I used, I got high, I got drunk, I got laid but I didn’t get saved. Miss Aaronson makes it sound like its some metaphysical enlightenment. What she fails to mention are the substance’s abused in these circles. Hallucinogens, ecstasy, and pills of all sorts. Rave, funk, techno. Followers like to take you on a trip. This lady is on a trip. She must have had some encounters while on some semi-decent shrooms. She uses a common belief amongst the hallucinogenic crowd (p.109) “This kind of music modifies the consciousness we have of ourselves and according this world.” Its “funky stuff” is an often quoted phrase in that subculture. She says “We enter a funky dimension of perception.” (p.109)
Also on p.109 she “raves” about how "they generate wild corporeal expressions initiated by rhythm and the sound of light effects they skillfully manipulate." These venues are known for their light shows. It is a very popular feature. The light shows are synchronized by participants of these shows. The combined effect of the techno and rave sound, while “trippin’, can create quite a sensation. These sensations she further describes on (p.113).are that of disorientation caused by the technology used for these shows. The combined effect leaves one disoriented? That is the same thing as confused! Then she says when you have sensory overload you can go into a trance where you can escape political and social classification.(p.114) What kind of trance is that? A dead trance? I do not suggest that going to one of these events and ingesting hallucinogenics can solve ANY of your problems! Taking drugs and dancing like crazy at a light show is not the answer. I used, I got high, I got drunk, I got laid but I didn’t get saved.
Now I would like to further this discussion by talking about the social and political aspects that Aaronson claims to escape. A prevalent ideology acknowledged and embraced by the techno, funk/rave crowd is not to be involved politically or socially. That “fusional media has no concerns with social power.” (p. 112 Music and Culture) Show me someone high on drugs that does. These genres embrace rebellion. Rock n' roll, rap, rave, punk and the others.
Whatever it is, it is going against the so- called mainstream. For once I would like them to identify exactly what this mainstream looks like. Not abusing drugs is that mainstream? Not having abortions and indulging in immoral sex practices, is that mainstream? Not being a dead beat dad, is that too mainstream? It seems to me they do what they want to do, anyway. It is not the product but the producers under question and scrutiny. Lets answer a So What? Who cares? question.
Whatever it is, it is going against the so- called mainstream. For once I would like them to identify exactly what this mainstream looks like. Not abusing drugs is that mainstream? Not having abortions and indulging in immoral sex practices, is that mainstream? Not being a dead beat dad, is that too mainstream? It seems to me they do what they want to do, anyway. It is not the product but the producers under question and scrutiny. Lets answer a So What? Who cares? question.
Does it matter that thousands of teenagers a day are contracting “social” diseases and we kill thousands of babies a day for our "social" well-being?
Who cares? I do!
Who cares? I do!
Suicide amongst the youth is at an all time high and our families have fallen apart.
So what you say?
So what you say?
You should care!
This aggressive sexual agenda being pushed in our faces has wrought nothing but destruction. Exactly what does your mainstream look like? Are you applauding Lady Gaga as some social elite and Charlie Sheen? If you attended The Monologues was it really all that enlightening?What about being pro-life or pro abortion? Do our elderly even have any rights? What is a proper age for sexual consent? I don’t think it is ten. Are you supporting death, disease and child molestation by indulging in pornography just because you get a tickle in your britches? Give me a break! What does your mainstream look like?
It is time for you to see and recognize the truth. The only rebellion is against God. God does not support such practices and neither should you. To satisfy the lust of our flesh we have to kill babies?! That lust also includes our lust for money and violence. Is not abortion an act of violence on another human being? Wake up people!
I hope that you start challenging the real mainstream. It is filthy and full of destruction. The answers are with God. Seek Him for He alone has the solutions we need. And help we do need!
I really enjoyed this and really agree with what you are saying about this topic. Aaronson did go off on some weird tangent on a couple of different thoughts. Her so called example of the rave and techno scene was maybe conjured up in her head or maybe she watched it on TV. And I also agree that they are just as rebellious as any other genre. She really down plays what the scene is really about. Drugs and overdosing at raves is far to real. I can remember just months ago when a eighteen year old died from over dosing on ecstasy. The coroner said she basically cooked her self from the drug and the dehydration. These clubs turn the a/c off when the music turns on so people will buy drinks. Then these club promoters charge like five dollars for a small bottle of water. By the end of the night after all the dealers have made their rounds and left people are left trying to piece themselves back together. It’s actually very sad and really needs to be looked at as a serious concern by the people.
ReplyDeleteI think you make a very good point about how raves usually involve heavy drug use and that Aaronson should have mentioned this in her article. It's a well known fact, and there are definitely more experiences to be felt when on ecstasy or other “trip” drugs. The way Aaronson’s essay is written makes me think that she has experimented with hallucinogens as well. However, I disagree with some of your ideas on how the mainstream has an “aggressive sexual agenda”. There are some cases where things are far too sexual to be considered appropriate, but I don't necessarily think that sexuality is a bad thing. It's natural to want sex. We are sexual beings, with sexual parts, and it is inborn for us to have carnal desires. I think we should challenge the mainstream but not because it isn't what "God" stands for or would want you to do. In my opinion, stating what “God” expects from us or using it as a means for argument makes absolutely no sense. Everybody’s perception of what God is is unique. You have the right to your opinions and beliefs, and I respect that. Good job, it was a very interesting read. You bring up a lot of very controversial topics.
ReplyDeleteThis is probably the most interesting blog I have read so far. It was definitely not the typical, vague and passive writing that I am used to on here. You put your feelings into your writings and put your opinions out there. In this blog, you make yourself transparent so we can all see how you truly feel regarding this particular topic. Well done! It is the kind of sincerity that is needed to be shown sometimes!
ReplyDeleteNow, when you say that it is the producers that are under "question and scrutiny", are you implying that they are at fault? Are you referrring to the drug dealers and producers? While I am somewhat naive to drugs and abuse, I don't feel it is fair to place all the blame on the producers of the drugs. I feel as it is the individual's responsibility as to how the substances are used.
Wow, I agree with all of your other commenters. This is an intense interesting blog. I LOVE that you pose the question "what does your mainstream look like?" Because the harsh truth is that mainstream right now is being a dead-beat dad, a user, an alcoholic, a partier, and eventually a nobody when all the fun and games are over. Is mainstream really a good thing? I think this is why alot of bands don't like being "sell-outs" because the mainstream image isnt necessarily a good or moral one right now. Some of the top sellers in any industry is sex, violence, and drugs. We are teaching our kids that being a loser is cool.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I did have trouble swallowing was your ending. I believe in God and believe he wants to be involved in our lives but it doesn't strengthen your argument when you are talking to readers who aren't all of the same religion. If they don't believe in God, telling them to do something "because God said so." isn't going to get you very far. But overall it was a really interesting, well organized blog!