conjections

Adults have condemned teenagers choice of music as disruptive and violent, this issue seems exacerbated in recent times with the increased popularity of teen music. The violence contained within teenage music lyrics does not urge adolescents into committing violent crimes. A violent temperament is predispositioned and can only be generated from anger abhorrence and animosity fuelled by some form of abuse or betrayal as a child. Adolescents find empathy in the lyrics, it helps release anger and frustration built up within them, preventing potential incidents.

It is believed that musicians can influence their teenage fans into acts of violent behaviour, but can anyone have a level of power over another's thoughts to persuade then to go on a killing rampage? Its not likely that even a popular teenage musician such as Marilyn Manson can persuade a troublesome teen into uncharacteristic behaviour. Popular teenage musicians such as Marilyn Manson are stereotyped as being overpowering on adolescence's minds because of the violent content of their music. “Probably the most well knows violent figure in music is Marilyn Manson”. It was said by Thomas Jippling who in the same report stated that many recent teen murders indulged in Manson's satanic music. Now why do they call him satanic? Simply because one of his albums was entitled “Antichrist Superstar” So what does this name mean? Well according to the Oxford dictionary Antichrist is someone who does not believe that Jesus is Christ. So Antichrist Superstar merely refers to a leader who doesn't believe in the Christian religion. Yet Manson is believed to be an evil sadist ordained in the church of Satan, who transforms kids into killers. (Baptist Press, 2000)

Is there such a need for blame to be assigned that authorities have taken musical taste into consideration for motive instead of identifying the true source of these violent crimes? Tragically on the 20 April 1999 at a high school in Columbine Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students and a teacher and injured more than 20 others before the assailants committed suicide. Their apparent motive was their fixation of the shock rock singer Marilyn Manson. So are these two teens automatically to blame? Or do we blame those who are responsible? (Faith Simmons 2001)These boys were terrorised at school and their anger grew from the inability to defend themselves against this abuse. This is an exert taken from a diary kept by the Harris. "Your children who have ridiculed me, who have chosen not to accept me, who have treated me like I am not worth their time are dead."

Teens illegally obtaining guns and going into school and shooting don't do it at random, they plan it and they plan who they are going to shoot. These boys choose the people who intimidated, threatened, harassed, and bruise them which is inclined to be the jocks, airheads and those who force religious beliefs on them.(Manelis, M 2000) It was the victims that were responsible for the rage and hatred built up inside these two boys that drove them to kill thirteen people. No one will ever forget the tragedy that occurred at that school, they did take thirteen human lives and they did pay the ultimate price by taking their own lives, but if they hadn't been harassed and abused to the point that they felt there was no other way to stop the torment, this may never have occurred.

Adolescents are driven to kill not by the content of the violence in the lyrics they listen to, but the torture and harassment they endure every day of their lives. They are teased and bullied at school because of the way they dress or act. (Crowder, P 2000 ) These over-bearing bullies push them around and don't consider the consequences of the abuse they bestow upon their victims.

Jon Davis is an mature spokespersons for his adolescent teen fans. I believe he has saved lives by sharing and expressing his abuse as a child, and the various substance abuses he has withstood. (Simmons F 2001) Teens can relate to Jon's lyrics using them as strength to get them through the hard times and as a release for their own anger. The repeated “its not gonna go away”(Davis J) forces kids to deal with their problems. He speaks for those who seek solace for their confusion. While it has been suggested that heavy metal musicians are the adolescent spokespersons for unconventional attitudes towards drugs and violence, the lyrics and emotions are accounted for saving many people's lives and turning them off of drugs and alcohol .(Wooldridge, S 2000) Parents and adults don't recognise them for this, only the fact that they swear, scream, and are "bad influences".( Aaron, C 1999)

Though many discourage Korn because of their vulgar lyrics and revolutionised heavy-metal music, they should be overlooked because they are actually helping teens, and inspire them to move on after hard times with family and friends.( Wooldridge, S 2000) Just listening to the raw primal screams of singer Jonathan Davis, helps teens realise that they are not the only ones with problems and that they are not alone in the world. Most of their lyrics make teens take a step back and realise what they're doing to themselves and to others around them. Jon shares his most intimate memories and experiences with his fans to help release the hurt, pain, anger, and fear, without resorting to violence. “People need an outlet, people write poetry , people do art, play football to get their aggression out and this is the way I choose” (Davis J)

