Jason Najum's Blog, page 3
August 21, 2019
Osheaga 2019: Montréal Honors its History in EDM
April 26, 2014
Fancy Animal
My first question is often “What the fuck?”
Other times it’s “Really?” as in “Really, this is what you’re thinking about?”
It’s too bad. Because the creations of my mind could be remarkable, if they weren’t so simple in purpose. The complexity of the imagery, the clever delivery, the subtle yet persistent messaging. But all these wonders of the human brain get ruined when you realize the motivation, the plain and purely wicked objective – which is simply to mess with myself.
The beauty of the ar...
September 18, 2013
A Successful Debacle
The situation in Syria seems to be one perfectly constructed for a course in International Politics. This unfolding example has all the classic players and circumstances: a dangerous conflict in a volatile region, rational actors making assumptions, potential adversaries waiting to be influenced, superpowers positioning themselves for future leverage.
Will Assad follow the trend of tumbling dictators and finally fall? Who will govern Syria once he is gone? Will the final result embolden or det...
May 13, 2013
Space, just another frontier
An epic battle of good versus evil. A madman on the loose. Caskets covered in the flags. A familiar name is mentioned. Citizens look up to the sky as a looming menace approaches. A beautiful blonde woman standing almost completely naked, wearing nothing but a bra and panties…
Wait a second.
Full-stop, Mr. Sulu.
I bang on my tricorder. That can’t be right. Spock, is there a problem with the viewscreen?
Negative. Sensors confirm your readings, Captain. Female humanoid. Caucasian. Telemetry shows sh...
February 14, 2013
Cover your freakin mouth – a public service rant
I am wedged against the wall, face wincing, desperately looking for refuge. My head is lowered and my shoulders are hunched, contorting myself as much as humanly possible, trying to avoid the looming menace. My toes are curled, that’s how stressed this is making me. Nearly every fibre of my being is preoccupied with this lingering threat and I have had enough. Enough, I say.
You. Sitting there oblivious. You disgust me. I rank you among the lowest of society’s creatures, lower than the corrupt...
January 19, 2013
December 20, 2012
The Holiday Spirit
This article is featured in the Montreal Gazette opinion section, click here
The holiday season is upon us. Outside the temperature drops below zero and snow gathers on the ground. In the streets peoplebundleup and tuck their hands in their pockets. Festive music plays and red and white lights shine bright.
The days inch closer to the holidays, and plans are being made and schedules are being set. I’m replying to Christmas party invites. And going shopping for gifts. And organizing who I’ll vis...
November 22, 2012
True support for the Middle East conflict
Once more we return to where we once were.
“Israel has a right to defend itself” declare the supporters of Israel. “The Israelis are oppressing the Palestinian people” cry the supporters of the Palestinians. One side pointing fingers, the other pointing them right back. Over and over the same accusations anddefensesare repeated. It’s getting more than a bit old.
A spark ignites in the region, people on both sides lose their lives, their homes, their sense of security – and immediately thecheerl...
November 6, 2012
The U.S. presidential election: why we care
The election for President of the United States of America is upon us. Across Canadian airwaves, around dinner tables, and throughout our newspapers, the U.S. election has received not only wide coverage but often in-depth analysis. Thisreoccurringphenomenabegs a simple but elusive question – why do we care? Why, with so many pressing issues of our own, do we consistently turn so much of our attention to a political process that has next to nothing to do with us?
You could say that since the U...
September 11, 2012
9/11
September 11th. 9/11. Every year the same feelings return.
All around are the clear signs of what it is I should be feeling; but for me it is never that simple, is always a disturbing mix of conflicting emotions.
It’s part flashback. The surreal movie-like scenes. Me sitting at my desk as the 2nd tower collapsed. People caught in that unimaginable dilemma and jumping from a burning building.
Part remembrance. The emergency workers running towards the disaster and not from it. People frantically...
