Time Magazine’s recent release, which features its own version of The Most Influential People in the World – or simply, The Time 100 –, is a telling example of the vast influence the artistic field of music, television and film has over the world at present. In it, some of the most popular names which include Oprah Winfrey (for television), Bruce Spingsteen and Mariah Carey (for music) and Chris Rock and George Clooney (for films), among the many notable others, were said to exude much influence that can truly make a difference in the world (Time Magazine, 2008).
The figures can even speak for itself: of the 100 persons selected to make it to the prestigious list, no less than 21 of them – whom Time Magazine succinctly calls ‘Artist and Entertainers’ – come from the flourishing field that explores human artistry as a moving force to reckon with. If this fact speaks of a trend, it merely shows that arts – translated into the music, film and television pictures – still exerts a significant impact on the way contemporary scene is being shaped.
Two Chief Impacts in Contemporary World However, while these arts continue to thrive and thus reach a certain level of expansion and fruitfulness, one must not forget that there are inherent pros and cons which they also effect. It would be helpful to cite examples to this claim. First, it is very important to note that these artistic expressions have been made as catalysts to the burgeoning of the worldwide entertainment business in the last many decades.
In fact, it would not be surprising to learn that most people cannot anymore distinguish between the skill of being able to dance, sing or act – as specific expressions of art – and its highly commercialized Hollywood or MTV renditions. The way modern people understand art nowadays lies in the heavy marketability of the artists or entertainers who promote it. Why? This is because, in the world of robust entertainment business, any artistic expressions of dance, music or acting are always tied up with popular personalities who are able to best capture a huge audience to propel the market.
More and more, commercial success determines most people’s appreciation for modern art. One can therefore wonder if human art is still a concept to reckon with, especially since most people can only have an access to these artistic expressions through films and televisions; communications means, to be sure, which are more at the service of artistic marketability than the flourishing of art itself. Second, studies have shown that these contemporary expressions of arts have been very instrumental in many cultural and behavioral changes modern society now exhibits.
It has been noted that many violent films which are being made accessible to younger people have engendered “aggressive feelings” from among them. Along the same vein, “gangsta rap and heavy metal music” can also serve as an unchecked “outlet” for teenage rebellion (Whitehead, 2008). This of course is aggravated by the way the elder members of the society ill-provide adequate parental attention and precaution to these more vulnerable younger people. Moreover, it has also been noted that the increasing time modern people spend in their television sets or in going to movies have brought about drastic changes in lifestyles as well.
Sedycias believes that education, especially among children, has been subjected to greater compromise than ever because most people are spending more time glued to their entertaining tubes than trying to learn new crafts or skills (Sedycias, 2008). Still, Radisson argues this may even translate to an unhealthy or less-physically active lifestyle (Radisson, 2008). Conclusion The modern way of practicing the wonderful artistic skills of acting, dancing and music – seen through the film and television industries – has its own way of shaping the contemporary world.
In the discussions that were developed, the commercialization of arts and the change in lifestyle of modern man are among the chief consequences that were identified. Surely, there are other consequences that can be brought into the surface. While it is impossible to identify all the different aspects of such a study, the effort to unravel the chief impacts of human artistry, however limited in perspective, will surely help in further promoting the skills proper to arts, and further reduce the ill consequences that its’ commercialization has wrought the world.
References
The Most Influential People in The World, The Time 100. Time Magazine. 01 May 2008. Radisson, E. (2008). Is Television Causing Child Obesity. The Online Library. Retrieved 18 June 2008 http://www. thefreelibrary. com/Is+Television+Causing+Child+Obesity% 3fa01073801917 Sedycias, R. (2008). Television and Education. The Online Library. Retrieved 18 June 2008 <http://www. thefreelibrary. com/Television+and+Education=a01073844835 Whitehead, B. (2008). Boob-tube babies. The Online Library. Retrieved 18 June 2008 <http://www. thefreelibrary. com/Boob-tube+babies. -a0116673576>