Fahrenheit 2005 — A Lip Sync Culture.

Edition #69

I'm currently reading Ray Bradbury's book, Fahrenheit 451, for the second time. It's about a society that tries to make people happy by eliminating unhappiness. That means removing competition and enforcing equality so that no one feels inferior or marginalized. In our "real world", political-correctness seeks to do the same by not offending viewers or the sponsors who pay for commercial airtime. But trying to please everyone compromises the truth; just like performers who focus more on dancing will compromise their ability to sing. From my perspective, life in 2005, as represented on tv, has turned into one big lip syncing festival: there's little that is real, let alone happy or truthful about it.

The fascinating twist in Bradbury's mock world is that books are made illegal because they provoke doubt and confusion, which makes people unhappy. The idea is to eliminate contradictory viewpoints and focus everyone upon a narrow, non-threatening drone of barely-consciousness. That pretty much describes what the media has to offer us these days: tits and college pranks. Understandably, the curious and insightful are frowned upon for provoking some to feel inferior and doubtful about their existence. I would fall into that category.

To prevent awareness of their true plight, people's minds are kept distracted with shallow, meaningless programming which is fast-paced and heavily censored. The viewer watches these shows on large wall-sized screens, surrounded in a virtual world of sensory saturation. All to keep out contemplation on the value and meaning of one's life. Which reminds me:

Did anyone see Britney Spears's new reality tv show this past week?

Chaotic — Or Just Confused?

I purposely watched Britney Spears's new "Chaotic" reality tv show because I prefer to have first-hand knowledge of the things I want to burn or hang from a tree, unlike some of my more loveable fundamentalist counterparts who would rather lynch first and ask questions later.

Britney's show, from what I can tell, is about a girl talking to her paid employees (friends?) about meeting a guy and having sex with him three times a day. Wedged between all this preteen shallowness are ads for Maybelline mascara; something to streak down the teary faces of the next crop of Britneys as they're being treated like sex objects. But hey, didn't The Great White Virgin make it look so fun on TV? That, and smoking. Both Britney and Kevin are seen puffing away on cigarettes. Wow, adulthood! Where do I sign up?

Britney's target audience is far too young. Not being a real artist, her bread is buttered by image, she's an idol for preteen girls to worship; a naive demographic looking for role models to guide them into womanhood. Sex, cigarettes, and being famous for being sexy. Wow, she's got it all! Gloria Steinem must just love her.

Lip Sunk?

On a personal note, I was hoping that there'd be something more for Roland the musician in Britney's tv offerings. But right from the first "live" concert scene as Britney comes strutting and writhing out onto the stage in front of thousands of people, I notice she is lip-syncing through the song. Damn. That leaves us with what? A blonde girl dancing in a choreographed fashion show; Broadway, without the singing or a storyline.

As a professional musician and singer, I study both genius and fakery like a hawk. Britney Spears, from what I've seen, is a glorified vagina surrounded by the real talented people, like her band and managers, hair dressers, housekeepers. She appears to be nothing more than a poster-child for whatever pays the bills while perpetuating the realm of female sexual exploitation and body image insecurity in young women.

I think this is all she has to offer our culture. I suggest she be exiled to the same island where they sent the Spice Girls. Girl power? Yeah, right! Not while you're still on your back with your legs up in the air, honey! That's Vagina Power and it hasn't got you anywhere for thousands of years, except pregnant and housebound. Which reminds me, when is Britney due to have her baby? I also have a sneaking suspicion that not long from now, Kevin, her prince charming of the moment, will still be having sex three times a day. But it'll be with Britney's sister, or her nanny.

Oops, I did it again.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to finish reading a great book. And next week I will not use up my precious time to watch Britney Spears pretend to be living a happy person's life. So long, Britney. The air is quickly leaking out of your career. Try to be a good mother at least, will ya! No lip-syncing during that performance. Oh, and put out the cigarette. You might want to read my book on quitting. (see the right menu).

Okay, I rest my case. See you guys next month.


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