boy i hope this hasn't already been picked apart here; i didn't see another thread so i'm going with it...
i came across this bit on the inter-web tonight... apparently this guy thinks Al is the Great Communicator and can convince all civilizations, through the magic of song parodies, that we are using too much oil. then, hypnotized by Al's spell, everyone will ride bicycles and cut their lawns with goats i guess. all of which i can get on board with, to a point. al really does enjoy a very broad range of society in his fans, no doubt there. but i think this guy's a little off the mark. call me stupid, it's what i dare to be, i just think he needs to re-think this one.
oh, and i'm the 'richard' who makes the third remark after the article.
For those that didn't bother clicking on the link,
Article:
When it comes to trying to educate and prepare Americans for the imminent collapse of society as we know it, the task is certainly not going to be accomplished with a Peak Oil brochure.
Americans are exposed to over $75 Billion a year in advertising. We are pummeled with a daily barrage of messages promoting consumption through direct mail, E-mail messages, print advertisements, billboards, radio commercials, television commercials, telemarketing, banner ads, you name it. The list of advertising methods is nearing infinity.
But because our earth has set her limitations, we are pretty much the end of our ability to continue living in a fantasy world that runs on wishful thinking. The question now is, how painful will our death of excess be? And how can we make people pay attention to a message they dont want to hear, believe, or act on?
It should be evident by now that the mainstream media are in no hurry to break the bad news to the masses. According to them, sports scores and celebrity outfit changes are much more important for Americans to know.
Which is why it is up to culture jammers like Weird Al to create entertainment that informs, convinces, and gets people to act. Yep, you heard me right. Weird Al. Im convinced he has deciphered the exact formula needed to succeed in communicating the dangers of Peak Oil. Lets take a look at a Weird Al video and then well break it down.
(Amish Paradise video)
Als formula is simple: He remixes popular music culture with his own witty lyrics and visuals. By emulating the real music video (in this instance, Gangstas Paradise by Coolio), he reaches into the brain of youth culture that understands the parady relationship. And this is how Weird Al can save the world.
For instance, imagine if Weird Al could made videos targeting a variety of cultures, using the genre of music loved by each: country, rock, hip hop, adult contemporary, etc. Each genre has its Hits that fans know and understand, so if Weird Al chose to mock Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks, just about every country fan would be able to identify with it.
In each video, he would need to use humor to communicate the following:
- Our complete dependence on oil for society to function
- That time is drawing to a close
- We need to make changes right now if we are to survive peacefully
- Learn the joy of living locally
- Life is fun and beautiful even with hardship
If I had a million bucks, I would certainly hire Weird Al to help craft these messages. If there is anyone who can pull it off, its him. With the power of YouTube and other video distribution sites on the Internet, the message could get out using viral pass to a friend techniques - but it will have to be funny for that to happen.
Anyone care to lend me a million bucks?
End of article.
I have seriously no clue on how Al relates to the increasing oil use. I catch no ball with this article.
Really. As far as I know, many people on the internet do not know about Al. Even if they do, it's until the novelty of White and Nerdy wears off. And how many people now even listen to morals in songs? And should we all give attitude to tourists who laugh at us?
And if Al is the only one against the $75 billion advertising industry, it's a bit of an unfair match, as so to speak.
I am sure Al would like to see less oil being used but I am also sure that putting out a bunch of one-note "message" videos would result in prompt and near-universal boredom, for Al as well as the fans, and would quickly lead to career implosion. Not the kind of thing we want to see. I say let this guy do his OWN culture-jamming, instead of jamming the job off on Weird Al.
"Weird Al" has a charisma that's all his own. The awkward, the misshapen, the socially inept flock to his banner.
This guy's an idiot. Either he's trying to be funny and failing miserably, or he actually thinks Al would do something like this, which is even more pathetic.
Al, unlike so much of his peers in the entertainment industry, isn't there to push political agendas and to promote environmental hysteria. He's there to entertain. Hey, imagine that! An entertainers who entertains! If Al spent even one song helping to spread these lies, I would lose a great deal of respect for him.
Luckily, the guy who wrote this article is a complete idiot.
@ SD