Jennifer, you hit this one out of the ballpark. I couldn't agree more. I have spent my career in advertising and marketing as well, engaged in storytelling. I see the same things but could never have articulated the thought as clearly as you have done here. I'm going to be thinking about this for awhile....
I never thought of the current situation in this way. And when I do, I feel it is an even more insurmountable task to turn things around.
“.... truth, human reasoning, free speech, open inquiry, debate, the actual scientific method...” are not sexy things that catch people’s interest, never really were.
There were enough people in society that embodied and practiced these traits. With all the craziness spinning out of control around these folks at any given point there was still this bedrock that could be depended. It also provided a soft landing for the outliers who may change their minds.
Jennifer- if someone can make this sexy, you can!! In your corner, young lady!!
YES YES YES. I have been making this point for years: unless and until the Right can figure out how to make great art and music, they’ll never, ever win the culture. When they do try, it’s an inferior approximation of the real thing. At some point, for instance, the Daily Wire is going to have to stop basing its entertainment efforts on trolling. For now, there’s little option but to give the leftists our money and time.
I’m currently working on a documentary with a collaborator (he’s conservative) about government which we hope is “cool” and also have an effect on waking people up. And here’s a small piece of art I made 3 years ago. I would describe myself politically similar to the way you described yourself. https://open.substack.com/pub/sanefrancisco/p/the-navy-blue-venn-diagram
The key to culture lies in humor. And here the situation doesn't seem to be so hopeless for non-ultra-progressive types. For instance, The Babylon Bee is reliably funnier than The Onion these days! And comedians with more conservative views are gaining popularity, such as Tim Dillon. One reason the modern progressive movement might evolve itself out of existence is that it's become humorless and so many topics are out of bounds.
Very much enjoy the perspective and also the insight about your discussion with your "Brand Builder" who enjoyed the creativity from the left and survived until he didn't. In a brief freelance period, my self proclaimed title was "Brand Builder and Story Teller." So this piece reaches down and touches my soul. Plus I so agree that little "l" liberals need to fight against the Progressive Marxists that seem to be running every major agency right now. And the cowardly execs who enable their own self destruction need to develop both clear insight and a spine.
I am waiting for Disney to become a Business School lesson on how not to run a business. They are like the "Bud Light" situation on steroids', especially with Marvel and Star Wars. Insult your fans, install people who don't like or understand the culture, and complain when there is pushback. Claim the fans are racist and sexist. Um, no, these fans just are fans of a story and are open to new stories that don't tear down what they love. I am waiting for the lawsuits from shareholders who have seen their value destroyed, but of course since Disney own so much of the media companies in the country this is taking longer than it should.
Can I admit that Coco is one of my all time favorite movies without being accused of cultural appropriation?
Sorry, Jennifer. Modern day prog-libs are incapable of art or beauty. They are the party/embodiment of death and destruction. Modern architecture is abysmal; liberal "comedy" doesn't exist because you cannot tell the truth; and any art that is worth the name will offend someone, particularly the liberal ruling classes. Cannot happen.
that may be but their "art" still dominates the airwaves, good or bad. and conservatives/right/center have offered nothing in its place. there's an opening. point being -- you can't win without art to capture hearts and minds.
What about older art? We already have more works of every political leaning than can be consumed in a lifetime! I continue to find inspiration in books and movies written anywhere from 10 to 100 years ago.
Ok, let’s talk stories, and not generalize. I watched Good Grief with my wife yesterday. It seems to be the prototypical “cool” Leftie kind of cultural model you are referring to. And, it’s getting buzz. There was a couple of worthwhile moments, especially when the main character, Marc, talks about “distracting” himself when he is feeling deep grief. I could absolutely relate to this, However, I would absolutely not recommend these two hours to anyone. It kind of reminded me, very loosely, of the final episode of Seinfeld, where the joke was about how self absorbed the characters were. But that’s what made Seinfeld funny. Good Grief is a drama. Perhaps it wants to market itself as a pseudo-RomCom, but it’s too slow for that. Having said that, I am certain it will be watched and applauded as a matter of ritual in LA, NY, and wherever. Good grief!
