"Two paradoxical things are happening at the same time: On one hand, mass media generates a monoculture, so the structure of existence becomes identical (regardless of geography). People in Clear Lake, Iowa suddenly have the same general worldview and experience as people in Santa Fe and Miami and Fargo. However, the acceleration and splintering of media destroys the potential for cultural universals. There are fewer and fewer specific cultural touchstones that every member a certain generation shares simultaneously (Johnny Carson, Led Zeppelin, “Jaws,” etc.). As a result, people end up feeling alienated by their own normalcy; they feel lonely within a crowd. And this is a huge cultural problem."
-Chuck Klosterman
Would it be pointing out the obvious to note the uneasy silence of a morning-rush subway car? I decided to turn off my audio book so I can make witty observations on commuter life and I am met...with nothing. Literally...NOTHING. All these people and the only sign of human life is a heavily muffled Pink Floyd song from some dude's earbuds. If I were in my drama-queen-Richard-Linklater mood, I would say that this silence disturbed me to my very soul and I feel completely alienated by a society that discourages human contact in favour of single-serving existences enforced by invisible walls forming invisible cubicles. But I'm not. I turned on my audio book.
I fucking love Mondays.
Phlegmatically yours,
Inari
If I were a subculture mix-breed, I would be....Mormon Sk8tr Punk
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Here here!
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