<p>A thick fog wafts amidst a dark stage. Colored strobe lights gently flicker as an </p>
<p>outline of four grown men adorning revealing leather clothes and long blonde locks of </p>
<p>hair appear. Their presence is greeted by scantily clad super model, Tawny Kitaen, as </p>
<p>she performs gymnastics atop a 1987 Jaguar. Just then a blistering guitar solo sears </p>
<p>through more than 20 stacks of amplification and melts off your face. This may sound </p>
<p>like a Whitesnake music video, but it is my vision of Utopia. Through the popular </p>
<p>media of the 1980s I have been influenced in countless ways to become a more well-</p>
<p>rounded individual. </p>
<pre><code>The music of the 1980s, sounding most excellent of course, has also inspired me
</code></pre>
<p>by tackling pressing life issues such as oppression, loss, love, and hate, while at the same </p>
<p>time conveying feelings of remorse, joy, and unity. Poisons Nothin but a Good Time </p>
<p>addresses the average Americans stressful work day and tells us that its ok to relax and </p>
<p>have a good time when we need it. Twisted Sisters Were not Gonna Take it acts as a </p>
<p>modern reinforcement of Lockes social contract and advises us to take action against </p>
<p>oppressive authorities that infringe on our right to rock. REO Speedwagons Ridin the </p>
<p>Storm Out, parallels modern weather catastrophes like hurricane Katrina and invokes a </p>
<p>feeling of hope and determination to make it through.</p>
<pre><code>I have also been inspired by the wholesome family television of the 1980s. Who
</code></pre>
<p>can forget the handsome face of a young Scott Baio playing Charles in Charles in </p>
<p>Charge? In the show, Charles juggles college with being a nanny for a family in need. </p>
<p>He is not only successful in his schoolwork, but he positively shapes the lives of himself </p>
<p>and those around him. There was also the enlightening sit-com, Full House, which </p>
<p>demonstrated the average familys everyday problems and the best solutions for them </p>
<p>(with the added benefit of Bob Sagets hilarious comedy). The popular </p>
<p>program, Saved by the Bell, gave us a look at everyday high school problems and </p>
<p>provided insight in to solving these issues through forgiveness, cooperation, and a good </p>
<p>attitude. </p>
<pre><code>Although it often seems cheesy and washed up, we can all learn a valuable lesson
</code></pre>
<p>from the media of the 80s. Whether it be how to manage a house full of kids, or how to </p>
<p>survive in college, 1980s media can be our guide to success. We just have to remember: </p>
<p>Every Rose has its Thorn. </p>
<ul>
<li>lol this essay got me into pepperdine</li>
</ul>