The Corporation Part 1, Culture Jam Part 2

"The Corporation"

I think people aren’t familiar with the history of corporations rise to power. They just see it the way it is today and accept that that’s the way things are. Corporations have amassed huge amounts of power over time in the name of providing people with jobs and helping the economy. Don’t mess with business, that affects people's jobs and lives. What started as a more efficient way of doing business and increasing production has evolved in what might be a logical path to privatization, manipulative marketing, externalizing costs, inequality, law breaking, and manufactured wants. AAarggh! It’s time for the corporation to lose its "humanity', since it has thoroughly demonstrated its lack of responsibility through its psychopathic action. There are many outrageous crimes against society that have become commonplace from big biz. Maybe the discontent can be brought to a point of action.

"Culture Jam"

1.I have come to realize that this book is exposing the net causes of the problems in the world that I worry about. It’s bringing together my fragmented knowledge to show the big picture. I always feel the need to trace problems back to the source and now I feel like I’m finally getting to the real, direct causes and solutions. It is looking to change the big picture so that all these issues and problems can be solved as a byproduct of this massive cultural change. It’s even broken down into the five memes that would totally turn society on its head, in a good way. So many problems would be immediately on the fast track being solved. Forget being an environmentalist, culture jamming may be the way to the real progress I want to see.
2.“Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul”. This line really struck me, because I feel like I’m amassing all this knowledge and frustration without doing anything with it. I just feel the need to take action, wishing I could just step in boxing ring and throw some punches to solve the problems and release the frustration. So I resolve to start doing small things. Quitting Facebook definitely feels good (and my persuasive speech for my public speaking class is on the same topic). So maybe that’s my start, and I'll work on figuring out step two.
3.Spontaneity. This was a new idea for me, fighting the “spectacle” through spontaneous action. This method for salvation used by Truman and the Buddha must be worth considering. It’s a bit abstract and I’m not sure I totally grasp it. I guess its about living in the moment, breaking out of the trance, and acting freely, not as the spectacle want you to.
4.I liked the line about if life sucks, then fix a corner of it. This phrase really reminded me of how pointless it is to be pessimistic or cynical. Things might be bad, but they can always be made better. I think this is the kind of attitude I will need to keep if I’m going to be working in the environmental field to remind myself that it’s not an effort in vain.
5. I also found the line interesting about "we will wreck this world" and rebuilding on the rubble of our old culture. It's clear, we need massive changes, but at times the book started to take a destructive tone. It reminds me of "Fight Club", where they essentially resort to terrorism to make their changes in society. I think the author doesn't really mean physical destruction and ruin, but more that the changes will totally destroy our corporate and consumer dominated culture.

My question is, how does this fit into politics? Culture jamming could be a whole political platform. Culture jammers have lost faith in the left, so who do they go to?