Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America

Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America, Kalle Lasn, Eagle Brook (William Morrow and Co.), 1999

The author, founder of Adbusters magazine, asserts that American principles of freedom and democracy have been overwhelmed by saturation marketing from the likes of Nike and Philip Morris. These products, fashions and celebrities have become the new American culture. In other words, America is no longer a republic and has become a brand name.

The main battle weapon against the marketers and advertisers is the "meme", which is a piece of information, like a tune, catchphrase, or notion of fashion, passed from brain to brain. The dominant memes in America seem to be "Buy! Spend! Consume!". Against that, boycotts, letter writing and sit-ins will be, at best, marginally helpful. Real change will not occur until alternative memes make their way into the American psyche through areas like zines, public access video and community radio, loosely known as culture jamming.

For anyone concerned about the corporate stranglehold on America, this is an essential survival manual. It is very thought-provoking, and I very highly recommend it.