Most Korn fans would know about Jon's troubled past. Anyone who has taken in the meanings of the lyrics in his songs would come to the same conclusion. This is because Jon uses the lyrics to talk about his problems. (Klomst, J 2001)The songs on the first CD were based on his abuse when he was a kid and his substance abuse and how it effected his life and the lives of those around him. (Self titled) The following CD turned into stories of drug-induced paranoia, still reflecting of his problems in childhood.(Life is Peachy) Korn's third album which stood them at the forefront of the music world was Follow the Leader. Jon had to learn how to deal with immediate pressure from the music industry, from peers and with his personal problems of contemplating suicide and his family.(Follow the Leader) If their most recent album title “Issues” doesn't suggest the struggles Jon's been through recently, then the lyrics certainly do. Its first line “All I want in life is to be happy” has become an anthem for many listeners. It leads on to the tragic stories of his divorce, panic attacks, anxiety, agoraphobia, schizophrenic and bordering on the edge of insanity and suicide.(Issues)

Teens turn to the lyrical content of the songs from a particular album when they have problems and know they have support and the undivided attention of someone who understands what they are feeling.( Wooldridge, S 2000) Being an teen can be difficult when your opinion is not valued and your problems not listened to. Music gives them voice, so they can disclose their troubles and get on with their lives. “I talked about all these parents hating me for what I do, saying I'm corrupting their children, but in turn these parents need to step outside of themselves and really listen to what I'm talking about. They're just really quick to judge me. The parents don't understand their kids are going through what I went through and all they need is to release their frustration at being powerless in powerful world.” (Davis J)

Lyrics can be written to vent frustration, to release repressed memories, or to simulate subconscious thoughts. This does not mean that the content of lyrics should be taken seriously. When Elton John, a highly respected musician, who sang at Princess Diana's funeral and openly admitted his homosexuality agreed to sing with Marshal Mathers aka Eminem at the Grammy awards a huge controversy was sparked.

Castigated by critics and admired by fans Eminem has been described as one of the funniest mc's, a wordsmith, a compelling story teller,(Nelson George 2001) “A rock messiah spreading the message of disaffected youth ( Jefferys, D 2001), and by others as “A voice of hate peddling poison to gullible kids” (Flowler R, 2001) and “The most dangerous threat to American children since polio” (McKenne M 2000) Such mixed reactions are due to the content of his music.

Eminem's so called `Violent lyrics dripping with grotesque imagery and obsessive profanities' (McKenne M 2000) seemed not to bother Elton. “ I think there is far more humour on the album then people think… I honestly don't think people will go out and start beating and killing people because of this album” (John E L.A. Times) So if Elton, who is well into his 50's understands the lyrical content of popular teen music, why do others take it out of context??

An album incorporating identical concepts as Eminem's was nominated for album of the year at the Grammy awards, yet this musician did not spark the same controversy. Why? Because the album is by Steely Dan. Two 50 year old established ex-musicians who sing about incest rape and paedophilia, much the same as Eminem. Steely Dan's music is targeted at baby boomers and as they are perceived as adult music makers their fans are expected to know better than to take them seriously. (George, N 2001

Eminem's song entitled `Kill You' expresses his rage at Kim (his wife) and describes in graphic details his fantasy of killing her after she sparked a custody battle over their young daughter. This song, and many others by varying musicians merely express fantasies the artist suppress in their subconscious. They are never acted upon nor taken seriously. They are written to vent frustration, release anger and prevent the fantasy escalating and getting out of hand.

While Eminems wild fantasy brought on by the connection he has to his daughter, has brought attention to his career it isn't to be taken seriously. He obviously isn't going to go out and “get the machete from OJ” (Eminem) or “put a bullet through you”(Eminem) neither has he tried. His sense of irony is acknowledged and respected by his fans so why have adults gone so far as to say “They need to arrange exorcisms for the children who listen to his music.” Because they don't understand. “ If your in on the joke the content is funny instead of offensive, if you find it offensive your not in on the joke” (Wang O 2001)

