Good Stupidity vs. Bad Stupidity

As a pop culture junkie, I am always amazed with the crap that we seem to come up with as a society. I am from the MTV generation. The channel is as old as I am, and I hate what it has become. Remember when MTV was all about MUSIC? I know, this is an old argument, but bear with me - there's something much bigger here. MTV and rock music in general went from being about rebellion and the influence of youth culture to being about marketing and dictating youth culture.

Example: Shows like Headbanger's Ball and Liquid Television. These shows were very important to many of us who wanted to know what was going on in the underground rock music and art scenes. Not only were these shows fun to watch, but they actually meant something. Liquid TV was a showcase for indie animation, and Headbanger's ball introduced me to a high level of hard rock. These are just two of a multitude of shows that entertained us and made us dig a little deeper when it came to finding the "cool factor."
Then they had to ruin it all with The Real World.

Reality TV is not real, and I think many people know this. What angers me is what it always seems to glorify. Look at the behavior of these people. All they do is drink too much and complain about shit. They aren't even real people anymore. They all follow an archetype. One is always loveably ignorant, one's a pretty-boy player, one has substance abuse problems, one is gay, and so on. Notice how after the San Francisco season, you never saw any real activists or professional types? Instead, you saw a bunch of people who are looking for instant fame and free drinks. This is the Bad Stupidity in the world.

Of course, the Bad Stupidity (or BS as I'll call it from now on - not to be confused with B.S. which I will say is BULL SHIT) didn't end with The (un)Real World. Oh no. Jackass began. A bunch of stoned slackers making millions by doing dumbass shit like stapling things to themselves or defecating in a retail store. I have to say, I was amused by the first episode. With clips of Wee Man doing skateboard tricks while dressed as an Oompa-Loompa, and the Urban Kayaking segment, I thought that there might be hope. These were funny, lighthearted and creative moments that were steadily disappearing from the network. Why is it that people would rather see someone get kicked in the junk or watch a public meltdown of a celebutante than watch a genuinely creative music video or show about people who are making a difference in the world.

See, the Good Stupidity is based on genuinely funny stuff. Schtick. You know, like movie quotes, silly cartoons, iconic songs, etc. This is GS because it actually takes brains to understand it - not to mention create the stuff in the first place. BS is the opposite because it relies on pre-fab shock tactics with no creativity whatsoever. Just people acting like morons and crazies. I think its all about the public spectacle with BS and nothing more. BS is bad because it lowers the bar. It makes idiotic behavior a cause for celebrity. It makes the average joe schmo out there think that this type of behavior is enough to make him filthy stinking rich or famous.

I think that my biggest complaint is that people just don't think anymore. Why is it that there have only been two honestly funny movies released in the last year? Juno and Knocked Up. Why aren't there more clever film makers out there and screenwriters like Judd Apatow and Diablo Cody? I know that these people exist, so why don't they get a break? Why is it that The Hills is a hit show? Why did every animation studio throw 2-D features out the window when Pixar became successful? I think it's because people have been conditioned to accept certain things in the world instead of striving for excellence. No one tries anymore! Or, if they are trying, people aren't getting recognition. This is why I say to all of you out there: Read as many books as you can that AREN'T graphic novels, search for indie musicians and support them in your town, look to the great movies and shows of the past. I think it's sick that many people refuse to watch a movie that was made before 1975 specifically because it's "old." If we are ever gonna make something of ourselves, we have to actually use our brain cells! WHAT A CONCEPT!

So, my dears, I close with this. Embrace the GS because it's awesome and individuality is a good thing. Cut the BS from your life and strive for greatness...in whatever you want. Greatness in ANYTHING. If you're a security guard, be the best one on your staff. If you wash dishes, be the most efficient. If you're in sales, be the one that everyone wants to work with. Just TRY for some kind of excellence! It doesn't matter what you do, as long as you know that you have a brain to use. NO MORE BS. At the same time, don't take yourself too seriously either. The art of life is to mix the serious with the silly.

I totally didn't want this to turn into a bitching session, so I'll end this rant with something less-soapbox-y.
Close your eyes and recall a time when you were most happy. Recall what made you smile and remember why. I am doing it right now and I see a group of teenagers sitting around a table. We're laughing. One person in the group is shaking his head and giggling. He speaks: "I swear! I won't eat eggs anymore...They're liquid chicken!"

Celebrate randomness, ok? Not Faux-Reality, but ACTUAL REALITY...WOO HOOO!