Generationalization: Battle for your Mind

When we compare todays with yesterdays, one can not deny that time is directly proportional to the intensity of a battle that is raging for your mind. Slowly but surely, the passage of time has meant an incremental layer of information that a generation has to assimilate to be able to survive. Small things, like turning on the light, or knowing how to drive a car. Children today now have to know how a computer works, what the channel of their favourite show is…the list goes on. So many things to remember. Just counting the number of goods that we got to know how to work is staggering. So are we smarter than previous generations? If treating our minds as storage dumps is the answer, then we certainly are using more RAM. But when we start to wiegh innovations instead of RAM, the intial hypothesis suddenly seems less sound. theory vs knowledge ( t & k) is the eternal battle. One's preference is a telling seed that sprouts many inferences.

Theory is a admittedly abstract, and at times impractical, but when forced to classify the innovations of our generation, the pile labeled 'incremental improvements' is growing increasingly tall when compared to the pile of 'firsts'. once again an abstract hypothesis, but one which would be validated if one bothered to analyze the types of patents being registered. Im sure about one thing... there are probably more patents of brands these days when compared to yesteryears, a telling sign that innovatiosn are veering towars the corner of incremental improvement, as opposed to life altering. What about the first ice-cream cone or the light bulb or the television (or the remote ! just imagine the link between obesity and commercial uptake of the remote) of befores. A computer that goes 5 seconds faster just doesn't cut it anymore. Incremental improvements are a compromise when compared to the fruits borne by theorists. Things that leave a mark. Da Vinci's scribblings on physics and dreams to fly are but an example.

Imagine life without the airplane.

So theory is obviously an essential step, which might require some knowledge, but the battle is not one that can be easily one. Too many things to do… too many things to remember in this battle for your mind.

to be continued...

Mourn Freedom. Not GEO

If one was to play the devil’s advocate for the sake of combating this supposedly saintly barrage of opinions… then let me admit.

Thank GOD GEO is off the television.

Given the medium I am currently using it would be hypocritical of me to not defend the right of speech. It is one of the fundamental cornerstones of the Human Rights Charter and should thus be an expectation…not a gift. Nevertheless, in the wise words of Spiderman (pop-culture is always a safer route than academia these days): ‘With great power comes great responsibility’.

I doubt our media personnel have heard those wise words, and if they happened to hear them then I doubt they understood them. The same spirder talk was oft referred to during the fiasco about the cartoons based on Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). ‘The right of speech!’ the world yelled… we thought otherwise. Although these cartoons were reprinted in numerous publications, rather than succumb to Islamist pressures, numerous countries left the decision to publications to make. They chose to or not to reprint based upon the needs or beliefs of their readers. Many did not. Why? one must ask… would it not sell more publications? Would it not latch onto public curiosity and further build upon a popular anti-Islamist stance that was already prevalent in many countries? Why yes it would… but would it be responsible? No.

Unfortunately, the media in Pakistan is not that mature.

Despite any vendettas one might have against the current regime, one can not ignore the freedom that the press and electronic media has enjoyed due to Mushi’s tutelage. There have been many criticisms against the regime for many a year. He never once spoke out. He took it in his stride. Although he always had PTV to convey the administrations point of view, he never once succumbed to using propaganda as a tool to better his political position. Attacks were constant. Retaliations less so. This in no way justifes his current !*?$ ups but lets for a minute sit back and view how information is conveyed internationally.

America, the world’s supposed greatest ‘democracy’ does not have any outright controls on their media. True. American media is free to convey whatever viewpoint they hold. False.

Although the American administration does not directly tinker with the media it would be interesting to note that many members of the current administration are also board members of numerous media related companies. A coincidence? Maybe. If you’re not convinced that there are subtle forces at play, then let me delve deeper. Within the past four years, various laws protecting the rights of independent broadcasters have been repealed in the favour of those aforementioned media conglomerates upon which the cabinet members happen to be board members. The biggest media conglomerate, headed my Rupert Murdoch, also happened to be a major financial contributor of the current regime. A coincidence? Maybe.

It would be naïve to assume that the media operates independently in the states because simply put…they have learnt how to properly clothe their propaganda. Knowing that the major sources of information decimation happen to be easily influenced by Washington makes one wonder… what’s the point of having the right to those channels in the first place. They’re all saying the same thing. Why would they yank their television channels off the air if they happen to be saying all the right things? The media is a powerful thing. It builds public opinion. It provides a point of reference. It interprets. This has not been overlooked in other countries. Until now it was overlooked in Pakistan (atleast under Mushi).

