Culture-cramming
Written: Jul 22 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Interesting ideas
Cons: Irritating and doctrinaire
The Bottom Line: Worth reading for the editorials, etc., but the graphics and general tone are biased as can be.
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| jordan_tar's Full Review: Adbusters Magazine |
I'm not quite sure why I continue to buy "Adbusters". I often find it to be proselytizing and doctrinaire, but there's an interesting edge to it that just keeps me reading.
In each issue, there's invariably some brilliant and intelligent analysis, some infuriatingly simplemind agitprop, and some cultural terrorism in the form of modified graphics, or graphics printed straightforwardly. It bills itself as a defiant and freethinking periodical, opposed to "corporate rule", branding, etc. But ultimately, I find that though I agree with many of their positions, I don't like the way they're expressed.
Each issue of "Adbusters" is centered around a particular theme. Some recent themes have included "Empire", "Mad Pride", "Why Am I So Cynical?", "I Want You To Curb Your Consumption", "Appetite", "Nightmares of Reason".
The magazine is glossy and attractive; using creative, fascinating design concepts for each page, the editors turn the magazine into a real work of art. Often, they reprint ads - but in this context, considering that the magazine is not funded by advertisers, one actually pays attention to the ads and sees how strange or disturbing they actually are sometimes. Other times, we see "culture-jammed" ads, photos of civilian injuries and deaths in military actions, and general graphics featuring unhappy, angry, or ecstatic people in order to add some emotional resonance to the articles.
The quality and sources of the reportage vary. Often, there are book excerpts and in-depth analyses of global finance or what-have-you. There are also personal accounts of incidents and encounters with the "corporate world order", which range from revealing to moralizing. Some of the positions they take are downright annoying. Their "Mad Pride" issue a couple of years ago, for instance, took the stance that all medication for mental health is bad. Other issues mock the perceived complacency of suburban life: well, okay, I agree somewhat, but what about people who are genuinely happy with their settled, harmless suburban lifestyles?
To a large extent, I imagine that the doctrinaire tone of the magazine results from their knowledge that they're preaching to the choir. Why use rigorous, reasoned arguments when you know your readers are already convinced? But anybody who's moderate will be insulted by the preachy tone of much of the magazine. I do like a lot of the campaigns the magazine has conducted. They're the ones responsible for "TV Turn-off Week" and "Buy Nothing Day", both of which have, with some coverage, met with success in my community. If only they'd get away from the light-tables and computers into their own communities, for the sake of promoting these things, they'd accomplish much more than their magazine has all along.
What annoys me most of all about "Adbusters" is its promotion of what might be called "nothing chic". Culture-jamming has, of course, been co-opted by multiple corporations ever since its inception. So where to turn now? Simply continuing to draw skulls on Calvin Klein models might get giggles from the sophomoric audience to whom the magazine, in part, is targeted. But it's a counterproductive strategy if they're really interested in change.
The magazine's confrontational quality, no doubt, will appeal to some and distance many others. It's a vivacious and fascinating periodical - but ultimately, I finish reading each issue in a state of depression. I doubt that this is what they want to promote, but honestly, I find their "humor" to be little more than nihilism.
They often target the "really bad" corporations, such as Nike, Shell Oil, and McDonald's. This might be reasonable if they were trying to introduce new readers to what these companies have wrought, using a more moderate and rational tone. But ultimately, their aggressive techniques and layout will alienate such readers.
I think it's great that they're trying - even via token efforts - to get people interested in the complex issues of politics and consumerism in our modern world. But honestly, some of these issues shouldn't be addressed in such a flippant way.
In one of his spoken-word CDs, Jello Biafra addresses the topic of "punk fundamentalism", where somebody self-righteously feigns enormous commitment to social justice, and ultimately lapses, turning away from the politics he once rabidly embraced. That's what has happened to "Adbusters"; though I agree with the magazine's ideas in spirit, it's got a long way to go before it can genuinely share these ideas with a wide, receptive audience.
Recommended:
Yes
Primary Reason for Buying: Editorials/Social Commentary
Describe the magazine's political views: It is liberal.
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Epinions.com ID:
jordan_tar
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Member: Jordan R.
Location: Tulsa OK
Reviews written: 366
Trusted by: 183 members
About Me:
I'm back! maybe?
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