Modern-day Christian Churches try to conform to the "World" and have sold themselves out with "Feel Good" messages (2 Timothy 4:3-5), women pastors, and allowing gay leaders in the churches (1 Timothy 1-11); the bible predicted this in the book of Revelation in the end times and it is an abomination and blasphemy of God's Word; you cannot have it both ways, as Christian's we live in this world but we ae not part of it! (1 John 2:15-17) God came to judge those, and now is the time to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and repent for your Sins. (Romans 1, 2)) I always say if you go to a church and walk out feeling good, the pastor has not done his job. Prosperity preachers are driving people straight to hell!
Agreed. The misconstrued "doctrine divides" assumption can easily be shattered if a "love abides if doctrine unites" approach is taken. Unfortunately, the Woke Ness Monster has bitten many a Christian leader these days. The flesh, the world, and the devil are holding sway, I'm afraid.
Reggie, if you ask more than 90% of the people who proclaim to be Christians today, Are you a sinner? They become highly offended because of the doctrine of the "feel good" prosperity preachers preached in most churches today. For those who are not saved, I understand because they are not saved! Matthew 22:14 Many are called, but few are chosen. Walking in faith (11 years now) is one of the hardest things I have taken on. My Montra is I'm not broken; I'm shattered, and I try to repent as much as possible!
Ok, ok, ok....I am committing to continuing this art series I began during the plague of 2020. I will also commit to telling my story, because it's a doozy. It can help a lot of people heal & get out of victim mentality. The contemporary Kahlo I guess is who I am. No more denying it. THANK YOU for your writing, Jennifer.
I think about this often throughout my whole life. When I was young, I was being raised Christian. So my parents had secular music and media as “off limits”. I couldn’t help but wonder why the “off limits” stuff was SO MUCH BETTER than what I was limited to. I remember learning as a child, that Lucifer was in charge of all of the praise and worship in heaven before he was cast down. Then it all made sense. He took all of that musical creative talent down to hell with him!
As for movies, I think conservatives are doomed because so many things they think are HUGE issues just are not and never will be issues to the rest of us. Like, you can’t make a whole movie that’s just about someone with (some sinful issue) and then when they come back to Christ act like that’s a happy ending. That’s not a compelling movie for most of us.
I’m guessing Lucifer used to make movies and everything else creative in Heaven too. Just the Bible doesn’t mention that because they didn’t know what movie screens are then.
It’s not just the content that lacks relevance. It’s the aesthetics that are poor. I think they think aesthetics don’t matter? But I don’t want to watch a movie that looks like garbage or read a book where the writing is terrible and the language ungraceful and clunky. Art needs to be beautiful. It’s not the message that matters.
Agree and have thought about this a lot, but never articulated it as methodically and convincingly as you just did! Thank you!We need outspoken conservative chefs,songwriters, screen writers etc. It's just uncool to tell people that you are conservative or right of center. How do we change this? Maybe Chris Rufo, Elon Musk, Bill Ackman, Bill Maher are all helping, but we also need people in the arts or cultural media.Eric Clapton just did an interview, but got very little media coverage. So the new media outlets may help. Maybe the Dems and leftists doing in themselves on covid, on DEI repercussions will help. Maybe just getting rid of self-censorship would go a long way!!
Jennifer, you hit this one out of the ballpark. I couldn't agree more. I have spent my career in advertising and marketing as well, engaged in storytelling. I see the same things but could never have articulated the thought as clearly as you have done here. I'm going to be thinking about this for awhile....
Thank you
Totally agree.
Art overall is in the crapper. Architecture, especially, is horrid---and I LOVE glass and chrome, but enough is enough. Give me La Sagrada Familia.
I never thought of the current situation in this way. And when I do, I feel it is an even more insurmountable task to turn things around.
