Meaning behind the Mentor?
Some people hate him, some people love him, but you can't ignore him. This essay is not to attack the man himself, but to attack his image, philosophy, and propoganda. In the war of words, the topics mentioned may, in fact, be quite damaging to Marilyn Manson himself, but that is not the intent.
The background of Marilyn Manson, born Brian Warner, is documented, and undebatable. Therfore, I need not delve deep into the history of this sad individual, you must research that for yourselves. My intention is only to give you a different perspective on these issues, and let you be the judge.
With that said, I would like to make mention that I find it sad, and compelling, to complete this work, and have it available to the general public as a reference.
Power : How he got it
Marilyn Manson is a politician, entertainer, preacher, and media magnet all rolled into one. He uses each of these traits to reach his target audience, and then to subject them to his agenda. The methods that he uses are no-fail means that have been tried and tested throughout the ages. Marilyn Manson would be nothing without the media, so part of the blame should lie with them. However, the media is indefensable in this context, so I will disregard.
As I said before, Manson and the Media go hand in hand. Manson used the media as a podium to propogate his agenda through songs, statements, and television appearances. Even though Manson debuted as an entertainer, he has evolved into a much more sinister persona - a politician. Manson has crossed the line to where most shock-rockers will not cross. AND he did it when he was still popular - as opposed to becoming political after a long career as an entertainer. The reasoning behind most artists NOT becoming politicians while still performing, is because it is usually met with disasterous consequences (hence Alek Baldwin). However, Mansons target audience is not an influencial, or even political crowd (as with most entertainer-turned-politicans), its an audience that is very much uninfluencial, and most not even of voting age. Manson targeted teenagers in a very vulnerable, and rebellious, time in there life - where ANY musician disliked by their parents could be turned idol, almost overnight. Not only that, Marilyn Manson preyed upon the Christian heritage that has been fundamental since the beginning of this country. Anyone calling themselves the 'AntiChrist' would definitaly spark some attention. After releasing AntiChrist Superstar, Marilyn Manson truely was the most sensational shock-rocker that has existed up until this point. Every speach, picture, or comment, made by Manson was absorbed by his fans, thereby tightening his grasp even tighter.
Over time, however, his fame started to dwindle, and he began work on his next album "Mechanical Animals." I won't go into a history lesson, but it's release was much to be desired by the media. It wasn't contraversial enough. The media chewed him up, and spat him out. Apparently the general public was tired of Manson too. His Record Sales were down, as were his concert attendance. Some thought the storm had passed, but the damage had already been done.
As I said before, Marilyn Manson targeted a very young audience. At this point in their lives, they are very unpolitical, and just beginning to formulate their ideas about the World, God, their country, and politics. Manson was very smart to target them because of their unquestioning belief in a person who stood by 'ungodly' behavior (sex, drugs, rock n roll, - so to speak). In time, Manson became a symbolic cult image. His fans dispersed. Only the faithful, and most fanatical, of them stayed true, and with them, an ideology became conformity. An entire subculture was raised to normality.
Manson played the media, and the media caved to sensationalism. In retrospect, Marilyn Manson could not have been stopped. Any means to counteract his influence would have been met
with dismal failure. The only preventative means is education, and continual reinforcement of the beliefs that you hold.