Emilia Clarke on her time in "Game of Thrones"

Screenshot of UK Yahoo Article

If there is any evidence that pop culture dehumanizes people this is it:

She worked multiple jobs while living with friends before "Game of Thrones" changed her life when it began airing in 2011.

Clarke recalled some difficulties on the show early on. She was just 23. There was full frontal nudity, lots of sex, even a rape scene. She tells Markovits how she suffered along with her character.

"Once, I had to take a little time out," she said. "I said I needed a cup of tea, had a bit of a cry, and was ready for the next scene."

Granted, I didn't read the Esquire article, and the quoted article is a summary of it.

It reminds me of watching testimony of former porn stars time in the industry. I don't remember which one. It was years back.  Perhaps it was Shelley Lubben; or maybe it was the African-american one who  was interviewed by a Pastor then-affiliated with P4CM on Youtube years ago.

Matt Walsh challenges the editorial decisions to put rape scenes and pornography in the show.

Even without the rape, there are still important questions we should ask ourselves about this show and so many others like it, such as: should sex be turned into a circus for our viewing pleasure? Is there anything redemptive about pornography just because it’s featured on a premium cable series rather than someone’s webcam? If I watch five seasons worth of it, will I come away somehow more enlightened? Is this honing my moral compass? Is this drawing me closer to Truth? Am I proud of myself for watching this?

Answers: No. And today, surprisingly, even some progressives appear to agree.

Read Matt Walsh's essay Christians, Now Is Probably a Good Time to Stop Watching ‘Game of Thrones’

My favorite verse on Lecrae's "Anomaly"

In high school

we tried to act all tough

I remember a couple times

I couldn't back that up

Like when I ran from them vatos, scuffing up my zapatos

Scared of losing my hide

I was so embarrassed inside

If I could go back in time

I would stand and say something like

I ain't never scared, 

never scared, never scared

I'm lying, I'm scared of these thoughts in my head

I'm scared of possibly pushing people right over the ledge

When I say I pledge allegiance to the struggle

Then, I turn around and buckle

Under stress and under pressure

Bible on my dresser that can teach my pain a lesson

But I rather not address it

Address that's in depression

I'm scared if I confess it

That you gon' look at me like I'm something less

And I'm such a mess

"Fear" by Lecrae, from the "Anomaly" album

My favorite Ceelo verse

Struggling's just a part of my day

Many obstacles been placed in my way

I know the only reason that I make it through

Is because I never stop believing in you

Some people wonder why we're here in the 1st place

They can't believe because they ain't never seen your face

But even when you pray, the next day you gotta try

Can it wait for nobody to come down out the sky

You've got to realize that the world's a test

You can only do your best and let him do the rest

You've got your life, you've got your health

So quit procrastinating and push it yourself

You've got to realize that the world's a test

You can only do your best and let him do the rest

You've got your life, you've got your health

So quit procrastinating

~Ceelo, From Outkast's "In Due Time" 1997

Lecrae's "Anomaly" remains just that despite contemporary influences

Albums exist in the idiom of their times.

Lecrae's new album, "Anomaly," is no different. It is very Outkast-ish on a few tracks, Ludacris-like on one song, Drake-ish on the hook of one song, parts of one song has a 2pac/West coast feel, and towards the end of the album it's gets pretty contemporary Christian; but to mention all of those is highly misleading. 

"Anomaly" remains very original even in those few--I stress the word "few"--times the beats, hooks, bridges (or whatever you call them) remind you of something off Aquemini or someone contemporary.  Lecrae's delivery sounds like his own for most of the time, except when he's interacting with a popular song, or at least using something modern to accomplish his own purposes. Overall, the album was more cohesive and polished than "Gravity." Still less theological than "Rebel" and not as raw. But it is a job well done. 

I'd give it an 8.5/10 at best, and reluctantly give it a 7.9/10 at worst. Reluctantly. 

My Top Picks for The X-Factor 2012

So I'm taking a quick break from politics to make predictions about my favorite show on television: The X-Factor (USA).

#1 - Carly Rose Sonenclar
The Star. If she continues to perform like she did on her audition night, she will have the $5 million prize in the bag. She is easily the top choice. She's confident. She's a star in the making. And she's thirteen. I hope we hear a lot from her in the future beyond the show.

#2 - Jessica Espinoza
Mini-Pink. The reason I bumped her up from third was because if she can tap into that raw, real singing power, she can get farther than Jillian Jensen, who also has raw, real singing voice. Her back story is more endearing than Jillian's, and she brings that back story to the fore in her music. Additionally, I think her voice might be stronger than Jillian's, but she just  has to sing the right songs to tap into it.

#3 - Jillian Jensen
Raw Emotion. The night I saw Jillian Jensen she immediately became my favorite. Her ability to harness her pain and sing it out is her greatest strength. She also has a phenomenal, sexy, and raspy voice. But how long will she be able to keep up those highly-emotional performances? That question is why I bumped her down from number one. Additionally, after listening to Carly Rose Sonenclar the next night, and re-listening to Carly and comparing the two girls, Carly does seem to have the more powerful voice. But the older Jillian seems to have the more mature voice. It will be tough.

Honorable Mention: Diamond White
I wanted to make Diamond White my number four pick, but I am not so sure. She is a wild-card, so she is worth an honorable mention. Like Carly Rose Sonenclar, she is also 13. But the most powerful voice and better performer award goes to Carly.

Bottom Line: The 2012 X-Factor competition, I think, has the most formidable competition ever and the best singers among any reality contestant show. (I'll probably update this post within a few days.)