Chasing Ghosts, Catching Shadows
The Rise Of Boycott Movements
Having realised strength in numbers, there has been a rise of boycott movements over the past few years amongst consumers. These originate amongst those with loosely shared beliefs and ideology and are often driven by a quest for vengeance. A willingness to punish those who have purportedly wronged the masses and inflict as much financial harm as possible. Sometimes, these are simply led by a desire for the masses to exert creative control over works of art. This has further been encouraged by creatives who choose to wade into the murky waters of politics whilst under the employ of one company or the other. Turning said companies and their employees into targets rife for the picking. Cancel culture vultures descend like dark clouds pecking out as much of the companies’ sales as they can in an attempt to inflict as much financial harm as possible. Some of these boycott movements have been devastatingly effective inspiring many others, while some have been woefully bereft of any meaningful impact. Nevertheless, in spite of varying degrees of success, this has led to the reemergence of collective punishment. A system where innocents are punished alongside the alleged guilty as mobs proffer guilt by association to their targets. Generously meting out their wrath until entire villages are razed to the ground. The end goal isn’t repentance, its total annihilation. To partake in a boycott is thus to marry oneself to collective punishment.
Cancel culture vultures descend like dark clouds pecking out as much of the companies’ sales as they can in an attempt to inflict as much financial harm as possible.
With the rise of the present day culture of unaccountability, it has become more apparent that all the media we consume, whether artistic or otherwise, has become a battleground for opposing ideologies. These once clean waters that refreshed all with different perspectives have become muddied with political discourse. At times subtle, now more often than not overt. What was once supposed to foster open debate has become a tool for conquest and subjugation of ideological others. Many employees feel free to ascribe their own views to the companies they work for. Proudly vomiting bile on the internet whilst encouraging others to spit in this disgusting broth. Cooking up controversy to be fed to the animal of cancel culture. Eventually ,this voracious beast goes on rampage devouring all. Both those who flee from the grasp of its claws to those riding on its back taunting it forward. Desolating the once bountiful lands of creativity.
The problem with boycotting art is that art isn’t merely a product like a car or a beer. It portends so much more than entertainment. Often works of art are created from people with diverse perspectives and a varied skillset. One piece of art, such as a video game, can be a confluence of various major art forms such as music, writing, costume design, environmental artistry and much more. These can still be celebrated individually even if when added up are not greater than the whole. They can also be celebrated as the sum of all the parts. A beautiful mosaic made of various pieces. Collective punishment demands that not only the offending piece be excised but that the whole tapestry be burned. With recent events in America, the blade of cancel culture was for a brief moment turned against those who often wield it. As many sought catharsis from a horrific event, those who faced punishment either steeled their resolve or were apathetic. It is doubtful as to whether any hearts or minds were won in these running pitch battles. This evil just burrowed in deeper, tunnelling away from the light of accountability to rear its ugly head sooner or later at a more opportune juncture.
What was once supposed to foster open debate has become a tool for conquest and subjugation of ideological others.
Recent attempts to boycott Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yotei over comments made by one of the studio’s employees have been largely unsuccessful. While some will claim that the boycott was effective, the impact was hardly discernible and at this juncture is still unquantifiable. It turns out that competently making great products sells. While some choose to judge the end product by the comments and character of those involved in making it, it would seem that many more prefer to judge the product by its quality. Eschewing the chefs from the meal served. Ubisoft’s Assassins Creed Shadows was also marred in controversy both within and without at launch. However, this is objectively a mediocre product which led to its lacklustre sales. A seeming failure not because of a successful boycott but simply due to market forces. The content offered in the video game simply could not support the whole tent. Presently, there are some who have vowed to boycott any art that has been created with use of “AI” tools. It is highly unlikely that these boycott movements will succeed. Terrible products don’t sell, great products move in droves.
Image credits in order of appearance: Image par Gordon Johnson de Pixabay; Image par Gordon Johnson de Pixabay