These days we are not only faced with environmental disasters of epic proportions we also face the more insidious global diseases of superficial commercial and political expediency!

What I am alluding to here is the use of creative talents and gifts to support commercial and political imperatives.

For example: for the last few months I have been following American idol on TV. Why? Because I’m also a musician and I am passionate about music. So it warms my heart to see talented individuals being brave enough to shine their light in public in the face of critical scrutiny.

Given that it is a media driven “talent competition” which is reliant on members of the public to decide who is the winner maybe I should not be surprised that in the last two “Idol” programmes the most deserving and talented musicians were only runners-up! Why – because of superficial appearances.

In other words the less talented “pretty boys” won because the demographic of the most influential voters was that of teenage girls who we all know are heavily influenced by the surface “appearance mindset” which is underpinned by commercially driven imperatives.

Its not rocket science to work out that the “Idol” programme at heart is a commercial beast designed to generate money. Unfortunately talent alone is no guarantee of money in todays lopsided world. You also have to represent the image that will generate mega $$ for the sponsors.

Again much to my dismay I sat through a viewing of the Eurovision song competition last week-end. That competition similarly seemed tainted by political and commercial expediency. The winning song and performance was decided after each country registered votes for its favourite song/performance. It was interesting to note that Germany which is probably one of the stronger performing economies at the moment in Europe won the competition with what could only be described as a song/performance right out of the pop song by numbers catalouge. Notwithstanding that there were some standout songs and performances from other countries.

Okay so you’re probably thinking “why has it taken you this long to work this out?” I guess at heart I still rightly or wrongly believe in inspired magic when an artist and song combine to produce one of those performances that can transport you to another dimension beyond the realms of mediocrity!