Long awaited were the words of Shock Media's founder. The editing team had waited, sitting on pins and needles, as the summer release neared completion. No effort was spared to please the Executive Director. Many sleepless nights were spent editing and re-editing the text, making sure the grammar was correct, the syntax up to par, and the content itself, vibrant and full of stimulating ideas. It was implicitly implied months ago that this summer "Spirit" issue, better be an example of excellence in Journalism, so that those in charge would not have to change their career prospects. Needless to say the upper echelons were metaphorically 'shaking in their boots", wondering at every juncture whether this was to be their last opportunity in the employs of the esteemed journal. Without further adue, here is the critical statement recently received in video format by courier, outlining our immediate situation This recording was made in the "Smoking Suite", where Herr S., seated in the plush vintage Louis the X111 sofa, was contemplating critical issues dealing with the 'spirit', the chosen theme for this issue:

"Yes... you have come seeking me for advice... wondering where I am...... perhaps fearing the worst..... You could not be more mistaken my dear ladies and gentlemen. I am perfectly comfortable knowing that you are out there getting yours, whatever your occupation may be... the question is, my dear people, what is left of your spirit?. Ask yourself what is left of your essence as a human being. Do you think I have neglected to study the frailties of the human species? The pathetic groveling, the greed, the temptation to excel in the game of self-destruction? Your ridiculous attempts to justify your existence in a world gone AMOK. You are a game player, a slave to your own DNA, a consumption drone, overfed, over-sexed, and over the hill in terms of originality.

I have watched you on television. The human ape in progress. A fearsome spectacle of stupendous proportions. I envy your simplicity ladies and gentlemen, your simple-minded drive into oblivion. Your harangued and harassed expressions are a mirror of our future. The laugh tracks will haunt you as you ponder the shallowness of this new , 'brave' world. You let those with the means to change things acquire enough wealth so that they can couch you, in a world of smoke and mirrors... yes... you seem to think that this is the best way to go... well then... keep gobbling up the lotions and potions my dear readers, embrace the senselessness of it all and march to your end. Happy that you've crunched numbers all day, numbers that mean little tomorrow, you chillax in your lazy-boy, with a bag of potato chips. You wait patiently through the news depicting the miseries of the world resulting from your corrupted abandon. As the Cheesies fill the gaps between your teeth you wonder why you exist. Regis is by now hyping up another contestant as your alienated wife announces that your 'seriously twisted fries' are done. Yes... the banal reality of your essence becomes only too clear as you amalgamate your soul to the stupidity of it all... synchronising your spirit to the television, so that you are in tune with the canned laughs... I enjoy the sound of pre-recorded laughter very much... yes... hahaha... you will be busy gobbling up the entire planet while I progress into a higher state of mind... observing... and enjoying myself thoroughly from the confines of my quarters.

I wish you the best,

Herr Shockmeister