I have stuff to do, therefore I blog by Suenos

SUENOS' BLOG

Suenos

I have stuff to do, therefore I blog
Thursday, February 12, 2004

Hey all,

Long time no blog, I know. Things just kind of took off after the holidays and its taken some time to get back in the groove.

During the time I’ve been on the road I’ve seen Dean self-destruct, Kerry come on strong and Janet Jackson come undone. I was fortunate enough to be driving on the day of “the breast seen round the world,” incident but I was amazed at the furor it incited. I mean let’s face it, you’ve either got breasts or you’ve seen breasts. I understand the half-time show was pretty raunchy in and of itself and the wardrobe malfunction was the straw that broke the camels back.

It brings to mind (at least to the mind of a history major) that we are at a cultural transition point. Think of society as being a great big pendulum. The top point on one side of pendulum represents extreme conservative thought in regards to what is socially acceptable and the opposite top point represents extreme liberal beliefs.

When things are going well, people are employed, they have discretionary income, the world is relatively peaceful place, the pendulum swings toward left. Society feels more accepting of art, ideas and expression that push cultural boundaries.

When things aren’t going as well, unemployment is up, there is less money for creature comforts and the world is at war, the pendulum swings toward the right. At this point people feel very threatened and they wonder if we might be headed toward the end of the ride. This produces a fear that society has gone too far and we need to pull back a little (or a lot if you’re John Ashcroft.) Society is less willing to tolerate extreme displays, whether that be in ideas, expression or art.

It’s at these high points of the pendulum that we need to watch out. People who inhabit the extreme ends of the social spectrum come out in droves in an attempt to recruit to their cause the vast majority of Americans who inhabit the middle ground.

It’s really important at these points not to let our emotions lead us into being pawns for one social extreme or another. Don’t let your energy, talent and uniqueness be co-opted just because a lone mammary gland got loose on national television. Take a deep breath and remember who you are.

So on to more important stuff like;

What’s in my DVD player (besides Firefly): “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Johnny Depp in eyeliner, pirates and sword play, what could be better?

What’s on my bookshelf: “Affinity” by Sarah Waters. I really liked her other book, “Fingersmith.” She does a great job with dark, creepy period pieces. I also just finished the first three books in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurell Hamilton. I really liked these. They’re an easy read and anyone who can raise the dead is okay in my book. Just a reminder, I want to be cremated. When I’m gone, I’d prefer to stay that way.

Be well fellow browncoats! Dare I hope for a return of our series??

COMMENTS

Friday, February 13, 2004 1:42 PM

TEELABROWN

Why are people freaking on the whole Janet Jackson thing? It was about 3 seconds out of 4 hours. And with pop society the way it is, I wasn't suprised.

Thursday, February 12, 2004 2:55 PM

TEELABROWN

Sounds like my friend's sister's exact words. "Johnny Depp and eyliner."

Like your views on the society and such.

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