HW 29 - Merchants of Cool

We watched most of the episode "Merchants of Cool" from Frontline on PBS (2001) on Wednesday and Friday.

If you missed one of those sessions, you need to watch it on your own - official site is here - but its also on google video and here.

Please address one or more of the following topics in 3-6 well-written and insightful paragraphs. Use evidence from the video, from Matt Fried's Tuesday presentation, and from other sources.

• Of course the corporations manipulate us while pretending not to, so they can make more money off of us. Of course we actively seek commodified coolness while trying to claim "self-expression" and "being ourselves", so we can feel a sense of importance and gain attention and approval. So what?

• What specific manipulation techniques work best on the specific insecurities and emotional needs of young people, according to Merchants of Cool?

• Should advertising to young people be banned? Up to what age? Or all ages?

• Is it evil to help the corporations to manipulate the minds of young people for the sake of profit?

• Should Rage Against the Machine or Mos Def have refused to play the corporate game to prevent their revolutionary music becoming a source of capitalist profit? What if that meant that they would gain far fewer listeners?

• There was a quote like, "Girls are taught (by Britney Spears type media) to flaunt their sexuality even though they don't understand it yet." Was what was done to Britney Spears wrong? Was it a crime? If so, who are the criminals? Why did she go along? Why did millions of teens eagerly consume this image leading to billions in corporate profits? Does this sort of image lead to loveless performance of alienated hyper-sexuality in the name of cool?

Due Sunday, 13th of December at 9:00am.