Why Rebellion is pointless!

It's no secret that much in the world is messed up. It's no secret that many things need to change. That's not the secret. The real secret is what is the most effective way of changing the world and challenging the corruption one finds in society? Sadly, most peoples' perception of challenging corruption in society in the end really doesn't amount to much.

That's the argument put forth by Joseph Heath and Andrew Potter in their recent book Nation of Rebels : Why Counterculture Became Consumer Culture. In this earth-shaking book, the authors challenge many of the short-comings of many countercultural movements, and how in the long-run they don't achieve anything significant.

Far too often, countercultural movements engage in what is termed social deviance as opposed to genuine social dissent. That means rather than actually challenging the cultural and philosophical basis of the society they oppose, they simply deviate from the norms of that society. This usually involves adopting different forms of dress, speech, or behavior than those accepted by normal society.

Yet people who engage in such activities honestly believe they are challenging the status quo, when in fact they are not. All too often, these "alternative" lifestyles go mainstream and become the latest "coolest" trend or fad. The market seizes the commercial potential of these lifestyles and seeks to cash in. The market knows all too well the potential value of rebellion. Everybody wants to "stick it to the man". Yet in the long-run, it doesn't achieve anything important.

At worse, as the authors argue, it can lead to the glorification of behaviors that are outright anti-social. This is especially true with the Hip-Hop subculture; were gangsters, pimps, whores, and so on are portrayed as figures to be admired. In any sane society, these figures would have been looked down upon and restricted to the margins.

Nevertheless, there are several flaws with the authors arguments. Many of these flaws are addressed in Michael Sandlin's review of the book, although he's speaking from a New Leftist perspective (which is quite clear when you read the piece). However, Sandlin is correct in many points in criticizing the authors, particularly how many of the book's conclusions amount to nothing more than justifications for the corporate status quo. And the fact the author honestly argues that the McDonald's sells fries that are superior to anything found in half the bistros in Paris is also quite absurd. I also take particular issue with the authors' negative review of E.F. Schumacher's Small Is Beautiful and his theories of appropriate technology.

However despite all this, Joseph Heath and Andrew Potter have done a fine job of exposing many of the flaws that are common to countercultural movements. If genuine change is to occur within society, these flaws must be avoided as much as possible.

An Anarchist essay titled "Don't Defy Authority, Reject It!!", also takes aim at the rebellious spirit found within popular culture and how it only reinforces the status quo. As the article states, rebellion means nothing more than "go ahead, bitch all you want; you're effectively powerless in this system. Let off some steam. Defy authority. 'Be young, have fun, drink Pepsi.'"

What is needed is a full rejection of the status quo, since it is "far deeper in scope and breadth. It is not mere rebellion for the sake of style and fashion; rather, it is the refusal to accept oppression, and unwillingness to oppress, yourself."

Possibly one of the few times I find myself in (partial) agreement with Anarchists.