DJL

The Youth of Today...

2006-03-03T23:48:00.000Z

youth
Originally uploaded by DJLDJL.

What has happened to the youth movement? Having now passed the halfway mark of decade number one in this twenty first century it seems that the values of modern youth are to be no more complicated than whether Eastenders is on, alcohol is available and Dominos are operating. Gone are the activity and hope embraced so widely and by so many in the twentieth century as a hippy, mod, punk or raver. Conformity and ridicule of alternative ideas have replaced the rebellion, free thought and community previously provided by these youth groups. Persons with a view that differs from the mainstream are on their own and fair game for those who fear that which they do not understand. Existence of a dissenting group fuels evolution and, most importantly, provides a fundamental building block in the structure of democracy and therefore our very way of life. There are many possible explanations for this change from increased financial security in the West to paranoid fear of thought crime and a place for any dissenter in a Count of Monte Cristo style prison. Rather than focus on the cause of modern apathy this article will present ideas to remove people from it.

A common underlying aspect of previous cultural movements such as those mentioned above has been music. The power of music to express emotion strongly, tied with its ability to not work when censored, make this form of communication strong. There is almost no one alive or dead who doesn’t appreciate or understand its potential to facilitate new ideas. One look at modern music therefore does not bode well for a forthcoming shift. It seems the modern diet of ‘cheese’, RnB and Hip-Hop with their themes of excessive consumption, violence and misogyny fulfill the modern view of the world. Fundamental subjects such as love and relationships are of course still present but lack vital ingredients such as passion. Guitar based music has enjoyed something of a resurgence ever since the press incorrectly declared dance music to be dead a few years ago but these bands don’t want to affect change. They want to be the Rolling Stones and still be touring in their sixties. Any rocking of the boat is done lightly so as not to veer the craft from it’s course. The only well known exception, Pete Doherty, has managed to sink his vessel and any other style of informed and exciting music such as Grime is dismissed due to record companies not being able to work out how to sell anything beyond the karaoke singer. Money and business are our religion now and they don’t have time for anything that will not produce immediate profit. The product itself is irrelevant. The lowering of standards began a long time ago but we are now seeing significant results. Don’t give in and go to the cheesy club because everyone else is. Find the smaller nights and support those making music you really like. When you visit HMV don’t buy whatever was advertised on TV the night before. The stuff that you just have to listen to rather than have on only as background music is out there but requires you to make more effort to find. Artists in all disciplines should not look to the mainstream as an outlet. It has been compromised and art cannot be.

Freedom of speech is essential for any future movement. Without the free and flowing dissemination of ideas there simply won’t be any further progress beyond a violent one. Most people can live their lives without continuously being stuck in a circle of violence. Why do our leaders find this so difficult unless it benefits them? Recent anti-terrorism laws play into the hands of the totalitarians (who do still exist) despite the good intentions of the people who sell these laws to us. Our government’s lack of awareness regarding future implications is puzzling and sets the thought process down the murky road of conspiracy. Have the wrongdoers at the highest levels tired of their positions above the law and economy and lost their minds? Were the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and 7/7 planned as ‘false flag’ incidents in order that unpopular laws could be introduced that will allow the elite to maintain their position in an ever more open and armed world? Whether this is planned as such by bored magnates or is a result of the consequences of ignorant yet well-intentioned decision is unknown at present. Since the lies over weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the defiance of a fundamental democratic provision within the UN council in order to invade it has become difficult to place oneself surely upon any side. This state of confusion defines the current mood amongst many people and is a major influence towards a situation of apathy such as we are experiencing culturally. Paradoxically, this confusion can also motivate once the reason for its existence is understood.

There is a lot to be done. Communication of these mixed feelings needs to be stepped up exponentially through sources untainted by rank commercialisation. The Internet is the number one place at the moment for this to be achieved. Speed is of the essence however with developments such as Google defying its own company motto of an Internet free from censorship in order that its search engine is taken up in China. Precedents are being set and further focus on limiting the world-wide-web is a hot topic. Just a little extra time taken exploring this life-changing resource can reveal whole caveats of information, discussion and music that make more sense than anything provided through the idiot box or modern wireless. Homemade newsletters and fanzines handed out at the right places plant seeds that may sprout roots that flower in ways unimaginable when first conceived. Music enthused with passion and fearless truth, actively against getting signed by a major label, needs to be made and distributed to those going mad trying to understand what they are growing up into. Most importantly, with all this, must come a new way of thinking that places love and forgiveness above greed and revenge. This is not a call to arms but a call for understanding and peace. You have no enemies. Only people who misunderstand you.

