I wrote about a case back on May 26, 2009 involving the vile music of “artist” Marilyn Manson, and since it’s been a few months, I think my bottom line bears repeating: A person who enjoys graphically, grotesquely-violent music and imagery is, in my opinion, psychologically-bizarre at best and downright dangerous at worst, and I think it’s reasonable for a parent to worry that a person (whether it’s his or her own child or someone with whom his or her child associates) who not only enjoys but creates such imagery is at the dangerous end of that spectrum.But, concerning music/entertainment influence on young people, I think the issue is not as black and white as the above.
(http://girlpundit.com/2009/09/study-this-with-dr-brian-horrorcore-killer/)
I listen to Marilyn Manson’s music now, but I used to think he was just some kind of freak whose songs I didn’t understand. He dressed strange, seemed weirdly sexual, was the center of lots of terrible rumors, etc. My opinion was that he was, as Dr. Russell put it, “psychologically-bizarre at best and downright dangerous at worst.” My opinion has changed. My earlier opinion of him was based on rumor. I had know idea who he was or what he sang about. So, I was curious and looked into it one day. I started listening to some of his songs — tried to make out what they might mean. It’s important to me that the music I listen to isn’t senseless noise and actually has a point. I cannot like music if I judge it to be morally flawed. It's true, Marilyn Manson is often graphically grotesque and sometimes sings about "violent" subject matter. But that’s not enough to dismiss the music as “bad.” You must look into the meaning of music and image. There is both great beauty (good) and great ugliness (bad) in the world and an entire range in between; should it be surprising that this is reflected in art? Secondly, if you don’t understand the meaning of a song or picture (or what the intended meaning is), then on what basis do you judge it good or bad?
If you’re following me, here’s the big point I’m trying to make: If something is to be deemed bad, there should be a good reason why. I honestly see merit in Marilyn Manson and meaning in a lot of his work (some things I still don’t understand). To some extent I have to interpret what I know and hear of him, but I’ve gathered a good perspective of him now from sources like his music, his interviews, and his writing. It’s often hard to tell who someone is at first glimpse. So, figuratively speaking, I’ve done some intense observation.
I would recommend you do the same. There are plenty of youtube videos of him in interviews. Watch them — I think it’s important to understand people who are different from ourselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkxomNoPN-Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY1×7o7WjB4
This is a pretty great interview of "early" Marilyn Manson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPfWnMXGmhE
Now an even bigger point to all of this is that if we were more willing to make an effort at understanding each other (and things that are strange to us) instead of being dismissive, I think our society, our culture, would be a healthier one. We wouldn't have so much to repress if we more communicative and understanding. Some people don’t feel like they fit into society, and at the same time can’t leave society. We’ve all felt this way in a small scale situation, e.g. at school or in a new place. If you ignore and distance yourself from “mis-fits” and make no effort to understand...what else is there for a “mis-fit” but to spiral further and further into deviancy (being different). Why would a social deviant try to become part of a society that ignores, looks down on, makes fun of, pre-judges, and cares nothing to understand him/her? If people communicate and try to understand each other I believe we would see less violently extreme behavior. That’s my theory anyway. And that’s why it’s important not to throw all weird, mysterious, shocking things into one category: BAD. A more sophisticated approach is necessary.
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