The Offspring is a punk rock band that was formed in 1984 in California. They gained popularity in the 1990s with hit songs like "Self Esteem" and "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)". However, one of their lesser-known songs, "Filthy Spell", stands out for its catchy tune and thought-provoking lyrics. "Filthy Spell" was released in 1998 as part of The Offspring's album "Americana". The song starts off with a fast-paced guitar riff that immediately grabs the listener's attention. The lyrics, although slightly cryptic, revolve around the theme of disillusionment and society's obsession with materialism and superficiality.
The lyrics, although slightly cryptic, revolve around the theme of disillusionment and society's obsession with materialism and superficiality. The main idea of "Filthy Spell" is that people are trapped in a spell of consumerism and are willing to do anything to attain wealth and success. This is reflected in the chorus, where lead singer Dexter Holland belts out, "Caught in the filthy spell, the bells begin to chime, the feelings that you sell, be sure to hide them well.
Official says journalist’s Nobel Prize not a slap on Duterte
FILE - In this Oct. 9, 2021, file photo, Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa gestures during an interview at a restaurant in Taguig city, Philippines. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration belatedly congratulated journalist Ressa, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, for being one of two winners of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for helping fight for freedom of expression under grave risks but rejected criticisms that it was a slap on his leadership, which critics say veer toward authoritarianism.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
By AARON FAVILA and JOEAL CALUPITAN Published [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Share Share Copy Link copiedMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration belatedly congratulated journalist Maria Ressa Monday for being one of two winners of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her fight for freedom of expression under grave risks.
However, it rejected criticism that it was a slap on Duterte’s administration despite Ressa being a critic of the president, who opponents say veers toward authoritarianism.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Ressa, the 58-year-old co-founder of the Rappler news website known for its probing reportage into Duterte’s bloody anti-drug crackdown, has been convicted of cyber libel and faces other criminal charges which courts would independently decide on. Journalists were not being muzzled in the country, he said.
It was the first time the Duterte administration has publicly reacted since Ressa won the award on Friday.
“There is no slap there because as everyone knows, no one has ever been censored in the Philippines,” Roque said in reply to a question at a news conference.
Roque sought to back up his statement by citing a Filipino National Artist awardee, Francisco Sionil Jose, who said in a statement that Ressa did not deserve the award and that “the Philippine press is alive and well” not because of her, and added that there were no writers in jail nor did censorship exist in the country.
Duterte has not shut down any newspaper or radio station, Jose said. Even though the president exerted influence on Congress, which did not renew the license of leading TV network ABS-CBN, leading to its closure last year, that was not a press freedom issue, he said.
Jose conceded that journalists have been killed after attacking local politicians and officials under Duterte — similar to what had happened under his predecessors. However, “those killings cannot be laid at Duterte’s door,” said the 96-year-old multi-awarded novelist, whose comments drew intense criticism and ridicule.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee noted that Ressa’s Rappler news site, which was set up in 2012, has put a spotlight on Duterte’s “controversial, murderous anti-drug campaign” in the Philippines. Other domestic and international news agencies have also closely reported on the brutal campaign, which Duterte launched when he took office in 2016, and which has left more than 6,000 mostly poor suspects dead.
Western governments and human rights groups have repeatedly expressed concerns about the level of brutality and lack of due process.
The committee also cited the work of Ressa and Rappler in documenting “how social media is being used to spread fake news, harass opponents and manipulate public discourse.”
Ressa won the award with Dmitry Muratov of Russia, a co-founder of the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, which the Nobel committee called “the most independent newspaper in Russia today, with a fundamentally critical attitude towards power.” Six of its journalists have been killed since its founding in 1993, the committee said.
Ressa was convicted last year of libel and sentenced to up to six years in prison in a decision media watchdogs called a major blow to press freedom in an Asian bastion of democracy.
The Manila court found Ressa and a former Rappler reporter, Reynaldo Santos Jr., guilty of libeling a wealthy businessman, who was linked to a murder, drug dealing, human trafficking and smuggling in a story that cited an intelligence report. The businessman denied the allegations and complained that Rappler did not publish his side of the story. The news site’s lawyers disputed any malice and said the statute of limitations for filing the libel complaint had passed.
Ressa and Santos appealed the convictions.
Ressa, the first Filipino to clinch a Nobel, said she could not have caught the attention of the prestigious awards “without the kind of oppression, without the kind of push that we had.”
“So you know, sometimes, I joke and I say I should really thank President Duterte for a lot of things,” she told The Associated Press. “He’s forced me to define my lines, he’s forced me to stick to the idea of my values, he’s forced Rappler to be more idealistic, better, faster, more mission-driven and I hope, you know, we come out of it stronger.”
Duterte and other Philippine officials have said the criminal complaints against Ressa and Rappler were not a press freedom issue but a part of normal judicial procedures arising from their alleged violations of the law.
Duterte has openly lambasted journalists and news sites who report critically about him, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a leading daily, and ABS-CBN, which was shut down by the government’s telecommunications regulator after its 25-year license expired.
The shutdown has been criticized as it cut off a major source of information on the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Philippines has remained one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists even after the 1986 downfall of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who had muzzled the media, imprisoned journalists and opponents and tortured activists.
In 2009, 58 people were gunned down in the country’s volatile south in a brazen assault sparked by an electoral rivalry between two powerful political clans that horrified the world. Thirty-two of those gunned down were local reporters and media workers in the world’s single worst recorded attack on journalists.
" This line implies that individuals are so consumed with fitting into society's expectations that they suppress their true emotions and hide their vulnerabilities. In the verses of the song, The Offspring highlights various scenarios where individuals become victims of their own desire for wealth. They sing about a girl who succumbs to the pressure of beauty standards to fit in, a guy who becomes a sell-out to achieve fame, and a person who becomes addicted to drugs to cope with the emptiness inside. These scenarios serve as cautionary tales, warning listeners of the dangers of chasing material possessions and losing touch with their true selves. Overall, "Filthy Spell" by The Offspring offers a critical analysis of society's obsession with consumerism and the negative consequences it can have on individuals. The song's catchy melody and memorable lyrics make it a standout track, despite its relatively lesser-known status compared to the band's other hits. It serves as a reminder to listeners to be mindful of the choices they make and to prioritize authenticity and personal fulfillment over societal expectations..
Reviews for "Escaping the Grip of a Filthy Family Spell: Strategies for Success"
1. Jessica - 2/5 Stars
I was really disappointed with "The Offspring Filthy Spell." The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting. The writing style felt forced and lacking in depth. Additionally, there were several grammatical errors throughout the book, which I found distracting. Overall, I found the book to be a letdown and would not recommend it.
2. Michael - 1/5 Stars
I couldn't even finish "The Offspring Filthy Spell." The writing was extremely poor, with awkward phrasing and repetitive use of clichés. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it impossible for me to connect with the characters. The plot itself was convoluted and lacked any real substance. I regret spending my time and money on this book, and I would advise others to steer clear of it.
3. Sarah - 2/5 Stars
"The Offspring Filthy Spell" was a disappointment for me. The story had potential, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was off, with slow and mundane moments dragging on while more interesting plot points were rushed through. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and not worth the hype.
4. Andrew - 2/5 Stars
I had high hopes for "The Offspring Filthy Spell," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was dry and lacked creativity, making it difficult to engage with the story. The characters felt flat and unrelatable, and their motivations were often unclear. The plot itself had potential but was poorly executed, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and uninterested. I wouldn't recommend this book to others looking for an enjoyable and immersive reading experience.