http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YR4CseY9pk
Brand has been going around the world promoting his Messiah Complex comedy tour with which he is to discuss religious figures such as Gandhi and Jesus. During this promotion he has been commenting on the political system of today. He discusses hierarchy and how 90-odd percent of the wealth in, for example, the USA belongs to around 1% of the population - the rich "super-class" and the rest are left to fight for the scrapings. He also brings to light the subject of consumerism and materialism, and how that higher class who say they are in charge focus on bringing out our negative traits as human beings, i.e. selfishness, lust, sexual desires, making us insecure and then telling us that if we fill our lives with materialistic things we will feel whole and secure. Another topic is that of our "freedom". Of course we have quite a lot of freedom now-a-days in comparison to back in the day, but we have not gained complete freedom, as we are restricted in a lot of ways. A mild example of this would be the idea which the media and those in charge put forward to us as "individualism" and expressing ones individuality with, for example, our fashion. However, if you really think about it, it is those in charge that really decide what fashions we will be wearing for each season. Mainstream shops, i.e. H&M, New Look, Topshop and yes even your trusty Urban Outfitters, are all shoved in our faces. And you can find one literally anywhere. Real expression of individuality would to break out of the "norm" and perhaps design your own clothes, make your own clothes. And yes, of course we all have the freedom to decide to wear these mainstream fashions but if you truly think about it... Now-a-days, we only wear what is available to us which we have no say in deciding, (unless you are a super famous fashion designer... Then again... no-one ever wheres the crazy stuff you find on those catwalks that only A-list celebrities and super rich people get to see...)
So, as you can probably tell, I agree with all of these points. I don't know about you, but I personally have had these views for quite a few years, and I believe others have too, but I couldn't see a way out and therefore, which I'm sure is the same for many, part of me thinks "just keep your head down and get on with life like everyone else, and like you are expected too." Because really, as a working citizen you're not generally given the chance to have a "voice" and be "heard". The type of person the stereotypical citizen (perhaps more-so in the younger generation) looks up to is sadly, what again the media forces us to see, celebrities. Be it celebrities of film, TV, radio, reality TV or even the internet (YouTube), those are the ones with the voices, and so far, as expected, they have been happy with their fame and wealth (not all, but most) and have kept their heads down in order to maintain their wealth and status. And now, we have been given a voice. Russel has given us a release, an opportunity to have to confidence to stand up and shout "no!" to those materialistically obsessed people of power.
One main aspect of Brand's new "awakening" is that of his found love for yoga and meditation. This he believes (and I agree) is the foundation to momentarily experiencing a new realm of being. There is so much the human eye cannot see and a human cannot hear, so there must be so much around us that with evolution we could, he suggests, be able to witness. We are so focused on man-made "stuff" that we are not allowing ourselves the chance to that next realm of being. We must learn to focus on the things that are important and matter. As Russell said in one interview, "Before they die, people wish they had loved more" (not the exact words but the gist.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlZfxbYYQR4
What do you think? Is it time for an evolution or revolution? Or is one happening right now? And how can a standard working class citizen or any citizen, contribute. Of course this is not a call for a revolution using violence, completely the opposite. It should begin with a personal revolution within oneself. The way you think, focusing on your soul, and the people you love and nature. Allowing yourself to see the soul on the inside instead of your outer-shell and what you have created to define "you". Our bodies are temporary and the work doesn't need to be done on the exterior, but the interior.
I feel through consumerism and what media idolizes we have lost the ability to be "spiritual". It is sometimes seen as "daft" and "silly", but are those people saying that out of fear because others have to the same to them and they are afraid of what others would think? Well let's stop judging and worrying. Let's believe in ourselves and each other and start sharing the love. (Sorry for my rambling nonsense - just go watch the videos!) :)
The future is now.
