In the section “Spring” Lasn provides an alternative to “living in the mediacy,” showing that there is a revolutionary legacy from which contemporary culture jammers, Situationalists, Meme Warriors, and other dissident groups have drawn both strength and example. The driving force to live as not the “object but as the subject of the story” may seem counteractive, ridiculous, and even hypocritical to some of you. To others these spontaneous acts of defiance represent courageous, righteous, and necessary mentality.
1) Present me with two examples of these authentic acts: one that you agree with, support, or could even imagine taking part in; another that you oppose, that doesn’t seem worth it to you, or are even offended by. Present each of these, referencing the page or section that discusses it, and give a thorough explanation of your choices. Support your arguments (your feelings) with evidence, (past examples from Lasn, or any other material from lecture, Diamond, Leopold, discussion, or your own lives).
2) Is there an authentic act you could imagine taking part of? What context/ issue/ conditions would you agree to and, more importantly, what outcome would you be aiming for?
3) Finally discuss briefly the need (if any) for defiant/ revolutionary/ protesting forces in society (whether or not it is you personally rebelling). What does these whistle blowers accomplish? Do we think more critically because of them? Do they contribute to our ‘education’? (Informing people of the ecological footprint of their consumer habits). Do they achieve justice? (uncovering or bringing to justice wrongs of the government, corporations, or other powerful entities)?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think that Lasn presents many interesting views on how to live life as an American. However, to me, I feel that some of the things he speaks about are a bit too obvious and redundant. One such act that Lasn mentions is mentioned about jammers is that they “past GREASE stickers on tables and trays at McDonald’s restaurants.” (110). To me, this seems like it is not exactly changing the way someone views the food at McDonald’s. Anyone who has had a meal from any fast food restaurant knows that his or her food is greasy and unhealthy. Unless you have had only a diet of fast food you know that the food is horrible, if not when you are eating it, you realize the way it affects your body at any age. People know that when they get food from McDonald’s that it is unhealthy, which in my opinion is why people sometimes go there. By going there every once in a while you are indulging in something that is bad for you, and know the consequences of eating there, and seeing a sticker that says ‘GREASE’ on it will not make you stop and think about the food you are eating, unless you have lived under a rock your whole life.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I agree with Lasn about is uncooling certain brands. He mentions this in many ways (described on page 113). Lasn thinks we have the power to “uncool” things, and we can do this in a number of ways. An example Lasn mentions that I believe everyone can agree is anti-smoking. I do believe that in recent years the anti-smoking ads have become a bit over done, but I think they started out with a great cause and reached millions of people. It can be done with any brand or corporation, and is done by people who feel that damage has been done. If you feel strongly about a negative impact something has had, anything from cigarettes to the way men and women are portrayed in media, you can do something to fix it, be essentially mocking it. I think young children are very impressionable, and if they see a certain ad that makes something appeal to them that could have negative impact, it should have a counter ad to make them realize that there is more than only one way.
Being a creative person, I feel that one of the things I could see myself doing is making these sort of anti-ads for certain things. I personally do not know what topics should be covered; because there are so many issues out there that people need to know more about. But I believe that if people become more educated about things, then they can change. You can not expect the culture we live in to rapidly change its ways, but I do think that more people have access to media than ever before, and if they can find ways to change through some of the techniques that Lasn speaks about, then I think the culture can shift to a more responsible way of life. Especially now where people are more concerned than ever about certain issues, but are completely obvious to issues just as important, if these people can be reached in an effective manner, than more positive change can occur.
Lasn, Kalle. Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America. New York: Eagle Brook, 1999. Print.
Response #9
ReplyDeleteDeep down, every individual has the desire to change some aspect of culture. The main roadblock is the fact that everyone, including myself, believes they alone cannot create a significant enough impact to change anything. In “Culture Jam” Lasn describes one group in particular that positioned themselves as the progeny of the Situationalists. This group called themselves the “Perpendiculaires.” The leader, Guy Debord explains their main goal is to spread culture more literally through speaking to one another on an individual level rather than through mass media and gorilla advertising.
Continuing with the concepts of authentic acts, Lasn contrives the “five most potent metamemes currently in the culture jammer’s arsenal (124 Lasn).” This consists of True Cost, Demarketing, The Media Carta, The Doomsday Meme, and No Corporate “I”. While some of these I believe work in theory, most could come out to contradict themselves in some manor. One in particular that I think would only work theoretically is “Media Carta.” This metameme is defined as “Every human being has the “right to communicate”—to receive and impart information through any media (124 Lasn).” Although this is a defiant act, I know that if any person off the street was able to televise or mass communicate their own perspectives, I would end up tuning it out. There comes a point where it would become to random and in a sense chaotic. Instead, I would change this “authentic act” into an objective more like what the “Perpendiculaires” were trying to obtain. I would strongly support banning mass media so that individuals would be required to speak with each other instead of stare off into a big black box feeding us mundane bias information. The only way to turn around our culture into actual freethinking democratic human beings is to help individuals feel as though they can actually make a difference themselves. This means that you might have to get off the couch and speak to one another to be able to reach out and get your message across. Once people understand that they have the freedom of speech as Lasn explains, “the idea that you have the right to do that in a democracy is utterly empowering (133 Lasn).” Then and only then, will we be able to make a difference and have share a moment of clarity and truth.
