Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

mixedmedia · 03-15-2011, 06:39 AM

Since the discussion seems to be taking off, I will go ahead and try to fit together my own first impressions of this article.

I think to take what Mr. Ellis is saying at face value is missing the point. Rather than glorifying what he sees as the state of 'post-Empire transparency' I think he is making a pretty acidic commentary on the state of the symbiotic consumer-newsertainment relationship with a heavy dose of irony. Much like his own body of work (which was also never meant to be taken at face value), there is much more to be gleaned from his observations about the exploitation of the darker side of human vicariousness than the details of Charlie Sheen's life and behavior. I mean, we make these choices. I received an email last night from the Florida Film Festival and included in this event are no less than 10-15 pieces of filmed narrative and documentary art that are giving us stories much more meaningful and compelling (and no less shocking or reprehensible) than the story of Charlie Sheen's life and ad hoc philosophical views. I think what BEE is getting at is that, in 'post-Empire' America, we have finally eschewed all pretense at being a flawed but essentially enlightened society in favor of the figurative bloodbath. The public human sacrifice, quick and painless (for us) without having to consider the regressive implications that fuel our blood lust or bothering with cognitive notions like irony, satire and discernment or the complications of compassion and human frailty. I think what he is saying is, 'Here you go, America. You've gotten the dish you ordered off the menu, now eat it and shut the fuck up.'

The pretense at outrage over this pathetic, floundering fool is a sham. This is obvious by the mileage that it is getting. It's very sexy, media speak-wise, and only serves to put the vultures on the look out for the next quick and easy kill. Maybe they'll be able to drag Mel Gibson out of a hole somewhere and put him on public trial. That'll be fun.

03-15-2011, 06:39 AM	#11 (permalink)
mixedmedia has all her shots. Location: Florida	Since the discussion seems to be taking off, I will go ahead and try to fit together my own first impressions of this article. I think to take what Mr. Ellis is saying at face value is missing the point. Rather than glorifying what he sees as the state of 'post-Empire transparency' I think he is making a pretty acidic commentary on the state of the symbiotic consumer-newsertainment relationship with a heavy dose of irony. Much like his own body of work (which was also never meant to be taken at face value), there is much more to be gleaned from his observations about the exploitation of the darker side of human vicariousness than the details of Charlie Sheen's life and behavior. I mean, we make these choices. I received an email last night from the Florida Film Festival and included in this event are no less than 10-15 pieces of filmed narrative and documentary art that are giving us stories much more meaningful and compelling (and no less shocking or reprehensible) than the story of Charlie Sheen's life and ad hoc philosophical views. I think what BEE is getting at is that, in 'post-Empire' America, we have finally eschewed all pretense at being a flawed but essentially enlightened society in favor of the figurative bloodbath. The public human sacrifice, quick and painless (for us) without having to consider the regressive implications that fuel our blood lust or bothering with cognitive notions like irony, satire and discernment or the complications of compassion and human frailty. I think what he is saying is, 'Here you go, America. You've gotten the dish you ordered off the menu, now eat it and shut the fuck up.' The pretense at outrage over this pathetic, floundering fool is a sham. This is obvious by the mileage that it is getting. It's very sexy, media speak-wise, and only serves to put the vultures on the look out for the next quick and easy kill. Maybe they'll be able to drag Mel Gibson out of a hole somewhere and put him on public trial. That'll be fun. __________________ Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce Last edited by mixedmedia; 03-15-2011 at 06:45 AM..