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Camille Paglia argues that the problem with Cyrus's performance wasn't that it was "disgusting," but rather that it was unsexy ("atrocious"), and that subversion and sexual liberation need limits and can't rely just on shock.

I might add that I think Paglia is largely right, but then again, wrong: Isn't she mis-identifying Cyrus? Cyrus was out for shock, not sexual liberation (in my reading). She's not trying to be the next Madonna. (If you read other Paglia arguments, a recurring theme is: "This new artist isn't Madonna.")

Camille Pagila is at it again! Although our class discussion is currently focused on Lady Gaga, I found this article Pagila wrote about Miley Cyrus interesting. Pagila does mention the focus on sex in the music industry and credits Madonna as the executive of such an image, in the most positive way possible. Pagila described Gaga as the striking end of sex and gender. Here, Pagila claims that pop music/culture itself is on the exponential decline. Don't forget to read the comments, they're quite amusing, actually!

Ann Powers responds to Paglia's critique of Lady Gaga

Alex Needham responds to Paglia's critique of Lady Gaga

Whilst browsing, i came across this article that retaliates Paglia's point that Taylor swift and the young starlets of today are not promoting 'strong female personas'. Arguing that Swift is in fact a independent, powerful women that has proved herself to be more than capable of earning what is an extensive fortune and still be grounded and support herself. For the truth is this girl or women however you want to see her; is just 22 years old and yet she is one of the highest earning and paid women in entertainment. So from my point of view if Taylor Swift doesn't embody a 'strong, female persona' then Paglia has some serious explaining to do!