Simon Says...

I don't know about anyone else, but I am still seething from Simon's comments to Paije Richardson where he told him "You can't win". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hco-3EV-LL0

Simon is a media mogul and for years I have respected him but my support is slowly fading. Simon is a shrewd businessman and so when he says a comment like this he knows exactly what he is doing. No he is not psychic, but what he does know is that his opinion counts and can sway public opinion.

Paije’s voice comes in the top 5 amongst Matt Cardle, Rebecca Ferguson, Mary Byrne, and TreyC Cohen. So what does Simon mean when he says that his voice can’t compete with the others currently in the competition? It makes no sense. Shouldn’t he be saying this to Cher and Katie Waissel who both have weak vocals and crumble under pressure?

Simon sounds like a judge who is under threat and I don’t know why, as his band One Direction are coasting along very nicely to the final, based on their massive female fan base. Yes I understand this is a talent show, correction, entertainment show however with comments like this to a clearly talented person, is in my eyes no different from an irresponsible teacher pointing her finger and saying “You will never come out to anything” or “You are not good enough” same thing, different environment. This is and will never be acceptable.

All the judges have an agenda which is becoming clearer and more rudely obvious as the weeks go by. This competition is less about the contestants and more about the judge’s increasing egos. However the paying public need to get into their heads quick time that Kate and Cher are not going anyway for now. Why? Because Simon says so.

For years the media industry has mashed up our food, added colouring to it and sold it to us however they wanted to. It seems the tides are slowly changing as people take of their rose tinted glasses and rub their eyes to fully see and hear what is before them. You only have to read the twitter timelines to see the outrage of so many. Simon’s constant labelling of Cher as “Genius” may have been the wake up call. Many before on previous shows would have just nodded in agreement, eating the force fed feed. Is Simon’s influential power sliding? I personally think the winds of change are picking up but will not be felt just yet.

As it stands this show swells the heads of mediocre talent and hangs the real talent out to dry along with their shattered self esteems. There could be numerous reasons for this, but the one that particularly resonates with me is the fact that those who have talent and confidence not only pose a threat to those who want to manipulate and exploit them, but also reveals how talentless those who are the current gatekeepers to success are. The workplace is filled with people like these, I guess this show only mirrors the kind of society we live in. Shake up is due, though in the meantime talented artists could do a few things to help themselves...

• Learn about psychology and how this knowledge could benefit them when entering into the media industry.
• Personal development - Have an understanding about who you are. This is something that cannot be told to you. It is a personal journey. You have to feel it, know it and own it. (Girls like Rebecca especially take note. Do not let other people take the credit for who you are. Cheryl and everyone can see you. You need to look in the mirror and see all that you are yourself).
• Are you in it for the money? Fame? Or love for what you do? Your answer will determine how you go about getting what you want. Integrity is an underrated word.
• Times have changed, get Savvy and do it yourself. Get your business head on.

There are numerous musicians out there who never “made it” to their biggest potential because they were never discovered or signed. The age of technology means that this no longer needs to happen. Creating your own success is the way forward. Everyone is “Good enough”, finding what you are good at, is the key. Not everyone is meant to perform on a stage, the fame culture and desperation to be “known” needs to be realigned. Success is an individual thing that transcends to all fields.


Related Posts:
1.Colour Blindness is not the way Forward
2.Precious is Precious
3.Dazzled by the Stars...
3.

© 2010 Lisa Bent 

The Lisa Bent Party?

My article “Sleeping with the Enemies” is a more in-depth rounded expression of my views regarding the joke that is our government, which I ranted about on facebook yesterday. My friend jokingly suggested that I should start a Lisa Bent Party which he would vote for, and that was without hearing a manifesto.... I know how cool. I woke up this morning “The Lisa Bent Party” ringing in my ears and ideas popping up left right and centre. So whilst I do not ever want to become an MP (I cannot and will not compromise my integrity) and the party name is slightly narcisstic so I would have to change it, I thought I would write some ideas down in an as if quality... so people here is my manifesto!!!!

First and foremost I would like to assure you that campaign money which comes out of your taxes (in case you didn’t know) and air time, will not be used to mudsling other candidates. Instead it will be used to inform you of our policy’s and agenda so that when voting time arises you are clear on what we propose and how we propose to do it. Other opinions will be respected. There are numerous visions for what constitutes to making society better and here are our plans....

First and foremost...If you are alive, it means you live within a society. As a result ALL individuals from 16 years old are eligible and are required to vote. Voting is a democratic right which all should take an active part in. Your voice, Your right. Your decision.

