NationStates Jolt Archive

I can't help but notice that Hollywood is increasingly relying on remakes of trashy 70s series and films.

What was the last original film to come out of Hollywood? - The Matrix, The Usual Suspects?

Is this true for all American culture? I mean even hip-hop is horribly decadent isn't it?

Is American culture dead?

How can something die if it was never alive?

There is more to culture than movies.

I would say that Hollywood has crappy writers and has run out of ideas.

i don't think it's dead, just going through a low point

I think we need some Protoculture to get it all going again...

well of coarse hollywood has run out of movie ideas i mean there are only so many possibilities before you eventually have to start making movies with the same plot. But americans hav't rlly ever had a culture unless you count either fast food or the confederacy =P

90% of what hollywood turns out is crap. Same with big music companies. Still you can find some gems. Also this seems to be cyclical. Think back to when hollywood's staples were cheesy musicals. They then went through a period of change and originality. Same with music. Remember how late 80's and early 90's bands sucked? (poison, great white, slaughter, etc.) Then came a new period of fresh music. (soundgarden, alice in chains)

"American culture is dead"
-A rip off of Nietzsche's more famous "God is dead"

Is that the only thing that you think is dead?

Okay, good, because you know we should always judge whether or not a culture is dying by the movies it puts out.

I asked if it was true for all American culture? I mean that Hip-hop song by Twista, how bad is that?

Hip-hop was once a fresh and innovative form of music, but now it just sucks.

Most movies suck. Thats how it's always been. That's how you can tell what a good movie is because it stands out amongst all that other crap.

pfft ... who cares what Hollywood does?

Jazz, Blues, Rock and Roll, Tejano ... all alive and well. Movies appeal to the LCD, culture knows no such limitations.

Most movies suck. Thats how it's always been. That's how you can tell what a good movie is because it stands out amongst all that other crap.
like "Fight Club"?

Blame Sony Pictures. They're like the Microsoft of movies. Except soooo much crappier.

American culture dead? Do you foreigners not have a Mc Donalds at every corner? Do you foreigners not wear American clothing? American culture dead? Muah! America is the biggest cultural empire in the world, and its power is far from dead.

This is where someone like Kurt Cobain comes along and changes the scene. It sort of goes in cycles, everyone watching for the next cultural messiah. Don't worry. We'll have our Bob Dylans or whatever.

My idea? Barbershop. It'll sweep the world once again.

America is an industrial and economic empire, not a cultural one. And soon that crown will belong to china.

America is an industrial and economic empire, not a cultural one. And soon that crown will belong to china.

You don't think the USA is a cultural empire? Interesting. You're wrong. People all over the world eat up American culture. A Starbucks on every corner, a Walmart for every town.

Those are comercial entities, but have no real culture.

Those are comercial entities, but have no real culture.

I know. But people in Japan root for the Chicago Cubs. People in Africa love Bugs Bunny.

American culture dead? Do you foreigners not have a Mc Donalds at every corner? Do you foreigners not wear American clothing? American culture dead? Muah! America is the biggest cultural empire in the world, and its power is far from dead.
Did you ever stop to think that that sort of this is harmful?

The McWorld will fall. You can see the disgusting tower of American consumerism tottering every day, and its only a matter of time before it crashes to the ground.

Does everybody speak American? No. Does everybody eat McDonalds? No. Does everybody wear jeans? No. Does everybody love America? No. Does everybody want to move to America? No.

The "Whole world loves American stuff" age is dying out. People are beginning to link American popular culture with Bush et al, and the connection is creating alot of resentment.

Get off your arrogant chair, and look down at the mere mortals struggling in the mud below. Oh wait - you're just sitting in the mud with everybody else. America is no different.

You have a good point.

American culture isn't dying out...its merely changing. If what you mean dying out as becoming unpopular, then yes, I would agree, American culture is dying out.

Did you ever stop to think that that sort of this is harmful?

