Nov 17, 2005 12:13
I'm frustrated with human beings.
I have been for a while, but I wasn't able to put my finger on the reason until a little band called Bright Eyes rolled into town yesterday. Their coming really illuminated a great deal of problems I have with certain peoples. I hate grouping people into categories as there are always exceptions, but for the sake of this argument I will do so.
"Good ole boys and Sorostitutes: Going to this concert even though Bright Eyes would be against everything they "stand for," if the majority of these types even have real convictions. Stupid.
TEENY BOPPERS: Obsessed with meeting and marrying celebrities. Stupid.
"Counter-culture": Not just like whatever, but actually FURIOUS that Conor has gotten so popular and damn him and all his fans. Stupid.
I am most frustrated with this last group, with whom I have the most connection ideally and friends-wise. I will admit that I didn't really enjoy Bright Eyes that much (I only went because I was offered a free ticket last minute and I wanted to see Fiest who was pretty much amazing), and I will admit that I left after 4 songs and really didn't want to go in the first place, BUT I don't understand why everyone has to hate this band so much. It pisses me off that most of my friends although part of this "counter-culture" (I hate that term, but I like to think we are counter to the mainstream culture) are so against something that isn't that bad. I mean first of all, the music is at least decent especially compared to the thousands of shitty bands out there. It's just because Conor has gotten so damn popular that people are so pissed about it. There's a certain amount of jealousy there for sure. Also, he has done some really good things for the world. He's raised awareness about political issues and vegan/vegetarianism, and probably converted a good deal of people to what I think is the right path. You'll probably say "they are just doing it because of him," and to that I say "at least they are doing it." Plus he's played a good deal of benefit shows and raised money for good causes. I guess my main point is what the fuck is the big deal? How can an unoffensive rock band elicit such a response from people? If you really hate Bright Eyes so much maybe you should ask yourself "What the fuck have I done?" I mean seriously, what the fuck have you done? Most likely nothing. The saddle creek/conor oberst story is pretty incredible. I mean a group of friends supporting each other so much and accomplishing what they did against insane odds is really inspirational if you think about it. He is living the dream playing music and in my opinion making a positive impact on the world. I mean I don't even dig his band much anymore, but I think it's not hard to recognize that what he's doing is not something to be HATED. Why don't you put your energy towards hating something that is actually bad for the world like reality TV, contentment, or idleness. That's another essay topic right there. Maybe next year.
Reading over this I realize it is really shoddily argued due to the rapidity in which I wrote it, but I hope you at least get what I'm trying to say. I'm not trying to publish or anything.
Must I quote Bob Nanna again?: "Let's stop clapping--let's start DOING--a dream for the teens and inbetweens and twenties yet unseen."
Substitute bitching for clapping.