It's time to start our own political action committee. We won't actually give money to candidates since they'll use it for their own nefarious purposes. But we'll bitch real loud, send form letters to representatives, and litigate like a mother fucker a la the RIAA.
I'm am sick and tired of commercials, advertising, and the insidious things that go along with them. I'm willing to put up some advertisements. They can be entertaining and, in extremely rare cases, informative. But I'm done. Fuck these people and the the cheap uninspired garbage they hawk. You can't get ripped abs working out 30 minutes a day. No matter how fortified your ice cream is, it's still fucking ice cream. And you can't clean with the power of oxygen. If you could, there would be no need for washing in the first place since we're surrounded by....drum roll please...OXYGEN!
Advertisements are pervasive. They're on tv, radio, magazines, newspapers, every internet page. There are advertisements for products whenever you call a company with a complaint about their other products. We have ads in schools, on clothes, and on sidewalks. There are ads on the fucking stripes between spaces in parking lots. Victoria's Secret should just start advertising on titties. And now here are in-game advertisements for computer and video games. I have to sit through 20 minutes of commercials at the movies. Up next are ads in every pdf document you view. As I type, search engines are compiling data on users to send targeted advertisements and giving that data to other businesses ("their affiliates") for advertising and data mining purposes. TV shows are now smashing the credits into the top 1/3 of the screen so they can run ads in the bottom 2/3. They've lopped nearly 3 minutes off of perfectly good shows to run more commercials. Give me my 3 minutes back asshole! It's enough to make you puke. But if I did, I bet I'd receive an ad for some miracle carpet cleaner that will not only clean my vomit but also wash the car, the cat, and leave both with a pine-fresh scent.
Ad companies, movie studies, and tv networks are working hard to remove the DVR feature that allows you to skip commercials. This means, in effect, that you are LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO WATCH COMMERCIALS. It would be ILLEGAL to fast-forward through them. Of course, you can leave the room. But how many people are going to do that? Not many. And that's what these companies are banking on. Preying on the stupidity of the average fool.
For those of you that want to argue on "personal responsibility" grounds, let me just say I agree with the principle but not the application. It's true that if you don't buy, they may advertise less. But you can't ignore the fact that people are gullible, easily manipulated, and easily fooled. Study after study shows that people, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, are heavily influenced by the images and messages they are pelted with from ads (see the well referenced summary report at the bottom of this link ). If you say it's all on the people who are being fooled, it's tantamount to blaming the poor for being poor while denying them opportunities for better jobs and better education.
Why are people not up in arms about this? These companies are forcing their ads into your home, your time, and your kids' brains. They're using your personal habits to sell more junk and very often don't tell you they're doing it. But remember: it's not spying because we don't call it that.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
The defense calls its first witness
I'm going to respond to some comments from my last post. Mostly because it's midnight and my originality quotient is low at the moment.
I'm in agreement with the fact that many people are turned off by rap/hip-hop because of the musical style. Some people don't enjoy quirky sounds effects, staccato drum lines, and many of the other features of "beats". And I am willing to accept that as a perfectly reasonable argument. In this case, you're not degrading the message or simply projecting stereotypes of the artists onto the art.
I would like to point out that many of these beats have become much more musical. Compare rap/hip-hop from the eighties, nineties, and today. There is a higher prevalence of different instruments as well as different genres (including beats that contain strong country overtones). There are complete and well constructed guitar, bass, and orchestra pieces. Many groups even have full time musicians that travel with them. Also, I'll point out that many of the musical elements of rap (e.g. scratching, beat-boxing, drum-machines, etc.) have ended up in the music of groups ranging from Incubus to Beyonce. So while I accept the argument that rap may be unlikeable for its music style, I also think it important to acknowledge that many of the songs and music people enjoy in other genres borrow heavily from rap.
I'd like to address one other point. I've had several people mention to me that rap is hard to understand. While I agree that it's often difficult to catch the words, I don't think this is a fair argument for not liking an entire genre. Heavy metal, hard rock, and just about anything decently loud is sometimes very difficult to understand. The inclusion of awful sound effects (a la Radiohead and Third Eye Blind) makes it nearly impossible to know what the hell is being said. But the more you listen, the more you learn to discern the words from the music. And, like any music, you have to understand the words in the first place. If you don't know what "crunk" or "skeet" means, then you'll have a much harder time catching the words, let alone understanding what is being said.
That's all I've got. Everyone has their own preferences and no one likes everything that comes their way. But I want people to think about WHY they do/don't like something. Examining our own assumptions is the only way to really understand ourselves and the world around us. It's like Janelle. She loves dance movies. I've never been a big fan of dance. I never felt that the movements followed the music and I've never understood how dance tells a story. But it resonates with her and she does understand it. It's an expression of art and emotion and just because I don't understand it doesn't mean it has no merit. Of course, I'm still going to make fun of it, but only with the understanding that I'm not dismissing it as something that should be removed from public consumption. I don't have that kind of time or vindictiveness.