Thailand’s former PM: a entrepreneur who minted his money in the broadcasting business
Italy’s former PM: an entrepreneur who minted his money in the broadcasting business

I could quote more examples… but is there really a need. The link between public opinion and the media is explicit. Not implicit. Nevertheless, till date, Mushi was not using the media as a vehicle to form opinion. He was in fact fighting the very opinions that the media was creating, because more often than not our media is such that it applauds mistakes as opposed to recognizing achievements. It does not exercise the power it has with caution. The sensationalism that permeates our media, is such that it informs people of opinions as opposed to reporting. GEO is the epitome of a 24 hour editorial . I despise them… not because I despise information… but because I don’t want to be force fed a point of view. Selective reporting is simply one of its many facets. Nevertheless the freedom of speech is sacred…thus let us mourn the concept. Not GEO.

(I know this is not duly built as an argument and is biased against GEO…but then again im just conforming to our very own media-scape)

Disrespecting Time is Art

Grab a ledge and admire. The world is a slideshow of art that we ignore way too often. So take a second from the minutes we call life, to stop and appreciate art. If the only way to appreciate the world around us is to disrespect life's demands on our limited reservoirs of time...

then so be it.

Disrespecting time is art.

The World. Bush. Anthropologists & Brand-Centric Spectacles

Due to the endeavours of the Bush administration, the global village is becoming increasingly fractured; clusters being defined by various determinants such as nationality, religion, income, age and education (to name but a few). Even Bush’s most ardent supporters will admit that his policies have highlighted the differences, as opposed to the commonalities between cultures. Nevertheless, the negative perceptions that ‘western’ cultures have nurtured predate Bush. If anything, Bush has saved the rest of the world from falling in step with American tastes and culture by bringing the negatives of Americana to the forefront. Disillusioned by his administration’s overtly aggressive stance on foreign policy, many in the Islamic (Asian, European, etc) world are over-compensating by latching onto and exaggerating their own customs, so as to ensure that cultural imperialism can be thwarted. Subsequently, the much awaited clash of civilisations seems imminent. Only by finding communal points of reference that transcend regional boundaries can one hope to ease the friction between cultures that are beginning to seem intrinsically different from one another.

Given this incestuous atmosphere of staying with one’s own, it is interesting to note how globalization has played a role in providing a new platform of commonalities. Ever since MTV launched in the 80’s, a movement began of what can now officially be deemed the MTV generation. Especially applicable to any post Gen X age group, the shared values of viewers, due to their identical viewership patterns ensure that irrespective of nationality or religion, all kids (in a given income group) are aware of the Beyonces, Versaces and Nikes of our world. This might seem inconsequential, but, by adorning the brand-centric spectacles of marketers it's impossible to ignore the underpinnings of a new global language. This language might not have been fully adopted by me or you…but the kids of our generation are on a path of homogenization. Having established a trans-national language of brands, icons and symbols, the generation of the future will be able to gauge the commonalities they share with a third person by judging him/her on a common platform, i.e. clothing, music, styling, etc. This does not imply that the youth are more materialistic, although it does mean that the advertising spend of big brands is beginning to pay dividends. This process can be likened to the adoption of general symbols that now inundate our lives. For example, the sign for a men’s washroom is almost identical everywhere in the world. Irrespective of culture, people now share a common symbol that can not be boxed in by regional boundaries. This is also true for many road signs that we come across daily. But enough of urinals… I hope that you will humour me as I elaborate on those brand-centric spectacles that I mentioned earlier.

Most brands try to create a niche so that consumers associate a unique persona to a brand. Billions are spent to establish a brand’s personality, image, culture as well as its visual and verbal tone of communication. Previously, this practice served one purpose, to increase sales by clearly demarcating a persona that fit the mould of the ideal customer. Alas, the sheer volume of investment in creating these brand personas, coupled with an increasingly individualistic and time starved culture has resulted in a seismic shift whereby individuals now choose a brand to leverage its associations. In short, brands used to previously work on creating personas that would appeal to its target market, but, now people adopt a persona by choosing brands that reflect their perceived ideal.

