The American culture of today lives beneath the shadows of an emerging 'new' age. They live an existence which never sees the light of day. The American masses are fed lies and amalgums to ease the pain about what the truth really looks and feels like. This is done in efforts to shatter the voice of a generation that isn't allowed to speak up against it's so called 'government', supposedly made of, for, and by it's citizens. In that sense, it's no wonder that the youth of today have undertaken such malignent, shallow, narrow-minded existences. Their place in the world can seem meaningless to the point that their sterile, cliche, existences lack integrity and a true sense of hope. To more closely examine this theory of the 'new' American lifestyle as it pertains to 'old world' standards, it will be helpful to notice current trends of today which gives relevance to a new type of morals, ways of living and spiritual guidlines, appealing to a certain fashion of what it means to be an American in today's society.

In this new millenium, America the great has become somewhat of a haven where middle class living has become a predominant force. New trends in fashion, art, and learning seem to resonate a mellow-cool way about themselves while at the same time they clash with reality. It's interesting to notice the trendy fashionable outerwear that kids sport to amuse themselves it seems. Touted as 'ultra-cool' mods, they can be found frequenting local indie record stores, cafes, and college campuses carrying off to be newer versions of iconic rip-offs. They dress in fickle sort of calculated 'new-mod' styles with an 80's tinge, listening to pouty bands while hacking about the net. More than anything it seems as though the places they frequent are sort of fashion shows to be seen. It's a deranged type of attitude they exude adorning their thrifty looking clothes over their souls. To them, it seems the more vintage the clothes they exhibit, the more authentic the vibe. This sort of attitude, look, and way of life can seem all too formulated to someone who has recently experienced first hand the way it has actually been like living through the past three decades where everything from politics, education, culture, and justice has been turned upside down. This new milennium of 'fringe-youth' culture seems to live in a play-house type of world where the fascade of life is paper thin.

In retrospect, the information age as we now know it plays a key role in the way society has lost their desire to make something special out of their lives. Today it seems that people lack a clear vision, steering in a direction that has nothing to do with being unique. Their heads are filled with useless and irrelevant data that doesn't seem to serve any real purpose; while living in the day to day world only tofulfill mundane tasks that have no real purpose. As a result these 'cyber-stimulated' beings resort to fantasy worlds where life can seem more appealing through high powered video games, gut wrenching movies, and mindless television programming. In lieu of these discoveries, the minds of the American society are cluttered with hopes that real life can be comparable to these fictions which are presented. In addition, these fake renditions of a 'lost society' are an offer for the public to take upon themselves the risk of living life on their own terms and without limits it seems. However, the real world (so to speak) doesn't entail concocted sequences of events that are intended to wow their audiences. Likewise, it must be noticed that the usual world where school and work are the absolute tasks, are slowly being depicted by the media in a way that seems almost useless in respect to such entities as the entertainment and sports marketing industries where everything is a show. In the world of today, images of a society that is ruled by big business buyouts and opt-in mentalities are a visceral reality quickly in the making. The world is already controlled by ruling parties whose goal is more than money, fame, power, and proprietary gain. Soon we will live in a place where democracy itself will be a long lost foe. All of these post-modern predicaments are factors that have led to the emergence of a 'lost souls' society. It is a tastless, classless, and ageless society that has forced itself into mainstreem American culture where it's victims seem to be hopeless and helpless as to what they are missing.

In comparison, a person who controls what they learn rather than someone who merely let's themselves be programmed by the world around them are those who make a difference. The world as we all know it can easily pull a cover over society's eyes and shield them from being able to understand the truth around them. More clearly, people have been deterred for centuries upon end in respect to civil liberties. Nonetheless, social institutions and communal societies have always lived according to certain precepts that coordinate an overall belief system as pertains to a societal 'norm'. Even so, the youth of today are dissident toward the institutional 'realm' in general. In essence, the influences that men should seek are those which entail some sort of truthfulness inconsequential to the various social agendas of today. Moreover, the youth of the moment can't even relate to the teachings and lifestyles of their predecessors. They are guided by virtual worlds where they are provided with something tangible, or an easy fix. Society, in a way has led the public astray with such tools as technological advances, useless gadgets, fashion trends, and the next puppets to indulge in their 'fifteen minutes'. In the past century alone, the world has progressed far too quickly to hold on to just one way of thinking.

