Is society being intentionally 'dumbed down'?

stevejazzx · 10-11-2009 03:28PM #1

Here's a question which I suspect will receive the usual foray of trite early responses before settling into an intelligent debate on the true value of art and culture in modern society....anyways...

I am wondering what is happening to the world in relation to education, culture and art? It seems to me that 500 years ago people where able to produce better art & culture despite their relative ignorance. I know that there are many great artists out there but it seems incredibly rare to come across someone who is truly revolutionary in their field? It's like the passion for great art has ceased. It appears to have been drastically sidetracked by the horrible mass culture we all now endure on a daily basis.

Forget about wanting great art for a minute, if people would just stop watching mainstream TV that would be a start. If people would just educate themselves to a reasonable level and understand the basic principles of existence that would be fantastic. This is not a 'people are so stupid' thread but rather a people are so 'dumbed and numbed' thread. When is it going to stop?

What really gets to me is people who say 'that's not for the likes of me to think about' and then go off and but a new toaster. This sh1t is serious now, I feel like I'm in a zombie movie sometimes as even the intelligent people I know rush home to watch 'big brother' or something similarly mind numbing.

All this f**kin greed and mistrust from person to person as well. There's no love or understanding. Most people just bitch about one another and blame it on the constructs of a dog eat dog society. This is all bullsh1t. In reality nearly everyone I know is afraid of thinking for themselves and making a personal stance based on the conclusions. Everyone has bought into the apparent safety of mass culture.
"Watch American Gladiators' people, don't leave your homes".
It's all designed to keep us in line as merry little consumers and we all know this yet do nothing. It's so so sad to think of the collective conscience that exists in this constant state of repression and suppression.

Each year I make a little pact with myself to try to achieve something outside of all this chaos. Something to make the me in me happy. Something which is as far away from the all the noise as possible. Next time you think you want something perhaps throw the little question of need in front of it? And to all those people who hate your lives change them; it is possible despite what you are told from day to day. Don't end up retired and regretful, do something now.

Finally Bertrand Russell once said:
"People would rather die than think, in fact they often do" - little did he know how true that would become.

Sorry for the rant, must be my time of the the year!
Steve

My name is URL · 10-11-2009 03:31PM

I stopped reading after the first sentence

imo if you don't like how AH works, take it elsewhere

I_am_Jebus · 10-11-2009 03:32PM

I is to dum to reed all that. Pleaze mayk it shorterer.

tanx

stevejazzx · 10-11-2009 03:33PM

My name is URL wrote: »

I stopped reading after the first sentence

imo if you don't like how AH works, take it elsewhere

I stopped reading after after the first few words...after the 'I stopped reading bit'. It wasn't easy I can tell you.

stovelid · 10-11-2009 03:34PM

Cloud skin, I

you
I

you, I do
No need for tl;dr, it's true
when I look at black text with you

/end

hobochris · 10-11-2009 03:36PM

stevejazzx wrote: »

I stopped reading after after the first few words...after the 'I stopped reading bit'. It wasn't easy I can tell you.

Given this is after hours, I'd just like to add "your ma"...

stevejazzx · 10-11-2009 03:38PM

stevejazzx wrote: »

Here's a question which I suspect will receive the usual foray of trite early responses before settling ...

My name is URL wrote: »

I stopped reading after the first sentence

imo if you don't like how AH works, take it elsewhere

I_am_Jebus wrote: »

I is to dum to reed all that. Pleaze mayk it shorterer.

tanx

hobochris wrote:

Given this is after hours, I'd just like to add "your ma"...

Hmmm..

Turd Ferguson · 10-11-2009 03:38PM

stevejazzx wrote: »

Here's a question which I suspect will receive the usual foray of trite early responses before settling into an intelligent debate on the true value of art and culture in modern society....anyways...