Due to the prevalence of brands, a kid brought up on Western fodder in Pakistan might now have more in common with a kid in Ecuador than a less privileged Pakistani kid. Commonalities, such as culture, are slowly being eroded under the pressure exerted by global advertising, as well as the tastes and preferences they forge. Anthropologists, scared of being deprived of their livelihood, are obviously livid about this phenomenon, but are powerless to do anything other than to document the slow demise of regional differences. I would be willing to bet that a hundred years from now, anthropologists will be citing M.N.C.’s and the associated media bombardment as being amongst the most influential determinants of future cultural behaviour.

Let me explain why I am so certain of the outcome. Time is becoming almost as scare a commodity as oil and subsequently people have less time to get to know one another. Given this scenario, people subliminally judge one another to gauge whom they would best get along with, thereby, setting criterion of social groupings. Previously, this criterion tended to be based on culture, age and religion because it was assumed that a person from the same culture and religion would share a lot of commonalities. More often than not, this was the case. But, as the walls of cultural segregation are torn down by satellite channels, people are beginning to understand that a shared regional culture does not imply shared tastes, preferences and lifestyles. Instead, brands which are widely recognized are beginning to be viewed as chapter titles for a book titled ‘ME’. Is it a coincidence that people who adorn billabong tend to hang out with people who wear similar brands (Hurley, Quicksilver, Roxy, etc) as opposed to a person who adorns the Versaces of the world? Is it a coincidence that more often than not, a grouping of BMW owners would also include people who own Mercs, Lexuses or Jaguars as opposed to a Hyundai. You yell “that’s segmenting by income you bugger” and I reply “well so are brands!’. Is it a coincidence that more and more brands are coming out with global campaigns as opposed to country or region specific campaigns? Are companies beginning to realize they can use one message to communicate with the whole world as opposed to customizing each campaign for each country? Maybe. But I think companies are beginning to realize that they don’t need to ‘talk to the whole world’, they just need to talk to their world.

And talk they do. They talk to ‘us’ and we talk to the ‘them’s who mirror the ‘me’s. Ideally brands would not factor into the equation, but these days anything is a brand and nobody is above stereotyping. Obviously we all want to be above stereotyping, but through my personal experience of constant relocation (I am a FOK’er (Foreign Office Kid) after all) I have realized that one tends to subliminally migrate towards a person who seems to share the same tastes, preferences or opinions. In an ideal world, one would duly allocate time to discover one’s surroundings, co-workers, associates, etc, but we do not live in an ideal world. We live in a world where time is a commodity and instead of discovering a person we tend to take a quick glimpse of the brands they use or admire to ascertain their tastes. After all, a stoner doesn’t hang out with a raver too often. Why? Tastes and preferences.

I’ve stopped making sense now and have managed to confuse myself so I’m going to do the honourable thing…and stop writing.

Anti-Smoking Ads

As a fellow smoker remarked 'Smokers are a dying breed, both literally and figuratively" and the world seems hell-bent on consigning us to the pile labelled 'tsk tsk'. Yet try as they might, their numerous anti-smoking ads never seem to aptly resonate with smokers or would be smokers. I think of all the warnings, maybe one with a visual of a bent/limp ciggerette and a caption saying 'smoking causes impotence' might just have hit home. Giving creedance to the fact that men think with their dicks, I thought it best to take an approach aimed at our universal love for a babe. In light of this epiphany, i sketched the above and think it might just do the trick...

Mushi Mushi

There is an inherent beauty in the chaos that perennially engulfs Pakistan and its perceived state of affairs. Currently residing in South Africa, and having previously completed a stint as a media strategist in Islamabad, I find it impossible to not comment on the disproportionate amount of media coverage our nation receives internationally, albeit for all the wrong reasons. I guess that is the price that any ”strategically” located country with a population of nearly 150 million has to pay. We need to ask ourselves, however, as to why we supposedly “Proud Pakistanis” choose to exacerbate negative perceptions by continuously highlighting Musharraf’s and the nation's negative aspects. What about the good… does it not warrant a small article too?

