We were sitting in an Edwards chain restaurant in Liverpool last night and I gots ta thinkin'.
Edwards isn't a terrible restaurant, maybe a step up from Wetherspoons (so, actually, yes, a truly terrible restaurant as Wetherspoons is officially the 7th level of culinary hell) but its dedicated to consumer culture is quite overwhelming, it should get an award or something. Ignoring the neutral decor, child like squishy seats and beautiful-from-a-distance-yet-horrific-close-up bar staff, the chain has become a real-life representation of Aldous Huxleys Brave New World.
I know that popular culture and Huxley have oft been compared so I know I'm not saying anything original here but... wow, did I have a revelationary moment. There were video screens in a line on every wall, each showing the same turgid content - and this was the clinched - random, repeated, shots of celebrities, intercut with adverts for exotic drinks. That's it, nothing more, nothing less - no purpose to the celebrity shots, no break for anything - just a relentless barrage of celebrity and drink.
Now, it's very easy to write this off as another example of the "Heat Magazine Generation" (copywrite: Heat Magazine) but I see something far more sinister. I see a slow form of solicialisation, of thought control. Much more subtle than the Ministry that Bernard Marx worked in, but equally as effective. Instead of Soma for the Edwards patrons to consume they offer Bacardi, instead of the competitive classes to discuss they have celebs they do and don't like...
Edwards Restuarant reminded me of the bastard spawn of Aldous Huxley and Anthony Burgess, midwifed by Rupert Murdoch. Soon we were all depressed and starring vacantly at the screen. It is a dangerous place.
The best description I ever heard of our current society is that we are "not a democracy, but a capitalist dictatorshhip." I can't remember where I heard it, which is a shame as I think it is a perfect phrase to descibe the world I see around me. The problem with using phrases like "capitalist dictatorship" is that you immediately lose any credibility because you sound like a 14 year old radical.
They've got us any which way we turn.
currently listening to: general requests to use my computer
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