Cultural Movements
What has happened to the youth movement? Having now passed the halfway mark of decade number one in this twenty first century it seems that the values of modern youth are to be no more complicated than whether Eastenders is on, alcohol is available and Dominos are operating. Gone are the activity and hope embraced so widely and by so many in the twentieth century as a hippy, mod, punk or raver. Conformity and ridicule of alternative ideas have replaced the rebellion, free thought and community previously provided by these youth groups. Persons with a view that differs from the mainstream are on their own and fair game for those who fear that which they do not understand. Existence of a dissenting group fuels evolution and, most importantly, provides a fundamental building block in the structure of democracy and therefore our very way of life. There are many possible explanations for this change from increased financial security in the West to paranoid fear of thought crime and a place for any dissenter in a Count of Monte Cristo style prison. Rather than focus on the cause of modern apathy this article will present ideas to remove people from it.
A common underlying aspect of previous cultural movements such as those mentioned above has been music. The power of music to express emotion strongly, tied with its ability to not work when censored, make this form of communication strong. There is almost no one alive or dead who doesn’t appreciate or understand its potential to facilitate new ideas. One look at modern music therefore does not bode well for a forthcoming shift. It seems the modern diet of ‘cheese’, RnB and Hip-Hop with their themes of excessive consumption, violence and misogyny fulfill the modern view of the world. Fundamental subjects such as love and relationships are of course still present but lack vital ingredients such as passion. Guitar based music has enjoyed something of a resurgence ever since the press incorrectly declared dance music to be dead a few years ago but these bands don’t want to affect change. They want to be the Rolling Stones and still be touring in their sixties. Any rocking of the boat is done lightly so as not to veer the craft from it’s course. The only well known exception, Pete Doherty, has managed to sink his vessel and any other style of informed and exciting music such as Grime is dismissed due to record companies not being able to work out how to sell anything beyond the karaoke singer. Money and business are our religion now and they don’t have time for anything that will not produce immediate profit. The product itself is irrelevant. The lowering of standards began a long time ago but we are now seeing significant results. Don’t give in and go to the cheesy club because everyone else is. Find the smaller nights and support those making music you really like. When you visit HMV don’t buy whatever was advertised on TV the night before. The stuff that you just have to listen to rather than have on only as background music is out there but requires you to make more effort to find. Artists in all disciplines should not look to the mainstream as an outlet. It has been compromised and art cannot be.
Freedom of speech is essential for any future movement. Without the free and flowing dissemination of ideas there simply won’t be any further progress beyond a violent one. Most people can live their lives without continuously being stuck in a circle of violence. Why do our leaders find this so difficult unless it benefits them? Recent anti-terrorism laws play into the hands of the totalitarians (who do still exist) despite the good intentions of the people who sell these laws to us. Our government’s lack of awareness regarding future implications is puzzling and sets the thought process down the murky road of conspiracy. Have the wrongdoers at the highest levels tired of their positions above the law and economy and lost their minds? Were the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and 7/7 planned as ‘false flag’ incidents in order that unpopular laws could be introduced that will allow the elite to maintain their position in an ever more open and armed world? Whether this is planned as such by bored magnates or is a result of the consequences of ignorant yet well-intentioned decision is unknown at present. Since the lies over weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the defiance of a fundamental democratic provision within the UN council in order to invade it has become difficult to place oneself surely upon any side. This state of confusion defines the current mood amongst many people and is a major influence towards a situation of apathy such as we are experiencing culturally. Paradoxically, this confusion can also motivate once the reason for its existence is understood.
There is a lot to be done. Communication of these mixed feelings needs to be stepped up exponentially through sources untainted by rank commercialisation. The Internet is the number one place at the moment for this to be achieved. Speed is of the essence however with developments such as Google defying its own company motto of an Internet free from censorship in order that its search engine is taken up in China. Precedents are being set and further focus on limiting the world-wide-web is a hot topic. Just a little extra time taken exploring this life-changing resource can reveal whole caveats of information, discussion and music that make more sense than anything provided through the idiot box or modern wireless. Homemade newsletters and fanzines handed out at the right places plant seeds that may sprout roots that flower in ways unimaginable when first conceived. Music enthused with passion and fearless truth, actively against getting signed by a major label, needs to be made and distributed to those going mad trying to understand what they are growing up into. Most importantly, with all this, must come a new way of thinking that places love and forgiveness above greed and revenge. This is not a call to arms but a call for understanding and peace. You have no enemies. Only people who misunderstand you.
