The Advent of Decadence

Here's something disturbing.

Humans seem to thrive on psychologically shock value. It excites, scares, makes you laugh, even. And, of course, is the source of fear. So when you know you're in for a heartstopping shock, you fear it. The unexpected shock scares us, and simply the unexpected excites us. Desmond Morris believes that laughter stems from a fraction of a second shock, followed by instant, overwhelming relief due to the sudden realisation that there is no danger.

However, these days, they say the joke has died. Any attempts to crack a simple joke are faced with a straight face, an irritated retort, or simply a look of disgust. The more thinking the joke demands, the less it resembles a joke. Where has the appreciation gone? Isn't it the people killing the joke? The joke has become like a much loved famous person who suddenly fell out of favour, and is now wandering on the streets in tatters, trying hard to survive. Nobody wants to look at, hear of, or talk about it.

Going beyond that, the once tabboo streakers, skimpy clothes, and risque displays are becoming the order of the day. You have people openly discussing sex. Girls wearing short (to say the least) shorts. And this is progress in a way. Of course, I shall have to write another post in this regard. But this deconstruction and demystification of hushed up issues is leading to exhaustion of shock value. So those secret conversations or that glimpse of a leg caught, a decade or two ago, would've

excited, titllated. No longer, though.

Now you have Katy Perry and Lady Gaga who rely on shock value more than anything to sell their music through in-your-face videos. Completely naked, or, even worse, in really kinky attire that tends completely towards perverse pornography. So such sexually charged shock value has become mainstream. And it sells, clearly because it is new, unexpected, unexperienced. Exciting to the masses. Revolting to me, if you care to find out.

What next? What after we're done with this pornographic phase? We might safely get bored to death. But much more likely, we might descend to violence. That exhausted shock value will be made up for by carnage. Decadence is one thing; this takes it to a new level. Sadists and masochists are not unheard of. Next you know, they'll be the big mainstream pop thing.

We need to look for escape routes. To save ourselves from self destructive sadomasochism. The least we can do is avoid being a proponent of such activities, practices, ideas. Boycott these desparate pornsters. Look around you; be more aware of the world; learn something new. Engage yourself in fulfilling activities. Think, write, share, discuss. And yes, I have to write another article on this point, too.

Thanks and regards,

Mallika