Anonymouse wrote:Hmm, totally interesting thread. I've thought about some of the things you guys bring up, but I don't think anyone's mentioned the whole "mainstreaming of porn" issue, and the role of the music video in that.
Maybe it's my whole post-feminist leaking out, but I remember a time in early high-school when Britney Spears and all them ex-mickey mouse club types were hitting the pop scene...and there was something particularly disturbing about the imagery that went along with it.
It was like I was looking at some kind of pedophile's fantasy world right there on my TV. What better role models for a generation of girls than this Lolita archetype! Child-like and sexually available. Completely and utterly sick. It's like the "kinder whore" look of the grunge era, only stripped of all irony and worn by ACTUAL jail-bait.
Then soon after, the invention of "tweens"...sickening dolls like "Bratz" (seriously, I will NEVER get over that ad campaign that said "Don't theorize! Accessorize!"). It was like there was some concerted effort going on to convince girls to be STUPID...that their value, and power came from how desirable they were.
Typically, the media response is a bunch of token concern about this "disturbing trend"...perhaps a a short interview, or soundbite from a psychologists saying a bunch of really obvious shit, while everything is business as usual. Then there's the contrived "rebellion against the archetype" (i.e. Pink, Avril Lavigne), who are merely stylistic variations on the same theme playing to a slightly different crowd.
So is there a concerted effort to keep people stupid, unquestioning - subtly herding them towards an predictable exploitable "archetype" through popular culture...while at the same time convincing them they're rebelling against the system? Yep, I totally believe it!
It also reminds me of the whole "cool hunting" phenomenon, which gives rise to the commercial exploitation of so-called "sub-culture". It's basically the real-life process of creating neat homogenous (and profitable!) demographics out of the less profitable, and more unpredictable realm of individual expression. So, it's not really even secret that our various "cultures" are being covertly hijacked and pushed through the filter of corporate interest. It's not "mind control" in the traditional sense, but it sure does play a huge role in the construction of consensus reality.
I fully believe there are awesome musos out there with real artistic integrity, but I also think the entertainment industry as a whole is highly agenda'd. I dare say that true talent is only REALLY given support by the mainstream, if their material at MINIMUM poses no threat to their interests at that time.
Anyhow, sincere apologies if this is way too ranty, off-topic, or not of interest.
Brilliant post, Ms Mouse!
I'm afraid that I didn't notice half as much sexploitation of the young until I my two young girls came along. It's a daily challenge to allow them to enjoy music etc without being exploited/influenced by the disgusting commercial music industry. Even that great British iconic institution, Marks & Spencer, had to withdraw thongs for young girls due to the furore they caused.
At least my kids will get to know who and what controls the world. My eldest (8) has already told her mates at school that man didn't go the moon and wonders why I refer to Disney as "evil".
The education system in the UK is intriguing. The pass levels get better each year yet the intelligence of school leavers gets worse year on year.
Oh, I'm a man BTW and it's good to see a few more women on this forum - so welcome.