Culture South Park and modern American social culture.

Bacle

When the effort is no longer profitable...
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This is a thought I've had for a while and want to hear the opinion of those.

When I look at media/entertainment franchises that have a big impact across the political spectrum, that stand the test of time despite pulling no punches and playing no favorites, the South Park franchise stands out.

And it's impact has been noticed, quietly, for years by different parts of the news and entertainment media. it stays relevant, without becoming partisan or bending the knee

Matt Stone and Trey Parker have created a cultural juggernaut on par with The Simpsons and Family Guy. They even did that hilarious pseudo-cross over episode arc.

But the show is so much more than just a cartoon comedy now. It is a bastion of free thought and free expression in a world increasingly hostile to those concepts. It provides a healing laugh where most would find none.


How far has the cultural influence of this show spread, and how much does it reflect American and global perceptions of the US and American culture?
 
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CarlManvers2019

Writers Blocked Douchebag
I’ve only watched a few episodes of South Park and gotta say, it seems to take pride on pissing on all those weird intellectual deep and “relevant” minded types whilst ironically being sort of thoughtful and insightful
 

Yinko

Well-known member
I read a few years ago about what the author was choosing to call "South Park Conservatives". Essentially, since the media is largely Left, then what South Park can mock is mostly Left as well, thus giving an oportunity for young people to learn to laugh at the Left and give them a slightly more Right leaning. It may be part of the reason why we now have a rather large population of young conservatives when that was never really a thing before.
 

Bacle

When the effort is no longer profitable...
Founder
I read a few years ago about what the author was choosing to call "South Park Conservatives". Essentially, since the media is largely Left, then what South Park can mock is mostly Left as well, thus giving an oportunity for young people to learn to laugh at the Left and give them a slightly more Right leaning. It may be part of the reason why we now have a rather large population of young conservatives when that was never really a thing before.
I wish I had heard the term 'South Park Conservative' before.

It rather neatly identifies my political identity, better than other terms I'd seen. Trey Parker and Matt Stone are Libertarians who more closely align with conservatives than modern liberals or progressives.
 

CarlManvers2019

Writers Blocked Douchebag
I wish I had heard the term 'South Park Conservative' before.

It rather neatly identifies my political identity, better than other terms I'd seen. Trey Parker and Matt Stone are Libertarians who more closely align with conservatives than modern liberals or progressives.

Yeah, wouldn’t call them “Conservatives”, if anything I think their works are almost all hedonistic while possibly unintentionally having a message buried within regarding modern day stuff like being so PC you won’t admit that a super muscular dude beating up women in a women’s sports competition isn’t fair just because “she” is Trans
 

Bacle

When the effort is no longer profitable...
Founder
Yeah, wouldn’t call them “Conservatives”, if anything I think their works are almost all hedonistic while possibly unintentionally having a message buried within regarding modern day stuff like being so PC you won’t admit that a super muscular dude beating up women in a women’s sports competition isn’t fair just because “she” is Trans
South Park is...reflective of the randomness of the world, and the weirdness of the times.

When you've driven across the actual region known as South Park regularly, it and the show become a part of your culture.

The the 'seriously dude' attitude that Coloradan's view much of the rest of the US state and local govs with, for their dysfunction of government. We can't afford to have inept or partisan gov around here, wildfires, droughts, tornado's, hockey riots, gang shooting, mass shooters. We ain't perfect, but we keep shit from falling apart because we look beyond the next election cycle; we cannot afford not to take a long term view here. The weather also forces you to adapt to rapidly changing conditions, and black ice is rarely forgiving.

Colombine and the Aurora Theater shooting, couple with the Killdozer and Balloon boy, and a legacy of Wild Bill and Doc Holliday make us an area very much willing to work across the divide just to deal with the crazy the world throws at us.
 

CarlManvers2019

Writers Blocked Douchebag
South Park is...reflective of the randomness of the world, and the weirdness of the times.

When you've driven across the actual region known as South Park regularly, it and the show become a part of your culture.

The the 'seriously dude' attitude that Coloradan's view much of the rest of the US state and local govs with, for their dysfunction of government. We can't afford to have inept or partisan gov around here, wildfires, droughts, tornado's, hockey riots, gang shooting, mass shooters. We ain't perfect, but we keep shit from falling apart because we look beyond the next election cycle; we cannot afford not to take a long term view here. The weather also forces you to adapt to rapidly changing conditions, and black ice is rarely forgiving.

Colombine and the Aurora Theater shooting, couple with the Killdozer and Balloon boy, and a legacy of Wild Bill and Doc Holliday make us an area very much willing to work across the divide just to deal with the crazy the world throws at us.

You guys sound like a more “civilized” take on the “barbarians” of Robert E. Howard’s works

Flexible minds, surprisingly smart, disgusted with “civilization” and its insanity and survivalistic due to harsher living conditions

Though you guys are more urbanized compared to his “barbarians” I guess
 

Bacle

When the effort is no longer profitable...
Founder
With Kanye's entry into the race, backed by Musk, I think South Park is going to be having a lot of fun in the up coming season.

Kanye entering into the race is also a very South Park-esq development.
 

CarlManvers2019

Writers Blocked Douchebag
With Kanye's entry into the race, backed by Musk, I think South Park is going to be having a lot of fun in the up coming season.

Kanye entering into the race is also a very South Park-esq development.

I’ve only watched a bit of South Park, but I think Mr Garrison may BEG “Aquaman” to take his job

Also bang his head on the wall due to Biden suddenly rambling mid debate
 
With Kanye's entry into the race, backed by Musk, I think South Park is going to be having a lot of fun in the up coming season.

Kanye entering into the race is also a very South Park-esq development.


Call me sad or pathetic, but i'd be totally down for a kayne West or Glenn Jacobs 2024 run.
 

Yinko

Well-known member
Call me sad or pathetic, but i'd be totally down for a kayne West or Glenn Jacobs 2024 run.
2024? No reason to put this off, just do it now, to race is divided and anemic enough as it is, there are at least two or three other hats being thrown into the ring as it is. It's the summer of 3rd parties! 🌟
 

Husky_Khan

The Dog Whistler... I mean Whisperer.
Founder
Sotnik
I haven't watched South Park in ages but I did love a lot of their older material. Heard it got derailed when they tried to do the whole season long story arc and then Trump actually winning the election derailed their intended storyline back in 2016 though. Sad.
 

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