#b. a.

Novi ‘dobri poslovi’ za Amerikance

Poslovi koji se dobro plaćaju a ne zahtevaju diplomu bačelora danas su predmet želja mnogih Amerikanaca – a ovih dana ti se poslovi ne nalaze na pokretnoj traci i prostoj proizvodnoj montaži proizvoda.

Poslove u proizvodnji imaju radnici bolje obrazovani ili obučeni nego pre

“Vratiću u SAD poslove koje dosad niko nije uspeo da vrati.”

Ove reči, koje je novoizabrani predsednik Donald Trampizgovara…

....

I spent a significant proportion of Saturday listening to System of a Down, something I haven't done for a really long time. And I was just...thinking about the impact SOAD has had on my life. I was first 'introduced' to System when I saw their video for 'Chop Suey', and then 'Toxicity'. After that, I purchased their album, Toxicity. This was 2001. I turned eleven that year and no one in my class had any idea of what SOAD was. I then felt it necessary to acquire their self-titled album and then, later, the following three: Steal This Album!, Mezmerize, and Hypnotize. And that collaboration between Serj Tankian and Arto Tunçboyacıyan - Serart, and their self-titled album. And then Serj Tankian's album, Elect the Dead. Then there was Axis of Justice, 'Charades', and 'Can I get some more piano please?' (please tell me that I wasn't the only one who got excited over that line). So 'we' have been together for almost ten years. And I've like...consistently enjoyed listening to System's music. I think it's so...'unique' and 'fresh'. It's like...a perfect blend. Yes, a perfect fusion of different genres and influences and something distinctly System (oh, and Serj Tankian's voice? Oh my GOD - HNNG - it's...hypnotic). They were the first band I ever really liked, followed, and obsessed over. Obviously I can't articulate what System of a Down means to me, and how amazing I think this band is. Will persevere.

If I remember correctly, System has stated that they are not a 'political' band. Yes, some of their songs sort of are political (or can be interpreted as being political), but they don't define themselves as a band in such a way. However, some of their songs can be interpreted as referring to or critiquing society or addressing politics, because, you know, music is generally open to interpretation, right? Right. So, there I was - growing up, being a teenager, being exposed to System of a Down, listening to their music, reading the lyrics, trying to interpret the possible meaning/s of their songs. So, while I was attempting that, my awareness of...'issues' was broadened. I was a tween, then a teenager, and I didn't really know anything. Because of System of a Down, I learnt about, most significantly, the Armenian Genocide (an atrocity that still is not universally acknowledged or even widely known about), inequalities (vague, I know), conformity, (- just, you know, other 'societal issues') and to question everything - the policies of our government, war (why, is it worth it, isn't there another way?), and the status quo. Now I'm twenty and completing my Bachelor of Arts, a triple major in security, terrorism and counter-terrorism, politics and international studies, and history. I think that's most likely the result of being introduced to System of a Down, or at least one of the directions why I'm like...on that trajectory. If not for SOAD, I would not have been exposed or aware. I don't know what I would be doing if not for these guys. I actually enjoy what I'm studying - it sort of feels as if what I'm meant to be doing; it feels right. My life is like...enriched because of them, and I think they will always occupy a portion of my heart (this sounds a little awkward and mushy - I KNOW, okay?) for helping to make me a better human. Yeah...so, System of a Down is and will remain to be awesome, inspiring, enlightening, and just System of a Down: unique, fresh, special and...you know how, with your favourite songs, there's this section that really hits you, that's like the part you consider the climax of the song, and you're just like

Yeah, most System songs have that, I'll continue to enjoy those specific sections most of all, and their music will never get 'old'. Note: that's right - I adore Darren Criss, I like Glee, and I'm a fan of System of Down. Either...