The McWorld will fall. You can see the disgusting tower of American consumerism tottering every day, and its only a matter of time before it crashes to the ground.

Does everybody speak American? No. Does everybody eat McDonalds? No. Does everybody wear jeans? No. Does everybody love America? No. Does everybody want to move to America? No.

The "Whole world loves American stuff" age is dying out. People are beginning to link American popular culture with Bush et al, and the connection is creating alot of resentment.

Get off your arrogant chair, and look down at the mere mortals struggling in the mud below. Oh wait - you're just sitting in the mud with everybody else. America is no different.

Nice little rant, come back to reality though. Bush has four more years and after that its a different story.

Does everybody speak American? What the hell are you talking about. Its English stupid. Does everybody speak English? Well if they want to compete in the global economy they definately want to learn english.

As for clothes..clothes make a culture..or do you people forget that for decades what came out of Paris determined the fashion of the elite which in turn had some effect as to the fashion of the middle and lower classes.

You folks also wouldnt know culture if it rose up and bit you in the asses. Television, commercialism and movies do not make up culture alone. Or do you forget art and literature?

America never had culture? You tell that to Emily Dickenson or Edgar Allen Poe. As for music? It extends beyond rap. And folks if you dont like Rap thats YOUR thing. Millions of others though eat the stuff up. Not all rap btw is about bitches, hoes, etc etc..stereotyping is fun and easy though isnt it? You've got country and bluegrass..and sorry I dont care about what you cultural snobs thin culture is..technically where a music form originates counts as part of that countries culture.

Oh and a Starbucks on every corner, McDonalds in every country...thats part of the US culture..we gave birth to it, it grew within our shores..its part of our culture..and with its expansion it counts as part of the global culture. As does Coca-Cola.

The Japanese and Socialists have much better artwork than the US, anyway.

I can't help but notice that Hollywood is increasingly relying on remakes of trashy 70s series and films.

Hollywood has been doing this since there were movies old enough to be remade. If you've just noticed, you haven't been paying attention.

What was the last original film to come out of Hollywood? - The Matrix, The Usual Suspects?

The Matrix is basically Tron with pretty special effects, so if we're considering it original, then I'd say that there have been a whole lot of original films coming out of Hollywood lately. And it's not like Hollywood (I assume you're using it as a synonym for the mainstream American movie industry) is the be-all and end-all of American movies anyway.

Is this true for all American culture? I mean even hip-hop is horribly decadent isn't it?

Please tell me you don't actually consider hip-hop to be the pinnacle of American music.

Is American culture dead?

Nope.

The Japanese and Socialists have much better artwork than the US, anyway.

Opinion, thats a matter of opinion..and Socialists arent a country..you could have a Socialist who lives in the US...-facepalms-

American culture isn't dead, it just smells a bit.

If American culture is dead then it is a zombie monster consuming the indigenous cultures of the planet. Did you know one of Osama Bin Laden's main objections to the US is that its culture is spreading into the Arab world? Osama considers himself in a battle against "McWorld" and he actually used that word, "McWorld".

American culture is universal around the globe, right now somewhere I Love Lucy is on the TV, a kid in a remote village is taking the plastic wrapping off a American CD or DVD pirated in China, and a Saudi prince is watching the latest American porno.

This is where someone like Kurt Cobain comes along and changes the scene. It sort of goes in cycles, everyone watching for the next cultural messiah. Don't worry. We'll have our Bob Dylans or whatever.

My idea? Barbershop. It'll sweep the world once again.

Cobain was a whiny moron that wasn't even a man. A man does not blow his head off and leave a wife and kids. I have less than zero respect for that idiot.
And, BTW, had he not killed himself, people wouldn't hold his music in such regard. It was groundbreaking AT THE TIME, but grunge has not exactly left very much to popular culture. At the end of the day, IMHO, Nirvana probably has as big an influence as (say) Herman's Hermits does.