I am wondering what is happening to the world in relation to education, culture and art? It seems to me that 500 years ago people where able to produce better art & culture despite their relative ignorance. I know that there are many great artists out there but it seems incredibly rare to come across someone who is truly revolutionary in their field? It's like the passion for great art has ceased. It appears to have been drastically sidetracked by the horrible mass culture we all now endure on a daily basis.

Forget about wanting great art for a minute, if people would just stop watching mainstream TV that would be a start. If people would just educate themselves to a reasonable level and understand the basic principles of existence that would be fantastic. This is not a 'people are so stupid' thread but rather a people are so 'dumbed and numbed' thread. When is it going to stop?

What really gets to me is people who say 'that's not for the likes of me to think about' and then go off and but a new toaster. This sh1t is serious now, I feel like I'm in a zombie movie sometimes as even the intelligent people I know rush home to watch 'big brother' or something similarly mind numbing.

All this f**kin greed and mistrust from person to person as well. There's no love or understanding. Most people just bitch about one another and blame it on the constructs of a dog eat dog society. This is all bullsh1t. In reality nearly everyone I know is afraid of thinking for themselves and making a personal stance based on the conclusions. Everyone has bought into the apparent safety of mass culture.
"Watch American Gladiators' people, don't leave your homes".
It's all designed to keep us in line as merry little consumers and we all know this yet do nothing. It's so so sad to think of the collective conscience that exists in this constant state of repression and suppression.

Each year I make a little pact with myself to try to achieve something outside of all this chaos. Something to make the me in me happy. Something which is as far away from the all the noise as possible. Next time you think you want something perhaps throw the little question of need in front of it? And to all those people who hate your lives change them; it is possible despite what you are told from day to day. Don't end up retired and regretful, do something now.

Finally Bertrand Russell once said:
"People would rather die than think, in fact they often do" - little did he know how true that would become.

Sorry for the rant, must be my time of the the year!
Steve

Hahahahahhahahahahahaha

stevejazzx · 10-11-2009 03:41PM

Turd Ferguson wrote: »

Hahahahahhahahahahahaha

ah ha...?

kaimera · 10-11-2009 03:41PM

they have art on computers now.

pretty sure the internet has some info on the basic principles of existence...'bing.com'

RealEstateKing · 10-11-2009 03:43PM

90 per cent of people are ignorant as pig****. Thats the way its always been.

However, things have gotten a little better in this regard. The vast majority of people can read now, whereas in Michalangelos time , for example, reading would have been confined to the elite only.

So you're creating a false dichotomy by comparing the absolute best of culture from 500 years ago with the general dross that entertains the proles today, the X-factors and the Big Brothers and what not.

It is a very common mistake to make to assume that there was some Golden Age in the past when everything was better, it's usually caused by only being aware of the good stuff from the past because the dross has been filtered away by time. The 1960s wasnt all The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, there was also Englebert Humperdinck and the Doodletown Pipers, but most of us have forgotten about those now.

Pherekydes · 10-11-2009 03:45PM

Yes*.

Next blindingly obvious question, please.

*Don't fall into their trap. It's up to each and every one of you!

stevejazzx · 10-11-2009 03:50PM

RealEstateKing wrote: »

90 per cent of people are ignorant as pig****. Thats the way its always been.

However, things have gotten a little better in this regard. The vast majority of people can read now, whereas in Michalangelos time , for example, reading would have been confined to the elite only.

So you're creating a false dichotomy by comparing the absolute best of culture from 500 years ago with the general dross that entertains the proles today, the X-factors and the Big Brothers and what not.

It is a very common mistake to make to assume that there was some Golden Age in the past when everything was better, it's usually caused by only being aware of the good stuff from the past because the dross has been filtered away by time. The 1960s wasnt all The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, there was also Englebert Humperdinck and the Doodletown Pipers, but most of us have forgotten about those now.

