"Efficiency and McDonaldization (Cable Access)."

(*Oringally written for my Human Values course)



9/13/07

Human Values, Personal Freedom and the Arts

Reading Response #1


Although the goal of efficiency in operation is to arrive at the optimum conclusion by way of the quickest, easiest of actions, within our bureaucratic society, administrative protocol is often preferred over unique, individual interpretation or interaction. Although there may be a particular formula that happens to work best at a certain time, it is important not to allow that system to become so ridged in our minds that it begins to control us and ultimately cease new and innovative thought.

Within my job setting – a community television station - I have seen how this school of thought can begin. What initially seems like an organizational necessity only has spread like crippling bacteria. It is important to note that in the community television, or “cable access” environment, beyond a few on-air channel protocols, there is little imposed “McDonaldization,” as generally each town and city is allowed to oversee their own station how they see fit, and technically is not held to FCC regulations. With this flexibility, in the best of scenarios, the station maintains a non-corporate feel, while offering opportunities for education in all venues of video production, and emphasizing all parties’ rights to free speech regarding the content they decide to create. However, what I have witnessed at this particular location, is that such freedom is overturned for structure; volunteers are offered less opportunity to work on all aspects of their production, as staff members are assigned to assist them, essentially to justify their paid position, thus preventing the volunteer producer from gaining as much hands on knowledge and training as is possible. Also, more content has been censored, not due to official FCC standard, but simply by what the staff deems could be not to the taste of the community. All this coupled with the over implementation of paper work is contradicting the true freedom and nature of public access television. Although these procedures were initially implemented in effect to provide efficiency of operation, it in essence has created an environment where public access television production becomes less “accessible,” losing its “human quality.”

"Living Life on the Straight-Edge" by Brittany Byron

Here is an article written by a journalism major, Brittany Byron, who contacted me online and asked for my thoughts on being Straight Edge. This is the final piece, with excerpts of my written response used toward the end. I will be the first to say that I'm not an incredible authority when it comes to the history of Edge culture, however I have created a rapidly growing online community dedicated to student outreach and Straight Edge activism, and am always researching information and growing as a voice in this community. I will post what was my entire orignal response soon, but for now please enjoy this piece and spread it around wherever you can. I was given a copy of this article around 1/23/07. Thank you Brittany. For questions or comments regarding Straight Edge or anything else, email MikeOVideo@gmail.com


"It’s your typical Friday night at the fraternity house. Music blaring, crowds of people, kegs strewn about. Nearly everyone has a red cup in their hand, not-so-inconspicuously hiding the fact that orange juice isn’t their beverage of choice for the evening. As the night progresses more and more people start to feel the effects, and before you know it every person in the room is under the influence. Well, almost every person. While a member of the fraternity, Dustin Paulik is without a red cup in his hand, and plans to keep it that way.

Three years ago, Dustin made the decision to live his life “Straight Edge”: without the influence of drugs, alcohol or premarital sex. This decision may sound extreme, but it is a more common lifestyle among todays young people than you may think. Today there are an approximate 6,000 young people who call themselves “Straight Edge”.

However, while this may sound like a great way for young people to live their lives, Straight Edge-ers are often on the receiving end of some pretty harsh criticism and negative stereotyping by not only the media, but their peers as well. Straight Edge is a lifestyle closely associated with punk music, even getting its start from the 1980s punk rock band Minor Threat. During their time, the punk rock scene, like most rock and roll scenes, was filled with substance abuse and violence. As a response to what was going on, Ian MacKaye wrote the song “Straight Edge”, which speaks to his feelings that substance abuse was something he just didn’t need.

"I'm just a person like you/ But I've got better things to do/Than sit around and fuck my head/ Hang out with the living dead/ Snort white shit up my nose/ pass out at the shows/ I don't even think about speed/ that's something I just don't need I've got the straight edge". After hearing the song, many fans began to call themselves “Straight Edge”, abstaining from all drugs and alcohol. They even began identifying themselves using X symbols, which are what bouncers at shows would draw on the hand of anyone underage so they could not be served.

Today, punk rock and the X symbol are still two major factors of the Straight Edge lifestyle. And this is where a lot of the negative stereotyping comes into effect. Because many Straight Edge-ers are still avid punk rock fans, many incorporate other aspects of the genre into their lifestyle as well, such as clothing and hair choices. Often times this means dark clothing, piercings and either long or Mohawk style hair. Add some X’s either tattooed to their body or showing somewhere on their clothes and many people rushed to yell “Cult!”. This is just one of the many misconceptions Straight Edge-ers are eager to clear up.

When asked about the connotation of “cult” Dustin says it is one of the biggest misconceptions society has about the Straight Edge lifestyle. “People think that straight-edge is a cult or religion.” says Dustin. “The truth is, the lifestyle has nothing to do with religion. I am a firm Christian, and I do believe that straight-edge is used as a way to better myself and to be good to those around me. As far as it being a cult, you take on the straight-edge as an individual, not as a group.”

Growing up in Pittsburg, Dustin says drugs were a huge problem in his hometown.

“In my town, a lot of smuggling occurs and it is very common to see someone high or drunk. About 3 years ago, some of my closest friends became involved with drugs. I immediately thought to myself ‘Why do I need to poison my body with that crap?’ Over time, I developed a deep hatred for drugs and alcohol and determined that going straight-edge is the best move I could make.” Says Dustin.

While Straight Edge is an individual endeavor, the members of it have an uncommonly tight bond, and like to fell as if they work as a support system for one another.

