hofmann@AMSAA.ARPA (09/12/85)
From: Jim Hofmann <hofmann@AMSAA.ARPA> Tanks to Mr Ken Black for his civilized retort to my flameage on the proposed PMRC's censoring of records. Yes, Mr Black, it *is* voluntary (FOR NOW!) and I am aware there are a lot of parents who would like others to help them put blinders on their precious children but I think there are two points to be made here. First of all, it is accepted child psychology that if you tell a kid he or she can't do something because it is dirty/bad_for_you/etc., you can bet the first thing they'll do when your back is turned is to check it out. These stickers are going to draw more attention to what is deemed offensive (at least what is deemed offensive by the rightists/fundamentalist bozo's wives). Secondly, why do parents give their kids all this money to go out and buy records in the first place unless they are going to sit down and listen to them also. I rarely see kids below 16 in record stores mainly because they don't have the money to buy records. I sure wish Mrs. Grundy would think twice before giving her rich brats dough to go out and buy Prince albums. This is what is wrong with this fundalmentalists leaders thinking ... they are SO narrow minded and think that their experiences in life are exactly like everyone else experiences. Oh well, I guess this is all futile anyway since they all claim to having a mandate from the people to trample all over them. I guess 1984 turned out like Orwell predicted afterall - only differently. Oh by the way, Mr Black, I agree with your contention that rock stars are sick puppies. On the whole I detest rock stardom and all the pretentious bull***t that comes with it. If you really want to meet some sick puppies though check out the DEAD KENNEDIES or REAGAN YOUTH - I just wish I could see the fundys' dentures drop when they listen to those boys. SHEESH!
rlr@pyuxd.UUCP (Rich Rosen) (09/14/85)
The ironic thing is that right now, for the first time in at least 10 (maybe 15) years, rock has had to fight for something. Rock has been the de facto status quo in the entertainment industry since the mid1970's. Rather than being the anti-establishment rebels they pretend to be, they have BEEN the establishment. Selling the notion that rock represents rebellion (especially in the area of heavy metal---which is one of the biggest jokes of the modern era) in an age where rock is nothing but big business and marketing is one of the finest examples of mass manipulation since Adolf Hitler. People like Ray Frank (read net.abortion for an interesting musical discussion with him) talk big about the evils of rock, but chances are their kids are sheepish HM fans precisely because of their attitude towards the music. Rock as rebellion? Give me a break! Heavy metal as defiance of the norms? Hell, it IS the norm. (Maybe you've been watching too many Twisted Sister videos, i.e., more than none.) Have you been to a high school or college recently? New wave? Punk? That sure got co-opted fast, didn't it? They've learned to work quickly in the big offices out in (you can't spelled "laid back" without) L.A., despite being coked out to excess. The question is, if this "parents against children" movement really takes hold, will "rock" stand and fight, or give in? I not too boldly predict that if record ratings begin to make a difference, if kids are somehow prevented from buying "X-rated" (??) records, the "industry" will begin to deal with its main concern in the making of music (profit), and will bring their acts "in line". Who will be the ones who stand up? Certainly not the metal acts. -- "Wait a minute. '*WE*' decided??? *MY* best interests????" Rich Rosen ihnp4!pyuxd!rlr
woods@hao.UUCP (Greg Woods) (09/17/85)
> I think there are two points to be made here. First of all, it > is accepted child psychology that if you tell a kid he or she can't > do something because it is dirty/bad_for_you/etc., you can bet > the first thing they'll do when your back is turned is to check it out. > These stickers are going to draw more attention to what is deemed > offensive (at least what is deemed offensive by the rightists/fundamentalist > bozo's wives). There was a recent Nightline segment on this very issue, and of all people, DONNIE OSMOND (Mr. "G"-rating himself) was on the program to OPPOSE the rating system. He gave two reasons of which this was one. The other was that he compared this to what happened to movies after the rating system was in place: a G-rating is a kiss of death. No kid (major source of record- buying public, even if it is the parents that provide the bucks) in his right mind is going to buy a (gag!) G-rated album. How many G-rated movies do you see? As a result, he claimed that HE would be FORCED to include lyrics that would "up" his rating in order to sell albums. Wow. The thought of Donnie Osmond singing sexy lyrics. Oh, my God! What would the PMRC think then? > Secondly, why do parents give their kids all this money > to go out and buy records in the first place unless they are going to > sit down and listen to them also. I can answer that one. To get the brats out of their hair for a while. As a reward for good behavior. I can think of lots of reasons. MANY parents give their kids money for records and never hear them. Hell, half the time they don't even know how the kids spend the money at all. > This is what is wrong with this > fundalmentalists leaders thinking ... they are SO narrow minded and think > that their experiences in life are exactly like everyone else experiences. Or, that that is how everyone else's experiences SHOULD be. After all, they are SO much better than the rest of us heathens, aren't they? :-) --Greg