I’m sorry, but we can’t let you in the orchestra, you don’t dance.     
by John

Friday, July 11, 2003 - 11:58 PM

    Now almost everybody in this wonderfully culture-laden society knows that to become a famous and popular musician you have to have movie star looks. While the appearance of the performer has virtually nothing to do with how well they can, let’s say, perform it is a vital part of marketing in the superficial world of today.  Why may you ask?  This deplorable sate of affairs can be laid at the feet of two abstracts: television and Elvis.  Let us start with television.  TV, as well is should, can consume far too much of anyone’s daily lives.  When it was first introduced most stations simply ran written text over the screen for the news and then a test pattern the rest of the time.  Such ability to follow current events was groundbreaking.  Quickly live news casts were put into development and were followed by what could be considered a sign…programming.  This programming existed to entertain the masses only as a side venture to providing yet another advertising link.  As if the advent of billboards was not considered undermining.  Advertising soon gained immense influence as people realized that they no longer had to make informed decisions for themselves, the TV would tell what was good.  And it never once lied or mislead.  For the TV was perfect, crafted in the image of…well, you get the point.  Anyway, the need for programming to support advertisers grew.  These programs often depicted perfect suburban life, romance, and other such idiocies.  From what was a ‘perfect’ family grew what the advertisers decided was a perfect person.  For after all the personality of a person could be faked on screen, but if they’re ugly who would want to watch.  If nobody watches then nobody can bend to the omnipotent will of the advertisements shown.  Such madness must be curbed.  In doing so, we have lost our ability to judge someone individually and determine how much they suck on our own. 

    Then came Elvis.  Now lets a couple of measly facts out of the way first.  I know that Elvis was not the first professional musician to use sex as a selling point.  The most notable of those honors goes to Franz List.  And yes I know that Elvis is the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll; that his works surpass that of rock and are one with the transcendental abstract of music.  I also know that he had really bad taste in clothing.  None of these have any bearing on he evil allegiance with TV.  For you see, Elvis danced while he sung.  I ask you what the movement of hips and legs do to truly affect the quality of song.  And incase you’ve gotten this far and can’t get it (also so that I can build up my fragile ego by being arrogant) they have nothing to do with each other.  Elvis was following in many others footsteps by using sex to sell a product.  The problem was the onslaught of TV and its corrupting nature. 

 And then came the dancing.  Thanks to these two we have all kinds of wonderful combinations out there.  Many guys have said that they would watch Brittany or Christina, but only with the sound off.   Granted they should try and find actual members of the opposite sex with which they could (in theory) establish meaningful relationships with.  But that’s neither here nor there.  The simple point of it being that most people who follow pop artists don’t care about the ‘music’ those artists produce.  Hopefully you’ve managed to avoid speaking to preteen girls all together, but to those who have not been able to avoid it I ask you when was the last time you herd any preteen girls talking about how wonderful N’SYNC builds chords or the amazing blend of the Backstreet Boy’s voices.  On the other hand how many boys and girls do you hear comment on a ‘musician’s looks.   And of course it doesn’t stop there.  In the world of easy access pornography why would you want to watch someone ‘pretty’ if they don’t move around?  I mean, if you can’t watch them dance it’s just not the same right? 

 I guess I got a little carried away there.  As a side note, if anyone actually bothers to listen to the recording Jay put in my bio I want you to listen to the trumpet and take this warning; Marijuana is bad for you.

 John – Deep moment: It’s what’s inside that counts.  Shallow moment:  Unless of course you don’t bathe.