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Are We Hopeless?
The older I get, the more I realize and feel the evils of this world. Infested by a money worshipping, racist, apathetic, hypocritical, lying, ridiculous, unhelpful, and arrogant bunch. Proud followers of all of the above. Yes, the world is beautiful when you ignore or mentally subtract the negative forces that weigh down on the rest of us every waking day. The rest of us who would like to find each other, and who wish there was a way to turn it all around, but feeling helpless because one person alone can't make a difference. Unwillingly being taken by a wave of greed and destruction. Feeding it with our own defeatism.
From the know-it-all atheist who believes a science centralized only on the material dimension is the answer to all existence and resists any explanation or evidence that there's more to it than this material world, to the religious psychopath who fears God, and believes in Jesus' teachings, yet teaches his children that not everyone deserves to be treated with love and respect—we've got much to learn. I'm far from perfect. However, as an observer, a person who truly wants to do good in this lifetime, and learn as much as life can teach me, I must say, I'm highly disappointed in humanity. As much as I try not to think about the negative things that society has shown me exist, it's really become hard to avoid. Especially with the over saturation of people's opinions and thoughts on the internet. Everyone's real-time thoughts via Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace. It becomes evident how distracted we all are with work, events that occur in popular culture, and unimportant material things. The more time goes by, the more distracted we become. When does the distraction stop progressing?
Another thing that concerns me is how everyone is so quick to apply to themselves the thoughts, styles and preferences of the current rich and famous superstars. It's a phenomenon I don't understand. It's fine to enjoy their music. Music is a powerful thing that should be enjoyed, but I believe we should take into consideration what these artists are selling us.
I grew up and live in an urban area where Hip-Hop and R&B are dominant genres people listen to, and follow. I myself grew up with this music, but as I matured, I became turned off by it for various reasons. I suppose you can say it just didn't resonate with me as much anymore, because I grew to really understand the lyrics in rap songs and the superficial and limited nature of the lyrics in most current R&B songs (not to say this only occurs in R&B ). Rappers walk around with their flamboyant jewelry of ridiculous size. Photographed next to fancy cars, and pockets full of cash. Next thing you know, kids in my neighborhood are doing all they can to get big ridiculous jewelry (real and not-so-real) to appeal to this Hip-Hop image or standard. Using disgusting vocabulary they learned from the lyrics of their favorite song by their favorite rapper. It came to a point where aspiring rappers or Hip-Hop artists feel they have to have bulky jewelry and lyrics about drug-dealing, "hoes and bitches", guns and gunshots, etc. to be any kind of relevant. What happened to just being talented, better yet being genuine? Apparently, sometimes that's not even needed.
"People–'specially 'round here, worship the negative. They like that villainous story. They love that drug dealer. They champion the loudmouths. They idolize the aggressive. They feel it's power." -Teddy Forthewin of Asteroid Belt
Couldn't have said it better myself.
How about the female superstars who are made to sell us sex? The more time passes, the more naked and lustful these artists are marketed. Artists on the spotlight make a luxurious living selling us sex, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol (specific brands sometimes) and the rich life most of us will never live because we're not meant to – and that's probably for the better. Things like this... the media, the television programs we watch, pop culture; it's a powerful tool for changing the perspective, opinions and preferences of the masses, and it does just that. We follow oh so obediently. Most of the key periods in time were brought upon by popular opinion. Remember the holocaust?
We need to look up to different people. We need to set different examples. Better ones. Positive ones. Why aren't we doing that? I don't want to discredit the people out there who are indeed trying to steer things the right direction, but we tend not to pay them as much attention as we should. Not even the television shows made for our children are satisfactory. We all know Disney sells sex like crazy, shows like SpongeBob SquarePants teaches stupidity, and cartoons were always filled with violence. There are also those problematic commercials that follow. Repeatedly advertising junk food to our childrens' vulnerable and spongey minds and getting them hooked with their featured promotional toys. I'm pretty sure every child the age of 3 and up (maybe even younger) in North America knows what McDonald's is. Just listen to this conversation I had with my 4 year old nephew:
Are we hopeless? Have we reached a point where the media, pop culture, and the ever-changing technologies have jaded us completely? I will remain positive and wish for the best. I think we can still turn it all around once we all realize how unforgivingly ridiculous we've let everything become. Or perhaps the Earth has to turn upside down before we can get some sense knocked into the collective consciousness.
"Change doesn't happen the way you say it's gonna' happen, without dramatic events that accelerate thinking. I wrote this thing. It might take decades or longer to create a reaction before it anchors into consciousness... " -Vick in Lady In The Water
-Jean Goode
4 comments
Sadly, I don't think there's going to be much we can change about society's ills without someone dropping a Smart Bomb on the entire world.
You pointing out the way people (especially younger people) looking up to the "Gangster" on the television and such made me laugh, because it reminded me of reading something years ago about how celebrity figures, as far back as civilization has existed, has set the trends for what people wear and how people act. It's just amazing how we haven't evolved beyond that lemming mindset.
I could blame parents, but... I think it's going to take folks like us to inspire future generations to do a little better. Every little bit helps, I think.
I must admit I have somewhat fallen slave to the almighty dollar (as if there are many other options) but can never let go of how some people think that's ALL there is! it's almost a rarity nowadays to find someone who is actually getting paid to do something they love vs. was quicker to put money in their pockets than working hard to attain the former idea just mentioned.
As for the followers of the current popular trends in "music", maybe they'll one day realize how pathetic some of the creators of these trends truly are and maybe just take bits and pieces and combine them into A personality of their own such as most people with a reasonable level of intelligence have done (your mention of growing tired of "pop" you once followed). Those who continue to just be carbon copies of what's being mass produced will eventually learn, if not, continue to maintain the balance in the world of those with brains and those not so fortunate to have been invited to the gray matter party. There has to be a balance otherwise people like you wouldn't be appreciated by people like me.
I guess with the previous statement being mentioned and to answer your question, don't be so quick to give up on hope, hope is often what motivates change. Perhaps those who are going to make the change just havnt reached that pinnacle position of power to make significant enough of a change. What I think the sad reality is, is that as we age, we really cant rely on only ourselves to change the giant mess caused by many others, the focus must then transfer to our immediate lives and loved ones and if you accomplish the goal of educating at least those people, then I myself beleive that it wil do 2 things:
1.Make you feel personally satisfied with yourself, and
2.Set off a chain reaction in Which those that you affected, will go out and try to keep the chain of "hope" and progress going strong.
With this I'll finally stop rambling and hope ;^), that your question was answered.
XiconoclastX1: Well said! I agree w/ your 2 points and also enjoy what you call "rambling". Ramble on! I love it!
Awwwe, there is hope after all. You guys makin' me feel straight cozy right now hahahah.
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