Returning to Tuesday's class in which I discussed the dynamics of cultural transformation and how such transformation generally occurs on the fringes of collectivities...
When we encounter the "change makers" in a culture, more often than not they're people who have moved away from the mainstream and sought out ways to think outside the box. Most of us, most of the time, aren't doing that; we're smack dead in the middle of schools of fish carrying us through the well travelled and comfortable waters (that we don't even see as H2O). Einstein wasn't a professor or a student in some top physics program when he envisioned his theories, for example. Those professors would have scoffed at his imaginative discoveries and likely would have lured him into their unimaginative clutches for fear of not belonging. But his independence from the judgement of those he admired allowed him to follow his own call and create a new way of seeing the world.
As I think about all of the sub-cultural groups into which I'm embedded and that cajol me to continue to be a supporting actor in my own life, I'm constantly struck by how much I think inside the boxes that are all around me. I dress like my colleagues; I eat most of the same foods and dishes as others around me; I carry the thoughts that are similar to those of my friends; my music is a mix of the styles to which I've been exposed. That's an interesting example, by the way. I was recently listening to classical Chinese music and it didn't arouse my senses. So I kept listening...and still nothing. Why not? What am I missing by not hearing a synthesis between those melodic tones and the others that clearly appeal to me. I could be sitting on the most intriguing and dynamic fusion of sound that I could ever encounter, one that would open in my mind some amazing breakthrough idea about life -- but I don't hear it because maybe, just maybe I'm too stuck in the center of some familiar cultural system.
I understand that this is normal, that this is inevitable, that this happens to everyone. But I'm searching for dynamic wisdom...for something much larger than myself Maybe that's just me.
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1 – 200 of 273 Newer› Newest»Wow. This really struck me as rather indicative of myself. So I have this friend. I am not part of his subculture. He is his own subculture. And he seems very confused and unhappy a lot. And yet... he does what he wants. I think I just want to throw it out there that doing what we want doesn't necessarily make us happy. Is happiness the goal? Should it be if it is? Or isn't? Anyway. Whenever we hang out, I think I go through a personal existential crisis. He has found what makes him alive. And he does it, even if it means he is unhappy in the way we all told him he was supposed to live to be alive. And I really don't do that. All of it is that I'm a people pleaser. I want to figure out who I'm supposed to be and manage to become that person. I don't ever ask who I am right now and live in that. Chris Uhl put it this way: "Don't should on yourself." I do that all the time though. Where does my life come from? Not sure, but it comes in the nights I spend in writing classes, talking about words and making things beautiful. In writing stuff. It isn't very good. But it is when I feel most alive. It is when the rest of school seems to make sense and be worth doing. When life seems worth doing. And yet I don't do it. Why? Fear of failure. Fear of doing what I'm not supposed to do. People joke about not eating someday. I don't think any of us actually fear that living where we live. But we fear the food of other's approval. We don't think we can live without it. Yet we can. We have to. We will let someone down sometime. Wouldn't it be better to let something out there down than to let ourselves or those we dearly love down? I think part of who we are is who we choose to love dearly, so it isn't an escape hatch to this though process. It is interesting. Crazy interesting. I know there is this part of my mind that wakes up when I am being creative. It comes from a different spot. A different "me". And it says things that seem very comfortable and familiar, even though I've never thought them or said them before. Philosophy doesn't do this to me. Not rational thought. It is life somehow explored and made bigger or grander in words. And yet I'm working with some of the weakest things ever put into use. Words are weak vessels for full meaning. And yet they are somehow what we use to make all meaning. We use it to communicate and to make meaning. Crazy! And we tell stories and change lives and be someone else in these trappings of words. It is so beautiful and "dynamic" and "fringe culture". Why fringe? Well... I don't think it can be mainstream when I am told to think about what makes me creative and do it. And yet I put limits on myself. I don't spend time going "How can I make this into a story? A poem? A message? How can I better do this? With a different journal? Sticky notes? What music makes me creative?" I tell myeslf: no. Time for school. Time for work. Time for structure. When maybe, just maybe, what gives life doesn't come in those people pleasing things, but in what I have been made to be good at.
People acting outside of the box have intrigued me throughout my life. And because of this I have tried to shape my life around being out of the norm or unique in someway. I normally try to avoid following a crowd by separating my self from the group and taking a unique path. I’m not trying to say that I’m a brilliant mind that will create a new solution to a problem or discover new genera of music or art but it has helped me in many ways. I’ve seen most of this in the way I solve a problems in my life, I try to do it differently then anybody else would even think about doing. Although as Sam said in his video “most of us like to think that we a re the fish swimming up stream when all the other fish are swimming down stream” I’m actually not unique at all. I follow trends that I see around me I listen to the music everyone else does and I generally follow the main stream. So then I asked myself what it takes to be truly unique in life and innovative in the way I think and after pondering on that for a while I realized that to be truly unique and innovative you need to completely submerge yourself in the unknown and unfamiliar. What I mean by this is A person would need to stop doing the same things that they have done their entire life. This means you can’t follow the norms of the society that you live in and for most people like myself this removal from the “safety” of the familiar is too much to handle so we retreat into our shells and never experience this uniqueness. So after this realization I wanted to some how break out of my shell and try this theory for a couple of hours, and I discovered that it was nearly impossible for me to shed my culture that I have know my entire life. I couldn’t refuse the activities I normal indulge in or stop hanging out with the friends I see everyday. This realization made me envy truly unique minds for their freedom of though that they experience and know as their life because the individuals who can shed the norms of a society no longer feel the guilt and shame that is associated with the rest of the mainstream society. So what does this mean for the privileged individuals that experience life differently than we do and are lucky to lead a free life? Well these individuals are ridiculed, judged, bullied, and avoided. This is a sad state of affairs because these people are the ones that benefit society the most.
The majority of people in any given area tend to follow the mainstream culture of that area. Although the United States has its own culture, I believe that it has more people thinking on the border of culture than other nations. This can be explained because of the vast diversity and mixture of cultures the United States has to offer. Immigrants come here, bringing with them the culture of the country from which they came. As a first generation Persian living in the United States, I can say that I still hold onto many aspects of my Iranian culture whilst living here. My parents hold much more of the Persian culture here than me, and my children will hold even less than I. Sad, yes, and one can try to incorporate the culture as much as possible, but eventually, it becomes easiest to adopt the American culture. One of the biggest cultural differences is religion. My parents hold onto the Muslim religion of Iran, whereas the cultural religion here is Christian. This affected their lives greatly when they had first immigrated, however slowly, piece by piece, the practices of that religion became less and less apparent. Some norms, like religion, clothing, and style are immediately changed once a relocation has occurred. Others, such as food, music, and behavior either remain unchanged, or require a gradual transformation. Using my family as an example, within a year or so of moving to the United States, their religious practices, clothing type, and style of hair or makeup changed dramatically. This is done to adapt to the new environment, the same way an animal will change itself if thrown into a new habitat. The other cultures have experienced a very subtle change. For example, 20 years after immigrating, we are still eating Persian food, listening to Persian music, and keeping the traditional behavioral traits (such as family and morals). Of course, we do eat other foods, listen to other music, watch other movies, etc., but the base is still intact. The level at which these cultures are experienced varies between generations, as I mentioned. The difference between my parents and I is that my parents would rather eat polo khoresht (rice and stew) over pizza, and listen to Ebi over Hip-hop. Some things, like names, vary between cultures. My parents have Persian names. I have a Persian name. My children may have American names should I marry an American woman. Or say I marry a Mexican woman? I feel as if I have taken all of the positive norms of Persian culture, and mixed it with the best of the American culture. This enables me to eat pizza and watch Entourage, and still keep the behavioral side of the Persian culture. I can drive my Toyota Camry, and still blast Persian techno.
This blog really caught my interest. We spend our whole life being told “don’t be a follower, be a leader,” but when it actually comes down to it all of us are followers in at least one way. We all like to say that we’re that one different one that doesn’t follow the norm but in reality, all of us follow the norm whether we mean to or not. It just sort of happens because of our society, friends, family and all of the subcultures that we belong to. I think that it takes a very bold, strong-minded person to be that one that steps out of the box and creates a new cultural transformation to follow. It takes an even bolder person to accept the criticism or negativity and attempt to get followers. The truth is that if one of us decided to step out of the box and create a new subculture to follow, most of us would be shut down by our peers. People live their lives in boxes and when something or someone comes along trying to alter these boxes people tend to get disturbed and usually don’t welcome to new idea. I really do wonder why the world is like that. Within our own subcultures that we belong to, we all mostly wear the same clothes, have the same hairstyles and buy the stuff that is considered in style. If one person breaks one of the norms for this subculture, people usually aren’t very accepting. When asked how I live on the fringes or outside of these boxes, I really couldn’t think of any way that I do. It’s kind of sad that I really can’t think of a time where I was the fish swimming upstream when everyone else was swimming downstream. I guess it’s because it’s so much easier to follow the social norm and live in the center of the box of your subculture. It’s crazy because who’s to say that the things you are following are right or wrong. Everything just seems right since everyone else in that subculture is following it. I applaud people who do step out of the box and start new trends, I think it’s awesome. I guess I just have never been one of those out-there, swimming upstream type of people. Maybe it’s because of how I grew up and how I was raised or maybe it’s simply because I don’t like going against the social norm and am used to abiding by it. It’s weird because I am very open minded and open to new ideas. I just usually am not the one creating these new ideas. You only have one life to live. I think everyone should start living life on the fringes of these subculture boxes, I know I am going to start. This blog really made me think- new subcultures are formed all the time. All it takes is one person, one bold person, to be the one that steps out of the box. If we all just got out of that “safe” zone, even if it made us feel a little insecure, the world would be a totally different place.
Despite being a racial minority, I feel pretty much a part of the [white] American mainstream. I've adopted American culture, whatever that includes, out of necessity to fit in and just because it is the only thing I know, having been raised for the most part in white America. I wouldn't consider myself on any cultural fringe, but within my subcultures, I am somewhat of an outsider. Two subcultures in particular go well enough with each other - being Chinese and being an engineering major - but my post-undergraduate goals don't necessarily fit the typical path.
While my parents are supportive and understanding, thankfully, their Chinese friends always seem stunned that I am not applying to medical school. What's most frustrating about this expectation is that I only flirted with the idea of being a doctor during my freshman year, and yet, they believe it must be my plan because I am a bioengineering student. I am sure I have never even mentioned medical school to any of these people who think it is a foregone conclusion. Similarly, around other science and engineering students who are going to graduate school or have industry jobs lined up, I feel like the black sheep because I do not plan to do either of those things.
What I do plan is to teach high school math and then go to law school. Of course only time will tell whether this will actually happen, but it is my current intention. Somewhere along the way in college, I realized I wasn't as interested in research as I thought I was, and I realized I cared more about education and having a people-oriented profession than I thought I did. I don't know if these epiphanies had to do with my being Chinese or being in engineering. It's highly doubtful, though I believe my interest in educational equity was spurred by my early childhood experiences in underprivileged, immigrant-heavy schools.
I am guilty myself of boxing myself in, though, or at least falling victim to the presumption that if one is an X major, then one must have an X career. It's just the way society is, a pressure cooker for conformity and maintaining the status quo. I was anxious about asking my academic/thesis advisors for letters of recommendation for law school, because I wasn't sure if they would think that I was rejecting their chosen fields. I thought they might be confused as to my motivations or, worse, not supportive of my goals. However, everyone I have talked to about my future has been completely willing to help. Still, in their seemingly genuine interest in me and my career path, I can't help but wonder if they are saying, "Oh yeah, law school is a great option," but thinking, "What is she doing?! This girl should stick to what she knows." In any case, I don't dare to rock the boat too much, and I make sure to tell everyone who asks that I am considering many different avenues of law, including intellectual property (which actually requires a technical background) so that law will sound like a more acceptable career for me.
If there were one thing I wish I would have known as an incoming first-year student, it would be that our careers are not determined by our undergraduate majors, even though society makes us think this is so. It's great if your major is your passion and you end up loving what you do in that field, but for some of us, our majors are simply an interest, encompassing the 100-something credits we have to take. For some of us, it is the non-academic things we have done in college - I've been an RA; been very involved in club leadership, including that of a multicultural group; worked for an education non-profit - that drives us in what we will do afterward. Of course, I am not doing anything revolutionary by going into education or law in the grand scheme of things. In fact, I am still swimming with the rest of the fish in continuing my education and setting a goal of entering a lucrative profession. It's tough to go completely against the grain - it's lonely being different, and I think it's only human nature not to want to be lonely.
I have never really thought about who started new ideas and trends. I have always assumed that they just simply happened. Now that I think about. I am becoming more and more curious about how trends are truly started and who really starts them and how they do it. I think in order for someone to start a new and original trend, they must have the characteristics of fearlessness and optimism. What really stops us from having that spark of a new idea and actually going through with it is the idea of not being accepted and also the fear of criticism.
People tend to follow the mainstream because they want to be accepted as a norm in society and do not want to stick out as an oddity. We fear non-acceptance and the humiliation of harsh criticism. We react negatively to criticism because we grew up in a generation where the true harsh reality that surrounds us is not revealed to us. The United States assumes they have the burden of making everyone happy and satisfied. We don’t want to offend anyone, so we end up sugarcoating the truth, which causes us to never directly with straightforwardness say the real truth, which can cause confusion. In the end, the people in our culture fear to step out of line avoiding the creation of imbalance to our uniform society because we are frightened by the truth and it’s possibility of being seen as an offense.
Our new ideas are suppressed by our anxiety of what other people think. We need to learn to be tactfully carefree by throwing away the restrains of other people’s pessimistic conceptions. Also, we tend to stray away from being a “change maker” because of our culture. What is so amazing about culture is how well it sticks to us. It is a very difficult thing to remove from our mind and soul. We take pride in what culture we grew up with. So when things start to happen that is out of our cultural comfort zone we tend to panic and become disturbed by the new oddity. We look upon new ideas and changes with sometimes amazement or trepidation. We tend to only accept change when it is small and slight and if it’s still within our comfort circle. We need to learn to look at new things with curiosity, wonder and excitement, but we are bound by culture, our narrow-minded thoughts and especially by the opinion of others.
We are simply not use to things being different or changed because we are frightened by what chaos of non-uniformity can bring. We are being controlled by our pessimism, so we need to learn to take that pessimism and create optimism to become a successful “change maker.” Since people see failure as the most terrible thing that can happen to you, we need to tell ourselves “that it can always be worse.” We just have to brush off the negativities and start anew again and again till we create the change we want. It may not always be a success, but at least you can tell yourself that you tried. Majority of us have never really tried to change, so being part of the minority is a wonderful thing. It makes our life more fulfilling. As the movie, The Matrix, would say: “Do we take the blue pill or the red pill.” (Do you want to be a follower or a leader of change?)
I have to agree with rhymes with fruit. I am also from a minority background and there is a hint of expectation when I’m here at PSU. I was not expected to go to an out of state school. In fact, I was expected to attend an HBCU (Historically Black College & University). And I found myself turning to what people say “the dark side of decisions”. I went against the norm and applied to various schools, picking and choosing various locations and campuses. I felt like my selection should not be limited just because of my race. I loved PSU and now attend with one other person from my high school.
People used to call me weird because I did not follow my high school culture. I hated being one of many- to have that stereotype hover around me. I joined those ‘nerdy clubs’ with eagerness, not to escape, but to explore my options. I wanted a change, I needed a change, and I felt smothered from culture I had safely fit in. Anime Club was what Sam said “my spark”. I was all of a sudden alive with creativity and wanted to watch, explore, and learn as much about the Japanese culture as I could. Anime Club here at PSU still tugs on my creative juices.
We do not go against the norm because of fear. Fear of being isolated, fear of being judged, and fear of being utterly and completely alone. Some people want to be alone, some people want to take their own path and make life theirs. We as an American society view fear as something that can be avoided if you don’t fear or come out your shell. For example, the “Don’t ask Don’t tell” rule in the military. We feel that if don’t come out of our shell then we cannot be harmed from those who hate us for who we are or what we think. It’s the reason why many people keep their opinions to themselves. What happens when we jump off a bridge without a rope? Will someone catch us or will we die? Will we be attacked? In my opinion, that’s why many people go for years not wanting to spill their secrets, in fear of not being accepted. They curse themselves of being against the norm or having to subject themselves of it. Why is jumping out of the closet so hard to do? Is it the fear of being slammed back, or fear of something worst coming to eat you alive? Regardless, being the only one on the path is a difficult and quite lonely experience, and it takes the bravest of people to walk alone. But here’s a question, if the entire world released their secrets, banished fear and literally revealed everything, what would happen to the world? I’m very curious, would chaos erupt?
This new blog totally describe what I thinking now, I mean I really like Sam, the way what he thinking right now, so first we start with Sam’s new interest , he said that he start listening classical Chinese music but seems like it didn’t make any sense to him, although he tried to find the real means in those Chinese songs, but the different synthesis and those melodic tones really means nothing to him, so why, why it’s happen to him? Is like what Sam said: most of us like to think that we are the fish swimming up stream when all the other fish are swimming down stream.” Is these means a Sub-culture to him?
No. I think is not, everybody have their choice to make their life better , to make their life unique, so when we try other things which are not familiar to us is smart step for learning, I am a Chinese, That’s why I really interested in Sam’s new interest, Sam may not learn Chinese , So he didn’t understand what the means inside the Chinese Classical songs , but he can taste the music, like those Chinese young adult who are absolutely crazy about American Hip hop music, Really ,One of my Chinese friend, he is a totally pop music fans, there are 90 percent American pop music in his IPod, only 10 percent of music is Non-American pop music, guess what! the other 10 percent include Korean pop, Japanese songs , Jamaica ,House ,reggae and also some music of Bob Marley, only a little Chinese music, Does it sound interesting. Because he like the music , that’s the point, Those Pop music will draw him crazy.
We really need to be that fish who are swimming up when other fish are swimming down, because you will find more mysterious things in your life if you keep trying other new. Like me did, I am a totally like everything, You see the picture that Sam showed on Tuesday class, the Asian hip hop guys, they are actually copying “American Black man” They wear a big t-shirt, speaking like a pop man. They do everything to keep them like a real Black man. And the point is That is what I did when I was Study in China before I came to here, I like that style, for sure, although my mom always complain me about my wearing style, I don’t care, because I like the way I active, I listen all the American pop music, I may go the Jay-Z concert this October at Penn state. I do everything to show my love of Hip Hop, like Sam said in Class, who create Hip hop, is black man, black style, at sometimes I really want to be Black. I am not joking about this.
Because everything human did in this plant is to make life enjoyable, so why not try new. Like I always say words to my friends who are trying to stop me to do some ridiculous thins: We never try, we never know!
When I first listened to your question what I immediately thought of was my friend Bruce. I meet Bruce freshman year of college and he was one of the most original people I have ever met. He had long dark hair, listened to head banger music, and considered himself a “straightedge” that never drank or smoked or did anything remotely wrong. I admired that instead of going out every Friday night and getting wasted he would sit in his room and study or play bass or just read. He has such an original outlook on life and really opened my eyes to a new view point. He even started a Parkour club which is a French technique that says that where ever you are going you should be making a straight line to get there even if you have to jump bushes or go through buildings or swim across a river. I loved his diversity.
After we moved out of the dorms freshman year we lost touch with each other but I always thought of him when I would jump over a chained fence or stayed in on Saturday. It wasn’t until my senior year that I have rekindled our friendship with him and was able to have a talk like we use to. Unfortunately he was not the same person. He is always getting drunk, he gave up Parkour, he is failing and he cut his hair. I was deeply upset to see such an amazing person try and blend in with society. I think it is really interesting to see that going to college can take someone like me who has led a really sheltered life and expose me to all new people and really open my eyes while at the same time taking a character like Bruce who was already original and turning him into an everyday person.
To answer your original question I do think everyone has a unique trait that makes them different than everyone else but it is really difficult to see it in yourself. In fact it wasn’t until I had a deep conversation with my roommate that I realized that I view the world as very black and white and that she loved that about me because I will tell it to her like it is. I never knew that about myself but now I am proud of it. Sometimes it takes an outsider to really see what it is about you that endears you to people. For me I loved Bruce’s outlook on life but maybe he didn’t see that as a good quality and changed it. Some of us are born with uniqueness and some of us have to grow into it and unfortunately some of us have it and lose it. I think everyone should go and ask a friend what is different about them and see if it doesn’t change your perception of yourself. Something you might not even notice you do can be your greatest asset.
After reading the article and watching the video posted by Sam on ‘Cultural Transformation and Our Personal Lives,’ it was brought to my attention how deep we are into our surrounding culture. Everyone here at Penn State University has bought into the idea of getting a formal education. You must go to elementary school, high school, and then college. After college we will all go and try and find a good job to work at for the rest of our lives so that our kids will be able to do the exact same thing as us. It basically just a continuous cycle of doing nothing to further advance our culture. He brought up a point about Einstein doing things different, basically shaking things up. That’s what it takes to stand out. The most notable people that have done something great for our culture, the people that have books written about them, have mostly done it by straying from the cultural norm. I believe most people stick to our cultural norm because we can’t even see it. It is so engraved into our daily lives, the only time we notice it is when we are taken away from it. Our heroes are the ones that did things differently than most of us will ever do and we need to figure out a way to change that. Personally, although definitely very stuck in this culture (the clothes I wear, sports and television shows I watch, activities I participate in), believe my mindset of the future is different than most people. I do not see the next 40 years of my life for me stuck in an 8-5 job at some major corporation. I definitely think that a career is a twentieth century invention and it is not the only way to go about your daily lives. I do believe that to live in this culture however, you must work and make money. After college I plan on working at a regular job for a finance graduate for a minimal amount of years and then getting out and starting my own company. Although this is still a very American way of living life, it is different than the cultural norm. This freedom that I would feel not working for a major corporation, stuck at a normal job is what motivates me in life. There would be very little in life for me to look forward to if I knew a year from now I would be working at least eight hours a day, an hour for lunch, two hours to get ready for work/commute, and eight hours for sleep. That leaves you about five hours a day to actually live your life apart from the norm. It is a sad fact to look at but it is a serious one. This is my way to think away from the mainstream. It might not seem very different from the norm, but to me, it is my motivation.
Thinking about Sam’s question, “What makes you different from the mainstream?”, well I came to Penn State to not be a part of that mainstream of fish all going in the same direction. I am from Florida and majority of the students I graduated with went to secondary schools in the state. Most of the students decided to stay in the state because of the financial freedom they would have. See Florida used to give full scholarships to pretty much anyone who graduated and had a 3.0, which was most of the 700 students. I decided, when I was about 12, I wanted to go to Penn State. There was no incentive. There was nothing coercing me. I just woke up one day and had the idea that Penn State was going to be the place that would be the major stepping stone in fulfilling my biggest dream, to be a magazine editor. I understand that wanting to be a magazine editor is not the most original dream to have, but my ideas for the magazine are nothing to compare to what is out and available to the public. As my ideas may seem simple; I have not heard of them before and I am not going to say what they are in fear of that happening before I can get my magazine started. I still went to college, like most of the students in my graduating class, except for most of my friends. I was the only one in my group of friends to go away to college, but my group was also the ones who cut class to smoke pot. I was the different one; I didn’t skip school, but I came over after school and indulged. Then I went home and did homework. Coming to Penn State is definitely not the only characteristic of my being outset from the mass of people.
The fact that I have always been a guru of peace makes me unique. I was really excited that the trend came back from the 1970’s, but then I realized that everyone would have a little closer to my style then I wanted. Well I couldn’t stop the inevitable and embraced that my style was everywhere. Peace is a wonderful thing to be spread in mass amounts, so I would have been a hypocrite. I also have a lip ring, which isn’t too unique until you see where it is. I haven’t seen anyone in the north with the same lip ring and I feel like it makes me, well me. I have more self esteem than most women my age. I am just very comfortable with whom I am and that makes me creative. My mind is always going and thinking of new things. It never stops. It is not like I have add or an overactive mind, but I am a writer and my mind narrates everything.
You are unique, just like everyone else.
Everyday walking around campus you see mostly the same sites as usually, someone playing guitar, friends throwing around the Frisbee, students studying, and even the couple who shows too much pda. Penn state university is a diverse college but for the most part everyone is similar in the way they carry themselves and even dress. I believe this is so just because this is what we have been submerged in and think is social norms. For the most part I am just that fish who is swimming with the school, however, I like to think I set myself apart from the pack in a few ways. But, on the other hand, I am also happy where I am. I hangout with a group that is very similar to myself and I guess I do this because I feel the most comfortable and they also enjoy the things I love. Sometimes it takes awhile to actually see that your just going along and so influenced by mainstream thought but when you do it is a weird feeling. When you really open your eyes you see how everyone is influenced by commercial trends and popular styles and it is quite overwhelming. Although everyone has something unique about him or her it seems as though whatever sub-cultural they associate with their uniqueness fades away. Now when you actually look for this blending it is a lot easier to see and it is kind of sad, however, when you look for people who are innovative and follow their own way you can find them to. Just the other day on the hub lawn I saw this girl playing with Diablo sticks and I thought it was interesting because I have never seen anyone play before let alone in public. She looked absolutely in peace and could not be happier; it looked like a state of nirvana. What makes her do this? Where does this spark come from? I think it comes from following your heart and not caring what people think. Instead of going with the pack you look to rebel and change the norm. Some people are happy with status quo and ideas acceptable to society, I think I may be in this sub-culture; it is the people that are fed up with the norms that start something spectacular. If you are one of those people who are happy in the norm it is not a bad thing, however, if your tired of it look at the world as if it was the Truman Show and that paranoia may wake you up and get you thinking differently. I am not an innovative person and I have all the respect for people who can think differently and open up our minds and create just another sub-culture that in time will become just another social norm.
I wish I could say that I’ve said, “Screw society!” and gone against the norm. But truthfully, I’ve only ever done some of the smallest things that go against the mainstream culture. I agree completely with Sam when he says that everyone wants the believe that they are the fish swimming upstream, but I think all that most of us do is pretend that we are going against ideals.
Being biracial comes along with odd expectations. I’ve always grown up in an upper-middle class environment that is mostly White. Back home, people are all about country clubs and golfing, new Mercedes-Benzes, and shopping at Hollister, Rhuel, and Abercrombie. So when I told people about the wide range of schools I was applying to, their attention was immediately sparked when an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) was brought up into conversation. Contrastingly, when Penn State, a PWI (Predominately White Institute) was mentioned, it didn’t seem to be as questionable. Even so, I chose Penn State because it was the right school for me, not because I wanted to go with the crowd. And since coming here, the majority of my friends are, in fact, minorities. So I guess that would be more going against the mainstream than anything.
At the same time, it’s almost frustrating because, by having more than one race, I feel like I can’t get away from the norm. Because either way it’s like “Oh, but that’s just part of who she is,” whereas with my friends it just is or isn’t along the comfort lines of society. Yes, I want to be different and unique and as much as I try, I feel as though society will never see me as such. Which is why I do my best to support and ignite different thoughts and actions and stand behind them. But eventually all new ideas do turn into what society views as acceptable. OK, maybe not ALL new ideas, but definitely most. Take UGG boots for instance. One day some people who owned some UGGs decided to wear them outside with miniskirts. Who knows if they were actually attempting to make a new fashion statement, but all of a sudden, it became a very common outfit. Now, I know that this might be a really sucky example, but this is an situation where something as little as clothing can identify a culture. People who aren’t from the US might look at a picture of a girl wearing shorts and boots and identify her as being from the states. Like I said, kind of lame example but whatever.
The biggest challenge is pulling one’s self out of the cultures in which it is already immersed. It seems to be an everyday battle that people are subconsciously fighting. At the same time, without what we would consider as typical and normal, there would be no such thing as originality and “swimming upstream”. So isn’t the norm just as important as its opposite?
What makes people go their own way instead of being “another fish swimming in the middle of a school”? I thought about this really hard and I realized that it is very difficult to branch out of your subculture today. Most people are busy working all day to support their families. For example, my father and mother have three children in college right now. Fortunately I have very caring parents who put their children’s wants and needs in front of their own. I feel whenever they are not working they are relaxing or thinking about my brother, my sister, and I. With not a lot of time on their hands I feel like they have no choice but to follow the rest of the other “fishes”. Once you follow an agenda/schedule for x amount of years it is very difficult to change it. They rarely do new or exciting things. My parents watch shows and movies on basic cable and they listen to whatever is on the radio when they drive. Are they content with what society watches and listens to? Maybe they are maybe they aren’t, but I think that the reason they don’t search for things they enjoy is because they have more important priorities in their life(their children and paying the bills). I feel that because they are always putting themselves secondly they don’t get a chance to explore new movies, new music, new activities, or even try new foods that they haven’t tried before. For my parents there isn’t much of an option or a motivation for them to break away from the norm.
Another reason that people follow these other “fishes” may be because of their lack of curiosity. Some people are content with simple things. The world is made up of so many different minds, but I feel that only a small percentage of people truly think outside the box. People like Einstein were innovators; they always had something that made them stand out. To break free of the norm you need to show leadership qualities and have motive for changing things or going in a different direction than the others. For example, hip-hop was innovated by underprivileged people that could not afford instruments, but loved music and were gifted with talent. Is it possible that they could have saved up money overtime to buy instruments? Of course, it is possible, but these people wanted to go in another direction. They wanted change, they were not content with the music they were listening to, and they had the ability to make that change.
In conclusion, there are many different people with many different minds. Most are content with how they live or by swimming with the other “fish”, some are not curious enough to explore new things, and some may have more important things to worry about that keep them from doing new things. In order to truly break away from the norm and to stand out I believe that you need to want change, have motivation, be a leader, and most importantly have the talent to do so. This is why very few people break away from the norm; it is not such an easy task and it requires many characteristics.
So when I think of myself, I classify myself into thousands of categories: white, female, middle class, Penn Stater, sorority girl, Ohioan, Episcopalian, teacher, and I could go on for hours about what I like, the clothes I wear and my friends, but when I really stop and think of myself as an individual, I think of myself exactly as that. As times and societies change, so do the people that live in them. Okay, so maybe we aren’t so good at coming up with our own things to like, but instead mooch off of others, but hey, it is our own style. Although I classify myself into different categories, I feel that when I compare myself to others in that category, I am different. I am thinking outside the mold and bringing something different to the table each time. But am I really? Am I a different person because I am wearing American Eagle, and the other girl is wearing Juicy Couture? Well to me I feel like it, but it probably doesn’t look like it to outsiders.
How do we come to be the people we ultimately are? Well first, our decisions are made by our parents. We are too young, and unintelligent to know what is right for us until maybe late high school. By then, we cannot make our own decisions either, because it is our peers who determine who we are: where we fit in and what our status is. After we finally stop caring about what our peers think, were elderly and have little choices to make, after all we have fallen into a groove, why break it now? And the real question is why can’t we make decisions for ourselves?
From an educational perspective, look at high schools. Think about the kinds of people who are bringing guns to school and killing their peers. Are they “cool”? Are they “popular”? Do they think like the others in their school? Probably not. Our society tends to bully and push around others who are different then us: different hair, different background, different color. Do we do this because we do not like the differences or because we are uncomfortable with whom we are? Who knows, all I know is if it’s easier to act and dress and be like everyone else and to just glide along, why would I want to be different?
Once we stop and look at the decisions we have made, at least for myself, there is little I regret. I am proud of the person I have become today. The stupid decisions, outside of the box thinking and parents who always encouraged me to be who I am have truly shaped me into the person I am today. But I consider myself the lucky one. My parents don’t pressure me to be something, my friends accept me for who I am, I excel in school and socially. I feel no need to break the cultural barrier and transform myself into something else.
In all honesty, this question really bothered me. Not because it’s a bad or annoying question, I think it’s a great and important question that everyone should be exposed to. It bothered me because I could not think of one unique path in my life that not one other person is taking. Additionally, I couldn’t think of a simple aspect of my life that is unique. At first, I was pissed at myself. My entire life, I have hated when people participate in activities or act a certain way simply because the people around them do. So when I came to the realization that I might be one of those people, I was scared. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized how broad of a question this. There can’t be one person on this planet that has NOTHING in common with at least one person around them. Upon realizing this, I started evaluating my past, my life, and my path more. Sure, I do things to make my friends happy, not only because it is easy to conform to them but also because I enjoy making them happy. Though at the same time, if there is something that I am firmly set against, I stick to my position. As much as it may suck to admit, there aren’t many people around me that are capable of saying the same. That is not what jumped out the most to be as being unique about myself.
The very first thing when I heard the word “unique” was my family. I’m the youngest of seven, with five older brothers, one older sister, and only one set of parents. I have two sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law, as well as three nieces, three nephews, and another one the way. Sure there are people at this university with similar families to me, but not one of my close friends or even acquaintances can relate to my situation. My friends can’t understand the connection I have to my family.
They can’t understand why I choose family gatherings over social settings, why I would leave anywhere at a chance to hang out with even one member of my family. They don’t understand because they don’t know what is like to have never lived with their entire family at the same time. From the minute I was born, I have had a sibling in college. In a weird way, this brought me much closer not only to my family, but to my sense of family values. I don’t take for granted seeing my family, or all of us having the rare chance to be in the same room. At home, with the exception of one of my brothers that lives in NYC, we all live within seven miles ago, and yet it is still extremely hard for us to all get together. Though this may not be extremely out of the ordinary, I have never thought about how much my unique family was directing me until this question was posed.
Being the fish swimming upstream when the rest are swimming downstream is in a way something we can and should all aspire to be. But it is something so difficult and rare to see which is the reason we revere and admire those who are able to do so. Those who can take the mainstream culture, process it, twist it up and spit out their own mainstream culture are the ones who are swimming upstream. We are all products of our own environment and our surroundings. I like to view myself as a leader, and someone who doe not just follow the crew, or follow the in thing to do. I always find myself somewhat rebelling against what everyone else is doing. However, to be fair I do so in very minor aspects. I was one who refused to make a facebook till very late on, refused to wear the new “cool” clothing that had been around forever but just because some celebrity wore it on tv it all of a sudden became “in.” I’ve always prided myself on being able to vere away from the norm even if its just ever so slightly. However, when you look at yourself from the outside in, you do realize your really not doing much to change things. We are all so in touch with society and the mainstream today that it is truly extremely difficult to be a culture “changer.” That’s why we look at the Martin Luther King’s, the Malcom X’s the way we do. They were able to stand up and walk in the complete opposite direction of where the rest of society is headed. This goes back to the idea about how new cultures are created on the outskirts of society. This seems like a strong statement at first, but when you dissect it is a very true, and logical statement. Those who live in the heart of society, who live in the heart of the culture are far less likely to look at the culture and say to themselves, hey this kid use a little tweaking or changing up. It just wouldn’t make sense to them. Because for the mainstream person that culture is second nature to them. Its more daily life then it is culture. For the ones on the outskirts of society, creating new culture can come almost natural to them. Its not like these outskirts’ers are thinking to themselves hmmm lets make new culture. Its natural to them. They are far enough from the mainstream that they observe other cultures and adapt to what they feel works for them. Like I iterated before we all aspire to be someone who can be a leader, who can go against mainstream society, however for most of us that will never be a reality. But the goal of attaining that can lead our lives in the right direction.
I like to think, as many of us do, that I am my own person and unique in my own way. However, when I come to think of it at times like these - after seeing that video or after meeting someone truly unique - I realize how ordinary I am. I think it’s so hard to truly think outside the box, and I’m captivated by people that actually manage to do so. I think it’s a talent to be able to find that one thing that truly differentiates you. I don’t think anyone means to be part of the mainstream; I just think it’s really difficult to find a way to make you justly only one of its kind. Yeah, not everyone is the same and everyone has different characteristics that are special to them, but it’s so easy to generalize so many groups of people, including my friends and me. I think that once you can be generalized, you become part of the mainstream.
On the whole, my friends and I are generally alike, and that’s probably why we’re all friends. Every one of us has something unique about us, but as a whole we are all in “the mainstream” and can be categorized in the same group. I think it’s hard to truly be on the fringe because nobody wants to be an outsider; that’s why everyone finds comfort in finding their individuality within their certain group. I’m not saying any of my friends or I am a “follower” but I have to agree that none of us have stepped to the edge to find a whole new “stream.” When one of us does manage to make our way to the brink and discover something innovative, we all tend to try the different thing together, which in the end puts it right back into the mainstream.
I feel like most unique subcultures eventually end up back in the mainstream once more people become a part of it. I think that anything found on the fringe becomes part of the mainstream once new ideas are originated and it’s like a never ending cycle. Someone might be “swimming upstream” for a while, but eventually everyone else is bound to catch up. Every fad or craze ends up becoming the norm and replaced with a new phenomenon. I personally don’t think it’s a bad thing, I just think it’s the cycle of how things work. Eventually everything is going to become all too familiar, which is when we all wait for something original to come along again. I say “we” knowing that it’s not true for everyone; the rare and few that aren’t waiting are the ones that swim upstream and discover that out of the ordinary fixation… until everyone else once again catches up to them.
Sadly I think that everyone thinks they are so different that they do not even realize that they are just like everyone else. For example, people who dress in clothes all from Hot Topic think they are so different and making a statement. If they are so unique then why are there stores like Hot Topic in almost every single mall across America? I myself shop in the stores that most girls my age do and sadly I think because I buy different clothes there and put them together differently I am so creative. At the end of the day though I am just like everyone else just wearing a different colored shirt than the girl sitting next to me. Also I got my hair cut short, like Rihanna, and next thing you know so many other girls have the same hair cut. It is a vicious cycle because one person thinks they are being creative but they aren’t. In the end people just play it safe and only change their style within the limits society will accept. Also what about the way that women do their makeup? Boys are just as bad, too. They have trends and certain things that are “cool” and acceptable to wear.
Music is also another way that people feel that they are expressing their differences but again a song becomes famous because enough people like. The first person to mix different elements together is being creative but once it catches on other bands or musical artists what to make music just like them. The same concept can apply to art, you can be truly innovative but once something catches on you can find that piece of art in multiple homes or apartments.
Life style differences also seem to have trends. For example when my parents were growing up it was not of the ordinary to not go to college and get married in your early twenties and start a family a short time after being married. With my generation going to college right after high school is usually the plan. Then once you graduated you find a job get comfortable with your economic situation and get married a few years after graduation. Also more and more woman are waiting to start a family because they are more interested than past generations in establishing a career before becoming a mother. Another thing in the mainstream about woman and careers is that they choose to become very successful in their careers, not get married and either become a single mother or adopt a child.
In the end someone has to be creative and step outside of the box but maybe it is not such a bad thing that people follow along and make it mainstream. If people start to follow along to many different trends throughout their life think of all of the interesting things that they could learn about not only themselves but also other cultures.
Cultural transformation and our personal lives
I feel that we are part of so many subcultures that it would be nearly impossible to find two people that belong to the exact same number and combination of cultures and subcultures. I think this is what makes us similar but unique at the same time. There are so many sides and facets of human life and human interests that make us, in the core, very different. Maybe an analogy that is close to what I am trying to say is that we are all part of the school of fish swimming in the water we don’t seem to recognize, but we are all swimming in a different way.
I believe that culture in a certain way is a living thing. It is alive in the sense that it goes through a life cycle. To keep itself alive it will evolve and change over time until it become something else, and so in that sense the school of fish, throughout its existence, will swim in many different directions before it becomes big enough to break up and separate into different subcultures. The more and more I think of the fish analogy, the more I think it over simplifies the complexity of the dynamic of what it means to be an individual and how it doesn’t correctly reflect what culture is either, if it truly is such a complex blend of things.
I think that the ways in which I do not swim I the same directions as the other fish are many. I have lived in six different countries and have been in five different schools so that right of the bat makes me a pretty unique fish. In every country I have noticed a different culture so even though I don’t recognize the water, I can feel that I’m not swimming in the same river or sea anymore. I have live in Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala and my parents moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina while I was studying here so that’s where I go every summer. When I am here in the US I sometimes feel more at home than when I go back because I don’t listen to a lot of the music or see a lot of the shows that the majority of people watch. It makes me feel like I am not as affected by the media as I am here because as a result of my preferences I don’t watch a lot of television, and no one cares about piracy in Latin America so I can pretty much listen to whatever I like without having worry about legal or monetary issues.
These are just some of the ways I differ from the fish that are in my immediate surroundings. I know that somewhere in the world you will find individuals with similar stories or situations, but you will never find this exact same fish. We are the sum of our parts; no two individuals have the same amount or combination of parts.
We are all mainstream to some extent, whether people people admit to it or not. But, we all also have something about us that sets us apart. We don't all share the exact same thoughts as our friends and family. People are very deceptive. A person may appear to look like a part of society, but they may have some off the wall secret no one knows about. People want to fit in with the majority so some of the unique characteristics get hidden away or even completely forgotten. Some people however are more comfortable than others and expose their uniqueness and creativity and are deemed to be the innovative ones who push our culture to new limits. These are the people who get noticed, good or bad. They make a change that someone was too scared to make before, but everyone has the potential to push the limits. It is in all of us. It is just that most people choose to hide it and not exploit it.
Everyone has a secret. It may be completely hidden or shown only to those the person trusts. The secret is something innovative. It is possible that other people may share that secret. Maybe like having a fight club or potato cult. Ideas may be similar, but that secret that unique characteristic is not something most people share, which is why many people hide it away in order to fit in with the rest of society. The fear of being an outcast is greater than the potential benefit of divulging that secret piece of information. Life is about survival of the fittest and if people see you as the weak link, you can be thrown out into the cold. That is why most people don't test the lines of innovation. If you are not successful in pushing your new way of thinking or doing something, you can be ostracized from society. For many the risk is not worth taking so they keep their deepest thoughts to themselves so that they may live another day. People are content with this so will never have the title of greatness even though they have a great idea that may change a world. The innovative thinking is within all of us though. The majority just chooses to suppress it and live in a world of deception. Those who choose to say something or take action for what they believe are remembered as leaders in whatever field they changed. They shared their secrets with the world and were rewarded or punished for it.
Creativity is only the act of revealing your secret thoughts. Everyone has the power to do it, but not everyone will make the choice to do so. It is there. It is why not everyone is the same. You may share similarities with someone, but you do not share every single trait or thought. Innovation comes out only because some people think the potential revealing their secret is worth the risk.
I think when you’re surrounded by people like you in the same culture it’s natural and easy to follow everyone else and be “conformist.” When I was in high school I remember when it became cool to be “non-conformist,” and the non-conformists were the ones who dressed as emo or goth style. Then I thought, wait they aren’t really non-conformist because there are plenty of people who do the same thing. They were really just following a new subculture. I think to break away from the rest and swim upstream one has to be open-minded and really make a personal effort to do so. But it’s also a matter of recognizing what doesn’t work for you or what really doesn’t work for anyone in a culture and should change. For example in American culture when people value being thin, this clearly doesn’t help a lot of people. I believe one way to do it is to just get out of your culture and travel. When you travel, meet new people, and immerse yourself in new cultures it can open up your mind to new ideas and possibilities. I think it’s difficult to question the things we do every day without someone or a new experience being a catalyst in our lives to inspire new thinking or ideas. I spent a couple months living in France, and there are people who say some of Europe is just like America with cars, television, consumerism. In France they even have a clear American influence in television and music. But I was still exposed to a different culture and different people, and it definitely changed me. In the city I was in, they took life slower, had long meals, and worked less with a much greater value of leisure time and times to socialize with friends and family. Coming back to America I’m trying to hold on to that lifestyle I enjoyed and that I feel better suits my values in life.
There also must be people who are more prone to “swimming upstream.” People who march to the beat of their own drum so to speak and do whatever they want to do. And in response to Lilly’s blog about an unhappy friend, I find it strange that he should do things that make him unhappy, and ironically it sounds like he is conforming to what society or what some other people think he should do. It can be very enlightening to try new things, but if it is causing you anxiety and making you unhappy then that way of life is not for you. That person should keep on moving and find another way to live. I think the point of swimming upstream is to get the most out of life and learn to have a better quality of life, even change the world so a lot more people share that better quality, too. So maybe traveling could be the best way to inspire a person to invent or create something new.
And even if we didn’t travel, I believe even meeting and talking to new people in our own city can influence us in new ways as well. So maybe it’s just a matter of being open-minded and paying close attention to what we do and why we do it.
Having your own cultural identity is kind of a rare thing. Almost extinct if you think about. This world is constantly looking at other for ideas on clothing, music, food, entertainment, religion, etc. Instead of coming up with new ideas, we generally take from our past or other cultures. For instance, the latest US fashion with leggings and plaid– totally 80s. How about all of the Grudge and gory movies – taken from Japan and China.
And it is not just the US borrowing ideas from other cultures. Think of Bollywood and Asia using our movie themes, music and fashion. But Professor Richards is right, most people conform for society and the norm. It is inevitable.
But there are few moments were someone might break out of the box and does there own thing, only to either fall back into the social norm OR the trend becomes so popular, others will follow them.
Take my best friend for example. At 6’1”, she is nothing but legs. Throughout high school, she never dressed like everyone else; she didn’t follow the mainstream. She actually wore knee-high socks, mismatched of course. After a few months during junior year, I started noticing other girls wearing the knee-high socks. Soon, my best friend got pissed because girls were copying her look, so she stopped for awhile and soon enough, so did the fad. Then a few weeks later, after her hiatus, she started wearing them again and her to happiness, no one copied the look.