In short, Cobain was not Elvis. He was not John Lennon. He was not Jim Morrison. He was not Jimi Hendrix. He was not Buddy Holly. He wasn't even Ritchie Valenz. He was a sad little boy like Shannon Hoon. That's all.

I never really been sure what american culture is. Maybe because it's so varied across the US and some parts are so pervasive across the globe.

But if you haven't seen a good holywood film for a while then I recomend Aviation. It's non-fiction piece about Howard Hughes. Very much worth watching.

Culture is globalized gentlemen, no one dominates the other..
I mean, you got pizzas, fiat's and versage all around, does this mean that the Italian culture dominate the world?
You got japanese cars, sony stuff, jap food all around, does this mean that the Japanese have conquered the world?

Every country as its culture, and many traits of that culture have been exported. The US as a culture, that isnt any different, superior or inferior to the culture of any other country.

They dont have history, however. So that means that the US culture hasnt got that little.. cute fragancy of being old.

Won't you ever realize it?
You don't have own culture! You don't have own language! And you don't have own history!
You don't have nothing...

scine america is a mixing pot we ahve never had a true culture unless u want to count the 50's but remember with the good there was bad too. We had elvis thats true but we had the beatles too and last that i remember they weren't american.

scine america is a mixing pot we ahve never had a true culture unless u want to count the 50's but remember with the good there was bad too. We had elvis thats true but we had the beatles too and last that i remember they weren't american.

By this standard no one has a true culture, since every nation migrated from peoples who moved from the center of Africa...however you ignore many native born Americans with that statement, but whatever.

Won't you ever realize it?
You don't have own culture! You don't have own language! And you don't have own history!
You don't have nothing...

We have own grammar.

Culture is globalized gentlemen, no one dominates the other..
I mean, you got pizzas, fiat's and versage all around, does this mean that the Italian culture dominate the world?
You got japanese cars, sony stuff, jap food all around, does this mean that the Japanese have conquered the world?

Every country as its culture, and many traits of that culture have been exported. The US as a culture, that isnt any different, superior or inferior to the culture of any other country.

They dont have history, however. So that means that the US culture hasnt got that little.. cute fragancy of being old.

Ya!

We have own grammar.

So it seems.

scine america is a mixing pot we ahve never had a true culture unless u want to count the 50's but remember with the good there was bad too. We had elvis thats true but we had the beatles too and last that i remember they weren't american.

:D

HA! American culture dead, when last time I checked (six months ago) it was all over Europe. In Italy, in the 70's everyone dressed up to go everywhere, they had there own sodas, music. When I just went there they had American brand drinks. Ex. Fanta, instead of Orangina, they didnt dress up for dinner. They are completely Americanised.

I could have sworn America was a melting pot of so many different cultures...there was never, or will never be ONE American culture, each state, each corner of the country is so different to one another.

That's what makes America great for a tourist...a hundred little countries rolled into one.

I could have sworn America was a melting pot of so many different cultures...there was never, or will never be ONE American culture, each state, each corner of the country is so different to one another.

That's what makes America great for a tourist...a hundred little countries rolled into one.

I hear that. Hell, its good for Americans touring America! I live near Philly, but I still can explore the whole south, west, midwest, southwest, northwest, northeast (above PA) Southeast, North, Great lakes region. Than I can go to the tropical US, and other US territories. And thats only the US, I can still go to the US's neighboring countries.

Won't you ever realize it?
You don't have own culture! You don't have own language! And you don't have own history!
You don't have nothing...
Soon we will have everything. We plan to collonize the rest of the planet. BTW where are you? I can tell you exactly when we will own you.

Think of all the American films not coming from Hollywood. Like Napoleon Dynamite, that movie is the shiz!

Is American culture dead?

I don't think McDonalds is going out of business are they? :D

I think the real question is, is European culture dead.

I think I will start a thread about that.