It has been proven that violence and suicide are linked to heavily violent lyrics (Steussy, Dr J 1999) and there is a reason for his. Kids listen to these artists at times of depression or self reflection when they don't feel they can talk about their problems. They use the music to express their feeling when they can't trust anyone to open up to. Teens who are abused daily at school will go home and express their anger by listening to the heavy undertones and violent screams. It is never though that this music is preventing many suicides and violent retaliation . A great majority of the bullies at school will listen to pop or punk music where the lyrical content is about having the wrong coloured car. They are not abused and don't have the anger and frustration building inside them. There are a lot of teens who have contemplated suicide or murder, but by knowing these can be normal feelings and they can get over them without reacting violently can be reassuring. When they connect with a

Violence is an extremely complex commodity. While we profess to dread it and denounce it, it entertains and enjoys us in some form. Our condemnation of violence is hypocritical for we are either violent by nature or made violent by our society. So it is only when violence is joined to music that some parents find it unstable. Music is an essential part of adolescent socialisation and is important influence for teenagers search for independence and autonomy. Rock music speaks to young people about sexuality, drugs and alternative lifestyles which are often subjects largely taboo at home and in school. It is a lot more than just a musical sound to teenagers, its a way of life, a lifestyle category, a way to deal with inner demons. The bottom line is teens need this music if we take it away, restrict it or try to censor it teenagers may resort to violent behaviour.

It seems to be commonly known that our sun, which provides light and heat to us is the basis of our existence, being the single most important aspect of our environment. From the millions and millions of stars which fill our sky at night our sun is the closest star to us. Surrounding our sun is a solar system containing nine planets, which orbit the sun at regular intervals. Out of these nine planets only one is able to sustain human life. It is the Earth that contains the elements we need to survive. So if in our solar system with a singular star as the mid point and planets surrounding has a viable planet for human existence shouldn't every other star?

I believe that every sparkling star we see lighting out night when we look up into the far boundaries of the sky is a very distant sun with its own solar system. In my theory I believe every star we view and those that are too distant for us to see with the naked eye, have approximately 10 planets that rotate around it. It is not unreasonable to presume that at least one of these planets is viable for human growth with identical conditions to earth. Gravity, atmosphere, oxygen and water levels all equal to those on the Earth we live. This one planet would therefore be suitable to sustain the growth and existence of human life. Ultimately that would mean there are quite a large number of habitable planets in the universe, ands that the universe spreads much further then we will ever be able to view.

In conjunction with this theory I believe that we, as fully evolved humans (I do not believe in evolution from apes) have lived on this earth for thousands of years since prehistoric man graced our land. The first humans on our Earth were these prehistoric humans who would have had almost identical genetic makeup as you or me. THE only way in which they were different is that they were placed on this earth with no learned knowledge. They developed culture and civilisation in their own and survived on bare essentials and animal instinct. Eventually over the year's man adapted and learned, through trial and error they formed the basis of what we now know to be prehistoric life. Thousands and thousands of year's ago they formed alliances and battled for territory, and made their way into history with the invention of the wheel. I believe that they were placed on our earth in our solar system by a civilisation in far away solar systems that are far more technologically advanced than us to this day. There they came a point in time (that we are now closely furthering) where their civilisation began collapsing upon it self. Destroying their own world and environment perhaps through war, environmental disasters or an uncontrollable epidemic of a highly contract able virus. We are now working on technology to be able to travel into deep space and even to visit other planets, if these civilisations are hundreds of years more advanced then us is viable that they have created the technology to travel and transport people to alien planets. Which would mean that on the bring of collapse one of these distant planets was hoping to continue human life placing us on this world to continue to grow and develop. Which would mean that we were brought here to earth by what we would call aliens.

So the story goes: thousands of years ago a colony of humans from a galaxy far away, on the brink of disintegrate. They could no longer survive on their planet and had the technology that allowed them to send some of their species to colonise other planets. We were sent here in hope the human species would not become extinct. When we arrived we had no knowledge of our former planet and had to learn to gradually learn to live and to survive primarily on what the earth offered us. We therefore will, when we have the technology and have discovered these habibatal planets and have destroyed our own earth send out humans to live and procreate.

Many people have distorted views in this day and age. One of which, I believe, is the way people look at drugs, as well as, drug users. Since it is now the year 2001, drugs have been around quite a long time. We should all know what's going on, and I think most do. However, I think most are too ignorant to admit the obvious. Like, why teenagers use drugs. Most try to come up with excuses such as, “they're depressed” or “peer pressure.” This is wrong, a distorted view.

