Dope Science Manifesto

08Aug11

What is Dope Science?

Dope Science is a movement to change the world. The idea is that by changing cultures that are notoriously anti-academic and/or severely lacking in the areas of mathematics and science, those cultures will potentially become transformed. If a culture can be transformed in this rapidly changing economic and social climate, that culture is poised to position itself more favorably for the future. If this culture is better able to maneuver in a quickly stratifying world where the gap between the have’s and have nots is widening, members of that culture have a better chance to succeed. Successful members of any culture become world wide representatives of that culture. The more representatives there are, the more impact the culture has. The logical conclusion is obvious. Change the culture, increase the socio-economic climate, change the opportunities for that culture. Change the world. Dope Science is the attempt to grow the seed of change with respect to academic success in nonacademic cultures. If a culture’s view of academia is negative, and that view is propagated, the opportunities for members of that culture are diminished as there are more avenues to gain social/economic capital with an education than there is without. Our world is becoming more and more dependent on technology and data as time goes on, and that dependency is accelerating. Without a critical mass of academically sound, creative, and determined individuals representing the culture, there is little power to be had, and more importantly few opportunities for understanding of the world around us. Dope Science looks to provide an alternative path for people who don’t want to fall into the traps of pop culture, apathy, and ignorance. Dope Science is the beginning of the next cultural revolution.

Why Dope Science?
Pop culture has historically loved the rebel. In music it is the edgy rapper, rock star, pop icon, or country renegade that breaks the rules and introduces the world to a new level of expression. Generally, it seems that that new level of expression is more explicit, raw, and extreme than the one that preceded it.
“Well behaved women rarely make history.” – Laurel Thatcher Ulric.
Our culture loves the shooting star, and galvanizes their worthiness of cultural worship by dying early, normally as a result of their lifestyle. Since the vast majority of people are followers and not leaders, we tend to follow the bright shiny things in our lives. Pop icons are the shiniest things we know of, perhaps that why we call them stars. The result is that a great portion of a culture follow the principle of the icon they adore the most, and as a result emulate their perspective and behavior whenever/wherever possible. Think of how many rappers reference Tupac in their songs, some out rightly strive to be like him in terms of influence and reverence with respect to current rap culture. This is fine if Tupac’s view and actions are beneficial for those that ape him. Unfortunately the opposite is what normally happens. People dedicate more time to aping Tupac than studying math, and more time justifying destructive behavior than building stability and social capital-something sorely needed in most cultures. This is why Dope Science exists. It is a rebellion against the status quo just like Ray Charles was. Just like Elvis Presely, Nirvanna, Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., Eminem, Garth Brooks, Madonna, Public Enemy, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Led Zepplin, the recently deceased Amy Winehouse, and countless others. The hard facts are easy to find. Statistics are readily available to whomever is willing to absorb them. For every famous entertainer who dropped out of high school, there are millions who struggle and die needlessly, trying to be like them. Should you not try to be the next Labron James, or Cobe Bryant? Should you shoot for mediocrity and follow the herd to a boring 9 to 5 life? Of course not! Should you ignore the realities of life, shut your eyes to the suffering around you which is born out of the same mindset, and live off of the hope that somehow everything will work out for you in the end? No, that would be equally fruitless.

What would happen if there was a rebellion that promoted thinking, academic prowess, constructive creativity, and increasing social capital? What would that look like? How would something like that get started? The answer is very simple. Get young people to become passionate about your cause. It worked with the anti-smoking movement, the civil rights movement, and many other social upheavals throughout history. This is just one more. Dope Science is one more.

So, how would YOU do it?
The vision for achieving the goals of Dope Science is clear. Increase people’s awareness of the beauty, power, and coolness of nature and mathematics. It’s just that simple. Get more people interested, and they will apply more time and energy to it. This is where the “Dope” in Dope Science comes from. While there are many people doing their best to use music to reach young people and others by infusing rap or other genres with academic content, they are generally produced in such a way as to alienate the ones who need it most, and result in “preaching to the chior” so to speak. Dope Science is about making Dope music. Music that people who normally don’t like math would want to listen to. People who can’t do calculus, but have an impeccable taste for beats and rhyme structure. The people who know every lyric to every Lil Wayne song, or the people who know all there is to know about Kim Kardashian. These are the people Dope Science is for. That is what sets Dope Science apart. It is aimed toward the very people who hate what it stands for. Crazy huh? Of course it is, otherwise why do it.
Well, what ca I do?
You can spread the word. Provide feedback on the videos and songs. Embed links to my youtube channel and reverbnation page. Follow me on twitter, and suggest the same for every human being you know, and many that you don’t. Mention me on your FB page. Talk about Dope Science to your friends, family members, strangers, and enemies. Start freestyling about academic subject matter. If you live in the Seattle area, participate in the videos. If you are a performer of any kind, collaborate with me on stuff (I love that). Just get involved. Spread the love. Change the world.

Contact Info

www.reverbnation.com/socarto
www.youtube.com/socartomusic
@socarto (twitter)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/So-Carto/152983438085267

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