Postmodernism and Apathy

Because of various things going on in classes and on campus, I have been thinking about philosophy a lot over the last several days. Now, I don't pretend to be a philosopher. I have a basic understanding picked up in debate rounds and a few scattered classes. It's been enough to pique my interest but, being an over-ambitious college student, I haven't had time to read all the books I want to.

Here's my understanding of post-modernism: There is no such thing as truth. Everything is relative. Everything is explicable. Just because you have a set of morals doesn't mean everyone else is beholden to the same moral code. You are your own unique individual.

My understanding of apathy: You just don't care.

In my estimation, postmodernism leads to the raging apathy I see as an epidemic both on my campus and in the world. If we're all free, happy little snowflakes, existing in our own tiny microcosmic view of the world, thoroughly convinced that we are right and no one can tell us otherwise, the only thing that can relate to is isolationism.

A common belief system is what draws people together. It unites people and has the power to catalyze revolutions. Think of the Reformation. Think of the American Civil War. Think of the Civil Rights movement of the 60s. These things brought people together and resulted in revolutions of massive proportions because people were sold out for the thing they were fighting for.

Now, when we're all wrapped up in our own individualistic idea, it isolates us from other people. As postmodernism continues to exert itself as the primary mode of intellectual and social thinking, we grow further and further apart from our fellow human beings. We've allowed ourselves to write the rules to our lives but as a result, no one is willing to play with us. By granting ourselves intellectual freedom, we're making for ourselves a mental monastic hermitage, a religion of one that serves only ourselves.

Furthermore, because of this, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignite anyone toward a purpose. When there is no truth, there can be no consensus. When there is no agreement, there can be no movement, no decision that action must be taken. We have literally dismantled the catalyst that drives human revolution, which is the synergy humans have when they agree on something. By seeking to powerful in our individuality, we have destroyed the true power humans have: what we can do when we work together.

Shorty Got High Like a G-6

Because my parents are discerning music-listeners, I was raised on a steady diet of Tom Petty, The Eagles, The Beastie Boys and Warren Zevon. When confronted with a country and western version of Pink Floyd's The Wall done by Luther Wright and the Wrongs (yes, I'm serious), one doesn't feel the need to venture out into popular music much, or if you do, it's quality controlled by the same musically discerning parents.

As a result, the depth of my understanding of popular music is limited, at best, to the genres I have developed a particular taste for. I am, however, an equal opportunity music connoisseur and will give anything at least a cursory listen.

As I have been testing the heretofore uncharted waters of popular rap and hip-hop, I have come up with two questions that I feel must be answered in order for my listening to continue.

What is a G6? And who the heck is Shorty?

Like the able-bodied internet user I am, I did a quick Wikipedia search and here's what I came up with:

-The six largest members of the European Union.
-An airplane.
-A Ford or a Pontiac.
-A howitzer.
-A Chess move (pawn to G-6).

Using context clues (and consequently getting exposed to words like "sizzurp". Don't get me started.), I would assume that they're referring to the airplane. Some further Wikipedia-ing provided me with a picture of said airplane. It's a 12 passenger puddle jumper.

Yep. That's my idea of being fly.

I will say this, however. Having heard this phrase in at least two different songs, I assumed that another band/artist was just copying the first. I was relieved to find out that it was simply two songs by the same band. Kudos to Far East Movement for practicing continuity.

Speaking of continuity, very few characters have been serialized quite as effectively as the elusive "Shorty" (variation: Shawty). After a quick Google search and some analytical lyric comparison, I determined that there are no less than six songs named after this ambiguous female of small stature, not to mention however many times she is simply mentioned in the song.

All I have to say is: "Dang, girl!"

Smile at Me, Please.

I recently traveled through O'Hare International Airport in Chicago while on the way to my brother's wedding. I had a trek of epic proportions from Concourse C to Concourse F, which ended up being a hike of about 20 minutes. On the way, I passed various and sundry people from different backgrounds heading to different places.

Being the geeky people watcher that I am, I decided to conduct a social experiment.

I pasted a 1000-watt smile on my face and sought to make eye contact with as many people as I could. I passed 300 people easily on my journey through the better part of one of the largest airports in the United States.

Only two smiled back at me.

Count 'em.

Two.

That's lame.