an outline of a major project
First, a question: Is Radiohead, arguably, the greatest band of the last 30 years? The only other "new" acts that come to mind as comparable are: The Smiths (of course); Nirvana; the Smashing Pumpkins; other acts you can think of? Most everyone else, either doesn't truly having staying power, didn't leave that big of a cultural impact, OR are a lesser band reflective of what this entry is about.
The working title for this project: Cultural Paradigms & The Relative Decline (1979-1982): The Rise of American Hegemony & The Polarization of Cultures (& Everything Else)
The following political events define that period and help introduce the "contemporary" era:
1. The Elections of Reagan and Thatcher (1979 & 1980)
2. Iranian Revolution (1979)
3. Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979)
4. Election of a Polish Pope & Polish Solidarity (1978 & 1980)
Deaths that factor in a changing guard (in no particular order):
1. Tito (1980); beginning of the end for Jugoslavia
2. Elvis (1977); cultural impact; to be referenced in the introduction
3. Brezhnev (1982); like Tito's death, it would help indicate not only the end of an era, but the end of stagnation & beginnings of changes in the USSR
4. end of Led Zeppelin; another cultural note
a few notes:
Culture does not live in a vacuum
Not EVERYTHING sucks
classic rock (1964-1977); rise of punk & disco
influence Watergate (1974); Democrats in '76
oil crisis of the early 1970s
where to begin? end with American mid-terms of '82
RESEARCH: economics and culture; considering widening scope: 1977-1984?
These thoughts have been brewing for a while. I've long felt Reagan was the bane of our existence (I even, as far as I know, coined this: R-O-N-A-L-D (6) W-I-L-S-O-N (6) R-E-A-G-A-N (6) = FUHRER (6) ADOLPH (6) (notice how you have to cheat with this spelling, however?) HITLER (6).) Also, the devil was supposed to assume a charming form; Reagan, though senile most of his later years, was rather "charming" and "the Great Communicator."
Cultural evidence that supports this notion: No Country for Old Men and their notion of 'the dismal tide.'
There is much more I could say, but I feel as if I've laid the groundwork for something grand. Something controversial. Something....original, for once.
The working title for this project: Cultural Paradigms & The Relative Decline (1979-1982): The Rise of American Hegemony & The Polarization of Cultures (& Everything Else)
The following political events define that period and help introduce the "contemporary" era:
1. The Elections of Reagan and Thatcher (1979 & 1980)
2. Iranian Revolution (1979)
3. Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979)
4. Election of a Polish Pope & Polish Solidarity (1978 & 1980)
Deaths that factor in a changing guard (in no particular order):
1. Tito (1980); beginning of the end for Jugoslavia
2. Elvis (1977); cultural impact; to be referenced in the introduction
3. Brezhnev (1982); like Tito's death, it would help indicate not only the end of an era, but the end of stagnation & beginnings of changes in the USSR
4. end of Led Zeppelin; another cultural note
a few notes:
Culture does not live in a vacuum
Not EVERYTHING sucks
classic rock (1964-1977); rise of punk & disco
influence Watergate (1974); Democrats in '76
oil crisis of the early 1970s
where to begin? end with American mid-terms of '82
RESEARCH: economics and culture; considering widening scope: 1977-1984?
These thoughts have been brewing for a while. I've long felt Reagan was the bane of our existence (I even, as far as I know, coined this: R-O-N-A-L-D (6) W-I-L-S-O-N (6) R-E-A-G-A-N (6) = FUHRER (6) ADOLPH (6) (notice how you have to cheat with this spelling, however?) HITLER (6).) Also, the devil was supposed to assume a charming form; Reagan, though senile most of his later years, was rather "charming" and "the Great Communicator."
Cultural evidence that supports this notion: No Country for Old Men and their notion of 'the dismal tide.'
There is much more I could say, but I feel as if I've laid the groundwork for something grand. Something controversial. Something....original, for once.