This mainstream fad became popular than died. Much like most fads today (I hope this whole legging-UGG boot thing ends soon too). But what makes us want to act, dress, and look like other people? Is it the fact that we may think that following someone is comforting in some way? Or maybe, that because of the technology of today, our society has become too lazy and less creative to create a new fad.
This makes me wonder about a point Professor Richards made today in class about religion and family. He said that if your mom and dad were Catholic, then their grandparents were probably Catholic, and so on and so forth --- therefore, you are Catholic. My family, on both my mom and dad’s side, are straight Catholic. As far back as I can trace, every one has been baptized, attended CCD, had their communion, etc. And while my brother and sister were young, my family attended church every Sunday and made them attend too. But for some reason, when it came to me, I had a choice, even though I was only five years old. I thought church was too boring, so I never went. Yes, I was baptized, but I didn’t have a communion and didn’t attend CCD, so I technically not Catholic. I don’t think my grandma has ever gotten over that fact either. When I was in middle school, I started to attend a youth group and I attended it every week until I graduated high school. They were located in a Presbyterian church and during my sophomore year of high school, I decided to attend Sunday school to become Presbyterian. I can trace my family lineage back and every single one of my aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins, grandparents – they are all Catholic, and yet, I am Presbyterian.
So this instance was my little hiatus – my swimming away from the crowd. And while my family doesn’t care that I am not Catholic (except maybe my grandmother), I feel kind of proud of the fact that for once, I stepped away from the norm and did something on my own. But this “standing-out-from-the-crowd” incident is probably the only one in my life I have had. I tend to follow the norm because it is comforting and easy to do. Does that make me lazy and a conformist? Maybe, but when I die, I can at least know that for once in my life, I did something that no one else in my family did.
All of my life I have been embedded with the same thoughts and same values. My culture consists of these beliefs and values and surrounds me. Although I am not the type of person who enjoys being just like everyone else, it’s kind of hard to stray away from the things that I have grown up around my entire life.
I find other cultures to be intriguing, but if I were to live in such a culture, I would most likely find it to be awkward and unpleasing. A great number of humans despise change, which is why most people aren’t extremely innovative nor do they affect the world in a unique way. Different cultures tend to maintain the same beliefs and values throughout the passage of time and going against these values is deemed wrong.
I desire to step out of the box and do something no one has ever done before, but what? Do I really have something deep inside of me that is great enough to make a difference in the world? In the grand scheme of things, I wonder if I am just a number in a population, or if I have a purpose. It’s difficult to ponder the meaning of life because there are so many different thoughts out there, but no one knows what the truth is.
I may seem like a normal, mainstream person upon meeting me, but I do have little things that I do in my life that make me a little different. I don’t know if it even matters, but just the way I look at certain things and think about certain things makes me feel different than the average thought. Most of the time when I talk, I am entertaining myself. The things I say I usually find hilarious but no one else seems to understand my stupid little nuances. I do have a friend who has the exact same unusual sense of humor as me, and I think it takes a certain type of person to understand the way I really think about things.
None of the things I mentioned are big things at all, but I think when people can see small differences in themselves it shows a hint of “out of the box.” We all are a little “out of the box” in our own unique ways. However, I think depending on the person it will either be completely hidden or out in the open. I guess it’s just rarer for people to be out in the open with their own, different thinking because most people are afraid of societal rejection. This brings up issues of conformity and a need for societal acceptance that I could go on forever about, however, I will end with saying that everyone has the ability to go against the mainstream, but it just takes a certain type of person to actually accomplish such a task.
Soo I found this blog extremely interesting. As much as I do not want to admit, I find myself swimming with the school of fish that follow trends. I pick up on the latest fashion, latest music, same foods, but yet, I think I’m extremely unique even though I’m swimming upstream with the others. But when it comes to how new trends and new ideas start I never really thought about how they happen. But if you really think about it, take music for example, when a new song comes on the radio that I really like, I’ll go home and download it. Then I’ll say to my roommate, “hey did you hear that new song by so and so”, she downloads it. I’ll tell my sister’s and friends “hey you guys gotta download this song, its great”. Then after that we have pretty much our own little subculture going on. I guess the way trends start is like the typical domino effect. When one person falls for something they really like or catch their attention the others fall too. As I read other peoples comments, some say that they do not feel unique at all just because they are following the others upstream. But like we all have been told since good old second grade, “We’re all unique in our own ways”. So whether you want to start a new trend or continue on following the new trends that you are most comfortable with that you part take in everyday, then so be it.
Like how Sam showed the picture in class of the native people with the painting on their bodies and then showed a picture of people at a PSU game with painting on their bodies also. Most people, from not only PSU, but from the US, would find the natives weird, but if we should the natives the picture of the PSU students supporting their team they would probably laugh. So not only in the US we have our own trends that most of us will follow. But other people in different parts of the world have theirs too.
In conclusion, trends and sub-cultures and the way we live our personal lives, will continually happen as long as we live. I really do not think there is anything we can do about change. And all it takes is one strong, out-goin, bold person to go ahead, step out of their comfort zone and start something new. If we would all step out of our safety zones, even if it was something that we were uncomfortable with, I believe that our surrounding comfort zone would be a totally different place.
So after Sam’s lecture on Tuesday I thought to myself how, yea I am one of those people who think outside the box. I swim upstream while everyone else swims downstream. Then when looking through the posts today I saw this one and thought that I would have much to contribute to the discussion, explaining how I am far from the center of the schools of fish. After much thought I realized that I was wrong there is not much that I could contribute to a culture to create new sub-cultures. All throughout high school I was never a part of a certain clique or a certain mainstream sub-culture. I thought of myself as a mix of many sub-cultures, being my own person. I was a varsity athlete for both soccer and track, I was ranked 4th out of some 500 students in academics, I played JV basketball and stayed friends with all those players, and I was a volunteer firefighter and first responder in a red neck town; the point is I was friends with people from all kinds of sub-cultures and I took bits and pieces from all those sub cultures to make me who I am now. Then I came to Penn State. Here at Penn State there are thousands of people just like me, in the way I dress, my hairstyle, and just simply the way I conduct myself.
But maybe that’s how new sub-cultures are made. I mean at my high school there were not many other kids that were like me, but these few kids that were like me left high school and entered a bigger world, like college. This then happens at other high schools so even though the amount of these individuals coming from a single high school is small, the number of individuals increases when joined together in a large college; no longer making them individuals but a new, larger sub-culture. It just takes one person to be that individual and step outside of the box. Once this happens, there is a chance that others will follow, because that is what the majority of people are, followers. There is also a chance that like I said before there is someone else who stepped out of the box and will create a subculture similar to someone else, somewhere else. And eventually they will meet at a place like Penn State, creating that new larger subculture. So this might be what happened with me, in which case I guess I do think outside of the box and I am not dead center in a school of fish unable to see the water. But I think that it was more that my school just did not have a lot of people like me and that I was already a part of a mainstream sub-culture and I just did not know it. Either way it doesn’t change that I am currently a apart of a large sub-culture with no way to contribute to a new culture.
I guess I am just another fish swimming downstream because I am a picture perfect definition of the American culture. I drive a Honda, I love to watch football on TV, I live in a suburban town, my favorite food is macaroni and cheese, I live for the fireworks on the Fourth of July, and my favorite road trips are to any amusement parks with large rollercoasters. Any foreigner studying my behavior would categorize me as any typical American. However, that is not the case. Although I have assimilated into the American culture on the outside, people who know me, such as family, friends, peers and teachers always tell me that I “travel on the unbeaten path” Even though I see myself as another fish, people always view me as unique and I have been getting that comment my whole entire life. But what makes people view me as different? I wear sweatpants and listen to Dave Matthews. Why do people view me as a standout? I play softball and enjoy picnics. I believe that we are all so involved in the mainstream and cultural influences that the only thing that can differentiate us from one another is what is on the inside. No matter what culture has lead us to believe, on the inside we are all one of a kind. We all have different views of the world because we all have had different experiences that have shaped our opinion. I believe that these incomparable adventures create a world filled with individuals. I also think that culture is a blanket; it covers the world around us with a certain set of norms, behaviors, and beliefs. However, underneath the blanket, people have their own ways of thinking and rituals. Take for example my best friend and I, together we love to go to concerts, play a game of tennis and eat sushi. Our culture has told us that those are the norms for a Friday night out. On the outside we both wear jeans and vintage t-shirts, straighten our hair, and paint our nails bright pink. However, that is our cultural blanket on top of us. Beneath it all, we are extremely different. My best friend comes from a conservative Armenian family who lives in a middle to lower class town. I on the other hand come from a Jewish family who grew up in a higher end middle class town. Just by the ways in which we were raised, the schools that we attended, and our friendship circles growing up, we have totally different morals and ethics, yet that has never stopped our exceptional friendship. People passing us in the mall or glancing at us walking to class, would think that we are exactly the same. However, take away our outside appearances and cultural influences and we are totally different people. Maybe, in reality, we are all fishes swimming upstream, fighting the current of culture.
In response to the cultural transformation blog and video, I am sad to admit that, for the most part, I think I am pretty “mainstream”. But then again, I feel like pretty much all people, especially in my generation, are “mainstream” to a point. Everyone, and I don’t care what you say, care what people think. Even those rebellious people who rant and insist, “I don’t care what people think about me…” care. In my opinion, they want people to view them as, and have the reputation as, the people who don’t care. I feel like American society as whole is so obsessed with how we look and is so judgmental of one another that it forces everyone into the “mainstream” just to avoid being scrutinized by the public. For example, after every major award show in the United States, there are countless TV shows dedicated to judging people’s attire and giving it the title of a “hit” or a “miss”. I will admit that I am probably the only person who actually sits and watches these shows, but after really thinking about in this sense it is pathetic that this is what our entertainment has come to. Like Sam said, in general it is very difficult for anyone to truly go against the mainstream and be a true individual, but I think our generation is doomed. I think it would be even more difficult for anyone to truly go against the mainstream because our generation is so influenced by the media and popular culture. I guess every generation is heavily influenced by the popular culture of the time, but I just think with how much people read tabloids today and keep track of what celebrities are wearing makes it that much harder to break away from it.
But while everyone is “mainstream” to a certain extent, I think everyone also has aspects of themselves that are totally unique and different. Personally, I feel that I am extremely independent. The majority of my friends are independent too, but I just feel like I am the only one who could go somewhere and get something to eat and sit there alone and eat it. Most of my friends are just the kind of people that like to have someone by their side at all times rather than be alone. And don’t get me wrong I love to be around my friends, but I just feel like I am the only one who is comfortable enough with myself to be completely on my own and vulnerable to other people. Also, even though pretty much all of the clothing I own I guess most people would consider “mainstream”, I feel like sometimes I am adventurous in the things I wear. I like to try to be different and pull-off things that most people wouldn’t try to pull-off. There have definitely been times where my friends have told me not to wear a certain outfit because they thought it looked weird where I thought I looked pretty damn good. Other than those two aspects though I would say I’m just as “mainstream” as everybody else.
Today we are in a vast world made or various cultures and subcultures, and even cultures within other cultures. It is very easy to get stuck into a certain culture because that is what you are used too or that is how you were raised to be. But we can evolve and change and expand into other cultures and develop more knowledge, understanding, and respect for others.
Myself, I was born and raised in England and moved to the United States when I was almost 9 years old. Some of my friends or people that I kind of know don't know I am or would even guess that I am from England because I don't really have my accent anymore. I developed and changed into the people that I was surrounded by so I could fit in and be like everyone else. But why? Looking back, I wish I never lost my accent or changed who I was because frankly who cares what other people think about you, but 95% of the people in this world do and for some people thats all they think about. Why couldn't I have just been me, for me. The truth is that because I was so young and knew nobody in the country except for my mom (mum), dad, and sister, I wanted to make friends. Some kids would make fun because I was different and some kids would say, "say this" and give me some stupid sentence to say. So I basically got tired of it developed an American accent.
Being from England, football (soccer) is my passion. We live and breathe it. So in England we have the soccer culture, and within the soccer culture who have hundreds of teams which have there own cultures, and within each team you have various cultures such as the "hooligans", the passionate fans, the family fans. So when I moved here I obviously "joined" new cultures, cultures I never even knew existed, and new styles that I had never even seen before. I started listening to new music and watched different TV shows and ate different foods. Its amazing how two countries such as England and America, which one was based upon the other, can be so different from each other, and these are two countries that are somewhat similar.
What I am saying is that sometimes we don't need to change our culture and who we are to please others and fit in. Be who you are, because nobody else can be. Don't try and be like someone else. Create your own style with your own flare and walk with your own swagger, because nobody else can.
In today’s society there are so many cultures and subcultures it is hard to keep track of how many there really are and how so many of them overlap. When we were asked in class to think about how many subcultures we personally belonged to, I thought of so many it surprised me. But then when Sam said that being on the fringes of a culture is where innovative and dynamic things happen, the gears in my head started to turn and I realized some interesting things. On the fringe is where individual creative and independent thinking comes into play. I have always thought of myself as a natural leader no matter what environment I am in. I am the one in control, the one who fellow friends, classmates, or co-workers look up to or come to for direction and support. So then I thought, well doesn’t that make me the center of every culture or subculture that I consider myself to be a part of? Or does it really mean that since I have so much impact on others that they are the ones in the center who are borrowing bits and pieces from me?
I would consider myself to be a part numerous subcultures. The first one that everyone always thinks of first is their ancestry but to me, my ancestry is one that I take a great pride in. I am almost 100% Italian and my last is Ferrari. You really cannot get anymore Italian than that. My Mom is not even a United States citizen and is only allowed to technically stay here because of her marriage to my Dad. (Keep in mind, my Mom is not one of those mail order wives that come to America and get married just to stay; she arrived when she was 6 on a plane with her family). So my last name and my family traditions, which so happen to be typically Italian, are important to me. My grandparents are the stereotypical Italians who talk with their hands and heavy accents, are always trying to make you eat or cooking, and love to yell and argue. So does that mean my family is in the mainstream of Italian culture? Yes and no because we do not do everything that the culture says we make our own traditions and variations based on what being Italian really is. Another interesting subculture that most people find interesting is that I grew up in Kentucky. So I guess you can say I have a little redneck in me. I can remember walking around everywhere with no shoes, ever. I would walk in cricks with snakes and who knows what else. I would come home for dinner and look like Pig-pen from the Peanuts. I walked to school too. How many people that are my age say that? When I moved to West Chester, PA, there were a lot of things that I didn’t even know existed, like lacrosse which ironically I started to play and became an US All American and went on to play and coach beyond high school.
So I guess what I am trying to get at is that there are so many cultures and subcultures that anyone can be apart on any of them no matter what there other ones are. Everyone is different and I think that since we have the choice and freedom to choose where we belong makes us all on the fringes of culture.
I find this topic really intriguing. It is something I have considered before and I have actually thought a lot about it. First of all, I think it is extremely rare to have someone who truly, completely steps out of the box and leaves the mainstream for the fringes. It takes a very strong, self-confident person to do that. I think it also takes a very aware person, because most of us do not even realize that we are surrounded by “water”. We are told what to wear, what to eat, what to buy, what to say, what is appropriate and not appropriate to do, even what we should and should not be thinking all by the culture that surrounds us, and most people are not even cognizant of this. I think its very interesting to consider the classical Chinese music example, because it is probably true. In our minds we probably subconsciously brush things off or turn things down because we claim to not like them or not be interested in them, but it is entirely possible this happens because it is simply something unfamiliar to us, and unfamiliar to the mainstream we follow.
For those rare people that do step out of the mainstream and into the fringes, they have just taken one of these unfamiliar ideas and run with it. I have a great amount of respect for those people, because it is something I could never do. I fully live in the mainstream, I am completely engulfed in the water in the fishbowl and live according to what is around me. I am not one of those people that could move out to the fringes, although at times I wish I could. I do wonder what sparks those people, what gives them the confidence to make the changes and to do things outside of the box. Maybe all it takes is a disregard for others’ opinions of them; I know that alone would hold me back from doing it. People say that they do not care what others think of them, but I think everyone cares to an extent. Or maybe it is simply a desire to make themselves happy, and doing the mainstream things does not do that for them. Possibly, these are just the few rare people that have actually fully realized this cultural, mainstream phenomenon (because I do not think everyone can completely wrap their minds around it) and are making a conscious effort to make a point about it. Regardless of what it is, I envy those change-makers in our society. They have figured out how to lead their lives in a way that is not mainstream, while surrounded by everyone else who has not. So not only are they doing things in ways that are considered different and “weird”, they have to do it among people who follow the mainstream, and therefore clearly will pass judgment and not understand. That takes a lot of drive.
Saturday morning, and the crowds around Beaver Stadium have grown tremendously; a sea of blue and white is over taking the entirety of Penn State. The pom-pom shaking, the band playing “fight on state” and the 100 thousands of my fellow football fans: the feeling of camaraderie and culture all wrapped into one. I think about what Sam said in class on Tuesday, and I realize that we are all epic proof of the subculture trend. Penn State Football: that’s a culture unto itself right there. . As another football day approaches, I ponder on my part in this subculture.
Did I choose to become a part of this subculture? I certainly did choose to come to Penn State for college. Then again, there was the idea in my mind that I wanted to come to a well-known school with a good program and lots of people; I did want to become part of the large majority of PSU grads in hope of scoring a job that way. And I fell in love with the school spirit that my family always told me about. My parents were primarily Pitt fans, since we live in the Pittsburgh area, so I also enjoyed the fact that I had the chance to go the “rival” school (which in my mind was much better than a city school anyways). I liked the idea of getting away and of becoming part of the PSU phenomenon, of being on my “own” but of finding a . In essence, I became part of the PSU Culture for both mainstream and unique reasons. Now, my parents are huge PSU supports, and find ways to get football tickets to join me in this subculture. I guess that yes, I have chose to become a part of the subculture. But the subculture has also taken a hold of me. I brought the school spirit, but the culture taught me about football. Coming from a high school that lacked a good football program, I really had no idea about what to expect coming into my first PSU football season three years ago. But thanks to the subculture, I finally know why everyone in the stands puts their hands up like they’re praying (which I originally tried to do the first time I saw it)…because it means SAFETY. I chose this subcultures, I’m happy with it. I enjoy the camaraderie of my sub-culture, joining in the cheering, meeting up with friends.
I’m not saying I promote just “fitting” in with the mainstream culture or a large sub-culture, but I am promoting find a sub culture that FITS you. You should try to be different, try to spread out your wings until you find a place to call home. This subculture of PSU, its exactly what makes me feel like I belong. That’s probably what everyone else at the Football games feel, or the masses amounts of people that pack the BJC during THON, or the many students and alumni that take their picture at the Lion Shrine. Sub culture creates a bond to other people. Yes, we should all try to find ways to be unique and make a difference, but we should also be comfortable just coming back to a place that we feels understands us. Many people think that staying with a “mainstream” is bad…but what if that mainstream is going to a football game and screaming school spirit with a smile on your face? That’s a pretty good thing, and a pretty good thing to keep around. Penn State creates a common ground for all of us to share, we come from all different backgrounds, but when we step onto the PSU campus, we are all one, all together, all creating a blue and white sub culture.
I think throughout Human history, us humans have made it very hard to branch out from what people around you see as the norm or what your expected to do. The minute you are born, depending on where you live, your parents and society already have a social identity for you. It already has your ideals and customs for you. This isn’t anything new, it has been happening since the beginning of time. But I think that instict us humans want to have something we think separates us from everyone. We all have an urge to be recognized as an individual. Many of us are scared to do that because of how society has been structured. It always takes one person, to be courageous enough to challenge the norm and do or say something different and that is what moves our word forward. There is many examples of this throughout history.
Some of the most notable characters to dare to challenge the norm were Christopher Columbus, Galileo and Newton. Without challenging what was said to be the right thing in their society, society wouldn’t have moved forward. This is similar to people today. We listen to music that fits our ethnic group, dress the way people around us dress, and hang around with people whom are just like us. It is because we are afraid to be different and I don’t believe that it is human nature to feel that way. I think it is the way society has made it. I believe us as a human all have a desire to be seen as an individual and that is where our creativity comes from. That is how people become innovative and have breakthroughs. It takes the most courageous people to do that.
If you take a retrospective look on the history of music, every genre was created from a previous genre. It was created form someone in that genre that wanted to do something different and creative. Someone who had an idea and wasn’t afraid to try it. A good example of this is Hip Hop, which derived from disco music. When the Sugar hill gang first began to rhyme over disco beats, it didn’t catch on and wasn’t popular until several years later. Hip hop itself didn’t come to the mainstream until several later after it was created. It takes a long time for people to adjust to adjust to something new which is another reason people conform to what is around them.
Nevertheless there is still an urge to be different. There is always an urge to stand out and be known for doing something unique. I think everyone has it, and some people hide because of what people might think of them.
Professor Richards’ article and video propose ideas and questions that I’ve been thinking about myself for a while now. I took Sociology 001 with Sam last semester, and ever since I find myself asking questions like “Why do we do the things that we do?” The best answer I can come up with is, for lack of a better example, ‘monkey see, monkey do’. Many times in Soc. 001, Sam stressed the idea of invisible strings that float in the universe and subconsciously force us to do or say things. At first this idea seems like that of a puppeteer on acid, but it’s completely true when you really think in a sociological way- we do things (speak in a reasonable volume; respect each other; wear clothes in public; drive cars; etc.) because we see them being done all around us. We act the way that we do because others act (for the most part) the same way, and humans tend to mimic each other all the time (group think). There is an unwritten set of rules that defines how each culture, no matter how different from the next, is ‘supposed’ to act.
Sam’s question about where creative spark and innovation comes from is tough to answer. Trends in the way people act and think filter in and out of societies all the time, but some stay around for months or even years (think of popular musicians that have been around since the 90s). One of the most blatant examples I can think of is Michael Jackson. In the beginning people adored him for his (and his siblings’) music. But what about his image? Why did only he go on to become the Prince of Pop? Could it be that MJ stayed around for so long because of the drastic changes he made to his skin color and face, regardless of musical talent? Also think of Britney Spears. She became famous because she went against the grain- never before did MTV, formerly associated with the music-video channel The Box, air a sixteen year old bombshell with pigtails unbuttoning her shirt and dancing around the hallways of a school.
While sitting in an advertising class earlier this morning, I found myself staring at a diagram describing the various positions one can obtain working in an ad agency. Then a scary thought came to me- this is my major? This is what I’m going to be doing for the rest of my life? I feel better now though, after thinking about Sam’s question: how are you living dynamically, straying from the mainstream? I realize that people who are successful (not simply with money but in being outstanding from the rest) are those who can take a mainstream job or a mainstream idea or way of life, and radically change the way it was previously done. Whether people respond well to it or not isn’t what matters, but rather the fact that the risk was taken.
I’m looked on as a weirdo or a geek by many people but I can’t help it– I like different stuff. I may not be a fish swimming upstream, but I’m definitely a striped fish in a school of polka dots. Its very interesting that you bring up these questions because I never really thought about it before. To me mainstream culture makes you lose your individuality as well as your creativity. It isn’t that I look down upon people who are centered in mainstream culture, in fact most of my friends are. It’s just that I think people who are swimming in the middle of this school of fish are missing out on a lot.
There are a lot of cultures that exist in todays society that affect our clothing, hairstyles, food, and music. The funny thing is that what is considered mainstream is constantly changing. So what is considered mainstream today is completely different to what was considered mainstream a few years ago. The people who follow mainstream culture are therefore forever changing. I personally think that is way too much work. There is only one other person in the world who has similar taste in clothing, hair, food and music to me and we still have our differences and thats the way I like it.
It’s interesting to me that many people feel this need to be the fish that swims against the current. So many of us feel as though we want to be that one different person, the person who stands in some place beyond everyone else and fights to get there. Most of us feel like we’re different from everyone else, and, although everyone is different, we adhere to the music, movies, and actions of what our friends and family think. So, where is the line between what we genuinely like and what we like because other people like it? Have we lost the ability to see this line? Would we even know anymore if we really like something or if others have influenced us? In my experience, the coolest thing to do lately has been to like something just because nobody else has heard of it. I know people who have searched out bands just to discover them and like them before, or regardless of, anyone else. Liking what other people like has become an issue and even the idea of finding something new to do or enjoy just to be different has become a mainstream act. In my opinion, the only solution to this problem is to train yourself to legitimately enjoy what you are doing, listening to, or watching. After all, aren’t all of those things designed to make one person happy (you)? Dr. Richards said that our “creativity goes to sleep”. In addition to striving to enjoy whatever it is that we’re doing at any given moment, we should be striving to be creative, to think outside the box, and discover new things that we will take pleasure in.
In response to the “fringe” question, I do not see any subcultures within my life that are dynamic or transformative in their everyday lives. As I said above, I have encountered many people who choose to be different just to be different, which kind of obscures my view on the cultures that make up my life. A subculture that I would consider dynamic and transformative would be open to new things, individualistic, and willing to break from the “standard: cultural movement around them in order to experience something new. In my opinion, this would take place purely on an individual level. Each person is different and will take pleasure in very different things. I therefore believe that the “creative spark” cannot come from just one person, but a series of sparks from a variety of people that induce something within a single person. Even being the very private, reflective, and quiet person that I am, even I can’t say that my greatest ideas or most enjoyable phases haven’t been a result of the inspiration of other people. But, in saying that, I truly believe that the dynamics of a group or subculture hinge on the individual thought of each of its members.
This is one of those topics where you don’t realize how conformant you are until it is brought to your attention. I was really taken aback in class on Tuesday when this was discussed. I see myself as someone who is sort of an individual, but I am quickly realizing that I am very similar to everyone around me unfortunately. I always thought that I dressed to suit myself and no one else, but I don’t. I thought that I listen to music that is unique, but really I am like many other people. It actually is pretty upsetting to know that the majority of the ideas that I have are not my own, but rather a copy of someone else’s ideas.
I think it would be rather hard to be an individual through and through. Our society is a very powerful and influential thing, and if someone is strong enough to not be swayed by it, they are very strong. The media makes conformity look like the only way to go, and people who are unique are not normal.
I am trying to recall a person or event from the recent past that was a “rebel” and their own person, and one particular person comes to mind for a specific reason. When I was in middle school a very interesting girl by the name of Avril Lavigne came around with a huge CD. Everyone loved it and everywhere you went people were singing her songs. Another thing that happened was that people began dressing like her. While she is considered an outsider, it is interesting to me to think those people also thought they were being rebels. Unfortunately, they were about as close to conformity people could be, and the media loved it. They were doing exactly what the record label and the clothing industry wanted, copying the famous people. Now I have to honest and say that I do copy the fashion from magazines and famous people, but luckily I was never much of an Avril fan.
We are supposed to talk about something that makes us completely unique and different from everyone else. Sadly, I am having a hard time thinking of what I do that is of my own thoughts; ideas that do not include the influence of my family, sorority sisters, and the media. So instead of pretending that I am unique and walk to my own beat I am going to say that I am a follower. With this being said, I think I should say that when something does arise that makes me feel differently I do speak up. I think that is more than some people could say. So I would like to say that I am a situational follower more than anything else, and proud to say so.
When I was younger I used to play “follow the leader” with my cousins. The leader was always blatantly obvious and, more likely than not, the oldest of the bunch. The leader would lead the rest on a unique path that he or she desired. Back then, the leader was evident, but, after reading this blog, however, I have found myself wondering who is the leader we follow now? Whether we like to admit it or not, most of us are trend-followers rather than trendsetters. For instance, when it comes to clothing trends, we all seem to follow what we see in magazines, on television, and on campus. The idea of the trend may be linked back to a particular fashion designer, but even he or she must have been inspired by something. That spark of inspiration creates an idea, which creates a trend for us to follow. But why are we afraid to branch out and create our own trends? After all, there’s no authoritative figure telling us we “have to wear this” or we “have to listen to his genre of music.”
In my high school there was a boy who was always changing his hair color. And by color, I mean pink, blue, green, etc. And it was almost always styled into a rather large Mohawk. When one of my teachers asked him why he did his hair in that particular way he simply stated that he wanted to be different and not follow anyone. Looking back on that now, I realize that even he was conforming to a group of people who “wanted to be different.” Sure, he had pink hair and not many other people in my high school did; but in reality, he wasn’t the only person in our society coloring his hair bright colors. He himself was following a “I want to be different” trend that can be spotted anywhere.
I think the final outcome really is that we ourselves choose to follow a specific trend or way of life because it is what makes us feel comfortable. Our individual circles of friends always seem to be relatively fitting to our personalities, interests, and styles. Starting a huge trend or coming up with a new innovative idea takes a lot of guts and fearlessness, but in a way, I think we all have at one point or another brought up some kind of an interesting idea within our group of friends or have possibly even started a mini-trend. But when it comes to coming up with something for an entire society, we subconsciously fear failure. Not to mention, getting a new idea out there is anything but easy. It’s hard to stand up and do something on your own like that, almost like standing naked in front of a class full of people: intimidating and nerve-wrecking.
A warm head nod to the fact that cultural “progression” or change can only happen if a person is on the fringes of a culture, or better yet straddling the borderline between a few different cultures. When someone is tied to the center point of a culture it’s gotta be impossible for them to see the views and much less incorporate the ideas of other cultures. A person at the center of a culture can only go down the straight path that their pre-established culture has paved; innovation wouldn’t stand a chance. I’m just agreeing that it would be tough to ignite some sort of creative spark if you practice the same thing repeatedly without being exposed to anything else. Right so I guess I’m just restating everything sam already said. But this idea of walking the tightrope between cultures got me thinking about a handful of ways that this applies in my own life.
It sort of reminds me of groups in high school. I don’t think my high school was particularly “clicky” in a bad way but groups (subcultures) were still formed on the basis of like-interests; yeah you know the jocks, the partiers, the nerds, the kids that are dumb as bricks yadda yadda. So then there’s the floaters; the kids that are on the fringes. Are they the sparky ones? Because come to think of it, that was me. I say ‘was’ like high school is way in the past…it was 2 years ago, but anyway. I was most definitely a floater between groups, but I’m a big disappointment to the fringe-person theory because I don’t know that I’ve necessarily invented anything. I’d love to say that I am that little fishy swimming upstream but when it comes down to it I think the majority of what I do is just mixing cultures, and not really creating culture.
I am now sitting in the computer lab trying to wrack my brain for anything completely original that I’ve done in my life. I have come up with exactly one rather unexciting thing, and I would probably not share this without an alias (ohh there it is again, hesitancy to reveal difference). When I was little and couldn’t sleep (that’s totally when everything happens), I’d be lying awake in my bed and would try to think of something, anything, that I thought no one had ever imagined before. Like, I’d look at my clock and think “I wonder if anyone has ever thought of this clock having wings, flying off the wall and then bursting into fireworks. I bet I’m the only one who’s ever imagined that.” HAHA. So I’d imagine a zillion different things like that. I also smoked a blunt every night before bedtime stories. Just kidding. But for real that’s the only thing I can come up with right now, and those crazy little ideas o’ mine were born years before Garden State came out, mind you. Ok this is sad, moving on.
About where this creative spark comes from. I’m actually at a little bit of a loss here. Maybe being “on the fringe” gets to be a little unstable for people and that’s when they decide to actually create their own culture to lean on and live in. That makes sense to me at least. Maybe it’s just boredom with the way things are, or maybe for some people there’s an actual pressure to create some sort of culture as a solution to a problem…
Ah, the search for the spark
What is it to be a part of “mainstream” culture, well I hate to spoil the news but unfortunately every single one of us is a part of the mainstream culture. Some more than others, but as far as my eyes can see Penn State is the heart of mainstream trendy people. When I walk down the streets here, I think to myself, “wow, why does everyone look alike, we really need some diversity here, this is pathetic?” From penn state clothing, Uggs, black spandex, and the greek letters, it is really very boring. To some large degree, Greek life is like high school, expect now you get to have t-shirts that say what click you are in! But mainstream culture doesn't just have to do with greek life. It is that people stick to what they know, more so in state college. Funny how we go to one of the biggest schools in the nation, yet I feel that this is the most racist place I have ever lived. When I walking the streets of Flatbush Ave, the last thing I would be thinking is that everyone around me looks and acts alike. People should embrace their culture, that's not mainstream, its what makes you different. In a small town in the middle of nowhere, that is exactly what we need!
I have been lucky enough to get a good grip of this concept of “following the trend” from a young age. I have lived in New York, California, South Florida, and Connecticut. All very different places, where different ethnicities have dominated. From the wealthy Jews to sophisticated Asians, and from Colombians to Cubans, all different ethnicities with all different ideas of what it is to be “trendy.” Just the concept of weight, overweight or underweight, is so different in all these parts of the US! In South Florida, a big ass and thighs was so sexy. In California, tiny tiny features was the image of beauty. So even in our country, people can have such radically different views of beauty, and many other things. In my opinion, it’s all just one big mess! People should learn about other cultures, listen to music that is different, read a newspaper from a foreign country. Trust me on this, in French beauty magazines they speak about other topics than just how to lose five pounds in five minutes. In DF Mexico, it’s all about the drug wars. My conclusion to this blog is that most Americans are Ignorant to other cultures, speak only one language, and want well “the American dream.” There is a big world out there, one filled with cultures that are so interesting it will blow your mind. So instead of just listening to Justin Timberlake, getting drunk till you can no longer walk, and wearing the clothes that all your friends are, you should buy a plane ticket, pick up a backpack, sleep in a hostel and go see the world. In the hostels I slept at in South America it was rare to meet an American, its mostly British, Irish, Israeli, French, and Australians. Now what does that say about Americans! Stop staying at resorts and go explore, there is much to learn.
Being different or away from the norm is not something I think I really strive for in my life anymore. When I was a preteen I think I went through that more so than now. Being a part of this sub culture of a Penn State Student seems to work just fine as of now. Coming to college I did not have the burning desire to go against what my life in the past was and find my own. If anything coming to college actually helped me to better appreciate all the things that I did take for granted in my preteen and high school years. But also to be able to go against the stream I think that one needs to be able to clearly identify what they are going against. When Sam asked the class to name their own sub cultures they belonged to I had a very hard time. So it almost seems impossible to go against something when you really are not sure what that something is. Another thing is I really do not know what classifies as a culture let alone a sub culture. Here is my stab at what my culture is… American, Rural American, Christian, Catholic, Roman Catholic, “Cradle Catholic”, “Hunkie”(is the term for Hungarian food and culture where I live), Female, Daughter, Grandchild, Cousin, African American, Divorced Parents, Step Child, Step Sibling, College Student, Ex Student Athlete, Girlfriend, Best Friend, Apartment Tenant, Blackberry owner, Young Cook ( Foodie), Volunteer, Only Child, Italian Student, Military Child, Navy Brat, Musical Lover, Facebook Member, and Traveler.
Ok now whether or not those are really even cultures I am not really sure. In school they always teach you culture is something simple, definitely not something that has subtext. I am somewhat jealous of those that do what to go against the norm. It is almost like if you are attempting to go against what everyone else sees as “normal” you are living life to its utmost potential. There is a downside to being so innovative; some will see you as crazy or even possibly just a dead beat druggy. I do believe that new things need to be embraced though. Because if we do not accept change then we will never see any advances. For example hybrid cars used to be seen as silly electric cars that will never go anywhere but look now; though expensive hybrids are very sought after and the one answer we have to help with being less dependent on oil. If the inventor would have given up then we would not have the options there are now on the market for hybrids and we would not have the cool commercials that advertise the cars. (Every time the Prius commercial comes on I get a smile from the music hahaha).
When Sam presented this question to us in class, I was completely stumped. How can there be more subcultures than the more obvious ones? How is loving football a culture or owning a gun part of a culture? That’s when it hit me, of course there’s more to us than just what we define ourselves by, whether it be our race or ethnicity, whether we’re Steelers’ fans or even if we like chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. I admit that I never really thought of choosing to engage in different activities to be a subculture, but the way Sam put it really opened my eyes and got me to think about the times I swam with the school fish or decided for myself to depart from them and chose to choose my own direction. When I moved to Virginia Beach after living in the Bronx for 12 years, I changed my style completely because I wanted to avoid being bullied for being different. I started to dress like one of the friends I made and it was a very interesting choice of clothing that I’m still surprised I wore it. I wore studded belts, fishnet sleeves underneath regular t-shirts, make-up that completely blacked out my eyes and I sincerely thought it was the coolest thing at that time. But looking back on that now, I realized that it was simply because I was a new girl and I had to fit in as best I could without bringing attention to me (despite the style of choice of course). After I moved from that school, my style undoubtedly changed all over the place until now, which is just me. What’s interesting about that statement is that there really isn’t just a solitary definition for anyone to just say “well this is just me” because in a way, we all have something in common, something that doesn’t make us completely unique and actually results in normalcy. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t think I’m very unique at all. I mean there might be some things about me that make me stand out in one instance and then in another I could be just like everyone else. Why is this? Why is that we’re all so alike despite the fact we all claim to be so different from each other? Because it’s impossible to be who you want to be without being judged. I was made fun of pretty much my entire childhood for various reasons that seem so trivial now. I was made fun of for getting good grades, for not wearing matching clothing, for being chubby, for everything! And because of people like that that ruin the creativeness and uniqueness that others possess for fear of being taunted and ridiculed. Why is it that when you’re young you feel like you have to tear someone down just because they’re a little different than you? Why is it that people still do that to others when they’re older? We’re all fighting to be like our neighbor just so we don’t become that one “freak”. I wish I could stop caring about what people think of me, but it’s too late. I’ve been molded to worry about the opinions of complete strangers rather than just do whatever I choose to do! It’s about time people just stop judging others and just let them be. Welcome them with open hearts because chances are they would do the same for you.
Ah, trying to be different. How many of us try to break away from the norm at some point in our lives? I know I have.
Before I go any further, I just wanted to point out how ironic it is that when people try to be different in our society, they usually do things that everyone else who wants to feel different are already doing.
“Oh man, I wanna show my parents how much of a rebel I am! I’m gonna cut my hair into a Mohawk and dye it purple like all the other rebellious kids! Then we’re gonna listen to death metal, because no one but us outcasts listens to death metal!” How different is that!?
Anyway, I think certain people, like Einstein, Jimi Hendrix and Hunter S. Thompson were all wired a bit different than almost everybody else. It’s hard to say exactly what drives people who are revolutionaries to be different exactly, but here’s what I think.
I think that it takes an outside source, whether its drugs, violence, psychological issues, a troubled past, or whatever else, to really push people to that new level of “differentness.” We all want to fit in, deep down, whether it’s with the outcasts or the popular kids. It’s hard not fitting in. But when you’re that special someone, you probably wouldn’t mind.
I’ve had some introspective moments while under the influence. It’s because of that that I feel like you need a “push” into the realm of being truly different. I wish I could put my finger on it and say “Oh yeah, it’s acid. Just do some acid and you’ll be so different everyone will remember you forever,” but I don’t think you can.
I’m in a band. We try hard to be different than everyone else, and while music is one of those things that you’d assume would have an endless amount of possibilities, sometimes I feel like we can’t sound different. We all have different influences ranging from Metallica to Dream Theater to Insane Clown Posse. It’s sad, but it all feels like it’s been done before.
Yeah, we may sound different than a lot of the bands we play with, but hell, we can’t get out of the proverbial “water” we’re swimming in. (Even if we did use psychedelics.)
Another thing that may contribute to someone differing from the norm is the way they were brought up. If someone has parents who are strict, rule following, god-fearing Christians, I doubt that they’d be the first person to do something drastically different.
If you lived with let’s say, liberal, drug dealing, radical parents… well then let’s just say the odds that you’ll be more “spiritually enlightened” will be much greater.
Overall, it’s probably impossible to ever pinpoint what makes such revolutionaries tick. Maybe it’s all in the “special tobacco”?
In an over all sense I wouldn’t say that I really belong in with a group of people, a cultural area or even an ethnic group. I’m not exactly complaining about that, I just don’t really feel like I fit in, and I also don’t believe that is really a problem. I have moved a few times in my life and have been subjected to many different cultures. My family, although dominantly white, are living all over the world. My choice of friends ranges from radical religious to atheist as well as every thing between. Not limiting myself to religion, it’s just a figure of speech. But the point I am trying to get across is that I don’t feel the way the blog says most people are feeling. I wouldn’t call myself a ‘change maker’ by any means but I do fit into the category of not going mainstream into one specific culture.
I don’t really understand why people want to fit into mainstream. Most of the famous people we learn about or those we look up too and study did not follow the crowd. The Blog mentioned Einstein as an individual who formed his own ideas and opinions, thus seeing the world differently and we still admire him today. I don’t really understand the need and want to be exactly like every other person around you.
I liked the discussion in class today about the different lifestyles and how often people with differing lifestyles don’t always become friends. I would have to say two things about that: one, that usually stands true with most of the people I know; two, that does not stand true with me. Or at least I don’t think that it does. However, we all have our stereotypes and we all judge people based on our first appearances but I wouldn’t say that means I would never try to get to know a person. People who only associate with others like themselves or those who continue to have the same group of friends for most if not all of his or her life are just people who can’t open up to the world. Not saying that you can’t still keep friends from elementary school but saying that in addition to those friends one must build friendships in every stage of life and continue to build upon those friendships.
When one stays into the mainstream and refuses to make new friends or experience new things, that’s when that person gets stuck into the rut that is a cultural curse. I don’t believe that these ides should be forced upon your self and one must always evaluate their actions based on what is not mainstream and comfortable but one should make a conscious decision that being different and expanding horizons is a good thing and should take willing steps to continue on that path.
I think that everything I am today is influenced by others. Society, especially in my old high school, determines a lot. It’s almost that by some divine intervention that I met my future best friends on the first day. High school itself always carries that cliché that there are certain “groups” that develop: the “jocks” and “nerds” usually being two of the main ones. Having said that, I’m not sure where my friends and I would fit in.
In order to have made those friends though, I had to step outside of my own box. On the first day of high school, I found myself walking around the cafeteria aimlessly, looking for people to sit with. This may sound ridiculous, but that fifth period lunch was crucial to my success in high school. I finally landed on a few kids who I knew, but never truly talked to in length. We all stared at each other, and finally sat down. This was one of the most important moments in my life, as I soon found out that I met my best friends.
Events like this happen to me much more frequently now. I always tell myself that I learned something whenever I screw up. The people that surround me are making me more like them, even if I don’t know it. I’ve changed so much, especially in the last couple of years. One of my best friends, a girl from the Dominican Republic, really introduced me to her culture.
I went to her house one day after school, and quickly noticed how much different her family dinner was than mine. When my parents and I eat, there usually isn’t much talking going on. When she sat down to eat dinner, I noticed how serious the situation was. Given it was “only” a family dinner, I was shocked. However, her family’s rituals immediately caught my attention. In my head, I was thinking “Why can’t my family do this”? It’s the simple things like that that distinguish people and races from each other.
In short, if I were to just be friends with people that only look like me and have ancestry similar to me, life wouldn’t be intriguing at all. You have to go out and see what other cultures are like. I feel that the more knowledge you gain, the better person you are. You need to explore people of other cultures and races to get that knowledge. Even putting race aside, I realize that I sometimes judge people too harshly at first, but when I truly get to know them, they turn out to be just like me. I’m very grateful that I’m taking this class with Sam again, and even more grateful that my eyes are being opened once again, and I am learning even more.
This is something that I have thought about often. Am I just a cookie-cutter product of my generation or do I in some sense, “march to the beat of my own drum.” I suppose that can be summed up in six words. I do what makes me happy. Perhaps, the reason that certain music, clothing, hairstyles, and behaviors have become norms is because they are simply appealing to the individual. For example, Penn State is a school comprised of around 40,000 undergraduates; it is an enormous school. So couldn’t one say that by going to Penn State, you are simply following the pack? But we all know that Penn State offers excellent academic programs with plenty of options as far as extracurricular activities and a great social scene. Most of us decided to go to Penn State for those reasons, not to follow the pack. So maybe everyone is listening to those chart topping hits because they like the tune, not because it’s “the thing to do.” This is one way to look at it, but on the other hand it makes sense to say that it is simply easier to follow the mainstream culture. I know that if I am in the mood to listen to some different music or branch out as far as what I wear, it involves some research. I end up searching itunes for hours sampling all sorts of different songs until I find something that captures my attention. Usually I don’t have the patience for this so I just go to the top 100 hits and download whatever. So in some sense, one could say that people follow the mainstream out of laziness. It is right in front of them and does not take any effort. I find it interesting that despite the fact that so many of us fall victim to following the more mainstream culture, so few of us are proud to admit that. We like to think that we create our own style and are not followers, even though that is exactly what most of us are. So once again it comes down to what makes the individual happy. Are people who choose to branch out from the mainstream simply trying to create the faux image that they are “different” or are they truly happy with their select lifestyle and cultural choices? I believe that one true aspect that may take us away from the mainstream way of life is our ethnic or religious make up. For instance, I am Jewish and I believe that has a significant impact on my cultural decisions. I have chosen to try many different types of Jewish foods that would not normally be considered, “mainstream American.” Race, ethnicity, and religion are three major aspects that are embedded with in us that will automatically set us apart from one another.
I wish I could stumble upon some dynamic wisdom in my life and I’m pretty sure that many people feel the same way. The problem is that conventional wisdom is so much easier and sometimes can sound just as good as its counterpart. To be honest I never knew what conventional wisdom really meant until I read about it in Levitt and Dubner’s “Freakonomics” (which is an awesome book by the way). It is basically the most convenient answer to the question posed at the time. It sounds good and wise and it kind of answers the question at hand so we’re happy and move on. However, there is usually a better answer out there. It takes that one person in search of something more, in search of some sort of dynamic wisdom to think outside the box and dig deeper into the issue.
