Culture Jam Part 1

Immediately after opening Lasn's book, I was hooked. Like many books we have read in this class, he speaks of the consumer culture that we have become imprisoned in, as well as the ways in which the prevalence of media in our lives has shaped our outlook on the rest of the world. I definitely had a few revelations, or wake up calls, while reading this book. TV and mass media really do frame the way we see the world in America.

Reading this book, I can't help but think to my own experiences with media throughout my life and how that has affected the person I am. It really has. Lasn does a great job discussing different scenarios that relate to his assertions. I like to think of myself as someone who is authentic, real, and mindful. But clearly, corporate America has nuzzled its way into my life. I look back on my life and what I thought was cool at the time, and it is pretty clear that it all was generated either directly or indirectly from watching television and being around media. In middle school in Rye, NY, you were cool if you had preppy Abercrombie and Fitch apparel, a backwards Yankee cap, and you could recite the latest South Park or silly Will Ferrell movie quotes. Nobody told me, but corporations shaped the prevailing views of what was cool at the time. I have moved far beyond this, since, a lot of which I attribute to spending time away from media and moving to VT, but it still is very much a part of me.

Before reading this book, I suspected that I had ADHD. Now I am sure of it. And, I think that all kids who grew up in my generation, doing the things that typical American kids do, have some sort of attention deficit problem. The noise, the jolts and the screens drift the mind into a trance, overtaking thoughts with buzzes, flashes, and quick attention-grabbers.

I feel like I have had many of these realizations that Lasn speaks of before reading this novel. I liked the quote, "Take stock of you life. Look around at what you drive, wear, eat, smoke, read. Are these things you?" I think I am my own entity and that my posessions, while by no means, define me, paint an accurate picture of me. I drive a shitty 91 Ford Escort Station Wagon, bought from my Uncle for $1. I cycle mostly between two pairs of pants (Carhartt double pocket work pants and Carhartt flannel lined pants) and where tee-shirts that I have been given from different jobs or bought at flee markets. I have a lot of outdoor gear, which are only practical products for getting away from thigns like television and consumer culture. I read a lot of classic fiction, environmental/sustainability lit, and field naturalist guides. I belong to a CSA and attend as many farmers' markets as possible. I drink Wolaver's, Rock Art, Switchback, and other good microbrews.

While I think that I have definitely made great strides to be unique and rebel from what media portrays as cool, there is still work to be done. I decided that being cool was not being Mr. High-on-my-horse football/lax jock around my Sophomore year of college. Since then, I have found whole new friends who share my environmental and social sentiments. Being cool is now being smart and aware and humble and compassionate. When I was younger, I would say that I wanted to make a lot of money when I grow up. Now, I would say that I want to be part of a revolution that changes the way we live in this world. Now, my job as an enlightened citizen of this country and planet is to spread the word. I think education really is the place to do this or perhaps writing or...I really like the idea of using media against the corporate machine. If people watch so much damn tv and listen to what it has to say all the time, they'd probably listen to a subvertisement or uncommerical. I am liking this book and will definitely reccommend it to others.