Neal Moawed

Boston University has a great legacy and community of success. With alumni in almost every corner of the world and in almost every profession, you never know who you may have that community with. As a kid, I grew up playing this card game called Magic, The Gathering (yes I’m a nerd). Part of what’s great with that community is the contact we, as players of the game, have with the creators of the game. The guys over at Magic are constantly writing articles and doing interviews as part of the outreach to the community. Recently, I did an interview with Magic Head Designer Mark Rosewater, an alumni from Boston University. Beyond being star struck in actually talking to the person with possibly the coolest job imaginable, I wanted to share with you, the Culture Shock community, the conversation Mark and I had.

Neal: So Mark, lets start with a trip down memory lane. Tell us a little bit about you’re experience at Boston University

Mark: I was there from 1985-1989. I lived on campus, in Warren Towers and later Myles in Kenmore Square, and attended the College of Communications. I was involved in campus, as part of the Stage Troupe, an improve Troupe, a writers workshop, and I wrote some plays.

N: So when you left BU, what was your first job.

M: I went strate to Los Angeles. In Com, I majored in broadcast and film with an emphasis in screen writing and the intention of becoming a writer. My first job was working as a writer at Jerry Shambling show, on Showtime I think. It’s kind of funny how I got the job though, I didn’t know anybody, so I was sneaking onto lots to try to get a bearing about places and learn about them. I snuck onto the lot and they were expecting an interview, who wasn’t me, but the person didn’t show up so I just walked in and did the interview. The first job I got in holly wood I got by taking an interview that wasn’t my interview and ended up getting a temp job.

N: So in many ways it was fate that you got that job

M: Yea, it’s a good example of “make your own luck.” My first job was an interview that wasn’t even meant for me. Once I had that job it was easier to find other work. I spent my first year and a half as a runner, for a production assistant. Its essentially the lowest level, not really paid very well, and then I got my break and went to Roseanne, I had a really good pitch and I got hired on the spot.

N: Was Roseanne your first writing gig for television.

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The room is dark. The only light I have is the burn of my cigar (guilty pleasure) and the glow from my screen, moving to the beat, and the street lamp outside of my music. As I blow my smoke rings, it dances to the sounds of Wyclef Jean, the beat filling the room. A unique peace flows over me, and the stresses of the day just flow away.

The song changes and I start getting reminiscent. This time, R.E.M’s “Night Swimming.” Earlier, it was “Smells like Team Spirit.” Later, who knows, maybe some Buena Vista Social Club, Biggie Smalls, Herbie Hancock, or some long forgotten, once beloved song.

I personally have music on almost all day. When I hop in the shower in the morning, it could be a little Lil Wayne. When I get to work, maybe it’s John Mayer, or Dave Matthews Band (my boss hates rap music). Somehow, it’s never like this. I never focus on the music like right now, I rarely get the inspiration I get right now. For some reason, my relationship with music is one deeper than any relationship I’ve had with a girl, my I-Pod or laptop knows me, it knows my soul. It knows the ups and downs, the lefts and rights.

Like any relationship though, you take it for granted sometimes. When I was in Germany, listening in the dark like I am right now was an escape from the loneliness of being abroad, an escape from having to learn a new area and make new friends. More than anything else it was a release, I didn’t have to think, I could just, listen. On my bus rides to class in the morning, on those cold winter days when you want to just phone it in and stay in your warm apartment instead of going to that 8 am orgo, it was a motivator, an upper, something to look forward to. When I’m studying or reading for class, Miles Davis is always there to help me focus and put me in an open mindset.

I feel like I’m rambling, which is generally a cue to end the post. I guess that since its been so long since I’ve really vibed, and enjoyed the crescendos, staccatos, lyrics, beats, or melodies of my library I forgot what it does for you. I guess my point is, in times of stress, in times of happiness, sadness, loss or excitement, my music is always a way to release, focus and renew. I hope you all take some time to just appreciate it, for what it is, on its own. Music has never made me puke in the bushes, its never made me regret the night before, its only been good to me. Think about it.

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Everyone loves freedom of speech right? It’s that thing that lets NWA yell “F*ck tha police!” and prevents us from putting Charlie Sheen in a straight jacket when he starts talking about 9/11. This constitutionally protected right even lets this humble blog publish on a daily basis. So we get it, we can theoretically say anything we want.

It seems like the problem comes when things shouldn’t be said. Yes, Kanye can run onto the stage during the VMA’s and interrupt Taylor’s acceptance speech, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he should. What about with secrets? Do we have the right to find people’s secrets out and then report them to the public? What about when they’re government Secrets?

According to the wisdom of the internet, July 19, 2010 will be the launch of a new segment in the Washington Post and Wikileaks.org which will begin publishing government secrets. Well, let’s let the alleged Government Document released by the esteemed Washington Times do the talking:

“Early next week, the Washington Post is expected to publish articles and an interactive website that will likely contain a compendium of government agencies and contractors allegedly conducting Top Secret work.”

Awesome! I’m excited! Maybe we’ll finally find out that GE has secretly been developing cathexis rays that allow the aliens the government is covering up to read our minds! All sillyness aside, I’m conflicted about whether this is going to end up being a good thing, if its true. Throughout history, at least American history, transparency has been a tool that empowers citizens and lets them keep the government in check.

On the other hand though, I still can’t help but think of my friends in the military. I can’t help but think that these documents may hurt their efforts in the middle east and elsewhere, that allowing the public to know the contractors and other top secret information could end up getting them killed. While it is in the interest of the public for the government to remain transparent, could the possible damage it does to our troops and position of military strength in the world be too great?

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