Everybody wants to think outside of the box. Everyone wants to be wise and all knowing but it just doesn’t work that way. If everyone thought outside of the box there would be no box to think outside of. It’s just the way it is. Some of us don’t have the patience or perseverance and some of us just don’t have the ambition. There is nothing wrong with that. Not everyone was born to be a leader. Likewise, not everyone was born to think outside of the box. Sure we can all try and many of us can succeed but not everyone, and certainly not all the time. I think some of us are just born to be followers and conventional thinkers. Maybe that’s why popular music all kind of sounds the same, and in the winter time so many girls bust out the uggz and the tight black pants while so many of the guys bring out their big North Face jackets. We don’t think about why we just do.
The word follower automatically has a negative connotation and has people cringing denying that we can ever fit into that category, when the case is that most of us do in fact fit into that category. I say most and not all because for there to be followers there must be some sort of leaders. However, turn the word follower into supporter and everything’s cool. We all support something whether it is a charity, a cause, a political party or tight black pants in the winter time. The fact of the matter is that many people are afraid of not fitting in with their peers or sounding stupid. As much as they hate to admit it they simply are afraid of what other people think. That’s why we have trends and fads and so many “inside of the box” thinkers. It’s easier to buy a North Face or some Uggz when you know that nobody is going to dislike it. How can they when so many people own the same thing. So I try to be my own person, create my own path and think “outside the box.” Sometimes it works for me and sometimes it doesn’t but that stuff just gets so tedious sometimes. You know?
Reading the past few posts I find myself thinking the same as many of my classmates. How could choosing to be different be a sub culture? The more I think about it, the more sense it makes. Those people who try so hard to be different often cluster together and in return form a subculture of their own.
I started to think about the way in which my sorority prides itself. From hearing Sam’s lecture I began to think about how my sorority invisions us as being down to earth and not superficial unlike many other sororities out there. However, I now think how much of a mold we all fall into by labeling ourselves “different from the rest.” We cannot wear sandals to a social, only heels, we have to look nice. During recruitment we all wear the same exact outfit. So for an organization that prides itself in its uniqueness unlike the others, we are all in a subculture group together.
So this gets me to think, is anything I do that breaks away from my norm actually that different in reality? When I want to break away from the stereotype in which I fit in, there are bunches of other people doing the same. So how different can I actually be?
While reading another post, I recognized a little bit of myself in their writing. I do think I’m unique, but how unique can I possibly be? I too have small traits and quirks that make me different than any average Joe, but then this raises another question, what or who decides what the Average Joe is? I believe that people are scared to venture too far away from what they know for fear of being ostracized. No one likes to be picked on and no one likes to have judgment passed upon him or her. And this could very well be a major part of why so many different subcultures form unconsciously. I don’t think that people realize that the way in which they behave and carry themselves places them in a subculture but when you stand back and observe the way people shift and mold to one another it is really hard to ignore.
Being a part of many organizations here on campus I find that I subconsciously change the way in which I act to better fit those who I am around. Anyone who says they do not do this is a down right liar. This I believe is a solid example of the way subcultures form. Like previously stated, no one wants to be the odd man out, so why would anyone put it upon themselves to be different when they could fit in to whatever and whoever they’re comfortable with harassment free.
I'll be upfront: I'm a very mainstream guy. I think anything that doesn't go platinum is basically underground. If it has too many vegetables in it, I don't eat it. I never deviate from cargo shorts in the summer and jeans in the winter. The only time I've been out of the country was to Cancun and I'd sooner play Rock Band than read a book. I don't speak another language, I don't write poetry, and I don't rage against the machine. Basically, Tuesday's class was a real downer for me. I mean, the main point was the closer you are to mainstream, the less innovative you'll be. For me, a guitar player, that hurts. At first I wanted to disagree, but I had a terrible memory of every original song I've ever come up with and realized...they all basically sound like Led Zeppelin. Damn you, Sam! But I refused to stop analyzing and searched myself for some unique subculture I'm apart of. Guess what? I couldn't do it. My thoughts turned to sitting in an office meeting during a brainstorm and drawing blanks and getting fired and losing my house and getting divorced and so on all because I have nothing to offer because I'm so mainstream. But then I thought that maybe there is a bell curve to all of this. Hear me out.
I agree with the argument that if the people swimming upstream are much more innovative. Look at the creation of hip-hop in 1970s Bronx or the first personal computer coming from Bill Gates and his friends in their Washington garage. But for all of you downstream swimmers like myself (and there are many as I look at some of the comments), all is not lost. We still have a lot to offer. The reverse of the upstream innovators are the downstream culture experts, if you will. As someone who is more or less immersed in the Penn State mainstream culture, I bet I know what most of the class responds to. Anyone else who feels like they're “100% Penn State” or “Totally college” probably does as well. This can be a huge asset if you actually capitalize on it. Marketing campaigns that are “out of touch” with real mainstream culture are in need of people like us. I'm not talking about giving them a survey, I'm talking about embracing the knowledge of our culture and applying it in the marketing field. Or exploring what most people like you would enjoy, but don't readily have available. Downstream fish like me can harness the intimate knowledge of specific mainstream culture and turn it into a valuable asset for entrepreneurship or marketing. It may not be innovative, but it's still lucrative and that's all right with me.
I have gone through all kinds of changes in my life in order to figure out what makes me happiest. I have spent my middle school and high school years stuck in a clique of kids always trying to impress people and trying to stand out. I found myself caught in the same ideas of constantly trying to be accepted, thinking that was my key to happiness. Be liked, and I will be happy. It was not until college that I finally listened to all the parental advice I had received through the years and decided to be my own person , do my own thing, and do what I want to make myself happy. My parents gave me such simple advice and yet I found it so hard to listen to in my teen years. I am one of those typical people who says they should have listened and they should have known better. I finally listened, and I am sure my parents would be happy to hear- they were right.
I was a tri-sport varsity athlete in high school with tons of friends and a solid (so I thought) relationship. I thought I was doing all the right things- being Miss High School- and that I couldn’t go wrong. I played sports because I loved them, but it was also my way of getting noticed. I stood out on all of my teams and loved being recognized in the newspapers and in the hallways. I was so “in” that I found myself looking at the outsiders so negatively. I always thought the goths, the nerds, the stoners were all trying to be their own people yet were falling into their own crowds the same way I was. When I wanted to finally stand out on my own- away from sports, away from a boyfriend, away from “cool” girls- I thought I had no where to turn. All the cliques were in their own way following the rest. By the end of high school I was so lost and confused with where I wanted to go and who I wanted to be that I fell into a personal depression of confusion. As everyone was applying to college and heading in the same direction, I finally broke free and went out of state.
Going out of state was a test to myself- could I still be my own person with out being associated with these groups? I thought I could finally test myself- yet when I went to college, I joined a sorority and found myself once again feeling like I needed to be a part of a group in order to stand out. Instead of letting my associations control me, I have finally decided to control them. Yes I am in a sorority but I am not a sorority girl. I have decided that I join these groups because I want to. It makes me happy. Where in high school I was part of these groups to stand out, I am realizing I am doing these things because I choose to. I may be a part of these groups now in college but I do not let them control my life and stand up for my decisions. I used to do these things to see how other people would feel about me- now I do them to see how I feel about me. I live my life for me now instead of letting these groups and associations control me. I am now the happiest I have ever been.
It’s so easy to go around thinking that you are unique and everyone is different and no two people in the entire world are really the same, but when it really comes down to it, Sam, you got it right. People are so concerned with “fitting in” in today’s society that’s it’s hard to go against the flow of the current. The funny thing is though when you ask someone what makes them different or what really sets them apart from everyone else; all these people generally have a unique “Thing.” A “Thing” can be almost anything from a talent or hobby to someone’s ethnicity. Like when you really think about it what would you say if someone asked you that question, “What sets you apart from your peers?” I remember a girl I used to know back in high school her name was Jane. Jane wanted to go to school out of state and so she had to write god knows how many essays to get into these prestigious schools that her heart so sought after. So one day before I had made the best decision of my life (coming to Penn State) I decided to get some ideas from this girl on what I should be writing on my essays.
So I start to read over the prompt and her answers, which were all pretty similar, until just one question stuck out to me, “What sets you apart from your peers?” So I go on and start to read what she wrote and in an extremely paraphrased and not so eloquently put quote from Jane, this is what she wrote, “Oh well, I grew up in the country (this is before she moved to suburbia) so ever since I was little I’ve been doing horseback riding. It’s really taught me discipline and responsibility, taking care of a horse can be a lot of work, but I love to do it and I really dedicate myself to it. It’s a fun hobby that not many of my friends share and I think it really sets me apart from the rest of my class.” So her “Thing” was horseback riding, pretty unique not very common, but still something that set her apart. When I thought about what sets me apart, the immediate answer that sprung to mind was, “I’m half Brazilian.” So I guess then my “Thing” is being racially mixed. I’m a little more unique now that I’m not a full blown whitey, I’ve got a little Brazilian flare in me. Just like Jane has a special talent or “flare” with her horseback riding, it sets her apart. My point that I’m trying to make is people (including myself) like to think that they’re different and special, and that they’re open to new ideas. But really we’re only open to what we know within the bounds of our cultural upbringing. Jane by all means was exactly like everyone else in my school, your generic crazy teenager and so was I! But this sub-culture that we were both a part of was something different and we loved the feeling of being special. I guess this doesn’t really help reflect on what makes a culture change, but it kind of gives you an idea of how we like to think we’re different than the rest of society.
As far as dynamic thinking goes, I feel that everyone has the potential to be their own person and have original ideas. Original thoughts that have reshaped our society have come from human beings like you and me who just had something click within their head. Potato chips, now a multimillion-dollar industry, were created by complete accident by some random guy. I feel everyone has that kind of potential within him or her to accomplish wonders and make a difference by doing what they love. It is the world we live in that does not support this kind of thinking or acting but rather supports the idea of fitting the mold of society.
Suppose a friend came up to you and told you, “hey I think I am going to try to become president when I leave penn state”. If you are like me which I think most of you are you are going to look at your friend like he or she has twelve heads. Ill admit becoming president is some pretty high aspirations but why can’t a person have such high hopes for themselves? The answer to that is because it is not a “normal” aspiration for a person to have in our society. The world we live in says that we should get an education and then use that education to work a normal job and start a family at some point. If I had to bet most of you probably had that kind of plan for yourself for your life within the next fifteen to twenty years. Get married, have kids, get a good job and settle down. All of these things would fall under the idea of swimming with that big school of fish Sam was talking about.
There is nothing wrong with conforming, I feel like being your own person can often lead to unhappiness. I think that if someone does decide to do or say what he or she feel they will at some point run into someone who says that’s wrong or makes fun of it. Its this critiquing of innovative thought that makes the people Sam mentioned who think outside the box want to stop that thinking and dive right into the norms of our society. People who think outside the box and do their own thing all the time are often labeled as outcasts. Would anyone reading this honestly be happy to be an outcast? I know I wouldn’t. I will be the first to tell you that most of who I am falls under what the people around me consider normal. I am not willing to give up the normal mold I have assimilated to just to be original. Here is some food for thought: Being original and innovative is often likened to a fish swimming against the current or upstream if you will. Nature shows us that fish swimming upstream have good intentions but are often eaten by a hungry bear.
After reading this post, I have a lot of mixed thoughts on this idea of conformity. Firstly, I don’t believe that conformity is necessarily always a bad thing. I think that there are a lot of reasons why people choose (consciously or unconsciously) to swim with the school. Humans are naturally and instinctively social beings. We thrive on interaction with others. We like to group ourselves. Expanding upon this idea, one could argue that there is no way to avoid conformity. One of the ways we make friends is by finding people who have similar views and interests as you do. Isn’t that some kind of conformity on a small scale? People who have completely opposing views and interests (or backgrounds, as we saw in class this afternoon) don’t usually become the best of friends. If people didn’t come together at all, bound together in some sort of fashion, I feel like the world could potentially be a lonely place. If we were all 100 percent unique individuals who marched to the beat of our own drum, who all tried to be different from everyone else, what gratification are we getting from that? Yes, we’re thinking independently of any other influence, but would we really be happy? I really don’t think so. (Not to mention, if everyone lived on the fringe, are you really being all that creative?) Humans need to feel included in some way. We need to be bound together and feel like we’re a part of something. And while it’s wonderful to be a leader, and start something new, what’s the good of starting something new if no one is there to enjoy it with you too? Leaders are not leaders unless they have followers.
That being said, I by no means am saying that we should not strive to step outside of our comfort zones, explore our ideas, live on the fringe, and try something new. I think this is critical to new ways of thinking, and new ways of living. Our very lives and society have been transformed into something completely different that it was hundreds of years ago, or even since the last decade. And I think that it’s a beautiful thing, and something that we’ve definitely benefited from. So what sparks new thinking? I think a big part of it is necessity. When the cavemen were cold, they didn’t just sit there and think to themselves, ‘Man, this really sucks.” They experimented with new things, and eventually stumbled upon fire. When segregation was at its worst, people didn’t just sit around and say, ‘well, I guess there’s nothing we can do.” They stood up for themselves and fought for equality, no matter how badly they were ridiculed and treated at first. To a certain extent, I also think some motivation to be on the fringe comes from the desire to receive some kind of personal gain. People make new music, new clothes, wear new hair styles to be noticed in one way or another, whether it’s to be rich and famous, or stand out in a crowd, etc. Maybe some people live on the fringe to disassociate themselves from society all together.
Is living inside the box a bad thing? Is it a good thing? Overall, I think it’s both – I think we need both. The trick is balancing the two, in my opinion.
I am a theater major and a scenic designer and so as a result, most of my friends are pretty creative people. Many of them will wear artsy clothes that aren’t exactly mainstream. I love their style choices and wish I could dress like them. From talking to the more artsy friends of mine, I have found that they were raised untraditionally and had many different outlets for creativity than I was raised with. My roommate did nude figure drawing as a child for god sakes! I haven’t gotten the opportunity to do such a risqué art form yet and I am in college already.
I think to branch out from the mainstream, you have to be influenced to do so by the people you surround yourself with, as well as how you’re raised. My parents have always given me all the opportunities to travel the world. I have already travelled to Israel, Italy, England, and Scotland. From going to these places, I have realized how different cultures are and its been amazing for inspiration for many of my creative projects. There is no where to draw inspiration from if you only surround yourself with what you already know.
I think a big determinant of expanding yourself to the fringes of society is the will to want to be a more innovative person. I think many people are completely happy with being mainstream and don’t feel a need to change. I personally love seeing and hearing the ideas that come from the friends that I have that are more on the fringes of society to the point that I would rather be more like them. I seek to find opportunities that I can become a more interesting and artistic person.
This summer I did an internship in Utah. Rather than going to see movies on the weekends or going to the mall, we went and explored the great outdoors by camping or hiking. Activities like this gave me more interesting things to learn from that aren’t seen by the mainstream. It also gave me more time for introspection which I feel is the best way to evoke some creative and innovate thoughts. This summer I started keeping a journal full of pictures, ideas, and experiences that were memorable that I thought I could come back to later.
I think just simply putting forth the effort into coming up with your own ideas and perspectives lets you at least travel to the outside of the school of the fish. I am trying to organize a summer abroad for myself to be immersed in another countries culture and hopefully learn from them and find some things that I would’ve never been exposed to in my average American life.
I agree with the fact that staying on the fringes of society does enable individuals not only to stay rooted in their own culture, but also to pick up bits and pieces of other cultures. It is so important not to limit one’s self to just one culture. Don’t get me wrong, I love my own culture; from my dad’s side of the family with origins from Poland and Ireland, to the Italian culture taken from my mom’s side of the family. These different cultures contribute to my values, family traditions, and morals. However, growing up in a fairly diverse area has enabled me to experience other cultures as well as my own.
My best friend growing up called herself a “mixed mut”. She was so many different nationalities that she wasn’t even sure what they all were. Among many other ethnicities, she was a Latina. I was lucky to have been around a family other than my own who had different types of music, different types of food and a different culture. I had the chance to try new foods, be immersed in a different language other than my native English and to see what another culture values.
Another one of my best childhood friends was Filipina. As a young pre-schooler, I would go over her house and think to myself, “What is that different smell?” The aroma of the native Filipino foods permeated throughout the whole house. They also had different customs than I was used to. They took their shoes off inside the house, and put on house slippers or flip flops. My friend and her mother wore house dresses. I learned that Filipino families are very tight knit. I would always be upset and disappointed when I would call up my friend on a Sunday afternoon to see if she wanted to play and she would never be allowed to because it was her ”family day”. By exposing myself to these customs specific to Filipinos, I feel that I became a more “worldly” person, if you will.
In order to feel like you have experienced a variety of cultures, one can’t be stubborn and single minded about their own ways, likes and dislikes. One must take in a variety of different things and pick and choose which ones are right for them. Going through your whole life liking what your peers, society and the media say you should like, makes for one “Boring Bob”, with absolutely no individuality or culture of their own. In order to spark this originality, you must make sure that you expose yourself to everything possible! Don’t just let life’s opportunities pass you by!
I will admit that sometimes I just want to go with what is popular at the time and be trendy, which is totally fine in my opinion. Pop culture and fashion trends are part of my culture and while I try to embrace new cultures all the time, it is also important not to forget about my American culture. Curiosity, wonder, a thirst for knowledge and an open mind are necessary for one to be inspired and influenced by a variety of cultures.
I usually don’t think of myself as someone who is trying to be extraordinarily unique or innovative. So when I was posed with this assignment I was a little taken aback. I first had to understand the question being asked. If I am to know how I am being creative or somehow going against mainstream I must first understand what mainstream is. I’ve decided to categorize myself so I may have a mainstream to start with. I have decided that I can be categorized as a college engineering student. From here I will examine the ways in which I am different.
I have found that as an engineering student I have done a few things that are a little unusual. As a junior I was the only athlete in aerospace engineering which was a little strange as I was surrounded by classic “nerd” types throughout the day. I would constantly be asked by my professors things like “how do you handle the workload?” and “How do you have enough time?” I would answer by telling them that I did nothing other than school and training. I knew that as I trained and studied most other students would find time to play video games and/or go out to bars. I never had any time to do these things even as a Penn Stater. But now in my super senior year I have found other ways to be different.
Now I am taking a slew of electives and general education classes so I have decided that it is time to make up for the four years of fun I have missed. So now I do things that engineering students definitely don’t do. I have been enjoying myself by going out almost every night, meeting new people, and as a result learning how to react with other individuals. These things are usually foreign to engineering students. They usually like to stay in their own groups where they feel comfortable. They would never think of trying to start a conversation with a complete stranger. Most engineering students would cower at the sight of an attractive girl. They would come up with a million reasons why it’s probably not a good idea to approach her. I have forced myself to fight that internal “geek fear” and just do it. When I see someone who I think looks interesting I just walk up to them and say the first thing that pops into my head. It usually turns into a pretty good conversation but every once in a while I will find myself trying to actively think of things to say instead of just talking.
I believe that if all engineering student would adopt this way of thinking they would clear themselves of the stereotype of being “book smart” but not “street smart.” There would be a new generation of engineers that would have people skills and thus would be able to better portray their ideas to other people.
What is the definition of “stepping outside the box?” Can you be a leader, without being even the least bit radical? Are you a leader even if someone else miles away, had the same idea? Am I a leader when, instead of silently or tirelessly going along with the conversation, I bring up my REAL opinion, that which goes against the others’? It isn’t very radical, but maybe stepping outside the box doesn’t have to be. Maybe it can be taking a leap even if the leap is small in the scheme of the world.
I remember sam talking in class about success. He said, if you really want power, if you really want to make a lot of money, then (and don’t quote me on this)—then basically, he said, do something different. Don’t go along with the norms, think outside the box, come up with something new. Be radical. Well, I tried to apply that to my life, and I couldn’t picture the power and money. So my first step outside the mainstream, I guess would be leaving college. Okay, so I drop out, I follow my heart and maybe head where no one I’ve ever known has lived before; to China, to study and live among various cultures. I step away from my comfort zone of 20 year old girlfriends, parents, America, and anything else familiar. And what will I find? I will probably find a lot of joy, a lot of wonder, and a lot of other amazing and fulfilling feelings that I never would have, had I continued on my mainstream path. But I have stepped outside the mainstream… and am also left broke, jobless, without an education, and probably, with a serious case of culture shock if I should return. And then maybe I’d be missing out on the joy and wonder that those “mainstream” things might have provided me with; graduating a university, landing and finding success in a career, getting married, having kids. Typical mainstream things. But they excite me. So should I try and search for other things that might excite me more? When are we ever going to be pleased with the plans we make? So, I just don’t know if it’s that simple; that to swim against the current would automatically equal success. For some people, it actually equals the opposite. Failure. Sadness. But I definitely am all for stepping outside of your comfort zone; I personally like the mantra “do one thing a day that scares you.” I cant say I live by it, but I enjoy the rush of risks and I do find pleasure in the unknown. But is this “radical”? Maybe not to some. But maybe for me, small steps are okay.
“The square in the circle” is something I have often been called because of the things I enjoy and my hobbies. I am a black male (African American) that has a sense of style and enjoys things virtually none of my other black peers enjoy. For example I love anime and Japanese culture thus I use my artistic talent to draw anime. This often surprises or confuses many of my black brothers. ”Nigga u trippin?!” is a response I often get when I reveal this to some people. It catches them of guard because from an exterior point of view (voice, gestures, and interpretation of certain subjects) I appear as a normal “mainstream” black male. But in terms of how I think and the things I enjoy I believe I am one of the fish on the outskirts of the school. Another example of this is in how I dress. I don’t dress the same way my black friends dress. I don’t care what’s “hot” or what’s the new style is I only wear what I think exerts my personality. So I basically end up wearing a mixture of hip hop, skater, video game apparel, and anime apparel. This also makes some of my friends double take or ask me why I’m wearing what I wear and not something more accepted by mainstream black culture. I also have an abstract way of thinking. Based the way Sam teaches and the questions he asks I’d say he’s probably the person I have met that thinks closely to the way I think. But just as Sam said I realize that I am by no means completely void of all main stream tendencies. I eat the same foods as most people, I enjoy some of the same past times, and I even pursue education the same way most of the main stream does. It seems that in order to gain some form of acceptance by people u have to be in tune with the main stream on some level. This is the case because it people fear what they don’t understand. So someone acting different from the norm would get shunned from society. This has been the case throughout history. For example great people in our history that had new radical ideas were first prosecuted and made fun of because of their different way of thinking and there different takes on things already set in place. An great example of this is the Copernican model, which was made by Copernicus, which was a model of the solar system that showed that the sun did not revolve around the earth but rather the opposite. Because the church was a major influence at the time and this model conflicted with the churches feelings people did not want to accept it.
Freaks and Geeks- It’s the name of a television show and unfortunately, the moniker of the people in our society who are bold enough to take their own stance and pave their own paths on the way of life. I am as conformist as they come. I’m not necessarily proud of it, but it’s the truth. I went through Catholic private schools my entire life, was a cheerleader my entire life, and have always refused to wear anything that doesn’t come from a preppy clothing store. In high school, I kind of branched out my senior year during eighth period study hall. I met this boy named Grayson and he was so completely unfamiliar to me. He was quiet, he was “emo,” he was in the school plays; he attended a school of rock on week nights to further his music capability. All of the artists on his iPod were people I had never heard of before in my life, and he used to listen to them at the highest possible decibel. Grayson could play the bass, drums, guitar and the piano (by ear), and he has one of the greatest singing voices I’ve ever heard. He was a talented artist and wrote poetry. Instantaneously, I was drawn to Grayson’s lifestyle because it was one that I had never before been exposed to. My initial impression was that he was strange and didn’t fit the mold of high school, but then a very surprising thing happened- Grayson slowly, but surely, became one of my best friends. Underneath his exterior, he has one of the kindest hearts I have ever known. Even though I haven’t seen Grayson in two years, he still has a huge impact on my life. Currently, he is enrolled at a college of the arts and is actively pursuing a life based on the things for which he was ridiculed in high school. It’s people like Grayson that teach me the most. All around him there existed a world of drama, superficiality and stereotypical high school. He chose to turn around, hold his guitar, and pay attention only to what he wanted and what he felt. To me, that is great courage and something that warrants a pat on the back. You always hear about famous people when they were younger. Half of them were total NERDS because they were in the band or in the plays or because they refused to partake in the social norms that were their teenage years. Maybe that’s why famous people are so few and far between, because it is extremely rare for someone to turn away from the pack and be who they truly are. If I acted like my actual self in our classroom in 100 Thomas, people would think I’m a freak. I think a little bit of weirdness exists inside all of us, it’s just a matter of who has the audacity to actually let it leak out.
I have a great example of the “fish in the center of the school” don’t know water metaphor. 11th grade, 7 girls from my grade at Phoenixville Area High School were chosen to attend a women’s conference where we discussed issues such as teen pregnancy, abuse and such…and what resources are available. One of the last questions we discussed as a group from our school was “does your school have cliques?” The three cheerleader/prep types responded “no” while the rest of us looked at each other in mingled shock and amusement. It took a bit to convince them that yes, our school CLEARLY had cliques. It was an illustration on how self-absorbed their group was, assuming that they were the center of a homogenous group. Phoenixville has a growing urban community, the wealthy families who live on the fringe of Valley Forge, the hippies/rural people from Kimberton and the families who live in the trailer parks. How could there not be cliques? For a small school (my grade was 250 people) we had a diverse community.
What subcultures do I belong to? I am a member of the Centers for Spiritual Living…an organization that is based on a metaphysical spiritual philosophy called the Science of Mind. One of the cornerstones is that your beliefs determine your reality. (You interact with everyone based on your judgments of them, and are usually proved right). It goes further to say that physical ailments generally have “mental equivalents”- this ties into Eastern practices of acupressure and acupuncture. When there is something that truly deeply pushes your button about someone else, it is either a lesson that you need to learn, or something that you don’t like about yourself, or based on a past experience you are hypersensitive to this personality trait. My belief: people are by nature good. The spirit that is within each person is part of the Divine whole that is the Universe. Everyone is an individualized expression of Spirit. You have the free will to choose how you react to EVERYTHING that happens in your life. How you react usually sets events spinning in the direction guided by your reaction. (If you’re peaceful, there’s less of a chance of a fist fight). Also, nothing happens in your life that you can’t handle. I believe that life presents you with challenges and opportunities to grow, and you have the choice to ride them out, stretch yourself, or, avoid them…and possibly stay stuck. It pushes you to look inside for your answers to challenges in life, and take responsibility for the choices you have made…to discern what was your fault, and what wasn’t. Forgive yourself and others to free yourself, and move on. (Much easier said than done).I totally have examples but they would bump the word count up to 550... A bit oversimplified and only a fraction of a whole, but that’s what gets me thinking.
p.s. I'm quite happy :D
In class you mentioned that we ourselves think that we are that one fish traveling upstream when in reality we all are following the same path down. Personally, I don't really find myself to be the same as the people around me. It's not like I'm the only one who thinks this either, many of my friends tell me as well.
I'm a Pakistani American with different views from other Pakistani people. Most Pakistanis base their life around the religion of Islam, I do not. Many Pakistanis don't even attend Penn State, I think I've only met one other Paki. So, I guess I'm different in that sense.
I also have a very different taste in music than most people. I enjoy a variety of ranges. I enjoy country, pop, hip hop, rap, trance, opera, desi music, spanish music, Ukraine music, EVEN japanese music. I haven't been exposed to other types of music but generally I have a pretty diverse itunes list even though Trance makes up most of it. Most people do not really know about Trance. It is my favorite genre of music. DJs like Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Paul Oakenfold, etc. are the top guys and they make the best music I have EVER heard. I actually get surprised when my friends don't like it.
So one BIG difference I have from Pakistanis and pretty much everyone around me is that I drive a car that they have never heard of. It is the 2007 Harley-Davidson f150. Here is a picture: http://liveimages.carsales.com.au/duc/car/private/5262872.jpg
I'm pretty sure no one has seen that truck before. I could have been mainstream and gotten what everyone else has, but I don't like being like everyone else. I like being different and having my own taste in cars, music, clothing, girls, food, etc.
Now this brings me to clothes. I pretty much have many different types of clothing ranging from gothic to gangster. To me, it is pretty fun dressing up a different way every single day.
The thing is not different about is that I tend to follow the general opinion of school life. As you mentioned in the article, Einstein had his own theories and own ideas. If I had my own and a professor told me I was wrong, I would probably just stop there. Someone with his or her own thoughts really intrigues me. I have met one person like this. He was my class salutatorian and he wasn't like the normal geek you would see in the top ten of the class. He had a range of friends and was pretty much open about everything. He actually smoked weed, drank, HAD a lot of girls, and surprisingly isn't even attractive(no homo). He was brilliant in school, looking at things OUTSIDE the box which I would never even think about. It just always amazed me how he was able to look at things in different ways.
I'm happy we have people like this in society. It helps us advance in life and hopefully more people will start to think for themselves instead of being peer pressured to think the way everyone else in society does.
I never really thought about causes of new genres or ideas, but it makes sense that when people rebel or decide to not follow mainstream ways of life, they are inspired and end up creating something that is new or different. I like the fish and water analogy and I think it explains, quite simply, how hard it is to really understand yourself or your environment if you do not take a look at things from a different point of view. One example this reminds me of, is looking back at the past, of old photos or videos, and laughing at the different clothing styles or hairstyles you wore when you were younger. At the time, you are caught up in a new fad, and even if you’re breaking away from what everyone else is doing, you still may look back in the future and really look at the way you were acting, and that’s when you get a sense of yourself. I agree with Sam, that this is normal and inevitable, but I think that everyone has an individual pace of changing, which allows for inspiration and different sub cultures to form. Off the top of my head, I can think of a few examples of subcultures in my life, that are somewhat disconnected from the mainstream ways of acting. I think that these actions or interests come from experiencing a certain feeling the first time you get a taste of something new. For example, I took a course at Penn State that focused on religion of the East. I grew up in Western Pennsylvania and was not exposed to many other religions other than Christianity. I have always been aware of different beliefs but I really enjoyed learning about different religions and decided to keep reading about Buddhism. I am not necessarily a follower of Buddhism but I find the topic very interesting and I enjoy the feeling I get when I take time to do my own thing, even if others around me may find it crazy. I get to use my imagination and because I am not familiar with these beliefs, I get to choose what I like or dislike without any predetermined idea. That may be one issue causing people to not think outside of the box… we all have these ideas set in our minds of what is normal and what we see everyday eventually is embedded into our lives. This causes us to follow each other and create a culture because we start to share the same beliefs or behavior. If we do not occasionally force ourselves to try new things, or to think new thoughts, well, that’s just boring. Most people do not like change. We like to sit in the same seat everyday when we come to class. We like to have a routine. But creativity and inspiration to try new things is healthy and we should all focus on this more often.
After reading the blog about culture transformation and how each individual fits into it in their own special way got me thinking how I follow the certain trends of mainstream culture. It got me thinking how do this trends start to make their way into our society anyway? Of course there are the celebrities that we all see on TV that start wearing new styles of clothes and hair but looking at recent trends however, it seems that we are going back in time to wearing styles from the 60’s all the way up through the 80’s. So are these “new” styles really new or are they just being reused from previous generations that made a name for themselves through their unique sense of style? Part of the reason for everyone being a follower in society is due to the fact that people are afraid to truly be themselves. In our society today where everyone is very critical of others, it is hard to be 100% yourself because of the fear of being rejected from everyone around you. I do believe that having a sense of individuality is very important in life, but most of us are afraid to let ourselves be completely an individual. The feeling of rejection from an entire society is too great for most of us to handle so we just follow in line with everyone else to at least fit in somewhere. Even if someone thinks they are very unique and an individual, mainstream society seeps its way into their life somehow; whether it be through music, TV shows, sports teams and even foods that they eat. As much as an individual I think I am, I find myself falling into certain mainstream trends. Looking around the campus, watching TV and movies, looking at advertisements, it seems like all the women have straight hair. For a person who has naturally curly hair, like myself, living the world where having straight hair is “the thing” can be a bit frustrating at times. It always seems that girls with straight hair are considered beautiful or gorgeous but women with curly hair are nothing special. Why is curly hair perceived as such an ugly characteristic in society today? Women with curly hair are going to great lengths these days to obtain straight hair that some of the processes are very extreme. Women can buy something as cheap as a straightener all the way to the extreme side of getting their hair permanently straightened. I have not gone that far to get my hair straight but I do own and use a straightener. It is hard not to fall into the mainstream look when everyone around me will say “wow, you look great” whenever my hair is straight. When my hair is curly however, I never get the same reaction from guys and girls that I do when my hair is straight. Why can’t we go back to the days in the 80’s when curly hair was the thing to have?
Through my later years in high school until now I have given a lot of thought toward what ‘mainstream’ really meant. Even when I was younger I never really bought into the mainstream. I always had my hair long and ears pierced, no matter how much it pissed my coaches off. I also used to bring my guitar to football camp and played some rock, grunge and metal. I still do not understand how some of my teammates were completely oblivious to the existence of groups such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Some of them had even never heard of Hendrix. But anyway, back to what mainstream means. The way I look at it, I guess in one word it can be summed up as conformity. But is conformity necessarily bad? When I was at Penn State Beaver I had to go to some scholarship banquet with my dad. We didn’t really know exactly where it was but I saw a big group of people moving so I led the way to see if this was where we needed to be (and it was), and my dad asked ‘if everyone was jumping off a bridge would you go jump off of it too?’ I thought about for a second and then answered ‘if everyone was NOT jumping off a bridge, would you then go and find a bridge to jump off just to be different or not be a follower?’ I guess the moral of the story is to not let the mainstream control you by a direct relationship (where you do what everyone else does) or an opposite relationship (where you do the opposite). You should not do something just because other people do it, nor should you do something just because other people aren’t doing it. You should think about what you want and what is important to you. Do what you do with some kind of independence of thought, and if it is the same or opposite from someone else, who cares? For example, a friend of mine is into “Indie,” which is a sub-genre of ‘independent’ music. When she likes a certain band she really gets into them, but once the band gets big or successful she turns on them. It is because other people started liking them so that must mean the band has gone ‘mainstream’ and has been corrupted. To me, some of the ‘Indie’ bands have stayed true to their roots and haven’t sold out but it is just funny to me how some people view music. It is a classic example of having your thoughts affected by others, like you can’t like something because too many other people like it. As I said before, probably the best way is to just think freely.
It’s a loose-loose situation. If you swim near the outside of the school of fish, sure, you’re a trendsetter but only if your trends catch on. Who would’ve thought bell bottom pants would come back in style? Whoever made set that trend didn’t actually come up with it, they simply made the choice to tryout an outdated style.
I think it’s loose-loose, however, because of people like Van Gogh. He had a ridiculously terrible life constantly mooching off of his family and eventually drove himself insane. He didn’t live in the time in which his works were appreciated. Van Gogh is just one of many examples of people whose life’s work was appreciated after their death. So, how do we even know if we are setting awesome new trends or just going crazy? I’m sure there are a lot more people out there who have dedicated their lives to a specific dream or goal and even after they died, nobody cared. We just don’t really hear about them because nobody cares. Actually, they can be seen on the audition episodes of the be-the-next-famous-inventor-or-singer type of shows. We laugh at them. It’s entertainment. It’s primetime television. This brings hypocrisy back into the picture. The same people who complain about the lack of individualism in society are the same people laughing at those shows.
Every dream has the potential to become somewhat of a reality. Even if your dream is to live in a different world where unicorns roam peacefully, there is technology available to at least make you believe that you are there even if it’s just a virtual world, I suppose.
I like to think that I branch outside of the box sometimes. If every different music genre had its own box, and all of the sports had their own boxes, and all of the different cultures have their own boxes, then I’d say that I have at least peaked in to a fair share of boxes. My mom raised me to be respectful of every culture. “You don’t have to agree,” she would say. “Just understand.”
This topic is so interesting because it can be taking at such extreme intervals. It can be as little as stepping outside of your personal comfort zone, like I like to think I do occasionally, or Rosa Parks sitting down. That was swimming up a seriously strong current. And, as much as I would like to believe that I would have stood up for what was right during the Civil Rights Movement, I don’t know if I would’ve had that much courage. Especially in the southern states, I probably would’ve been afraid to speak out. I get creeped out when I go to the South now. I can’t imagine doing something so radical when I didn’t know for sure that it would ever actually make a difference. The Civil Rights Movement was another one of those things that in retrospect was a positive influence, but at the time was harder to see the eventual beneficial outcome.
After watching this video, I didn’t to think about how I was different from the main stream. I have thought about this before and tried to think about what generic “group” I could consider myself to be. But it proved harder than I thought it would be. I can’t really narrow it down to one group. I happen to be a nerdy, hip-hop loving, jock, car enthusiast, sometimes preppy, outdoorsman. So although I don’t consider myself to be a member of a unique sub-culture, I am a blend of existing cultures and I try immerse myself in as many new cultures as I can and take part of it with me. I am a hybrid of the fish that are swimming in the stream. I am a little bit of everything. I am complex, but not truly unique.
True uniqueness describes an idea that does not draw ideas from previously existing ones. I think that complete uniqueness is practically impossible to find. No one can create a new trend or sub-culture out of thin air. They need something that already exists to inspire them; that they can draw from. Most people draw from and idea that already exists and therefore, by drawing from that idea they are not completely unique. It is somewhat unique, but not one hundred percent unique. It is these semi-unique ideas that build upon one another to advance every aspect of our lives. New technological improvements spur from previous technologies, new fashions draw ideas from old fashions. So most new ideas aren’t completely unique, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
So, while very few people are truly unique, it is complexity that people should aspire to have. Not everyone can be unique, but everyone can be complex. Everyone can have an open mind, experience different cultures and sub-cultures, and take what they like about these cultures with them. When you have assimilated many ideas from different cultures, you start to combine ideas and innovate. It is as Sam said in class: The closer to the center of a culture you are, the less innovative you will be. So by being on the edge of many cultures, you will stimulate your innovative nature. So, if you do have a unique idea, this may help bring it to the surface.
So basically, most people are not unique, I am not unique. People should not be disappointed if they are not unique. They should strive to be complex. Complexity is achieved by experiencing a multitude of cultures and subcultures, and taking part of that culture with you; letting it be part of who you are. It will spur your innovative nature and ultimately, if you are fortunate, allow you to produce a unique idea.
I have to admit, I am entrenched pretty deeply into mainstream culture. I dress like others dress, I eat what others eat. I am in school for all the wrong reasons, like a majority of college students, to get a few degrees and land a well-paying job. Will I be doing what I truly love at the end of the day? Eh, not really.
If society didn’t revolve around money, and a decent income wasn’t necessary to live comfortably or without fear of debt, I would be a painter. Easy as that. I would just chill with nature and paint what’s on my mind. But I chose not to pursue that path because I follow mainstream culture…and I would be broke. Instead, just like thousands of others at Penn State alone, I am a Marketing major. I figure if I can use my creativity in any well-paying profession, it would be marketing. Which leads me to my point. One subculture I fit into well is…
The creative subculture. Maybe I should say artistic. There are plenty of creative individuals with brilliant thoughts on their mind, but there are relatively few artists. I am proud to be one of the few who can come up with their own ideas, interpret them by his or herself, and actually have an aesthetically pleasing final result. Although I am part of this subculture, I don’t feel that I am pushing the limits of mainstream culture as much as I could, seeing as artistic culture is very broad, opportunistic, and…pushable.
I did stray away from the school of fish and explore the water two summers ago. I started my own little airbrushing business. I was an amateur with no experience who took a leap of faith into a $300 investment in paint and equipment. The experience was definitely rewarding. It turns out I was very good at airbrushing. For two summers I was able to work my own hours, serve my customers, and learn a lot about my capabilities as an artist.
So why am I fearful of doing the same thing now except on a larger scale? Actually, I’m going to keep this in mind and stay on the fringes in the school of fish which is the rest of the marketing students at Penn State trying to take my well-paying job. I have the brains and physical capabilities of starting my own company…a legit company, not a little garage business.
Thank you Sam, I think I JUST realized the possibilities of the rest of my life. I do not have to be an executive at a large corporation to get paid well. I do not have to work for someone else when I could work for myself. I just took a big step away from the norm and what all these other monkeys want me to think…
After reading this article and watching the video is certainly do agree that most individuals do follow the mainstream trends of society. For instance, I personally follow the mainstream music and fashion trends. I have realized that there are many people out there that do not. There are specific stores in the mall tailored to people who do not follow the mainstream fashion trends and have a different punk or rock look. When it comes to music I feel that everyone is usually aware of the popular songs that are currently in demand and played on most radio stations. However, there are other radio stations out there that do not play this type of music and live on the fringes of society. This is essential in society because this is the only way new ideologies and trends form. For instance, if Elvis Presley did not live on the outside of his society we would no have what is rock and roll today or it certainly would have evolved much slower and in a different way.
Moreover, I feel that many individuals in society, including me at times, live in the mainstream of our own cultural and personal worlds by surrounding ourselves by people that are like us. Whether they be racially like us or people who are interested in the same things as us. I’ve realized we do this because this is what makes us comfortable. These people don’t challenge our beliefs or the lifestyles we live. My freshman year of college I had the opportunity to live with 7 other girls in a supplemental dorm. I am from Northern New Jersey and am accustomed to knowing people that live very urban lives. One of my roommates from a very small town in PA and she certainly lived out of the box and made her own trends. The way she dressed from anything I had ever seen before; she wore very hippy clothes that appeared would have been very fashionable in the 70’s. Also, her views were very different than mine. In my opinion she was very liberal and was against marriage and the word love. I really respected her for always doing her own thing and not caring what those around her thought of her. I feel that many of us who follow the mainstream are partially looking for acceptance in society. However, I feel that this is one thing that separates me from the mainstream. I feel that I have never followed the mainstream to seek acceptance. Many of the people I hang out with admire those that live on the edge and don’t find their style or ways of living odd. I certainly feel that the lifestyle you live whether it be in the mainstream or not come directly from the personal experiences you have gone through in your life and the environment you have grown up in.
It's true, we all like to think we are dynamic, creative, and unique. In a world with a population growing well beyond six billion, in a country where uniformity is rewarded and dramatic change is met with dramatic rebuttal, tricking ourselves into believing we have something special to offer can sometimes be all that keeps us from either being a drone or just quitting IRL. I know I am the type of person who wishes I had the Summer of '69, but what did it really change? Washington is still a mess. Sure, the fringe may be the revolutionaries, but we as a society, not just as individuals, like routine. A few examples come to mind. The Bolsheviks created a radical new society that shaped world politics for the next century, but it regressed to the same old system of supply and demand. In the summer of 1959, the 26 de Julio movement overthrew an evil dictatorship and created an iconic martyr some compare to Christ out of Che Guevara, and less than a decade later brought the world closer than its ever been to nuclear annihilation, but eventually Cuba got to the point of the special period, and has had to resort to tourism and imports. Kurt Cobain made himself a martyr for the sake of his art, but “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is still all over the radio and the media in general, and just this month he made a posthumous appearance in the new Guitar Hero, which Courtney Love is battling. Charles Darwin and his “Origin of Species” was a profound scientific work that threatened the norm; some people still don't believe him, while other applied it to keeping the norm of oppression (imperialism, social darwinism). We cited Einstein as someone profound and revolutionary. While his General and Special theories of relativity redefine both space and time (and light), it is a theory which is so profound, most people can't even understand it, but nevertheless, we treat time as something objective. Meet at 12 noon is 12 noon. I am a pretty average white guy. I like video games and grunge music. I am not active on campus, as I am an introvert. I like to think I have a unique perception of the world, but am I willing to be like Che and become the new, self-less man? No, I am lazy, I don't like hot weather or manual labor, and while I would help a stranger or foreigner, would I die for them? Probably not. The best I can do is refrain from buying Che merch, as it is contradictory to his memory. I have a friend who is the most fringe person I know, but after a period of time of sex, drugs, and rock n' roll, the real world eventually caught up with him. He is practically homeless, works full time, and is in debt. He is unhappy, and the only thing that keeps him going is his music. The mainstream culture has beaten him into submission. I wish we could just go into the woods and be self-sufficient, but The Man will always find us.
This latest blog about what makes us different and how we, as individuals, are trying to break out of the norm really made me think. It reminded me about how John Stuart Mill, a philosopher ahead of his time in the 1800’s, strived to remind people that we should search ourselves and become, if we are able to, the true individuals we were meant to be. I agree with this blog and with Mill that being an individual is not necessarily an easy path to venture on and, to be honest, who wants to be different if that individuality you posses makes people look at you negatively. Who really wants to take that chance?
In my case, I come from Washington D.C., one of the most diverse areas on the planet. It is a commuter area, where different types of people are always coming and going. Growing up I never realized that this diverse blend of cultures was not the norm in our country. This point only really hit me when I started traveling and understanding that not every state had the same ethnic experiences I had. When I visited a friend at her school, East Carolina University, this point really hit home when I met one of the few Muslim girls on campus and she began to tell me how much racism she had encountered in this small town in North Carolina. Now, I know that racism and stereotyping can occur in every facet of life, and I am not saying that racism and stereotyping does not occur in large cities such as Washington D.C. but, I had never before seen it affect a person so much. This racism actually ended up being such a burden on the girl that she moved back home just to avoid the ridicule of her “peers.”
