politics and issues

[daveinafield]

have the veterans noticed the festival becoming less political over the years, with the loss of the leftfield this year it will become a lot less. This is another vital area that differs Glasto from the commerical festivals. Would loved to have gone in the CND era. Did the hedonism of the rave culture bring an end to Glasto as a gathering for the like minded? I love wandering around the festival and seeing all the different people and the different reasons that they are there. Just seems sad that a lot of the youth of the day just want to be seen on the tele. Come on youth take the baton.

[russycarps]

sadly most of the youth these days couldnt give a shit about politics. The majority of the youth of today are utterly selfish and totally dedicated to materialistic pursuits. I find the next generation completely depressing.

Have you ever tried having a chat to an 18 year old about politics? They tend to be frighteningly ill informed and totally disinterested.

[daveinafield]

thats what worries me most about the I'm 18 threads - its like being 18 in itself is a political statement

[Alcatraz]

As a "youth" I, like many others on the board, have been thoroughly dissapointed by the end of the Leftfield and the crap that will replace it.

If I was to ever work at the festival, I'd want to be working on the political stage, whatever it may be in the future.

Ps. Always shove my middle finger up at any camera that comes near me. I encourage others to do likewise

Edited March 17, 2009 by Alcatraz

[russycarps]

The loss of leftfield is tragic if a like minded place does not appear. I am assuming (hoping?) there will be a place for politics this year. If not....well a large part of glastonbury has died.

Politics is in extreme danger of becoming more and more the sole preserve of the rich who have gone through public school and oxbridge. The youth of today see going on reality TV and making a million pounds for themselves as the ultimate life ambition, not going into politics and making a difference in the world. Sad, so very sad.

[Alcatraz]

The loss of leftfield is tragic if a like minded place does not appear. I am assuming (hoping?) there will be a place for politics this year. If not....well a large part of glastonbury has died.

[Chimps in Balaclavas]

I think that the political side of the festival appealed mostly to the older generation rather than the youth, who tend to go to festivals more for the music.

That's not to say that there are any youth who aren't interested in politics.

[russycarps]

I think that the political side of the festival appealed mostly to the older generation rather than the youth, who tend to go to festivals more for the music.

That's not to say that there are any youth who aren't interested in politics.

[Mardy]

Hmmm, if they're not intrested, whose fault is it? and as it goes, i disagree, look at all the young people marching against the war in iraq etc, no shortage of youth there.

[Alcatraz]

Hmmm, if they're not intrested, whose fault is it? and as it goes, i disagree, look at all the young people marching against the war in iraq etc, no shortage of youth there.

[Mykonosman]

Hmmm, if they're not intrested, whose fault is it? and as it goes, i disagree, look at all the young people marching against the war in iraq etc, no shortage of youth there.

[no1_foxymama]

I'm 24 (not the sprightly 18 year old type but still young enough to fall into the yoof of today...just!) and I have to say the pull of Glasto, for me, is the political aspect. Of course, I go and I watch bands, but to be able to wander through the green fields and show your support for charities looking out for the welfare of third world countries, learn more about the work of the CND and seeing figures such as Tony Benn MAKE the festival what it is....the best place on earth.

I know it seems that there is a general apathy for political activism in my generation, but I think there are many factors which contribute to this....the fact is, Thatcherism had a profound effect on culture during the time that most of us were getting born, and its an ethos that has somehow managed to internalise itself within so amny people of my own age. Mass consumerism has always been around, but I don't believed it has been so glamourised as it has been in the past 20 years or so. I heartily believe this, coupled with the past 10 years sky-rocket in celebrity culture, that has cause this apathy. Its just so sad, because I feel wonderful to be involved in political activities (I've just joined my local Amnesty group and a friend of mine has set up a solidarity network in our area recently for those with feminist and socialist beliefs), and I just wish people would open their eyes to how excellent having a say in things can be!

Cripes, I seem to have ranted a bit here, but my point was, 'oldies', keep the faith, cause some of us realise the brilliant work that Glastonbury does to encorporate political features to the festival!

[daveinafield]

Exactly!!! Also, isn't it the older generation who've screwed this planet up anyway leaving it to us youths to clean up the mess?