A common underlying aspect of previous cultural movements such as those mentioned above has been music. The power of music to express emotion strongly, tied with its ability to not work when censored, make this form of communication strong. There is almost no one alive or dead who doesn’t appreciate or understand its potential to facilitate new ideas. One look at modern music therefore does not bode well for a forthcoming shift. It seems the modern diet of ‘cheese’, RnB and Hip-Hop with their themes of excessive consumption, violence and misogyny fulfill the modern view of the world. Fundamental subjects such as love and relationships are of course still present but lack vital ingredients such as passion. Guitar based music has enjoyed something of a resurgence ever since the press incorrectly declared dance music to be dead a few years ago but these bands don’t want to affect change. They want to be the Rolling Stones and still be touring in their sixties. Any rocking of the boat is done lightly so as not to veer the craft from it’s course. The only well known exception, Pete Doherty, has managed to sink his vessel and any other style of informed and exciting music such as Grime is dismissed due to record companies not being able to work out how to sell anything beyond the karaoke singer. Money and business are our religion now and they don’t have time for anything that will not produce immediate profit. The product itself is irrelevant. The lowering of standards began a long time ago but we are now seeing significant results. Don’t give in and go to the cheesy club because everyone else is. Find the smaller nights and support those making music you really like. When you visit HMV don’t buy whatever was advertised on TV the night before. The stuff that you just have to listen to rather than have on only as background music is out there but requires you to make more effort to find. Artists in all disciplines should not look to the mainstream as an outlet. It has been compromised and art cannot be.
Freedom of speech is essential for any future movement. Without the free and flowing dissemination of ideas there simply won’t be any further progress beyond a violent one. Most people can live their lives without continuously being stuck in a circle of violence. Why do our leaders find this so difficult unless it benefits them? Recent anti-terrorism laws play into the hands of the totalitarians (who do still exist) despite the good intentions of the people who sell these laws to us. Our government’s lack of awareness regarding future implications is puzzling and sets the thought process down the murky road of conspiracy. Have the wrongdoers at the highest levels tired of their positions above the law and economy and lost their minds? Were the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and 7/7 planned as ‘false flag’ incidents in order that unpopular laws could be introduced that will allow the elite to maintain their position in an ever more open and armed world? Whether this is planned as such by bored magnates or is a result of the consequences of ignorant yet well-intentioned decision is unknown at present. Since the lies over weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the defiance of a fundamental democratic provision within the UN council in order to invade it has become difficult to place oneself surely upon any side. This state of confusion defines the current mood amongst many people and is a major influence towards a situation of apathy such as we are experiencing culturally. Paradoxically, this confusion can also motivate once the reason for its existence is understood.
There is a lot to be done. Communication of these mixed feelings needs to be stepped up exponentially through sources untainted by rank commercialisation. The Internet is the number one place at the moment for this to be achieved. Speed is of the essence however with developments such as Google defying its own company motto of an Internet free from censorship in order that its search engine is taken up in China. Precedents are being set and further focus on limiting the world-wide-web is a hot topic. Just a little extra time taken exploring this life-changing resource can reveal whole caveats of information, discussion and music that make more sense than anything provided through the idiot box or modern wireless. Homemade newsletters and fanzines handed out at the right places plant seeds that may sprout roots that flower in ways unimaginable when first conceived. Music enthused with passion and fearless truth, actively against getting signed by a major label, needs to be made and distributed to those going mad trying to understand what they are growing up into. Most importantly, with all this, must come a new way of thinking that places love and forgiveness above greed and revenge. This is not a call to arms but a call for understanding and peace. You have no enemies. Only people who misunderstand you.
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