iPods?! Really?
Frieze Magazine hosts a discussion between Simon Reynolds and Ann Powers on feminism in music circa 2007, at least as a starting point. SR makes some good points, often on his major recurring topics of interest. AP, on the other hand, sounds completely culturally clueless.
I mean, come on.
We’re not marching any more. Is this diffusion of activist energy connected to the fact that today’s pop icon isn’t an artist but a distribution system – the iPod?Seriously, why are people constantly coming up with bullshit theories like this when such simple explanations are available and apparent? "Did the iPod kill activism?" No, the answer is much more likely the brutally simple and direct one: that when those in power do not care what the masses think, and major media organizations will not report truthfully on organized resistance no matter what the scale, activism is simply a colossal and depressing waste of time inevitably leading to burnout. Either your needs are generally being met and you turn inward, hopefully remembering to vote come next election, or your needs aren't being met and you turn to violence/terrorism.
I mean, come on.
Labels: Music
Posted on Friday, December 07, 2007
1 Comment(s):
I agree that your explanation is more important than AP's (and crucially, is something we should have the power to change). However, I don't think you can overlook the impact of the means of delivery. While focusing on the iPod's cultural status is misguided, I do think that the fragmentation of mass culture (of which the iPod, the internet, downloading, etc. are major drivers) is a big reason why activism in music has decreased -- i.e. inciting mass protest is not very credible when your music almost exclusively addresses a tiny demographic sliver. I think the rise in cynicism is a big cause, too. It's driven by the political environment, too, but cynicism and sarcasm have also become cool in our culture in the last couple decades.
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