Karaoke Forums

What are your feelings on this.

Ok we are not entering into the twilight zone. But...

In the UK the Great British Pub Culture is dissapearing.
Greedy corporates and Government do gooders.

Television is trying to push celebrity crap down your throat.
Television sport is trying to make you adhore 22 men in shorts.
Neither work for me but the rest of the population seem to like it.

Seems like social interaction is being edged out
and media control is taking over.

It's a bit like 1984 George Orwell.

Are you getting any of this in the USA?

I suspect that if I watched more than a few minutes of Jersey Shore, I would have long ago checked myself into a hospital for a lobotimy.

Craigslist just got rid of the adult listing today in the US. I think you're right we are being forced into Technological social intercourse but only as long as you wear latex while you are sexting, I mean texting...

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CHECK YOUR ATTITUDE AT THE DOOR, STICK AROUND YOU JUST MIGHT HAVE SOME FUN

You mean the "adult services" section? Considering that the bulk of its activity was for trafficking in human slaves, I think that's a good thing.

Now matter how you try to glamourize it, the "pimp/ho" type of prostitution is nothing more than the John renting the services of a slave. I applaud Craig for doing his own investigation, and coming to the right decision.

If you notice, the personals sections are alive and well.

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Dave's not here.

The Adult Srvices section is still open to the rest of the world just not the US. It brings in over 36 million anually in advertising revenue.

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[img]<img%20src="http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j288/miller2348/myspace/images/Funny_Pics/images/21.gif"[/img]

CHECK YOUR ATTITUDE AT THE DOOR, STICK AROUND YOU JUST MIGHT HAVE SOME FUN

It is interesting what does get censored and what doesn't. I think all un-reality tv shows should be censored, with a big disclaimer at the beginning saying it really has nothing to do with reality.

So. We know where your moral compass points then: "Profit cannot be evil, no matter how much human misery generates that profit."

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Dave's not here.

Ok nice one guys.
The question I asked. I think.
was
Are bars Venues on the decline like the are in the UK.
Is Media trying to take control of you.

Many people do seem to have lost valuing their face to face social time. I was used to camping/rafting/hiking and basically sitting around talking by a fire under the stars. Or meeting familar groups of people at karaoke each week, dancing, etc.. Now I am exposed to people who only interact via computer games. Even their children can't disturb them when they come home from work as that cuts into their computer time.

Many people work several jobs and have no time. Many feel bad not always "doing" something and can't sit around talking over a beer. Many have no money, anymore. The extreme DUI enforcement scares people from coming out. We had to close down early last week as they set up a checkpoint near the venue and basically kept the town vacant for a night. People stay in and stare at screens. What am I doing now?

I like social time. Everyone deserves a break from HAVING to do something every moment. It is basically how you meet the people who help you get through life. But not as many people seem able to enjoy that these days.

My replay was too dull.

I think I spent too much of my formative years reading plays like, "The Time of Your Life" or "The Iceman Cometh." Or even watching "Cheers." But I have always had a fascination with neighborhood dives where people hang out and what happens happens. Couldn't wait to get old enough to go in. Couldn't wait to have someone dare go in with me. I like hanging out and gathering stories.

When I am not referring to our Dive as The Hell Hole, I call it "The Church of the Misfits." People take care of people in there that others can't bother with. The bar maids even call some of the older ones who live alone to make sure they are still alive. People bring in their extra produce from their gardens and leave it for those who need it. It is the unofficial town hall. I over romanticize it but you can find a rare spectacular thing happen in there every now and then.

But people seem to have less and less time. And much less patience with drunks. The romance is over for all but a few. The dives struggle. But the Brew Pubs with Portabello Mushroom sandwiches do well. I actually like those, too. (But some are a bit too well lit and sterile for karaoke atmosphere. ) Just don't have alot of money for either, right now.

There was an American sociologist who wrote a book called "Bowling Alone" a few years ago. American social life in general is on the decline and technology is hastening the decline. Now people can stay at home and talk to people all over the world on the computer instead of going out locally. It's good and bad I guess.... you can meet a lot more other people who share exactly the same interests you do which is wonderful, but there is something to be said for having a friend who can come over and help you if you need it.