Class Stereotypes

2006-03-03T23:39:00.000Z

chavs
Originally uploaded by DJLDJL.

A friend of mine was visiting Ocean & Collins the other day and, while ordering a drink, was told by a fellow partygoer that the bar did not accept ‘Next vouchers’. Elsewhere, in a lecture room somewhere, a class were being asked to write down the name of their favourite magazine (and why) on separate pieces of paper. A group of girls all wrote the same thing – ‘Tatler’, because, ‘I can see my friends in it’. My hometown of Milton Keynes is often credited as a ‘chav’ stronghold and so it is with great interest and amusement that I now find myself in virtually the opposite.

One good initial difference are the girls who obviously have plenty more money with which to keep themselves looking attractive. The uniform of drainpipe jeans, gilet, ugg boots and large belt endures, yet its flattering effect makes it preferable to some of the fashion on parade in Central Milton Keynes Shopping Centre most Saturdays. The men also drift towards certain brands as they do back home. In Oxford we have Jack Wills, in Milton Keynes it is Burberry. Beyond these surface stereotypes however, the behaviour of certain egos amongst both classes are identical...

It seems that a lot of people get caught up in anything that gets conveyed through the media regardless of importance or logic. The problem is that marketing organisations need us to be cut up into manageable groups so that they can target whatever they are peddling efficiently. This sectioning reverberates throughout the rest of our lives and causes confusion amongst people when there is no need. The search for profit is not without its side-effects. Many of the problems we now face as a race are side-effects of this quest, glamorised and democratised immeasurably over the last part of the previous century.

An outraged yet stalled reaction by liberals in the West along with ever-faster ways of communicating have brought the subject into the mainstream. We are told opinion is divided 50/50 in both the US and UK. Belief that statistics are definite proof of an assumption must be employed here however. This conflict that the media and marketing organisations both need and love loses its authenticity quickly. Most people I know get on with anyone regardless of perceived class and with a couple of amusing exceptions this has remained so since my time in historic Oxford.

Lad Culture

2005-11-29T16:39:00.000Z

Lad Culture
Originally uploaded by DJLDJL.

The nineties were the decade of ‘lad culture’. So strong was this concept that the tail end of it is still with us five years into the 21st century. Monthly magazines such as ‘FHM’ and the popular weeklies such as ‘Zoo’ and ‘Nuts’ carry the flag today and it seems that not much has changed.

A life dedicated to tits, lager, kebabs, fights and football distinguish the lad from his peers. “What’s wrong with that?” I hear you say. Well, lad culture has certainly had its place for the pre-pubescent wanting to learn about new experiences. What is worrying are those who are older and still hold onto these values despite surely knowing better. My explanation is a fear of change, a holding onto of youth. I get the feeling that those who won’t let go are paralysed into staying put with their ideas from regular perusal of corporate owned tabloids and television with their messages of hate and fear. Every time I look at the news it is terrorism, war, new laws, less freedom – all for our safety of course. Why don’t they cover things like how peoples attitudes are changing? How we no longer want war, that governments are all corrupt and need de-centralising and how we could easily get rid of almost all poverty and suffering by spending the billions of pounds on ‘defence’ on feeding and clothing the poor of the world instead. Isn’t the news supposed to be THE news as in all of the news and not just things that shit you up and make you think that society is done for? “Shut up, go back to bed. Watch football and binge drink while we get on with fucking you. Your government is in control. You are free to do as we tell you.” No wonder lad culture is still alive and well with its simple uncomplicated pleasures and first mantra of ‘ignorance is bliss’.

What I find most distressing about this cultural movement though is its attitude towards relationships. A second hidden mantra is ‘shag or be gay’. So, while down the local meat market or public house, if you don’t chat up the alcoholic 16 year old who keeps pinching your arse your so-called mates will berate you with cries of “you were well in there. What’s wrong with you, don’t you like women or something?” When this has happened to me I explain that I do like women and I like them enough not to take advantage of them. “You’ll never pull with that attitude” is the usual response. “Good” I say. I’ve tried this sort of behaviour before and ended up ruining other peoples’ relationships and making trips down to the GUM clinic. “So, you not into women then? You must be gay.” By this time I am getting tired of the ignorant comments but in the interest of maintaining a jovial atmosphere I reply with the only answer my appointed sexual-orientation judge won’t be able to reply to: “Yes, you must be right. I’m gay.” Laughs all round and we continue drinking.

