(no subject)
reading adbusters the other day, i noticed on virtually every page the comment of some imaginary people describing the "overwhelming anxiety" they feel. in the years this magazine has been out, this has been a pattern in virtually every issue i've come across. it seems that there's some attempt to either 1)cause the reader to see herself reflected in these descriptions or 2)invoke these feelings in the reader as a result of repetitively reading descriptions of them. it's a very blunt, unnuanced approach to these issues--constantly coming from the perspective of an anxious, privileged person for whom these vague feelings of worry and dis-ease are the most overwhelming facts of her life; the sense that something is lurking around the corner, lying in wait, more a suspicion that hangs over her head like an imaginary sword of damocles than a lived reality. such a crude tactic, to play on/create discomfort (and of a simplistic variety, at that) rather than really discuss issues. it's really not very thought-provoking, simply bombarding us with tales of how various (apparently privileged enough to experience this as a choice) people have rid themselves of uncomfortable emotions through "buying less". i want a meaningful discussion, not just repetitive whining about a lingering "sense of alienation." give me inspiration, explore things. not to say that i expect any of this from adbusters. but c'mon. it is condescending to assume that we all feel exactly the same way, that we are all disgusted with ourselves and see not buying, or buying your new "black spot" products instead, as the ultimate form of resistance.