I'm in agreement with the fact that many people are turned off by rap/hip-hop because of the musical style. Some people don't enjoy quirky sounds effects, staccato drum lines, and many of the other features of "beats". And I am willing to accept that as a perfectly reasonable argument. In this case, you're not degrading the message or simply projecting stereotypes of the artists onto the art.
I would like to point out that many of these beats have become much more musical. Compare rap/hip-hop from the eighties, nineties, and today. There is a higher prevalence of different instruments as well as different genres (including beats that contain strong country overtones). There are complete and well constructed guitar, bass, and orchestra pieces. Many groups even have full time musicians that travel with them. Also, I'll point out that many of the musical elements of rap (e.g. scratching, beat-boxing, drum-machines, etc.) have ended up in the music of groups ranging from Incubus to Beyonce. So while I accept the argument that rap may be unlikeable for its music style, I also think it important to acknowledge that many of the songs and music people enjoy in other genres borrow heavily from rap.
I'd like to address one other point. I've had several people mention to me that rap is hard to understand. While I agree that it's often difficult to catch the words, I don't think this is a fair argument for not liking an entire genre. Heavy metal, hard rock, and just about anything decently loud is sometimes very difficult to understand. The inclusion of awful sound effects (a la Radiohead and Third Eye Blind) makes it nearly impossible to know what the hell is being said. But the more you listen, the more you learn to discern the words from the music. And, like any music, you have to understand the words in the first place. If you don't know what "crunk" or "skeet" means, then you'll have a much harder time catching the words, let alone understanding what is being said.
That's all I've got. Everyone has their own preferences and no one likes everything that comes their way. But I want people to think about WHY they do/don't like something. Examining our own assumptions is the only way to really understand ourselves and the world around us. It's like Janelle. She loves dance movies. I've never been a big fan of dance. I never felt that the movements followed the music and I've never understood how dance tells a story. But it resonates with her and she does understand it. It's an expression of art and emotion and just because I don't understand it doesn't mean it has no merit. Of course, I'm still going to make fun of it, but only with the understanding that I'm not dismissing it as something that should be removed from public consumption. I don't have that kind of time or vindictiveness.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Sing about what you know
I've been listening to a lot of hip-hop/rap lately. Black and white artists. And I've been thinking about the perception of these genres, especially among the white folks. What I don't understand is how people who profess to love music and lyrics will go out of their way to discourse on how awful rap music is without even really listening to what they're hearing.
Folks, what they're singing about is the same shit people have been singing about since time immemorial. They're singing about sex, drugs, war, death, family. This is the same crap the Rolling Stones are lauded for. It's the same themes. Rock and roll was always about sex and drugs. So why is that rap is derided for discussing those same topics? Sure the lyrics are more explicit. Now we say "fuck" and "pussy" instead of hiding behind euphemisms like "brown sugar". People love Lou Reed's Take a Walk on the Wild Side. That song was all about transvestites, oral sex, and drugs. Little Richard steam rolled America with Tutti Frutti. That song is all about butt-fucking. Someone explain to me why those songs are classics and rap is relegated to the dumpster and I'll show you someone that doesn't understand double standards.
On another note: have you ever really listened to how a rap song is constructed? Listen to how the words are used. How the same word can be used several times in a row with different meanings and nuances. These are not ignorant hicks making shit up. These are people who understand language. And though it may not sound like it sometimes, they certainly understand it better than most English speakers. It's poetic: the way the words flow, the construction of analogies and similes, the use of slant rhyme and onomatopoeia. These people are not singers or songwriters. They're poets. Much like Dylan. I'm not saying Dylan and the latest club single are on the same level. But they way they use the language and change the language is incredible.
Lastly, people want to argue that the topics are vulgar, ribald, homophobic, and misogynistic. That may be true sometimes. But again, refer to some of your rock and roll classics. These songs are not always female friendly and they're certainly vulgar if you take the time to really understand what is being sung about. The use of "hoe", "bitch", and "nigger" is just more in-your-face because the topics aren't sugar coated. The songs are often about drugs, guns, and gangs because many of these people grew up in the worst neighborhoods in this country. They write about what they know. And without their voices, much of America would still be ignorant of what is going on in their own country.
And for god's sake STOP calling rap "black music". If you want to talk about black music, let's discuss the fact that a majority of American music is "black". Rock, blues, jazz, soul, R&B. These are all art forms with deep roots in black culture. They've been co-opted, transformed, and adopted by the mainstream white community. It's just plain stupid to say rap is "bad black music" but blues or jazz are good. Listen. I mean really listen to what is being said before deciding rap is not worth understanding. And don't just listen to the words. Listen for the meaning. Hear what the songs are about, not what you think they're about.