Lasn, Kalle. Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America. New York: Eagle Brook, 1999. Print.
Mara Schlanger
ReplyDeleteWhile Lasn takes an adequate amount of time and effort to bash the media and modern consumer culture, he uses these supposed “negative elements” of society as a means of change and revolution. In the section about meme and meme warriors, Lasn uses the example of smoking and anti-smoking. Lasn says that one meme is the idea of cigarettes as tools for socialization and medicinal purposes. Lasn claims that this meme can be counteracted with anti smoking ads that will transform the meme of cigarettes into a negative image. I fully support the idea of anti-smoking ads and I think that the best way to infiltrate these into society is through media based images. While some may not agree with television or other forms of revolutionary technology, the reality is that these devices exist and make up a large part of our society and culture. Using the media to demonstrate anti-smoking is much more effective than traveling door by door, picketing, or other forms of “ant-technological” protest. I think that the meme of society regarding cigarettes does need to change and that the media can greatly help such a cause.
Professor Trumpey provided our lecture with other examples of authentic acts. I was particularly interested with “buy nothing day” that was a counter to the idea of black Friday and our product driven world. I dont think that this act is successful because unlike other methods and actions, it isn’t permanent. It may be a hard reality to accept, but I think it is nearly impossible to completely change our production-consumption world. I do, however, think it is completely possible to become aware of the relationship that we, as consumers, have with products and the money spent on goods. Not spending for one day doesn’t make enough impact on people to have them realize their relationship with goods that could potentially change our societal habits as a whole. Buy nothing day isn’t a drastic change in ones modern day routine, and it only lasts one day, which makes its finite period almost negligible on the global change scale.
I’ve always been an avid supporter for education and the idea that everyone deserves the same right to learn and go to school. I would love to be a part of No Child Left Behind or some other group that provides children with schooling and education. My outcome and goal for such participation would be to see kids growing and becoming educated on the issues that we are facing today. Our future is in the hands of the youth so their education is vital.
I don’t think defiant revolution is necessary because I don’t think extremes in society accomplish anything. Being too far one on side of the spectrum causes debate and a huge separation between ideals. Moderation is key and I think that by practicing not only our revolution and authentic acts moderately as opposed to completely rebelling will allow for a peaceful transition and natural change. That’s why I think media practices such as anti-smoking ads are a mild and effective way of alerting the public and education them about the dangers of smoking….as opposed to shutting down the entire tobacco industry which would severely impact our economy. I think that the justice of these warriors is dependent upon society, so until our society as a whole can greatly transform, their justice they are protesting for will never be served.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLabeling authentic action as “social agitators” attracts and repels me at the same time. These activists are described to have prevailing ethos, belligerent attitudes toward authority, take risks, and commit to spontaneous moments of truth (Lasn 99).
ReplyDeleteThe “agitator” portion of the label turns me off. Especially through the culturejamming of “cyberpetitions.” While Lasn recommends finding “like-minded souls” to send the petitions to I think people just take the opportunity to send the petition out to anyone. I’m sick of being bombarded with e-mails. They are so disconnected and just another thing I skim over and delete with out response usually putting a bad taste in my mouth. Lasn should revert to Debord’s theory that information and culture should be spread laterally not vertically – through personal communication rather than mass media. While the intentions may embody the prevailing ethos and truth the lack of spontaneity in delivery diminishes the effect.
I really enjoy and agree with Guy Debord’s idea of the dérivste’s who believe that by floating through the city and exposing yourself to what ever you come in contact with is a good way to break out of the mass-culture trance (Lasn 103). That everything you encounter will happen by chance and that through openness to what ever comes along you will embrace what you love as well as discover what you hate (Lasn 103). I could see myself taking part in this way of life more often because I try to live this way now. It seems that whenever I do something out of the ordinary routine I meet some one or encounter things I never would have otherwise. Whenever things like this happen I feel a sense of excitement and appreciation for the larger world. I love the embrace of spontaneity and the idea of making a commitment to spontaneity would be living a “full life” or an example a “real living”.
