The modern myth

Both Kidd and Woodward describe the significance of the uniforms worn by Superman and Wonder Woman. Both writers make it clear that the uniform has many meanings and that the uniform is fitting, seeing as how the one's who wear the uniforms are the potential heroes of mankind.

It is safe to say that both authors have read comic books, and have a great deal of respect for these fictional characters. "I always hate it whenever Superman's outfit is referred to as a costume." (Kidd 553) Well, I can agree with that. I think that superheros don't get the real attention they deserve. People see superheroes save man from impending doom on a daily basis. Most see superheros as an outlet, thrilling action and escape from reality, but the message is lost in translation. We create superheroes because we feel a need as a whole to be rescued. Rescued from various super villains that are present in life. These super villains are often other people, sometimes super genius humans, sometimes catastrophic events caused by humans, or whatnot. I guess I am just rambling. The question I was trying to answer is how the authors got their points across differently. Well, it is easy to see that the authors believe that superheros don't get the respect they deserve. I don't necessarily have to read two essays to understand this point. The superhero is a symbol of strength and unity. I mean c'mon, "Truth, Justice, and the American way." Maybe super patriotic, but in essence, words that define a way of living. Words that represent a way of thinking. And where did these words come from? Certainly not from any politician, but from a made up being. A thing from another planet that if did not have superpowers, and a solid upbringing, would not have been looked at with the same respect he receives today. Lets not forget about the other things, the voluptuous/sculpted bodies behind the skintight uniform. "Clothes hug the curves of the body fantastic, both as a way to ignite sexual fires in adolescent readers, and to signify a branding of the flesh." (Woodward 558) This screams freedom of sexuality, and ultimate beauty, without hinting at extreme vanity in any way. There are morals behind the superhero. Superheros make us feel safe, they remind us that good can triumph over evil.

The ebb and tide of popular culture in western civilization.

Disclaimer: Due to my procrastination, this is going to be a very shitty blog. Have mercy. It probably won't have any quotes from the text either. My sincerest apologies.

Ah, where to begin, where to begin? As usual, I read something. That something was titled "The Cosmic Significance of Britney Spears" by Tom Perrotta. (The title is in pretty pink, bubbly letters) Anyways..................So............ Perrotta's essay describes the enigma that is Britney Spears. He compares her to Elvis, Madonna, and Cobain in an attempt to point out her similarities with these artists, and her differences. Basically, (as I percieved) the essay is about Britney Spears being a product of corporate america, and how that product represented the overall state of the union at that time. I don't know, some bullshit like that. It's 10:31, I got class at 11, this is due at 1, I'm getting sidetracked, I guess now, I can add my 1 and 1/2 cents.

Well, what do I think of the essay? Well, the author does a good job explaining what he thinks about Spears, and what she is all about, but I believe that Perotta is not harsh enough. Maybe it's just me but Perrotta seems like he has a level head on his shoulders, he just seems like a literary wimp. Nowhere in the essay does he point out the fact that Spears, and artists like her are the reason why music is getting worse at an exponential rate with the current growth of the cancer that is pop culture stardom. Yes I enjoy cleavage, but I also enjoy music that makes sense. Ok, yes Spears sings songs about teasing and heartbreak, and all other kinds of bullshit, but she doesn't write the lyrics or the music, people write the bullshit for her. She is a puppet for the record companies, and an icon on a soapbox of gibberish for the billions in this country, foaming at the mouth for something catchy to listen to. Perrotta compares Spears to Madonna, Madonna sings about some ridiculous shit that I don't really care about, but atleast she writes the crap, and takes the blame for the crap. (Plus she adopts foreign children on a regular basis. She is super spectacular in my book.) I have no fucking idea where I'm going with all of this. I am upset that I had to read about Britney Spears, the fucking joke to the musical community. But at the same time, as of today, the joke would be on me, all the cool people listen to Spears, and her musically inbred cousins of artists. I would have loved to have read a piece on a woman who influenced music in a positive way, rather than waste my time reading a piece about an authors inner struggle to understand "the largest pop star in the universe"


Suggested Listening: Neko Case. This lady has some real talent. Even if you don't like it, you should respect her, and her music because she works hard to write and perform things that evoke feeling and emotion. The only feeling and emotion that Britney Spears music evokes is false hope in impressionable young girls, and boners in adolescent and grown men.

Bottom line: Fuck Britney Spears, and fuck the paper wasted to print this god-awful essay on.

Sorry for being so rash Coop.