Двое меня! И не разделяйте!
Кое-что к моей статье "Санджая: американская эволюция"
читать дальшеThis is something I wrote in my blog a few weeks ago because I thought it was too long to post here but, seems like the boards are slowing down a little so,
I thought it might "give us something to talk about".
Has the human condition evolved or are we decaying?
American Idol reminds me of a modern day version of ancient Romes form of "entertainment." Instead of gladiators, we have contestants. In place of large Amphitheaters which could seat 45,000 spectators, we have Television.
The original gladiators were basically slaves who had no choice but, by the end, half the gladiators were free men who had the physical and mental capability to endure. They volunteered because they knew that they could achieve country wide adoration and the possibility of gaining idolized status of a hero. In comparison, American Idol contestants come from every day existence who also sign up in hopes of Idol status. The male gladiators were even revered by female woman in the same way our idols become heart throbs.
Female gladiators who also sought popularity, and valued the idea of leaving with honor and dignity. So it is for the American Idol Contestant. In either arena, what are the stakes, and who controls the outcome? While the gladiators were in danger of losing their lives, American Idol contestants are in danger of losing their dignity.
As Ancient Romans gathered in the Coliseum to watch bloody battles between men and wild animals, men being killed proved to be very entertaining. In fact over time spectators became desensitized to the violence and shedding of blood, much in the way we have become de sensitized to the degrading and humiliation that occurs through out the American Idol competition. It's seems to be a key ingredient in which both ancient and modern spectators derive so much enjoyment.
In the Roman arena they could be physically annihilated but, in the American arena they can be mentally and emotionally annihilated. Big difference you say? Not necessarily, if
you consider human empathy and compassion to be the foundation of humanity. Without it, we are in big trouble. If we find such joy in watching others demise, this country is not looking pretty.
We say it's just a TV show, well, the Romans said it was good entertainment. After all don't participants know what they are getting into? I think this may be where the ancient gladiators differ from the modern dream seeker. Perhaps many of the savvy ones know what they signed up for but, I believe most sign up with rose colored glasses, believing the idol machine to be a star maker. The problem is, there are only a small handful that make it to star status, the majority are basically used as pawns set up to be the fall guys They each receive their share of whipping and mockery which the public have come to expect and actually look forward in the way that Roman citizens became expectant of bloodshed.
Back then, political leaders such as Julius Caesar orchestrated spectacular events knowing that it's popularity would gain them re-election, similar to how the AI producers and judges stand to gain monetarily with the shows continued popularity. Both are experts in knowing how to capitalize on the audiences thirst for sensationalism. Unfortunately, in both instances they were in danger of going to far.
What has occurred over the past few weeks and months on this 6th season of American Idol was a blatant disregard for human dignity. In the guise of "good entertainment" I believe the powers that be, orchestrated a plot to achieve whatever they stand to gain. Deliberately baiting, a captive audience who eagerly gathered in the proverbial ancient arena to observe and revel over the ugly massacre of an innocent young man in pursuit of his dreams to doing something that he loves, who's only crime was not having what seems to be mostly revered by American Idol viewers as a "big voice." Yet, in spite of not having the required technical ability, his honest appreciation of the music and natural ability to connect with the audience, reached inside the hearts of so many admirers.
The judges chose him out of several thousands to be in the top 24. His first performance was judged unfairly within the context of all the "power singers". without appreciation for his mellow sweet tone. In spite of the judges harsh critique America voted him in among the top 4 boys before the nationwide hype began. He came out every week and gave his all with his honest and original renditions, displaying a cool vibe and entertaining style. As with all the contestants he had his off nights but, he being this seasons scape goat, was relentlessly and unfairly crucified for his. They still kept trying to make him into something he's not, stressing his popularity to be more about his hair, impressing on the undiscerning public that he didn't even belong in the top 12 based on his singing ability.Obviously dismissing the results of their own voting system, they made it a point to blame his popularity on anything but his talent. Each week, that he remained, was another week to tear him apart.
By now the general spectator, and even non spectators quickly jumped on the "let's all bash Sanjaya bandwagon". Many who had never even watched the show began to tune in just to see what the buzz was all about. Yet,even though he kept giving his all and kept improving week after week showing originality and showmanship, he was already labeled and it was too unpopular to like him. The buzz around the water coolers even spread to the schools, where kids who liked Sanjaya had to either keep it to themselves or risk being ridiculed and even pushed and threatened for admitting they liked him.
It was widely published when Simon said that he would quit if Sanjaya wins, which basically put the nail in Sanjayas coffin. Although when Simon retracted that statement no one seemed to hear about it. Consequently, becoming the most talked about contestant in the history of American Idol, and the most searched on the internet. He became a threat to the "better singers". They couldn't allow him to win, wouldn't it destroy the the integrity of the show?
By the end, as Sanjaya acknowledged his awareness of all the hype through his rendition of "Let's give 'em something to talk about, other than hair," displaying his sense of humor and bravery.This young man so gracefully and courageously withstood all the horrible bashing from the whole country fueled by the American Idol machine.
So, Who are the players? Well, the top 3 finalist are the gladiators, The rest are only pawns or foils who are basically put there to make us think they have a chance of beating their intended winner. The most important player is the one who they are going to make out to be the seasons fall guy, to be used as a spectacle and get more ratings etc. But, this year, they went way too far and basically threw him into the Lions to be torn to pieces and in the process they relentlessly chewed him up and then spit him out.
As it is in the ancient arena's physical strength would survive, but in the modern arena only the strong voices survive. That's fine, they can have their day in the sun. But, the sun is shining brightly for one who has so graciously braved through it all. Welcome to the Universe of Sanjaya.
