The Leaning Tower of Records

Cynicism is a dangerous thing. By nature, I think it's not very healthy. But here I go any way, experimenting with cynicism.

I shall start with an uncynical thought, one that I once discussed with my dear friend and coblogger, Dr. Bellowsair. The thought actually came from the doctor himself, but I am going to put it in my words: No one need cry that Tower Records closed thanks to Internet purhcases. Tower Records and other chain stores like it destroyed independent music stores. The destruction of Tower Records was just them getting what they deserved.

But then here's where I get cynical (or experiment with cynicism): we often talk about the importance of independent stores. Of watching chain stores like Wal-Mart come in and destroy family owned businesses. It's a terrible thing.

But in some ways (here we go with some dangerous cynicism) it's nothing more than watching the White Man get fucked by an even bigger White Man. Every square inch of the US was essentially stolen on broken promises and cultural genocide to American Indians. Land that once was free became imprisoned and riddled with what we now call "independent stores" but are also just another tattoo of the White Man's culture degrading what once did not belong to them and which they stole. And so when the corporate chain which is a greater personification of the White Man culture comes in and destroys the weaker version of the White Man, should any body shed a tear? Or should we be happy to watch the White Man get eaten in a dog eat dog fight as the spirit of things gets pulled into a sort of figurative hell?

I think it's an interesting point, but I would advocate that we should not rejoice when independent stores close. Even though one model of reality shows us that the US is sitting on stolen land and ideals (since many believe that land is a spirit...not an object that can be owned, so how can you even steal it?) there are other models of realities to consider. And in the end, it's important for all of us to understand the danger of the White Man's culture and to fight that with community...which these independent stores often foster.

In the end, it's not productive to always throw your hands in the air and say, "This land was stolen!" Because the reality is that it was, but that we need to live in the present and deal healthfully and soberly with the past. Not binge on destructive behavior which chains often represent.

And on that note, the collapse of Tower Records...that was probably a good thing.