Author Topic: Anthony Fantano takes on PJW's "The Truth on Popular Culture"  (Read 6662 times)

I like the parallel that Anthony drew between PJW and Anita Sarkeesian, that they're practically arguing from the same standpoint of the corruption of pop culture, and yet you'll find the same type of people hail PJW's opinion, but discard Anita's.
it's because PJW fans know The Truth on Feminism

I just don't see how anyone can agree with this point, it's such a wild and bombastic claim
This isn't why I agree with him btw

pop culture is becoming so derivative and embarrassingly obscure that it's posing a direct threat to western society
This is.

Tbh today's pop culture is trash, from the songs, clothing fads, society norm s and alike, now adays it's just extremely sub-par and trashy

In some years though it'll change so at least I have that to look forward to

Tbh today's pop culture is trash, from the songs, clothing fads, society norm s and alike, now adays it's just extremely sub-par and trashy

Herein lies the root of your problem: You think it's bad because you don't like it. Pop culture isn't degrading, it just feels like it is because over the past half century, the rise of the internet help spread pop culture so far and so wide that it's hard to get a good framed picture of the state of pop culture today.

The best part of pop culture today is how many new forms of art are being consumed on a mainstream basis. More people are opening up to trying videogames and tabletop games, more people are reading literature, there's more nuance in modern music, a whole truckload of experimental and postmodern artists are starting to gain recognition, and many and are finally able to sufficiently self-publish for the world to see without any hassle.

I'm on PJW's side entirely with this tbh
pop. culture is going less and less to serve cultural values. it's getting worse.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2017, 05:06:30 PM by log »

pop. culture is going less and less to serve cultural values.

What do you mean by this? How is popular culture not revolving around western cultural values? I'm having a hard time understanding your point, because it looks like you're saying it's a bad thing that pop culture is pushing and prodding cultural boundaries.

What do you mean by this? How is popular culture not revolving around western cultural values? I'm having a hard time understanding your point, because it looks like you're saying it's a bad thing that pop culture is pushing and prodding cultural boundaries.
traditional sources of value," holy men and sin, grandmothers and families, regional loyalties and two-thousand-year-old traditions," are antagonistic to pop. culture. it downright ignores "the esteem the discipline, skill, and taste that are required to produce enduring art." (Neil Postman)

Just gonna pop in and say Fantano's top albums for January are terrible. foxygen's horrible revivalism?? Really Anthony??

traditional sources of value, holy men and sin, grandmothers and families, regional loyalties and two-thousand-year-old traditions, are antagonistic to pop. culture.

I wouldn't say it's antagonistic, it's more a symptom of experimental or post-modern pop culture pushing the boundaries on values or turning inwards to satirize things the artist feels might be held on a pedestal or might be held so dear that it's held as infallible. To say that pop culture in general antagonizes traditional western values is kind ignorant, I have to say.


it downright ignores the esteem the discipline, skill, and taste that are required to produce enduring art.

Art and popular culture are two of the same coin, my friend. I don't think most artists are that short-sighted enough to undermine the value of their own work. On the idea of ignoring the skill and sacrifice to produce lasting art, enduring art isn't something that happens in a vacuum. It's a piece that is capable of either capturing an era so intricately in a still frame, or it's a timeless piece that can be representative of any culture beyond it's initial creation that can be enjoyed by anyone in any time.


Just gonna pop in and say Fantano's top albums for January are terrible. foxygen's horrible revivalism?? Really Anthony??

He's literally wrong about all music, it's almost staggering.

i feel like PJW is trying to appeal to the "i was born in the wrong generation" crowd who listen to nirvana, pink floyd and queen, which would make sense, that crowd of hipsters think anything past 2000/2010 is a spawn of satan that is hellbent on grabbing western culture by the roots and ripping it to shreds, all you have to do is ask what kind of artists or genres of music they like and if its indie, EDM, House, "Speedcore", or anything else in that category as their favorites then thats more than enough a reason to disregard what they think

He's literally wrong about all music, it's almost staggering.
Huh I thought you were a fan since you have him as an avatar. Good to know ur patrish, Ike!!

Huh I thought you were a fan since you have him as an avatar. Good to know ur patrish, Ike!!

I don't really follow his opinion often, rather I like being subscribed to him because it's a good way to get exposed to some indie artists here and there. Along with that, I though the picture of him squatting was funny so it's my avatar now.


pop. culture is going less and less to serve cultural values. it's getting worse.
how can you even say that with an anime avatar

Can I just say Anthony Fantano is the biggest starfish in real life? I saw Anthony at a grocery store a while ago. I told him how cool it was to meet him in person, but I didn’t want to be a douche and bother him and ask him for photos or anything. He said, “Oh, like you’re doing now?”I was taken aback, and all I could say was “Huh?” but he kept cutting me off and going “huh? huh? huh?” and closing his hand shut in front of my face. I walked away and continued with my shopping, and I heard him chuckle as I walked off. When I came to pay for my stuff up front I saw him trying to walk out the doors with like fifteen Milky Ways in his hands without paying. The girl at the counter was very nice about it and professional, and was like “Sir, you need to pay for those first.” At first he kept pretending to be tired and not hear her, but eventually turned back around and brought them to the counter. When she took one of the bars and started scanning it multiple times, he stopped her and told her to scan them each individually “to prevent any electricalthony infetterencetano,” and then turned around and winked at me. I don’t even think that’s a word. After she scanned each bar and put them in a bag and started to say the price, he kept interrupting her by yawning really loudly.

Oh and he gave My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy a 6. Come on now.

The reason new music appears to be trash is because of the old music, only the good music is remembered, while you're exposed to all the new music regardless of quality.