читать дальшеThis is something I wrote in my blog a few weeks ago because I thought it was too long to post here but, seems like the boards are slowing down a little so,
I thought it might "give us something to talk about".
Has the human condition evolved or are we decaying?
American Idol reminds me of a modern day version of ancient Romes form of "entertainment." Instead of gladiators, we have contestants. In place of large Amphitheaters which could seat 45,000 spectators, we have Television.
The original gladiators were basically slaves who had no choice but, by the end, half the gladiators were free men who had the physical and mental capability to endure. They volunteered because they knew that they could achieve country wide adoration and the possibility of gaining idolized status of a hero. In comparison, American Idol contestants come from every day existence who also sign up in hopes of Idol status. The male gladiators were even revered by female woman in the same way our idols become heart throbs.
Female gladiators who also sought popularity, and valued the idea of leaving with honor and dignity. So it is for the American Idol Contestant. In either arena, what are the stakes, and who controls the outcome? While the gladiators were in danger of losing their lives, American Idol contestants are in danger of losing their dignity.
As Ancient Romans gathered in the Coliseum to watch bloody battles between men and wild animals, men being killed proved to be very entertaining. In fact over time spectators became desensitized to the violence and shedding of blood, much in the way we have become de sensitized to the degrading and humiliation that occurs through out the American Idol competition. It's seems to be a key ingredient in which both ancient and modern spectators derive so much enjoyment.
In the Roman arena they could be physically annihilated but, in the American arena they can be mentally and emotionally annihilated. Big difference you say? Not necessarily, if
you consider human empathy and compassion to be the foundation of humanity. Without it, we are in big trouble. If we find such joy in watching others demise, this country is not looking pretty.
We say it's just a TV show, well, the Romans said it was good entertainment. After all don't participants know what they are getting into? I think this may be where the ancient gladiators differ from the modern dream seeker. Perhaps many of the savvy ones know what they signed up for but, I believe most sign up with rose colored glasses, believing the idol machine to be a star maker. The problem is, there are only a small handful that make it to star status, the majority are basically used as pawns set up to be the fall guys They each receive their share of whipping and mockery which the public have come to expect and actually look forward in the way that Roman citizens became expectant of bloodshed.
Back then, political leaders such as Julius Caesar orchestrated spectacular events knowing that it's popularity would gain them re-election, similar to how the AI producers and judges stand to gain monetarily with the shows continued popularity. Both are experts in knowing how to capitalize on the audiences thirst for sensationalism. Unfortunately, in both instances they were in danger of going to far.
What has occurred over the past few weeks and months on this 6th season of American Idol was a blatant disregard for human dignity. In the guise of "good entertainment" I believe the powers that be, orchestrated a plot to achieve whatever they stand to gain. Deliberately baiting, a captive audience who eagerly gathered in the proverbial ancient arena to observe and revel over the ugly massacre of an innocent young man in pursuit of his dreams to doing something that he loves, who's only crime was not having what seems to be mostly revered by American Idol viewers as a "big voice." Yet, in spite of not having the required technical ability, his honest appreciation of the music and natural ability to connect with the audience, reached inside the hearts of so many admirers.
The judges chose him out of several thousands to be in the top 24. His first performance was judged unfairly within the context of all the "power singers". without appreciation for his mellow sweet tone. In spite of the judges harsh critique America voted him in among the top 4 boys before the nationwide hype began. He came out every week and gave his all with his honest and original renditions, displaying a cool vibe and entertaining style. As with all the contestants he had his off nights but, he being this seasons scape goat, was relentlessly and unfairly crucified for his. They still kept trying to make him into something he's not, stressing his popularity to be more about his hair, impressing on the undiscerning public that he didn't even belong in the top 12 based on his singing ability.Obviously dismissing the results of their own voting system, they made it a point to blame his popularity on anything but his talent. Each week, that he remained, was another week to tear him apart.
By now the general spectator, and even non spectators quickly jumped on the "let's all bash Sanjaya bandwagon". Many who had never even watched the show began to tune in just to see what the buzz was all about. Yet,even though he kept giving his all and kept improving week after week showing originality and showmanship, he was already labeled and it was too unpopular to like him. The buzz around the water coolers even spread to the schools, where kids who liked Sanjaya had to either keep it to themselves or risk being ridiculed and even pushed and threatened for admitting they liked him.
It was widely published when Simon said that he would quit if Sanjaya wins, which basically put the nail in Sanjayas coffin. Although when Simon retracted that statement no one seemed to hear about it. Consequently, becoming the most talked about contestant in the history of American Idol, and the most searched on the internet. He became a threat to the "better singers". They couldn't allow him to win, wouldn't it destroy the the integrity of the show?
By the end, as Sanjaya acknowledged his awareness of all the hype through his rendition of "Let's give 'em something to talk about, other than hair," displaying his sense of humor and bravery.This young man so gracefully and courageously withstood all the horrible bashing from the whole country fueled by the American Idol machine.
So, Who are the players? Well, the top 3 finalist are the gladiators, The rest are only pawns or foils who are basically put there to make us think they have a chance of beating their intended winner. The most important player is the one who they are going to make out to be the seasons fall guy, to be used as a spectacle and get more ratings etc. But, this year, they went way too far and basically threw him into the Lions to be torn to pieces and in the process they relentlessly chewed him up and then spit him out.
As it is in the ancient arena's physical strength would survive, but in the modern arena only the strong voices survive. That's fine, they can have their day in the sun. But, the sun is shining brightly for one who has so graciously braved through it all. Welcome to the Universe of Sanjaya.