Teenagers get bored very easily. In life we all go through our droughts. Times in life when we have absolutely nothing to do. When this occurs, it seems like the minute hand on the clock is counting hours. At this point, teens feel they have nothing better to do with their time. Yes, schools do try and fill most youths' brains with extra curricular activities. But, many teens find this association boring, and repetitive. Think about it, how much fun can one actually have at an after school activity. Sports, and other curriculums are shunned by many teens, because of the appearance they give off. They want something new in their lives. Teens tend to find that drugs pass the time with ease. Drugs can make them feel like they aren't doing nothing because they are on something. This is also the case when teens live in cities with nothing to do. They sit around all day, other than school or work. And with either massive amounts of time to kill, or few; Teens still find their city incredibly dull. In turn, they have nothing to do. This is also where drugs come to play. Teens channel the boredom of their pitiful towns into various chemicals.

Some teens, unlike popular belief, have gotten into drugs all by themselves. They experimented once, probably out of pure curiosity, and enjoyed themselves. These teens are unique people, though. They stepped out of the “norm,” and they tried something new. This isn't a good thing, to play around with drugs. However, that does show a sense of boldness. Trying something new, all by oneself, can be a scary thing. It's just the same as a teen smoking his/her first cigarette. He/she is either all alone or with friends, again it is all curiosity. In doing this, many begin to smoke regularly, as with drugs many become regular users. Most teens find the “high” they receive from these drugs, fulfilling. Giving them a sense of happiness, or control in an otherwise all too regular world. Drugs can bring out many traits in oneself. Teens find they can do things, they thought they couldn't. With all these drugs, teens often become reliant. Needing, or rather wanting the high, just to be out of the “norm.”

Then there are the parents. Many parents use drugs daily. When teens see their most prominent role models taking drugs, they begin to think it's all right. Role models have an impact on everyone's life. With teens, they see their parents daily, and many follow in their parent's footsteps. Whether it's in an occupation or in the use of drugs. They figure if their parents are doing it, it can't be all too bad.

I came across a Japanese proverb recently that I though I should reflect upon, as if has a very strong implication. "The nail that sticks out will be hammered down." Society tries to place many rules on us as individuals as to what is acceptable and what is not. We must decide for ourselves whether to conform to such a social decorum. We are taught as soon as we are old enough to grasp the idea that it is bad to be unique and to avoid being different. At some point, however, we must decide within ourselves whether to spend every day trying to be like everyone else because society says we should or living each day true to ourselves. Our strength as a person is proven through what we decide. One of the things I remember from my grandmother is the this quote from one of her favourite books, she used to tell it to me every time I visited her "To be nobody but yourself-in a world which is doing it's best night and day to make you like everyone else-means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting." The benefits of being true to ourselves greatly outweigh any negative aspects of choosing that path.

One of the most obvious advantages of being true to ourselves is that people will see us, perhaps for the first time, without a mask. People will see what we are really like on the inside. They will see our talents, imperfections, and preferences. Then they will have the opportunity to accept us on our own terms. As we work to show our true selves to society, we may discover things about ourselves we did not already know. We all have God-given talents of which we may or may not be aware. After we stop hiding whom we truly are, our talents will have the opportunity to come to the fore.

Second, society teaches us to conform by not thinking for ourselves. We are simply told how to solve a problem or accomplish a task. We are never taught why or how something works. If we do not attempt to break out of that mould, we will never get to the point where we wonder why or how things work. A young child constantly asks "why?" He has yet to realise that it does not matter, according to teachers and leaders of society, why the sky is blue. It only matters that it is blue. Perhaps there is an underlying fear that if we begin to question innocent things like the colour of the sky we will one day begin to question government policies, etc. Then we might discover that many "great leaders" in this world have convinced us to believe their version of the truth.

I think that there are times when it is best to try to conform, but most of the time you stand to gain the most by being yourself. When we do not conform we are seen for who we really are, we learn to think for ourselves, we are aspiring to be great, and we may perchance discover what God would have us do with our lives. By deciding to be ourselves no matter the cost, we stand to gain much more from life than we could ever lose. And as Ghandi put it "A 'No' uttered from deepest conviction is better and greater than a 'Yes' merely uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble"