The New Bus 10/14 – 10/21

A song of victory

By Dylan Demarsico

Ayo Ayo, listen up, check it out. This has to be said. Even though we got some unbelievable insight into America in this Cold Civil War series there’s something that still has to be said above all else: WE GOT VICTORY!

Ultimately our hope and faith are in the Lamb who has already conquered and won the victory! In the “123 – Victory Remix” gospel artist Kirk Franklin teams up with the one and only Pharrell Williams–the guy from the Voice, the Neptunes, producer of Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Kanye, and the one who wrote the McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” song (can you believe that?)

This remix hits hard as Kirk, Mr. Ice Creams, and a choir, sing about the victory we already have because God is with us. The beat is fire. Pharrell sings, “When will we see that we’re one? All descendents of the Son?” What a timely word for us to realize we are one, all descendants of the Son, even in this season of political strife. No matter what comes our way we are going to prosper and nothing can bring us down! God is with us! 1,2,3, wake up we got victory!

(Side-note: Mike Bickle, leader of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, once prophesied that black people would be leaders in the next great awakening and man oh man was he right. Look at these artists who have HUGE influences over culture like Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, and Pharrell among others and these guys totally got Holy Ghost fire that is steering culture in a new direction towards the Glory of God!)

Shakings in Hollywood & media

In Issue #2  of the New Bus, we talked about the positive impact of Netflix on the creative future of television. According to a recent report out of Bloomberg, it seems that this impact is extending into Hollywood and cinema.

The article is called “Netflix is Taking Over Hollywood, and Hollywood Isn’t Thrilled”. The basic idea is that Netflix is gaining more and more influence in the film and television industry, taking away key employees from other companies, and building a totally new business model. Six years ago the CEO of a major media company called Netflix “as threatening as the Albanian army.” Now sentiments have changed and companies are beginning to get worried and some are even suing Netflix over their practices.

Unlike other major Hollywood companies, Netflix does not need to cater to advertisers, nor do they have to turn profits in the same way. This produces a whole new atmosphere of freedom and creativity in the realm of marketing and production.

For those with eyes to see, the powers that be (whether in Hollywood or mainstream media) are losing more and more influence. The Internet is coming into a new place of maturity that is tackling media strongholds and conglomerates and allowing for new competition and new voices to be heard. News organizations like CNN are now having their information challenged by grassroots organizations that are exposing inconsistencies, lies, and political collusion. (Side-note: CNN is owned by Time Warner, the company with the CEO who made the comment about the Albanian Army. This CEO is also a major contributor to certain political parties.

All of this is only the beginning of a new playing field within media and news in the years ahead.

Accidental discovery a game-changer in climate change

The constant release of CO2 into the atmosphere is an unhealthy side-effect of our growing technology and increased transportation. However, a recent discovery may lead to CO2 being turned into ethanol (a much safer option) right within the vehicles and power generators using it. This would significantly limit CO2’s effect on the environment.

A team of scientists in Tennessee had set out to analyze a series of different chemical reactions with CO2, never expecting to make such a discovery. On their very first attempt at manipulating the chemical, they discovered this process of turning it into ethanol.
As this is researched and developed further, it will have tremendous implications about the need to lower CO2 emissions through government sanctions and regulations and could change the nature of the debate over man’s impact on global warming. Stay tuned!