Debate: popular culture is junk

Went to IQ Squared talk at Angel Place at Angel Place, debating the topic “Popular Culture: We’ve seen the future and it is junk”.

Elizabeth Farrelly (who was introduced as having a large menagerie of pets, including bearded dragons and many fish).

*“I’m usually lambasted as a pinko leftie lover … but now I’m arguing for the conservative side!”

“Popular culture has given us Twitter, Britney and LOLcats. Popularity is the bean counter’s revenge on our culture.”

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Audrey Hepburn movies

Have been watching a couple of Audrey Hepburn movies –- Sabrina, Paris When It Sizzles and Funny Face. (taped from ABC Sat arvos). The idea of romance has changed so much –- all a bloke needed to do was kiss Audrey, which would suddenly induce dramatic conflict and soul-searching for her and a couple of scenes later she’d have changed her mind and be madly in love with him.

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Newtown’s soy milk blackmarket

A black market trade is operating in the banned soy milk Bonsoy in Sydney cafes, even though retailers face $500,000 fines if caught.

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Amish transcendentalism

Went to an inner-west party recently where late-night discussion turned to Thoreau and Emerson, rebellious utopian 19th-century communes, and Amish transcendentalism.

J wearing an authentic bonnet made by an Amish lady.

What keeps Amish society together? (from here)

Transcendence: making the individual feel like an integral part of the larger organisation.

Persecution strengthens bonds. Hostility from outside world increases unity.

“Worldy” people are thrown out.

Different language and dress increase isolation and separation.

Living in rural areas to be separate. Encouraged to feel fearful of the “evil world outside”.

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