JC Disciples

Resistance is Futile

I recently read an article in the Arizona Republic, our local newspaper here in the Phoenix Arizona area. I have to quote from the author, Kenneth LaFave, before I go on:

I'm so glad the Borg are back. Their return goes far in explaining Evita.

The Borg, for those who don't know, were the all consuming phenomenon in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation that whirled through space, devouring and assimilating the civilizations of entire planets and solar systems.

As seen again in the recent movie Star Trek: First Contact, the Borg manage by some mysterious and unexplained power to integrate the knowledge (technical data, historical facts, etc.) of a culture while casting off its every personal aspect, producing a gigantic robotic "intelligence" that pointlessly tumbles through the void.

The Borg are Pop Culture.

Pop Culture strips the personality and meaning from every form and genre of art and entertainment it encounters, then fuses what remains with its lockstep values and faceless celebrity.

Pop Culture ate opera and out came Philip Glass' Einstein on the Beach. It gulped movie music and belched Oscar winning songs you can't even remember, let alone name. It redefined jazz as rock with a saxophone. It picked up church music, flicked off Bach, Handel and the organ, then set it down again with a guitar and little songs that sound like silly, pious versions of stuff you hear on AM radio.

I think Mr. LaFave has hit exactly on the problem with modern American culture, it turns people into the 'Borg'. We have essentially all stopped thinking, relating and acting on our own personal choices and desires in order to follow the other mindless masses. How else can you explain the current popular music groups, TV shows, and movies? Will any of them be remembered five or ten years from now? Or even next year? I doubt it.

When one of my friends suggested that I listen to Hootie and the Blowfish, I remember how disappointed I was in what I heard. I didn't hear anything original in their music, lyrics or style that would make me sit-up and take a second listen. My friend was surprised, but I had to tell him that they sounded like a bunch of guys who decided that they could make money singing 'bluesy' sounding music; but in fact didn't have a clue as to what having the blues is all about. If you want to hear good blues music go out an buy the real thing: B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Luther Allison, or Muddy Waters. And if they are a bit much for you, then think about gettting some Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, or Big Nick and the Gila Monsters.

Where are the movies that we will want our children or grandchildren to watch because they were so spectacular? Do you think Independence Day will have a revival like Star Wars is about to have? I am sure it won't. Why? Simply put George Lucas understands the power of myth, legands and filmmaking. He took ancient and well known stories and built upon them to create a film series that can be viewed both as light-hearted entertainment and as a statement about the value of good vs. evil, heros vs. villians, damnation and salvation. The creators of Independence Day were only interested in cashing in on the current cultural 'phenomenon' of the so called Roswell crash.

And I can't let Star Trek off the hook at this point. There was a time when I knew I would be challenged by the ideas presented in Star Trek. Unfortunately today, they writers, producers and actors produce nothing more than another set of mindless TV shows and movies.

So how do we resist the 'Borg'mentality? Make our own choices? Look for opportunities to find real meaning in life, not pre-formated and digested meaning. Look for the things in life that are actually uplifting and have long term value. Make value judgements about things, people and their ideas. Don't be afraid to be different and misunderstood. Ask yourself: "Am I a more intellegent, ethical, reasonable human being because of this experience I have had?" If the answer is yes, then it has value. If it is no, run away from it.

David Tannen

Participate

Send feedback Report problems