[russycarps]

I'm 24 (not the sprightly 18 year old type but still young enough to fall into the yoof of today...just!) and I have to say the pull of Glasto, for me, is the political aspect. Of course, I go and I watch bands, but to be able to wander through the green fields and show your support for charities looking out for the welfare of third world countries, learn more about the work of the CND and seeing figures such as Tony Benn MAKE the festival what it is....the best place on earth.

I know it seems that there is a general apathy for political activism in my generation, but I think there are many factors which contribute to this....the fact is, Thatcherism had a profound effect on culture during the time that most of us were getting born, and its an ethos that has somehow managed to internalise itself within so amny people of my own age. Mass consumerism has always been around, but I don't believed it has been so glamourised as it has been in the past 20 years or so. I heartily believe this, coupled with the past 10 years sky-rocket in celebrity culture, that has cause this apathy. Its just so sad, because I feel wonderful to be involved in political activities (I've just joined my local Amnesty group and a friend of mine has set up a solidarity network in our area recently for those with feminist and socialist beliefs), and I just wish people would open their eyes to how excellent having a say in things can be!

Cripes, I seem to have ranted a bit here, but my point was, 'oldies', keep the faith, cause some of us realise the brilliant work that Glastonbury does to encorporate political features to the festival!

[Alcatraz]

so what would you have done in the CND era..

and what's the connection with the hedonism of the rave culture

aaahh.. nostalgia... not what it used to be is it?

[ig1234]

The glory of politics, and something the Leftfield encouraged, why don't we as a collective do our own thing, unofficial and all, wherever in the site on the things that concern us most

[llcoolphil]

sadly most of the youth these days couldnt give a shit about politics. The majority of the youth of today are utterly selfish and totally dedicated to materialistic pursuits. I find the next generation completely depressing.

Have you ever tried having a chat to an 18 year old about politics? They tend to be frighteningly ill informed and totally disinterested.

[flibbitybob]

I myself am 17, and although it depresses me hugely to say it, I have to agree that most people my age are disinterested in politics and incredibly apathetic...

HOWEVER I do think that there is still a lot of student activism and young people being interested in politics, it's just a hardcore few that do a great deal. For example at a lot of the different events I go to, I always see people I recognise, people who are interested and aware tend to be VERY interested and aware. I think that young politically-minded types do use festivals as a chance to meet like-minded people, I know that's what I do! Yes of course there are a hell of a lot of people my age who do go to see famous bands and get on TV... but if you find Glastonbury depressing due to the amount of apathy, then you must be horrified by the world outside.

The lack of leftfield will be a sad loss for me, I really love Tony Benn (wouldn't he be the BEST Grandpa? And he cares about EVERY issue I care about. He's the BEST), and Billy Bragg and all of the wonderful things that I just hope will still be part of the festival. It just seems that Glastonbury is pandering to the disinterest and apathy of young people instead of trying to get the political elements of the festival more noticed. But on an optimistic level I do think that the elements of a political and socially aware Glastonbury that do remain DO have an impact upon young people, even if it's just a typical yoof saying "doesn't that guy know there are recycling bins?", or posing with a WaterAid poo and thinking about it later, or picking up a leaflet about oxfam. It's depressing that that's what it comes down to, but hey, it's got to be better than Reading, right?

[Kaybee]

I myself am 17, and although it depresses me hugely to say it, I have to agree that most people my age are disinterested in politics and incredibly apathetic...

HOWEVER I do think that there is still a lot of student activism and young people being interested in politics, it's just a hardcore few that do a great deal. For example at a lot of the different events I go to, I always see people I recognise, people who are interested and aware tend to be VERY interested and aware. I think that young politically-minded types do use festivals as a chance to meet like-minded people, I know that's what I do! Yes of course there are a hell of a lot of people my age who do go to see famous bands and get on TV... but if you find Glastonbury depressing due to the amount of apathy, then you must be horrified by the world outside.

The lack of leftfield will be a sad loss for me, I really love Tony Benn (wouldn't he be the BEST Grandpa? And he cares about EVERY issue I care about. He's the BEST), and Billy Bragg and all of the wonderful things that I just hope will still be part of the festival. It just seems that Glastonbury is pandering to the disinterest and apathy of young people instead of trying to get the political elements of the festival more noticed. But on an optimistic level I do think that the elements of a political and socially aware Glastonbury that do remain DO have an impact upon young people, even if it's just a typical yoof saying "doesn't that guy know there are recycling bins?", or posing with a WaterAid poo and thinking about it later, or picking up a leaflet about oxfam. It's depressing that that's what it comes down to, but hey, it's got to be better than Reading, right?