I believe that growing up in the environment that I did has influenced me to become an individual. Learning to respect and appreciate other cultures was just something that came natural to me simply because I did not know any other option. Yes, I am a white person, but most of my friends and the people that I socialize with are not white. When I travel it is easier for me to identify with people of color because it reminds me of home. I realize and fully appreciate the opportunities I have had in being able to meet and interact with on a daily basis, people from other cultures, and I understand that not many people have had these experiences. I am an individual because I do things that people of my color are not expected to. I listen to all types of music, am open to trying new foods, I go to parties where I am one of the only ones who speak English. All of these different aspects of life excite me and compel me to try new things and continue to be the unique person I am.
I have always looked up to those who do not follow the crowd, but I for one have not been one of those people. In society today, most people seem to follow the “norm” whether it’s a hairstyle, clothing choice, music selection and even attitude. People try and mimic what is considered to be cool so that they too can fit in. Being a freshman here at Penn State and just leaving my high school I have seen this phenomenon at its fullest. Walking around the halls of my high school, I would see all of my peers in their little cliques. The popular girls wearing the same exact pairs of UGG boots and similar clothing choices. The jocks strutting down the hallway acting very confident. And then there are the smart kids working on their homework during lunch. Who decided that this is what is normal for each group? Occasionally, there is that one person who sticks out like a sore thumb because they do not follow these guidelines. While some people envy their creativity, others find it weird that they are not like everyone else. These unique individuals have a lot of guts and definitely a lot of confidence. I believe that these people choose to be individuals for two reasons. Number one: the individuals actually have a different outlook on life. Why be like everyone else when there is so much more out there to experience and see. And Number Two: the individuals only act differently to see societies reactions. So what I am trying to say here is that there are real unique individuals and there are fake ones. For example, a kid who I met here is unlike anyone who I have ever encountered. His outlook on life is “I do what I want and I don’t care what others think of me.” He in no way follows society. In fact, it is quite opposite. On the other hand, there are those who are “hippies” and “punk rockers” just to be looked at in a certain way. They want others to envy their creativity even though they truly are not what the exterior illustrates. I can honestly admit that I am afraid to act and think uniquely because I know how others will look at me. I don’t think my mind is physically capable of thinking out of the box and doing things that others have never done. I believe that society is almost brain washed to be normal. I truly believe that originality is rare. People see something that they are interested in and then make it their own just by changing it the slightest bit. They then call it their own and say it’s a new idea when in reality it’s just a copy of something that already exists. A new out of the box idea never seems to come around anymore.
I’ve been hearing and talking about this “box” for quite a while. I’d venture to say as far back as middle school. I first remember it in fifth grade when we had brainteasers in math to “warm” our brains up for class. “Think outside the box,” my teacher would say to me in order to solve the puzzle. Every time I had to think outside the box in order to solve a problem my brain had to work a lot harder to get the answer. It presented a challenge to me, and it honestly felt good to get my brain juices working harder than usual. Plus, when I did get the answer, which wasn’t always, I felt a great sense of accomplishment because I knew not everyone was able to solve the problem. In college, we mostly talk about this “cultural box” that the majority of us fall in to. I’d even go as far to say more than the majority, closer to almost everyone falls into a box. I think most people like to think of themselves as very individual and totally unique. Which we are all unique individuals but that doesn’t mean you still don’t fall into a box. Now some boxes are definitely more shallow than others (or there aren’t as many people that fall into your particular box) but you still have some company in there no mater what the dimensions of your box may be. Now some people are always trying to get out of a box. They feel most comfortable standing out. For example someone may think that by dying their hair a crazy color like pink, or green, or blue and get all these unusual facial piercings that they are outside a box. They choose not to conform to the “norms” of society. The problem with that is, they then get lumped into the box that has crazy hair colors and lots of facial piercings. It’s still not an original idea. Now if they still want to be outside the box they have to think of something else that can make them completely original. That’s why I really have to hand it to the innovators of society. Many of those innovators literally stood ALONE in their ideas. Nobody else saw it his or her way for quite a while. I can’t imagine what it must have taken for them to be completely out there like that. Those are the people that really thought outside the box, and not only that, they had no one else outside it with them for quite some time. But my how good it must have felt for people to finally join them outside the box, forming a new box and making their ideas common thought. Some never even lived to see the day it happened, but they made an impact on society for the rest of time. What an amazing thing!
This school of fish path that we all follow is so dense that it is hard to think of a way out, or to even be conscious of the fact that there is a way out. I can say for myself that I have thought outside of this box once or twice before, but my surroundings just pulled me back into their conformity. I like to have a free and open mind about most things and I try to accept everyone because everyone is different. I wish for one day I could see into peoples’ minds and see what they are really thinking. Are all my friends just zombies who think about school, and friends, and homework, and drinking all the time? I feel like everyone has a higher level of thinking but they are just too scared to say these things out loud. I know there are tons of things I would like to say, but as soon as one of those ideas come out of my mouth, I get shut down with mean words or just receive total disregard. And it always makes me think, “Are they really thinking about what I just said and just pretending not to care, or are they really blowing it off?” I am a junior at PSU and I am in a sorority. Enough said right? I look at my group of friends as they talk about going out and the recent drama within our chapter and I think are these things really important? In a close-knit group of 80ish people, who all have generally the same interests, it’s hard to speak up. So I’ve learned something about myself since I’ve been at PSU; I only have one person who truly knows me; my boyfriend. We connect on a level that is nothing like any other relationships I have. I am not afraid in front of him. We talk about everything! And I mean everything. We bounce ideas off one another and discuss the troubles of the world today, and just go on and on as if no one else matters. I wish everyone could experience this relationship because it is so relieving not to follow the main stream, to not have to be fake or act like you like things that you hate. It’s finally being true to yourself and I think that it’s the most important thing you could ever have. I think that the few people who have been swimming upstream are the people who have found someone like this is their lives; or probably more than one. I think to have confidence to throw out the rule book you must first be true to yourself and know who you really are. And then you can finally say, “Ok world I’m ready to show you what an INDIVIDUAL is!” Unfortunately I have not gotten to my highest break away point yet … but someday soon I hope.
We humans have this natural desire to fit in with other humans. However, this creates for a very boring society. I look around our campus and see conformity every day. The Greek system could be the best example of conformity on campus. Every sorority girl wears the exact same uniform. It doesn’t matter what sorority she’s in either. They all wear Greek t-shirts/sweatshirts, a pair of black leggings, ugg boots, and when it gets cold, a black North face fleece jacket. The same holds true for frat guys. They wear their oversized Greek letter hoodies, a pair of baggy jeans, and some variation of tennis shoe.
And although Greek life shows conformity at its finest, several other groups participate in this trend as well. The guys of the agriculture college can be seen around campus wearing hunting hats, flannel jackets, dirty jeans, work boots, and a tin of chew in their back pocket. Penn State athletes proudly sport their sports apparel that tells us what sport they play. Pittsburgh and Philly fanatics rock their cities colors. The amount of conformity is actually slightly scary.
However, those select few Penn staters that refuse to look and act like their fellow peers stand out in the sea of blue and white. These are the students that you give a second glance. I have a friend like this. She sews most of her own clothing, puts flowers behind her ear, and does not own many name brand products. She refuses to own a pair of Uggs and wears what she feels looks stylish. On the flip side, my friend can be aloof, a lot. Ok, like all the time, but I account this to her creativity. She has more imagination in her little toe nail, than a whole sorority can muster up amongst thirty some girls. She swims upstream and things like time, schedules and appointments do not matter to her at all.
Swimming upstream requires giving up all insecurities and having complete confidence in oneself. The fish in the school of fishes swim with everyone else because they are afraid to break free and be their own fish. These fish like swimming beside other fish that look like them and they feel good about themselves because they know that everyone will swim together. The fish that breaks free will not have that safety net and the comfort of other fish supporting him. That fish is taking a risk, and that is where innovation stems from.
Deciding to start a new trend or suggest a wacky idea involves taking a risk and possible rejection. And as a society we have been conditioned to associate rejection with the ultimate evil, failure. However, diving into new ideas can be extremely fun and undoubtedly unique or interesting. Such innovation can come from dreams, drug induced thoughts, combining different cultures together to create something new. Non-conformity comes from looking out at the world and saying, I refuse to be like everybody else because that would be a damn boring way to live, and choosing the bumpy, purple colored, road less traveled versus the asphalt, yellow lined highway.
I find your entry, “Cultural Transformations and Our Personal Lives,” to be very interesting. I understand where you are coming from when you say that most of are like little fish in a huge community, or school, of fish and that we just follow the path down stream. And the fact that even if we think we aren’t swimming down stream, we still are most likely still “floating” down stream with everyone else. Just thinking about myself, and how I fit in this “school of fish,” it really is hard to imagine that we are one of these.
I am one of those “typical Jewish people from Long Island” that everyone else calls us. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and moved out to Long Island as an eight year-old. So, for the most part, I have a Long Island background although I may have been “exposed,” or experienced a little outside of the box than a typical Long Islander. If there is a town on Long Island where the world seems perfect it is where I reside in Long Island. Jericho, NY is home to the Jewish, the rich, the pretty, and… you get the picture. My friends and I are not the one’s to deny any of this. We know people outside of Jericho do not like us very much. They have these stereotypes for Jericho kids in which a bunch of them are not true, but a lot of them are very true, sadly.
As part of my Jericho community, I sometimes take a back seat and laugh at what goes on here. It is sometimes easy to tell, once you take a step back from the moment, that we are all following that same school of fish that we’ve been following most of our lives. Between going out to our friends house and drinking at a party or taking a train into the city to go club hopping or sake bombing, all of these things are down that stream that our school of fish are swimming towards.
I don’t know if there is any explanation for this. It’s got to be just human nature for us to follow what is comfortable to us and what we recognize. Everyone has a hard time trying new things out, especially when the society or community around us may frown upon it or doesn’t think it’s a cool thing to do. People like Einstein, for example, only come around once in a blue moon. There are other people on a smaller scale than slightly change our daily lives but those people like Einstein certainly don’t break through the surface very often.
Again, this seems to be very interesting and hopefully we can discuss a little bit more about this topic either in class or through more blog entries.
This post by Sam did open my mind a little bit. I can agree with some of the other posts that I have never really thought about those individuals in are society who step up and start a new trend, a trend that we will all eventually come to follow. We are all just a group of fish following one another until another fish makes a bold move. I remember back when I was in middle school (I think everyone can admit how awful middle school was, going through are awkward stages and all) and I had a lot of friends and I was pretty cool at the time. Than I remember I got braces, trust me I know a lot of people had braces, but I literally had these metal bars that connected my bottom row of teeth to my top row of teeth and they made little bulges in the sides of my mouth. It was so dreadful, I cried all the time because people made fun of me. What hurt me the most was the fact that certain individuals of who I thought were my friends were the ones who made fun of me the worst. As awful of a time it was I am kind of thankful I went through that experience. In the end it made me such a better person. I found out who my true friends were, and some of us will never find true friends because trust is a very hard thing to keep pure. The people who were with me throughout my awful time and still saw me for who I was have managed to keep a special place in my life till this day. Ever since going through that time I have been able to reject doing what everyone does. I no longer care that I must fit in with the in crowd, or do what the in crowd does. I do not care what people think of me because if they do not like me for me than they do not really matter and I can go about being happy and not wasting time or bullshit on them cause I know people do like me for me. I can just be me and be happy. I’m just doing me. Plain and simple and I think more people should do that.
I read a post earlier about is happiness the goal? And I kind of feel like yes happiness is the goal. If you’re happy and pleased with what you’re doing you tend to just go through life happier and more delightful to others. Happiness is contagious; your mood can totally affect others so I feel like doing what makes you happy is important. Maybe if not getting outside the box and staying inside the box is a key to happiness it might not be an awful thing, obviously majority of us stay within the box because the box is secure. You have to be a brave, bold, and non-self conscious person to step outside and make a move that moves society.
I find this very interesting because, I too am one of those people who don’t leave their box and who seem very content in it. However, most of us also know that we should think outside the box and travel outside the box every once in a while. So why don’t we? I know that I am very comfortable in my box. It is easy and safe. Most of us don’t want to venture out into the unknown because we are not sure of what we are going to encounter there. From the time we are first born and all our lives we are taught to be careful and not to venture out too far because we might get hurt. So it is only second nature to stay where we feel comfort.
When I really think about it, I am very guilty of staying in my box. I don’t do this consciously but it is rather a routine that I am used to. All of my friends at home are exactly like me. I eat the same foods everyday and usually don’t try anything new unless someone tells me to. I listen to the same type of music. I dress the same and have the same style wardrobe as most of my friends. I know all of this information but when I really think about it, I think it is sad. I think it is sad because we have all become so comfortable – too comfortable – that we don’t want to change. I know most people wish they could be out of their box more but it is hard.
One trait that I always wish I could possess and I know I have complete control over is spontaneity. I think being spontaneous is a great trait as long as you have control over it. These are the people that do think out of the box and try new things that maybe no one else has ever tried and take a little bit of risk in their lives. I find it extremely interesting when people are able to go places just because they want to or try new things because they intrigue these people. Every day I try and push myself when something comes up that I wouldn’t usually do or I am faces with an opportunity that sounds interesting but I am not completely sure of.
My grandparents were born in Hungry and my grandmother left her family when she was 18 years old to come to the United States. When she tells me the story of her leaving and how it was such a last second decision, it makes me wonder if I could ever do that. I know she left for reasons that obviously weren’t just because she wanted to but it was still a spontaneous move in some sense. I envy people that can do these sorts of things. And it makes me wonder what spontaneous people think of us “mainstreamers”?
After watching the piece by Dr. Sam Richards, I concluded that there is no such thing as being “unique.” Everyone lives to conform to a certain subculture! Let me give you some examples. Some people think that because they’re goth that they’re “different.” WRONG!! There are so many goth people all over the world, let alone America. Another example could be like not being a partier here at Penn State. Some people think that since they don’t party that they’re unique! I don’t party! Does that make me unique. No! It just makes me part of the group or subculture that doesn’t party. What I think should be said is that a “unique” person is one who is different in a certain society. That that person is the only ONE who is goth, or a certain religion, etc. The oneness has to be stressed. Now that person should be considered unique if they’re the only person in that society or area that is a certain religion or whatever.
Honestly, I would say that I have conformed to the likings and norm of the world. Many people say “oh, I don’t care what people think about me,” but I think anyone who says that is a liar. We all try to impress our boyfriends or girlfriends, we all try to wear the latest sneakers or clothing. If you think that you’re unique, you’re probably wrong. The definition to unique is existing solely as one; single. I notice that once someone starts a new trend or culture, many people start to follow and then it becomes the norm. Like the examples I gave earlier, one person probably started the goth movement…but then many followed. Being unique is rare and when it happens, it happens for only a second. Or maybe, we all are truly unique. Maybe we all have different traits and likings. The problem is that we just want to fit in. We’re afraid of being different from other people. We choose to conform with the world and everyone else. I have to say it’s really hard to be different.
I am a Seventh Day Adventist, which means I go to church on Saturdays and follow the Sabbath principle. At home, a lot of my friends are the same religion and we would go to church together, chill, hang out etc. But here, it’s different. On Friday nights a lot of people go out and party and drink and I look like a loser in my bedroom sleeping or reading scripture. And already, I feel like I want to go out…but I know its wrong. After two week s of college and I want to conform to something that I KNOW is wrong. It goes back to trying to fit in. Like Dr. Richards said, we think we’re going upstream, starting new cultures, being creative, transformative, but really, we’re just conforming to what the world like to see and hear! For once, lets try to be different or “unique” in a situation. That’s my goal this school year and I hope its for those who are different but just afraid to show it!
As Sam indicated, cultural change is on of the most dynamic progressions we tend to encounter during our individual lifetimes and throughout the course of human existence. Most people do tend to think they are that “fish swimming upstream” or the leader of the pack coming up with new ideas and concepts. However, people like that are truly few and far between in our society. For the most part we are all stuck in the in the one culture that makes us feel comfortable and the one we grew up with and are used to experiencing. We choose our friends based on comparative similarities and compromised differences. For example, you befriend someone because you are able to make a connection of some sort, whether it is through musical taste, sport/hobby of interest etc. Since you are able to identify with this person, the minor differences serve little purpose to hinder a connection. But what happens when the difference overwhelm the similarities? Rarely do you see yourself or another individual branch out and try to connect with a “goth” kid or someone who is completely not your type. That is because we are all immersed in our own culture that we tend to choose comfort over the awkwardness of branching out.
So how does that cultural transformation take place in a human being or an entire race? As noted in the video, for an entire race or humankind to be completely innovative and chart a new path that creative motivation had to have begun on a small scale with one individual. In my opinion, I agree with that statement. I believe that a creative and innovative stimulus occurs when an individual combines the motivation to be different with an observation of a possible improvement of some sort. Now this can occur on a small scale such as a new genre of music, or it could occur on a large scale such as a new operating system beside the traditional Microsoft Windows. As humans most of us tend to stick with the traditional means of running our lives simply because it is the easiest and simplest road for us to take. We are a boring society and enjoy what we are used to. For example, when it was time for my parents to buy me a laptop for school they insisted I try an Apple Mac. However, since I was used to the traditional PC I chose an HP Pavilion Desktop (strangely just like most other people at the time). Funny thing is, I decided to try out my room mates Mac and I loved it. It worked very similar to a traditional desktop but more efficiently. Apple’s production of the Macbook provides an excellent analogy to how a cultural transformation occurs. Somebody at Apple’s development lab coupled his motivation with a desire to build a better computer. They took a risk and everyone caught on. Today, most people are choosing Macs over the conventional PC.
This idea or theory has really caught my attention. Nothing like a question that really makes you think about your own life, ideas, culture and surroundings. I think people strive to make their own path in life and like to BELIEVE they are the one fish swimming away up stream but when the question is posed in this way it has to make you wonder. Are you just telling yourself you are different? I personally do not see the need in striving to be different from the rest. Yes, every person is different in their own ways but what is wrong with being satisfied with the culture and ways you were brought up with because everyone enters this world with their own background but immediately become apart of a culture.
For me personally, I am more comfortable and feel more in my element when I am surrounded by people. For instance, I find it interesting in seeing what other people are doing or what they are wearing. I was just telling my friend the other day (before this question was even posed) that I love seeing what other girls are wearing walking around campus. For me, that is interesting and it helps elaborate what I want to wear. When does one really break away completely in the opposite direction to one just “swimming” out in front of the larger population following behind them? When does one not become classified as a “trend setter” and become classified as evolving a whole new idea? I think these questions will gather a lot of different answers which proves that this idea can never be clearly debated.
Also, for this idea one’s culture can be brought to light. I know many people are proud of their cultures whether it is their school, family, religion or on a larger scale their country/origin of background. A culture is group of people with similar beliefs and backgrounds. A culture makes one belong and the feeling of belonging is very important to a lot of people. If you pair it with the simile of the school of fish, they are all swimming in the same direction and what is wrong with that? I believe someone who wants to break away from their culture and change their way of life can never be fully happy and that is an issue that is deeper down. I like how you referenced in the video music culture. It shows that when people THINK they are branching out with their music they are just “swimming” a little bit faster than the rest or just taking some time out to float in place.
It only comes once in a great while that a person completely changes the current stream and goes against mainstream teachings. I am content and happy with learning from others and trying to excel in life that way. I think having a good mental state and fulfilling life is just as important an issue than needing to find a completely new way of life
Thinking outside the box isn't easy because, from my standpoint, we were never really taught to. In fact its not only in elementary and high school classes its outside classes as well that we are conditioned to think this way. I spent a good portion of my high school time trying to fit in with others. It wasn't even until my senior year that I came to the conclusion I should hang out with friends that are like the real me.
I feel Its as if, when I was young, I was lost so just kept following different people. Its really human nature. Its what kept us alive when we were cavemen, the ability to see what others are doing and copy it so we can practice the same survival strategies. Its interesting, everyone wants to be different, unique, and an individual but still fit in with the rest of society at the same time.
In a way to get outside the box you have to realize what's in the box and then reject it and understand that they aren't definitive rules. Einstein's theory of relativity actually defied a couple scientifically proven theories. I think that music is a great example of getting outside of the box.
When I was first taught guitar I learned all the so called "correct notes" to play during different situations. It wasn't until later that I started figuring out that there are no right or wrong notes. That even the keys of music can be broken. Thinking outside the box starts when you start questioning what exactly you are doing and ask yourself can I do something different?
The problem that arises is that its harder to do something different. Following already designed formulas is easy to do. The AABA pattern in mainstream music has consistently been used over and over again. There is usually a verse and chorus, then the verse and chorus again, and then a bridge, then finally the verse and chorus again. Not that it doesn't vary sometimes, but it usually doesn't sway to far from the path.
Another problem is the human beings material nature. We are programmed to constantly look for new items and materials to improve our lives and achieve goals rather then just using our own brain to come up with different ways of achieving those goals. So a lot of us don't tap into the most useful tool that we have as much as we should, our brian. The process of thinking outside the box is probably different for everyone but in my experience the end result is usually some sort of epiphany.
For me, the best time to think outside the box is late at night when pretty much everyone else is asleep. It could be from just being overtired but my imagination definitely runs wild and gives me a chance to see things from a different view. Great minds don't think alike, they think for themselves.
Cultural Transformation and our daily lives.
I chose to blog about this because I have thought about this very same issue before. A couple of days ago I participated in the RRP research group. The group consisted of six people with two leaders that helped to spark interest in the topic of race, who pressed us to think more about why we think about race, it was a two hour group discussion.
One of the issues we talked about was if we would date outside our race and why or why not. The group had three white girls, including myself, who all agreed we would not date outside of our own race. When pressed about why we would not, we all answered probably because we just grew up with our older generations telling and showing us not to. One girl said “I hate to say that but I am just not attracted to them.” One of the leaders asked why she said “I hate to say…”, what is it that she hates about it. The girl went on to say “it’s unfortunate it’s like that.” I felt the same exact way; because it will never change it has been ingrained in our minds by our parents. Just like Sam said in his blog; as much as he listened to the classical Chinese music, he just could not get into it because he was not programmed by our society to like it.
No one wants to be known as programmed but the truth is we are. I am fine hanging out with other races and have lots of friends that are Asian and black and brown, but I would never ever find them slightly attractive. In the research group I said they just do not fit my “type” of guy. And asked what my type is, I said a white male taller than me with brown hair. Know that I think of why I would not date anyone outside my race, I think because where I am from the other races are known as bad and are bad in their actions. I am from south Florida. The Hispanics, mostly Cuban and Guatemalan are illegal immigrants who do not have insurance or licenses but still drive and commit crime. Then we have very bad neighborhoods mostly black communities, which flow with drugs and massive weapons, weapons that police do not even have.
I do not believe all blacks and Hispanics are bad but it could be the reason for my parents pushing the race factor on my dating life. So Sam, yes it is terrible and inevitable because of our familiarity in our own social community. But I believe we feel this way from a number of factors and some including where we are from and how we have been “programmed” by our community or our elders.
We all think that we are so unique and that we do not conform to society. But is not conforming really, in a sense conforming. If you think about the so-called “gothic” people: they wear dark clothes and black eyeliner and they call themselves “individuals”. These people believe that they are one of a kind; there is no one else like them in the world. Wrong! The people who try not to conform the most are the least unique individuals out there. I cannot lie; I conform to many of the cultural groups that I belong to. For example, I am in a sorority. Every aspect of sorority life is something that I embrace and conform to. I have leadership positions, I love to make tee shirts for every occasion, and I take pictures everywhere I go. I am also Catholic. I go to church on Sundays, read the Bible, pray before I go to sleep, and go to confession when I have missed mass. This is another example of how I am conforming to a cultural aspect of my life. The question is, how am I unique? Are there any ways that I am different from all of those around me? I am not sure. I listen to the same music everyone else does, my hair looks like everyone else’s, and I dress the same way as most of my classmates. To tell you the truth, I am just like everybody else. After listening to Sam’s video on cultural change I realized that I need to do something about this. I need to embrace something about myself that is different and unique. For some reason, I cannot think of anything. Some people think differently than everyone else. For example, the things that Sam talks about in class are so innovative and I have no idea where he comes up with them (I know some are from his wife, but where does she come up with them?). I wish that I could think that way too. As a sociology minor, I have plenty of opportunities to think in this new light; sometimes I feel like I come up with ideas that no one else has ever thought of (which is really cool). I would have to say that that is the way that I am innovative and creative. In conclusion, I would have to say that there is not much that sets up apart from one another. We are all just copies of each other and the cultural groups that we represent. Someone from Somalia may seem weird, different and strange to someone from the United States but in retrospect, where they come from, they are just like everyone else.
I have lived in two places my whole life, the suburbs of Philadelphia and northern Virginia. When my family decided to move back to the suburbs of Philadelphia after my sophomore year of high school, and how it was one of the biggest things that has happened in my life. I went to catholic school from kindergarten to tenth grade, and when my family moved back to PA I decided I wanted to go to public school for my last two years of high school. Now even though I lived in two pretty different states, I had very similar friends, all white, middle to upper class, catholic kids. It wasn’t until I moved back to PA my junior and senior years of high school, and attended a public school that my eyes really opened up to people of different races, religions, and backgrounds. Every person in my family, all my cousins, aunts uncles and brothers went to catholic school and I was the one that decided I wanted to try something different and step away from what I had always known and felt comfortable in. Stepping away from the norm was definitely hard to do, but I am so glad that I did. I met people of different, races, religions, and backgrounds. I dated a guy who was a different ethnicity, have friends of all colors and religions, and I even went to my first Bar-Mitzvah at 18 years old. My whole opinion of people and even life had changed. Stepping out of my comfort zone and trying something new helped me define myself as who I am. I also had a much easier time adjusting to college and life away from home. I’m not saying that I know all about cultures or am fluent in multiple languages, but I think I am a lot more culturally aware and it was all because I swam away from the school of fish.
I think there is a logical explanation for why many of the greatest and most innovative minds belonged to those who refused to be content to simply “fit in.” Those who do not belong to the masses have already shown their desire for independent thought and action by not becoming like everyone else. Many people who belong to the mainstream school of thought do so out of convenience of fear of standing out. I vehemently believe that some people are not so much afraid of standing out but much more content to simply stand back and go along with the flow. They may dress and eat traditionally because that’s what’s most readily available and convenient. They may be content to listen to mainstream music because as long as it is satisfactory, they have no need to pursue auditory pleasures above average quality. While people who are driven to mainstream actions for fear of standing out have potential to be change makers, their fear cripples them, but those who are content to be average have no desire to create change or innovate and therefore are the most likely to not make any major contributions to society. People who are afraid to stand out can never bless the world with their revolutionary thought and ideas because they will always be more concerned with what others will think of their ideas than whether or not the idea has merit. Therefore, even if people who anonymously reside in the masses have groundbreaking thoughts to share with the world, it is likely that idea will never see the light of day because the originator of the idea is more content to avoid change and potential ridicule than share his or her ideas. Those who live outside the box have already shown their independence and lack of concern for how others view them by refusing to fit in and standing out from the beginning. This individualistic mindset frees the mind from being constrained by the traditional norms present in the mainstream culture. Having the opportunity to think and act freely from supposed boundaries and potential criticism from the masses allows the mind to produce extraordinary results. It is the mainstream culture that limits what the mind is supposed to do and without these limitations, there is an endless amount of creative ideas possible. So in conclusion, I feel that people can be categorized into two broad categories of the mainstream masses and the independent innovators. The mainstream group can be further broken down into those who reside there out of convenience and those who dwell there out of fear. The innovators are free of the constraints of culture and are the most likely to present the most revolutionary and groundbreaking ideas to society. Those who are scared to stand out have the potential to make great change, but society unknowingly forces them to remain silent. It is more likely that a person’s personality is responsible for which category he or she belongs to, but it is certain that our mainstream culture doesn’t foster the growth of novel inspiration.
Thinking outside the box is what people try to do, but they can not because they get to caught up with the mainstream stuff. I was in class the other day and it is an elective for my major, HRIM 497K, which deals with new product development. My professor told us he HATES when someone tells him or others to “think outside the box.” When we asked him why? His explanation was, “If you do not immediately think outside the box about new innovations and products then you should be fired! If you are in the business of making new products no one should have to tell you to think outside the damn box, you should innately already be doing it!” This got me thinking a lot because it is part of his job to think outside of the box. It is rare that you find a person who’s career is based on creating new products and still get paid regardless of whether the new product failed or not. Most of the time, people do not do things differently because they feel that if they do, then they will be ridiculed for it. For example, if I lived in a Chinese community and listened to black rap songs my parents and the whole Chinese community would ridicule me for being different and not listening to Chinese music. Since I was raised in Philly, the American side of me has taught me to follow trends in mainstream like everyone else. I did not realize how much I follow trends like styles of clothes, brand names, music, types of food I eat. I just recently noticed when Sam pointed out that he dresses like his colleagues and eats the same foods that they eat that I do the same things when I go out with my friends. Whenever I go to class and see a new trend with clothes or hair that people are wearing I try to imitate what they have and purchase the same exact style of clothing that they are wearing. I subconsciously follow these trends because I grew up with friends and family who follow trends and never dared to be different and step away from the mainstream things. The other reason I think myself and others do not stray away from mainstream is because following trends is a concept that society itself finds mainstream. Those that dare to defy mainstream and like to be different about the way they dress, act, and do what they want are typically the rebels in society who do not care what people think of them. The thing that separates the people who follow mainstream and the people who do not I believe is the fact that the people who follow mainstream fear what people say about them so they become followers. The people who do not follow trends are the rebels who do what they want because they truly do not care about what others think of them, they are usually the people who go out and do wonderful things and are always happy because they don’t give a damn about what you or me think about them, they just truly want to do what make themselves happy at the end of the day.
This question of the spark and where it comes from is a very intriguing and quite the interesting inquiry in which I have never actually thought about before. Throughout my life I have set myself apart from the norm in many ways, but yet I fall quite indubitably into the chasm that is main stream. I attempt to be unique in ways that are not overly out there, but give me personality. I’m simple in how I dress, but simple these days seems out of style. We as people for the most part, have an unfortunate inability to block-out perceptions from our peers, and quite frankly ourselves. We fixate on the attitudes and ideas that we are taught throughout our lives. Musically, I am forever fascinated with its ability to showcase emotions that cannot be put into words. In my best efforts, I have tried to listen to everything and anything that is considered music, and even that which does not. All types of music at some point were new and out there for their time. I listen and I believe that a lot of which what creates these new genres is the essence of emotion. How people feel and how they subconsciously react to conflict within themselves, as well as the outside world. Each type of music has a way of conveying emotion and feeling, whether it be emo, rock’n’roll, or even hip-hop. I understand this idea cannot be the same for everything. Einstein’s brilliance may have another catalyst or explanation, one of which I am unfortunately unable to answer. I’m sure he did a lot more pondering then any of us can comprehend. The majority of people are so caught up in their everyday lives, struggling to make it by, or out there busy taking care of their families that we unfortunately cannot just ponder and imagine like we used to as kids. As we grow up, society builds walls around our creativeness and innocent dreaming. As we get older I believe it only gets worse, as we sink deeper and deeper into this narrow path of living. How often do we just think about the world and its surroundings for hours on end? - Rarely. It’s quite an ill-fated dilemma. So I challenge all of us to take a step back sometime from our fast-paced lives and just think about anything and everything and attempt to understand. Will it work for everyone? No, we can’t all be Einsteins, but maybe we can get a better comprehension of what it takes to be on the outskirts of mainstream. Maybe we can get a feeling for something truly unique and something totally out there. We all have the ability. It is a question of do we attempt to find it.
While skimming through a few of the previous comments I noticed a similar trend. People either said that they tried not to be like everyone else and be the one who steps out of the box, or people acknowledged that comment and said that this is how everyone thinks. So which one is it? Are we leaders or followers? In my opinion, I think everyone is a little bit of both. In class we talked about cultures and sub-cultures. Cultures are a part of our everyday life and define us as individuals and as a group. Even if one calls themselves a ‘trendsetter’ or someone who is outside their box, than that is their culture. Having taken many psychology classes and a few sociology classes I can attest to the fact that humans need companionship. We need to be surrounded by other people. So if someone wants to call themselves an individualist, than all the more power to them, but the fact of the matter is they still belong to a higher societal culture of being human and needing companionship. We are all different, but we are also a lot alike.
Many things apply to ‘trends and fads’ such as clothing (skinny jeans, faded jeans, cutoff jean shorts, flare jeans), foods (don’t eat carbs!), music (hello Miley Cyrus and Brittany Spears, good bye AC/DC and the Beach Boys), and many other things. Where do these trends come from? I don’t really think that’s a question I can or know how to answer. My question, however, is are people who never moved on from one trend to another considered to be ‘outside the box’. Take the stereotypical ‘hippy kid’ in high school. The girl, or guy, who still listens to the 60s and 70s rock music, wears flare jeans, and still rolls around in the tie dye and band shirts. Is he/she considered to be ‘outside of the box’ for simply continuing a trend of several decades ago just because they aren’t rocking the latest fashion trend? I have never been the most fashion forward person, but noticing all of the new ‘hip styles’ you see a trend of going back to previous decades....but only in the sense of clothing. Why is it that no one has really gone back to the good old days of Robin Trower and classic blues, or have Lil’ Wayne throw in some classical with his beats? This is something that has always intrigued me.
So when addressing the issue of trends I think there are a lot of questions, and a lot of these questions are very difficult to answer. No one really does know where these trends come from, but what is easy to see is how big they get, and how fast they get this big. But what is also interesting to see is how previous decades and previous trends make a comeback, making the latest trendsetters, now trendfollowers.
I grew up at the center of many cultural schools of fish. I come from an upper-middle class community in the Philadelphia suburbs. In high school, I was part of a naïve, straight-edged group of friends who did well in school and participated in countless extracurricular activities. I cannot think of many fringe subcultures that influenced my precollegiate years.
One of the reasons I chose Penn State over smaller, wealthier schools was to meet a wider variety of people. Although I know Happy Valley is no emblem of diversity, at Penn State and in my travels abroad, I am thankful that I have encountered many people who have shown me the power of embracing fringe subcultures.
It is interesting to think about the differences between my Penn State friends and my childhood friends. Growing up, I had two best friends from the age of six through high school. These girls share my interests, religious views, moral opinions, and socioeconomic status. I am still close with them today and think I always will be. However, I have also gained many new, valuable friendships from people who have challenged some of my sheltered ways of thinking.
For instance, although I was raised by a Roman Catholic family and continue to be devoted to my religion, my current roommate is an atheist. She grew up in a rural town as part of a committed Lutheran family, yet she decided her religious views for herself. She has demonstrated to me the power of independent, educated thinking as she has chosen to swim free of the school of fish that did not share her personal culture.
Another one of my closest friends here is gay. From him I have gained an appreciation for the struggles faced by those who belong to fringe cultures. On the issue of race, I also have a good friend who was born and raised in Iran. In everything from religious practices and political views to dating norms and music preferences, she frequently struggles with differences between her family’s traditional ways of thinking and those of American culture. I have learned much from observing her experiences living on the fringes of two cultures.
Finally, traveling abroad has introduced me to many unique people who have embraced fringe cultures. On a cultural exchange trip to Morocco, for instance, I met a local woman who was pursuing a career in academia despite her native culture’s sexists disapproval. During a trip to provide healthcare to impoverished Hondurans, I met many young children from families who had farmed the mountainous land for generations. In addition to contributing to the farming culture, these young Hondurans chose to attend school with the hopes of pursuing more profitable work to benefit their families. I was inspired by the self-motivation displayed by these individuals.
People living on the fringes of cultures can powerfully impact those of us who were raised blind to the water surrounding us. During my three years at Penn State, I am grateful that I have gained exposure to numerous fringe subcultures. I certainly cannot claim that I have completely rejected the core cultural values with which I was raised to become a free-spirited, cultural rebel. I can, however, say that my mind has been opened to many new ways of thinking. I find myself noticing the water that surrounds me, and, at times, even daring to move away from the center of some of my cultural schools of fish.
Before reading this blog I could honestly say that I would go along with the quote that society likes to repeat over and over again: “Everyone has something unique about them”. Now that I think about it, yeah we all have things that set us aside from other people, but those things do not necessarily set us aside from EVERYONE else in the world. It just puts us in a different group of people who share that certain “unique” trait or quality with us as well. Then it got me thinking, do I know anyone that has truly come up with his or her own matchless way to go about life or is there anything about me that can set me apart from everyone else? And really, I can’t say that I do know anyone personally like that or that I have something about me that makes me different from everyone in this world.
Then I realized, you said anything that sets us apart from a subgroup in society rather than society as a whole. I thought about this as well and I came up with a few things, but nothing big enough to have an impact on the way many people think about something or starting a huge trend or anything like that. But anyway, what sets me apart from my own personal group of friends is the career path I am choosing for my future (I want to be a teacher). Everyone I live with here at school is a marketing major. Everyone that I am close with at home is either a nursing major or a business major as well. Because of my future career choice, the jobs I have now at home also set me apart from the paths that my friends are taking. I work at a daycare as opposed to having internships all summer (and I cant complain!).
Also, from the “trend” department, something so minor but it does make me unique, is the laaaargee amount of bracelets I have on my wrists and the really bright colored clothes and sneakers that I break out. The bracelet thing started three summers ago when I put a few hair ties on my wrists to see how tan I got. Then at the beach a lady was walking around selling some hand-made bracelets so I bought a few. After that I would basically collect anything and add it to my wrists. Now I have (let me count…) 24 bracelets and one big tan line. As for the bright colors, that’s just what I’m known for at home and I’m sure I get noticed here a few times amongst the millions of kids walking around campus.
I guess you can say I kind of do have some unique things about me, but once again…not to be a downer…nothing that is going to start any huge trends (although my friends have started loading their wrists with bracelets too) and no ideas that will change a large group of peoples thinking.
It has been seen throughout the years and across cultures that success- in its most groundbreaking form- occurs when innovative and fresh ideas are involved. There is a “new form” mentioned in the video. Looking around and considering the fact that the world truly changes when someone is discovering this “new form”, I have a difficult time picking someone out. To be honest, I can’t even look in the mirror and say I have done something not done before or done anything in a new way. Or maybe I have and just have not realized it yet.
What I begin to wonder about is how these ideas come about. Where did Einstein’s theory of relativity or Rachel Zoe’s idea to become a celebrity and stylist at the same time come from? Though Rachel Zoe’s accomplishments are not as great or numerous as Einstein, they are innovative and new to the fashion world. Instead of claiming that everyone is boring and afraid to do what they really want to, it is important to see that maybe-just maybe- not everyone has these revolutionary ideas pop into their heads. I have personally seen people with so little personality that it is evident to see they are not just following the crowd: they just don’t care to have their own ideas.
When I was in middle school, I had this great idea to get into the “punk” subculture. At the time, I thought I was doing something completely different but I now realize I was just following a trend that a few kids in my grade began to follow. Desperate for something other than top 20 songs on radios and having the same clothes as every girl in my grade, I jumped headfirst into a trend that naturally drove my parents crazy. But it was doing this that introduced me to music that pushed genres and broke cultures. After the punk phase my 8th grade teacher handed me Radiohead’s “OK Computer” album and things have never been the same since. Even though I still live life in the middle of this “sea” I have found a way to be a little different in my own way. I now have the ability to realize when I am listening to something truly amazing and groundbreaking. I hope to use the inspiration I get from music to maybe one day do something just as innovative. I do not look to others to dress or live and find great pride in that. Even though I am never going to be the girl running around campus in wild clothes, I am content in knowing that everything I do in my life is because I love it.
So I get the impression that there’s this force coming from every subculture we’re involved with pulling us closer to that culture’s center. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing; it can be a ton of fun being completely immersed in a subculture, if only for a few hours, say, on a Saturday afternoon. However, I completely agree that there can be no revolution within a culture unless you can take a step back and assess the state of a culture, which is very difficult if you’re stuck in the middle. For example, Martin Luther, the radical dude from back in the day who wrote the 95 Theses, was initially a member of the Catholic faith but was EXCOMMUNICATED because his ideas were so different from those of most Catholics. But he started the Lutheran church of Christianity, a new subculture that had a different spin on the same big idea. This happens elsewhere in places that you wouldn’t expect, like in the culture of video games. Creator of Double Fine development studio, Tim Schafer is a guy who is known (in the video game community at least) as a guy who makes great games not just because the action is new or the control system is different but because he is an excellent writer. This is not to say that there isn’t great writing elsewhere in video games but this quality of storytelling is not usually seen in the genre of games he is involved with. So now I move to try to answer the question, “Where does it come from?” but keep in mind, I’m not saying I have a definitive answer. Throughout my life I’ve come across things that I’d never seen or experienced before and for a few, I was really excited about learning more about them. For instance, I took an intro to art class for a gen ed and at first I was really intimidated because most everyone else had art experience and I had none. As the class progressed through the semester I became enthralled by the idea that art could really be anything I wanted it to be and I was using cardboard to create sculptures and leftover food to “beat up” and stain a map I had created. This wasn’t anything radical in my mind, but I had not been exposed to the “rules and regulations” of art and could therefore take a different look at what art was. I think this is what it means to be radical in one culture or another, to have a fresh set of eyes to look at what is going on and to see what is relevant and what can be changed.
The fact that the fish is the last person to see the water became extremely apparent to me when the girl from the Pennsylvania Mainline (or whatever the hell it’s called) got up in front of the class and didn’t even see the enormous divide from her interests and life versus the other two people standing up there. She was completely unaware of her socioeconomic status, and prestige. Either that or she’s pretending she wasn’t. But anyways, I want to comment on the question posed which you asked where the spark for creativity and opposition from the mainstream comes from. I would like to point out the important fact that without some sort of connection to the mainstream, the person who was creating would have no idea whether or not what they happened to be creating was mainstream or not. Say a man in the woods creates rap music, walks into New York City from the forest, and presents it. Would that make his music less “something” if it had already been created? Because, I feel like, we are de-valuing the typical, or mainstream. Nonetheless, I guess what I’m trying to say is that without some sort of current connection to the real world, there would be no “new” spark or inspiration. How would a person know what they could create personally if they didn’t know what had already been created in some form? For example, Dada artists spoke out against the violent, machine loving government in the olden days, but how would such an art form exist without the original stance of the government for violence? One would not exist without the other. Similarly, surrealist artists were inspired by Dada artists to create completely new forms of artwork that had never before been seen or imagined. Without the inspiration of a very mainstream form of art at the time, Dada, the Surrealists wouldn’t have been able to create their style. I guess, creativity really just depends completely on the context of the time period in which it is being created in. Because ultimately, every single thought in the world (in my opinion) has already been thought, drawn, strived for, sold, etc. How could it not be with the billions of people who have inhabited this Earth, and possibly millions of other planets we don’t even know exist in the universe? Originality is impossible, but not in a given period of time and space.
First of all, I think cultural transformation should not be this big of a deal. We are all created unique, but instead of us embracing our uniqueness, we expel those who are different and focus our time on those who are like us. Why? I think it is because we would rather be comfortable sitting in our little bubble, rather than trying to expand ourselves. I find that the most rewarding experiences I have had involved me being really uncomfortable. In high school I spent a lot of time hanging out with a Puerto Rican and a couple black guys. As a middle class white boy, the projects are not exactly the most comfortable place to be, but I learned so much from them, and grew so much being around them. Not only did I pick up knowledge about a different culture, but I also began to appreciate my own uniqueness. My best friend right now is Armenian, and I’m not going to lie when I say that his love of his culture used to annoy me. However, when I got to see that culture for myself, I began to appreciate it, and even enjoy it a little. We get so scared that we are going to lose our own identity when we step into a different culture, but what actually happens is that we learn a little bit about how our culture is unique and how it is the same as others. When we grasp that we really aren’t that different from people who don’t seem to be like us, we truly appreciate the simplicity of the human race.
Now, in response to what makes us feel alive, I think its finding those little similarities in others. I have been a Christian for 3 years and 4 months, and by Christian I don’t mean the Willard preacher, or the crazy people by the hub who tells everyone that they are going to Hell, but a Christian in the sense that I love Jesus, and I think that the gospel, is a gospel of love, grace and forgiveness. And one of the coolest things I have witnessed is meeting people in church who look, act, and simply are different than I am, yet we have the common interest in religion. Some of my oldest and best friends are the people that I have very little in common with, yet share the same religion. So I think that the best way for new ideas to get created, for big change to happen, is not to focus on being different, or to try to swim against the current, but I think that if we all just be. If we all exist and not put on fronts, and act like ourselves, we’ll create the biggest change the world has ever seen.
“Where does originality come from?” This may be one of the easiest, as well as one of the most complicated questions to understand. Most of us believe it is easy because we like to think of ourselves as “trend setters”. When you really take the time to observe and think about it however, that is where it gets a little complex. Of course we all want to believe that we are rebelling against the mainstream, but like so many have already pointed out or discussed, very few of us actually act on contradicting the norm. The main reason for this is because people are afraid of what other people may think. Sure, there is always the risk of failure or humiliation, but like the saying goes, “You never know until you try.” Not to mention the “failure” of trying something new shouldn’t even be considered a failure, but a learning experience. Looking back into the past should alone prove that being original pays off when it is successful, and that success never really evolves from a first attempt. Undisputed proof of this is the story of Elvis and his career.
