Comments on: Why is Beijing so bothered by Aging Rockers? http://china.blogs.time.com/2008/11/26/why-is-beijing-so-bothered-by-aging-rockers/ Daily commentary about China by TIME correspondents. Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:17:37 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: bloodofpatriots http://china.blogs.time.com/2008/11/26/why-is-beijing-so-bothered-by-aging-rockers/comment-page-1/#comment-312 bloodofpatriots Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:55:34 +0000 http://chinablogtime.wordpress.com/?p=378#comment-312 Liam, I'm surprised to see you write that the ideas of an artist (and yes, I could have put air quotes around that word, given the circumstances) don't matter. Axl Rose is no Thomas Paine or Harriet Beacher-Stowe, but artists and the ideas they float really do have an impact on their times. Either way, by addressing G'n'R as they have, the Chinese have validated the confused and confusing lyrics of Axl Rose as worthy of engagement. Even if Rose's lyrics didn't matter before, they do now. Just as martyring a movement's political leaders guarantees its empowerment, and censoring art ensures it an audience. Liam,

I'm surprised to see you write that the ideas of an artist (and yes, I could have put air quotes around that word, given the circumstances) don't matter. Axl Rose is no Thomas Paine or Harriet Beacher-Stowe, but artists and the ideas they float really do have an impact on their times.

Either way, by addressing G'n'R as they have, the Chinese have validated the confused and confusing lyrics of Axl Rose as worthy of engagement. Even if Rose's lyrics didn't matter before, they do now. Just as martyring a movement's political leaders guarantees its empowerment, and censoring art ensures it an audience.

]]> By: jacobson http://china.blogs.time.com/2008/11/26/why-is-beijing-so-bothered-by-aging-rockers/comment-page-1/#comment-311 jacobson Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:10:59 +0000 http://chinablogtime.wordpress.com/?p=378#comment-311 To be fair, there is very little the Global Times does not regard as somehow antagonistic to China. I've started reading it recently as my Chinese has improved, and find it very interesting and quite nearly xenophobic. Axl Rose and the Global Times going at it is a bit like Bill-O inviting a Code Pink activist onto his show - just free publicity and nothing of substance. To be fair, there is very little the Global Times does not regard as somehow antagonistic to China. I've started reading it recently as my Chinese has improved, and find it very interesting and quite nearly xenophobic. Axl Rose and the Global Times going at it is a bit like Bill-O inviting a Code Pink activist onto his show - just free publicity and nothing of substance.

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