From: Arlo Bensinger (ajb102@psu.edu)
Date: Fri Feb 25 2005 - 17:02:12 GMT
Ham
> In music it has taken the form
>of "punk rock" whose chaotic song patterns and morbid or obscene lyrics
>depict life's meaninglessness and amorality.
While you make many good points about nihilism, the punk is me has to take
some umbridge at this inaccurate categorization. Rock music has its origins
in social protest of injustice and inequality. It became a caricaturish
mockery of itself when it became commoditized and embraced by the very
establishment it sought to criticize. "Punk" was a movement in rock to
strip it of its ridiculous commercial veneer and reclaim it as a form of
social rebellion.
In this way, "punk" is not nihilistic. Punk is counter-cultural. You may,
of course, support being a good sheep and embracing social norms, whatever
they may be, without any critical lens to the structuring nature of social
"normalcy". And, if that is they embodiment of anti-nihilism, then perhaps
that is your choice. But do not confuse rebellion against norms with nihilism.
I think a much better "example" of nihilism and music would be John Cage.
There is your "chaotic song patterns". The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, The
Clash... all of these bands use song patterns. To suggest otherwise is
simply foolish. As to "morbid and obscene lyrics", I can only believe that
you've never really listened to many of the bands you call "punk". Of
course, the Beatles and Elvis were "obscene" as well. So, we're back to
painting labels on anything that challenges or rebels against social norms.
In this case, you'd likely have to lump all of "rock music", possibly
anything non-classical as even impromptu jazz and blues borders on your
"chaotic sound patterns" (as Platt likely does) into this nihilistic category.
To sum, to rebel against social injustice or normative activity is hardly
nihilistic.
Just an aside...
Arlo
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