Furthermore, the youth of the present seems more interested in determining which societal 'niche' they more closely identify with rather than carving their own paths. Now more than ever does it seem as though people want something solid to believe upon. As the 'socialites' of the new milennium determine for themselves which 'type' they will affiliate with, they no longer attend to the idea of the pilgrim's progress. People are jaded and quickly realize that any path they trudge has already been taken. In the mindset of the Postmodern philosopher, it would seem that any idea which a mere mortal befalls would be one that has already been pondered and effectually invalid or unimportant as presented to the world. There is a cynical attitude that airs amongst the insitutions of education, the workforce, and even the governing parties that persuade society into believing that their place in the world involves mediocrity and mundanity. This idea differs from those held in such eras as the Enlightenment and the Renaissance which spoke about the 'thinker' elevating himself above the ordinary man. Futhermore, the Postmodern institution seeks to influence the public by forcing the adherence of it's systems of thought, it's political agendas, and it's legislative fundamentals. In rhetoric, it matters not what the thinking man can accomplish for the good of society, but what each can contribute toward the forwarding of it's institutions. Thus, if the citizens of America are ever seeking to enhance it's local institutions, how will they ever understand what the 'individual' of the Postmodern world is truly capable of accomplishing? During the time of the Renaissance, Michelangelo was given the task of painting the ceiling of the Sisteen Chapel. At that time, artists were commisioned by the state or governing authorities to undertake certain projects as were befitting to certain artists' talents. The people knew their artists by name as well as their capabilities. Who are the Michelangelo's in America today? Nobody knows because art is a business in America. It should be an honor and a priority to support such talented artists and craftsmen providing them with the opportunity to enhance such a modern society as America. Instead, the money is wasted on such atrocities as war and advancing big business.

In the four days before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of lent, worldly revellers flock to Rio de Janeiro for the wildest party on earth. Carnival, as it is called is part of the Brazilian cultural definition where the locals lose all inhibition and carouse amongst the spirits of the ages. In their midst are schools of choreographed dancing groups all moving to the beat of the "batidos" (drummers) and samba music. The largest of the parties takes place in the Sambadromo stadium created especially for the carnival parades. It's a once a year celebration, a release from the norm and mundanity of society. Many poor people in Brazil look forward to this time of year to take a journey into the the world of fantasy, when for four days they can take on any personage they please and be anybody they desire.

Furthermore, all reality becomes diminished as the people make for themselves a world where jubilance overcomes sadness, freedom overcomes repression, and happiness overcomes pain. Some believe that if it weren't for carnival, the society of Brazil would become a place of uninhabitable unrest. As it seems, life has a dark undertone in the Brazilian third world. The "favelas" (slums) as they are called are infested with deadly living conditions, rampant crime, and a corrupt local government. These are all problems far beyond repair in the Brazilian nation.

Nonetheless, the people of Brazil seem to make the best out of their lives. Always with a smile, the people continue to dance and play in the streets and celebrate life to no end. In some ways the Brazilian people can be an inspiration to people all over the world who view their situation as hopeless. In this time of celebration as in the way millions of people of all ages participate in the festivities, the Brazilian nation shows the world how to be alive, dance, sing, and be happy for who they are instead of what they have. That's the way the world should really act.

Information for this article was made possible by:
brazilcarnival.com burabura.net pelourino.com

Gone are the days of old where superclubs reign supreme. In looking at the trends in global nightlife, such as the exclusive Spyder Club in Hollywood, and the swanky Neighbourhood Club in London, it can be noticed that bangin tunes and lightshows du jour are a thing of the past. Here and now is the age of decadence with posh decor with subtle saavy 'coutures'. The global nightlife scene has become a dreamworld of ultra-modern denisens that lend the most eclectic atmospheres. These are the cozy shiek templates of fashionista nuance that enduce a curiosity to such high artistic and trendy spaces giving them their true mystique.

Likewise, their is a stylistic music that gives these sort of 'global oasis' their appeal. To these few soulful prophets of groove, who eternally scour the bins for the latest trends in 'couture' music, there are but few who can make the distinction between timeless and timely music. With the latest trends in 80's mash-ups and re-makes, 'groove house', and the infused renderings of the latest in retro-techno, today's artists use the technology of the moment, thus giving the ultra keen 'couture' its true tone and beat. Nonetheless, people get tired of music from any genre and time frame, making trends fall quickly and scenes to change in an instant. In this age of informatic technology and poignant attitudes, the world will become at ease with fewer and fewer things that are comely and soulful. Thus, it is up to the individual artist to champion their own discoveries and palatable pleasures. In the end it all comes down to the stability of the music as well as the quality of the artist behind the mask. A good record takes on a life of its own, ultimately transcending the nouveau genres and trendy labels of the moment.

In conclusion, it must be said that electronic music as a whole is very unique to itself in that, it is generated wholey by machines. Ironically, the whole idea of a machine driven society lends itself to the types of themes and glitchiness that destroys the serenity of music and beauty. This in itself is a curse to the corporate musician who seeks an aesthetic form of melody to tame the masses into consuming their latest fauna of a chart buster. However, the true artist of any age should concern themselves merely with a truthful representation of the world around him while quandering for himself, the possibilities of the future. These are the few and proud. The atypical purists known for their progression or regression which is all part of the new order of things. In deepest retrospect, we must all keep our ears tuned into the lowliest of art forms as well as the newest of trends to discern what is true, and noble. Furthermore, we must be opposed to the calloused and tainted renderings of the mass media, and their global conglomerates, who seek to plunder and pillage our mind, body, and soul. Well, as they say, keep your ears to the grindstone and you might just feel the true beat of your heart. Peace and retro beats. Later..

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