Ask Gordon Anything - Roger Green Part Two

Since Roger was cool enough to ask a series of questions - and since I opted to answer part of them earlier this week....here are Roger's other two questions.

Roger first asks, Where are you on the God/religion journey?

You know, I consider myself something of a "cafeteria spiritual seeker" - I have an interest in more Eastern modes of thought (like Hinduism, Buddhism, Tao), which seems to inform my Catholic upbringing. I'm not quite sure how to answer this that doesn't seem either pretentious - or possibly putting down other people's beliefs - but here goes....

I believe that, yes, there is a God.

Do I believe the Bible is the exact word of God? No - it's man's experience of God through mortal filters at a particular time and place.

If anything (and yes, I'm going to be raked over the coals for this belief) - I believe God's presence permeates our existence. He's always there if we wish to see him....and He's there from the greatest to the smallest personal moments. I've "eliminated the middle man" in terms of dealing with God...and I also think that any God who chooses to live amongst us in mortal form - and die in the ugliest, nastiest way possible rather than escape - is the kind of God worth emulating.

And that part of the challenge of being a spiritual being is working hard to making sure I emulate those divine principles.

(And Roger - I hope that I didn't sound too pompous in that answer).

But for some plucky comic relief, Roger than asks, OK, is Donald Trump a comedic giant, the end of American civilization, or something else?

Warning - you wanted a political answer, you're going to get one.

Donald Trump is the Tea Party's ideal candidate - a "right talking" person who speaks his mind, and who offers bogus answers rather than solid policy suggestions.

Without denigrating any other Republican candidates - the fact that Trump is so vastly popular speaks less to substance and more to style. He's the kind of guy who believes that branding his name on everything is "building his brand"...and who can't tell the difference between thinking he's the smartest guy in his room and actually being the smartest guy in the room.

In short, he's a joke. And the fact that he's up in the polls say less about the potential weaknesses in any of the other Republican candidates....and more about Trump's ability to play up to the prejudices of some American voters.

In short, Roger - he's all of the above.

Ask Gordon Anything - Roger Green Part One

As part of the "Ask Gordon Anything" series of posts, today is part one of a two-part series featuring questions from pal/near-twin Roger, whose first two questions are

When you're prone to melancholy, what gets you out of it? What musician/singer I've never heard of should I be listening to? 

To answer both questions....I usually listen to the music of Joy Division.

Granted, the band has gained notoriety for Ian Curtis' suicide, but this is some of the most emotionally engaging - and challenging - music ever recorded.

Part of the myth is due to the limited amount of music - two full albums, two compilations, a great documentary and Control (the obligatory biopic). It's not an easy listen - very minimalist, very existential....but this music is a great soundtrack for facing one's demons. (Even the surviving members - who went on to form New Order - have some qualms about performing. Here's a great interview with Peter Hook, the bassist, about the band's legacy)

Trust me - listening to Closer can be brutal, but there's something transcendent about the experience. It's as much about the "I survived the gloom" as it is "it doesn't get any worse then this."

It's a bit of a challenge, but Joy Division's music is worth it.

And soon, Roger, I'll answer your other questions - honest!

Ask Gordon Anything - Brendan's Question About Doctor Who

Some time ago, I encouraged friends, readers of this blog, and others to ask me anything....and although I wasn't deluged with questions (as much as freelance assignment seeking and writing), I'm taking the time to answer questions - one post per person.

Our first post is via pal Brendan, who asked via Facebook:

Is the BBC ever going to create a satisfactorily plausible back-story for Clara Oswald? It seems like they just want us to forget that she started out as a Dalek, re-appeared in a different place and time and DIED, and had been "chosen" by Missy, (etc.). Now, THERE's a question for you!

First - and Brendan, I'm not picking on you - but this is one of the many fallacies fans have - that somehow, the BBC must be responsive to their every wish.

Short answer - as long as Steven Moffatt serves as showrunner, it's on his watch.

Long answer - like many other fans, I'm not happy with Moffatt's performance as show runner. Given someone providing guidance (like, say, Russell T. Davies), Moffatt often comes up with moments of brilliance. However, his tendency to be very plotty-wotty, focusing more on intricacies of plot and being a "clever boy" rather than strength of storytelling, is his worst downfall. One full series of this (Series 8) works relatively smoothly, but his prior two series (Series 6 and 7) were often disruptive, awkward, and really never packed a strong narrative punch.

Unfortunately, Moffatt tends to throw in plot holes or dangling hooks without any real sense of resolution. Hopefully, this season may or may not resolve various plot threads, but unless you're willing to endure another checking-off-the-box resolution (I'm talking about you, Time of the Doctor), I wouldn't expect that to happen in the near future.

But Gordon, some of you may be saying, I like well-plotted story arcs, and that's what viewers want.
And here's where it breaks apart, and where Brendan's going to regret asking me this question.

There seems to be three opposing groups in Who fandom: the first who believe that Moffatt can do no wrong, the second that he can do no right, and the third - the rest of us - who simply try to enjoy the show on its own terms.

Those who think Moffatt can do no wrong, that he is the greatest show runner in the show's history....well, they also believe that Doctor Who was progressive because its first show runner was a woman. (And how many have we had since then?) It's impossible for them to believe that it is possible to like the show and also be critical of the show. 

The second group feel that Moffatt is a Dalek-like force of malevolence who should removed because - let's face it - that second group hates what he has done. Even to the point of mocking him, claiming he is incompetent, etc. etc. etc. These are the kind of people who don't celebrate their fandom - they mourn it. They need to be the "smartest fan in the room", asserting their vast knowledge of Who as if they own the right to do so.

They don't. No one does. Fandom means you need to share, and accept everyone's individuality. It means accepting that, for now, Moffatt's in charge....and that if fans do not like Moffatt's work, they can easily watch pre-Moffatt Doctor Who.  Or simply turn off the television and walk away.

The rest of us....well, we just like Doctor Who. 

And Brendan - that might not be the question you asked, but I hope that I gave a satisfactory answer.

Ask Gordon Anything - The Extension!

Remember when I encouraged all of you to ask me questions?

That was before I realized that I would be a bit busy with work search activities (and that I would need to promote this more), so you have until Sunday, September 6th to ask me anything.

E-mail me. Tweet me @gordondym. Reach out via Facebook. Leave a comment.

Thanks, and trust me - more blogging shenanigans are on their way!