Social systems manipulate and dupe people into buying the myth that society is moving forward. It is an industry that we take part in. A cultural industry.

These industries create “art” so that it can be fed to the masses for money. Therefore, it is not truly

art.

Seriously, just think about it.

Corporations do this in three ways:StandardizationManipulation

Pseudo-Individualization

Art succumbs to formula,

genre

Plotlines follow predictable

paths

Time and “look” of artistic

works must conform to

various standards

Standardization

Popular culture sounds and looks more and more like each other.

They have a “core structure” with punitive uniqueness.

(Pseudo-individualism)

The industry squeezes out any kind of challenge, orginality

authenticity or intellectual stimulation from the culture it

creates.

Popular culture becomes more alike.

Art succumbs to formula, genre…

Genre: Pop SongVerse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, chorus.

Genre: PaintingFrame, oil or water, scene?

The Beginning of any chorus is replaceable by the beginning of innumerable other choruses.

Structural standardization = standardized reactions.

The listeners drawn to popular music are conceived of in terms of infants.

Conditions listeners: “Forced childishness”.

Oppositional music - The details contain the whole. You must spend time with the piece.

Regression from oppositional music.

Pop Music is one of distraction.

We desire it because it is hammered into us. It is made to be desirable.

“Ecstasy without content”

These artists did not conform to standards or follow predictable

paths.

Avant Garde

But…

Signed to Elektra, Atlantic

& Warner.

Signed to

Bluenote &

Atlantic

Signed with Geffen

Using knowledge, cultural creators can manipulate stories for a specific effect.

Manipulation

The “Veneer of the Individual” makes consumers think they are getting something new and different.

Pseudo-Individualism

Yes, there may be some originality, but a “film” still has a story arc, a hero, a journey of discovery, a plot and other standardized elements.

Original?

Capitalism conveys “myth” of the individual and of the “rebel”.

People want to express themselves as being different from the “crowd”

Wait a second, these individuals who need to “stick out” are a

new market opportunity!

All driven by commercial imperatives to maximize profit

All culture is “pre-digested” with individuals in mind.

NO WAY OUT OF CULTURAL INDUSTRY…

So, go forth and continue to be duped by those in

charge of the industry. You really don’t have much

choice.