We are Devo

I've just been reading the Mojo Review of that Devo compilation from the pre 1977 era. I was never the biggest Devo fan but I bought their first four singles and enjoyed the sense of dislocation they created. You couldn't exactly say that they made an enjoyable sound, but their ideas were original and their tone and rhythm set them apart. This is all by the by, as it was the question of De-evolution that got me thinking. Remember this was the 1970s when Devo were complaining of over consumerism and a drift towards cultural and generational stupidity. Have we improved since then? I was at the supermarket today and noticed a young woman leaning on her trolley whilst her mum talked to her. The girl had no eyes and ears for her mother - her smartphone was clasped in her hand and she was diligently checking it for any news since her last check thirty seconds ago. It got me thinking that any animal instinct is to watch what's in front of you, first and foremost. If you don't, you tend to get eaten. Humans though seem to have regressed into a state which says "I can't actually hide the fact anymore. You really are uninteresting and whatever comes through on my phone is bound to be more exciting than you, even if it is a PPI claim firm". This strikes me as an evolutionary step backward into a basic failure in our humanity. I've had an argument with my family who view it as a definite evolution in human behaviour in that we are communicating more widely and more openly than ever before. This includes swearing gratuitously at young women on Twitter because we can get away with it apparently. Again, to me, this is an de-evolutionary step in that we've moved backwards into causing actual harm to a fellow human being without any consideration of the consequences. I think that Devo would probably enjoy the innumerable reality TV shows that fill the screens with vapid and useless people who actually are the living embodiment of Jean Paul Sartre's statement that " Things are entirely what they appear to be- and behind them … there is nothing". They are literally there to be stared at without care or pity. Circus animals for the Boojie Boys and Girls. I'm going away to listen to Devo again. The soundtrack for a new generation.

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