Musical Repression Breeds More Music

The Sound, Not of Music, but of Control is an interesting article in the NY Times about the effects of cultural oppression on Chinese music. The fact is that if you ("you" being the repressive government of a modern nation-state) try to control cultural expression all you will do is ensure that alternative venues for expression will arise. Whack-a-mole ensues.

My two cents: if you are an American or live in another country where you have relative freedom to express yourself without persecution, do it. Don't waste that freedom and don't let it go away. Make something weird and offensive (to someone) today.

Favorite quote:

“It’s whether you’re happy or not that counts, and not the substance,” said Zheng Yang, a veteran D.J. on Music Radio in Beijing. “Life is smooth, and so music is more about soothing things. Anyone can criticize or blame. What we need right now is guidance.”

"Life is smooth..."

What a douchebag.