Fake Empire

Historically there have always been massive empires that have governed people - let's take the Roman Empire for example. Two thousand years ago this empire ruled most of the "discovered" world. It was a monster of an empire. Although it was powerful at the time, eventually the people revolted and the empire collapsed.

Over the centuries we have seen this time and time again. An empire's power never lasts. It got me thinking - what is the empire that rules my world today. Is it the government, the law and wealth? To a certain extent, yes. But there is another dimension to life that was never there before.

Today we live in three dimensions, I believe - reality, the unconscious realm and the online realm. "Reality" would be the old-school real experiences where we have a physical presence. The unconscious realm would be the space that we enter when we're asleep or under the influence of alcohol/drugs. The new dimension which I call the "online realm" is the life that we are involved in where we are not physically engaging but consciously present and engaging.

Although the government, the law and wealth have power, we cannot deny that the online realm has a stronghold over us as a society. Even if you choose not to partake in online activities, the world is shaped by this new presence (with online entities affecting the economy, work place, social life, etc).

Macklemore's song "Fake Empire" challenges our thinking of the online realm. He states that we're half awake in a fake empire. The music video tells how we have become obsessed with empires that don't even exist in the real world - empires that are not physical although their activities may have effects on the physical world.

It's easy for us to become completely addicted to the online world so much so that it can have negative effects on our lives - we can't even have coffee with a friend without checking our phones every 10 seconds.

Obviously it is your choice whether to use the online realm (or "fake empire" as Macklemore calls it) as a tool to better your life and your community or to become obsessed with some of the services on the Internet to the point that it is negatively affecting your life.

Whereas before our behaviour and physical performances/interactions would shape our identity and society would dictate who we are, today we can literally shape our own online presence. We tell the world who we are instead of the other way round.

The online presences that we create definitely have some effect on how people perceive us in the real world. I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing that we dictate the perceptions of ourselves online. I think it can work either way. One thing is for sure - the online world has an effect on us psychologically. It can build us up, break us down, alienate us, bring us together, hurt, comfort. Although the empire may be "fake" in the sense that it exists in thin air (or rather through the complex coding that runs through cables and satellites), it's implications on our thoughts and emotions are definitely very real.

Every empire under the sun has had a rise and a fall. If we had to measure the online empire in accordance with history, we could say that it is bound to collapse eventually. But then again, it's how you see it. Is the Internet really an empire or is it merely a catalyst, a mode of transport?

Food for thought.

- Rivkah Hope

Not Even The King

When I was 12 years old I got a hold of the sheet music of Alicia Keys "If I ain't got you". I sat for about two days learning the piano part of the song. I never played piano before so I had to work out every note in relation to it's note on the violin which is my first instrument.

I fell in love with the lyrics of the song which state that all the materialistic things that we want don't really matter. All she wants is that one special person. That one person is more important to her than any other thing.

Alicia carries this message through her current song "Not Even A King". Once again, she says that not all the gold in the world matters to her. She describes a beautiful relationship of trust. Not even a king would be able to afford this. There is no exchange of money but rather an exhange of hearts.

In a time where the music industry is bombarded with so many attention seekers and rubbish, Alicia Keys shines through like a ray of fresh morning light. She's truthful and honest. Her words are pure and her music sweet.

- Rivkah Hope

Kat Dahlia - Gangsta

In a time where millions of families are struggling financially, Kat Dahlia captures her story in her latest track "Gangsta".

The situation which she describes is the reality for so many people where every day is a financial and emotional struggle. Dahlia's growling vocal tone agressively and desperately paints a picture which opposes the idea that Gangstas live a glamorous life of control, autority and money. This song suggests that those that claim to be 'all that' because they're a gangster doesn't impress her at all.

If this song is about her own life, it seems that Dahlia is consciously opposing the norm. The norm where women look up to gangsters, falling for the bad boy - "Never trust a man cos they're all hungry". I think this is what naturally sets her apart as a young woman. She's determined to make something of what she has. She wants to make it for herself without the help of a man.

This song demands respect because it comes from such a real place of struggle.

- Rivkah Hope

We Can't Stop

I'm part of an interesting generation - we are completely and outrageously wild. When we need to work, we work. But when its time to party, there ain't no holding back.

I speak to my grandparents about the good old black and white days where showing a bit of legs was far too provocative and the highlight of the week was Dorothy's monthly house party. When I ask "Tell me about your wildest times in your youth", Granny's highlights aren't so enticing. Its seems for women the goal of those times was to get married. No disrespect to that goal.

These days women have so many more opportunities than before. We no longer rely on men for financial stablilty and we certainly don't see marrying as the ultimate goal in life.

We work hard and we party hard.

Miley Cyrus' new music video for the song "We Can't Stop" is a bit overboard and may be unacceptably shocking to the faint hearted but I think the video does a very good job of capturing our generation. Not necessarily the imagery but definitely the lyrics and feel of the song.

Just to make it clear, I don't particularly like this music video but it does paint a pretty good picture of the attitude of my generation. Also, I don't necessarily think we're better off than Granny's generation.  If anything, we're probably more messed up. Who knows. Take this article as a "social finding" and not a personal attitude/stance.

- Rivkah Hope

Daughters of Jerusalem

I have a natural inclination to anything related to Israel.

I used to be drawn to certain "religious" music but haven't found something that hits to the heart in quite a while.

There is no denying that this song "Daughters of Jeruselum" is truly beautiful. When you listen to the song for the second and third time, you truly start hearing the words. In such a gentle way, Shane expresses his sentiment of being love sick.

 Its quite sweet how this song-writer address the ladies as "daughters of Jerusalem". I'm not sure why he calls on the ladies to help him find a saviour but I find it surprisingly beautiful.

Even if you can't relate in a spiritual way, I'm sure it will apply to someone you love.

- Rivkah Hope