In the past weeks the modlist has had a very heated and often dirty
discussion about the current state of MOD.
I had posted a reply to the message stating that I believed that the
Mod movement was on the verge of another revival. I had also made
points of references to new technology as well as the abundance of
money in our economy. Much more then our parents ever really had.
We are seeing the evolution of mod in many areas of society. New
Media hipsters (please don't confuse them with nerds) are jetting all
over the country working. We ultimately now have the power to play
and work anywhere in the world. Some of you didn't get it.
I take a quote from "Sharper Word"
"They -- This brand new creation called the teenager -- would strike
out on its own, helped in its destiny by the changes blowing through
every section of society. The parents of the teenager was a strong
British economy. Unemployment in the late '50s was low. Money had
started to circulate a lot more easily. Consequently, hire purchase
-- the buying of goods over a fixed period of time -- was introduced.
Now the working class could afford the luxury items the had once
pined for like children with their faces mashed up against the sweet
shop window. Material comforts would not be the sole preserve of the
rich."
Does anyone here find this to be a bit similar to the current situation.
1. Society is Changing with advancements of new technology
Technology allows us greater access to communication. Communication
allows us to share and communicate our differences with other from
around the world. Certain positive and negative aspects of cultures
are adopted by other cultures because of this communication.
Internationalism is truely in action.
2. The Economy is strong.
I have first hand knowledge of this. I have yet to graduate college
and I make more money then my parents combined income and they are
both college graduates. My IQ isn't 200 either. Its not even 150.
I just happen to be skilled in certain areas of technology that the
economy deems "important". This increased circulation of money has
allowed me to purchase and buy many material objects that would be
completely out of my reach if the state of affairs where equal to
when my Father was going up.
3. Separation of Generations - Technology
What separates me from my parents. I understand technology. I
embrace new technology, and I embrace new ways of using technology to
make my life easier. While my parents enjoy the constant.
I was just very disappointed when someone slagged my post as a
completely uneducated one. I am not here to point fingers. I just
would like to have a good conversation of where we are seeing MOD in
todays society. This is really the only topic that is important to
me since I am not into retro clothes, I really have no interest in
obscure 60s music too much, but I do consider myself a mod.
Why do I consider myself a mod then? (no suit, no eye makeup, no 60s talk)
I consider myself a mod because I listen to what I think is the best
music. It all started when I decided to make a point never to
Pigeonhole myself into a specific genre of music. I decided that if
I am going to consider myself a lover of music I should be a lover of
all great music no matter what genre it is. Over the past year or so
I have opened my mind to some mod bands, many brit pop bands, and
some of the best island music I can find. Hell I have even tried to
find the best representations of 80's new wave. I love music. I
love all kinds of music.
I consider myself a mod because I have always loved modern bauhaus
style design. I am a graphic designer currently and I have studied
the art for some 10 years now. I have always taken great influence
in Russian Constructivism and Bauhaus. Lets put it this way.. I am
a firm believe in Form following Function.
I consider myself a mod because I do not recognize the boundries
placed on me. I don't believe in countries, and I don't believe in
borders. I believe in living anywhere you want and being smart about
it. I believe that smart people do smart things. Smart people in
this day and age live where they want and work where they want. Even
if living and working are on other sides of the globe.
Ultimately I consider myself a mod because I have just always been
one step ahead of society. Perhaps some of you can relate.. maybe
some of you can't. I just grew up as that one kid that was made fun
of all the time in school for doing something different and the next
year everyone else was doing it. But I was never considered cool for
my trendsetting behavior. I was always ridiculed because the minute
they figured it out.. lets just say I was teaching the next lesson.
I don't mean to sound like and ass in saying this.. I am nothing
special.. I was just one of those kids I guess... I got something for
figuring out what will be next.
I guess I am just a bit frustrated by this list at the moment. I
find that so much is lost in trying to prove that you can recreate
the past so well. Why worry about the past. The past is the past...
I really would like to talk about the future.. the future of mod.
Where are we going to take this movement and how are we going to
change the world.
A list of Mods who refuse to talk about the future is probably the
biggest oxymoron ever.. Take a stab.. whats next.. How do you feel
publications like Wallpaper and such are portraying the next
millenium of MOD. (yes, I said Wallpaper.. for fucks sake.. its a
neo-mod magazine get over it by now and just read it..)
Any comments or ideas.. I am sure there a few bashes to withstand
too... Need I explain..this post isn't aimed at anyone..they are just
my observations.. (sorry I need to do this in order to ensure I won't
get 800 emails from people who think i was taking the piss)
Thanks for reading.. I am just sick of the content on this list and I
am sick of hearing about bright people leaving. More or less I am
just hoping something good comes out of this.
John
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