ELVIS PRESLEY

Okay, he’s in the news again – the 30th anniversary of the death of the King. Forgive the image, here. With all the Elvis look-a-likes I thought it might be sobering to show what those original fans are really like today.
When I was younger I wasn’t an Elvis fan – I was into hard rock – but as I matured I began to understand what this guy was all about. It wasn’t so much music, but rebellion – a move towards counter culture as distinct from the establishment that had led us in so many wrong directions.

This is what an Icon is …

… and Elvis was, above all else, an Icon.
There are a lot of things that fascinate me about him. In particular, the sociology surrounding people like this. For instance, if you take away the ‘culture’ of his life and death, the social processes involved are very similar to a religious icon.
This becomes more obvious when you look at conspiracy theory. Now, I’m very skeptical of such theories myself, but I am fascinated by how they work – the classic good verses evil scenario – and in so many the conspiracy apes the process of Resurrection – after all, so many believe he is still alive.

The inevitable social movement

I suppose it is always going to happen like this. I think religious movements of the past, and cultural progression today, are identical social mechanisms, made different only by the ‘culture’ of the time.
So Elvis is disclosed as a symbol of social progression rather than a man in himself. Which begs the question, if Elvis had never been born, would society have had to find an ‘Elvis’ anyway?

© Anthony North, August 2007

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TONY ON E-MAIL AND OTHER NEWS

THOUGHTS FROM A COMMON MAN
News and comment LATEST: Do e-mails drive you mad? … PLUS … China Toys, they’re so toxic; but at least they don’t complain – like students!
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SWAMPED BY THE E-MAIL

Workers have now realized the one truth of technology, which is: that which is designed to make work easier makes it harder. And as they are swamped by constant e-mails, it is getting out of hand.
The survey comes from Paisley University, and concerns mainly academics and creative types. But even the majority here claim to check their e-mails at least every hour. So what must it be like for commerce?
The sad truth is that, unless we employ commonsense, technology always makes life harder rather than easier. The day we finally realize this, technology may be of great benefit to mankind. But until then, it is our jailer as much as a friend.

© Anthony North, August 2007

CHINA TOYS

There’s been another scare over China’s exports. In the UK toys by their million are being withdrawn because they contain toxic materials. The latest in a long line of inferior quality goods, blame is being placed squarely on Chinese practices …
… read more …

COMPLAINING STUDENTS

Since the introduction of student top-up fees in UK universities, student’s complaints have shot up 44%. This is being put down to ‘consumer culture.’ Which is hardly surprising – after all, if you pay, you want service, don’t you? …
… read more …

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Inde-Pol