The Virtual Union

Los Angeles, CA – The people of California have long been afflicted with the devastation associated with wildfires. The arid summer conditions and the massive amount of foliage throughout the state, particularly the southern section, are a toxic blend that has caused an untold amount of destruction to the countryside, the lives of residents, and the budget of local emergency personnel. As the budget crisis that is gripping the largest nation in the union continues to worsen the pressure placed on those emergency services as well as state and city legislators has but their backs to the wall. Scrape TV

Los Angeles, CA – For many the dream of having their names in lights is simply that, a dream. The fantasy of being a movie God or a rock star is something that has overtaken virtually everyone at some time in their lives with the hopes of unlimited wealth and fame and all the benefits that come with that status. Celebrity culture though is not unique to that. The rise to power of famous politicians, warlords, and artists throughout history show that the desire for glory is something innate in the human condition. Of course very few ever pass the dreaming stage and even fewer are ever able to achieve what so many have fantasized about. Scrape TV

aghdad, Iraq – In recent years the nature of shoes and shoe wearing has changed profoundly. The growth of shoe culture and advances in the science of shoe manufacture through the 20th century has fundamentally changed the nature of footwear. Anthropologist’s debate as to when footwear started to be used but whether they date from 10,000 years ago or 40,000 years ago the now essential piece of clothing has never enjoyed the kind of success it has seen in recent years. From designer sneakers to high heels, footwear has become an essential part of the human experience. Scrape TV

New York, NY – Death is often a difficult thing for people to deal with. For everyone there are varying degrees of grief, most of which is dependent on the relationships people have with the departed. Close loved ones have more of an impact than the death of a friend. Celebrities often have more of an impact on people than that of strangers no matter how tragic the circumstances. Grief is often a personal thing that has never and likely never will be fully understood. Scrape TV

Washington, D.C. – There is little doubt that the events of September 11, 2001 changed the United States forever. Outside the fear and panic and the sense of vulnerability that it created in the American people, the status quo in dealing with
external threats was irrevocably altered by the events of the day. From the Patriot Act to secret imprisonments and warrantless wire-tapping the make-up of the country was altered just as much as the landscape of New York City was on the fateful day. Now almost a decade later those changes are continuing. Scrape TV

Hollywood, CA – In the celebrity realm there are people who never truly die. Thirty-five years after his death sightings of Elvis Presley continue to occur throughout the world. Tupac Shakur continues to make the rounds despite his demise in 1996. Even Adolf Hitler has been at the centre of rumours of a falsified death and has been seeing roaming around the world no worse for wear. Whether a product of wish fulfillment, genuine fear, or some other aspect of the human condition there are those who insist that the mortal coil does not bound the famous. Scrape TV

Hollywood, CA – The Academy Awards have always been an industry award. The very first broadcasts were in fact financed by the major studios as a way to honour their own work as well and splash some glitz and glamour amongst the masses. As the awards have evolved that connection to the studios has also changed and as the power of the studios declined so too has their dominance over who receives the award. With the rise of the independent film in the 1990’s the Oscar’s changed forever with the wealth being spread amongst virtually all classes of films. Scrape TV

Cleveland, OH – Alzheimer’s disease has become in recent years one of the most frightening and mysterious of brain diseases. With rates of the most common form of dementia on the rise researchers across the world are struggling with the mysteries of the degenerative condition. Equally victims of the disease and their families are struggling with the disease as it becomes more and more pervasive in an ever aging population. Though science has made great strides in recent years the elusive answers to the disease remain hidden alongside the personalities of those afflicted. Scrape TV

Trenton, NJ – There are few technologies as confusing and overwhelming to a certain group of people than the computer. Whether a result of the complex nature of the mechanics or a result of the unfamiliarity with the interface, computers continue to provide great difficulty to many users even decades after the machines started to become mainstream. Though the day-to-day usage rarely delves into the more complex aspects of the machines many people still find themselves at a loss when it comes to dealing with the increasingly ubiquitous machines. Scrape TV

San Francisco, CA – There is little doubt that the ‘Star Wars’ saga is one of them most popular movie tales ever told. Spawned from ancient roots in tales of knights and princesses the space age adventure tale will undoubtedly take a place amongst the most venerated and enduring tales that have been told in any medium. The enduring popularity of the original set of films has only continued with the ‘prequel’ trilogy and will likely be enhanced by the forthcoming television show but despite that popularity though the series has not been without it dramas and criticisms. Scrape TV