Chris Brown and Mob Psychology

As I drove into work this morning, I listened to the local pop radio station morning show. I'm not proud that I spend even the 13 minute drive to work wasting my time on this dribble, but they were discussing something I view as part of the big picture in our culture. By now, I would guess that most people have at least heard about the incident regarding singer Chris Brown and his singer-girlfriend Rihanna. Chris Brown has been charged with allegations of domestic abuse against a nameless female. Rihanna's officially pubically silent about the incident. Many are speculating at this point that Chris Brown physically assaulted Rihanna, making it impossible for the couple to attend and make their performance at the Grammy's, leading to a world-class scandal.

The thing that struck me this morning, was that this is being treated like a debatable issue. It seems to me there should be one response alone to this. First of all, since Chris Brown is a public figure and many of the details are hidden. Neither Chris Brown nor Rihanna have disclosed any sort of information regarding the type of domestic abuse, the events that transpired, and even whether Rihanna was the subject of abuse. So until there is concrete evidence, there's no reason to condemn the man. However, Brown has been quoted as saying, "Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired." Also that, "Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong," which I do not doubt; whether that pardons or condemns him, I do not know. The only response to have about this is that if he abused another human, whether it was Rihanna or another woman, we should be outraged, just as we should be for anyone else who would choose to hurt another human being in this twisted and abusive manner.

Still, there is something more deeply troubling to me about this issue. Our culture is so afraid talking about or debating something truly debatable. I mean, this Chris Brown debate the radio station was having this morning, talking about if he was getting "star treatment" or not in regards to being convicted of a crime and so forth, is not really talking about anything. The people getting heated about it are either overly sensitive V-Day-warrior types who want to call rape at the idea of a man looking at them, or the tween girls having dreams about marrying Chris Brown and therefore believing he could do no wrong.

Why can we not as a society speak about issues that are really important to us and the future of our families and our world? I sense that there is a pervading atmosphere of fear, as if American Culture is a powder keg waiting to bust. Let's not step on each other's toes, now. That would be confrontational. It always surprises me how many people I meet who are willing to admit they will do just about anything in a situation to avoid confrontation. However, I believe there is a world of difference in allowing others to knock your point of view in the name of "non-confrontation" and being a martyr for what you believe. A person of character should be prepared to do the latter.

I agree that entertainment is fun, just as much as the next person. I like following stars' career to a point, music, movies, media. I have had plenty of my own dreams of someday making a career in the music industry someday as a pop singer or whatever. But truly, is this what we have resorted to? Pretending like celebrities lives are worth debating and taking our precious moments outside of work and family to ponder it?

We, as a culture, need a complete reality check if this is at the top of our debatable topics list. Can we please just have a discussion about something that matters? Intelligently? No cowards or lack of evidence allowed.

Thank you.

Rite of Passage Through the Black Box

I've never been a tv watcher until this year. It's kind of sad, really; but at the same time, it's almost an inevitable Rite of Passage into adulthood. Of the shows I watch, there are only two that I don't feel any remorse or shame in spending my time on them. Otherwise, it's all pretty much not worth my time. These are the thoughts that I have on the matter:

Family Guy. What a pointless show. I disagree vehemently with the writers of the show and the spirit it encompasses. Family Guy is the sort of programming that both plays off of our corroded culture, as well as continues the lack of goodness in it. There is nothing about this show that would make one a better person. It is solely about cheap laughs and pushing an agenda that I don't agree with in any way.
That said, I watch the show whenever I get the chance. Especially to pass the time at work.

American Dad. Um, edit and insert everything above about Family Guy. It's basically the same show anyway.

House. I hated doctor shows (except for Scrubs, but that's for the comedy, not the doctor aspect) until this one. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that I am in a serious relationship with a future doc, but I find the characters absolutely fascinating. Fascinating enough to endure a few minutes of blood and guts and surgery an episode to get through it. Which makes me think that our culture allows desensitizing ourselves at far to great a rate. I wonder how much farther this can go? Looking at the great civilizations of old, the Greeks and Romans, the Mayas and Aztecs, the Egyptians. How many times have we studied these civilizations being taught how advanced and wonderful they all were. But they all declined and eventually were destroyed. I believe that this destruction was due to the desensitizing of culture--whether it was sex or blood and guts, they did not hold those certain things sacred anymore. This is not to say that the work of doctors shouldn't be seen, but I think that it can be used as a sort of "gateway" to desensitize the masses. Doesn't stop me though.

Shows that I think are worth my time:

The Office. I never even watched this show until I started working in one. It's perfect. Definitely captures to small-scale struggles of working in an office. It particularly resonates with me since I do have a hard time justifying why I am in an office right now. At least it gives comic relief to the sad reality of my life.

What Not to Wear. Applicable to all people, at all times, in all stages of life. There's nothing like learning to dress your body for maximum effect and self-image. Love it.

I could write about more (Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, the occasional Rock of Love or Real World or something), but I don't care enough.