The guidelines for MP’s expenses will be revised to erase any loop holes. It is not ok for the public to steal from the government and it is not ok for the members of the parliament to do the same. Double standards to be quashed.

We here at the Lisa Bent Party firmly believe if you don’t like your job, do the paying public a favour by either bucking up your ideas or quitting. No one wants to pay for a mediocre service. Which is why the earning capacity for an MP will be £28,000-£35,000. This line of work is about making change not making money. This role on this wage will attract only those who want to make a difference. Benefits and commission will be rewarding to those who have met their desired goals. In lay man’s terms – They have done what they said they were going to do, without fiddling the books or statistics.

The same applies to The BBC. The service is provided by tax payer’s money. Rather than paying fat cats large wads of money for what exactly? They should be pumping it into creating interesting and entertaining audio and visual media that represents the paying public. Media representations might I add, should be balanced as much as possible.

The dole. If you can work, you will work. No excuses. Help will be provided but not abused. Benefits will not be higher than the working rate. Those who have worked will get help and decent support when on maternity leave. If you cannot find work, voluntary work will be found in the meantime. There will be a cap on immigration, the people already here need to fill the jobs. The government’s ideas on a quick buck , cheap labour and colluding with lazy society will not be tolerated.

So many countries like England have invaded other countries, extracted all the goods and left them struggling to survive and then had the cheek to loan them money and aid which they have to repay, further disabling them. I would start by not making fair-trade produce an option. All goods will be fair-trade. Bought and sold fairly so that everyone can have a quality of life that extends beyond just trying to survive each day.

I would look into changing how the law deals with sexual abuse. Currently the system seems to support the perpetrator and the child is left feeling they are viewed as a liar. Statistics show that children do not and have no reason to lie, yet their voices are not heard. A large percent of cases are thrown out due to lack of “best evidence” and “insufficient evidence”. Sexual abuse and rape cases cannot be viewed in the same manner as other crimes. The level of trauma and fear means that a disclosure/report, unlike a burglary is not made directly after an incident and therefore cannot be judged in the same way.

Knowledge regarding change in behaviour and symptoms should be taken into account in the formulation of a case. And in regards to the perpetrator lie dictator tests should be used in conjunction with evidence from the victim.

Education now is more about teaching children to passively memorise and regurgitate information. The level of memory is then tested in exams of which the individual is rewarding and the school graded in league tables. This needs to change. School should be a place where children’s ideas about self, the world, responsibility should be acknowledged, whilst their potential should be tapped into nurtured and allowed to flourish. Children and young people need to understand that they have a choice, of which comes responsibility and one which they need to learn to own.

I propose for 2 hours each week as part of citizenship, children should watch The Wright Stuff, NOT Loose Women, in class and discuss their views on what they have heard. To support new ways of thinking, old ways will not work.

It’s not a one way street, teachers need to be feel supported and the system needs to be much more consistent and understanding. Morale is low but the same thing applies. If you don’t like your job leave. Projecting your frustrations on to children is highly unethical and damaging.

And my last two points...

Record company bosses should not be allowed to have so much control over the airwaves. It has become an incestuous money market which has destroyed good music. Playlists to be banned. Bring back the real DJ’s, inspiration and good times.

The rise and success of internet networking sites has not only managed to tap into the changing times of technology but also people’s want for a greater sense of connection, which is lost once the lap top is closed and you step outside the door. We walk past each other like we are all invisible. Smile, laugh or dare to sing in public and people look at you like you are mad. Which I feel is a damn shame. Say good morning at the bus stop and you risk hearing silence, seeing stares and a strong desire for the ground to just swallow you up.

This is not the case in Barbados, everyone you meet or have eye contact with says “Good morning” “Good evening” or “Good night” depending on the time of day. It is such a simple acknowledgement but one which makes you feel a part of society and happy about that fact. It also sends the message of respect and courtesy which I think is lost here.

So whilst England in the past had a desire to conquer everything in order to gain material wealth and power, whilst stamping their ideals, beliefs and notions of what is right and what is wrong. They have unfortunately missed the gem that is worth more than the price of Gold. Britain is a multi-cultural country and there is something to be learnt from how other cultures function in a community. Good morning everyone!!!!

So if you feel the old ways aren’t working....

Want to take a chance on something entirely new

Then

Vote for change, vote for the Lisa Bent Party!

Related Posts:

1.Built on Shaky Foundations

2.Sleeping with the Enemy

3.Too Hard. Too Fast. Too Deep