Elvis Presley, “The King of Rock and Roll,” was not always referred to as that title. In fact, not only did he descend from one of the poorest families in his area, he grew up almost a friendless social outcast. After graduating high school, he became a professional truck driver. It was at that point in his life, he made the decision, with nothing left to lose, that he was going to pursue his goal of becoming a worldwide star. He knew he had something that no one ever had before, and so did the music producers he auditioned for; they just couldn’t seem to find the missing piece of the puzzle that was holding back his outbreak. After numerous tries, he finally recorded the breakout song that changed his life forever. Of course, we all know what happened next. Elvis went on to become one of the most worldly-known performers of all time. He single handedly changed music forever.
Now, obviously not everyone will experience the success that Elvis basked in. Everyone, however, has the POTENTIAL to do something great. Everyone has just as much a chance to be a “trend setter” than any other “trend setter” in history. The key to doing so nonetheless is to find the courage to forget what everyone else will think of you. Standing out is what will make you outstanding, and as long as you stay true to yourself and not what everyone else thinks, you will always be rewarded; if not with fame and fortune, with self-gratification, which is the best gift of them all. I myself cannot sit here and preach like I know what I am talking about, because I find myself absorbed by mainstream more often than not. I can say, however, that I always stay true to what I believe in and if it pleases me, I do it. I consistently listen to music that I get teased for by my friends and wear clothes that are not accepted widely by the majority, but I don’t let it bother me. These are just little things I do to stay “out of the box”, and while I do receive the criticisms from those closest to me, the self-gratification I get from these things outnumbers the criticisms significantly, and that’s all that matters.
I’ve been waiting for a question like this. I’ve grown up on the north shore of Long Island, some would say the modern day “Gold Coast”. Let me share the demographics of my town before I head off into my rant. The racial makeup goes as such: 97.04% White, .59% African American, .05% Native American, .01% Pacific Islander and .75% from two or more races. I drive a BMW, so does my mom, so does my step-father, and primarily every other family in my town. I live in a town where it WOULD be looked down upon if I brought home someone of a different race. I live in a town where if you’re not a member of the Yacht-Club (which happens to be located on the street I live on) you ARE looked down upon. If your father holds a position on the Yacht-Club board you are that much more important. All my friends seem to be accepting of this lifestyle, and as I am…to some degree.
When Sam brought down those three students on Thursday (one redneck, one urbanite, and one prep) I knew I would have fit the mold all too well for the preppy, Long Islander despite that I’m not Jewish (another quality that’s looked down upon in my town). So, when seeing this blog post, I was all too intrigued. Not all, but the majority of men in my town are lawyers, doctors, CFO’s, CEO’s, company owners etc. My step-father is an Architect, and I was lucky to grow up with a very liberal mother who happens to be a Psychology teacher. I’ve been taught to appreciate the lifestyle I’ve grown up with. Then I wonder though, if it wasn’t for my mother teaching me to be grateful, would it be in my nature to feel appreciative? I sure hope so. If it wasn’t for her would I think less of Blacks, Asians, Homosexuals and Jews? It makes me cringe when I think of my friends’ parents and their judgments. I’m so proud to be free of judgment, I’m so proud that I come from a family free of discrimination. Then I ask, what’s made us this way? Is in an innate? It makes perfect sense why my neighbors and friends are the way they are. I should be that way too. My mother, who grew up in the same town, could easily be that way too. We’ve broken the mold. I think its natural behavior to accustom yourself with what you know and what you’ve been surrounded by; no wonder Sam didn’t like Chinese Classical music. Those of us who can break the mold, no matter how big or small, should be thankful. The world is filled with intriguing sub-cultures, and it’s a blessing if you can emerge yourself into one.
Thinking outside the box, not following the mainstream and going upstream is a very difficult task for all humans to go through. People tend to stick to the norms since they do not want to do anything that may be risky and harmful to them. No one in this world likes to be victims of risks and negative outcomes. I can’t blame others of being afraid of thinking outside the box since I am one of them that can’t do that also. I describe myself as a multicultural person. Since the beginning of my life, I had to learn two languages, Korean and English. At home, I had to live as a Korean since my parents did not want me to lose my Korean identity. At school, it was an American school, so I had to speak English and get along with the people of western cultural background. I lived like this throughout my life and still do so today. Due to the reason, I am able to adapt into different people of different racial identities through a wide range of experience with different people.
Once I tried to think outside the box. I wanted change in my Korean community in college. There is this sense to Asians that Asians needs to stick among Asians in order to survive in the Americas since we are the minority. Koreans stick with Koreans, Chinese stick with Chinese, and mostly hesitate to get along with people of different races. I however both had friends from the Korean and the white community since I know how to get along with both kinds of people. Before I go on any further, Korean people are EXTREMELY conservative. Unlike the western community, the majority of the people regard divorce as a big felony and the person will get pointed at. Such cultural characteristics sometimes made me feel uncomfortable. I always thought why can’t my people be a little more lenient? Why can’t my people show affection in the public like all the others are doing here? In my culture, kissing and hugging among lovers in the public is unacceptable. Wanting to innovate such mindset, I wanted change. I wanted my friends to experience more freedom and show affection towards their loved ones when they want to without concerning of what other people say. I tried to convince my friends to not just be conservative but be open to criticism and change. Thinking outside the box among the conservative Koreans however gave me nothing but a proud nickname “revolutionist,” and hate towards me. My risk of wanting and trying to change my community was to lose friends and regarded as a “psycho,” and that was what actually happened 3 years ago. Now I am still trying to have my people be more open minded but in a more slower pace, trying to find the most effective way. Indeed, I do have risk, but I am willing to take that risk to show my community that being conservative is not always the best choice.
This is such a powerful concept. I especially enjoyed Tuesdays lecture because of the real life examples of the mainstream culture idea. It just goes to show how people become so comfortable in their own culture and life that they don’t venture out and really discover how other people might live. Especially how someone from a small town, in the middle of nowhere, probably would not be friends with someone that is from the heart of New York City. Their way of living is just totally different. However, what causes that wall? Are people just scared of breaking out of their bubble of where they come from and what they are used to? Maybe they just choose to live the same way because it is easier, and more accepted in their society. Either way it is still an incredibly interesting concept. For me personally, I like to think that coming to college after being in my own little small town bubble way of life I have grown more and changed and have become more unique, but in reality, I do not know if that is true at all anymore. Like Sam says in the video about how most of us like to think we are the fish swimming upstream, when everyone else is swimming downstream, I could not agree more. I think everyone thinks that they march to the beat of a different drum, but in reality we all just march to the beat of different cultures and backgrounds and in those different backgrounds and cultures everyone pretty much acts the same. I know I don’t think that I could totally change the person I am and totally break out of my shell that I grew up with because it defines who I have become. I’m not saying I don’t try new things every once in a while, but I could never imagine doing a complete and total change of the normal things I do, what music I listen to, or even what I eat and wear. I like to think that what I wear and what kind of music I listen to helps me to express different sides of myself and how I am feeling that certain day or time. Then again that also leads back to well, what you wear and what you listen to is based on your culture mainstream. For example, me, living on the east coast my whole life, probably wouldn’t necessarily fit in very well if I all of a sudden up and moved to California. Which is the entire point all together, maybe if we all ventured out of our own culture mainstream then people wouldn’t walk around looking like clones. If I moved to California and didn’t change who I was and what I wore, then I wouldn’t fit in. Let’s be honest though, how long would it take before I was morphed into that culture? Probably not that long at all, it is just a natural part of society.
I absolutely LOVE this question because it really is something I contemplate myself. Where do these ideas in my head come from? Do I think of them on my own? Am I “copying” someone else? Am I thinking this way and doing these things because of the media and what is immediately seen around me? And sadly I do think the answer for myself, is yes. In a society where media is continually around you, I must say it’s extremely difficult to not follow it. Everywhere you look is an advertisement telling you what you should buy, what you should look like, what you should listen to… etc. And they really do work! A perfect example of this is fashion. Now not everyone may be into clothes but I really do seem to love them (obviously too much). All of a sudden, this trend of “rompers” came around. Let me tell you, the things are hideous Sam. You’d probably see a girl on the street wearing one and ask yourself “what the hell is that thing?” Anyways- they’re this one-piece outfit that are less than flattering. Yet in the fashion world, they’re EVERYWHERE! Who decided to have these be the next “in” thing? And the second that some celebrity was seen wearing one, or the fashionable girl next to you in class, they seem more appealing. I even almost contemplated buying one myself. Now sitting back and thinking about these, I realize how absolutely ridiculous that sounds, but the more I see them, the more these hideous things seem appealing. Same with music. I love going out with my friends and to parties and clubs or wherever music is playing. Growing up I was never a fan of the rap genre of music but it seems like the more I hear it, the more my friends love it and play it and sing along with it, the more I find myself downloading it on my Ipod and starting to like it too. This makes me as myself; do I really like this music? Is it really starting to grow on me? Or am I just getting used to it? When it seems like society is always telling you how to live and act, it’s hard to separate yourself from what you choose, and what is subconsciously chosen for you. Notice when the second an individual is “different” from the crowd, all attention goes to them. “Why are they doing that? Listening to that? Wearing that? Saying that?” I’m sure I'm not alone in saying that I don’t like being judged, and sadly when you go with the “norm” or conform to your peers around you, its less likely to happen. After rereading my own response, this makes me look like nothing but a girl that’s a “follower” trying to fit in. I wonder if we’re all just trying to fit in. But then again you have to ask yourself, what is “in” and why are we all so desperately trying to be the same?
People really do not understand how in the “fish bowl” they really are. In terms of culture everyone in a sense conforms to it. The people who do not include themselves are considered outcasts and may be shunned from society. Think about it, many people who surround you, as in close friends, look like, dress alike, and agree on the same topics. Many people do not take the time or effort to become more diverse in this world today. When college students go out to the club, pop music is usually played and everyone knows the words and the dance the corresponds with it. Music is so interesting in many levels in my eyes because I tend to like a wide variety I recently started listening to Salsa and Meringue and, had one of my friends who is from the Dominican Republic teach me. People are not used to many different styles of clothing, sometimes there is trends and then soon enough there is another one. In a continuation, everyone will then follow the new trend. Many people can easily relate to following a new trend, or thinking inside the box. There are not really many people who can honesty say they don’t swim with the current all of the time.
Every person has different subcultures they belong to, that tends to make each individual different from one another. Sometimes it can be ones religion or simply a different hobby. Going into more depth everyone at one point goes up the river on their own personal scale. I think of it as, it is different for that person would make it feel as they were going out of their comfort zone. For example, I enjoyed going down to Louisiana because I helped with the many families who were hurting from Hurricane Katrina. I went on this trip when I was 15, with a group from a church I didn’t belong to, and I did not know anyone who I was going to be with for the next seven days. So from one angle one can think that, well thousands of people have helped to rebuild that community, but for me, I was completely out of my comfort zone and none of my friends even thought about doing something like that. The whole trip was a huge eye opener for me, and I returned a second time six months later. Or this past year I went to Guadalajara which is a small town in Mexico. I stayed with a family that spoke full Spanish, and at the time I did not speak any Spanish. I was in a first semester Spanish class. It was so interesting at how the family did not know how to communicate with me, and vice versa. A lot depended on body language, and then we figured out that if they pointed to something then they would repeat it in Spanish, then I would go. “Oh en Englaise, .. It is …”. So, a lot of people would of not went to another country knowing that it was going to be very difficult maneuvering themselves throughout the community when no one would speak the same language as you. Needless to say, I feel that everyone has their own “current” they are used to and when that person breaks away, and could only be temporary, it makes them grow as an individual.
The facts are that it is simply easier to follow mainstream activity. The people who stray away from the norms of society have probably gone through some psychological transformation. They have either been pushed away by society though physical or psychological endeavors. Pulling away from this mainstream activity can result in a loss of social status, but is rewarding in many other ways. Some chose to take the path less traveled in search of greater meaning in life. While others, and most others might I add, conform to the popularity of society. History proves that those who take the plunge, and go on their own, so to speak, invent something remarkable, or become famous.
Sports, television, cell phones, are all things that make life easier and more enjoyable to most people. There are those though that chose not to adhere to these conveniences. In today’s society, a person who chooses not to use a cell phone is very unique. Something that appears to be an absolute necessity in today’s society, wasn’t even in existence 30 years ago. Society functioned just fine 30 years ago, so the cell phone is proven to simply be a convenience.
Some people chose not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of today’s society. There are cases of people moving out of the cities to islands for example. The lives of city inhabitants usually include high stress levels, and a hectic work schedule. Most people chose to live in the cities, but there are those who give it all up. Living on an island may mean that things are less acquirable, while in a city things are easily attained. The point here is that the majority of people will follow down mainstream simply because of the conveniences.
The innovative people in this world are rare to say the least. It takes a great deal of self-confidence and self-respect not to conform to popular vote. These individuals have learned something about themselves and about society that most people never discover. If all people thought for themselves, and believed in this “inner-creativity,” the world would progress much faster, and discoveries would be made more often. People would not be caught up in other’s thoughts, and think for themselves. Original thought is what makes today’s society progress. This idea of everyone thinking originally will probably never occur. It is just way too easy to listen to other people think. People feel they must go down stream to keep their social status. Their peers might judge them, and think poorly of them. This is sad, but is most definitely true. These insecurities of what other people might think about them, will keep many from thinking and acting for themselves.
This blog and the in-class discussion about culural transformation and being unique really caught my interest. I thought the topic about the last meal for death row inmates that Dr. Richards presented in class was also very interesting. I started thinking about what I would have and I thought it was funny how all the inmates chose foods that they had grown up with. Then Dr. Richards said that "we die as we lived". I am from 5 minutes outside of Philadelphia and like many Philadelphians I realized I would also choose a cheesesteak. I think this was the moment that I realized just how much I blend into society. Before, I never really gave any thought to how much I have blended into the rest of society. If i had to categorize my self right now I would say that I fit the description of the average twenty year old college male. I like to play and watch sports, listen to today's popular music and watch today's popular t.v., I eat the same food that my fellow students eat, I could go on and on about the similarities. Having said this, I do not think that this is necessarily a bad thing. I think that as long as someone is truly happy with their life than it does not matter how similar they are to anyone else. I do not think people should force themselves to conform to society in search of happiness because most likely it won't work out and your supressing your true self. However, at the same time, if you are happy along with the rest of society you do not need to try to force yourself to be different. I am all for creativity and uniqueness, but I think it is more important to be yourself. You are doing yourself a disservice by trying to be unique just so that you can say your different, if you are giving up being who you truly are to do so. I think the ultimate message that I will take away from this week's class is that it is important to try to be unique and innovative, but at the same time you have to be yourself and you cant lose who you are. I really enjoyed the two classes this week and I truly think they will help to open my eyes to new things. I think that I have also become more aware of myself and where I come from. By that I mean that I know what I am and I am happy with who I am. I know that I don't have to force myself to be different just so that I can say I am different, and that is what helps make me unique. I think this topic will help me to grow as a person and tap into my own imagination and creativity and use it more to become a better person.
I have no clue as to what generates this “spark.” Sam said a population shifts from mainstream to mainstream through the lead of one individual, but I’d say it takes more than one individual to pull the entire “school of fish” away from its course. And it does not happen instantaneously either. One fish doesn’t just start his own path and everyone else joins in right behind. I’d say it’s more like one fish on the fringe goes off, and then a few next to him go along with him, and then a few next to them go off and so on and so on until everyone is on board. It is a gradual process, and a slow one at that.
Music is a great example of this. Take a look at hip-hop over the past 30 years. You can take a snapshot of songs by Lil’ Wayne now, Tupac in the early to mid 90s, and Public Enemy in the early 80s. While there is a difference between all 3 artists, there is a smaller difference between Wayne and Pac and Pac and Public Enemy than between Wayne and Public Enemy. Everything from the beats to the rapping style (wordplay, flow) has changed significantly over these times, but there was never one large jump. A song from last year would be very hard to distinguish between a song from last year. So I think that the evolution or “path changing” is a rather slow progress. Very rarely does just one fish change the world.
Another issue I have with the one fish on the fringe view is that a lot of fishes on the fringe that do their own thing tend to be just shunned and very often labeled insane. Sure Jesus, Copernicus and Darwin might have all been labeled crazy and ridiculous in their times, and now we look back through history and view them as “changing the world,” but how many other rogue fish were labeled crazy in their times and are still labeled crazy today? I would bet my house a hell of a lot more. Is Charlie Manson ever going to be looked back on as someone admirable? He persuaded a couple of fish near him in the school (and even a few mainstreamers), but he still failed miserably at persuading the whole school. There are just so many “crazies” that will never be viewed as anything other than crazy. So while I’ll secede that most of the trailblazers who have changed the world, or even just their subcultures, have lived on the edges, they still run a huge risk of going down in history through a shitty lens. And even when they do manage to affect the whole school, they tend to be more a link in a chain rather than an entire bridge.
--Follow Your NOSE!!!
I think this is true for ninety-nine percent of the population. We prefer to join sub-cultures that cater to our own interest rather than create our own. I believe a lot of this is out of simple fear of not being accepted. If you join a group, you know there are already people who are members of the group who agree with your way of thinking and have similar interests as you, and will not criticize you for your interest in that particular topic. However, if you create a subculture of your own, it could be rejected by the masses, and you will be viewed as a social outcast. Most people are not willing to take that risk of rejection. There are some people who genuinely do not care what people think and do create their own style. Often this style is built on some sort of base and is changed to match that person’s interests. Sometimes this fails and the new idea dies and that person is left to cope with the feeling of rejection and hurt. Other times it becomes a massive success. In music for example, the blues started pretty much all modern genres of music. The first rock bands took the format of blues and added their own spices and the rest is history. Rock has becoming one of the longest lasting genres ever, all because somebody added their own flavor to another culture. Another reason people decide to join rather than create, I believe, is that it is simply easier. If you decide to try to stand out from the masses and be different than everyone else, you are constantly scorned or at least questioned. It is annoying to constantly have to explain yourself when you could most likely easily find something you enjoy as an accepted culture. Also trying to stand out too much could cost you not only socially, but financially. If you decide getting a bunch of tattoos and piercings is your thing and you go to interview for a job at a large corporation, they are most likely not going to hire you because you would give off the impression of someone who does not wish to comply with authority and does not go with the flow, which would be precisely what you are doing, and they are unwilling to take the risk of hiring somebody who will not fall in line with their pre-determined practices. Just because you decide to stand out and do your own thing does not make you bad person, but it does automatically cast you in a suspicious light to all those who are part of the mainstream. Often times people view it as a risk not worth taking.
The idea of “living on the fringe” of a culture sounds so intriguing to me, because I think so many people, me included, desperately try to keep swimming towards the center. If I have strayed from the center with my interests or hobbies, I’ve sometimes felt the need to keep it hidden. For years I’ve kept a journal of stories, poems, and just some other ideas that I wouldn’t dare show a soul¬–not even my best friends or my boyfriend. Not necessarily because I think what I write is bad, but because no one else I know writes just for enjoyment. I know sharing this aspect of my life would stick me in a “different” category, and it’s a category I don’t want to be in. When I came to college I thought this would change a little. I thought people would be more free to do their own thing, and not have to worry about straying from the “norm”. But I think that once I got here I got even more sucked into conforming because I was trying so hard to please people and make friends. I really don’t like this and I wish that some more of my originality could come through.
While thinking about this, a person that could not escape my mind is my friend Tim…a boy I have always envied. I’ve known Tim since 7th grade and since then I’ve had times when I’ve loved him and completely hated him, but I have never ceased to be fascinated by him. He represents, I think, someone who stays on the fringes of culture. He wears his Grateful Dead t-shirt with board shorts, a sparkly belt a girl may have left at his house, and walks around in bare feet. His ipod collection seems never ending. He reads. A lot. He talks about philosophy and religion and ideas I sometimes can’t even wrap my head around.
Tim has ADHD and bipolar disorder. He was kicked out of three schools before he finally found one that is especially made for those kids who live far away from the “center of the norm”. There are days when he is a loose cannon. He bounces off walls and sometimes I wish I could catch him and harness him down. Other days he’ll put on his headphones and completely tune out the world. He’ll ignore me¬–he is deep in his own place. Sometimes he’ll talk about things that I don’t want to talk about–things that make me cry, things that make me angry, because they make me…think.
People hate him for this. Many think he’s too weird, too unpredictable, too on the edge of life. But Tim has hundreds of friends. Everyone knows him. He has a bizarre quality that I have never witnessed with anyone¬–he is a magnet. People literally gravitate towards him. If you meet him once, he will never be just an acquaintance, he will stay deep engrained in your memory, and he will always be willing to be your friend. I am so jealous of this unexplainable quality. I have such an urge to have him like me, even when I don’t understand him or the choices he makes. He is just so engrossed in life and people. His mind is always reeling while my mind so often seems static. If he finds you interesting you suddenly feel a lot more interesting than you ever did before.
I’m not sure that the world is big enough for that many passionate and unique people though. There is a certain comfortableness in being the same as everyone else. I don’t think I could ever be like Tim. What is the spark that sets him off? I think it is something inside of him, something I’ll never really “get”. He brings people in with his uniqueness while I find the need to bring people in by acting exactly like them. Hopefully though in college I can find more people like him¬–people daring to push the envelope, because the times that he has brought me away from the center of the culture circle have been amazing. He’s opened up my eyes in a lot of ways.
This is a very interesting question. For as long as I can remember we have always been taught to think outside the box and to “blaze your own path” by our teachers and parents and elders. They have warned us not to follow the pack and do things that everyone else does just because they do it and to do what makes us happy. But I feel that for many people, following the mainstream and fitting in with popular culture is what makes them happy. Why not, for many people it is much easier to fit with the mass culture than to be original and make your own choices, especially in a college atmosphere like this. All you have to do is walk to class or go to a frat party and look around at the people you are surrounded by to see what to wear or what type of music to listen to and the new slang to use. Thankfully this is not the case for me.
I have been taught since birth by my parents to try to be original and to not be influenced by the pop culture as much as possible. Both my parents were very unique growing up to say the least, and they took pride in that and have distilled those qualities in me. But as much as I try to do my own thing and not follow what other people do, I still find myself following the mass culture in many ways. I feel that is the case for many people as well, as Sam said in his video “most of us like to think that we are the fish swimming up stream when all the other fish are swimming down stream”. I do like many of the things that my friends and the people I am around do. I am in a frat, and I know we get a bad rep and all but were not all stuck up ass holes, and I do dress pretty much like the rest of the guys in the house. That does not mean that I listen to that crap music they play at all the parties. My views on music are completely opposite. You could not find one of the top twenty most popular songs on the radio or that are played at parties on my Ipod, and I take some pride in that. I like to think that I have good taste in music, but if you asked the majority of the students on this campus they would tell you differently. I feel like most people are in the same boat that I am in where they do follow some of the trends of the pop culture, and that is completely understandable and right because it is very tough not to. But at the same time every person does do those things and have those traits that differ from the person next to them and that’s what makes thins interesting.
A great example for this topic is my older brother. He just turned 23 years old and definitely makes his own path in life. As everyone he graduated with started their college careers, my brother gave it a shot. It did not take long for him to realize he was not ready for school just yet. He has been in a band for a decade already and music is his life. Ever since he joined the punk/ska scene, he was put in the limelight and he loved it. He did what he wanted, ate what he wanted, dressed how he wanted, and people followed. I’m not going to lie, I was a little jealous. Don’t get me wrong I do some things the way I want to and not what may be considered the norm. I used to think of my brother as paranoid (and still do sometimes) when he talks of just about everything being a conspiracy. He always has information to back his opinions up. I think the reason he has been able to go against the norm is because he questions things. He wonders why people do what they do and believe what they believe. He was able to learn at an early age that people like to be accepted and that going against what is considered normal can make you an outcast. Those that are able to stand out from the crowd is their lack of fear of acceptance.
The fact that some people will spend so much money on clothing just because someone said it is the style supports the notion that people feel the need to be accepted. People will do just about anything to be accepted. Examples of this can be found in just about everyone’s high school experience. Boys trying to impress each other by picking on the weaker and younger, and girls treating each other sometimes viciously through words are just a few examples. Those students that did not dress like the other students also get picked on. They may not even be fighting the norm on purpose, but it can cause a lack of acceptance by their peers.
I think that as a society we need to be more accepting of those who think outside the box. If someone wants to wear something that would never appear on another person, they should be able to without judgment. A person should be able to question why things happen or if something really happened, and they should be able to without judgment. If there was not a fear of almost being shunned or ridiculed for being different I feel there would be a jump in people questioning the norm and acting in their own ways.
I think everyone, especially the students at Penn State, share a number of things in common, and generally conform to every society they live in. The environment that all of us (the large majority) have grown up in is the same; middle class, well off, “smart”, talented, etc. because to get into Penn State, the student has to display these types of attributes. We are accustomed to conforming, and become used to it, eventually even enjoying it.
This type of conformity occurs in all societies. It is rare that we see the type of ‘fish’ who swim against the current, because society generally scoffs at them. Take Bill Gates, for example. He was a below average student in school, and eventually dropped out. He was considered in society’s eyes a failure, but became a multi-billion dollar entrepreneur. Another perfect example is Einstein. A quirky eccentric child, Einstein also fell into the ‘reject’ category in society. We all know now that he was one of the most gifted minds our world has ever seen.
Nowadays, when conformity and being ‘normal’ is more important than anything else, we see less and less people who are willing to go against the crowd, and live on the fringes of conformity. Take, for example, Penn State’s urban gaming society. They love what they do, but are scoffed at repeatedly for their hobby. This type of negative response defers many people who would actually love to play this game with them. It seems that many are too afraid to go against the grain, as society’s pressure continues to build on our young.
So how do I “branch out” in my own ways? I think this is a tough question, because for the most part I seem to do what is normal in society’s eyes. I feel, though, that in ways I do go against the norm when I feel necessary. One example, I guess, is my enjoyment of the WWE. Wrestling “Entertainment” is seen as a gimmick for rednecks and hicks. I am neither of these, by far, I just enjoy watching the show and seeing these athletes perform what is the equivalent of a “male soap opera”.
My example is nowhere near the Einsteins or Gates’ of the world, however it justifies the point I am trying to prove. Many times, people will simply stay in the center of their environment because the fear of ridicule. I believe that this is due to peer pressure and just what we become accustomed to enjoying. So, going against the grain (for me) isn’t about making a statement. I follow my beliefs and what I enjoy, and if that means swimming against the current, then so be it.
When I reflect on the type of person I am, I think that I pretty much follow the rules. I blend with society, I make rational decisions, I act similar to my peers. However, I was never unhappy with being that type of person. I never woke up one day and thought, “I’m going to go against the norm. I’m tired of being like everyone else.”
When I analyze myself and the decisions I have made that bring me against mainstream society, there is definitely something that comes to mind. My boyfriend is Korean and I am white. Like I mentioned before, I never made myself go out of the way to be different. It just happened. I’ve been with him for 2 years and I’ve never been happier.
This is my first relationship with someone who is other than white. And now that I am with someone of another race, I think Asian boys are way better looking than White boys! Yes, I caught the yellow fever.
Being in an interracial relationship was never something that I thought about before he came along. I was never for or against it; I just never had the opportunity. Being with him has changed me in so many great ways, and it makes me so thankful that we have entirely different backgrounds.
Korean food has become my favorite thing to eat. If I had the choice, I would much rather go out for Korean barbeque than Italian or burgers and fries. His parents are so shocked to see that I will try anything they cook, no matter what it is. And to this day, I haven’t eaten anything I didn’t like. When I eat my rice, I eat it with baked seaweed wraps. I even bought six pairs of decorative, reusable chopsticks so I can get better at using them (I can almost catch a fly).
I am trying to learn the language so I can communicate with his parents. I love hearing him tell me stories of his parents when they lived in Korea. I enjoy learning about the culture that differs from my own in so many ways. My family and friends are so accepting of this relationship too. The people that I surround myself with have very open minds, and it makes no difference to them who I date, as long as I’m happy.
All of these things make me stand out in a way. Not only being in an interracial relationship, but also being so involved with a culture that is different than my own. I don’t know many other people who branch in this specific way. I may not be extremely against the mainstream, but I’m definitely unique.
I would like to consider myself my own person more than a person who has been formed and shaped by others. I would hope that my actions reflect my own sense of what is right and wrong, and what I truly want and not what someone else would want me to do. I would like to say these things, but of course i wouldn't be completely honest with myself. In fact no one can. Every single person has been influenced by someone or something else. Sure everyone thinks up their own ideas, but most of our actions and ideas spur off of somethings someone else has already done.
However once you realize that you are influenced by others, you can start thinking for yourself and make your own decisions based on your own set of beliefs and morals. I believe that has a lot to do with maturity. When children are growing up they often see the world not through their own eyes, but their another perspective not their own. This could be anything from TV to their parents, but most if not all kids growing up do not fully think for themselves. And how could they? Growing up is considerably easier when you have a model to follow after. An obvious example would be children raised with a single parent instead of both. That child will be raised and formed to an extent to how that parent has modeled his or her life.
However once we mature to the level of a college student lets say, the influences around us are our choices to follow. A college student can differentiate between following someone and simply doing what they want. Most college students can and do think for themselves. Just because someone hangs around people with the same beliefs, ideas, or interests does not mean that they are formed by those people and follow them without thinking for themselves. It simply means that they found a common interest with those friends, and enjoy their company. Personal decisions are made constantly, whether they are influenced by others or made independently rests on the maturity level and personal interests.
To tie "cultural transformation" to current events, a big theme of the past presidential election was "change" which may or may not be a "cultural transformation" (ie. not all "change" is a "cultural transformation" since change can happen inside or outside of the "box", but I think you can tentatively say all "cultural transformation" is change). And a further thought is the idea of "quality" of a particular "cultural transformation". Are there good and bad transformations? One of the previous writers noted a friend who did his own thing but seemed perpetually unhappy. How's that work? Seems if a particular transformation brings out bad feelings, transformation, in that case, may not be good. Sam, in your example of classical Chinese music, it may not hold any value to you and so is that bad? Do you attempt to force yourself to "eat your brocoli" and "like" classical Chinese music? (Grandma would like the brocoli part :) ). Everyone has their likes and dislikes. The majority of people "swimming with the current" certainly has some foundation in intellectual laziness but there is also something to the idea of recognized quality.
Trying to be different is something that is extremely difficult in today’s society. As young kids we are taught to look up to others and see how they act, and are taught to follow those that do well, so how can one divert from the mainstream culture, if there really isn’t an opportunity. Diverting from society is what some might call a gift, although staying within our comfort zone is what is normal. Being in our own circle allows humans to be safe and comfortable. Following what we were taught is usually so much better than trying to go out and be adventurous. Trying new things is difficult for most, so staying with the status quo fits everyone’s personality.
Fitting in is what some people strive off of, that is pretty much what middle school and high school are all about, fitting in and being on the top of the chain. Why it is so important is something that I could never answer. As a kid who went to public school my whole life, there was always competition between the students and groups of friends. Being different was not tolerated; I mean nobody would call someone out on it, but they were given looks, treated differently, etc. Culture has taught us to mostly associate with those who are similar and differing from our paths is odd.
Moving in the opposite direction as the other fish takes a lot of strength. Everyone wants to fit in, but at the same time want to stand out. Being able to go the complete different way makes sure that one has lost all insecurities and is not afraid to really be who they are. Being unique like Dr. Richards was trying to say in the video, is something that takes initiative and drive. Uniqueness is something that is difficult because as I said before society pressures us to be like everyone else.
Personally, I try to be as unique as possible, but it’s difficult. Growing up on Long Island I was surrounded by people just like my family. I was brought up in a great neighborhood, with mostly white people. Overall, my town is extremely diverse with different cultures all throughout. In our school system there were all types of kids, and even though there was separation based on culture, there was still little segregation. There were always the Asian kids in the back of the cafeteria, the Black kids in the middle and the mostly white “popular” kids in the front. Every so often, there was a mix; the Asian/popular/black/athletic kid who “had it all.”
Culture is a funny thing because we follow what we like, but how far is too far to follow? Being able to swim upstream and learn new things are a gift most people do not take advantage of, all because we were not really given the chance. It would be amazing to be able to see the world open up and be available to new things.
This question really intrigues me and got me thinking about the way that I live my life and the way that people around me live their lives. Every single one of my friends dresses the same way as I do, listen to the same type of music, and hang around with the same types of people that I do. However, I do not think that people who “think outside the box” do not necessarily want to get away from social norms. I dress the way that I do because I like the way that the clothes look on me and the same goes for my friends. I do not dress the way that I do because everyone else is wearing it. I’d like to think of myself as a person who thinks outside the box but I do not necessarily want to rid myself of all social norms. I think people gravitate towards the type of people who like to do and act the same way as themselves. Everyone is part of a million subcultures and I do not believe that people ever stand alone. This doesn’t mean that I think that people are not individuals; I think that one can always find someone with the same opinions he or she.
I believe that almost every person thinks outside of the box, whether classical Chinese music arouses your senses or not. It is only the boldest of people who choose to act on that thinking. There are people who believe in themselves more than others do and believe that they can accomplish anything. There are millions of people who could think of a good idea but not act on it because they do not believe in themselves. There are people who could stand so strongly for a cause but never open their mouths to defend this cause because they are too shy or scared that people will judge them.
In my opinion, it doesn’t matter if you “conform” to social norms, you can still think outside the box. You can still accomplish amazing things such as Einstein did. Everyone has to dress a certain way and most likely someone else is going to dress the same way you do. That does not mean that you cannot make a great change in the world. I very well could be wrong and could think that my outside of the box thinking isn’t really anything worth thinking about or anything that could change the world, but I do try. I do try to think outside the box and think of ways that I could make the world a better place. I do not think that the food I eat or the clothes I wear or the people that I surround myself with change that.
The spark within me that’s helping me find my own path and not just follow the societal norm is my upbringing and the uniqueness of it. It may sound super main-stream but from what I’ve collected about everyone else around me, I’m quite weird. My parents own 11 businesses between the two of them, all started by either my Mom or Dad and all interconnected in some way. They started building this empire of sorts right before I was born, and it didn’t take off until I was around 7. This meant that they were never home, and depended on our schools to teach us the proper way to live and succeed in the world, which is why they enrolled me and my 3 sisters in a tiny, private, Christian school. They themselves claim to believe but hardly show an interest in the faith now-a-days. They never attend church, and I can count on one hand how many times I’ve gotten in a spiritual conversation with them. They just assumed I guess that since we were going to a good school we would turn out to be good people. It worked for the most part; I’m the typical Christian girl now. I am very involved in a campus ministry and I attend church religiously and I am very good at explaining what I believe and why I believe it, however I think a lot of love is missing from my life. My family and I just coexist. My sisters and I hardly know each other, which leads to a very quiet and peaceful home. But the lack of love is what really makes me unique. I have realized since I’ve been at Penn State how rare it is to not come from a warm, loving home. To be honest, before I came here, I thought that everyone I met would come from very cold and hostile homes and my family would seem warm and loving in comparison. But it’s not, people find warm loving communities to substitute for cold families, whereas I just plain stopped looking. This has led to a lot of awkward conflict with my roommate who is used to family being best friends, and therefore since we were living in the same room we were family and expected to be best friends. But I have never had a “best friendship” last for more than 2-3 years, so I was expecting us to be the same way, subconsciously. Also with my boyfriend, we’ve been dating for almost 5 months and it’s fascinating to me to see his interaction with his parents and little brother. They love one another so well! I wish I had that type of family where there was a warm wonderful accepting loving environment all the time. It’s made me much more aware of other peoples love and I appreciate love a lot more now than I would had I been immersed in it my whole life. Your parents really do have a huge impact on your personality and the way you interact with your surroundings, and my lack of love has definitely impacted my unique view of the world and sparked a curiosity within me to find that somewhere.
So few human beings in my opinion have that special gene, or dynamic within their personality that allows them to be their own person and not follow the masses. The interesting case of Lemmings committing mass suicide is similar to the dilemma discussed in the blog. Lemmings always follow the one leader and if the leader walks off a cliff, all of them follow. I’m becoming more aware about the “Lemming Effect” as it pertains to humans. It’s the little things that jump out at me. For example, I was walking to class the other day and there were two sets of doors to get into the building, the door on the left was closed and nobody was walking in or out of. The door on the right was open and there was a line of about 20 people walking in and out of that door. People subconsciously follow what the person in front of them does and doesn’t think about any alternatives to what that person is doing.
I do agree with Sam, if you want to be successful than you have to stay away from mainstream and remain original. The most successful people in the world have used their ingenuity to catapult them to a tier not attainable by people who follow the masses. Even people who use their success/ability to lead people for evil (Hitler, Napoleon) they still have that gene, that dynamic that allows them to lead people. On a side note, if you look within your group of friends and analyze the roles of every person in that group, you will notice that there is and always as been a leader or trendsetter of that group.
We as a society promote homogeneity amongst all people. The clothing styles that we choose to wear, the music we listen too, even the way our body looks is all determined by how society would like us too look/act. To answer Mr. Richards question as to how a new style or a new genre of something comes about, I believe that it all depends on the confidence of the person that is starting said style. People feed off of each other’s confidence. If you aren’t confident about the trend you’re trying to set, than nobody is going to follow that trend, the same works for the inverse.
And it is true, the farther away from mainstream, the more successful people are. Those people have an intangible or a drive that allows makes them work harder and want to achieve more so in turn they can be accepted by society. Like we discussed in class, few people make a larger jump up the socio-economic ladder then immigrants. They possess that intangible that forces them to work harder then the competition. Should I pack up all my possessions and move to another country to gain an advantage?
Despite the fact that more and more people today find themselves in various sub cultural groups, and are trying to stray away from the norm, the reality is that most of us are still fighting tooth and nail to conform to societal norms, norms in which we have no say or opinion. Like Sam said in his post, he dresses, eats, and does most of the things considered “normal” for a college professor. The same applies to my generation, where popular culture and the mainstream dictate how people talk, dress, act, etc. Obviously, some people manage to break away from the stereotype and invent their own identity, but this has become increasingly rare. Throughout history there have been creative innovators who went against both authority and social norms in order to progress as individuals. Einstein, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King Jr. Insert whatever name you want here, these are some people who were able to go against societal norms to help themselves and others move forward. For Einstein it was science, for Anthony it was women’s rights, and for King it was the overarching issue of racial equality and civil rights. Regardless of the issue these people all went against what was considered” right” at the time. These types of people have become increasingly rare in today’s society, The majority of the population seems content with just sitting back and riding the current, so to speak. Despite all of these new efforts to help different cultures merge, (Asian fusion cuisine, sushi in every grocery store, McDonald’s on every corner of the god damn earth) I feel like many people are hesitant to branch out and try new things, because they are so wrapped up in the societal norms that dictate their lives.
Even when a person decides to stray away from the norm and try something new, it doesn’t always mean they actually understand or like it. The fact that we as humans are so concentrically stuck in our own cultural system makes it difficult break free. You can go out, eat all types of exotic ethnic food, take salsa-dancing lessons, or listen to Incan flute bands from Peru. The fact of the matter is that just because you do those things, you are not “multi-cultural.” Until you can truly understand the heritage behind these cultural actions, you ate simply just trying too hard to take on the air of the liberal, cultured individual. This is laughable, because this has become so commonplace in people, especially Americans, that it is now almost considered a social norm. Ironic, is it not? Regardless of this, it is indisputable that people have a hard time letting go of their norms and values, and only time and true understanding can wean us off of them.
I agree with the sentiment that the only way we see change in different areas of our society is from people within those areas that happen to live out on the fringe of their prospective fields. If you go back as far as someone like Galileo, who was imprisoned for his idea that the Earth revolved around the Sun and not the other way around, as so many people had believed. It takes someone who thinks way outside of the box and constantly dwells in that area for changes in fields to happen.
However, once that change does happen and goes from the fringe to the mainstream, it becomes played out and mimicked and copied until someone has to come along again to change the field all over. And it’s hard to try and decipher how out of society, which clings to the norms for dear life, comes a person who has the creative spark and the mental will power to give the proverbial finger to what’s looked at as normal and acceptable and set off on their own path.
In my opinion, these people have to go through a set of circumstances within their life that set them apart and open them up to new ways of thinking other than what they’re used to or go through some sort of life changing experience. If you ask me, it’s hard to be someone who is born and raised in suburbia and never travelled the world to find that spark to totally flip an entire genre on its head. I feel that you also have to be raised by parents that don’t shelter you as a child and allow you to be open to all sorts of cultures and viewpoints different than the ones in your area. This is why I feel it’s so rare. Most parents want to shelter their kids from things that are different for fear of scaring them. They want to be able to shape and mold their kids in their image as they see fit, they want them to be able to integrate into society and thus follow the norms and accept them like everyone else.
But with these special parents, they let their children find their own way. They let them make mistakes, they let them find out things for themselves, they allow them to explore other cultures and other ways of thought. This opens up the mind to so many outside possibilities and this is why they can live out on the fringe and change things and pull away from the norm. It’s why we have so few people who come along and just change music, or movies or writing. It’s not like we have a new Orson Welles coming along every two or three months. In fact, you’re lucky if you have someone like that in every generation. It’s a very rare set of circumstances that bring these revolutionaries to the forefront of society.
Creativity is an odd concept to think about especially in terms of breakthroughs and cultural phenomena. In my opinion the most creative people are those who follow their own path in life, not those who start a cultural revolution because if there are enough people to start this phenomenon then it clearly is not that personally creative and independent from main stream. In terms of science and learning, as in Einstein’s case, that is a different kind of creativity not owing itself to culture or society so much as ones brain and genes. Being a genius is different from being innovative and creative. I have little doubt that Einstein broke free of cultures popular beliefs because he saw things completely differently than his peers because of his high intelligence. Only so often is a true genius born and given the ability to change the world’s perceptions. Being creative does not mean you can reinvent a hard science in such a way as Einstein or Darwin or Newton etc… it slimly has to do with pursuing your own interests regardless of popularity.
The creative spark that Dr. Richards alludes to is impossible to pinpoint, but there are certainly environments where creativity and innovation thrives. A racially diverse workforce or mind bank is generally more creative than that of people similarly disposed. This is because in like minded like raised groups, there is little need to debate and thus creativity and innovation is squelched. Conversely, in a diverse force, there is much questioning and much debate thus leading to possibilities and thoughts that would otherwise have remained hidden in the minds of those involved. So, as society grows more and more accepting of diversity, I feel that creativity and innovation will likewise see an upward climb.
There is something that worries me about this constant fight to be creative and not conform and whatnot. It is that in attempting so hard to not fit in with society, one inevitably leads to isolation and oftentimes looks like a jerk for condoning the practices of the masses. Take for instance the punk culture. If you have ever seen the movie SLC Punk there is a great line in which one character asks the lead punk character why they try so hard to act and dress differently. She asserts that in trying to act like a punk he is merely wearing yet another uniform, that of a punk rather than that of a yuppie. This is interesting because it is not appearance that makes someone unique or creative, but rather ones outlook on life and ones own thoughts that define independence from the masses.
For the most part, I feel as though it is hard to find people that truly wander down fresh, unchartered paths. When you look around, generally you find only people that look alike, dress alike, and act alike. Sure, there are cliques or groups of people that have differences between other groups- which is obviously what makes the groups separate entities- but, all in all, they are still similar people with similar beliefs and similar backgrounds. Rarely do you find someone who is truly doing his or her own thing in life. When a person is not afraid to take the leap from everyday, common societal formalities, that person often uncovers great things in his or her life.
Like Sam said in the article, Einstein would have been just another scientist/philosopher had he studied the same things and held the same ideas as all of his colleagues. Instead, he was not afraid to take the plunge into exploring what, at the time, seemed like complete nonsense. Because of Einstein’s ability to ignore common culture, he reached his full potential and became the man he is today.
Thinking more in depth, I feel like it is impossible to truly be unique. It is impossible to truly be the only fish attempting to “swim upstream.” Even when you think that you have uncovered or unveiled an innovative idea or outlook on life, chances are that there is someone in your culture, somewhere, who is having the same thoughts. To do something that no one else has done or to believe something that no one else believes almost does not exist. And when someone does in fact turn over a new stone and does something unique, it is impossible to remain as that unique individual. As soon as people who are dying to forgo common practices get wind of a new innovative idea or trend, who is to stop them from hopping on board. This, I believe, is how sub cultures are formed. It only takes one unique individual to spark rallying support from others, and in turn, a new subculture within a particular culture.
With that being said, I feel as though I am guilty of following the mainstream. It is not necessarily that I mean to, it is just how I was raised. We are all taught to go to school, work hard, get goods great, earn a degree, and earn a good salary. This is a typical series of life events. Most people go to college, enroll in the same majors as thousands of other students, and earn the same degrees as thousands of other graduates. This is what we all know, and what we are comfortable with. Why should we ever forgo the certain, and venture down a path of uncertainty? Personally, I like to know where I’ll be ten years down the road. If I were to give up what I am comfortable with to follow some unique idea that I envisioned, a sense of comfort would not exist.
Ever since I was little I always envisioned myself as that very fish Dr. Richards spoke of that was the only little fighter swimming upstream. I looked different than a lot of the blue-eyed, blonde-haired friends that I had. I acted different. My family always seemed less than mainstream. This became even more apparent in the early teenage years when I hated my parents and yearned for nothing else but to be wholly and unequivocally unique. Inevitably, my life hit a rough patch; parents divorced, money was tight, boys were annoying. I was in high school. Tough times made me feel not so much unique as alienated. I think this is where my false sense of uniqueness came from. I was so immersed in my own angst-y teenage pain that I felt that “no one could possibly understand” and that I’d have to “fight on my own.” I isolated myself.