90% of what hollywood turns out is crap. Same with big music companies. Still you can find some gems. Also this seems to be cyclical. Think back to when hollywood's staples were cheesy musicals. They then went through a period of change and originality. Same with music. Remember how late 80's and early 90's bands sucked? (poison, great white, slaughter, etc.) Then came a new period of fresh music. (soundgarden, alice in chains)

If you insult Poison again...... :mad:

I'm not convinced that corporate branding is a manisfestation of culture. It's like saying the Shell logo is a manisfestation of English and Dutch culture. And that English and Dutch culture is spreading in Colombia.

I think culture is things like music, film, literature, art and lifestyle changes. And I don't think cinema innovation is just to do with original plot, it's more to do with presentation, choreography etc.

In simple terms, The Matrisx has an ancient plot, but was presented in a fresh and new way.

I'm not convinced that corporate branding is a manisfestation of culture. It's like saying the Shell logo is a manisfestation of English and Dutch culture. And that English and Dutch culture is spreading in Colombia.

I think culture is things like music, film, literature, art and lifestyle changes. And I don't think cinema innovation is just to do with original plot, it's more to do with presentation, choreography etc.

In simple terms, The Matrisx has an ancient plot, but was presented in a fresh and new way.

Actually you forgot sports, food.... and Poland.

.... and Poland.

ROTFLMAO! Not Poland! Don't forget Poland! :D

All Culture is under attack!!!
Real culture is being forced under ground. Why? Major Corporations!
American culture is being hijacked by major companies. Look at the music industry. Ashlee Simpson sucks, but is promoted because her album can make a profit. Because it is promoted, it is on the radio and mtv. Therefore here cd becomes the visible part of American Culture. Radio stations are being bought up by a handful of major corporations(clearchannel). These channels try to maximize their profits by playing what sells. What sells is cheap crappy music. Real American music does not make it onto the radio, it is in the bars and spread by word of mouth. Quality American films rarely make it into the major movie theatres, but rather play at localy owned independent theatres.

This is not just a problem of America, it is a problem around the world. Once a corporation sees something it can make money off of, it does its best to exploit that opportunity as much as possible. Corporations do not care about makeing real culture or producing anything with real value. All corporations care about is making money. If they can make money by destroying culture or hijacking culture, they will do so. This is what is happening now, and will most likely continue into the future.

If you want to listen to some real music, check out www.wyce.org, it is an independent radiostation from my hometown. it plays a wide variety of music, most of which many people don't know of.

All Culture is under attack!!!
Real culture is being forced under ground. Why? Major Corporations!
American culture is being hijacked by major companies. Look at the music industry. Ashlee Simpson sucks, but is promoted because her album can make a profit. Because it is promoted, it is on the radio and mtv. Therefore here cd becomes the visible part of American Culture. Radio stations are being bought up by a handful of major corporations(clearchannel). These channels try to maximize their profits by playing what sells. What sells is cheap crappy music. Real American music does not make it onto the radio, it is in the bars and spread by word of mouth. Quality American films rarely make it into the major movie theatres, but rather play at localy owned independent theatres.

This is not just a problem of America, it is a problem around the world. Once a corporation sees something it can make money off of, it does its best to exploit that opportunity as much as possible. Corporations do not care about makeing real culture or producing anything with real value. All corporations care about is making money. If they can make money by destroying culture or hijacking culture, they will do so. This is what is happening now, and will most likely continue into the future.

If you want to listen to some real music, check out www.wyce.org, it is an independent radiostation from my hometown. it plays a wide variety of music, most of which many people don't know of.


Hey to a greater or lesser degree it's always been like that. Bob Dylan is a cultural icon, did he get a lot of radio time? Hendrix didn't either while he was alive. Janis Joplin only had one song that made it to radio in her time. The most important rock group of the 70s in America (the British) Led Zeppelin was effectively banned from most American radio while they rampaged.