Thinking about culture, too. I was listening to the latest Gorillaz album, a record with some modest artful successes and colossal misfires (more on that later), thinking how affectatious (if that's even a word) a white dude from London running basically what is a minor rap collective. But what should he be doing? What should I be doing or have a right to do as a white male raised in the Western tradition? Really, all that's left without major departures is pop culture, which is commercial more than artful and expressive.
Having thought of that, I was curious to figure out which pop culture genres were sustainable--that is, which pop culture genres and forms can legitimately offer you something insightful and nourishing throughout all of the stages of your life. And which don't. And why. (And why not.)
Some are obvious. Many of what we consider to be the traditional forms and genres--the novel, the opera, the jazz album and performance. (I would place in this category the comic book--or with apologies to Eisner, the "sequential art narrative", if it's done properly.) Certainly folk-ish and folk-derived traditions, like the blues. Cinema, again, when done well and with the above function in mind.
Others don't seem to age well with you. Punk rock. Rap. Rock 'n roll. Pop.
So discuss with me if you will what sorts of genres and art forms are sustainable over one's life and experiences and which are not. And why(/not). I'm interested in what you have to say on this...