Luckily, I one day grew out of my teenage funk to embrace life. I had forced myself to step out of the darkness and accept my situation. However, I was never able to shed the false sense of uniqueness (i.e. unrealized self-isolation) that I had given myself. All this time, I have been mistaking one for the other. I knew that there was something different about me; pinpointing exactly what that was, though, was where my self-discovery ended. Yes, I dressed and looked differently than my friends—I flaunted my leopard print obsession in my wardrobe, and my dark skin and wildly curly hair had people often mistaking this southern Italian girl for an African American. I was different.
Then I got to Penn State. There are over 43 THOUSAND people here. Holy crap. And you know what? A lot of them look and act like me. The high school and township I grew up in were both very closed-minded…and white. So when I came to State College and I was directly asked the question, “What makes you so special?” I was shocked to find that I had no answer. There was nothing to separate me from the other 42,999 people here, nonetheless the other 5,999,999,999 in the WORLD.
I am just now seeing, though, that this realization is what makes me unique. Few people are lucky enough to realize that their entire lives have been spent swimming in the middle of the school. I am unique because I see that I am not. Where has this realization come from? Somehow, it was as simple as a few moments’ self-reflection. While I’ll still need time to find something that makes me truly unique, that makes me truly against the grain, I am, for now, content in at least knowing that changes must be made.
Out of the box, unique, original. These are not the words I would associate with my friends and most of the people I know at Penn State or in my social network. We follow the crowd; we’re like wilder beasts in Planet Earth following each other without anyone asking why, where we’re going, or if there is a better route. I always tried to break free; I do a lot of things that are completely sporadic and what many of my friends think is weird. I randomly joined the marines, I took a semester abroad in Egypt, I write. Many of my friends criticize me and poke fun at me subtly. I get the impression they think my actions are condescending. In a way they are; I don’t think I’m better than my friends but I do think that I have higher life goals and expectations. I don’t think I possess the wisdom the wise Mr. Robinson spoke of but I do seek it, which in my opinion has some unique quality to it. I’m still not sure yet how I will innovate and change things I just know that I want to. For right now I am going to keep taking advantage of opportunities that are out of the ordinary and unique. But the urge to follow the other fish is not desolate in me. It’s a struggle and a battle, I constantly want to please people and sometimes I do it in any way possible and when I catch myself in the act I feel insecure. I go to a Frat and I look at some people and I think how lame they really are, then I catch myself doing the very same things I criticized, hypocritical I know. What does it take to be truly out of the ordinary? To be truly unique is not always a good thing keep in mind. The Columbine shooters were in many ways unique, Hitler was original, and the September 11th terrorist attacks were unprecedented and will all be remembered in history. I’m not condoning these atrocities but I want to bring to attention that these fish also didn’t swim the same way as the rest. That being said how do I get to the state of mind of my innovative idols, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barrack Obama? I obviously don’t know yet because I’m far from any kind of higher level of innovative thinking but I like to think that to becoming a mover and shaker is a journey not an overnight transformation. I’m under the impression that if I take the scholarly path of education and the pursuit of knowledge then hopefully one day I’ll be able to really step outside the box. Right now I’m certainly not there yet, but I hope that I’m right, and one day the journey will lead to wisdom and innovation.
I completely agree with the idea that people are stuck thinking and acting like those around them. I know I do it, and I know the vast majority of people in this world do the same thing. It essentially is what makes up culture. If everyone did their own thing, there wouldn’t be any similarities between people around each other, and therefore “culture” wouldn’t really exist.
For the most part, I can’t really say this is a problem, but there are a few situations where it is. For example, very few people speak out against their leaders, because everyone around them is just following along. This can occur in the work force, in school, in politics, and many other scenarios. It’s how dictators stay in power; no one wants to be the one person to say something different. I know that fear is also involved there, but it’s partly that they just live inside the bubble that surrounds them.
This is also evident in other situations throughout society. If you live in a wealthy town, and have lived there your whole life, there’s a good chance that you expect the rest of the world is like that too. Many people in this situation claim they understand, but they really don’t, and this is obvious when they venture out into the rest of the world. A good friend of mine is very similar to this type of person. They’ve lived in two wealthy towns, on opposite sides of the country, and because of that they think they have an idea of what the rest of the world is like. He rarely travels, and just doesn’t understand what life is really like for the rest of the world. For example, he was shocked when he went to college and met people that didn’t own brand new cars, or whose car was a beat-up, 20-year-old Honda Civic (he drives a Mercedes that his parents gave him for his sixteenth birthday). It’s almost sad to listen to him talk, and just realize that he has no idea.
This idea also fits with a movie I went to see last night. I saw Gamer, which is about video games in which human beings control other humans via brain implants. One of these “games,” called Society, is similar to the Sims, except there are actual people being controlled. It mostly involves sexual fantasies being carried out by those who, to say it nicely, would never have them. The other game is called Slayer, where gamers control death row inmates in a first-person-shooter-like environment, and try to kill each other. In the game, real inmates are being killed. Now, to me and you, both of these “games” sound absolutely ridiculous and immoral, and would never be supported by our society. However, the people in this movie see this as a normal part of life, and not only to they not complain, but they support it. It’s just another example of people caught up in the mainstream and unwilling to make decisions for themselves.
This video blog really got me thinking about the way I live my life day to day and forced me to analyze it a lot closer. I would say that I generally try and aim to do my own thing as much as possible, but then realize that I am a major hypocrite. On any given night, while getting ready my seven roommates will all ask what I'm wearing out that night. Upon seeing what the rest of them are wearing, it is then and only then that I tend to make my own outfit decision. But why is this? Why can't I just make my mind up before getting influenced by anyone else? Because I am an identical twin I feel like that has always been a subculture for me. A very small one, mind you, but one nonetheless. After all, we have our own dialect, sense of style, and have grown up with the same cultural influence. I base a lot of what I do off of what my sister does. I use my system of norms based off of her. Another example I can think of where I "went with the school of fish" is when I really wanted my belly button pierced, but all the other girls on my cheerleading squad already had it, so it definitely would appear as if I was just doing it to imitate them, however that was not the case.
On the other hand, there have definitely been times when I know for a fact that I do not try to emulate anyone around me. In high school, when everyone was involved in non-stop drinking fests, I found other things to occupy my time. I remember someone asking me once why I didn't drink, they're argument was "why don't you, everyone does." To me, this was never a draw. I liked doing my own thing and not being worrying about what other people chose to do. I often wonder what it is that makes us feel as if we must abide by what others are doing so often. If I reflect on my own subcultures, I see that I am a part of many groups. I am a member of the Penn State All Girl Cheerleading Squad, as well as a member of the Jewish Religion, the town of Fairfield County, Connecticut, a resident of apartment K-16, and a Yankee fan just to name a few. All of these things shape me, and make up who I am. All of these groups are influences I have difficulty going up against or defying. I agree with the blogger 'brown boy' when he said he disagreed that we are all fish following the same path upstream. I feel like I have always tried my hardest to be my own person, and make my own decisions regardless of how others felt about them. On a night where a riot on campus was taking place, you most certainly would never find me immersed in the crowd, nope. I would be walking the other way on the way to D.P. Dough!
Cultural Transformation and Our Personal Lives
I really like what Sam Richards stated in class regarding originality. He stated that the you’re more likely to be original and creative if you stay further away from the mainstream of a culture. I myself like to strive to stay outside the mainstream. It’s definitely better to take a step back and take in multiple cultures, developing your own unique style, influenced by a mix of cultures. I believe in this day in age that it’s crucial to be as unique as you can be and use a multitude of influences to feed your creativity. It keeps life interesting and exciting while making yourself a more well-rounded, open-minded individual. The example in the blog about Einstein not being associated with other physicists is a perfect example of this. You never want to be tied to the mainstream ideas that encompass a certain cultures. Then you’ll just be doing the same thing that’s been done over and over, and most people are not satisfied with monotony.
I do believe that when an individual leaves mainstream cultures, separates themselves completely from it, they begin to discover things on their own. They learn more about themselves. They learn more about the ones that have been close to them throughout their lives. I know when I take a step back from the culture I was raised in, I become very grateful for my family. I’m grateful for the way my parents have mixed their cultural ideas in my life and also encouraged my own creativity. They have let me make a lot of my own mistakes and always encouraged me with new, constructive and imaginative hobbies and activities. So in a way, I’ve been encouraged to be my own person, and now follow the crowd. It was only until college until I became fully appreciative of this fact.
I believe it’s always good to reexamine the way you feel about your own beliefs, and the way you view the world in general. Don’t base anything you believe in on something someone has recommended to you or brought up. That kind of thinking is what kills creativity and spontaneity. Human beings are meant to be unique in our mindsets, our methods of thinking, and our views of the world. That’s what makes human interaction so interesting. You will learn so much more by talking to someone, holding a conversation, then you will from any textbook, movie, or audio recording. You will always discover something new, outside your culture, if you just take a step back and see everything this world has to offer. You will see exactly what you want to strive to become part of and what you want to achieve.
The idea of breaking away from the mainstream and following your own path has been put into our heads since we were too young to really even grasp the idea of being an individual. And for me, I’ve always strived to be that leader, it is just a natural instinct to do things my own way and lead a group to whatever goal we are striving for. But when we think of followers and leaders, and wonder why more people cannot break away from the mainstream, is it not true that if everyone were a leader and individualist that there would BE no mainstream to break away from? How could one stand out from the group if there were no group to stand out from? In a sense individualists are dependent on the mainstream followers, because without a mainstream individuals would not exist. In my opinion, a leader is as much of a person as a follower, and both are indefinitely dependent on one another.
Take for example, a normal high school setting. High school serves a prime example of the teenage years and wanting to “fit in”. When we look at high school, we can relate them to the school of fish, and those “outcast” fish are the ones that are on the fringes of that school setting society. And those outcast fish can go one to generate more diversity in that society; usually they are the ones that are creating these new ways of being. But what I’m trying to say here is that if this SOCIETY did not exist, than these OUTCAST fish on the fringes of society would not exist either. There would be no catalyst to change ways of being, because EVERYONE would have different ways of being, instead of these sort of random, pioneering humans beings.
But I do agree that these dynamic beings do most of the time inspire a rush of transformation in me. Suddenly, I want to be creative, different, and innovative. I don’t know if it’s just me. It’s just in bursts; I truly believe it may be somewhat impossible to be unique from the masses in all aspects of life. But to pull away from the mainstream in certain ways of being is something I can work on. So in all, to what degree am I different from the mainstream? I can think of things as superficial as clothing choice that set me away from the mainstream to something as vigorous as a way of life. How we choose to live and think and act that can set us aside from the masses. And then again, isn’t it ironic that these inventive beings that shy away from society are probably ones that are pioneering new societies, like Jesus, MLK, Gandhi and countless other political and spiritual leaders. It seems just like a continuous cycle of mainstream vs. individualist.
Change is something people cannot control, it comes and it is difficult to see when it may be coming. The most successful people in the world are those that can either foresee changes coming or better yet make these changes happen. This is true for all things from music to business to technology. People are afraid to change as they get used to doing things a certain way or being with a certain type of people. When looking at it from a cultural sense those who stay within their own culture and are not willing to stay on the fringes and see other things will have trouble adjusting to changes in a changing world or just standing out from the crowd they are in.
Probably the easiest place to see changes is in the music we listen too, every so often a new genre of music will come out and people will start listening to that and just stick to that one genre. New artists then will try to copy that music and it still pretty much comes out the same, maybe they are just afraid to come out with their own style. It is also a responsibility of record producing company’s to stay on top of changes and catch when new genres may come out and blow up, the company that can adjust to the change first will be most successful. Also when new technology comes out it is the company that first recognizes this changes and adjusts to it that will be most successful.
As people grow up in whatever culture they may be raised in they may not even realize it but they just become one of a dozen. My own parents were born and raised in India and came here as adults to give my sisters and me more opportunity in life. Growing up as a first generation American in a very diverse town I have been exposed to all types of cultures. Staying on the fringes of these cultures has helped me see things in a different way. I have been told my way of thinking is very different from most people; I have heard this from my family and also close friends. My best friend is from a Dominican family; we both see things very similarly as we both have grown up under the same circumstances.
Change makers are those that have a different mind set and have been around all types of people. When one stays in the center of their culture they may not realize or be able to foresee the changes coming around them as they are living in their own worlds almost. In the global world we live in today it is very important to be able to understand all types of people and cultures. The most successful and innovative people out there are those that can come out with something new that others may not have thought of.
In our culture, today our society seems to focus so much on being the best, or being perfect, or fitting in with the rest of the culture’s idea of what is right or normal. Everyone wants to have the things that are “in” or be accepted as a member of a particular group. Wether its a clothing style, a hair cut, type of music we listen to or even just the way that we act, we are always trying to be someone else’s idea of right. While we try to pretend that we encourage everyone to be their own person and to not care about what other people think, we don’t follow through with these slogans in almost any aspects of our lives. No one wants to be the person to stray away from the path of popularity and acceptance, because lets face it, we don’t tend to accept those people who are different from us. People who are different are plagued as weird or crazy or abnormal, and in todays world we are all about being “normal.” I really don’t believe that we stray away from these paths of conformity and popularity at all. Every time that something in the media changes and is suppose to be original and new we tend to follow along and become exactly like this new idea, making it no longer original but instead just a social norm. The original ideas and paths aren’t as original as they are made out to be. I feel like hardly anyone in our society is original or leaves the path of the norms that are made by the media and the people we surround ourselves with. Trends are made by celebrities or people of high status that trickle down to the people who see them on television or in magazines. We all wear the same types of clothing, listen to the same music, take part in the same activities and so on. Our society is not very accepting of people who are not like us. If we look around, we say things like how we try to “embrace our differences” but we really don’t follow through with this type of statement. We surround ourselves with people who are the same as us not people who are different and original. Surely, we have some contrasting opinions and views or values from friends or groups we associate with, but these differences only tie us with another culture we belong to such as a family or church group. Nothing seems to come from our own ideas, but instead ideas we adopt from people we associate ourselves with. We don’t take the time to think outside the box for ourselves, making it nearly impossible to make our own differences of opinions, styles, and likes and dislikes.
Sam’s insight on cultural change based on society following mainstream versus being original and creative really got me thinking. The first thing that came to my mind was goth kids. Goth kids are probably the most ironic body of people in the history of the world. They are against the structure and conformity of society. So, in order to be original and one hundred percent unique, they all got together and started wearing the same clothes and listening to the same music. And it’s not even like they even give a damn what the music they listen to is about. They’ll listen to anything as long as the band has some dark, depressing name and the singer wears eye shadow and cries about how his dad was never supportive of him. I went to a small concert this March where I witnessed about twenty-five kids from ages twelve to sixteen standing around talking or texting on their cell phones, seemingly unaware of the music that was being played live in front of their faces. So, what is my point in all this? Sam is absolutely right. Every now and then, somebody decides to break off from the norm and do their own thing. Take hip hop music for example. Back when hip hop was first starting, it meant something. Rappers would write songs about real feelings and true events. They spoke of dealing drugs and committing crimes to make money because they had actually been in that situation. For a period of time, hip hop was viewed as new and creative, but after a while, the mainstream got sick of itself and started to branch off into this new, exciting genre of music. Very soon, the hip hop movement that had been so promising and real had been taken over by a bunch of punk ass kids, and these kids did nothing but sing about things that they had never done and could never handle in real life. Eventually, hip hop became just one more way for greedy fat bastards at record companies to make more money, and pioneers like Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, and Biggie Smalls will forever be associated with such abominations of rap music like Soulja Boy, Chamillionaire, and that crybaby Kanye West. To me the saddest thing is that children all over the world with no knowledge of the greatest rappers of all time will own posters of Biggie and wear t-shirts featuring pictures of Tupac, the whole time feigning appreciation for such groundbreaking artists. It’s tough to grasp, but no matter what we do, and no matter how hard we try to escape, the mainstream will always be there to reach out and bring us back to what the world calls normal.
This particular topic really made me sit and realize just how regular my life has become. To try and find something about my life that is truly unique from everyone is a really tough thing. I don’t even know where to start. What is unique about me? Well my clothes surely are not different from any other girl who has the same tastes as I do. It is pretty generic for the typical sorority-type college girl. I’m sure on any day in class if you look around the room someone will have the same outfit on as I do. If not exactly the same, it is so close to the same that you can barely tell the difference. People in general are always wearing the same clothes. If you were to take one walk around campus at Penn State, I’m willing to bet the majority of students have some form of Penn State apparel on, clothing, backpacks, something. What else could be unique about me if I tried? My hair isn’t different from anyone else who joined the trend of getting their hair cut into bangs within the past couple of years. There’s also the trend of getting blonde highlights that I’ve also conformed to since they became all the rage. My music style is unique from my friends, but not any different from the rest of my family. Also, I’m pretty sure there are other students at Penn State who like the same style of music as I do. It’s not like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger and Creedence Clearwater Revival are huge music secrets and I’m the only one that knows about them. Everyone’s heard of them, I might have similar musical interests with a previous generation, but I’m not unique because of that. My response to this blog is not even unique. There is someone else who has said or is going to say something right along the same lines as what I am saying. Maybe not the same bands, or the same clothes, or the same haircut but they’ll bring up the same points. Really, how can someone even be unique anymore? The blog asked “where does this uniqueness come from”, how should I answer this? I have no idea as to where uniqueness comes from, I’m not unique. I can’t even describe what unique is anymore. Sure, there are people who do not fit exactly into the norm, but people still know their stereotype. Everyone knows the weird fashion girl who designs her own clothes, or the Goth kid in the back of the room, or the kid who wears full out “Lord of the Rings” apparel to class. These kids are different, but everyone has seen them, everyone knows that type of person. So instead of asking where uniqueness comes from, the blog could have asked, “Can true uniqueness still exist?”
After reading the blog that was posted and the class on Tuesday, I realized just how similar to a fish I am. I do not believe I completely follow the social norms that have been set by my peers here at Penn State or at home because, for one example, I do not drink. All of my best friends drink, and I do not think drinking is bad or wrong, however I just do not like doing it. I go out and enjoying apartment parties and frats, but drinking is just not my scene. However, I started to look at the activities that I am apart of or how my lifestyle at home is, and I realized just how normal I am. I like to say and believe that I have some different or unique characteristics in my life. When I shop I try to find things that are trendy, but that not everyone will have. Or with music, I try and branch out and listen to new bands. While all of those steps are just fine, they don’t really cause me to “swim” to the fringe and be creative. I am still scared of seeming too abnormal or weird to my classmates to truly do everything that I want to do. Even amongst my friends, the people who see me at my best and at my worst, I am still sometimes scared of how I will be viewed. Even without meaning to be, my friends can criticize too harshly about a new idea for a top I want to buy or an idea or a band I like. Not only have we started to mock those with ideas that have even a semblance of originality, but instead of trying to formulate such ideas we all just “color in the lines” and only do what fits our shrinking comfort zones. As time passes this problem is just going to continue until the point where our comfort zone’s boundaries are fixed and rigid. Our world is going to start to weed out the people who have made today’s advancements possible. Like it said in the blog, Einstein was probably conceived as some outsider, and look what he gave our world in the advancements of physics. We never really consider how our alienating people who are different then us could in turn change our world in the years to come. Overall, it always surprises me when I look at my life under a magnifying glass and look at just how normal it is, for lack of a better word. I absolutely love my life, but there are choices I wish I had made differently, usually in favor of a more unique or creative action.
I remember the first time I saw a girl decked out in black leggings, an oversized sweatshirt, and Ugg[ly!] boots walking around State College. “What is she thinking?!” was the first thought to cross my mind. However, more and more girls caught on to this trend and before I knew it, it seemed to be the uniform of every Penn State sorority girl. As a former sorority girl myself, I refused to get caught up in the trend I considered so appalling. I hate to admit it, but I eventually bought a pair of Uggs (although I still refuse to wear them with legging!) My point? People, especially women, love to impress each other. Following trends is something I strive to avoid, yet occasionally fall into.
People often stress the importance of a first impression. Okay, so obviously that applies to people, but what about trends? If my first impression of a particular trend is utter repulsion, how can I let myself be swayed to purchase it? Is it the desire to fit in and be “accepted” into modern-day society, when in fact I’m only being complimented on something everybody else already owns? Most people are products of their own culture, and it truly becomes a challenge for someone to step out of mainstream society and live on the “fringes.” Often times, it seems if someone lives on the fringes and defies societal norms, they are judged and labeled as weird, awkward, you name it. And frankly, the majority of people prefer not to be judged.
As far as the fringe subcultures in my life, I honestly cannot think of too many. I’m a Penn State senior who enjoys football and drinking with my friends. I’m involved in a couple groups on campus, but I would not say that any are “out of the norm.” I’m a stereotypical Penn State student, right? Most people would probably say so. However, one thing that sets me apart is the fact that I went abroad. I like to think that I have a different worldview that many of my peers for that reason. I was lucky enough to spend an entire semester in Spain, learning about the Spanish culture but also being able to travel and see the cultures of other countries. Not only did it help me to become less ethnocentric, but it allowed me to develop perspectives I never would have thought of otherwise.
Morphing into cultural and societal norms is inevitable in one way or another. As much as people like to believe they are “swimming upstream,” in reality they are probably just stepping outside of society partially. I believe Sam is right when he talks about how rare it is when someone innovative comes around and stirs up societal norms. People often like to believe or pretend they are “that” person, but it usually does not happen that way.
I like the idea of thinking of people swimming around as schools of fish. After leaving class the day this point was brought up, I looked around and realized that this is indeed true. If you walk around campus long enough and pay attention, you see groups of students who appear pretty much identical. These groups, whether they are groups of three or groups of twelve, sport the same clothing, hair, and shoe styles. Beyond that, most of the time (but not always) the groups of people are the same race, as well. Before, if I would walk across campus, I would see students scrambling to make it to class or students walking with their friends. Now, like Sam pointed out, I see groups of people who act and look alike, much like schools of fish.
I thought long and hard about whether or not I was going upstream like the rest of the fish. I came to the conclusion that most of the time, I am. I have fit into many subcultures throughout my life such as Penn State, white, middle class, cheerleading, band, track, swimming, Catholicism, College of Education, lovers of the color green and so on. I wear Aeropostale and shop at Walmart. I enjoy listening to country and rock and roll. Do these things make me a conformist? I don’t think so. I like these stores and music genres because they appeal to me and more importantly, because they are convenient. By convenient, I mean that they are everywhere I go. Maybe this is a reason a lot of people are not being individualistic. Think of it this way. People in Western Pennsylvania go to Sheetz while people in Eastern Pennsylvania use Wawa. These individuals don’t do this out of choice. They would rather not drive three hours for a tank of gas.
On the other hand, I believe I do possess some characteristics that make me unique from those directly around me. While growing up, I did all in my power to be distinctively different, but I tried not to make it completely off the wall. Maybe something like the fact that I only own two pairs of plain white socks. The majority of my socks contain polka dots, stripes, or fluorescent colors. My uncle always told me I wasn’t like other girls. You see, I don’t mind doing heavy lifting or getting dirty. (I probably fit into the redneck group we talked about the other day) Along with that, though, I love getting dressed up and doing my hair all nice and swanky. I guess you could say I ride close to the edges of both of these groups.
In high school, I was in both marching band and cheerleading. Freshman through junior year I would cheer the first half of a football game, leave a little early, pull on my band uniform over the cheerleading one, and march halftime with the band. After that, I would return and cheer the rest of the game. Senior year, though, I was captain of the cheerleading squad so I couldn’t leave early. So instead I just grabbed my trumpet and marched in my cheerleading uniform. I guess I should point out that these two "clicks" didn't like each other. It was very interesting being in the middle. I was the first person in the history of my high school to do both of those activities at the same time. I like to think of that situation as the one time I significantly stepped out of the box.
I think that the individual is hindered in innovative thought because we as people tend to define ourselves though the groups that we associate ourselves with. If you think about it, most people hang out with people who are like them. I’m not sure exactly how we decide someone is “like us,” but I am interested in the concept of how we choose our friends. Looking around the HUB, we can all see the different groups based on language and culture similarities. I can look around and see the Indians in one cluster and the Chinese students in another cluster. Looking even more closely, you would learn that there is division even within these clusters. There is a separate cluster for Indians actually born in India. And then, there is another cluster for Indians born in America. And, I’m sure there is a similar division within the Chinese cluster.
But, going outside of these groups, how do we decide our interests and friends based on those interests. My ultimate belief is that the events in my life helps to shape who I am as a person. And, I am not talking about only the big events, the smallest of events can affect our lives. I can remember growing up with the same group of friends. There were about seven of us and our parents had known each other since before we were born. Most of the people in that group are still really good friends. They all live in the same place. For some reason, I never really felt part of the group in the same way that everyone else was. And, this feeling has never really left me so I keep changing groups trying to find this place where I fit, but I don’t know that it exists or that I want it to exist. And, I can look now and see that I really am glad that I didn’t feel like I was a part of their group. I went to Penn State, while they stayed in the-middle-of-nowhere, Georgia. They are all really good Christians. Some of them go to community college and others do not even go to college. I am still friends with them, but its more of a facebook relationship. When I went home, I was surprised to find that the people who I decided to hang out with were actually people that saw me as this eccentric person in the high school. I was the person who wore a life jacket to school one day claiming it was “Thoreau Day” and that we needed to think outside the box. I got tired of trying to explain that, so eventually global warming became my excuse. I was the person who made a shirt about McCarthyism and wore it all the time. When I look back at high school, I really do like who I was. I realize that compared to right now, I wasn’t defined by a group as much as I am now. I was thinking about it a couple weeks ago. I realized how much college had actually drained me of who I used to be. I used to feel passion. I used to say things that my peers thought were from “left-field” and random. I miss that. I want to get back to that, and yet I sit here at the HUB with my group. And, the funny part is that I sit with that group of Indians and yet, I am not Indian. So, I learned that it doesn’t actually matter whether society would place you in a particular group or not. Groups are all the same…
Jessica Long
Journal 2
For many people it is hard for them to step outside of the norm and let their true colors shine through. In most cases, it is just easier to conform. Conformity makes you feel “normal” and as though you have something in common with others. But is that always the best thing? Probably not. Even though it is the easiest thing to do, maybe sometimes we need to step outside of our little bubble and really do something significant. We all have our comfort zones, and I can’t say that I step out of mine all that often, but when I do I feel a lot better about who I am as a person and life in general.
Last summer I studied abroad, traveling to eight different countries all of which had different languages, different traditions, and different people. In some of the countries it was easy to conform to their society and blend in, but I realized that not blending in led to me learning the most. Being white, I am often in this country considered the majority, but in several of the countries we went to being white left me in the minority. On my study abroad opportunity we were destined for Turkey but we were rerouted to Egypt due to attacks on the U.S. embassy. Stepping off the ship it was obvious that many of us did not blend in with the surrounding community. All the time people were staring and even taking pictures. At one point, a family came up to me and asked me to hold their child and to take a picture with them. For the first time in my life I was a part of the minority. I didn’t speak the language and could barely communicate with any of the people. Experiences like this have really shaped who I have become. I hear friends talk about foreign people in this country, and say “if they are going to live here can’t they learn the language already?” This statement bothers me more than anything. When I used to keep my mouth shut, now I refute the statement. They obviously don’t know what it is like to be in a place with limited resources and language skills. It is embarrassing to me to be a part of a group that cannot understand that diversity is what makes us as individuals so interesting.
Traveling the world really changes your views on many different things. We in the United States are not as smart as we think we are, for one. There are not many people at the age of twenty one can say they have been to ten countries. You realize after traveling that although we may look different from one and other, we are really all just the same. Working hard to make a living and wanting to enjoy that time.
This blog really made me think about how boxed in to my own culture I am. I like to think of myself as a well rounded individual, but the truth is I am not. I follow pretty much all of the trends wheher it is what I wear, how I act or what I say. The truth is, I think that I am scared to reach outside of my comfort zone. I always do what is expected of me. I do all of my work, get good grades, never really act out or rebel and inside of me there is a person who just wants to break out and be different. I want to act crazy or dress wild and just see how people will react to me. I feel like within society we work so hard to follow the trends, that we never really appreciate all of the unique and different people around us. Mainstream culture has brainwashed us into exiling those who do not abide by our set rules. Instead of ostracizing them we should celebrate them because they are the people who are not afraid of what others think of them. They blaze their own paths and make their own trails and celebrate life for what it is. I find myself sick of listening to people constantly complaining. Nothing is ever good enough for them, and instead of commiserating with what is wrong in life we should celebrate it like those who are “outside of the box.” I find that I often retreat into my own safety zone when I am in public. I only act accordingly and do as the others around me are doing. I secretly admire all the outsiders who do as they please, whether it has everyone else’s approval or not. Why does everyone in the world care so much about what other people think? The truth of the matter is that everybody on this planet will die someday, do we really want to be lying on our death beds wondering why we never stepped out of the box and enjoyed other facets of life? I don’t want to be eighty years old and miserable regretting living my life to please other people. Right now with the next four years ahead of me to do whatever I want, I want to take advantage of all the opportunities that this school has to offer. I want to stop worrying about what other people think of me and worry more about what I think of myself. If I am happy with myself, why should I care what other people think of me? I think we are so fortunate to live in a country where you can be who you want and you can dress how you like and you have freedom of speech, because when ou think about it a lot of people in the world do not have those rights. So next time when I see someone who may be a little bit different than me, instead of scoffing at them and calling them a loser or weird or a worse derogatory term, I am going to appreciate the fact that they had the guts to defy the mainstream culture and speak their minds.
Cultural transformation is fascinating to think about. There’s a “mainstream” category for just about everything—music, movies, clothing, food, etc. I spent a considerable amount of time pondering my own life, and I realized how much I’ve conformed to society. I wear leggings and Ugg boots. Why? I’m not even sure. It’s a comfortable style, but I definitely didn’t start the trend. I just copied it from someone else, who copied it from someone else. I flat iron my hair almost every day. Why? I have no idea. Straightening my hair has gradually transformed into a daily routine because someone said straight hair is attractive. I decided not to straighten my hair today. I let my hair dry wavy, and I got two compliments on it. Probably because it’s different. It’s natural. It’s me.
I also recognized how much the mainstream affects relationships. My boyfriend and I have been dating for four years, and since day one, people have told us we’re not a “normal” couple. For our three year anniversary, we went to McDonald’s. Our parents were appalled. They “expected” us to have a nice dinner and see a movie—a “typical” date night. But we were in the mood for chicken nuggets and milkshakes, so why should we have done anything different? I never ask my boyfriend to buy me expensive gifts. I don’t need a Tiffany bracelet around my wrist to show that he loves me. We’re happy the way we are, regardless of what anyone else thinks. In this sense, I think we break away from the grip of popular culture.
Aside from my relationship, there is one particular aspect of my life that makes me unique. I am obsessed with the NFL. I’m sure I’m not alone, but from my experience, there aren’t many girls that feel the way I do about football. My closet is packed with jerseys. In middle school, I was the first girl to wear one. I got a lot of strange looks at first, but by high school, more and more girls were wearing jerseys. I wasn’t thrilled, especially since most of these girls didn’t know the difference between a first down and a field goal. I play fantasy football in a league of all guys, my bedroom walls are decked out with seventy or eighty photos of my favorite players, and when the Eagles lost the Super Bowl in 2004, I cried myself to sleep and even missed a day of school. As a kid, I enjoyed watching the games with my dad. He taught me everything I know. Football connected us, and this bond inspired me to pursue my dreams as an NFL sidelines reporter. My passion for the NFL is what separates me from the rest—and I couldn’t be happier.
The essence of the question of where creativity comes from is one of great importance. The current culture of individualism has in some way had the directly opposite effect. By all of us wanting to be something special we have culture where we all try to do the same thing. Unfortunately this has not sparked some new creativity but instead we all stick to the many new different subcultures that have emerged. By sticking with these subcultures or switching between these, we are nothing but a bunch of shoals of fish swimming upstream. As Sam says true creativity comes from something unique, a new way of thinking about things. But in some ways we are afraid of breaking out of our norms, prisoners of our culture. In our culture you can easily be isolated if you in any way don’t resemble everyone else. It is this culture that keeps us from exploring what we do not know. In some way it can be resembled through the terms of knowledge and imagination. Because in some ways we are likely to stick to knowledge which is also the path that leads us to a status quo. However imagination is the power to create new knowledge, take a lot pieces and put them together to form something entirely new. And that is the force that drives all of humanity forward to something better. Einstein also pointed out the importance of creativity when he said that “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all that we might yet discover and create”. In my humble opinion that is what is holding humans back. I am from Denmark where a culture of inferiority exists. This further exacerbates the problem which is ridiculous. The indoctrination of knowledge over imagination starts in school where facts are constantly the most important. I don’t know whether imagination can be taught but in some way it is the most important determinant of the evolution of our society. Mark Twain once said that: “The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education”. To me creativity comes in particular one group of friends where the creativity and peculiarity is welcomed and this whole culture of acceptance of the peculiar is rare. However it is in the pool of the peculiar that the ideas that change the common perception of things are created. But instead we are trapped in our nature of keeping to the pack and to avoid being the black sheep.
For clarification this post is in response to Sam’s video on staying on the fringes of society in order to be creative and innovative. To begin let me say that I totally agree with this statement. By thinking outside the box one is exposed to so many different ideas and can succeed in making or doing something new just by being out there. But since there are so many of us it is really hard to get out there, away from the main stream. No wonder there aren’t that many great ideas every day.
Being creative isn’t hard, it just takes inspiration. To get that inspiration we have to observe something out of the ordinary, that ordinary is on the outside of the school of fish . But here’s the issue, by people piling more and more work, responsibility, tasks, and other things on us to “succeed” we are not able to make our way to the outside of the school and are forced to be stuck in the middle and play it safe until one day we have enough resources, mainly time, to be creative. I find it hard to do my work and want to be creative at the same time as I want to be artistic. For example, there is no being creative with numbers, in that 1 will always equal 1 and 1x1x1x1 will always be 1, unless they are imaginary. I now understand math makes me so angry, I cannot use any sort of unique or expressive processes that I come up with on my own to solve these mathematical problems. Instead I have to do these silly equations that get so monotonous that can’t get a solid hold on the basic math while I doing the extremely difficult equations. I get so bogged down by the main stream problems that I cannot do my own thing .
I used to be a fairly decent artist, now I can hardly manage enough time to recognize something artistic, the meaning behind it and what it holds within for me. I cannot become inspired to do these great things, to achieve something new and blissful. I am stuck, doing the same math, over and over. This essentially goes back to the old saying, “all work and no play makes Aaron a dull boy.” By playing it safe and staying protected in the center of the school, I may make it eventually, but will never be able to be recognized as someone great or make an innovation in my field. I will most certainly be stuck here inside for a long time.
I fear that this will happen to all of us until its no longer our bodies on the outside but an opaque film that allows no one to see out and be inspired to do something great. So we’ll all be stuck, playing it safe.
So when I sat down to think about what “sub-culture” I fall into, I realized that unfortunately I fall straight into the school of fish that follows the mainstream current. This, however, isn’t the first time that I’ve realized this about myself. Growing up most of my life in suburbia New Jersey, I was only ever exposed to the very limited ways that people around me acted and thought. High school was the first time I realize that it was much easier to follow the crowd instead of being your own person. Living on the edges or fringes of a culture is a very difficult place because you are constantly being observed and getting criticized for it. Sometimes the criticism can be good, but for some reason all I can remember is all the bad criticism that people got for being different and doing their own thing. How people decide that they are going to go against the grain and refuse to follow the normal trends is a question that I’m not sure I know the answer to. I know that there have been many times that I wished that I could have had that courage or inner strength to find the real me inside and let it shine through so that others can see it too. I think that this is going to be a process that will not happen overnight. I’m still too worried about what others think about me as silly as that sounds. But honestly, what should it matter what the girl next to me thinks about my music or wardrobe? In the end we’re all going to die right? What we all have to do is come to a self realization that we all tend to think inside the box from time to time. Once we achieve that self realization we can take further steps in our own personal journey for growth and understanding. I believe that our true selves are buried deep within in us and if we take some time, we can learn a great deal about who we are. We also have to remember not to criticize those who choose to live their lives on the edges of a culture. There is a great deal that we can learn from these people even if it may not seem like it at the time. These people on the edges have found a way to get there and have not looked back. They’re happy living by their own rules instead of following the dull rules that who knows set up for mainstream culture. Think about it, the world would be a much more interesting and creative place if we all lived on the fringes from time to time.
When thinking about what kinds of fringe subcultures I have in my life I find that I, more than most people, tend to follow mainstream thoughts and ideals. I believe that the environment in which people are raised has much to do with the incubation of innovated ideas and actions. I was raised in an environment where there was a strong focus on following a predetermined path. People that I grew up with prided themselves on following in the footsteps of their parents, who were often very successful. Neither I nor the people I grew up with really saw any benefit to “swimming against the current.” The benefits of following in the footsteps were very clear. We lived in a nice home in one of the nicest areas of the country. The private school I went to was safe and offered a good education, and allowed students to interact in such a way that we were able to learn life lessons such as loyalty, respect, and honor.
On the contrary being innovative or different meant uncertainty. It means not knowing what the future will hold, where you will live, and not knowing how your life will turn out. Being different means giving up the security blanket, and it also means risking failure.
Personally I like the security blanket that has been provided to me is something that I need to cling to for dear life. I would never risk my future, just for a chance at being different. I like the life my parents have. I want that for myself, and I want my children to be afforded all of the opportunities that were given to me. If anything I just want more of the same.
Coming from one of the safest towns in America I feel that I owe it to my children to pursue opportunities that are not different and unique, but are safe time proven choices.
I certainly have made my share of unique choices; my tastes in car are unique. My college career has certainly been unique, if not a little lengthy. My choice in college was also unique. I was the only one in my high school to go to Penn State; many others chose to go to closer Boston or New York schools.
Being unique and innovative does have its benefits. It does provide people with a chance at being very successful in many ways. It offers people a unique chance at great happiness in a way that they might not have been able to achieve otherwise. There is also a chance, a small chance, can provide them with a job that they are passionate about and well compensated for. There are some individuals that swimming upstream works for. And those individuals should march to their own beat.
It is so true that every single one of us does a great deal of swimming amongst the school of fish. I, myself will admit that 99% of my decisions are made within these invisible barriers. However, since I became exposed to a wider variety of people upon starting college and then, ahem, started taking sociology, I have thought more about the social norms that we are all so comfortable following. I now get a kick out of “going against the grain.”
I could go on and on about ways I have followed the school of fish because examples of that are almost infinites. So instead I will talk about times I did the exact opposite.
This one time I decided it would be a good idea to read a book in a bar. I curled up alone at a high table and cracked open “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. The yelling drunk people were somewhat distracting; however I got through a couple chapters.
Another time my roommate and wore those goofy lion hats and walked around downtown one Saturday afternoon. I must admit though, that only 50% of the reason I did this was to be different, the other 50% was because it kept my head nice and warm!
One social trend is to keep your underwear under your clothes. I wanted to get a reaction out of the guests I was at a wedding with when I pulled my spanks down past my dress hem. I got some funny looks that night.
On a more serious level, I have questioned the basis of my religion. I’ve taken the time to observe everyone’s face at church when they are deep in prayer. I also find it fascinating to watch the reactions of different people as the sermon is being read.
I have also decided to call myself a feminist. This is a very unpopular title, especially with women my age. In fact they tend to despise the term and run away from it, all while having the same values and goals as a feminist.
Lastly I take a stance to support both gay and transgendered individuals as well as all socially tormented groups. I’m that annoying person to correct those who use the phrases “that’s gay” and “that’s retarded,” as negative connotations.
I don’t think it’s necessarily bad to follow social norms and stay within the current of the school of fish. However, when it comes to social issues, its important to think beyond what the neighbors do and consider all possibilities.
Reading this article, watching the video, and reading other people’s responses really intrigued me. I’ve never really stopped to think what crowd I fall into. I mean sure I listen to many bands that other people on this campus do, and I dress in skate and snowboarding clothes like many other people I pass. I do like to party and have a good time just like the next person. Football games are always the best time. But at the same time, I also listen to a lot of underground bands that the majority of people on campus have not heard of. I also see the way many people my age are all concerned with material objects all the time. Everyone is always concerned about their phones, Ipods, and other gadgets. Or I hear so many people saying stuff about drinking all the time. Isn’t there more to life than all of this? I understand this is college and that’s what college life is mostly all about. But when I see many people I wonder if they have minds of their own, or if a lot of them are sheep. This is what I thought before reading the article. I’m not saying that I’ve never followed certain groups. It’s only human to want to conform and be a part of something.
I always find myself in deep-thought. I’ve been told that I am an old soul many times before. But after reading this article, I am now aware that maybe all of these other people that I judged from their appearances, could in fact be just as much deep thinkers as I myself am. If someone looked at me, they would probably guess that I am a skateboarder and into punk rock. And as this could be partly true, it is not anywhere near the whole “me.” Although there may be people who are very simple-minded and fit into everything mainstream, whether their thought process or clothing, I feel that each individual, has many sides. Just because a person looks a certain way, does not mean they are that way. On the other extreme you see these people who appear to be “outsiders” from the way that they dress or act. But just because they look like innovators and free minds, does not mean that their mind actually works that way. They can dress weird and still like to do things that most people around our age do. When some people dress outlandish, I feel like it’s just what they want people to think about them, when in actuality they are no different or better than anyone else. I’ve also realized that I’m seeing more and more of these “outsiders” to the point where it’s not even unique anymore to be an outsider. Reading this article has opened my eyes wider. You never fully know a person until you spend lots of time with them; on the other hand many people do not even know themselves. After taking this stuff into consideration, it makes me feel like I don’t even know exactly where I stand. But I am better off not having a label.
The idea of originality and being a “change maker” has always struck me as something that only applies to a special type of human being. This person is someone who isn’t afraid to challenge the world and its views. They are the change makers who aren’t afraid to step outside the box and be different. As I think of this cultural transformation and how it works itself into my personal life, I come upon a stumbling block. I can’t think of any of my friends, family, or peers who have been able to create this “independence.” Most of the people that surround me have accustomed themselves to a comfortable way of life that they are unwilling to really change. I will admit that I am definitely a person and routine is something I strongly live by. I stick to a certain lifestyle that I feel very comfortable with. The food I eat, the music I listen to, the way I wear my hair is all part of who I am. I honestly would not consider changing much just because its who I am. So the question is where do people who go outside the box get this spark to be different? Honestly I have no idea because I believe it takes a strong individual to make that change. They are creating their own subculture by moving away from the mainstream and being their own individual. I can’t really think of anyone in my circle that would stray from their cultural system. An example of someone who would classify under this subculture is this kid I knew from high school. The high school I went to was very diverse, and everyone was different. However, everyone respected everyone for who they were. The common high school groups existed including jocks, preps, nerds, and so forth. This young gentlemen was definitely different from everyone else. He would show up to school and everyone would notice him because he would always wear the same bathrobe. He listened to the weirdest music, and didn’t care what anyone thought about him. I always respected him, because he decided to challenge the mainstream that existed in our high school. He wasn’t afraid of what people thought and lived everyday proudly. I mean we all know how cruel high school can be and for this kid to just be himself and not care about anything was simply amazing. So the question is where is this instinct to be different and move away from mainstream coming from? I think its just a personal choice that the person makes to be different and move away from mainstream. I don’t have a clear answer to why a person does it, but I do know I would probably never be that person. For myself being a fish in the sea and swimming downstream is comfortable. Maybe, one day I will be the fish swimming upstream, but for now I can’t see that happening.
I agree with this theory one hundred percent. We are usually stuck doing everything similar to the people around us. I remember in elementary and middle school I was all about dressing exactly the same way as my peers. My mother, who originates from Poland would always criticize me for it and try to change it. She would come home with clothes from stores that weren’t the ones I was used to, with things that looked a little different then the norm. I would always cry because she would force me to wear it to school and everyone would make fun of me. Slowly I started growing out of the norm, and I like to think I dress, eat differently than everyone else.
I currently live off of sushi and hummus basically. I don’t think many people can eat sushi everyday for a month straight, changing it up with hummus. Call me a freak, but I’m perfectly content with this lifestyle. I also dislike burgers and hot dogs. I cannot stand them. And I try to avoid soda and fast food as much as possible. If I’m eating an actual meal I need to have at least some sort of meat and a side of vegetables. I do however still enjoy French fries.
Also, the music I listen to isn’t exactly the same as the usual. I mean obviously its not completely original, but its not what EVERYONE is listening to. I mean I wouldn’t be able to prefer classical Chinese music either. I prefer “Euro Trash”, or better known as Techno. I do still listen to the popular stuff, but less so than most.
I also have started dressing differently, at least a little. I try to dress more European than what Americans are used to. This might be only because I identify myself as being Polish rather than American.
