What has happened to American culture???

2012-01-04T19:14:00.000-08:00

For all those people born in the 1990s, don't you ever feel nostalgia for a decade that seemed like yesterday? When there was no 9/11, no Iraq and Afghanistan War, and the technology was as simple as a PC. It was the last decade before American culture and society began to break down and disintegrate. Today, we live in an era where our values and morals are threatened. I believe that this can be attributed to the technological breakthroughs in both the movie and music industry.

While the previous decades of the US were filled with a creative and vibrant energy, the twentieth century offers none. In terms of movies, the 1970s had the color and sound and Star Wars, the 1980s had family adventures like Indiana Jones and Back to the Future, the 1990s had the new computer and technology, and what did the 2000s have? All this momentum ended at this time, as many people decided that it was easier to recycle music, styles, and movies then make them. This led to the creation of "remakes"(think about all those remixes, sequels that you've been hearing about). I’m not trying to criticize a society’s admiration for previous eras, but I just want to point out that our society has been overusing these “remakes” and it has accelerated with the advent of technology.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away...."pop singers used to be actual singers" like Frank Sinatra and the Beatles or John Denver. These were people who put in hours of work to perfect their voice and instilled passion into what they loved to do. Nowadays, the most popular singers are those with an insane amount of publicity, looks, and help from this new deceiving technology called Auto-Tune. What Auto-Tune does is correct any signs of intonation or off-pitch sound. This has led to the arrival of child-pop stars like Justin Bieber, Rebecca Black, and Miley Cyrus. Late bloomers who haven’t found their taste in music, are force-fed this manufactured music. This had led to a generation of people who have terrible taste in music. A few examples of Auto-Tune in the music industry are Rebeca Black's "Friday", Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance", and Britney Spear's ‘Womanizer’.

Technology has also stripped the cornerstones of our culture of its creativity and energy. Ever since the 1990s, filmmakers have been experimenting with CGI and other special effects. They came up with jaw-dropping movies like Titanic, Terminator 2, Judgement Day. Moviemakers continued to ride this trend because it was cheap and good enough to attract attention. Have there been any good movies from 2000-2012?? Yes, and very much no. While movies like Avatar, the Lord of the Rings, and Inception have very well thought out plots, and special effects, other movies have not been so successful. It seems like today that movie-makers are willing to make only "safe films" including sequels and remakes that will make them a boatload of money. I am talking about Transformer 2, 3, Shrek 2, 3,4, the Star Wars prequel, Twilight saga, Eragon, and all those mythological films that make no sense(Immortal).

While some may argue that the movie and music industry is all about business, I say its corporate greed. Companies that control the industry offer you a variety of options, from movies to music but they don’t care about you. They only seek to make profits from their sales at whatever the cost. Even if it means commercializing the hell out of a crappy song or making a terrific trailer to a terrible movie. This has created a conformist environment in our society. Everywhere you go, people are losing their individuality as the media, TV, and other marketing companies tell them what to wear, do, and think. We have become a society of must-haves and this is exemplified with the iPhones, iPad and other i-tech that give you a false sense of control. …I must continue this digression for another day..

I am not saying that technology is evil or bad but when it is mishandled than it can produce detrimental results. In the music and movie industry, it isn't those artists, musicians, and filmmakers to blame, it is those who know the consequences and continue to misuse technology (Hollywood, and whoever popularized Auto-Tune). The core of my argument is that people have been abusing technology like there's no tomorrow and we are seeing the effects of it in society. So why have people not noticed this and gone to stop it?? This is because people are just becoming acquainted with technology. We are at a transition from a modern civilization to one that is technological advanced. People don't realize the trade-offs they are making and until they do, it will be too late.
Too be continued… "dun dun dun!
Work Cited
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30969073/ns/today-entertainment/t/oh-my-ears-auto-tune-ruining-music/
http://dominiquesphere.blogspot.com/2011/01/1990s-golden-era.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-Tune
http://videoeta.com/news/2767
http://help.com/post/136093-im-tired-of-things-like-mone

http://www.larrydewitt.net/Essays/Rap.htm

http://blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2011/01/the_top_6_most_annoying_teen_p.php

New Years Resolution

2012-01-02T16:40:00.000-08:00

Happy post-New Year everyone!! I would have done this sooner, except I was too busy setting this blog up. Here is my resolutions for the year. I hope to improve my physical and mental strength by working out several times a week and going to bed by 12am. Also, I wish to improve on my study habits. I have gone from going all out(Asian-mode!!) to studying just enough to make it by. One of my friends suggested that I review the chapter and the chapters before whenever I prepare for a quiz or test. That way, I will retain everything I know and I won't have to study like crazy for the midterm and finals. Lastly, I wish to gain power, as in a position of power. This will take a while, but I will build up my reputation in the clubs until I get full recognition of my efforts. Also, I would like to thank my good friend Diem for introducing me to a whole new interweb spot. I can already tell that this is going to be a great year!

Introduction

2012-01-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

To anyone who's reading this, I am a college student currently on break with nothing better to do. That is why I am determined to propose a set of questions, that will be the basis for my blog.

Everyone needs a place..it shouldn't be inside someone else..-Richard Sykens

What has happened to American culture???

New Years Resolution

Introduction