Admittedly, Musharraf’s plan is veering off course, and the ground situation is going downhill, but what one is fed through media publications and channels paints a dismal picture that seems more hell bent on self-serving vendettas as opposed to reporting. More often thatn not, it seems like in our quest for the “sensational” and the “awe-inspiring,” we have sadly forgotten the basic doctrines of journalism. The media is not supposed to take sides – its purpose is merely to “inform.” The facts should speak for themselves, and if they don’t, then your facts aren’t all that great. In this context, a news report is more like a piece of art – if the artist (or sculptor, whichever the case may be) actually has to write out an explanation and put it up on a plaque beside the work, then the piece isn’t worth much. So also, if you feel the need to actually go out and explain your report, then the purpose and the meaning is lost. “Activism” is not part of a journalist’s job description. Neutrality is the key that our media unfortunately seems to have lost, and this has apparently been replaced with misplaced priorities.

This is not to say that the legitimacy of a legislative body is not paramount – it is. The rule of law ensures that checks and balances exist to offset the centralization of of the government’s power. But has a court of law NEVER been undermined in this land before. If memory serves me right, our favourite Punjabi pahlwaan did something of the sort as well, back in his day. At the time, however, the media was not as empowered or autonomous as it is now and could not express discontentment. Should this progression in the sector simply be accepted as evolution or should one give credit where credit is due

Since Mushi Mushi took over, the media industry has been spawning bastard children every second day. The number of daily and monthly publications, radio and television stations and even Pakistani-hosted websites have risen dramatically in recent years, begging one to wonder about what drove Mushi Mushi to confront the one sector that he has been most benevolent to.

Over the years, the loosened grip on the media and its subsequent privatisation has resulted in a lot of players entering the market, eager to siphon off profits from the growing number of MNCs who want to communicate with the burgeoning middle class in Pakistan. Put so simply, this seems like a pretty straightforward model that apparently benefits all the players concerned, BUT this simple model was not working until Mushi Mushi came to power. Previously there weren't as many MNC's arriving on our shores due to political instability, a weakened economy and the near non-existent purchasing power of the majority of Pakistanis.

- Before Mushi Mushi the media was gagged to such an extent that Junoon were banned from television stations.
- Before Mushi Mushi there was no one willing to take on the Hudood Ordinance (even if the politicians shot it down).
- Before Mushi Mushi there was no Ali Noor.
- Before Mushi Mushi there was no Expresso Lounge.

If not for Mushi, the beards would have a more pronounced role in the political make-up of the country. After Mushi there is no one with the willpower or the backing to take authoritarian-like measures to sow progress. Enlightened moderation is a catchy coin-phrase that has been lambasted by all near and far, but maybe we should take our cue and practice enlightened criticism. His means might not be correct, but at the end of the day, his heart is in the right place. He might have been tainted by the corruption associated with such a high post, but is the corruption comparable to the millions whisked off by BB or NS?

Despite his domestic problems, Mushi Mushi had done wonders for Pakistan's image abroad. He is affable, relatively well spoken and other than his book-launching episode, has acted with dignity that is at times lacking in other forerunners for political power. I remember turning on the telly during the tumultuous aftermath of THE earthquake to see BB lambasting the nation, the administration and all near and far... I was not around in 1973 or 1961, but, the sincere concern that people had for their brothers in the north was likened by many elders as being a throwback to the years of yore when being Pakistani meant something. It meant that the nation came first. BB spoke to an international audience and chose her time in the spotlight to make sure she discussed Mushi Mushi and what he did wrong as opposed to what could be done. For BB, BB came first. In fact it seems that Pakistan and what it communicates, conveys what is done wrong, as opposed to what is being done. Eager to criticize we all have reservations about how something is being done and vociferously make our displeasure known, but very rarely do we convey what is being done right. Our media fails to make or recognize heroes. WE need heroes. We need hope. We need to know that there is somebody out there doing the right thing. We need to know there is some standard to which we should aspire. Mushi Mushi has a tough job. Lets accept it. Illiteracy, no taxes, beardism, terrorism, geo-political instability and a feudal undertone makes Pakistan a pretty hard country to govern and he is trying…

Nevertheless, in the golden years of mushi-dom: the people were happy, the media sector was making money, politicians were exiled and businesses were ecstatic. Part of the success achieved during those golden years was the harmonious relationship that different sectors (barring the exiled politicians) managed to forge with one another and the ruling party. Those years it seems, are now dead. We are back to our back biting ways, and the general consensus of dissidence seems to be permeating the cities, towns and villages of Pakistan… irrespective of class, education or income. Why? Because of one CJP? Or are we as a nation just not capable of accepting the lesser evil. 'We want democracy!' you say. 'Fuk democracy…I want progress' I say.