“There’s such an emphasis on the connection between youth and the drug culture, that it’s nice to know that there is an alternative support system out there. At a time when a lot of young people are looking to belong, Straight Edge validates those that are strong enough to stray from getting caught up in destructive behavior. The beliefs are only one piece of it. The idea that there is a culture with its own history, and an active community that promotes healthy living and togetherness, is empowering.” Says Mike Phelan O’Toole, a 20-year-old Straight Edger from Massachusetts. Unlike Dustin, Mike had previously experimented with drugs and alcohol, but says he learned quickly they just weren’t for him. Once learning about the Straight Edge movement, he says the choice was simple.

Overall, Straight Edge isn’t about simply abstaining from drugs and alcohol. For those who embrace the culture, it is about embracing the decisions that are best for them, and being secure enough in themselves to make those decisions despite the cultural norm. Sometimes the red cups just aren’t for everyone, and Straight Edgers are okay with that."

CREDIT: Brittany Byron

"Thanksgiving Game VS TANKsgiving Strain."

In keeping with this new My Cracked Syntax blog of mine, here is a collected writing that I thought just decent enough to post for posterity. It was originally done on 9/24/2006 for a friends English project wherein two individual accounts of the same day/time span were to be recorded and observations compared;


My name is Mike O'Toole. On Thanksgiving Day, 2005, there was a lot on my mind... Which is similar to most days. However, holidays have a way of provoking a refreshed perspective and a multitude of previously unconfronted emotions in you. At the time, I was wrestling with the juxtaposition between relishing in the commercial aspects of the holiday, and the true, sentimental aspects. For one thing, I love me some turkey. The massive consumption of the traditional Thanksgiving feast is so socially acceptable that I venture to say, not even the likes of Paris Hilton thinks twice in pigging out on "Turkey Day." However, something was hindering my appetite. And rest assured, that certain something had nothing to do with the commercially promoted elements of the holiday. Indeed, the feelings that plagued me were of the sentimental variety. For one thing, you have the standard family gathering which coincides with dinner. Now, depending on what type of relationship you generally have with your family, it can be a good thing, or a not so good thing. For me, it's a fairly mixed bag, save a few loose cannons likely to go off from time to time. I do love my folks, and while I was looking forward to seeing everyone, there was that slight bit of apprehension I assume a lot of people feel, over the idea of having to listen to that certain relative drone on and on about... What else but the turkey? There is one theme that rings true for most everyone fortunate enough to gather before a Thanksgiving dinner, and that is "togetherness."

However, this year also meant a certain separation, being the last year that my high school graduating class would be together as one. Yes, it was senior year, which meant embracing class activities, while maintaining an individual plan, mainly that of figuring out where you'd be next year. Amidst that pressure, comes the previously mentioned post grad activities. One particular annual event that surrounds the Thanksgiving holiday, as well as a sense of school pride, is that of the traditional Thanksgiving senior football game. Seeing as it would be our class involved in the game this year, as seniors, it was particularly exciting. The rivalry between Needham and Wellesley is one of the most storied in high school football, I believe. Needless to say, in a town and school that holds their high school football team so sacred, this game was a big deal. I had attended several games in the past, however, with the game taking place in Wellesley that year, and my head being somewhere else, in the midst of deciding what my future plans would be, I neglected to attend this one. The sentimental nature of this particular event did , however, affect me to a certain extent. Honestly, I'm not the biggest football fan, particularly high school football. My attachment to the idea of the game had nearly nothing to do with football itself; more over, it was the first of the last significantly noted high school events of our class of 2005 . I'm not quite sure why I dowelled on the finality of all this high school stuff so much. In hindsight, it had a lot to do with the fear of change, and regrets of not previously participating in other class activities. My limited school interaction came about thanks to a clinical depression that assisted in my earning an infamous badge of honor , in the form of one of the most spotty attendance records in the state.

Around the time of the Thanksgiving game, I was just starting to really get over these problems, and my personality was shining through like that first break of day. It was for these reasons that I felt a certain sense of urgency in making up for lost time with my peers. There was a pressure to establish, or reestablish my social identity within a designated span of time. For any teenager in this chapter, its tough attempting to fit in, while holding claim to a unique identity with genuine integrity. For myself, it was tough grappling with the concept that, due to my previous attendance issues, I wouldn't be able to participate in any major senior class activities. I felt the need to overcompensate, and extend myself to certain people I had once neglected, in order to socially prove myself. Illustrating to folks that I was no longer a lost cause, and truly a good apple, was incredibly important as a result of my prior follies and subsequent regrets. This philosophy still breaths pure, to this day, as I soak up the diverse social and academic setting here, at MassBay. To some, community college might seem like a step below them. For me, its a rung up, inviting me to seize the success and camaraderie I missed, due to previous twists of fate, and mistakes during high school.

That Thanksgiving Day, our high school football game came and went. So did senior year. However, I made it to my aunts South Boston home, for that turkey I craved just as much as having the opportunity to catch up with my 2005 classmates and act as the social creature I so deeply am. Fortunately, I did get to feel the catharsis that comes from good conversation, with loved ones at the dinner table that night. Despite a few bumps in the road, due to conflicts with one family member, things went memorably well. I say it is possible to give such thanks observed on Thanksgiving on any other day, just as it is over the traditional turkey and stuffing. That year, despite a few obstacles, I know I rejoiced in giving thanks for all the potentials developing in my life, a lot due in part to the support of the family I was sitting down to dinner with. I know that this year, in much better shape, mentally and physically, as well as socially and academically, there will be no qualms in my shouting the unforeseen degree of thankfulness I have for all the people I've reconnected with, and met, as well as all the things I've accomplished and learned since that Thanksgiving of 2005; football or no football.