The Heart and Soul of Modern Animation

The cartoons of the past that people most readily identify with are those created by Walt Disney. The legacy he bequeathed to animation and the American psyche has left an indelible imprint upon Western Civilization through the simple retelling of fairy tales. The Disney Empire began with a simple cartoon titled “Steamboat Willie” which put Mickey and Minnie before an audience eager for distraction.

This comical, but hugely influential cartoon, would become the basis for modern animation as we know it. Yet for all the story telling devices available through incorporating techniques such as exaggeration, anticipation, secondary motion, and appeal the writer finds the Disney style to give little to the art of storytelling except bland anthropomorphized idealism and a myopic view of good vs evil, gender roles, race, class, and acceptable social mores.

How Miley Cyrus is using a "Wrecking Ball" to Redefine the American Dream

I've led most of my life under the impression that Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus had as much value to music as Barney's "I Love You, You Love Me". I look for depth in music, as I do in life, culture, and society.

This is why I am so surprised by the new wave of pop music coming out over the last few months. There are some far left home runs from people like Naughty Boy and Macklemore that deserve standing ovations. I was fortunate to grow up during a time of Kurt Cobain and Tori Amos. What, then, can Miley Cyrus offer music when compared to the likes of Gotye, Imogen Heap, or Janelle Monae?

In all honesty, very little we haven't seen before. Beautiful body, great (auto-tuned) voice, and great marketing. Looking at her portfolio, she shouldn't stand out anymore than Britney Spears or Milli Vanilli.

What makes this song great?