On Manners vs. Zombies

The 80's must have been an amazing decade. Neon Clothes were ok to wear, Disco was finally dead, and there were Mullets. Lots of Mullets. Then there was a new art form (some might say) emerging in the form of the mix-tape.

No longer were people relegated to telling there friends about there favorite songs, why not give them the songs? People suddenly had a say in not only what they listened to, but also were able to orchestrate a pleasing blend of music to make others listen.

As with a lot of things (especially in the States) if something is good, more is better.

Not necessarily. The Mix-tape in its various forms that extend beyond music has become so prevalent in our society that originality as a result is suffering. Reboots and High-Concept films dominate the box office. Music artists like Girl Talk have put a new spin on the mix-tape by actually combining the songs themselves. Sandals with Bottle openers on the bottom. It's everywhere. Everything is something mixed with something else.

Take for instance a book I am currently reading. This past weekend I had a discussion with a good friend about the merits Jane Austin. I usually can't stand Jane Austin. She's a great writer (no argument there), I just can't read it. But, A title caught my eye in the Washington DC Airport Borders. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Catchy little number isn't it.

The book follows much the same plot as the original novel (checked through my girlfriend, I haven't read the original) except that there are Zombies thrown in just for fun. Elizabeth Bennett is not quite as proficient in the oral arts as the martial ones. Manners is replaced with Kung Fu.

You get the idea. It's a really fun read, but does that make it original? It certainly is a combination out of left field. Roger Ebert once said of Quentin Tarantino's blending of old movies, that it's not that he is not creative, it's that he is too creative. I disagree. Sadly I think the old days of originality are gone. At least for a time.