Californication

[Packman]

Since my last post was closed. I thought I'd start a new one.

I bought the Chili Peppers Greatest Hits CD last week. So I thought I'd ask. What is Californication to you?
Californication- To me its the spreading influence of American Society draining into the minds and dreams of the populous. Through a variety of mediums usually TV, Videogames, and Movies.

So I ask you is Californication wrong? What can we do to stop the effects that TV and movies have on our minds?

Does anyone dream of bieng famous? Or bieng a movie star? I think its a side effect.
Dreams have always existed, but some peoples dreams have gone from realistic to insane. This I think is a huge negative side effect of the modern world. I mean we cant even begin to completely imagine the world before electricity.

I was tempted to put 'modern dreaming' as the title. Just wondering what everyone dreams of bieng right now? Or if they dont have any at all? or if they ever did what were they?

Side note:
This seems to be a repeating pattern with my crappy new threads getting closed. Its like a proofreading process with the mods. I post a good thread and they let it go. I post a crappy thread and they close it for me before my brain can stop me by saying AH CRAP WTF ARE YOU DOING YOU KNOW THATS SH*T. Thanks once again Krylo. My brain doesnt kick in too fast on whats crap and whats not.

[Viktor Von Russia]

Um, wow. That's a lot of questions. I feel like I'm filling out a college app. Anyways, I think (using your working definition of Californication) that the people who actually have a strong hope of being "discovered" or whatever are a pretty small minority. Sure, everyone thinks it'd be nice to be in the movies and stuff, but hardly anyone has such aspirations.

Also, as to the question of what can be done to stop the effects of tv and movies, I don't think that tv and movies have that much of an effect on people. On the contrary, I believe that the everyday behavior of the general populace has a strong influence on what's being portrayed in entertainment.

[WanderingActor]

But the minority who DO have the drive and desire to get discovered and become famous have to work their asses off. Trust me.

As for TV and movies influencing us, of course people are influenced by what they watch. That influence spawns creativity, which spawns new influences.
Stopping those influences is called censorship.

[Robot Jesus]

I think many people have unrealistic expectations about being successful in the entertainment industry. Ideally people should not get in the industry because they want to be famous, serial killing works better and is much easier, they should do it because its something they love.

But on a different note, I saw an interview with the guy who plays Will on Will and Grace. He said that most fail in Hollywood because there untalented and wont accept it. But of those who are talented the most fail because they come to Hollywood with very little experience. If you have a good portfolio Its not that hard. Make a name for yourself elsewhere. The guy who plays Will was involved with the Stratford festival for a few years and apparently stared in a few productions, surprising enough considering his current job. (I hate Will and Grace)

[Funka Genocide]

I think things are quite to the contrary. Nobody has enough lofty desire. Everyone sells themselves short. The only true factor in getting what you want is determination, with that you can overcome any shortcomings in ability, resource or appearance. Californication is something more along the lines of an ideology based off of a super decadent lifestyle.

It is my belief that there are no exceptional people, only exceptional desires.

[adamark]

Well what exactly are we talking about?

High aspirations? Or a desire to be rich? Or a desire to be famous?

Some people definately have the idea in their head that they are inherently better and need only become "discovered" with enough work and a little luck.

Lots of people want to be rich, but more accurately, economically independent. The most favored major of a four year university is a business degree. There are 25 million small businesses in America alone. People don't just want to work for someone else. They want their own little business on the side. This is good. This is capitalism. Some of these people end up making lot's of money for their hard work.

I don't know what else to say, because I'm not entirely sure what this thread is supposed to be about?

[The Mighty Penguinhead]

I believe (and correct me if I'm wrong) that the intended topic was the influence of American media on the thoughts and aspirations of people in general.

[adamark]

Define media.

Is it a medium, is it a group, is it cultural or acultural. What is "American?" And What is American media?

[Viktor Von Russia]

Originally Posted by adamark

I don't know what else to say, because I'm not entirely sure what this thread is supposed to be about?

Look up the lyrics to the song titled "Californication." It should clear things up.

[Packman]

Heres the Lyrics

The Chili Peppers just happen to be under my favoites in the lyrics folder.

Californication Lyrics:

Psychic spies from china
Try to steal your mind’s elation
Little girls from sweden
Dream of silver screen quotations
And if you want these kind of dreams
It’s californication
It’s the edge of the world
And all of western civilization
The sun may rise in the east
At least it settles in the final location
It’s understood that hollywood
Sells californication

Pay your surgeon very well
To break the spell of aging
Celebrity skin is this your chin
Or is that war your waging

First born unicorn
Hard core soft porn
Dream of californication
Dream of californication

Marry me girl be my fairy to the world
Be my very own constellation
A teenage bride with a baby inside
Getting high on information
And buy me a star on the boulevard
It’s californication

Space may be the final frontier
But it’s made in a hollywood basement
Cobain can you hear the spheres
Singing songs off station to station
And alderon’s not far away
It’s californication

Born and raised by those who praise
Control of population everybody’s been there and
I don’t mean on vacation

First born unicorn
Hard core soft porn
Dream of californication
Dream of californication

Destruction leads to a very rough road
But it also breeds creation
And earthquakes are to a girl’s guitar
They’re just another good vibration
And tidal waves couldn’t save the world
From californication

Pay your surgeon very well
To break the spell of aging
Sicker than the rest
There is no test
But this is what you’re craving

First born unicorn
Hard core soft porn
Dream of californication
Dream of californication