It's finally here, that point in life where you're at the mouth of a river about to flow into the vast ocean of life, and you realize, "Holy crap! There're a lot of sharks out here, and the toxic waste and pollution smells even more!" Don't worry, kids, it's okay. Wait, no it's not - real estate rates are climbing, it's harder to get healthcare benefits, our country is at war with no foreseeable end, and forget about relying on social security. Umm … Yay for growing up?
We clearly live in a broken world with broken people. Like Sisyphus forever pushing the rock up the hill only to see it fall back down again, our world can never be fixed. But, outside of crappy Chris Martin power ballads, maybe trying to forever fix a broken world is the whole point. We should be happy, but never satisfied. That thirst for more should not be self-indulgent - we should strive for love, for compassion, and for the greater good.
By serving the whole, we truly become stronger individuals, not tied down by any specific institution, person, or hopeless ideology. That embodies the rock 'n roll spirit that has permeated all forms of entertainment. Commentators want to relegate entertainment to "escapism," and reduce the impact a song or a movie can have. Really, it can act as both a reflection of, and an active participant in reality; it can help move people through rough times, and empower people with love, passion, anger, and action.
Don't get me wrong: My Super Sweet 16 isn't good for the world. It's complete crap. But these past four years have seen the resurgence of entertainment as a voice of a culture. We have let our funny bones serve as the voice of dissent and patriotism in The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. Controversial movies like Good Night, And Good Luck and Brokeback Mountain are promoted rather than censored (although, as Team America: World Police shows, maybe some of these Hollywood celebrities need to get off their elitist soapboxes). Movies, music, and books are realizing the importance of these especially turbulent times and basking in the life and the sadness, of a generation that has prematurely lost its innocence through national tragedy and is struggling to find its way toward something greater.
So, that's it, kiddies, it's the real world now. Hopefully, you use your degree as an opportunity to serve humanity and make the world the better place. If not, at least appreciate all the great movies that tell you to do so.
Be the first to comment on this article!