I think that a big reason behind this phenomenon is that people criticize that what is different. Just think about walking through New York City. I use it as an example because I’ve spent a lot of time there and have seen a fair share amount of absolute freaks. Whenever you see someone wearing a tutu or wings you mock them. These people are referred to as “Weirdos” or “Freaks.“ No one really likes being placed under this category, so most avoid it as much as possible. They’ll do this no matter how much they might want to wear something or not. People are just simply, deadly afraid of change. It’s not necessarily right, because we should be allowed to express ourselves in any way we want, but a lot of people are just close minded. I also don’t think that private schools that require a school uniform help this at all. You’re stuck wearing one outfit, or certain types of clothes and become used to looking like one giant mass of exact look a likes. Sadly enough, this probably isn’t something anyone is capable of changing.
This is one topic that has an unlimited amount of responses that all have valid arguments and support the fact that it is difficult to separate yourself from the crowd. Though the responses are unlimited, they are similar for the most part. Even our responses to this blog can be considered “mainstream” to an extent. So where do I even begin? I’ll start by acknowledging my belief that being “mainstream” or thinking “inside the box” all revolves around the idea that most of us are always doing things that will help us “fit in.” Some of us don’t even want to be unique. We spend most of our time trying to be like the people we look up to and want to be like; I know I am guilty of that. I wouldn’t exactly say that I am one who goes to the extremes when thinking for myself. Yes, here and there I do things that are unique, but for the most part if you look at me, you will see someone who dresses very simple and owns things that are similar to my close friends. And even if you do not see someone with the same taste right next to you, they are out there and they do exist. They are wearing the same style as you and like all the same things that you do. Just like you may consider yourself completely unique, they also consider them self to be different from anyone else. To directly answer the blog, I don’t see a great degree of diversity of subcultures in my life right now. I can’t consider myself to be unique.
My blog response is showing how I have stayed within the box and have followed most of the acts that I have seen while being raised, but it is here at Penn State that I have noticed something a little bit different about myself. When I am asked about what kind of music I listen to on my down time, my usual answer is country. With my friends that I have formed here at University Park, I often hear “Really?!” in response. Country music is a genre that I heard constantly back home growing up in the middle of nowhere. At home, I would be considered mainstream, but it is only when I moved to college that I found this to not always be a common interest. Though this is definitely not true for everyone, I see that most people enjoy more upbeat music like pop and hip-hop. This was just something that I have noticed when living here at PSU and thought that it would be interesting to share. Isn’t it pathetic that this is one of the few things that I have noticed about myself to be a little different? Can this even be considered different? It’s not like country music is unheard of. Millions and millions of people love this kind of music. Even on this campus, many people find situations in which they listen to this genre. So how does this make me different from the mainstream? It doesn’t!
And a final note, if you do find the strength to break away from the norm, eventually someone is going to agree with you and follow. Over time, this will become the mainstream of thinking for some people and you will no longer be “outside the box.” Later, someone else will come along and separate themselves from the mainstream that you have created and create their own style. It is then that they will be the ones that are considered to be thinking “outside the box.”
Hmm… this blog entry has really made me think. I think that people, in general, want to believe that they are originals and that even if they shop at all the same stores as their friends and peers there is something about their own “personal” style that makes them unique. Out of all the people that I know or that I am close with, I only know one person who is truly an original and doesn’t care about what people around him think. Most adults think he is just a disrespectful and apathetic punk, but he is the real-est person I know.
There are some aspects of myself and my personality that I think are special. I come from a very unique family unit, I have three half black brothers, and that definitely distinguished me from my peers in my mostly white town. It also separates me from most of my white peers here at school. So I grew up in a house that was dominated by black culture, and still feel a connection to it. But I have noticed that black people aren’t so accepting of a white girl from the suburbs who likes to listen to the Wu Tang Clan and I have been labeled as a poser because I don’t go along with the culture of my white counterparts. So what are my options? I can be the person that I want to be and be ridiculed for it by people that I feel most comfortable with, or I can listen to music that as a white person is supposed to like, which, in all reality, makes me want to rip my eardrums out. It’s not just the forces within my “school of fish,” the white community, that make it difficult for people to be individuals, but it is also the other “schools of fish” other culture groups, that keep people who don’t meet certain criteria out. I’m not saying that I am unique or that I am a trendsetter, because I am neither of those things, I just want to swim with different fish…
I was reading in Lilly’s comment and something really struck me. She says “We don't think we can live without it (approval). Yet we can. We have to. We will let someone down sometime. Wouldn't it be better to let something out there down than to let ourselves or those we dearly love down?” I agree whole-heartedly that we should worry about ourselves instead of other people; however, I think people put so much emphasis on what loved ones think. Those we love dearly should care the least about how we dress or how we act as long as we are happy. I mentioned at the beginning of my comment my friend who is the most unique person that I know and I think that, in part, he can thank his family for accepting him regardless of what clothes he wears or how his hair is cut.
The idea of doing your own thing is in my opinion something that is wonderful to think about but it is not necessarily the easiest thing to make a reality. Unfortunately being your own person can lead to a constant barrage of attacks directed at your individuality. While everyone wishes to be himself or herself and be an original contributor to their environment, feeling like their lives are fresh and not “status quo”; no one wants to put themselves in the line of fire for being “weird”. I’ve had the fortune to meet a lot of people who take the route of individuality over acceptance and mass approval. Out of all those people I’ve met, only a very small select few have found that they are happy with themselves and are glad to be their own person rather than have lots of friends and acceptance from their peers. I found it really interesting however, how in being their own person, these individuals create their own subculture where they are accepted. So, just like we have preps, rockers, skateboarders, etc. We also have a culture of anti conformists who in making it a goal to not conform and meet societies popular demands, they end up conforming to a culture of non conformity. Its such an ironic cycle that in my opinion it throws the whole idea of being your own person by “going against the grain”. In my opinion being your own person doesn’t mean not following popular ideals and culture but choosing which of those ideals and what culture you are happy being a part of and just having fun.
I myself am originally from Queens, NY. All my friends loved listening to Mobb Deep, Nas, and 50 Cent. Local rap gods that they all wished they were and praised their words more than anything in the bible. I loved these artists as well but instead of dressing like them and following the rap culture I was heavy into rock music. I loved bands like Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Pantera, to name just a few. So while my friends wore their jerseys and three times too large denim jeans, I wore skull shirts and loved wearing anything with a bands name on it. Despite my liking of that music and its culture I still hung out with my friends everyday and hung out at all the same spots they did. I chose to go a different route in musical tastes for my happiness but didn’t mind acclimating to my surroundings in other aspects. That’s what being one’s self is about. Doing what makes you happy and leaves you satisfied.
Previous to reading this blog entry, the topic of non-conformity and breaking free from the norm has been on my mind a lot lately. Being in my senior year here, it’s that dreaded time of the year when I have to tell someone who I am using one eight and a half by eleven piece of paper, don a black suit (ironically appropriate for both a career fair and a funeral), and essentially sell myself to complete strangers. Career fair guides explicitly tell you to avoid jewelry and perfume, dress in neutrals, wear your hair up if it’s past your shoulders, and achieve the firm handshake. Not to mention perfect your “elevator speech”, in which you have less than 30 seconds (about the time spent in an elevator) to spit out a memorized spiel about who you are and why you’re there. No personalization, no personality. Apparently, the goal of all this standardization is to ensure that the only thing you’re judged on is your GPA. But a company doesn’t hire a GPA, they hire a person. Any sub-cultural groups in which you belong are de-emphasized unless they pertain specifically to your chosen career path. Sub-cultures involving ethnicity, politics, and religion are to be avoided altogether. (There was an entire slide devoted to this at a recent resume review I attended.)
Now, with that being said, I don’t want to mislead anyone into thinking I think I’m above conformity. I’m definitely guilty of adhering to social norms, whether it be what I wear, the way I talk, the TV shows I watch, where I go out, the list goes on. I’ll admit to sending the occasional “what are you wearing?” text to my girlfriends before a night out. In fifth grade I even went through a phase whenn my best friend Kelly and I would talk on the phone the night before school and coordinate our outfits, from head to toe. The truth is, it’s just easier to be like the people around you. But there is a bit of a catch. Say you belong to one sub-cultural group and decide to do something drastically different. You’re breaking away from the norm of that group, but unless you’re doing something completely revolutionary you’re also joining another sub-cultural group. Take, for example, the three stereotypes that were represented in front of the class on Thursday. If one day the “preppy” girl decided she wanted to learn how to fix a car or go cow tipping, her friends and family would probably be shocked that she wanted to do something that wasn’t seen as “normal” in their culture. While this would make her different in her own sub-culture, it would also affiliate her with the “redneck” sub-culture, where things like fixing cars are accepted and expected. So, as opposed to striving to break free of all sub-cultures and create something that is completely new to the world, I think a much more realistic goal is to become a well rounded person by claiming membership in many different sub-cultures. And for the record, I will (grudgingly) be a black-suited clone at the career fair this Tuesday for the sole reason that it would be nice to have a job after college.
This blog was very interesting to me because I feel that I really have never thought for myself. I always have been swayed into thinking about what would other people do or say if I acted differently than most people. I found one response interesting when they said that most people are followers and not leaders. I would definitely agree with this statement. I have never been one to actually be the first to do something new. I always stay to the side and observe what others do before I even consider joining. I do not think that I have ever really been a leader in anything before college. It is not because I have gone out of my way to avoid being a leader, it’s just I have never had the opportunity until I came to Penn State. Ever since grade school, I have had the same friends and we always did the same things every weekend and we never really did anything different. I always looked at myself as being the unpredictable one in my group of friends. However, when I look back, I realize now that even when I thought I was doing things that were “not the norm,” I was actually still paying close attention to what other people would think. My worry for what other people would say or think is what prevented me from being different. The one thing that I feel was a major change in transforming my life was when I left Illinois and came to Penn State. All of my friends went to the same college and still hang out with the same people. I feel that this separation took me out of the “follower” category.
I think a major problem people have with trying to be unique and different is that many feel that in order to fit in, they must adhere to many of the same hobbies, activities, clothing fashions, and other things. Also, I think a major problem today is that many people are still not comfortable with who they are. That’s why people will try to be like others. They see a typical image of a person and want to try to recreate it so that way they will be associated with that person. Too often have I heard someone say that I should “be myself”. Well, the problem with that statement is that I don’t even know who I really am. I’m still trying to figure that out. I think that this is the case for most people in college as well. We spend so much time trying to please others by acting or dressing like everyone else, that it is easy to lose sight of who we are.
I think it’s awesome if you’re able to think outside of the box and be completely original. However, I’m not like that at all. It’s not that I try to “fit in,” it’s just everything I’m exposed to. I don’t think I have that part of the brain that questions things enough to think differently. I went to Catholic school my entire life and believe in my religion without question. That could be a stupid thing – there are lots of religions out there but I feel mine is for me. I probably dress exactly like the majority of people you see walking on campus (except the whole legging thing – I think that’s kind of ridiculous actually). I fit in sub-cultures of athletes, and girly-girls, and not-so-girly-girls, and how ever I’m feeling – but nothing original. But when I really think about it…I don’t think I personally know one person who is out of the norm and thinks differently and acts completely on original impulse. I have this friend-let’s call her Katie- and she was just like me and the majority of our high school friends. She went to art school and became “original.” But she actually just went from one culture or sub-culture to the next. She now dresses and acts and thinks exactly like her liberal art school friends do. Yet, when she’s home in the summer her hair suddenly becomes blonde again and her style changes. I guess the point I’m trying to make is that sometimes people try so hard to be different and original that they’re following the norm just as much as everyone else is. When is someone actually original and not just following others ideas or leads? Einstein was obviously a good example – but today who would be an example of that? Maybe Lady GaGa’s style, or Lil’ Wayne’s lyrics? I don’t think either of them are far enough from the norm to be hailed as these great original thinkers. Lady GaGa’s get-ups are pretty ridiculous though – but good for her. I don’t have the confidence to pull that off. So, obviously, people who are able to think outside of the box and brave enough to be open about them have an extreme amount of confidence. I think confidence is a rare thing these days with society telling everyone how to fit in--what to wear, how to eat, what to think, what to weigh, etc. When will the message truly be to just be yourself and actually mean it? Maybe that generation will have a better chance than me in being able to think without walls blocking your thoughts—and it’s not that I don’t want to be original and brilliant, I just don’t have that confidence that’s necessary.
After watching this video I really got to thinking about the social norms of our society. I really do not feel as if anybody is breaking social norms. In one way or another all of us are conforming. People may have their differences but in all we are basically all the same. I think that may be a few people that break these norms. For example I believe that my professor for my Bi Sci 3 class breaks social norms. He is what you would probably call a “hippy”. But he’s not one of those burn outs who just thinks it is cool to smoke weed and not shower. He is a very intelligent person who in my opinion does not conform at all to main steam society. In class he showed us the birthing of his daughter Katie. She was born at home in water and it basically a very ceremonial act unlike the rushed process at the hospital. After she was born they took her placenta and planted it in the dirt. Now normally people would think ew or this is really weird. But I believe that this is beautiful thing. Just because it doesn't go along with main stream society does not mean its wrong or weird. I really gain respect for people when they have the ability to go against social norms. I am all for doing this I just do not feel like I have any original ideas and if I did then I would have no problem putting them out. I feel like I am not very creative person so it is hard for me think of new things. I guess this goes along with not training my brain to break norms. I never really stop to think “oh we are all wearing the same clothes....kinda odd”. If you really think about it going along with social norms is kind of weirder than breaking them. It is pretty weird when we all look around the girls are all wearing the same idea of an outfit, same hair styles, and we are all just walking around in a daze like frame of mind. I think that all of us need to wake up and find out who we really are as a person. These means looking deep inside of us, cleaning out all the junk and considering things like what do I really believe in, or who am I? I think that our country has a huge problem with doing things like asking questions and challenging authority but I believe this is a great step in not conforming. But I really do not feel like our country will ever get to this point and people will never be able to think for themselves.
This is an excellent question and one that I have often asked myself throughout my entire life. I believe that everyone can agree that we live in a time period where people are constantly judging others. The largest amount of blame for this falls on the media. The media has created this universe where they determine what is "cool" and acceptable. Take the television channels E!, Bravo, and the Style Network for example. Both of these stations have tons of shows whose primary plot is to judge somebody. Whether it includes judging someones clothes, or their body type, or even how they raise their own children. And the worst part is that these shows are extremely popular.
Let's face it, America is obsessed with judgment so we all conform to certain groups to feel accepted.We listen to certain music because that is what is accepted by the group of people we are like. We dress and even act the same to a certain degree for the same reason. We all conform for different reasons and to different degrees, but in the end everybody does it. However, as much as we are all alike, I think that everyone has something unique about them that they bring to the table. Some people are really good at music or painting or playing sports. Others are creative with the way they present themselves, or how they treat others.
I for one feel that I swim upstream when it comes to my goals for my future. Most people here at Penn State are only worried about getting a good job after graduation that will make them a lot of money. I know my friends are really concerned about entering the corporate world at an entry level where they won't get paid well. And almost all of my friends are graduating with majors that they don't even like because they wanted to earn a decent salary. However, I have different views when it comes to my career. I don't really care what I end up earning as long as I can help people in the process. I have a huge passion for working with non-profits, and I'm sure you are all aware that most people who work with non-profits don't make very much money at all - but it doesn't bother me. Yes, I agree that having a large amount of money in the bank is nice and can even help you feel more secure in your choices. Nonetheless, money is not the most important thing in my book. Actually I believe that money causes a lot of problems in this world. Do not get me wrong, I do not plan on living on some hippie convent for the rest of my life eating only what I grow and bartering for my goods. But I do not want to put all of my effort working for some company that I hate just because they give me a big paycheck at the end of the day. Call me crazy, but I'd rather be making a little money helping people.
Well this blog topic is certainly a smack in the face. It’s something that I find myself thinking about a lot – especially when I see someone on the street or in a bar or stuck in their own mystical daze in class – when I see someone who is, without a doubt, going to turn the world upside down at one point or another in his life because yes, he is just that “special.” This is the philosophy student in me speaking out, but I truly believe that person has something in their spirit, in their essence, that sends out vibes all around and attracts the opportunities needed to change the world or gather other people of similar essence around. In Buddhism, if I remember correctly, the belief is that we are all existing in our present lives as human beings because, through all the past lives we have lived, we’ve come close enough to have a shot at enlightenment; that’s why we’re here. And yet, as Sam brought up, it’s a scarce number - those living on the fringe – that actually do take a shot and make it; they reach enlightenment…in Burroughsian terms, that eternal city where every door leads to another door.
The fringe subcultures of creative non-conformists exist in all the places that one would expect: universities, big cities, California and Vermont (woohoo!) These places have either the reputation, the opportunity, or both to serve host to people who think outside the box. And yet, take Penn State as an example for a breeding ground for such subcultures. There are some 45,000 young people here; most of them look the same, talk the same, follow the rules of the man in the same oppressed way. I’ve been here for three years and I’m just as much of a conformist as I’ve always been; I always go to class, I always do my homework, I always do what I’ve been conditioned to do every hour of every day. I’m essentially a half-assed hippie from Connecticut who preaches the importance of feeling alive and doing what I want and listening to my heart; but when time comes to put up or shut up, I have to shut up. And I have to think to myself: maybe it’s going to take a few more lifetimes of being a human to totally nail my shot at enlightenment.
Especially in an area of study like sociology, we’re conditioned to think that humans can primarily be analyzed using statistics; in the whole scheme of things, though, let’s face it: statistics can’t account for the intangible – for all those elements of emotion and consciousness that the most intelligent people in the world still can’t get a handle on. So my take on how some people break out of the box and think for themselves?...They were just born that way…they’ve got it, and most of us don’t.
Uniformity seems to be the “safe” route to go in society, everyone wants to be wanted and accepted. The sad thing is that it starts with people at such a young age for example in the schools that we attend starting at the age of five. In schools even though some of us do not like to admit it but we all separate into social groups that tend to dress alike, act alike and even talk alike. It is not really on purpose it just kind of happens. I actually thought about this topic after I graduated and started my first semester of college and noticed how no matter how someone dresses or talks they are in a sense accepted.
But this week in class I started thinking about the fashion trends that we follow and how funny it is to look around and see the same fashion trends that were around maybe ten or twenty years ago. More outfits that seem to be pretty popular around the college campuses are the leggings that girls wear with just like back about thirty years ago. Jeans with faded or torn jeans that used to show that you were of low income or a hard blue collar worker, now it shows that you have money and you are in style because they are expensive and the most popular people are wearing them.
I also thought about my one friend from home and about the way he dresses. He wears fitted hats all the time and shirts and clothing that would usually be associated with the black race but in fact he is white. The discussions this week reminded me of the times we would go out and groups of white people would actually give us a hard time just because he wore that type of clothing and would yell wigger and other uncalled for names at him. Then I noticed how people who are judged and wear what they want are always getting harassed. The look on his face afterwards spoke a thousand words. The whole situation just really hit me on how important and how much something so minor as to what clothes you wear matter to some people. It is just weird how we associate different type of clothing styles to different types of people and races. Clothing should not matter but people in this society judge you on everything and anything they possibly can find.
People watching is probably one of the most interesting things you can do. The way we dress to impress people is just ridiculous. The social groups that are formed and how mean people are to each other. It is just amazing. People can be the most loving things on earth or they can be the cruelest.
This was a very interesting and intriguing blog. The whole concept of mainstream is very ironic in a way because one person may believe that they are being extremely unique in doing their own thing but honestly they aren’t. Our whole lives we were told to not be a follower and to be a leader, strive for what you want don’t just settle and hop on a bandwagon with everyone else. We have quotes thrown around such as “don’t walk in front of me because I won’t follow you, don’t walk behind me because I won’t lead you, just walk beside me and be my friend” which evidently states the whole scenario of being independent and not wanting to either lead nor follow, simply just wanting a friend. So many people in our society or subcultures are into so many different groups it’s hard to find relief in something or someone.
Society is so diverse in culture. Throughout the world we live in, we coexist and interact with various types of people. Whether they are of different races, ethnicities, religions, or cultures we all share experiences with them. As far as subcultures go they aid in helping people feel as if they are finally doing something themselves, and not just doing something or being a part of something to be socially accepted in society. They feel as if they are defying the norms of society, and taking things into their own hands.
I don’t like to follow trends, or other people. I don’t know all of the latest diet fads, or hottest fashions for the month. Overall I mainly create my own little subculture in my mind. I am adventurous and outgoing. I like to just be with my friends, and my family. My friends shape who I truly am as well as my family and society in general. Even though I don’t classify myself as mainstream, and dying to fit into society I still follow norms. For example, I wear clothes on my body and shoes on my feet. I will eat certain foods, and turn down others because of some statement in society of why it’s wrong to consume it. I guess I am not courageous enough to be that one person who steps completely out of society to declare that I’m so unique, but I definitely do as I please without a care in the world about society and the criticisms I may encounter.
What are they thinking? After Obama became president or even before he did, just when he first started running people or racist began uproar, unfortunately. How could a black man be president, they might have said, or even throw around photos such as the one that was posted, to them it is funny, a joke, but to everyone else in society it’s outrageous.
Yes, Obama is president and Michelle is first lady, and they should be treated with respect as should anyone in this world, but can we honestly say that we would have had the same reaction if it were one of the other “white” presidents. After seeing this photo and reading the article, where they toss around words such as “knuckle heads” or “banana eating jungle monkey” I was upset, not outraged just upset at the fact that there are people who think like this. However then I took a second and ran over the last few years that I could fully remember is almost perfect details and remembers every joke made about former president Bush.
Bush was hated by so many for years, and in those eight years thousands of redneck or other racist terms were said about him, but no one ever commuted to fiercely on those. I am in no way justifying what has been done here because it is outlandishly wrong, and no one should ever go without being punished for such a horrible slandering of a person. It is horrifying what was done, but in the end it is just a photo done by some man who wanted to get a rise out of people like us.
Maybe I am just trying to play devil’s advocate or maybe I am right, and we need to stop treating people of certain races differently, we need to stop being more sympathetic to “black” people if a racist joke is made. It is absolutely horrible to be racist but racism has been around for years, before my generation was even born, before the term racist was even printed in dictionaries!
A black background with white eyeballs is a horrible thing to replace someone photo, and that person should get some punishment for their actions, but he was making a joke. Honestly ask yourself, how many jokes have you made about Bush over the past eight years, or how many have you heard? Were you as upset as you were about this photo? Some can say it is not the same thing, but it is. Bush is white, he is catholic, and he is techniqually a redneck, and as we have previously learned that’s all part of someone culture, therefore the bad things said about him were not considered racist, just considered jokes.
While I’ve always been interested by sociology and the science of studying human behavior, one of the things I find particularly interesting is the idea of culture and subculture or counter-culture. When Sam first started discussing this idea in class, before he could even ask I was already thinking of the various subcultures I belonged to- how can I separate different aspects of myself into groups- and what traits from which group do I embody to make me who I am?
Well first off, I’m a male. That fact alone separates me from about half of the SOC 119 class. As much as I or anyone else hates to admit it, there are certain perks in life that go along with being a male (besides being able to be standing up, that is).
I am also white. I am of Swedish and German ancestry, but I was born and raised right here in good old State College, Pennsylvania, United States of America. The fact that I’m white- while not a subculture, does certainly also separate me from other people. Being a young white male is about as mainstream as you can get, I realize, so what about some of the other things that might separate me from the crowd?
I’m also a homosexual- so that narrows it down to about 1/10th of the population (yikes!), a pot-smoking hippie (double yikes!) and a Democrat. These last three and all of the others are various parts of myself that I was able to identify with right off the top of my head- and I’m sure if I really sat down and thought long and hard about it, I could find tons more.
But how much do each of those things make up who I am? As much as I try to find ways that make me an individual, I also realize that so much of me is part of that “school of fish” that Sam talked about in class and on his video post. I still attend a major University, I jump through just as many hoops as everyone else (I’m making this blog post right now aren’t I?)
I, like everyone else I’m sure, would love to be famous and successful someday and hearing what Sam said about being on the outskirts of a culture to do so made me think about the choices I make in my own life. Next time I want to wear a corset to school, or break into song and dance in public- I’ll make sure to do so, because sure as hell everyone else doesn’t do that. What is scary to me is that I actually have desires to do that…so maybe that’s what will make me famous someday after all.
It is quite true that the majority of people in our society act as the fish living their entire life in the comfort of their own water. I would say that over ninety five percent of the population of the world lives by this. I’m sure that most people would like to feel that they are a part of the five percent of people living on the fringes of cultures and innovating society for all of us. When reflecting on this issue, I looked throughout my life to see if I was on the edge of any of the sub cultures that I am associated with. When I looked into this a little deeper, I came up with some interesting thoughts. When people are on the border, there are usually some other people there with them. So instead of being on the border, it is more like they are in a sub culture of a sub culture. Looking at it this way, the percentage of people on the fringes keeps going up and up and up. Albert Einstein was a great example of someone who was definitely on the fringe. He was so far out on the fringe that even today, people still haven’t figured out whether the majority of his theories are correct or just crazy. I guess what I’m trying to say is that it takes a “crazy” person to be out on the fringes. When I say “crazy,” keep in mind that I mean crazy in terms of what our society deems as crazy. There’s a good chance that these so called “crazy” people aren’t crazy at all and are just the visionaries of our society. I’d say that there is also a great chance that these people are simply “crazy.” But it is this craziness that allows them to stand out when the majority of our society is in the same sub cultures. When I look at my life I realize that I’m kind of on the fringe of the whole “big college” sub culture. The majority of kids in this sub culture are obsessed with drinking and hooking up with someone different every weekend. Me on the other hand, I enjoy my beer but I also try and stay away from being drunk 3 nights a week. To be honest, I lived that way the majority of freshman year and I simply grew tired of it. Also, I am one of the few people who are in a completely committed relationship. Sure people have boyfriends and girlfriends but most of them will be cheating on their significant other after a beer or two. This is not like me at all. I realize that these are two lame examples. This only makes me want to live my life out on the fringe even more.
From day to day, I feel like the society is exposed to so many cultures and subcultures that it is extremely hard to keep track of. It is at the point that you may be exposed to a different culture and may not know it because they tend to follow similar traditions. Although there are numerous different cultures throughout the world, many people tend to stay within their own. They do not give their selves the chance to experience what different cultures are like due to multiple motives
In my opinion, I think people tend to be judgmental and need to be exposed to how others live their lives. I do not think it is right how everyone lives up to their own cultural standards and they believe that they are superior and ‘cool’ because they feel like they are better than everyone else in the world. That also leads to another belief of mine that people act and behave based off of others who surround them. The only reason why people act the way the do is because they feed off of others. In another words, it is like ‘Monkey See Monkey Do.’ If someone begins to watch and talk about some type of Television show, that will make others want to watch it as well and have some type of input on it. It is not guaranteed they will like the show; however, they made the initiative to watch the show due to other people who were watching and talking about it. This ‘Monkey See Monkey Do’ philosophy works effectively especially among teenagers. When it comes to style, particularly with teenage girls, they tend to follow the ‘newest style’ For example, everyone used to wear Sketcher’s Shoes, but now the newest shoe style are ‘Uggz’. Slowly but surely, many teenagers started to wear Ugg Boots and then the Moccasins were another hit. The company even made shoes for males and now they wear Ugg Moccasins. What I am trying to say is that once someone establishes a new trend, many people tend to follow it just because they are under the impression that they have to and if they do not they will feel awkward and not ‘apart’ of their culture. They are following cultural trends so they fit in and are not ridiculed upon. In a way I feel like everyone is a follower. There are people who utilize the new trend, but put their own twist in it. I think that everyone should look into and not judge other cultures by their covers. Just because they do something different, it should not stop you from appreciating what they do. If anything it should make you more interested in their culture and want to learn more about it.
I will never forget my sixth grade teacher, Mr. Pecic, telling us on the first day of class to always “think outside the box”. Being an awkward twelve-year-old preteen girl, thinking or acting outside the box was completely out of the question. I wanted to look like the popular girls, clothing myself in only Limited Too sparkly attire on a daily basis. I remember thinking he was insane, and anyone that actually followed his advice would be an immediate outcast in the eyes of Jamison Elementary. However, as the year progressed, his words of wisdom eventually found a way to stick to me and seep through my thoughts. Soon enough, I was the outcast of our class! I found myself writing 400-word papers when our assignment only had to be 75. I refused to settle for anything less than 100% even on the most meaningless quizzes. I had transformed into this unknown being that I never knew was deep inside of me, and of course I got made fun of for studying or going way above and beyond, but it made me smile instead of making my heart race. I was proud of whom I had become at such a young age, and the “cool” kids had much fewer A’s on their report cards.
I have always been on my own path when it comes to schoolwork. I make extensive colorful study guides and stress over every little assignment. However, when walking by me on the street, I look like an identical twin of every other brown-haired Abercrombie-wearing college sophomore. I don’t really wear anything unique, and when I do I feel self-conscious. Why is that we can be so confident in some areas and feel like a fish out of water in others? I feel like I am completely engulfed by the people I surround myself by. We all dress alike, have similar hairstyles, and have the same sayings that would sound ridiculous in a different group. I’m sad to admit, but sometimes I even judge my friends who are unique, and have the courage to wear something outrageous just to make a statement. I should idolize my friend, Amber, a fashion design student, who could care less about what others think of her. If she’s happy, that’s all that matters, as long as nobody gets hurt along the way. Maybe I should start to learn from her, but would that be conforming?
Thinking back, I realize that I have changed and almost conformed to the ways of my roommate, and I see her doing the same thing with me. She listens to 311 and Incubus, and now so do I. I am obsessed with Grey’s Anatomy, and she recently bought every season. We even are both Supply Chain majors and Spanish and International Business minors. This is sounding absurd.
This blog really made me analyze the different relationships I have and the subcultures that I am a part of. The largest ones greatly consume my life, including my friends, family, classes, and the Smeal atmosphere. My greatest dream is to be a successful businesswoman walking down Fifth Avenue with my Coach briefcase and Starbucks in hand. Maybe if I take a step back and analyze why I am apart of certain cultures, my dream could drastically change.
Cultural Transformation and Our Personal Lives
The reason that I choose this particle post to comment on was because I felt it was something I could relate to. The idea that the main stream, or popular culture almost “controls” the lives we live has always been a concept that has intrigued me. The idea that the general public can be swayed to like or dislike a certain genre of music or clothing style seems almost ridiculous. But if take a step back and look from the outside you can see that this is true in most cultures, especially in the United States. If you were to travel across the country you would find a wide range of ideas of what is popular and what is not. But with all of the differences in opinions one thing is the same, people enjoy and connect with what is around them. If a person grows up in the south it is safe to assume that that person will grow into the customs that are traditional to the South as apposed to customs of the Northeast or West Coast. Now that is a pretty obvious conclusion but what interests me and what was brought up in the post is why that is? Why do we all just conform to the environment around us and like what our peers, or friends like? With all the talk of freedoms and individuality in today’s society it seems like there are less and less things we can really control.
Our environment raises us all and the things that we grow up with and grow comfortable with are things that shape us into who we are, whether we choose to be influence by them or not. Our environment teaches us what is cool, and what is hip. It helps us to define what direction in life we should be going. Today people are told to go to school work hard and get a job because that’s what the main stream wants us all to do. And most of us do that question that. We all believe that is the best thing for us to do, and it very well may be. But as we all just go along with this “main stream” plan we are just avoiding the pleasure of risking something to achieve something great. We are all afraid to fail whether we will admit it or not.
One reason for this is because people have always been and will always be hesitant to leave their comfort zones no matter what were talking about. When it comes to things such as styles or music or even viewpoints it is no different. People are afraid to try new things and even more so people are afraid to embrace new things. The idea of change has scared people for a long time and will continue to do so. Until people are willing to break free of what they “believe” is right or “hip” we will never reach our potential. We only limit ourselves, we confine our experience to things we know and think are safe. The idea that some of the greatest discovers and ideas have been made by people that are wiling to go explore or test new waters shows that people just need to embrace the world around them and begin to explore who they really can become.
This blog was really different, it made me really stop and think and evaluate my whole life. From day one we were taught to be different, but be like everyone else, there is no way you can be different, yet be the same as everyone else. Be creative, think out side the box are all phrases that have been drilled into us since we were born. I know I never step out of the box very far at all; I have really adapted to the ‘norm,’ I like my homeostasis. I really admire those who do venture out of the box far enough, because those are the individuals who the people inside the box look down on, and chastise because they are too different, but yet they are brilliant and are living the dream. Humans do not like change, and stepping outside the box can be a very daunting task for a lot of individuals. I know it is for me. I’m afraid of what people think of me; yes I am very insecure. I am not saying that I don’t step outside the box from time to time, because I certainly do, just not very far at all. So as I started to think about what I was going to say, I was caught by surprise of how much I depend on my box, and that had me thinking. Am I happy? Am I okay with following all these fish down stream? At the end of the day when I hit the end of the road am I going to say that I am satisfied? I looked around my bedroom and saw the plain walls and all the objects that I have in here because this is what I'm supposed to have in here. So am I happy with that? No, I'm not happy, matter of fact I'm pretty damn miserable. Why? Because I'm afraid of letting my true self show to my peers. I know everyone has his or her quarks, and I definitely do; I'm a very odd duck. But shouldn’t I at least be happy? If you think about it, all boxes that are created by a brave soul are just transformed into another giant box for everyone else to swoop us as the norm. So after being brave and stepping out, creating a giant step of independence, you go right back to being the norm with everyone else. This is how culture is made though; one tiny box grows to become one giant box. Its really cool how it all shapes the world and fits together, but it really makes you think about everything you stand for, or better yet you think you stand for. We all stand up and say yes I march to my own beat of the drum, but do we really? In some cases yes, but in a lot of cases no, we just try to change it up a little to make it appear different, but in actuality it really isn’t that different at all. I liked this blog. It makes me more aware that I need to live the dream and venture out of the norm, to start living my life and to really be me.
This post was an eye opener for myself. It gave me another way to look at the way I am living my life. I never have considered myself fully mainstream but by the way Sam Richards described it in his post made me think, “How mainstream am I?” I would like to think mostly everyone would like to consider themselves unique in their own way but when I really look at it, it feels as though everyone is following someone or a trend. And when I think of it that way I feel sad because I say I am my own individual but I cannot considered myself an individual away from mainstream trends. So then I really began to look at how I am unique and I came to the conclusion that I am mainstream in normal ways but unique subtle ways. For example, I am artistic but I am not a typical artist. What I mean by that is I do not just paint or draw or take photographs. I use all types of art I combine them all in an original way. When I am creating something it is when I am at most peace and I can look at the world in a different way, in a simplistic and clear view. My art may not fit in the traditional and mainstream standards but it makes me unique in my own way. Creating art in my unique style is one aspect of myself and my life that sets me slightly apart from everyone else. The more I think about this topic of mainstream the more I question how can you separate yourself? Can you just come to the idea that you want to be completely unique and “think outside the box”? Or does it have to come naturally? Are you born like that or can you can you force yourself to be innovative and unique? For myself, I feel like you born that person who is completely and utterly his or her own person and who will never default to the mainstream. I do believe that each person does have ability to be unique in subtle ways; it’s just a matter of tapping into those areas. As I think about those individuals who are truly unique I realize it takes a tremendously strong person to go against the grain, to do or be something people do not always understand or accept, and to be different from society’s norms. I can say I am truly envious of those people not only because of their innovativeness but also because of their character and determination that pushes them to be completely open to all things different and new. I envy them because it is not an easy task and they are the people who will make the largest impact on our world.
As I look around when I am walking to class or around downtown state college, I feel like my life isn’t unique, I feel I am in this subculture where everyone is like me, the proud Penn State undergraduate. We students are living in a little Penn State world where we all can come together and have something in common. But everyone has his or her own unique path of life and I feel this more when I am home and around my family. Everyone in my family, being parents, brothers, sisters, cousins and aunts are all business majors. They all work for companies and sit at a cubicle all day watching stocks and reading articles. I for one could never see my self in this type of business situation. When I came to Penn State I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study or what major I wanted to get into. I took so many different courses to try and find what would interest me. I took microeconomics having the thought that I would really enjoy it and get into business like the rest of my family. I don’t think I ever hated a class so much in my life. Now, being in my junior year, I am an elementary education major. I knew I always loved and enjoyed being around children and having the opportunity to educate them makes it even better. I feel like when my family is talking about work and about their day, I have nothing to contribute because I don’t understand the business lingo. Not only do I want to become a teacher, I want to travel around and teach children who need better education. I feel this makes me so different compared to a lot of the students that are in my major. We all take these classes, student teach, graduate and then are off to find an elementary school that will hire us. I don’t want to be stuck in a 2nd grade classroom for 30 years, at least not start out there. I feel I am going against the mainstream and not following the way these other education majors are heading. Your attitude on life will always make you different then everybody else. No other person can have the same thought on life like your own. Last year I thought I was like every girl in all my education classes. We take the courses; have the same job interest and all share the joy of being around children. However, reading this article made me really think that I am creating my own path of life and not going with the norm. My parents find it so interesting how different I am then the rest of my siblings. They think its great that I am pursuing what I love to do and not just going with the business culture my family entails. I would love to learn more about the financial business but its like my mind shuts off once anyone begins to talk about the topic. What I am saying is that we all have this plan of how we want to live our lives. I might feel like I am in this little subculture at Penn State and love embracing the feeling of belonging; but once I am back at home I immediately become the black sheep of the family and it doesn’t bother me one bit.
This blog was really different, it made me really stop and think and evaluate my whole life. From day one we were taught to be different, but be like everyone else, there is no way you can be different, yet be the same as everyone else. Be creative, think out side the box are all phrases that have been drilled into us since we were born. I know I never step out of the box very far at all; I have really adapted to the ‘norm,’ I like my homeostasis. I really admire those who do venture out of the box far enough, because those are the individuals who the people inside the box look down on, and chastise because they are too different, but yet they are brilliant and are living the dream. Humans do not like change, and stepping outside the box can be a very daunting task for a lot of individuals. I know it is for me. I’m afraid of what people think of me; yes I am very insecure. I am not saying that I don’t step outside the box from time to time, because I certainly do, just not very far at all. So as I started to think about what I was going to say, I was caught by surprise of how much I depend on my box, and that had me thinking. Am I happy? Am I okay with following all these fish down stream? At the end of the day when I hit the end of the road am I going to say that I am satisfied? I looked around my bedroom and saw the plain walls and all the objects that I have in here because this is what I'm supposed to have in here. So am I happy with that? No, I'm not happy, matter of fact I'm pretty damn miserable. Why? Because I'm afraid of letting my true self show to my peers. I know everyone has his or her quarks, and I definitely do; I'm a very odd duck. But shouldn’t I at least be happy? If you think about it, all boxes that are created by a brave soul are just transformed into another giant box for everyone else to swoop us as the norm. So after being brave and stepping out, creating a giant step of independence, you go right back to being the norm with everyone else. This is how culture is made though; one tiny box grows to become one giant box. Its really cool how it all shapes the world and fits together, but it really makes you think about everything you stand for, or better yet you think you stand for. We all stand up and say yes I march to my own beat of the drum, but do we really? In some cases yes, but in a lot of cases no, we just try to change it up a little to make it appear different, but in actuality it really isn’t that different at all. I liked this blog. It makes me more aware that I need to live the dream and venture out of the norm, to start living my life and to really be me.
I think that many successful people in this world are those “change makers” that stray from the rest of the crowd. If people were always to follow the crowd then the world would be a very boring place. How many people do we know that don’t follow the crowd? I know Lilly said that she knows a lot of creative people in her classes that don’t exactly dress like everyone else but I don’t know anyone like that. Is it a bad thing that I don’t know anyone like that? Doesn’t that mean I basically do follow the crowd and don’t really like to try other clothing styles or different genres of music?
My whole life people have always said that I should go to college, get good grades, and get a good paying job so I can support my family. Creativity was never really stressed upon me during my childhood or up until now actually. Now, that I am older I am not sure if following the crowd is the right thing for me. What if I don’t want the nine to five job where everyone in my neighborhood drives the same car or goes to the same coffee shop in the morning – much like the opening credits for the show Weeds. Now is the time for me to run away from the crowd that could actually better me.
Many people have strayed from the crowd and their actions have changed this world in many awesome ways. Some people see those who dress differently or don’t listen to the same music as everyone else and make fun of them. The truth is that is will be those people who most likely will change the something about this world that will make it better. Like Sam said that Albert Einstein did not “follow the leader” and helped the world greatly. The worst part is that during Einstein’s time his colleagues were making fun of him and were throwing obstacles in his way every chance they could. The same thing happens today. Many people today do the same thing but they don’t know that the person they are mocking will do great things one day.
Creativity is very important and it can help our culture and our world one day. Many singers went far from the crowd and did a lot of good. Recently, Lil’ Wayne started to sing his raps and it was very successful and that lead to other singers change their style as well. We should live in a world where creativity is impressed upon us while we are children so it can continue on into our adulthood. Basically, in today’s world creativity is not given importance, and that needs to change.
The word mainstream really annoys me, maybe because it is something I usually try to avoid. I can’t remember the last time I listened to the radio and enjoyed it, probably because the last time I did I was forever turned-off by the amount of catchy, pointless, and meaningless garbage that is considered “mainstream” music. To be honest, I kind of lose respect for people that only listen to radio music, and only download the top 10 Billboard songs instead of digging deeper into subculture and try to discover a new type of sound. There are so, so many talented artists and amazing songs out there that may never get on the radio and may never reach certain people’s ears that would enjoy them because the majority of this country has a boring taste in music and enjoys listening to what everyone else does. I admit that I follow some trends, but with music I consider myself part of a small community or subculture that I feel very comfortable with. I also consider myself to have many friends, but the fact that I can only talk to three of my friends about the type of music we listen to really shows that subculture.
I feel as if every week there is some kind of new trend appearing out of nowhere that for some reason consumes every conformist out there. Whether it is a new hit song, a new obnoxious saying, or a new fashion statement I feel like many people do not think for themselves, but rather follow a certain culture. There are so many different cultures that people follow like racial, ethnic, age, and even hobbies. These people might follow trends for the fear of being seen as different and uncool. As for thinking outside of the box, it seems like a lot of people are very narrow-minded. Sam, in one of his lectures talked about how as a kid he always thought outside of the box. It took me until college to really do this. For example, deep conversations about life is something that a lot of people would not be interested in discussing besides sports or what Paris Hilton is up to these days. It amazes me that some people have never thought about the universe, where we came from, how our bodies are constructed so perfectly, why people are different colors, and etc. Things like college, discussing these existential problems, and several books/movies have turned me agnostic! I was raised Roman Catholic, but found my self too intelligent, not to be pretentious or call people of faith stupid, to follow these fairytales that have so many plot holes and big unexplainable questions. Like Sam had discussed, there are so many religions to chose from so hopefully the one you chose is the right one.
It’s tough to be that fish, that pure unique individual, searching for food outside the safety of the pack. As students we are all stuck in that pack, that “school of fish” going through the hoops. That necessary and minimum required level of conformity is what it takes to be successful in our society. We all applied to colleges, study for exams, take out loans or rely on parents for financial support, drink on weekends, hang around with friends, breathe, eat, sleep, dream. In a way it’s not because we are lacking the creative juices or posses some flaw in dynamic thinking. I believe that there exists some sort of responsibility of conforming to society in order to achieve that independence and security. We need to pass certain obstacles in our way before we may be enabled to explore such realms of defiance and uniqueness. I think often about what separates me from the rest of the millions of people charting the same path. Who’s going to win? What inabilities do I posses and need to overcome in order to out charge, out gain, and win against the masses. What will it take to be that unique person remembered in time? That is the end goal right? Once you die it’s about being remembered, to live as a legacy to the lives you’ve touched. I think about the sheer number of people that is in this race and how impossible of a separation that is. There are two choices. Confine yourself to the safety of a culture; find happiness in the deep roots you lay, or cut that all away and seek out to be so unique, to have a go at dieing a legacy. It’s a risky way to live. Who wants to die as a failure and an outcast. This is the main reason why culture exists and that sort of conformity prevails amongst a population. We all need a sense a belonging, acceptance and security in death. Right now I am a twenty year old white college student with a group of friends, a major, and a family back home. My goals range from getting good grades to getting in good shape. I am average height, average witted, and averagely involved. It’s a good question, to what degree are we on the sub culture? With all of that layed out am I destined a life of choice one above? Is it all about finding happiness in the submission within a culture? The more I think about the more I dwell on the billions of people in this world. It is impossible for everyone to be saved from the ideal “uniqueness” the goals expressed in the video. Maybe this is the next new development and innovation of our time, if someone develops a system/program/device that aids everyone in becoming unique. That would be quite a world to live in. Meanwhile, I’ll keep conforming and jumping through hoops to land job and have a family. That’d be the responsible thing to do right?
After reading the blog I began to think about the life of some of the most successful and innovative people in the history. As illustrated in the example, Albert Einstein, arguably the greatest scientist in our world, did not follow the traditional ways of thinking. Instead, he developed his own theories and designed unique experiments to back up his thoughts. During the World War II, while certain nations relied on weapons and men power to fight, many scientists including Einstein realized that the fact that chain reactions of atom can cause devastating explosions can be utilized in modern warfare. As a result, the great but horrific invention of atomic bomb came to this world.
While it may be true that the most innovative thinking come from people who do not follow mainstream values and ideas of their culture, however it cannot be achieved by completely diverging from their culture. Take the hippies for example, (I hope I don’t offend anyone here) they were a group of people who disregarded social norms and created a completely different culture from rest of the people. While their ideas may be innovative, they were characterized as lazy and drug addicts. While lacking some of the most important traditional values such as hard working, the hippie culture did not have many outstanding achievements. While many may argue that they opened the door to many other subculture groups and civil rights ideas, the hippies’ legacy was tarnished by their counter cultural ways of life.
