geek it up with the best of them. Eat your heart out.

Ali Daniels - The next of our three most recent additions, Ali is currently a scenic painter at Baltimore's CenterStage, as well as an actress and freelance sound designer. Don't expect any spelling errors in her posts as Ali is a hardcore grammar fiend - and she won't be afraid to correct you either. Intensely bright and deeply spiritual, Ali has slice of life stories to spare, and promises to further tackle the world of sports - the land I fear to tread.

John Barkmeyer - A modern day renaissance man, John is a triple major in English, Theater, and Psychology at the University of Maryland, as well as a Gemstone scholar; and is following the impressive trend of Gentlemen attending law school in the fall. In addition to his academic credentials John is also a talented actor and playwright. What John may write about remains a mystery at present, but one can assume it will be filled with depth and humor, and avidly consumed as scripture by a small but dedicated following who have created a facebook group hailing him as a god.

And a look at a few of our ongoing series. If you see one of thse in the title, this is what you can expect -

Stuff I Love - Every Tuesday, Dan Strauss profiles something he loves. Past editions include Oasis, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and popcorn. Maybe in the future it'll be you.

One Year in Four Colors - Jason reviews every graphic novel he reads in 2009. Upcoming editions include the second part of Alan Moore: Wild Worlds, The Authority: Under New Management, and Wildcats: Serial Boxes.

(Casa)Nova - Once a week Max Nova answers your questions about love, sex, friendship, parenting, and relationships in all their forms in his unmistakable style. Feel free to post a question on this post, or e-mail me.

A History of Justice - Jason is going through every single member of the venerable Justice League of America and explaining what makes each of these characters so damn cool. Next up - Batman!

Video Games and Myth - Ozkirbas takes a look at the mythological underpinnings in some his favorite video games in order to give a real critical look at what might soon become noted as a modern day art form. Got a suggestion for a game? Post it, baby.

A History of the Electoral College - A font of American political knowledge, David Pratt is going back in time and exploring every election in our country's history - detailing the players and the circumstances by which the losers became footnotes and the winners legends.

Memory Shuffle - Oz takes a look back into that brain of his to take note of the people and memories that oddly stand out, even if there's no clear reason why they should.

And where do we go from here?

Coming soon - the return of The Roundtable, a new idea for discussion posts Max and I have batted around, and the very near future our very first podcast! Now is a great time to be a follower of These Gentlemen, and we welcome you.

We are but Gentlemen, and we are here to entertain you.

The Howling Betty: The St. Valentine's Case

February 14th. Couples' Day. 

Baltimore is alive. I am waiting for a phone call. The phone rings - I grab my coat and step outside. It's night and the air is brisk. Biting. Like a teenage pooch, teething without the need. Whimpering isn't my style. And I don't feel the urge. The phone rings. Another call tells me where to meet. A second voice is in the background. Male. Early twenties, maybe. An unknown element. My intrigue piques. I walk down the street quickly. Black car. Maryland plates. Hazards on. A warning? I cross the the street. I open the door and sit down.

Two men are in the car. Driving, Jason Schlafstein, a.k.a. "The Heat." The unofficial ringleader of a group known only as "These Gentlemen."Jason is known for his passion in pushing The Gentlemen to do what they do best. What exactly that is, well, should be left to the imagination. To his right sits Adam Winer, his associate. The second voice. A calm, collected man. But, wary. Greetings are exchanged. A joke passes around the car. Homoeroticism means trust. "Do you know where we're going?", the Ringleader asks. I say, "Yeah, its just within walking distance." They trust me. Had I entered another car, the night probably would have turned out differently.

Jason parks shortly. We emerge, pressing forward down the harbor. A pack of love hounds on the prowl. Hungry. The Ringleader bays in excitement. Adam and I choose a more reserved approach. A couple walks by awkwardly. Silent. Hands clasped. Hard. Unromantic. I wonder if we bothered them. Rita's up ahead. "I don't want anything they have tonight," I exclaim. The response, "Ice. Custard. Happiness? On Valentine's Day?" We bark with enthusiasm. Still hungry. Food is scarce, funds are low. We sniff the air and search. We don't like our choices. A "family" establishment. Kids are here for Valentine's. I wonder if they're visiting their mothers. We enter, ashamedly. "The line's supposed to begin at the door. But, since you walked right in, I guess we're not doing that," growls a tall femme fatale. She storms off. Jason receives a call. We decide to take our chances on starving.

Market Street in the dark. We approach our rendezvous - "Howl at the Moon," a piano bar near the edge of the lot. Two men in sailor outfits go inside. We wait.  The pack barks in frustration - rabid. Wanting. An angry, drunk man in a white tee stumbles outside. He snarls, "Where the fuck did she go?" I wonder what a "love grenade" is. We formulate a plan to work our way inside. Jason fronts the cash and enters to meet our contacts. Adam and I wait with the pack.  Jason returns in short time, successful. He hands us the vouchers and we enter. Inside, the bar is filled. Bars, actually, there are two - one in the front and one in the back. In the center are circular tables and high hairs - all filled - surrounding a stage where two piano face one another. Members of the armed forces flood the stage in celebration. The sound of pop-country emanates from the pianos. The sailor outfits make sense.  Jason introduces us to his contacts, who introduce us to the rest of the group - two dames and a couple. Adam and I leave for one beer. And then a second. 

The second beer is my round. I turn to the bartender to buy. A girl in a black dress scoots in behind me, to Adam's front. She giggles, "Do you have a girlfriend?" That was fast, I thought. She shows him a pink slip, grabs his hand, and drags him off. He looks confused. I look confused. I bid my regards. I order the drinks. Adam returns a few minutes later, bemused. He tells me about the bachelorette party. Games are involved. Men and women are socialized very differently. Two girls approach us during his tale. An embarrassed girl in a green tee dragged by a betty in a red halter - howling drunk. The howling betty throws her arm around me. The group of us exchange introductions. Twice. "Do you have a girlfriend?" she blurts out. "No, I don't", I say. She looks confused, face red, and asks, "Why don't you have a girlfriend on Valentines Day?" I don't know what to tell her. "I'm gonna be honest, I really don't have an answer for that." She grabs her friend's hand and stomps away. Did I say something wrong? Why is this happening? We drink our drinks amusedly. And head back to the table to tell our tales.

The night progresses. A swirl of PDA, karaoke, dancing, N-Sync, and Jello Shots. Jello shots come in syringes with whipped cream now. Less mess is a plus. Jason's having a good time. I've been entertaining one of our contacts for quite a while. Adam's made contacts elsewhere, looks bored, but isn't. A blonde dame tries to make eye-contact with me across the room. I'm not interested, but she seems nice. She tries to force a romantic cliché. I'm resistant. She walks over to Jason and me. She asks, "Are you guys Eagles fans?" I think she's talking music. "Football," she says. Jason explains, "I don't really like sports." She's confused - it doesn't compute with her. She turns to me. "How about you? Are you an Eagles fan?" I smirk, "I like the Pats." Her face scrunches into a ball. Disgust. Abhorrence. Other negative emotions. She skulks away to her pack. I should have wounds to lick, but I don't. I find it funny. Why is this happening tonight?

The night ends. Our pack leaves. We prowl into the night for home.