Oh goodness yes. I live in a city where they made the bars take down their neon beer signs. Now it looks like all the bars are closed. No smoking in a pub. Even a little buzz while driving gets you a night in jail. Does that seem condusive to going out for a good time?

"Land of the free" MY DONKEY! Free to do what, exactly?

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Okay, who took my pants?

I believe we are talking about social decline. In other words people not socializing as much. Yes?

I don't see it here. People are still joining softball leagues, bowling, Wii parties, cookouts, attending family reunions, festivals, going to bars etc...

We are social creatures by nature. I don't think government or technology will ever completely bring it to a halt.

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Yes, social decline.
It is happening big style in the UK.
So many pubs closing agree's with that.
The government is not trying to do it.
Technology has so many people hooked indoors to their computer.
Kids don't need to see their friends because they can text them.
Going out to see a show is a bit lame for some.
After watching an action movie... What can touch it.

There are some pubs selling cheap beer that fill up.
Many of the unemployed go there to drown their sorrows.
And to watch the fight.
Cheap beer = drink too much.
Always a fight.

The nation seems obsessed with celebrities.
In Big Brother a while back they even used a porn "star"
It's celebrity everything.
At work they talk about celebrities and football.
They have to rush home to watch the TV.
They would watch karaoke on TV.
Wont go out to one because they would miss TV.

Sorry guy's. I just had a rant.

The UK at least IS changing.
Don't like it much.

Certainly thought provoking. I was just pondering this earlier today, in fact. My f/b page contains all the info I need to keep up on 250 friends. I don't really need to call them to chat - they pretty well won't answer anything but a text, and fact is, my life is somewhat crazy busy and texting has become my preferred method to keep in touch. I work at home in a solitary kind of job where I can't talk about what I do to anyone so I am in a vacuum during the day.

However, I do host karaoke which throws me under the lights and I am the queen of 30-second socializing with people. My current venues are somewhat classier than what Leopard describes. I have developed pretty close relationships with most of the singers who come in week after week. And though those individuals and groups are coming from different locations, they have all become well acquainted and there is not often a stranger in those rooms.

I also belong to a fraternal organization and there is NEVER a stranger there. We have a lot of organized activities and because it is a private club, there is seldom an intrusion by law enforcement. In fact, I have never seen a police officer in there. I don't even recall anyone ever getting a DUI upon leaving there.

I guess being in my 50s hasn't affected my ability to keep up on the technology - we Wii, we text, we e-mail, we f/b, but I don't do WOW or anything like that. Not enough hours in the day. However, just because we do all those things doesn't mean that social intercourse has to pay the price. It is a struggle, yes, to keep some people involved, but I won't give up. I have spent a good many years grooming wallflowers to get up and sing, and yes, they forget about their stupid television 'reality' shows and come out and sing a couple of nights a week. I guess I'm kind of winning that battle, at least temporarily. Granted, many people aren't spending as much, they're not driving as far, and they're not going out as many nights a week as they may have in the past, but in a small town maybe it's different.

I only have two friends.

Hey!

I would say that the pub (bar) business is alive and well in the US, as much so as it has ever been, and I've been going to bars for 30 years. Despite the government's attempts to shut it down with ridiculously low DUI blood alcohol levels, .08% for amateurs, .04% for professional drivers, and all of the DUI roadblocks, television advertising threatening arrest and conviction, and Draconian measures such as mandatory jail sentences for the first conviction, people still go out to have a good time.

Texting and chat is fine for killing time, but I have found it to be a poor substitute for personal companionship. I suppose it could be my age, but I've found that television is no longer worth watching, no matter how many channels one gets, and the advertising is annoying. There really isn't any substitute for social intercourse, lubricated by alcohol, and the release of emotion through singing for a crowd, and that I believe that is why karaoke has been persistent for so long.

Of course, there is also the fact that millions of Americans smoke weed, and a bar is the quickest place for most people to get hooked up with a bag.

-denise

You know what I mean, M....geesh! Didn't say that to get your panties in a knot! They're just different based on our discussions about your place. to you too. Have a great (SHORT) week!

Well--I TRIED using the smilies so you'd know I was just joking. What panties?