While passing through Much Music in a fit of television boredom the other day, I witnessed the collapse of Western society on a small scale.

The obligatory "it" girl veejay with short spiked hair was out on the street, talkin' to the people. She had with her two dye-blond teen girls, characteristically bouncy and high pitched.

"So we're about to show the newest video from Eminem," says "it" girl. "What do you guys think about Eminem? Do you like his music?"

{In unison} "Oh yeah. He's great."

"So what do you like about it?"

"Umm," responded one blankly, staring up into space (I kid you not). "Well, I don't know, it's just really good, and I like to listen to it."

"It" girl was surprisingly challenging. "What about his lyrics? Do you agree with the things he talks about in his songs?"

The two girls looked to each other as if they were in History Honors, trying to whisper answers across desks. Deer in headlights: an appropriate phrase. It was as though they were completely unaware of the concept of understanding and appreciating music with meaningful lyrics; this line of questioning seemed blasphemous.

"Well, umm, I don't know," replied one. "I guess I don't really like his lyrics. But I still think it's great music."

"Yeah!" added the other with a little bounce.

And with that, "it" girl cued the video... and true art collapsed.