This post by Momus and ensuing thread is the most interesting I've read to date on the whole Michael Jackson affair. If you step back from the creepiness and lurid details, you do see the ultimate post-modern sense of urgency to have him "normalized" in any sense (guilty or not guilty - american's can't deal w/any ambiguity).
What's even more compelling (although a no brainer) is the parallel one of the posters makes to Matthew Barney's Cremaster series. Apparently at a talk, Barney himself said that in the "Cremaster series, Michael Jackson is fully actualized"... Of course! That makes sense - the literal testicular drop hasn't happened for him - he's the castrati-freak of the hour, between sexes, race, and even age.
Unfortunately, consequences of creating a monster you get everyone becoming more monstrous in the hunt for the monster itself... Or maybe the Frankenstien reference is too bold, but it could wind up as a cautionary story for people who try to step outside of race, age, gender through money and plastic surgery. Kate Bornstien rallied behind the idea of a multiplicity of genders - this idea might come under attack...
Still - I guess the antagonism lends itself to such fun pastimes as "Escape from Neverland".
I've been pop culture obsessed lately... It's probably because a dose of spring vanity and the influx of major media spectacles (the Jacko trial notwithstanding) are doing a nice job of distracting us all from the real terrors.
The NYT this sunday had the easy target of going after the Olsen Twins for their Sartorial foolery. I'm not one to dwell on surface issues and trivialities of what mega-stars show up to their day-jobs, therapy sessions and workshop meetings in, but it does point to the whole "trying to be earnest" cult of "not appearing to care". There isn't any real revolution going on here other than the obvious:
Which one is trying vs not trying? The impromptu shots of the millionairess' walking askew w/a coffee beverage denotes importance and signifies power (because she can't truly be bothered, they've just adapted a language of bourgoise bohemianism that is borrowed from Williamsburg 5 years prior, but they're not going to let that stop us from laughing and pointing), while the alien oven-mitt from Vicktor-and-Rolfe has us running for the ailes...
Truly FUGLY as Salon has called it.
In any case - it's another brand of the "new/old sincerity" -- class is no longer a commodity because it's purchased on eBay for a few extra dollars.
That should keep me busy for 4 weeks. But in case not and I need more to do: I also need to cut back on booze, trans fat and bad choices. I should stay home more, eat out less and exercise. I should not spend money on frivilous housewares and projects I'll not start. I should go to First Thursday (this thursday) and purchase art in Occidental Square. I should make wise investments. I should get rid of half of my unworn and ill-fitting wardrobe. I should get rid of unneccessary expenses that i no longer use (like my fotoblog - or I should take more pictures and use it). I should clean house once a week. I should clean the porch (file that under parental party in April). I should stop taking cabs to and from Capitol Hill and take the bus. Or I should buy a bike and start riding it.
Oh - crap - and I need to get my taxes into my CPA by early (possibly tomorrow) March...
