Social Commentary

I usually try to stay away from Pop Culture. Truth is, I don't know all that much about it and I have a little bit of a fear of embarrassing myself, particularly when it comes to the music business. But, every once in a while I'll spy something that sticks out to me. Yesterday was one

of those days. The juxtaposition of these two headlines/links was jarring to me.

I understand that the gift "Diddy" gave his son was as much of a business expense as anything. It was broadcast on an MTV show for millions of potential record buyers to see. (Does Diddy still record songs that other people already sang or is he just a producer now?)

What does it say about our society that this gesture is more powerful than the one that Radiohead made? (I did notice that Radiohead is helping give other people's money away and not their own, but still...) Do we covet riches that much, even in the face of tragedy? Do we still worship excess when we are faced with images of death and destruction every day? Are we that good at tuning out the bad and seeing what we want to?

Maybe it's just a generational thing. It seems some apples fall further from the tree and some chips aren't right off the old block. (Notice the second line in the article's actual headline.)