| It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time?
There are some things in life that are better left unexplained, such as the Osbournes, sparkly ketchup and panty protectors for thongs. I like to call these strange phenomena "bad ideas." I understand that at some level and for certain types of people these kinds of things are perceived as novel, entertaining and cool. Nope, sorry, not buying it. I even have a hip, all-inclusive term for these people and their ideologies: sketchy.
The Internet, with its built in freedom of expression, free speech and anonymous psycho clown shoes potential, is a breeding ground for bad ideas. Oh sure, in the past I've tittered over hats of meat, corpses for sale and vampire teeth, but even I have my limits.
Violent Christianity at geocities.com/Heartland/Shores/2800/ViolentChris.html is probably it. Violent Christians who proclaim that Jesus was not a wimp are a little disturbing. Even more disturbing are the accompanying "hellfire" graphics and the axe-wielding knight with repetitive chopping action. You'll find plenty of bible quotes here, with a lively discussion (complete with giggly spelling errors) on Evolution. Funny, but only in an I-hope-these-aren't-our-neighbours kinda way.
Any site with a slogan that says "a good life deserves a good death" has got to give you the willies. At rights.org/deathnet, you'll get treated to a pleasant little Flash movie that has shades of the ending of Soylent Green. Then a friendly female voice will welcome you to Deathnet for all your death and dying needs without all the propaganda. The site sells videos offering "step-by-step dramatizations of various suicide methods suitable for the terminally ill who wish to take charge of their dying process," and has Deathnet II for handhelds (for your right-to-die news on the go!) – it's just plain scary to me. |