PS: im not pro Musharraff...but i honestly dont see any other alternative and that is what scares me...not the eroding power of institutions

Written Spoke Sung

Another year you have written a sung spoke,
one of hi… huh, why? or two.
You draw, nod, dawn
and time is a sea of lines, in which you oft go.
Many goals met , you, who cares.
Answers yet questions have another year (or two).
Dawn, nod, draw,
TO
live!
Cries arise from eyes shut till now
, raving gods of discontent ,
waging war on sense long bled.
“how do you fight ignorance with open eyes?”
When, to win you must not be led
and loss shed.
die!
Live.
On needs ex
And on deeds we base our aspired rations.
Meeting art but wedding thought instead
We defy evolving prerequisites
by choosing anything, save, raving
of bastions of love instead.
I will not

Written Sung Spoke

Another year you have written sung spoke,
one of hi… huh, why? or two
Draw, nod, dawn.
Time is a sea of lines, in which one oft goes.
Many goals met , you, who cares.
Answers yet questions have another year (or two).
Dawn, nod, draw,
to
live!
Cries arise from eyes shut till now
, raving gods of discontent ,
waging war on sense long bled.
So how do we fight ignorance with open eyes
When, to win we must not be led
and loss shed.
to
Live.
On needs ex
And on deeds we base our aspired rations.
Meeting art but wedding thought instead
We defy evolving prerequisites
by choosing anything, save, rave
of bastions of love instead.
or not

the grammys the music the huh?

No disrespect to the musicians of yore, but the awards held yesterday seemed like an elongated history lesson. The emphasis on showcasing country music, as Dixie Chicks ran amok at the awards podium, coupled with nostalgia resulted in a show that was looking over its shoulder as opposed to ahead. BUT despite its shortcomings, man o man was I glad that some of the artists and tracks I was plugging ended up getting nominated. I’d been preaching Lupe Fiasco (BRILLIANT), Imogen Heap and C. Bailey Rae to all near and far and im glad that these commercially obscure (except CBR I guess) artists managed to get their names on the bill.

WTF was up with Mary J getting the awards she got. A duet with Bono should not mean she gets unwarranted recognition for tracks (which relative to her other releases off the album) are average at best. LuDA’s time was a coming and the performance of ‘Runaway’ was wicked, socially conscious and it seems that Nas, Ludacris and maybe Lupe have picked up the mantle of social commentary in hip-hop vs the gangsta shyte that now seems pretty regurgitated (cept maybe the game...he ayte). A sublime performance of ‘just like a star’ made the rest of the crap almost worth it. John Mayer ravaged his guitar. But just like a star man… first time I heard the track I knew! It deserved a grand stage. Where were Muse goddamit???!!!Oddly enough I think they held back this year on purpose so that the 50 year anniversary can be a grand gala, and I have to admit, the MTV EMA awards won the glitz, coolness and semi-credibility battle. Man Europeans just see to know good music when they hear it. Good music as opposed to popular music! No carrie underwood’s n Christian preaching allowed.

BUT BUT the grammys have really really taken a stand on the War issue by showering Dixie Chicks after the release of their anti-war album. A bit too little too late non? But at least they made the thoughts of the music community known. It seemed like a battle within a battle… history vs. the present vs. the future (in terms of music)… country music vs. Dixie chicks… Texans vs. the rest of America. Cool stuff aye? N I still have yet to hear anything by the Dixie chicks cus I don’t think they release outside the states. I guess it’s a good thing. Oh btw the POLICE managed to get together for a bit to start it off. And please if anyone mentions timberlake once more im gonna puke.

even funnier was how all these supposed hollywood actors seemed so wooden compared ot the musicians. the latter might be dumber BUT man they dont need to act. the 'characters' are entertaining as is. actually when they were jsut musicians up on stage it didnt seem soo scripted which considering these kinda events is pretty impressive.

Ps: highlight of hte night was Don healy of Eagles snubbing the other ‘texan’ n country music as he throws his weight behind the Dixie Chicks.

PSS: im waiting for hte dream colaboration of CBR, alicia keys n lauryn hill or fiona apple