Folks, what they're singing about is the same shit people have been singing about since time immemorial. They're singing about sex, drugs, war, death, family. This is the same crap the Rolling Stones are lauded for. It's the same themes. Rock and roll was always about sex and drugs. So why is that rap is derided for discussing those same topics? Sure the lyrics are more explicit. Now we say "fuck" and "pussy" instead of hiding behind euphemisms like "brown sugar". People love Lou Reed's Take a Walk on the Wild Side. That song was all about transvestites, oral sex, and drugs. Little Richard steam rolled America with Tutti Frutti. That song is all about butt-fucking. Someone explain to me why those songs are classics and rap is relegated to the dumpster and I'll show you someone that doesn't understand double standards.
On another note: have you ever really listened to how a rap song is constructed? Listen to how the words are used. How the same word can be used several times in a row with different meanings and nuances. These are not ignorant hicks making shit up. These are people who understand language. And though it may not sound like it sometimes, they certainly understand it better than most English speakers. It's poetic: the way the words flow, the construction of analogies and similes, the use of slant rhyme and onomatopoeia. These people are not singers or songwriters. They're poets. Much like Dylan. I'm not saying Dylan and the latest club single are on the same level. But they way they use the language and change the language is incredible.
Lastly, people want to argue that the topics are vulgar, ribald, homophobic, and misogynistic. That may be true sometimes. But again, refer to some of your rock and roll classics. These songs are not always female friendly and they're certainly vulgar if you take the time to really understand what is being sung about. The use of "hoe", "bitch", and "nigger" is just more in-your-face because the topics aren't sugar coated. The songs are often about drugs, guns, and gangs because many of these people grew up in the worst neighborhoods in this country. They write about what they know. And without their voices, much of America would still be ignorant of what is going on in their own country.
And for god's sake STOP calling rap "black music". If you want to talk about black music, let's discuss the fact that a majority of American music is "black". Rock, blues, jazz, soul, R&B. These are all art forms with deep roots in black culture. They've been co-opted, transformed, and adopted by the mainstream white community. It's just plain stupid to say rap is "bad black music" but blues or jazz are good. Listen. I mean really listen to what is being said before deciding rap is not worth understanding. And don't just listen to the words. Listen for the meaning. Hear what the songs are about, not what you think they're about.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Welcome back you lazy bum
I'm back. After a fun-filled move to a new state, new apartment, and new job, I'm back on the case. Just a few notes for now. We'll save the heavy stuff for tomorrow's post.
First up, I invite everyone to peruse my newest blog. It's a project put together by my brother with contributions from myself and other young (if I'm still allowed to call myself that. I am almost 30. Almost time for this Brandon to run. And if you get that joke you're awesome) people interested in the upcoming asininity and rhetorical whirlwind that is an election year. For god's sake, people have been guessing who would win and what would happen since the beginning of last year. With very poor results I might add. We'll discuss candidates, election issues, and point out the stupidity and double standards that the network news won't discuss. So stop by and leave your thoughts. We want to see comments and discussion.
Second, why is it so difficult to prove that I live in Washington? The DMV (or DOL - department of licensing) wants proof that I live here before issuing me a license. Fine. But they WON'T accept my apartment lease. How fucked up is that? They'll take mortgage documents. They'll take a concealed weapons permit. They'll take my name in a phone book. For shits and giggles, they'll even accept a residential service hook-up order. Not even a bill...just the hook-up ORDER will suffice. This place is fucking stupid sometimes. I guess I know where the state priorities are since it's easier to get a permit to carry a gun than to prove that I have a Washington address.
Tomorrow we'll discuss rap and hip-hop. I've been listening to a lot of Lil' Wayne lately and had some thoughts that must needs be shared. Good night America!
First up, I invite everyone to peruse my newest blog. It's a project put together by my brother with contributions from myself and other young (if I'm still allowed to call myself that. I am almost 30. Almost time for this Brandon to run. And if you get that joke you're awesome) people interested in the upcoming asininity and rhetorical whirlwind that is an election year. For god's sake, people have been guessing who would win and what would happen since the beginning of last year. With very poor results I might add. We'll discuss candidates, election issues, and point out the stupidity and double standards that the network news won't discuss. So stop by and leave your thoughts. We want to see comments and discussion.
Second, why is it so difficult to prove that I live in Washington? The DMV (or DOL - department of licensing) wants proof that I live here before issuing me a license. Fine. But they WON'T accept my apartment lease. How fucked up is that? They'll take mortgage documents. They'll take a concealed weapons permit. They'll take my name in a phone book. For shits and giggles, they'll even accept a residential service hook-up order. Not even a bill...just the hook-up ORDER will suffice. This place is fucking stupid sometimes. I guess I know where the state priorities are since it's easier to get a permit to carry a gun than to prove that I have a Washington address.
Tomorrow we'll discuss rap and hip-hop. I've been listening to a lot of Lil' Wayne lately and had some thoughts that must needs be shared. Good night America!
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