The Kool Logic of Late Capitalism

Hola mi gente,

I could decide to be quiet or “safe” -- to not point at and ridicule the Emperor's nakedness -- but I’m not “safe” in that way. Whatever people will say about me when I’m no longer around, they will not be able to say I was a safe Puerto Rican, or that I didn’t try.

Here’s a gem from a kindred and “unsafe” Puerto Rican… 

Kool Logic

The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism, Frederic Jameson

-- by Urayoán Noel

1

I hope this finds you in good health (Or at least gainfully employed). We're here to discuss the hologram-self In the era of the void.

Some say modern man is hollow, Others say it's a condition Called “postmodern.” Do you follow Could this use some exposition?

2

O.K. See the common graves Rotting in the ancient cities? The Fast food? The porous borders? The ambiguous sexualities? The debt-bludgeoned ethnicities? The wars of chemical roses?
Cash flows from Utopian rivers And the market never closes! 

“This is the kool logic Of late capitalism.”

3
In the Prozac marketplaces People hoard new models of leisure; Love has been deregulated: Plastic breasts! Prosthetics! Seizures! In the suburbs neighbors mourn The death drive of their libidos, Late summers full of soft porn, Stolen Wonder Bras, torn Speedos. 

“This is the kool logic Of late capitalism.”

4
You can consume what you please: From work music to new age; Ricky Martin and John Cage Are touring the Basque Pyrenees; You can sing your song of peace (Pop! Punk! Folk! Tribal! Assorted!) But the violence will not cease, Hate's fetus can't be aborted! 

“This is the kool logic Of late capitalism.”

5
Macrobiotic-cybernetic- Fiber-optic folderol! Neo-gothic supermodels! Satellites and virtual malls! Vegan power lunch grand slams! Word elites! Money-go-rounds! Free will or free (pillow?) shams In the global shantytown? 

“This is the kool logic Of late capitalism.”

6
NBTFA, Mercosur, Hamas! DVDs and open mikes! Watercross and motocross! SUVs and mountain bikes! Trailer parks! Gated communities! High-rise ghettoes and favelas! Acquired diplomatic immunities! Self-help prophets! Braille novelas! Mexico, Miami, Rio! Euro-Disney, Bollywood! Dell, Intel, Taco Bell, Geo! Stanford post-docs in da hood! I'll stop fronting pedagogical... One last question (extra credit): This kool logic ain't too logical But it's still “kool.” Do you get it?! 

“This is the kool logic Of late capitalism.”

About Urayoán Noel: Puerto Rico-born and Bronx-based performance poet, Urayoán Noel, has been delighting and confounding the enlightened masses since the late 1990s. Solo and as part of the rock band objet petit a, he has performed-sung-scatted throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, as well as in the Dominican Republic and Perú. His laugh-tracked new wave guarachas have rocked the rafters and/ or emptied the room at the Nuyorican Poets Café, Bowery Poetry Club, Bar 13, Cornelia Street Café, Instituto Cervantes, and Roka Espacio.] (click here for more info) Buy Kool Logic here.

* * *

My name is Eddie and I’m in recovery from civilization…