“.... truth, human reasoning, free speech, open inquiry, debate, the actual scientific method...” are not sexy things that catch people’s interest, never really were.
There were enough people in society that embodied and practiced these traits. With all the craziness spinning out of control around these folks at any given point there was still this bedrock that could be depended. It also provided a soft landing for the outliers who may change their minds.
Jennifer- if someone can make this sexy, you can!! In your corner, young lady!!
YES YES YES. I have been making this point for years: unless and until the Right can figure out how to make great art and music, they’ll never, ever win the culture. When they do try, it’s an inferior approximation of the real thing. At some point, for instance, the Daily Wire is going to have to stop basing its entertainment efforts on trolling. For now, there’s little option but to give the leftists our money and time.
I’m currently working on a documentary with a collaborator (he’s conservative) about government which we hope is “cool” and also have an effect on waking people up. And here’s a small piece of art I made 3 years ago. I would describe myself politically similar to the way you described yourself. https://open.substack.com/pub/sanefrancisco/p/the-navy-blue-venn-diagram
The key to culture lies in humor. And here the situation doesn't seem to be so hopeless for non-ultra-progressive types. For instance, The Babylon Bee is reliably funnier than The Onion these days! And comedians with more conservative views are gaining popularity, such as Tim Dillon. One reason the modern progressive movement might evolve itself out of existence is that it's become humorless and so many topics are out of bounds.
Very much enjoy the perspective and also the insight about your discussion with your "Brand Builder" who enjoyed the creativity from the left and survived until he didn't. In a brief freelance period, my self proclaimed title was "Brand Builder and Story Teller." So this piece reaches down and touches my soul. Plus I so agree that little "l" liberals need to fight against the Progressive Marxists that seem to be running every major agency right now. And the cowardly execs who enable their own self destruction need to develop both clear insight and a spine.
I am waiting for Disney to become a Business School lesson on how not to run a business. They are like the "Bud Light" situation on steroids', especially with Marvel and Star Wars. Insult your fans, install people who don't like or understand the culture, and complain when there is pushback. Claim the fans are racist and sexist. Um, no, these fans just are fans of a story and are open to new stories that don't tear down what they love. I am waiting for the lawsuits from shareholders who have seen their value destroyed, but of course since Disney own so much of the media companies in the country this is taking longer than it should.
Can I admit that Coco is one of my all time favorite movies without being accused of cultural appropriation?
Thanks for a great piece.
Conservative Christian (and even retired Pastor) here.
You are right.
There are some interesting aspects to your question of why the right has lost the cultural arts.
If you are interested in some of my thoughts about that feel free to contact me.
Sorry, Jennifer. Modern day prog-libs are incapable of art or beauty. They are the party/embodiment of death and destruction. Modern architecture is abysmal; liberal "comedy" doesn't exist because you cannot tell the truth; and any art that is worth the name will offend someone, particularly the liberal ruling classes. Cannot happen.
that may be but their "art" still dominates the airwaves, good or bad. and conservatives/right/center have offered nothing in its place. there's an opening. point being -- you can't win without art to capture hearts and minds.
What about older art? We already have more works of every political leaning than can be consumed in a lifetime! I continue to find inspiration in books and movies written anywhere from 10 to 100 years ago.
Ok, let’s talk stories, and not generalize. I watched Good Grief with my wife yesterday. It seems to be the prototypical “cool” Leftie kind of cultural model you are referring to. And, it’s getting buzz. There was a couple of worthwhile moments, especially when the main character, Marc, talks about “distracting” himself when he is feeling deep grief. I could absolutely relate to this, However, I would absolutely not recommend these two hours to anyone. It kind of reminded me, very loosely, of the final episode of Seinfeld, where the joke was about how self absorbed the characters were. But that’s what made Seinfeld funny. Good Grief is a drama. Perhaps it wants to market itself as a pseudo-RomCom, but it’s too slow for that. Having said that, I am certain it will be watched and applauded as a matter of ritual in LA, NY, and wherever. Good grief!
