Travelling freak shows were a peculiar and popular fascination for americans ever since the declaration of Independence. Show masters, often peddling themselves as 'professors of the strange', would come to mid-american poor towns peddling their exotic finds. The typical lifestyle of the time would draw in crowds with a fascination of the ungodly and cursed. Such "freak shows" were just as popular in Europe. The unfortunate participants in these shows were often children or social outcasts with some form of physical disability or abnormality that were rejected and given to scouts for such shows.One would believe that in modern times, our evolved sense of morality and understanding would curb such abhorrent displays of human degradation.
Mark makes the point of comparing the early carnival shows with the modern phenomenon of reality T.V. picking out one of the more prominent examples: Jerry Springer. This paralell shows that, whereas before, people were almost abducted for their peculiarities, people now call a toll free number (i.e. "Call 1-800-IMA FREK") to put themselves on display for the whole nation to stare in amazement at. Sad, shocking, yet true.
Brilliant, I missed the "Jerry Springer" connection all together. Cool how the chorus subtley changes from "see" to "be" as he moves into the current era of reality TV. Great tune... insightful comments!
Brilliant, I missed the "Jerry Springer" connection all together. Cool how the chorus subtley changes from "see" to "be" as he moves into the current era of reality TV. Great tune... insightful comments!
Travelling freak shows were a peculiar and popular fascination for americans ever since the declaration of Independence. Show masters, often peddling themselves as 'professors of the strange', would come to mid-american poor towns peddling their exotic finds. The typical lifestyle of the time would draw in crowds with a fascination of the ungodly and cursed. Such "freak shows" were just as popular in Europe. The unfortunate participants in these shows were often children or social outcasts with some form of physical disability or abnormality that were rejected and given to scouts for such shows.One would believe that in modern times, our evolved sense of morality and understanding would curb such abhorrent displays of human degradation. Mark makes the point of comparing the early carnival shows with the modern phenomenon of reality T.V. picking out one of the more prominent examples: Jerry Springer. This paralell shows that, whereas before, people were almost abducted for their peculiarities, people now call a toll free number (i.e. "Call 1-800-IMA FREK") to put themselves on display for the whole nation to stare in amazement at. Sad, shocking, yet true.
Brilliant, I missed the "Jerry Springer" connection all together. Cool how the chorus subtley changes from "see" to "be" as he moves into the current era of reality TV. Great tune... insightful comments!
Brilliant, I missed the "Jerry Springer" connection all together. Cool how the chorus subtley changes from "see" to "be" as he moves into the current era of reality TV. Great tune... insightful comments!