When I traveled in Europe this summer I now realize that I was living in the ways of derive. I made certain plans but always allowed time to let them lead me somewhere unexpected. It was the spontaneous decision to take a new path home instead of the way I previously walked that shaped the experience. I can remember my last full day in Florence I was so fed up with the consumerism and tourist driven spectacles that I decided to walk to the edge of my map and see the first established orphanage and the “garden of Eden.” Anything that caught my eye along the way I investigated until I was satisfied. I ended up discovering my favorite piazza and connecting work I had seen in a gallery to its previous real life location. This decision to see the “real” parts of the city was more rewarding that any advised or predetermined check list from former travelers. I remember thinking to myself when I was on the plane coming home that I some how have to find a way to preserve the way I feel at this moment – total freedom, openness to what ever chance brings me, and to follow what I love. My authentic act would be to find a way to let chance guide me more often in hopes of achieving that feeling again, “to live life like an eternal festival” (Lasn 105).
I think there is definitely a need for protests. We as a society and as individuals need to see that the human spirit and determination can overcome any oppressive force. By personally rebelling the action definitely becomes a sense of personal achievement and can lead others by example. Large group protests and demonstrations show that by uniting and lowering barriers anything is possible. They not only bring justice but can re-kindle the lost spirit in others.
Lasn, Kalle. Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America. New York: Eagle Brook, 1999. Print.
Jenny’s Authentic Act
ReplyDeleteAn act that I do not agree with is the act of “being cool” (page 113). The whole identity of the word cool has changed. Everyone used to think of cool as unique, and individual. Corporations are trying to instill this cool identity into our society, which I find very uncool. Regardless of the fact that there shouldn’t be a group that is “cooler” than any other, or any person who is ‘cooler’ for that matter, corporations should not be feeding this identity crisis. I disagree that to be cool you have to rebel, or be an individual, because in high school for instance the ‘cool group’ was not the rebellious group, but the group of kids with too much money than they knew what to do with. Always flaunting the most expensive and trendy gear, this ‘cool’ group intimidated the rest of the grade with their stuff. Stuff shouldn’t define us, it should be personality. But in our society, because of the way that corporations are pushing what cool should be, the movement continues to get worse. When it comes down to it, I disagree that the longing to be cool should exist; but since their will always be this pressure, it should be determined by personality. The most friendly and well-liked person should be cool. Not those who fall for the ‘hype’ that the media has created and encouraged of being cool.
An act that I do agree with though, is the ‘building our own meme factory’ idea (page 124). Putting out products to beat corporations at their own game is not a terrible idea. As the example of the anti tobacco ads vs. the smoking ads. The tobacco industry couldn’t compete because it lots its hold on the public, and smoking is no longer cool. Jammers are putting this viewpoint to use in other areas, like food industries, fashion, pop culture, etc. I could see myself being involved in this, because it means creating marketing tactics and advertisements that are so powerful that they overcome the meanings previously imbedded into the citizens minds. If anti tobacco ads could purse people to get out of the multibillion-dollar cigarette push, then we can repeat this act in different situations. We are capable of changing people’s minds. Building our own meme factory is an idea that many can follow and that I agree with.
I think that we do need defiant and revolutionary forces in our society. If everyone always followed the rules, where would all the fun be? We need people to challenge ideas, only to push us to keep growing and coming up with new ideas. We think about ideas we’ve come up with, question our tactics, and consider others when people revolt. We may not have seen a side on an issue if someone didn’t speak up about it. They definitely contribute to our education because we learn from the information that revolutionary forces uncover. They don’t always achieve justice, and don’t always do well. Sometimes they bring themselves into harms way. But they definitely get their point across, and get people to notice.
Lasn, Kalle. Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America. New York: Eagle Brook, 1999. Print.
I think there is definitely a need for protesting groups in society. There is not one topic that everyone can agree on so if there were no people revolting certain ideas then it would seem as if everyone has conformed into what is seen as the social norm. If they haven’t necessarily conformed, then that means there is an unhealthy amount of people in the world that do not take a stand in what they believe in. Some approaches to object a certain idea are questionable, but if someone disagrees with something then I think people have the right to state their opinion on it.
ReplyDeleteLasn discusses how a TV commercial would be a “the most powerful of all the weapons in the culture jammer’s arsenal.” (133) I agree with him that television is a powerful component in spreading information, but if he believes so much in culture jamming, I think a new way of getting the word out there is needed. People who are trying to defy society shouldn’t use the biggest weapon the consumer driven culture uses, they should create a new way to reach the masses. The whole point of being a “culture jammer” is go against society and its tools, so to get the point across they need to think of new ways that will be successful.