Modern-day Christian Churches try to conform to the "World" and have sold themselves out with "Feel Good" messages (2 Timothy 4:3-5), women pastors, and allowing gay leaders in the churches (1 Timothy 1-11); the bible predicted this in the book of Revelation in the end times and it is an abomination and blasphemy of God's Word; you cannot have it both ways, as Christian's we live in this world but we ae not part of it! (1 John 2:15-17) God came to judge those, and now is the time to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and repent for your Sins. (Romans 1, 2)) I always say if you go to a church and walk out feeling good, the pastor has not done his job. Prosperity preachers are driving people straight to hell!
Agreed. The misconstrued "doctrine divides" assumption can easily be shattered if a "love abides if doctrine unites" approach is taken. Unfortunately, the Woke Ness Monster has bitten many a Christian leader these days. The flesh, the world, and the devil are holding sway, I'm afraid.
Reggie, if you ask more than 90% of the people who proclaim to be Christians today, Are you a sinner? They become highly offended because of the doctrine of the "feel good" prosperity preachers preached in most churches today. For those who are not saved, I understand because they are not saved! Matthew 22:14 Many are called, but few are chosen. Walking in faith (11 years now) is one of the hardest things I have taken on. My Montra is I'm not broken; I'm shattered, and I try to repent as much as possible!
Ok, ok, ok....I am committing to continuing this art series I began during the plague of 2020. I will also commit to telling my story, because it's a doozy. It can help a lot of people heal & get out of victim mentality. The contemporary Kahlo I guess is who I am. No more denying it. THANK YOU for your writing, Jennifer.
https://www.kristakahl.com/painting-commision?lightbox=dataItem-kpg3g9k95
While not mainstream, these artists are provocative and based: SABO www.unsavoryagents.com; Tom MacDonald https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tom+macdonald; And the movies released by The Daily Wire have been pretty darned good.
How does foreign art fit this narrative? K-pop and anime are huge industries that surely do not conform to American politics.
I think about this often throughout my whole life. When I was young, I was being raised Christian. So my parents had secular music and media as “off limits”. I couldn’t help but wonder why the “off limits” stuff was SO MUCH BETTER than what I was limited to. I remember learning as a child, that Lucifer was in charge of all of the praise and worship in heaven before he was cast down. Then it all made sense. He took all of that musical creative talent down to hell with him!
As for movies, I think conservatives are doomed because so many things they think are HUGE issues just are not and never will be issues to the rest of us. Like, you can’t make a whole movie that’s just about someone with (some sinful issue) and then when they come back to Christ act like that’s a happy ending. That’s not a compelling movie for most of us.
I’m guessing Lucifer used to make movies and everything else creative in Heaven too. Just the Bible doesn’t mention that because they didn’t know what movie screens are then.
It’s not just the content that lacks relevance. It’s the aesthetics that are poor. I think they think aesthetics don’t matter? But I don’t want to watch a movie that looks like garbage or read a book where the writing is terrible and the language ungraceful and clunky. Art needs to be beautiful. It’s not the message that matters.
It's JUST the message that matters i meant.
Arg … it’s not just the message that matters. I meant…
I agree. Seems like they add on some kind of a cloudy or dreamy filter into entire movies sometimes too. I’ve never liked any movie that did that!
Agree and have thought about this a lot, but never articulated it as methodically and convincingly as you just did! Thank you!We need outspoken conservative chefs,songwriters, screen writers etc. It's just uncool to tell people that you are conservative or right of center. How do we change this? Maybe Chris Rufo, Elon Musk, Bill Ackman, Bill Maher are all helping, but we also need people in the arts or cultural media.Eric Clapton just did an interview, but got very little media coverage. So the new media outlets may help. Maybe the Dems and leftists doing in themselves on covid, on DEI repercussions will help. Maybe just getting rid of self-censorship would go a long way!!