I see your point and somewhat agree, it is a bit unfair to compare, however it seems that there are so many trivial distractions these days that it can stifle even great artists? The point was that 500 years ago art was allowed to be art, now it's consumerised at every level and and all artists exist in a climate that is not conducive for thinking.
Anyway more importantly, the thread wasn't just about ignorance but rather peoples lack of enthusiasm or courage for wanting to improve themselves. I feel society is 'numbed'.

Pighead · 10-11-2009 03:50PM

RealEstateKing wrote: »

90 per cent of people are ignorant as pig****. Thats the way its always been.

However, things have gotten a little better in this regard. The vast majority of people can read now, whereas in Michalangelos time , for example, reading would have been confined to the elite only.

So you're creating a false dichotomy by comparing the absolute best of culture from 500 years ago with the general dross that entertains the proles today, the X-factors and the Big Brothers and what not.

It is a very common mistake to make to assume that there was some Golden Age in the past when everything was better, it's usually caused by only being aware of the good stuff from the past because the dross has been filtered away by time. The 1960s wasnt all The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, there was also Englebert Humperdinck and the Doodletown Pipers, but most of us have forgotten about those now.

Spot on. The history books have only given us a greatest hits of 500 years ago. You've only heard about the great artists, scholars and composers and in your mind you have created a wonderland where everybody was brilliant at algebra and engaged in intelligent discussion.

Hogwash! There were plenty of people who were as thick as pigshit and whose idea of a good night out involved heading down to the field to play "Hit the animals on the head with a rock" or "Rape the comely maidens" Ignorance was rife back then. Way more so than it is now. Maybe you should start watching more television to educate yourself on life in bygone days!

bigeasyeah · 10-11-2009 03:52PM

Art is ****.

stevejazzx · 10-11-2009 03:55PM

Pighead wrote: »

Spot on. The history books have only given us a greatest hits of 500 years ago. You've only heard about the great artists, scholars and composers and in your mind you have created a wonderland where everybody was brilliant at algebra and engaged in intelligent discussion.

Hogwash! There were plenty of people who were as thick as pigshit and whose idea of a good night out involved heading down to the field to play "Hit the animals on the head with a rock" or "Rape the comely maidens" Ignorance was rife back then. Way more so than it is now. Maybe you should start watching more television to educate yourself on life in bygone days!

Do you really think that art today is produced for same reasons as art historically? Do you think that the passion is there? Do you think that the enlightenment is still strong. I don't and I think that there are masses of evidence to support it. The worst response to this thread is the 'everything is pretty much alright response' - because it's not. I'm sure you could even dig some of your own quotes to back me up on that?

Davao8000 · 10-11-2009 03:55PM

No it isn't intentional but it is happening. I don't think there is a big conspiracy about trying to remove anything intelligent from culture in general. People just make money from the things you consider dumb. As H. L. Mencken said - Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the (American) public.

X-factor and everything of that ilk is just the modern bread and circuses.

As this is after hours can I add - your ma!

OK-Cancel-Apply · 10-11-2009 03:55PM

Perhaps all the greatest artistic strides have already been made. It's hard to do something original. As for society being dumbed down - I think the difference nowadays is technology. People can get their entertainment at the flick of a switch, and if they don't like it, they can flick another switch.

Once upon a time we all had to go to live shows where we interacted with each other more, or we could just entertain our friends at home. Who can say how we'll get our entertainment tomorrow... electrodes in the frontal lobe maybe! :pac:

Latchy · 10-11-2009 03:56PM

Metrocity abounds everywere under the name of ' star /celebrity ' .

stevejazzx · 10-11-2009 03:57PM

bigeasyeah wrote: »

Art is ****.

I agree.

****=good

Pighead · 10-11-2009 04:03PM

stevejazzx wrote: »

Do you really think that art today is produced for same reasons as art historically? Do you think that the passion is there? Do you think that the enlightenment is still strong. I don't and I think that there are masses of evidence to support it. The worst response to this thread is the 'everything is pretty much alright response' - because it's not. I'm sure you could even dig some of your own quotes to back me up on that?