I can hear you saying “What’s wrong with uncomplicated mutual sex if I’m using protection and we both know the score?” Well, nothing, but I have found that when you have sex with someone you form a connection unlike any other. You are no longer just friends. Someone’s heart might get broken (and this may not be either of you). Your reputation might suffer. If you become prolific you’ll eventually gain the tag of ‘slag’ which should be as equally off-putting to women as it is to men regarding the opposite sex. This is enough to put me off this kind of behaviour and instead wait for the right girl to come along who wants more than this. Making love is amazing, incredibly special and is not just about basic pleasure. It’s not something to do to impress your mates and make you feel like a bigger person. In reality sex is a tiny part of any relationship. Never forget the miracle of masturbation for relieving those frustrations. It is the safest orgasm around...

‘Girls should be treated as sexual objects’ is the third mantra. What is surprising is that many girls know this and play up to it. There are, of course, girls who also behave like ‘lads’. The reasons for ‘ladettes’ behaving like this are exactly the same as their male counterparts. So, who is to blame? Men or women? This debate rages in various different forms on daytime TV everyday. “Who is to blame for the way my life is turning out? Who is the enemy? Aaaarghhhh, someone’s trying to get me, trying to fuck up my life!” Excellent - paranoia - the mainstay of a totalitarian government. Keep the masses confused and scared and we have control of them. Lets keep them occupied with sports and cheap titillation while we steal oil.

To those who practice lad culture – both men and women – I say this: its time to mature and evolve. We really all want a healthy, strong relationship with someone we love. When there are people who go around trying to fuck anything that comes near them without thinking of the consequences of their actions we have a problem. Break free of your shackles and be your true self. Ignore the shit that is fed to you by the media and make this your own world.

Jesus Christ

2005-11-29T16:33:00.000Z

Jesus Christ
Originally uploaded by DJLDJL.

It seems that fairly recently the view that religion is a load of bollocks and is responsible for wars and so on has become very popular. There is no doubt that there is heart-felt sentiment in support of this view but to dismiss a belief that has been held for over 2,000 years so flippantly was not enough to fully convince me of this standpoint. I mean, how exactly did Christianity start? I wanted to find out a bit about it but there was no way I was going to read the bible with its image problems and the fact that it seems to be written in some sort of code, such is the antiquity of the text. Luckily I managed to find a children’s bible stories book which handily summarised for me most of the writing from the hallowed tome.

Upon reading it my reaction was that it was a collection of extremely good stories on the subjects of life and love. So why have people and, in particular, those in power accepted it as a truthful account of human history and still do to this day? It was clear that history itself could shed some light on the answer to this and so it was with great interest that I read a book called ‘Sophie’s World’ by Jostein Gaardner about the history of philosophy while on holiday. This contained an insightful section about Christianity and more particularly Jesus himself.

Apparently, about 1,000 years before the birth of Christ, Israel was a powerful and glorious country but eventually lost its power and its population was enslaved. People were looking for a saviour to restore Israel to greatness - which many people tried to do. One of these was Jesus and, being the first recorded human to preach the importance of love, he left the most lasting impression. He distinguished himself from the other potential ‘saviours’ by stating clearly that he would not be saving the people in a political or military sense but by expressing love and forgiveness for one’s enemy. The Bible resulted from the desire of his friends to record his revelatory thoughts and so they wrote stories and accounts that conveyed them. These stories mixed truth and fiction in much the same way as modern film and writing.

Why have certain people decided to abandon their reason and accept all of it as the literal truth though? There comes a moment in everyone’s life where you have to take a leap of faith. Many people have understandably turned to the Bible at this point. The misunderstanding takes place when somebody over simplifies the Bible as a rulebook on how to live. The reality is that this great religious tome can only act as a guide. This simplistic perpetuation amongst our political leaders only aggravates the awkward state of the modern world but it has proved, to me at least, that religion in itself is not just bollocks and shouldn’t be dismissed as such.