In Search of Sanguinary Creeps

I would describe my taste in music as “charming eclectic”, but one mainstay for many years has been of Montreal. My last.fm profile can read as an obsessive tribute to Kevin Barnes. Although my favorite album or song changes frequently, but I have always been fond of “Forecast Fascist Future”.

This is the chorus:
Boredom murders the heart of our age
While sanguinary creeps take the stage
Boredom strangles the life from the printed page

The middle line bothers me. I doubt Of Montreal is referring to themselves, the Decemberists, or any other white non-mainstream artist. Their intention is debatable, but I've always assumed they're referring to violence in mainstream rap culture. Generally, when we question the effect of violent music on society, we only look toward genres dominated by African American artists.

I'm not saying that mainstream rap doesn't contain violent and misogynistic imagery, but that alternative music is just as guilty. One doesn't need to search far to find gangs, revenge, misogyny, homophobia, and intimate partner violence. Yet these issues are largely ignored, romanticized, or written off as art. This disconnect has roots in race and class inequalities. Perhaps we are not bothered because white middle class kids are deemed less likely to be a violent risk. In reality though, violence occurs across race and class lines.

The actual societal effect of violent imagery is another debate, but if we are going to condemn any music for glorifying violence, don't forget to look to the hipsters.

Sustainability can still be Social Justice

I've been reading a book over break called A Reasonable Life by Ferenc Mate. I'm only 50 pages in, so perhaps it's too early to make judgments, but it's problematic on several levels. The author, like too many environmentalists, frames the need for sustainability in apocalyptic language and uses a romanticized view of history (ignoring patriarchy, class, and racism) to call for a return to a “simpler time”. Both of these are huge turnoffs, and make it difficult for the public to take sustainability seriously.

So, I would like to present some alternative and more compelling reasons why sustainable living is worth your time and effort. Sorry, it's pretty TED heavy...

Health at Home:
Geographic Information/Pollution & Your Health

Health Abroad:
True Cost of Leather
E-Waste China

International Human Rights:
Sustainable development in the third world
Climate Change and Flooding in Bangladesh

Class & Urbanization:
Urban Renewal

It basically comes down to social justice. If you care about the health, safety, and happiness of people, then sustainability is relevant. Not to mention it's fun and builds comradery.