By now you have probably seen this photo of two people engaged in some P.D.A. admist the chaos of a riot. By now the mainstream media has already moved on to the next sensational image to fire across the planet amongst barrage of infotainment. Sure there was a back story that the media tracked down, but what the hell is really going on here?
It would be easy to dismiss the Vancouver Hockey riot as nothing more than mindless thuggery, in comparison to recent events in say, Greece, where people are literally fighting the police, for the future of their country. However, you have to ask why do events like this kick-off in the first place? Losing a sporting event or passing austerity measures, perhaps that's not the issue. I'm of the belief that a good old riot is symptomatic of a deeper social malaise. Lack of control over our own lives, being penned in by artifical pressures, at the expense of an authentic existence, drowing in a sea of too-much information, not having time or composure to savour and recognize the beauty of life's simple fleeting moments. I don't believe there is any such thing as a pointless riot. This is consumer culture in Late Capitalism simply letting off some steam and things will only continue to boil. There is a reason why breaking glass and wathcing police cars burn feels good, no matter the source of the intial spark and we should all take some time to consider why this is so.
This couple were merely turned-on by a chaotic expression or rage, a momentary challange to an oppresive social order, which can be very sexy indeed.
Happy Solstice.