Lasn also discusses an approach called the “pincer strategy.” A good pincer can make people really think about how they are living and the many changes they should be making in their lives. He says to attack the industry by showing the people what is wrong with it. The people wont feel the way the market wants them to so they begin to think about their choices. I think hitting the industries intensely and head-on is an efficient way of getting people to start thinking but I do see troubles in it. The one problem I have with this method is its lack of freedom for people to see the other side. Maybe everyone has been living in this consumer driven culture, but that does not mean the people know everything about it. I think in order for there to really be no conformity, people need to be given both side and choose for themselves what they see is best. Lasn doesn’t want people to conform but if they aren’t really given enough information to make the choice themselves they are then just conforming to his idea.
Before coming to college there weren’t really any issues I felt strongly about so these past two years have been a very different, eye opening experience for me. I used to like my bubble of ignorance but now I’m beginning to see so many things wrong with it. Right now I am just at the point where I am learning about the different issues in the world. There are definitely things I agree and disagree with but there has yet been an issue that makes me want to stop everything I’m doing and race to act. I feel that right now I’m in a learning period and when I have actual have the knowledge to make a statement then that is when I will see what authentic act I will want to participate in. Right now I am too uninformed to try and choose a topic to stand against.
Lasn wrote this book to inspire the readers to react and to join the band wagon of culture jammers. As we disscussed in lecture as well as discusion, changing the status quo is hard to do alone. It takes a large group of people, with power, and action to get something done. Lasn’s ideas’ give his readers, the people, the action that will help change society. He brings up the idea of a meme, “a unit of information that leaps from brain to brain to brain. Memes compete with one another for replication, and are passed down through a population much the way genes pass through species. Potent memes can change minds, alter behavior, catalyze collective mindshifts and transform cultures.” (Lasn 123) He then goes on to us that we can use memes to change the world and presents us with his top 5 most powerful ones. “Ture Cost: In the global marketplace of the future, the price of every product will tell the ecological truth.” (Lasn 124) I oppose this idea. Ideally this concept is great for the environment but I would never work for a realistic economy. Prices today are built on profit margins and supply and demand. Basing a price on its ecological truth is like charging for food based on taste. There are so many other factors that go into making something and selling something other than the environmental properties.
ReplyDeleteAn act that Lasn recommends to help reduce car use is to “organize ‘bike to work’ weeks.” (Lasn 131) This idea I can agree with because one I love riding bikes and two its not too complex. He even adds the idea of an employer paying a subsidy for the employes who bike to work. Not only would the person in the act gain exercise and save money that they would be spending on their car, there is even a reward. Something like this i could see myself doing. Its not too extreme but it still can have an effect.
Without people like Lasn who fight against norm the world would have problems. Everything would just go with the flow. Whether or not the flow was bad wouldn't matter. The “whistle blowers” who get in the way of letting this world get out of hand open the eyes of people who are following what is wrong and do not know it. It takes a little help getting on the right track and the people who fight for what is right and protest are the people who are on the cutting edge of fixing our problems.
Lasn, Kalle. Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America. New York: Eagle Brook, 1999. Print.
As Lasn has pointed out, protesting is still effective, and needed, in today’s modern society. However, group and individual approaches to protesting have drastically changed. He recognizes important protests that have actually made an important impact on actually diminishing corporate feats. For example, antismoking ads were given airtime on millions of TVs, which resulted in smoking ads being banned from television. While cigarette companies have continued to advertise in magazines and on billboards, the easy target of advertising on TV has diminished their audience. Lasn recognizes that “for the antismoking lobby—early culture jammers—beating the enemy on TV was key,” (125). It’s no news that television advertisements have an incredible impact on society, especially given the fact that Americans watch too many hours of television to begin with. Therefore, TV ads are an easy ploy for sucking in consumers. I could easily imagine partaking in a campaign like the anti-smoking ads. For one, I don’t approve of smoking: it’s unhealthy, unattractive, and a waste of money. In addition, the advertisers behind smoking companies can be incredible manipulative, taking advantage of all sorts of age groups. For that, they must be taken down.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, I can hardly agree with is the metameme of Demarketing. While I do agree that marketing and advertising has gotten rather out of control in the past few decades, I find it hard to believe that a successful effort to “unsell the product” will ever come about, (124). Society is already too dependent on advertising. It’s what pays for our entertainment, not to mention provides jobs to millions of hard workers. I agree that individuals can be influenced by corporations, I find it hard to believe that corporations are truly running our lives, as Lasn states numerous times. The Demarketing effort seems to be one that will inevitably fail, no matter how hard the people behind it try.
Societies need the “defiant/ revolutionary/ protesting forces” in order to continually question the values within that society. Without protesters, we would all fall into the routine of accepting everything that was presented to us by corporations. Protesters allow the individual to take charge, even if just briefly, of a situation. One may not always agree with what a group is protesting, or the logic behind it, but at least it will get a conversation started about important issues within out world.
Lasn, Kalle. Culture Jam: How to Reverse America’s Suicidal Consumer Binge—And Why We Must. USA: Harper Collins, 1999.