The Revolution and the Internet

What is the role of the internet, and other technologies, in this revolution that I am so ardently searching for?

Sometimes I really scorn the internet. It seems like it is so passive. People spend countless hours of their lives "on-line" never actually doing anything. Days and hours of our lives are wasted, when we could be out doing something else. Something real, based in reality.

Also, it seems that a lot of "revolutions" which have tried to start on-line inevitably fail. I think that it is because the internet seems to create a false sense of community. By visiting a few websites, people get the impression that there are tons of people out there who think just like them. And then they never make the attempt to create a community which is based in reality, because they are comfortable with their on-line community.

However, don't let this make you think that I am completely against the internet, clearly I am not. I think that the internet like other technologies is a tool and should be considered as such. It is not a way of life, and it is not "the revolution". It is a tool, on which could (and I believe must) be used to bring about the revolution. And it is already happening. Perhaps in ways that we are unable to see because of our position in time.

But think about how the internet has shaped our perceptions (I'm talking to the people of my generation). We have no moral qualms with downloading music or videos for free, with burning and distributing these materials. People of older generations see it as stealing. But what they don't realize is that we have been raised with the internet, which is based in the concept of a free exchange of ideas. Music, videos, art, those things should all be freely exchanged. It isn't about making money through those traditional means of selling the actual song, or the actual movie any more. It is about creating something that you want to share, and doing so freely through the medium of the internet.

This has led to the newer phenomenon of original content. People are taking it into their own hands to create, either through writing, through music, video, or other art forms, and then freely sharing it with the world. Suddenly the internet isn't so passive any more. People are really interacting with it. And in doing so, they are interacting in the real world by collaborating with other people on projects.

I really like this DIY ethic of the internet. You want to watch a show, well make one yourself. You want music, make some. You want something worth reading? Write it. Make it. Do it. Share it. It's a beautiful thing that anyone can put anything they have done up, and share it with millions of people.

Of course, when anyone can do anything, you're gonna end up with a lot of shit. And nowhere is that more obvious than the internet. There are tons of useless bullshit blogs, vlogs, videos, and songs that are neither entertaining, intelligent nor creative. But there are also some really good and worth while things out there. Bright, intelligent people creating and talking about things in an entertaining and intelligent way. Without the overriding influence of traditional media, corporations, or the government.

As a filmmaker, I want in. I want so badly to be one of the people creating something worth while. I don't want to be lost in the sea of useless failures. All I want is to do something that is worth my time and energy, something that people will enjoy. And through this medium of the internet, I actually have a shot at it. I can create something, and share it with people. I could potentially make something that people would care about. I'm so excited to do and create, but I'm also kind of scared. What if it isn't good? What if it turns out to be just another waste of time? What if I fail? It isn't a question of skill. I know what to do and how to do it. It isn't a question of drive, because I want it so bad it hurts. Creating is crucial to my survival. This is what I'm supposed to do, and if I don't do it, then I don't know what else I will do with my life. But I feel it boils down to a question of talent. Do I have the talent? Do I have something worth saying? Something in any way new and entertaining? Can I swing it?

This post about revolution has suddenly become very personal. Perhaps this revolution I seek isn't social, but personal. Perhaps the two are intrinsically connected. Be the change.

History and Multiplicity

In order to have a real movement, a revolution, it’s necessary to consider the things which will make this revolution what it is. What is the philosophy of the movement? What is the aesthetic of the movement? What are the common issues or themes of the movement?

Perhaps we could better understand the aspects of this movement by considering other movements, such as the Civil Rights movement, the Feminist movement, Dadaism, Modernism, or Jazz. All of these things are rather different, but they were all incredibly influential in their own right. How do we go about recreating that momentum, that influence, that drive in our search for our own revolution?

It’s easy to say “let’s do something new”, and it is something altogether different to actually do something new. Who are we to think that we are original in our thoughts or beliefs? Who are we to say that what we are doing has never been done before, that our message is one that no one has heard? Nothing under the sun is new.

So if it is impossible for us to do something entirely new, what can we do? It’s easy to say forget it. It’s all been done, so that leaves us with nothing to do. And this is something I’ve heard from a lot of people. The Civil Rights movement already addressed racism, so we can’t do that. The feminism of the 60’s already addressed women’s rights, so we can’t do that. The problem with this kind of thinking is twofold. Firstly, problems like sexism and racism are still around, and must still be addressed. But secondly, and more importantly, by focusing on only one issue we would be limiting ourselves in the scope of our movement.

So I believe that rather than trying to focus on only one thing, it would be best for our approach to be one that encompasses everything. Instead of looking at the world through one narrow lens, we should try to consider all aspects. The movement must be one which encompasses social issues such as racism, sexism, classism, censorship, and various other issues. The movement must embrace history, it must be aware of multiple viewpoints, multiple philosophical arguments. As someone I asked once said: The next revolution must be multicultural.

For me, this concept of multiplicity translates into an aesthetic, which allows me to create art (as mythicalbyrd wrote about). As a filmmaker, specifically, I have a vision of an aesthetic which does not follow any particular genre or style, but rather is a combination of many genres and styles, as an attempt to show reality for what it is. I’m not entirely sure how to articulate this concept, as it is still new to me and I haven’t completely figured it out myself. But it’s there. I feel like something is on the tip of my tongue and the lips of others. Something big that is going to come about, something for which we don’t yet have a name.

Late Bloomers

We are a generation of late bloomers. We have been distracted our entire lives, never really paying attention to the world around us. Never bothering to stop consuming and start creating. We consume to culture which is marketed to us by people much older than us. Fashion, television, games, music, movies…so much of it is created by old white men – designed solely to get our money. You think that pop punk band is so great, that they totally identify with you? Well they were formed, dressed, and completely designed by some music executive in just that manner. It’s all about marketing.

We are a generation of late bloomers. College enrolment is at an all time high. The number of college grads moving back in with their parents after graduation is also on the rise. I’m sure you’ve heard it said…“30 is the new 20”. We have such a youth oriented culture that we have created a generation afraid to grow up. We go to college, and still act like children. “College kids”. We’re terrified of life after school. The real world is daunting and big. So we’ll just leave the running of the real world to the adults. They seem to be doing a pretty good job of it.

We are a generation of late bloomers. We have all this education, and no knowledge. We have no truths to call our own, no calling to be our truth. We consume and consume and consume…information, education, entertainment. When will we begin to create? Where is our renaissance? Are we really just going to slip through the cracks like this? To simply accept the lukewarm, processed leftovers of our parents’ culture? Are we going to do anything at all?

Is anyone even listening? Does anyone even hear my words? Perhaps I am a fringe lunatic. A voice calling in the wilderness. Does anyone even care?

How can I start something when I have no concept of what it is I want to start? How can I start something if no one joins me? How can I be a part of something which doesn’t exist?

Maybe it will take us a little bit longer to bloom.