[Sam Crawley]

I think people get political (and start voting) when they're not satisfied with the status quo. For whatever reason, most people are happy or at very least uninterested with the current government running out country into the ground! I don't think it's anything to do with the youth - no one of any age is making the effort these days.

Back to Glasto.. will be interesting to see what replaces Leftfield, given ME's views. I don't think shifting cinema etc will be enough. Even if Leftfield not being around is just for one year if we believe the "misunderstanding" story, presumably he'd put something else in instead?

[flibbitybob]

Right. Thanks flibbity for restoring the faith us "oldies" know that you "youngies" still have.

[hoils]

Th whole of ethos of festival-going has shifted in the last 10 years or so. When I first attended Glasto in 92 it really felt like you were making a political statement by just attending. I'm sure this was even more that case through the 80's.

The joining of disparate tribes to come together for a weekend in the countryside was a political activity in itself IMO. Showing that the counter-culture was still alive and thriving. I'm pretty sure that the feeling of even latent radicalism amongst the majority of the crowd just by attending thr festival has now gone. 'Tis a a great shame (and if the Leftfield is not replaced by a similar campaigning area even more so) but times move on.

The lack of a ideological demagogue like Thatcher to focus on has made the old school campagining spirit of festival counter-culture less visible. But it's still there in the many single issues being talked about up in the Green Fields.

[popcornmaster]

I like to think that the political aspect of glastonbury is still relevant being a relative newbie (been 2x already) i like the idea of the counter culture still being prevalent in the current festival. Where as im not overly fussed with the optimists 'new' socialism (and general left wing politics) im more based towards left wing anarchism and original socialism/marxism which leads to the disengagement of the state all together. I do like to think that the spirit of festival still resides with lefties and it cant help but restore a little faith in humanity after the festival but it seems far too optimistic to think anything will change as like mentioned my generation is generally indifferent/too up its own arse or ill educated towards politics and ruling

[Peachy]

f**k me, I've only skim read the posts on here but is this not the skinny latte of politics or what? Did any of you lot actually watch Tony Benn last year? I know I have been out on an Irish night being St Patrick's day and all and I have probably drunk too much Guinness but that aside I can remember watching the said Benn last year with him almost having an onion under is eye and his rank sentimenality of Churchill(who btw sold us up the river with the Marshall plan and was responsible for more deaths than should be posssible for one person to achieve)and the like almost made me vomit. OK so senile dementia might have set in slightly on his part but, personally, I had to take meself off to the Tibetan tea tent as a result of his bullshit. f**k me, politics aint dead or a retrospective thang its alive and kicking, if some of you want to be sentimental and just treat it as an era, then that just abnigates the younger people of now who have to deal with far more serious agendas than we had to face at their age. I, personally, think this is an insult to our youth, as whilst they might not wave banners in the air, are far more cognisent and concientious than we would have had to be at their age, Drunken, pathetic rant over

[usatoglas]

I do seem to remember many years ago (I think it was in the latter part of the 80's, that there was an ad hoc 'speakers corner' type thing going on. I dont know what field it was either but i could probably hazard a decent guess.

People would turn up and get 5 mins or so to spout their stuff about anything that gripped their sh*t.

It had quite a big audience of sorts and did seem to be run/managed by somebody to keep the timings down but I thought it was great at the time adn did get up and put my side of why thatcher was really a witch type thing.

Politics and being able to have proper laypersons debate is so so important in a democratic society but, alas, I do feel that newer generations are turned off of political discussions as they turn to their insular world of the iPod.

Even the art of conversation is dying

Also commenting on the above post about younger generations having much more serious issues to deal with tha older generations. That is just total tosh. Every generation has their cross to bear on social and political issues but this crop of young poeple have nothign more to deal with than previous generations and it coudl be said, that opportunity for higher education, travel and self determination are far greater now than they ever were.

Edited March 18, 2009 by usatoglas