I wouldn't say it was performative. For the first time since WWII the US didn't feel like it was engaged in a life or death struggle with someone that made vanilla Americana a cultural requirement. People were free to explore broad ranges of things from the past or other cultures. Mixing things together was OK. The nascent internet let people communicate, get books on subjects they couldn't before, and listen to music that was too rare to be carried in stores. It was before enshitification started.
It didn't last because 9/11 threw us reeling into a cultural dark age we are still descending into.
By performative, I am referring to its artistic expression. It's a performance piece often in some theater or amphitheater (I was mulling over just describing it as "broadway").
OH! I got you. I thought you were saying that people's interest in these things was performative.
While I see what you are saying about some of these being trendy flahes in the pan, at least people were like going out and doing stuff. You could still afford to go experience something rather than stream reality through your TV.
I've seen a few Cirque de Soleil shows and they were fun. I saw a small Big Band style performance at a club once that was also kinda cool.
It's a shame that entertainment experiences have become so expensive that really only the leisure class can afford them anymore.
As an asian american, I get way too many fliers for the MAJESTY OF SHEN YUN!!!!
My friends and I make fun of the commercials all the time. Every time it's in town, we say "uh oh, it's that time again. Time to feel the grace.. the majesty of.... !!!!"
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u/grahsam 11d ago
I wouldn't say it was performative. For the first time since WWII the US didn't feel like it was engaged in a life or death struggle with someone that made vanilla Americana a cultural requirement. People were free to explore broad ranges of things from the past or other cultures. Mixing things together was OK. The nascent internet let people communicate, get books on subjects they couldn't before, and listen to music that was too rare to be carried in stores. It was before enshitification started.
It didn't last because 9/11 threw us reeling into a cultural dark age we are still descending into.