I know. Susan Boyle has replaced your heart, or what was left of it. When the name "Susan Boyle" is mentioned, your defenses are probably up. Perhaps the hair is standing up on the back of your neck like some cornered animal ready to muster up maximum strength. When the name comes up in a negative light, you are ready to say things like "But her voice is amazing!" and "She proves to us that anything is possible!" and other similar rebuttals. Perhaps Susan Boyle gave you some inspiration - and what are you doing with it?
That's probably a good question so I'll leave you to it.
You see, I have no problem with Susan Boyle. I thought her singing was very good. She also seemed like a nice woman. What I mean by the headline is - that's it. We have now proven that we as a collective look to karaoke for inspiration. Permanently. There may be no fix. It's been a long time watching this Hydra-headed Idol/Talent beast invade public perception, much like Starbuck's entry into North America. A long time indeed. No more options now and no looking back.
Game over. No more John Lennon. No more The Clash. No more Rage Against the Machine (albums). And it's not limited to music. Do you think you're getting another Bill Hicks? Another "The Battle of Algiers" coming to your local theatre? Not likely. You'll be lucky to have an intelligent conversation that doesn't involve Michelle Obama's dress or Miley Cyrus's recent photographs. Can you see something wrong with our culture? Can you taste it? Not only is there a lack of thought. Bringing it up causes anger and resentment.
"Leave politics to the politicians" is a common one I hear. Sounds like a good plan, doesn't it? I'm sure they are worthy of our trust, without checks and balances, and they will look after our needs just fine. Maybe that's how we got into this situation that the late, great Hunter Thompson would call "the new dumb". The U.S, for example, has systematically dumbed down it's education system over the past 40 plus years. Hunter's horrid vision has now been implemented in society - full throttle across the board.
And where was I? Oh yes, the Hydra beast. Idol and talent shows. When did this become something to defend? People say all the time "They are so talented" and "They are artists".
Take a deep breath. It's karaoke. All of it is karaoke.
Ok? Ok.
And most don't write their own material. So let's turn off the steamroller, shall we?It's been sad to watch the decline. The art and the people in our society that really have something to say are either completely unknown and have worked religiously to achieve a cult status. Zach Braff's new movie goes to every theatre while the new epic based on Che Guevara's life pretty much goes straight to video. Notice something wrong?
It seems like the only things we talk about anymore are people like Susan Boyle, who we saw on our favorite television program. Not anything we created ourselves, because no one is interested in that. Not our own new ideas, plans, or hopes.
We live vicariously through people who are singing karaoke.
I'm sorry I had to put it so bluntly. Maybe you can hold back your defensiveness and turn it into something productive. That could be our only hope.
Steve
www.theunravellingmusic.com
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