I have decided that it is time to resurrect this blog...I am returning from my cyber hiding.

Viva la revolution!

It's been a while since I've written in here. But I am poised on a revolution. A political, an artistic, a technological, and a personal one.

For a while now I've been watching YouTube. I believe that this is the next phase of media. It is what radio once was in the begining. It is free, it is powerful, and it is available to pretty much anyone who has a camera and internet access. I really think that somehow this is the direction that I want to go with my career. For once, I am really happy to be an MTA (Media Technology and the Arts) major. I know that this is going to help me get into the business. I want to create. I want to make movies. I want to make television. I want to create art and entertainment and tell stories with film. I want to have creative control over several different projects. I want it so badely that I cannot imagine my life in the future without it. I have to succede with this, otherwise I don't know what I will do with my life.

I don't think that I have ever stated this so bluntly before, even with myself. I don't think that I ever knew just how hungry I am for this.

But can I do it? There seem to be so many people out there who are so much better than me. What if all that I am capable of is mediocraity? I want to fight for this. To throw myself into it.

I need to do real work now. Senior project related work.

I hope to update this blog more often.

The Revolution and the Government

So I haven’t really even addressed the Revolution and the government. I think that it’s because I really have no idea on how to begin. I don’t know what it would look like. Would it be some sort of violent overthrow? I’m not sure that I want that. So would it be some sort of drastic change within the system? I don’t know. But I do know that something must be done, because we are on a path to self-destruction. It terrifies me to see what my country has become. We were founded with such good and beautiful intentions, and somehow we have seriously screwed up along the way. Governing through fear rather than freedom, lies and secrecy, denial of basic rights and violating the Constitution has become practice and policy in our government today.

And what are we to do about it, those of us who want a change? Vote? For who? I whole heartedly believe that politicians at their very core are corrupt, because ultimately they are seeking out power over other people. Even the ones who begin with good intentions cannot last against the all encompassing machine that is our government system. Most people, when given power over others will fall into the role of the fascist. There have been several psychological studies on this matter, and their outcome is always terrifying.

One of my biggest problems with our government as it is, is the existence of the two party system. I am sick and tired of voting for the lesser of two evils. Either way, I’m still voting for evil. If there were more candidates to choose from, then at least there may be a chance that one of them would actually represent views and concerns that I hold. Perhaps this is the political revolution that we need. More parties. Or no parties.

For a while I was faced with the delima of what to do reguarding voting. I have little trouble voting for issues, but it’s the candidates that I cannot get over. I can’t bring myself to vote for someone who I do not trust with my freedom. So as a responsible, socially conscious person what should I do? I still don’t know. My decision has become to vote for issues, and attempt to vote for politicians who don’t terrify me – who are usually 3rd party candidates. And if I don’t feel confidant voting for any of the candidates, then I’m not voting for anyone. It’s not that I’m voting 3rd party just to be voting 3rd party, that’s as bad as having a party loyality to the Republicans or the Democrats. But 3rd party candidates seem to express a lot of the concerns that I also have. So who knows, perhaps they’re less evil. Quasi-evil.

With that being said, I’m off to mail my (largely blank) absentee ballot.

Also, if anyone reads this thing, be sure to watch this video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4312730277175242198&q=

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.

The Begining

Something is coming. Something big. A revolution.

Perhaps not a revolution in the ‘overthrow the government’ sort of meaning (although that may be a positive change). But a revolution in the cultural sense. Perhaps movement is a better term.

These may sound like the words of a fringe lunatic, but as much as we like to deny it, revolutions do happen. And it has been much too long since we have had one.

The last real revolutions (or movements) as I see them were hip hop and punk. Both of these brought with them not only music, but art, entertainment, political and social issues, and a change in lifestyle and thought. They offered something very counter to the mainstream culture, something revolutionary. However the big money machine that is America slowly absorbed these movements into the main stream. Now it is no longer strange or offensive to see someone with their hair dyed, lip pierced, or wearing dreadlocks. The prevalence of “pop punk”, Hot Topic, and suburban thugs is evidence that these movements are dead. As much as I love punk music and philosophy, I must recognize that it is no longer the fringe counter culture movement that it once was.

So where does that leave us? Hip hop and punk were products of the 80’s. The 90’s offered nothing but the warmed over bastardized version of these movements. People of my generation (around college age) were too young to become involved with these movements when they were really making an impact. My question is to you is, what has our generation offered? Where are our great artists/musicians/writers/thinkers/activists? What have we done or offered that is worthwhile? I say that we are a generation of late bloomers, distracted by the products and mindsets marketed to us. I say that it’s time for us to do something, to really make a mark. It’s time for us to stop being afraid of the real world and to get in there and claim it as our own. It’s time to fuck shit up.

I believe that I am not the only one dissatisfied with our current culture. I believe that I am not the only one longing for a change. However, I’m at a loss for where to start. I say the word revolution, but I don’t know what it looks like. I don’t know what its philosophy or social goals are. As an artist, I don’t know its aesthetic. This is something I have been contemplating for a long time now, and this blog is a means to get these thoughts out. It’s a way for me to sort through my own ideas of what the revolution should be. But also it’s a way to get you, dear reader, engaged in the process. Think about these things, and tell me what you think. What does the revolution look like to you? What do you think should be important about it? Do you know of some movement that already exists out there that is what I am looking for? I’ve created a forum, so please, really think about your answers to these questions, and anything that I post. Talk about it. Generate conversation in real life outside of the intardweb.

I have a lot more that I have written on this topic, but I think that this first post is necessary to introduce you to my line of thinking. You may think that I’m crazy, but society is never stagnant. Something will come along. And I want to be part of it. How about you?