Of course there's passion in art nowadays. You just have to know where to look. You can't just turn around and tar everything on television with the same brush. There are some magical pieces of art on television that have been inspired by the minds of genius' throughout the years. Same with music, theatre, sculpture etc etc.

You don't have to watch what the television execs are spoon feeding us. Dig a little deeper under the surface and you'll discover that todays creative minds are extremely capable of producing works of brilliance.

Rob_l · 10-11-2009 04:04PM

bigeasyeah wrote: »

Art is ****.

and in some cases **** is art!

General Zod · 10-11-2009 04:09PM

JEdward.

dr.bollocko · 10-11-2009 04:12PM

This accurately sums how I feel about this thread.
I weep for humans that weep for humanity.

Latchy · 10-11-2009 04:12PM

The bottom line is we have choice .The choice to read what newspaper we wish ,what music we listen to , what books to read ,what movies to go see ,what artist / event /pop/ rock /classical concert to go see .Despite the blandness out there nobody tells me what to listen to or what to watch , when to watch it .Thank god for sites like you tube were you will find something to keep everybody happy .

topper75 · 10-11-2009 04:14PM

There is no 'intentional' steering going on. That reeks of paranoia.

There are art galleries open and there is Celebrity Farm Enders on the TV. People choose. They are not forced. We may both be disappointed that the choices of others are not ours, but life is like that and requires tolerance. You would only have grounds to rant really if there was a concerted effort stopping you from accessing what you perceive to be great culture. Do you feel that is the case?

Latchy · 10-11-2009 04:16PM

General Zod wrote: »

JEdward.

JEdward will achieve world fame for not being very talented but hey , maybe they are the next Graeme Norton / Pat kenny :pac:

stevejazzx · 10-11-2009 04:19PM

Pighead wrote: »

Of course there's passion in art nowadays. You just have to know where to look. You can't just turn around and tar everything on television with the same brush. There are some magical pieces of art on television that have been inspired by the minds of genius' throughout the years. Same with music, theatre, sculpture etc etc.

You don't have to watch what the television execs are spoon feeding us. Dig a little deeper under the surface and you'll discover that todays creative minds are extremely capable of producing works of brilliance.

I'm not tarring all TV with same brush.
I like TV, thought the Sopranos was one of the most inspired things I've ever seen. I'm tarring excess junk culture. I tarring people not thinking.
There may be creativity around but I don't see anything great happening on any kind of regular basis and promising artists are ending up too frequently below their potential.

ScumLord · 10-11-2009 04:24PM

The only reason the likes of Da Vinci stand out as great artists of their day is because they where great innovators of their day, they where full of new ideas and technology.

You won't find any great innovation in classic arts any more, we've seen painting go from life like to abstract and theirs nothing left to do in that field but minor variations on whats come before. It's the same for pretty much all of the arts like storytelling, sculpture and music.

If you want to find real innovation it's in the sciences these days. The stuff we're doing with technology it's just amassing.

stevejazzx · 10-11-2009 04:27PM

dr.bollocko wrote: »

This accurately sums how I feel about this thread.
I weep for humans that weep for humanity.

yeah can't agree with you there. the comic is just a dull attempt to sideline the issue. People afraid to think. I'm not kill-joy, life is great we should be thankful for it, but we're being head ****** by mass media (sorry the cheesy cliche but it is unfortunately true) and can do so much better, that's the point.

BraziliaNZ · 10-11-2009 04:28PM

do people really think the common man living in squalor 500 years ago was interested in renaissance art or baroque chamber orchestras?
Hell no. Smutty Limerick's and getting pissed on grog whenever they could was as good as it got for them I'd imagine.

But now we have X-Factor for the masses, we're no stupider now than we have ever been.

Is society being intentionally 'dumbed down'?

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