Commodified Revolution

Art shouldn't be soft, it needs that competitive edge. That's why the most aggressive forms of expression have emerged as a response to the times we live in. People have always been drawn to the ideal that through sheer talent and grit and determination, one will rise up out of the masses to take the crown. The return of the gladiator. Note the popularity of mixed martial arts fighting, "extreme" sports, and other forms of expression such as graffiti art, which require participants to risk so much, with the hope of gaining some sort of feeling that they are alive and an individual, validated that they still have the chance to control their destiny.

Society needs that roughness and toughness right now. Survivalist mentality, as underneath it all most people are scared that the whole system will collapse, and everyone might just be left to fend for themselves (note the media coverage of Katrina and Ike as evidence that we are all just one natural disaster away). I think on a sub-conscious level people are drawn to these kind of art forms, as a way of mentally/physically preparing for a possible revolution. But the current system is pretty good at quelling revolution. Just as quickly as these revolutionary art forms arise, capitalism figures out a way to encounter, embrace, and co-opt these revolutionary arts. Maybe that's a good thing, if you can make a living off of your revolutionary arts.

Revolution meets Capitalism. I think it will be more comfortable this way, for both sides. Let's just hope that the sponsors don't run out of money.