Prior to the 1960s, the idea that black people and white people should be treated equally was ridiculous to majority of the white society. In order to challenge some of the unjust regulations imposed by people in power, mass majority of the people (mostly white) needed to get away from their traditional views of African American society and believe that all men are created equal. The most innovative people went out of their way to create a change in society. However, their ways of thinking were not completely away from mainstream cultural values. The civil rights movement was based on the constitution that all men were created equal. It succeeded in achieving its goal because a combination of new ideas and old values were mixed together, unlike the hippie movement where almost their entire culture was against the mainstream culture at the time.
The most dynamic people are often the ones who invent new ideas. However, being too dynamic can cause more harm than good. The hippies developed completely new style of life that was against the mainstream values. To this day, they are still considered undesirable and derogatory. The civil rights activists relied on traditional values and innovative thinking to create equality in United States. They were successful because they led people to see new things while still maintaining some of their traditional belief. In my opinion, a person who completely goes against his or her cultural will most likely be rejected from societies, while someone who combines new and old ideas will have a much more successful life.
I unfortunately, like almost every other honest person, confess to fishhood. I really wouldn't consider myself as mainstream, but I wouldn't know what else to call it if I wasn't. I've always been told by people I meet "you're not like anybody else I know." I'm pretty sure that this isn't commenting on my sublime Independence, but rather some quirky personal traits that I exhibit. And I really think most people, beyond the conformist middle school years, would strive for a little piece of uniqueness. Although I think some succeed, I don't stand out, and I can't think of any inspiring thoughts I had that changed either my life or someone else's - which just makes me feel crummy.
It may be considered difficult for some to not follow the mainstream, but for others it’s easy. The problem comes in when your religion, culture does not allow you to be different- in my culture specifically. We have this belief that if you do not swim with all the fish in the same direction, you are different specie all together. I never really understood what it meant to be different, or better yet, to be the same. What makes you innovative? What makes you think outside the box? What makes you more intellectually aware? Because I still do not really know. I will never forget my first experience in Penn State. I was in the Hub, waiting in line to get to ID. I suddenly got a lump in my throat. I did not what to feel as my turn was getting closer, because the more I looked around, the more I saw redundancy. All these people talked the same way, acted the same, and the worst part was, they though the same way. I thought to myself, where can you be free? Where are you allowed to exist, to live, and to be? I remember asking myself : Am I not in the United States of America, the place that prides itself with freedom? As the semester went on, I realized that it does not matter where you are, fish swimming together happens everywhere. I have talked to many people about the typical Penn State life, and how sometimes a “tradition” is fun, but other times it is flat boring. They agreed with me, and some even answered “But I can not do anything else, I am from nowhere interesting like you are, nothing international, I have not seen different culture or even pushed myself to be different. I am from here, which is boring”. The problem is that you CAN be different, just because you share one thing in common with a majority – being from the same place, does not necessarily mean you have to follow EVERYTHING else they do. Neither do I. I mean of course I felt different when I came to the states, because my beliefs, traditions, culture, and religion completely clashed. But when I went back home, I had to be the same. So basically, I was a hypocrite. I came back home over the summer, and supposedly “changed”. Some say to the better, some to the worse. I could not care less anymore. I began to appreciate the experiences I had my first two semesters in Penn State, the people I talked to, but what I really appreciated was that some people can have an effect on another without them EVER knowing. That is beautiful. To me, the best thing I have ever done to be “out of the mainstream” was to get myself out of my own by traveling, meeting new people, and striking up controversial conversations. When you expose yourself to places and people that you are not accustomed to, you really learn more about yourself. Because the test is, can you get along with difference? Can you see the beauty in difference? Or better yet, can you see you accept your own flaws and change?
I never really considered myself to be part of the mainstream culture. I always had a very diverse group of friends throughout my high school. I guess you could say that I was a part of all the different cliques. However, coming to Penn State has challenged this belief that I hold about myself. The town that I live in consists of 4000 people who are all relatively the same. The majority are white Christians who have lived in the same place for their entire lives. What I’m trying to get at is, before I came to Penn State I thought that people everywhere were like the people from my hometown. Just that statement makes me feel extremely naïve and ignorant. Clearly this is a very wrong assumption that I have held for most of my life.
Within the last year, a lot of my beliefs about people have been challenged and even changed. I feel like my mind constantly has thoughts coming into it allowing it to expand. I have been noticing that most of who I am is what my other friends or family members are. It makes me wonder how anyone can ever be completely their own person. Am I interesting at all? Or am I just like all the other people that I know? Another question that I have is; is anyone unique?
I always considered myself to be terrible at anything pertaining to art. This belief has limited me because with it comes the belief that I am not a creative person. When Sam said in class that if we want to be innovative we should hang on the fringes of the mainstream my two beliefs contradicted one another. Now I’m beginning to think that I may actually be one of those people who follows along with the mainstream.
I am completely cultured. I eat the same foods as my friends. I watch the same movies as them. I take the same classes as them. I go to the same parties as them. Even when I branch out and try to do different things it all kind of feels the same. Is it ever possible to break free of the cultures and environments we live in to become less apart of mainstream culture? Even when we adapt new things from other cultures we are not being innovative we are still following. Just following different people or things.
I’m really excited about thinking this way though. The fact that I am questioning my beliefs makes me feel like my mind is beginning to expand. I’m giving myself room to grow (and maybe become less mainstream)by questioning my long held beliefs. This is a challenge I am willing to take.
I unfortunately, like almost every other honest person, confess to fishhood. I wouldn't consider myself as mainstream, but I wouldn't know what else to call it if I wasn't. I've always been told by people I meet, "you're not like anybody else I know." I'm pretty sure that this isn't commenting on my sublime Independence, but rather some quirky personal traits that I exhibit. I really think most people strive for this sliver of uniqueness, but nothing to the extent which results in cultural change. People like Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Albert Einstein create cultural change. And I like to think that there are people out there like them, looking for an opportunity to change the way we perceive something or someone entirely. But I also think the twenty-first century makes this a little more difficult. I think change is something so reoccurring these days that it’s hard to place any sort of heroism. I got in a discussion the other day about the phenomenon that is “wireless”; the idea that I am able to access information or another person within seconds. The more I thought about it, I couldn’t understand how any human being, even 30 years ago, could have imagined such a thing. I don’t know who is responsible for the wireless craze, but I would believe this person to be on the fringe of cultural/technological change. What I find more interesting is that I don’t know this individuals name. Does that mean that we just accept changes such as wireless as a part of our advanced progression? As if we take it for granted? Maybe I just am nieve for being so unaware, but I think this is telling about the way we may perceive change within the United States.
Another thought I had was in reference to the monkey clip show in class the other week. Explaining how we are all just monkeys seeking acceptance from one another. Fitting in and going with the norm of things is really the best way to gain acceptance. Maybe not everyone thinks they need the social acceptance of others, but I would argue that whether you think you do or not, you most likely do. That’s again why I’m not sure if the kind of cultural change I am thinking of is all that viable, because people act only when supported. It’s the basic fundamentals of the government under which we live, where we think we’re capable of creating substantial change, but the red-tape is everywhere to prevent us. To generate a sustainable, revelatory idea, one must have money, be supported by others with money, and have friends (or even friends of friends) in high places. To relive a kind of M.L.K. movement, there would have to be a lot wrong with the way people perceive their daily lives. Cultural change can be found most likely in developing countries and other areas of tyranny, but not the United States.
As a child many of us grow up admiring someone regardless if it our parents, older siblings, other family members, or even someone famous. Therefore at a very young age we start the trend of trying to follow the footsteps of another person. It is not that we are afraid to try out new things but more or less we are learning how other people go about doing things. This is apart of the process of figuring out the differences between right or wrong. For example, just because you see your older sibling stealing and you think that everything he or she does is cool, it does not make it okay for you to do the same. Lets say that you decide to do the same but instead of you being as successful as your sibling was, you end up getting caught. Now you have to deal with the consequences of your actions and you realize that you should not always want to be like someone else.Situations like that are what cause us to venture out to be different and also allow us to make our own decisions despite the consequences that we may face.
The idea of stepping outside of the box simply comes from us tired of being like everyone else and trying to live up to everyone else's expections of us. My whole family are business majors but I decided to major in Telecommunications. Although my family may disagree with my decision to become a Telecommunications major; I am content with the fact that I chose to be different. That is how many new genres start. Sometimes people decide that they want to be different from everyone else so they begin to do their own thing, I call that evolution. With people who begin new genres and trends they feel as if being like everyone else isn't enough and no longer satisfying. They then look for the next thing that will fulfill them. With that comes followers, those who end up feeling the same way and see something new, not realizing they are meerly picking up the same following habit, just in a different form.
Stepping out of the box, walking to a beat of your own drum is a personal decision. You have to be ready for the stares, the occasional snickering, the questions and the fact that the people closest to you may not understand it and do not have to. Being an individual is just that, an individual decison that only effects the olne person that has decided to change. That has decided that looking, talking, listening and acting like everyone else just isn't cutting it anymore. That is time for their ideas to shine through and show the world exactly who they are and what they solely stand for.
The question is, what motivates one to step outside the box in order to set a new trend/lifestyle. It is almost impossible to answer that. People have been around for so many years, what would be considered “different.” Walking on my way to class, I pay attention to what most girls/guys around me are wearing. All in all, most people dress exactly the same. Girls straighten their hair, wear eyeliner, leggings, oversized t-shirts, skinny jeans, sunglasses, etc. Guys wear hats, basketball shorts, simple t-shirts, and sneakers. Every once in a while, it’s easy to spot that one girl or guy who dresses completely different and we wonder to ourselves “wow, what were they thinking.” Are those the people to set new styles and traditions? Not exactly, because most of the time they just dress like that to stand out or because they don’t care and will do whatever they want. Just because someone is going outside of the norm and doing something new, doesn’t mean that they are being different. There are a handful of people who dress differently, but when you look at them, those different people have similar styles. Therefore, you can’t consider them being different since at one point in their lives, they saw this style and decided to dress that way. Who even sets trends and fashions? Everything is set and modeled off of pop culture and its advertisements. Most of the time what we wear is because of what we see on television. Either way, the products we buy are those sold in stores. We aren’t setting our own fashion it’s someone making it for us.
Outside of America, why is it that almost every area of the world dresses differently. Why do Amish people dress like pilgrims/ African Americans dress baggy/ and all the other stereotypical looks of Asians and even Americans. They aren’t trying to set trends and who set their trends. I don’t want to be stereotypical but it’s interesting to think about if these different cultures “switched fashions.” Would people view them differently? Looking at simply the appearance people around the world strive for: almost all Americans want to be tan, while Asians, Indians and other people of color prefer to be white. Why do Americans view that tanner is a more beautiful look, while Asians/Indians see being tan as an unfortunate thing. My Indian friend gets scolded by her mother when she gets a tan. Their mentality or traditions are that being darker in color, makes others think that you are not as wealthy as the whiter people. Being whiter means that you are more successful and do not work outside, making it easier for you to find a husband/wife. Darker people are viewed upon as ones who will not find a good spouse. The thought makes sense, but why then do Americans not feel the same way?
I loved the train of thought that this topic sent my mind through when I first heard it in class. “In the overlapping of cultures, stay on the fringes. The closer you are to the center of your subculture, or mainstream, the least likely you are to change.” Well with 6.7 billion people in the world, how am I supposed to be me, and me alone? I think that our personality is made up of not only genes, but also our environment, the things around us that make us tick: the people, the sounds, the culture, the oppression, the freedom. There are so many variables in our environment that affect who we are, and the role we play in society. So if I’m sharing my environment with over 6 billion other people, there doesn’t seem to be much room for individuality. Even if I bring it down to a smaller scale, like the 300 million in the United States, or 40,000 students at Penn State, I still have a hard time finding things or ideas to call my own. What about something more manageable like our Soc 119 class? Surely I should be able to set myself apart from the other 600 students in some way. Yet sitting in class, as a middle-upper class white female, I find myself wishing I was more cultured, more diverse, more interesting. Even reading through some of the other blog entries was frustrating because they seemed all too similar to what I was thinking.
I am totally an advocate for change, at least I’d like to think that I am. And I don’t want to be the fish that doesn’t even know I’m swimming in water. So at the very least, this has all got me thinking of how I can stay on the fringes of my subcultures. But how can I be on the outskirts without being too much a “part”? How can I function as an active member, and yet dance to the beat of my own drum? It seems like such a paradox. I mean the definition of society is merely that of an organization, or group of people, connected or associated by culture and its many facets. There wouldn’t even be “fringes” if it weren’t for the majority of people that are connected as a whole. This makes me think of one of the first slides Sam Richards showed us. It was a picture of zebras with a caption reading something like “When given the freedom to choose for ourselves, we tend to imitate the people around us.” I am prepared to do some serious observing. It’d be interesting to discover why we have these tendencies to follow the crowd, especially when nearly every person in response to this entry mentioned of how they wish they were culturally transformative, innovative, fringe-hangers.
This blog represents an idea that I have questioned for a long time in my life, maybe from the beginning of Elementary school, or even earlier. I have always accepted everyone into my life regardless of racial background or religious beliefs. I am a white male, which many people may look at in a strange way because I am not surrounded by people of my race or beliefs, nor would I say I act like a normal Caucasian male does. I accept people of all racial background and belief to associate with me, even if they’re not willing to accept me. Some of my friends have told me personally that if it weren’t for the way that I act, talk, or conduct myself, simply the fact of me being white, would be reason enough for them to never want to have anything to do with me. They’ve told me that I may be the only white person that they ever accept as a friend. I don’t say this with any intent or belief that I am better than anyone else but maybe I am more fortunate than anyone else because I have not let myself be held back socially by any racial barrier.
I know the way I am is because of where I grew up, what I was subjected to, and how I choose not to exclude anyone from my life because how they acted or looked. I have lived in Essex, Maryland all of my life, just outside of Baltimore City. My parents worked in the city so that’s where I went to daycare every day of my life from about the age of 3 until about 7 when I started Elementary School back in Essex. My best friend in daycare was a little black boy by the name of Tyron. He and I were together every day; we played, ate, and even took naptime near each other. Most of the people I met in the beginning of my life, my fellow classmates and teachers, were all of a different racial background than me. This was how I grew up and lived every day, I could almost say I was subjected to a different world that most people of my complexion, or any other complexion for that matter, have ever experienced. The first girl I ever had feelings for was a black girl in the daycare with me by the name of Carmen who I also spent a lot of time around and associating with. I have never seen a reason why a person of any other ethnicity and myself couldn’t be friends. Not only have I always accepted other people not the same as me, but also I have always felt accepted by other people so I have no problem or uncomfortable feeling with being around different people.
I accept all cultures into my life. I wear want I want, I act however I want, and I say whatever I want; I might consider myself a free spirit unaffected by any prejudice what so ever. I have a very diverse connection of friends that varies in all cultures, races, ethnicities. etc. none of which I have a problem with or look down on. I feel as though people who grow up or are never subjected to the different lives of other races, are at a disadvantage because with barriers you can never actually be able accept all the knowledge and power that there is in the world.
All the people around the world have a spark that identifies and criticizes each one of us as different persons. It derives from different perspectives; each one of us comes from different parts of the world. We speak different languages; we have different cultures, and very different perspectives of how life is. All of us have grown up in a different aspect. Our parents have thought us what their parents influenced them. As little kids we only listened to what our parents believed. Their beliefs were the only thing we knew, no other person came and talked to us about god, or what was wrong and right. For us anything our parents or many other people believed was always correct. As I was growing up, and learning more things in school I saw how my parent’s ideas and those from the other people were very different. My parents had different ideas; they have always encouraged us by giving us what their parents showed them, principles. I was born in a rural town, and lived there for almost 12 years. People there have been always catholic and close minded. Their beliefs are the most important thing to them. They prefer to buy flowers and fireworks for a saint, then to give their kids a good meal. I remember when I was in Mexico, when my grandmother used to tell us many different stories about saints that she believed in. all my family is catholic, maybe that’s why I’m also catholic. I’ve always asked myself if some people that are catholic, truly know what it means to be. I truly respect every religion. But I don’t like when other people, try to make fun of Catholicism. I just think it’s rude; everyone is free to believe in anything they want to. If a person sees a saint painted in a tree, that’s him; he wants to believe that, and nobody is going to change he’s way of thinking. I love to think outside the box, is one of the things that make me creative, I’m not good in art but I think I have many qualities that make me special around everyone in this world. I respect people that think, dress, and act different. I’m not a racist person, that doesn’t go with the way I think about people. Diversity is one of the things that I enjoy the most. I love meeting new people, and also like to learn about different cultures. The spark that I think makes me different, and creative is the way my parents educated me, and also how I like to treat other people.
I’m always interested in music and genres and why people listen to certain things, and since much of your post seemed to use music as a jumping point and as an example, I think I’ll just start by addressing that and see where it goes. The first thing that comes to mind is how these new genres and new “styles” of music are formed. You mentioned that it often comes from someone who, while “all the other fish are swimming down stream, and they’re going to swim up stream.” I think you’ve got to define “up stream” at that point. Which way is up? “Up” and “down” should be complete and utter opposites. Up and down. Left and right. Black and white. Cold and hot. All complete and utter opposites. But I feel that new music that comes out that people start to listen to until something new comes around is not typically a complete opposite of the mainstream or accepted music. Most types and genres of music today are simply tangents of another kind of music. Rap/hip hop music sprung up from talking blues, jazz, funk and many other genres of music. It didn’t just “become” one day because someone decided they wanted to do something completely different. Rap/hip hop, rather than being the “black” to another genre’s “white” or “cold” to another genre’s “hot” is more like “gray” to another genre’s “black” or “luke warm” to another genre’s “hot.” So, my question is this: is the fish that comes up with this new music really swimming up stream while all his fishy friends swim down stream? Is he really a complete opposite? Or is he maybe looking at the path of the other gilled things and taking a bit of a tangent? Maybe he sees the down stream path, but he decides to swim at a 45-degree angle. And suddenly, all the fish are swimming at a 45-degree angle with him because it’s different everyone else is doing it. Suddenly, everyone is swimming at this 45-degree angle (and somehow not hitting the edge of the stream, but that’s beyond the point), then another fish says something like “yeah, this 45-degree angle is good and all, but what about the OTHER 45-degree angle?” And the entire process is started over again, but not in a completely opposite form. Instead, the new fish borrowed from the previous trendsetting water dweller that did something similar.
The idea of mainstream and completely different subcultures, however, leads me to another thought: When does the different and the extreme and the innovative become the norm? I can’t help but think back to high school and how awful those four years are for some. And typically, those people who have trouble in those grades try to be something different. They try to be the 45-degree fish and do something different. And, at least in my high school, a lot of times that meant inheriting a “goth” style and dressing in black and wearing chains and styling your hair in spikes or a Mohawk or something else. Every time I laid eyes on these kids, my reaction was typically “meh, I’ve seen it before, dude… you’re not doing anything special.” However, someone, at some point, was special when they did it. Someone actually was the 45-degree fish. Someone did it first. Then some other fish swam along the same path. Frankly, at times, I felt there were so many fish swimming along that path in my high schools days that I—the standard, everyday, slightly preppy, normal dude in my high school, at least according to the “Goths”—was actually the 45-degree fish. So many people had become the “goth,” that the “Goths,” in mindset and not dress, were the kids wearing polos and cargo shorts and playing sports and wearing simple haircuts. Were they really so unique, those “Goths?” Not really. They were all following each other. It still makes me laugh a little to this day.
I couldn’t agree more with your article on cultural transformation. I’ve noticed how narrow-minded I am with my cultural ideas and how stuck I am on “my own thing.” The worst part is, when I take a look around, I don’t see others exploring culture either. I see white people walking with other whites. I see preps walking with other preps while the Goths are walking behind listening to their iPods. I see Americans eating hamburgers and French fries while Indians represent their culture by eating at the closest Indian restaurant. I think we, as humans, oversee that there is this divide and we don’t care enough to explore. Although, why not? Culture is such a fascinating idea; every culture is different in one way or another. So what allows us to form this bubble around us and what we are used to? What keeps us from exploring different ideas and lifestyles?
It could be because we grow up a certain way, with a certain childhood and with different childhood experiences and familiarities. Or it could be because we have a specific taste in different things, ultimately sculpting our personality. It’s our personality, interests and beliefs that categorize us into a culture. I think everyone is quick to get caught up in their own culture and their own routine ways that they forget that other people around them live differently. A lot of people go through a routine of familiarity that they are comfortable with. Change can be intimidating and is often avoided by most people. This may easily create a barrier shielding us from new ways and new ideas.
Really though, we should be taking new ideas and embracing them as something fun and different to try. For example, look at Penn State University. Penn State is the home of many college aged students, usually ranging from 18-25. Each student has a different history and different childhood experiences. There are numerous ethnic backgrounds and all sorts of different cultures that we can observe on campus daily. In some ways we are similar; we are all brought to this town to live together and to gain a higher education. It seems to work. Different cultures seem to get along great at PSU. However, did you ever think that it’s because we avoid different cultures that vary from ours? Wouldn’t it make sense to take the time and observe the variety of cultures while they surround us?
What we need to break this barrier is more “change makers.” Innovative beings have a powerful effect over people who are willing to listen. A leader or a “change maker” is challenged to make a difference and gain followers by spreading a new idea. I believe that with more people willing to break this cultural barrier, we could find new ways of seeing the world.
I agree with Sam when he talks about being on the fringes of society and being open to things that may be considered outside the box. In order to be unique and not conform to most of society, you have to march to your own beat, do what you want, do what makes you happy. It was interesting to me that when Sam said he listened to the Chinese music he could not get himself interested… Is that because we are so used to our own musical styles and rhythms or because Sam, as an individual, Chinese or not, did not enjoy it. Maybe he did not like it because he’s used to the social norms and he doesn’t appreciate the sounds. Is that because he lives inside the box and remains in his culture? I don’t think so. People base their likes and dislikes around what they are used to and what is socially accepted by most people. Like the blog said, this is inevitable. Following the norm and the popular culture is the way that most people go on with life. However, there wouldn’t be new ways of being or thinking if it weren’t for people who live on the fringes. I also realized that you can think you’re unique and doing your own thing, but when you really think about it and look around at the people you surround yourself with, many of them have the same thoughts, religion, styles, likes, dislikes, etc. Like it was displayed in class, it’s hard to be close friends with someone who has nothing in common with you and is used to a completely different way of life. I think that the media and advertisements start children thinking that they need to conform and not think outside the box from a very young age. If they don’t get the McDonald’s happy meal they feel left out. I don’t think it’s just America that’s like this though, I’m sure other countries are having the same problems. I think that creative sparks come from boredom. If people have been doing the same routine over and over they will eventually want to break out and live on the fringes and explore new ways of life. However, I also think that sometimes people who think outside the box and are very unique individuals do it for different reasons; perhaps they want attention, they’re unhappy with their lives, or like I said earlier they’re just straight up bored. My thought is that you just have to be true to yourself, as cheesy as it sounds. If that means being completely comfortable within the culture, then go ahead.. you just might not learn as much as other people or be as satisfied with life as the trailblazers who live on the fringes and love gaining insight and knowledge.
I come from a small town where the population of people is predominately white. Though most of the people I grew up around were white, I have been encountered with people of other races. I’m not racist, it doesn’t matter what your background is, what matters is the person you are. I think a lot of the people who are racist probably still relate it back to ancient history as their reasoning. I'd say I am a cultural person, and I have pride in where my roots came from. I am always up for new things, whether it's trying new foods, meeting new people of other cultures or going to new places. I realize that not everyone was brought up the same way and has their own beliefs and values. Everyone has different ways of living, and for some, those ways change, such as switching religions. I do not always follow the crowd. For instance, when new fashion trends come out, I don't wear them because they're in, rather I wear them because it's my style and I feel comfortable wearing it. I am my own person with a mind of my own, yet I don’t feel like I’m an outcast. I belong to several different sub-cultures, where we have a lot in common, such as eating similar kinds of food, having similar hobbies, being brought up in the same area and so on. I have never been out of the country yet, and the farthest I've been out of state was California. I thought the west coast living was awesome yet different from east coast living, which is what I'm used to. I listen to all types of music, although I would have to say country is my least favorite. Some of the songs have decent lyrics, I just don't like the way they're sung. The closer we are to the center of culture, the less innovated we are, as we learned on Tuesday, is really true. I mean, when I think of people who have moved down from the mainstream, those people are inventors, people who have invented new things from technological devices to ways of living, people whose names will always be remembered for any changes they have made to the world. There are a lot of new technological advancements but the way people live as far as traditions go has been passed on from many generations ago. I’m not saying that you have to be famous to think outside of the box. There are people in our own towns and communities who have contributed a lot with their time and knowledge. Most of us do seem to live close to the mainstream. Lots of people do think inside of the box.
My journal may not exactly answer your question but I believe every great idea is sparked by either another great idea or another thought. Seeing something triggers a thought in to your mind, as well as hearing something. Your ideas are original they just derived from a different thought. Applying this to sociology and mainstream scenes, cultures are created the same way. And within these cultures people create sub cultures that are all considered the same but they are totally different. And within these sub cultures people are creating new ideas that will separate them even further from their culture and, or making them so different they can claim themselves original.
For instance Einstein was a scientist. He was inspired by other mathematicians and scientists to explore their world. And their thoughts or theories sparked all these genius ideas within him to explore and study even further and more in depth than former scientists and mathematicians. I am a part of the Hip-Hop culture (among many others), as an example; Hip-Hop is a subdivision of the dance world. But within Hip-Hop alone I can name at least 7 different forms of Hip-Hop that have their own culture: house, break dance, liquid, popping, locking, tutting, krumping, and so on. These are all different forms of Hip-Hop that are very original. I’m a part of Raw Aesthetic Movements (a.k.a. RAM Squad) the Hip-Hop/break dance team that’s purpose is to educate others in Hip-Hop culture. We do all styles of Hip-Hop and try to get every member to know the basics of all the different forms. We hold both choreography days and freestyle days at our team, and we use freestyle days to explore ourselves. People try to create new moves, freezes, learn different styles, and incorporate them into choreographies. And by doing this they’re entering into different territory, territory new to them, or maybe even new to everyone else, and maybe creating a totally different style. People will ask them what they’re doing because they like it (of course not everyone will like it), but someone will take interest in this new form of dance. By doing this they are recruiting people into their style and soon it may become big enough to become another independent culture within the sub culture of Hip-Hop, in the Dance world.
This is just one example of how a culture can become divided or influence people to create a total different culture. Such as the Hispanic culture is divided to so many other sub cultures by region or language, maybe even skin color. Even though we are all of one culture we’re unique.
We create different cultures that may become mainstream or that mainstream may copy. And people always think to themselves, who created this new idea, this new style. I believe it’s people like us who broke off to create something different, not trying to be different, just growing off an idea we’ve already thought of or created.
My journal may not exactly answer your question but I believe every great idea is sparked by either another great idea or another thought. Seeing something triggers a thought in to your mind, as well as hearing something. Your ideas are original they just derived from a different thought. Applying this to sociology and mainstream scenes, cultures are created the same way. And within these cultures people create sub cultures that are all considered the same but they are totally different. And within these sub cultures people are creating new ideas that will separate them even further from their culture and, or making them so different they can claim themselves original.
For instance Einstein was a scientist. He was inspired by other mathematicians and scientists to explore their world. And their thoughts or theories sparked all these genius ideas within him to explore and study even further and more in depth than former scientists and mathematicians. I am a part of the Hip-Hop culture (among many others), as an example; Hip-Hop is a subdivision of the dance world. But within Hip-Hop alone I can name at least 7 different forms of Hip-Hop that have their own culture: house, break dance, liquid, popping, locking, tutting, krumping, and so on. These are all different forms of Hip-Hop that are very original. I’m a part of Raw Aesthetic Movements (a.k.a. RAM Squad) the Hip-Hop/break dance team that’s purpose is to educate others in Hip-Hop culture. We do all styles of Hip-Hop and try to get every member to know the basics of all the different forms. We hold both choreography days and freestyle days at our team, and we use freestyle days to explore ourselves. People try to create new moves, freezes, learn different styles, and incorporate them into choreographies. And by doing this they’re entering into different territory, territory new to them, or maybe even new to everyone else, and maybe creating a totally different style. People will ask them what they’re doing because they like it (of course not everyone will like it), but someone will take interest in this new form of dance. By doing this they are recruiting people into their style and soon it may become big enough to become another independent culture within the sub culture of Hip-Hop, in the Dance world.
This is just one example of how a culture can become divided or influence people to create a total different culture. Such as the Hispanic culture is divided to so many other sub cultures by region or language, maybe even skin color. Even though we are all of one culture we’re unique.
We create different cultures that may become mainstream or that mainstream may copy. And people always think to themselves, who created this new idea, this new style. I believe it’s people like us who broke off to create something different, not trying to be different, just growing off an idea we’ve already thought of or created.
I feel like if you think too much about not being mainstream you become mainstream in your own way anyway. Like, for example, you want to go against the grain and end up joining a counterculture or subculture, but then you just end up conforming to them anyway, so you're not really different. I have done this and going to Penn State has allowed me to get away from that a bit. Now I have friends in different subcultures (the hipsters, punks, theatre, etc.). I think that I am the most creative when I am secluded by myself. I try not to censor or alter my actions when I'm with others, but I know I'm guilty of letting it happen. What allows me to travel across groups, are the parties I usually go to. I go with some core friends, but I always try to meet new people and learn what makes them tick. I'm a journalist and curiosity is what drives me and it is through this that I try to stray from the mainstream. I enjoy staying on the periphery because if I get too close, I won't be able to accurately reflect what I have learned in stories that I'm writing. I've learned the most when I've gone outside my comfort zone. Everyone always has that discomfort when they go by new people, but I've come to enjoy that awkwardness. You will learn so much more by embracing it. This also helps to foster my creativity. Now, that is not to say I always go out of my preferred comfort zone, but what I do (and will hopefully do in the future) forces me to do that, which makes me grateful. My outlet for creativity out of the mainstream is writing. If I go a day without doing it, I feel very weird. I find I work best when I don't have people checking out my work before it's finished. I can take critiques, but I've learned that these critiques are often just personal preference and taste, so while I listen and occasionally give in, I fight for things when I find it necessary. I think I've kept that so far removed from people because it's almost like the one thing I have that nobody else can mar or alter, because it comes from me. Writing comes from the mind, it comes from nothing, it comes from experiences, and everyone has different perspectives on the world, at least I hope so. This semester I had fallen into conformity a bit again, but then I met some people who had still not given that individuality up, and they have inspired me to keep going on my own. Staying outside of things can be the most lonely thing in the world, and as people, we are social creatures that thrive on relationships, however the best art, I feel, has come from the dispossessed, strays and outcasts of society. Janis Joplin was constantly made fun of before her soulful voice came to the stage. A lot of artists die young because they are outcasts, and don't feel like they fit in anywhere and turn to drugs and alcohol. I think there is something to be said for not becoming to isolate, but not becoming a drone. It's just difficult to find that balance.
People are constantly influenced by everything around them starting at birth. We get fed these mainstream ideas that affect how we think, our interests, and our behavior. These constant influences from school, family, friends, media, and different environments have made us adapted to certain aspects that relate to mainstream features. This corruption makes people develop this box that is referred to as a safe zone or comfort place. Many people are unwilling to step outside of this box and explore new things and prefer just staying along with the mainstream. The creativity spark comes from those that feel uncomfortable with the trendy ways and want to get out of it. This does not mean that they have to be a complete psychopath or freak to society but just someone possessing a thought that makes them feel the need to explore it more. They attempt to try new things and step beyond their comfort zone in hopes to find something better. Making that step outside reduces the amount of support and population that follows that stream but it is also what makes every individual unique in a way. This is where diversity and self interest comes from in an individual. They branch out from the mainstream to those that interest them more. Although their overall characteristics are still trendy and mainstream.
The majority is adapted to the mainstream; they feel as though what they do or follow is considered normal. Who are they to assume that what they do are the standards or benchmark for comparing it to everything else? The majority has always created the overview or image that represented everyone else and they do not deny it because they want their way of life to look the best in the eyes of other people. This is where stereotypes and assumptions arise. In rare occasions exists special individuals that believe in stepping even further out of what the majority considers normal. These are the people that are most commonly viewed by the majority as abnormal but are also the ones that have a grasp on things beyond what the majority has even tried. These kinds of people are responsible for creating new ideas and styles that others would have never imagined. To be going against all logic and almost everyone to pursue what they believe to be correct is a very harsh challenge.
Curiosity exists in everyone and the reason why so many people explore and learn what their interest and likes are but there are few that can actually take their curiosity and life to a completely new subculture with no guarantee that it will work out. But these are also people that went against all odds and became who they are today because of it. People such as Galileo were considered insane because of his theory that the world revolves around the sun but it was his curiosity that led him to that discovery. Even when no one else agreed with him, he stayed strong to his observations and logic and eventually became known for his work.
This is certainly an interesting and thought provoking topic. I agree wholeheartedly with the notion that individuals are a product of their respective environment. Essentially, the culture you grow up in is going to be woven seamlessly into your thoughts and actions. I, myself, am a reflection of my family. For better or worse, the socialization of people is inevitable. Those daring enough to question boldly, however, have the opportunity to free themselves of the societal restraints of their time and engage in deeper thoughts and actions.
Certain individuals are comfortable with their lives and go through their routines everyday. Who am I to tell they are living a shallow meaningless life? They may very well enjoy their culture and have no desire to change. I do, however, think it’s important for people to step back from their culture in order to truly assess the quality of their lives. This is not an easy step to take by any means. Everyday we get our various subcultures shoved down our throats. I’m sure it was difficult for the leaders of the enlightenment in Christian Europe to step back and assess that logic was a better decision-making tool compared to blind faith.
So how can this creative spark materialize? In my opinion, there are two options for an individual looking to better understand the society he or she lives in. The first option is to completely remove yourself from your culture and completely relocate to another. Essentially, I’m suggesting you get your Siddhartha Gautama on and go out on an adventure. You may not find the middle way but your guaranteed to gain valuable insights about yourself and the place you call home. Going out and living in another part of the world, without modern technology, would be a pretty good start to your adventure.
The first option may not be practical for the majority of individuals because of the variety of constraints society has placed on us (school, money, family, etc). If that’s the case, become a voracious reader. I discovered a long time ago the importance of reading. Reading stretches my mind and in all honesty makes me a smarter individual. I make it a point, of course, to read literature that presents opposing viewpoints. The clashes in ideas force me to think about the subject. Reading literature from a variety of social classes and culture allows you to step outside the box. Recently I read a book about a Chinese family living in China at the beginning of the 20th century. Up until that point I knew nothing about Chinese culture or ideas. The novel offered incredible insight into the age old Chinese culture. After reading that book, I’m better equipped to make thoughtful and informed observations on current issues and news stories concerning China.
Ninety nine percent of all the citizens in the world are a direct product of their environment. Many of these loyal denizens blindly refuse to challenge their intellect or push their imaginations because it is change. Change is an interesting concept. If history has taught us one thing, then it is that we, as people and as a species, fear change. This paves the way for leaders either motivated by manipulation like Hitler, or leaders who speak just to speak like many of our politicians today to misrepresent the masses. However, all leaders, in some form or another, adorn their followers subconscious with comfort and understanding. This combination of human connection and comfort may very well be the most potent form of pleasure.
According to the psychologist Abraham Maslow's classic hierarchy of needs we currently crave connection. The past few thousand years have focused almost entirely upon providing sufficient food, water, shelter, and safety for ourselves. We have now mastered the art of obtaining these bare necessities, and now, we push into new limits of reaching emotional complacency. According to Maslow's hierarchy food and safety take up the bottom to portion of the pyramid. After this, we reach social belonging, self-esteem, and self actualization. All of these ideas revolve around a hybrid necessity that has just appeared in the past few hundred years, human connection. People these days end up slaves to their emotions. Who knows how long it will take to reach an adequate state of human connection. Unfortunately, we all see things in such a social-sided point of view that we are afraid to challenge any notion of a popular belief.
Very few revolutionaries have graced the world, but I can assure you they certainly looked into themselves before looking to society for answers to their questions. We constantly accept stereotypes of an athletic black man or a ditsy blonde bimbo. Why? Fear. Fear of not being accepted. Fear is perhaps the most powerful emotion of motivation in existence. People don't want to be the outcast or recluse because it's scary. It's unknown; nobody knows what is on the other side. Many people fear death for the same reason. Thing about tapping into the mindset of a Da Vinci, Einstein, or any other revolutionary. Instead we remain in the stagnant mindset of the same filth that has been surrounding us our entire life. Thoreau said, “Imitation is suicide.” People need to realize that forfeiting their voice not only kills themselves, but also their unique perspective, just like every person's voice in the world, can break the indolent social standards set before us today and challenge future generations to push cultural mentality to the limit, and perhaps that one day, we may have an end to hate crimes, terrorism, and racism; to reach the new horizon of adamant understanding. Rather than being a product of your environment, make your environment a product of you. The purpose of life is to live so why meander haphazardly when the grass may just be greener on the other side.
First of all, I want to say that taking this class has already led me to think in such an abstract way. I’ve always felt a certain way about norms of society, but never really voiced my opinion. I never talked to people who felt the same way about it, about how we are supposed to conform to belong. It’s sad for me to say this, but, conformity to society has been one of the most frustrating parts of my life. I hate that it has to be this way, but then again, I conform. I hate hypocrites, but then again, I am one. There’s only so much you can do to be outside of the box. Society ultimately gets the best of you. I wish it could be different. I want to do things that don’t conform to society. But then again, would that be conforming as well? When I think about things that I do to conform, I think of the way I wear my hair, the type of slang I use, the people I hang out with, most of the music I listen to, the types of clothes I wear, and even the way that I sometimes think. A lot of life is spent stressing over materialistic things. What is the point of all this stress? Money isn’t even real. But most of our lives are spent worrying about how much money we will make and how it will make us look in the eyes of society. I want to be able to live my life without all of this stress. But it is very difficult. In order for me to do the things that I want to do I need to make a certain amount of money. I don’t necessarily want to look a certain way to people in society but I do want to be able to live comfortably. But as far as stepping outside of the box, I can’t say that I have done this very much. The only thing that I can think of as stepping out of the box in my life is when I visited Spain. The culture there was very much different from ours obviously. They napped during the work day; they ate dinner around midnight, and were just generally laid back about everything. It was very different from what we see here in the U.S., especially in the big cities. Although I only experienced this type of culture for about a week, I would consider it stepping outside of the norm or “box”. To my surprise, it was a very refreshing and an eye opening experience. It made me realize just how much we rush as Americans and how much we take for granted. In Spain, I found people to be very warm, accepting, and loving to say the least. I was in a small town on the southern coast of Spain called Peniscola. I know, the name is funny. I was so immersed in the Spanish culture that I kind of didn’t want to leave. Of course I wanted to get home to what was comfortable to me, such as my friends and pets, but I could definitely see myself living there. But other than that, I haven’t stepped much out of my box of normality. I strive to “find myself” more by doing so, and I try and look for different ways of doing things every day. The best I can do is what I want to do, and if I know that I want to be different from what society tells me to be, I think that I will be.
It is a very good point that some of the biggest changes in society come from the minority groups. People don’t always have the opportunity to innovate and change when they are comfortable and don’t need to change to survive. However, people are products of their environment. Sometimes you have to look at the person stuck in the comfortable situation and take pity on them.
Let’s look at it this way. You can’t escape destiny. Before you were born, a certain amount of x chromosomes and y chromosomes matched up to determine your traits. They determined everything about you: your looks, your emotional tendencies, and your ability react to different situations. Then your first exposure to the world was most likely your family. Your religion, language, food preferences, and behaviors were all deeply rooted in you by this first exposure to the world. Every action and reaction you have in life is a combination of what you are and every experience that ever happened to you. With a certain given action you will react the same way every time. Your infinite traits and experiences can make this hard to understand and make it seem like you are actually making “choices”. “Choice” is not the exact word, but it is the term that we use, and it is the best word in the English language to describe the present. However, the word “choice” actually implies that you have some sort of say in what you do. Therefore, a different word would be more appropriate, but we don’t have one so we will use the word “choice” to describe your present actions and reactions to everyday situations.
The best way to describe this thought process is to paint real life situations. When you look at these situations don’t factor in the limitless number of factors that could influence the choice. Only consider the given factors. Trying to calculate everything will be confusing when describing this philosophy.
Imagine that you are a five year old child, and like most children, you have a strong liking for chocolate. Everything else aside, you are hungry and your mother comes to you and gives you a chocolate bar. What happens? You eat it! You never had a choice in the matter. You were naturally inclined to like chocolate and so therefore when a chocolate bar was presented in front of you, you “chose” to eat it.
Now suppose you are that same child and that you really don’t like asparagus. Your mother comes to you and gives you a plate of asparagus and says, “Eat it if you want to.” What happens now? The choice was made before you were even born. Asparagus tastes bad and you don’t want to eat it, so you don’t.
Now in a third situation, you are that same child, but now you are 12 years old, and you have dreams of being a professional athlete. You parents eat asparagus, and they are both healthy people. You have been seeing ads on TV where professional athletes are running around, throwing balls, jumping high, and eating asparagus. Then a black screen comes up with white lettering that says “Just eat it.” Now what happens when asparagus is offered at the table? It is now a balance between your inclination to disliking asparagus and the influence that the world has had on you about the benefits of asparagus. If there are no substitutes around, and your desire to be an athlete outweighs the bad flavor in your mouth, you will eat the asparagus.
Going back to the topic, you can see that people are products of what they are and their environment. Whoever you are: look at the events that shaped you into what you are. Look at the traits your parents have that have rubbed off on you. From here you can see what group you ended up in and why. From there you can see what opportunities you have to invent and create, saying your willing to leave your comfort zone and take a chance.
I love this blog. I love this blog because I ask questions of that sort to myself everyday: How can I put a twist on [this] to make it innovative? Where did my creativity go? Am I being a follower or a leader? This constant evaluation is what makes me who I am today. Since I can remember, I have always been known for "making things my own". Those that truly know me, know that, I'm always seeking a way to do or think about [it] differently. This pertains to just about anything in my life. There are a couple reasons why I feel it is important for me (or anyone else for that rather) to obtain and keep this idea of personal uniqueness. For one, the many forms of expression intrigue me (fashion, poetry, prose, decoration, art, photography, etc) and I long to express myself in those forms as well. Two, when you take time out of your busy hustle and bustle of a day and take in everything and look at everyone around you, you start to notice the beauty in life and that there is so much inspiration surrounding you... why not utilize it? Thirdly, putting all the yogic philosophies aside, I just have this inner need to rebel. I don't do well with rules, most rules are meant to be broken and I feel this way because, when told what to do, I usually get this urge to do the total opposite. Sometimes I wonder what I would be capable of doing if I didn't use this much self-control and gave in to my rebellious demeanor. Lastly, all in all, life is so much more interesting when your creative tool is put to work.
However, I am half and half on the issue/question/concern of creativity being broken down and/or dead in mainstream society. There are some who live day by day with a set plan and they have no room for creativity, there are some people that may have a little too much creativity for their own good, then there are some who influence society with their innovations... this balance, to me, is good. Creativity and being a part of so many subcultures is a very important aspect in my life, but this may not be the case for another person. Though I feel that everyone in the world could benefit from being cultured and imaginative, we can't have too much of one thing in this world or else it'll be an explosion. Instead, we are more productive with a fusion of different ideas, lifestyles, conformities, nonconformity, etc. What I say is, if you have a creative bone in your body, USE IT! I feel everyone can be creative in their own way no matter how they think or what they do but, ultimately, people should do what comes natural to them.
Self-reflection, personally, is necessary in life regardless. Living this life, going through changes, meeting new people, going through the ups and downs, creating your path, and losing your path can change you along the way without even realizing. But there's one thing to always remember, and I take this from yoga... your inner self will never fail you. It is never too late to reflect and revert back to "the real you" whether that be the creative you or not-so-much. Okay, now I'm sounding like Dr. Phil.
It is a very good point that some of the biggest changes in society come from the minority groups. People don’t always have the opportunity to innovate and change when they are comfortable and don’t need to change to survive. However, people are products of their environment. Sometimes you have to look at the person stuck in the comfortable situation and take pity on them.
Let’s look at it this way. You can’t escape destiny. Before you were born, a certain amount of x chromosomes and y chromosomes matched up to determine your traits. They determined everything about you: your looks, your emotional tendencies, and your ability react to different situations. Then your first exposure to the world was most likely your family. Your religion, language, food preferences, and behaviors were all deeply rooted in you by this first exposure to the world. Every action and reaction you have in life is a combination of what you are and every experience that ever happened to you. With a certain given action you will react the same way every time. Your infinite traits and experiences can make this hard to understand and make it seem like you are actually making “choices”. “Choice” is not the exact word, but it is the term that we use, and it is the best word in the English language to describe the present. However, the word “choice” actually implies that you have some sort of say in what you do. Therefore, a different word would be more appropriate, but we don’t have one so we will use the word “choice” to describe your present actions and reactions to everyday situations.
The best way to describe this thought process is to paint real life situations. When you look at these situations don’t factor in the limitless number of factors that could influence the choice. Only consider the given factors. Trying to calculate everything will be confusing when describing this philosophy.
Imagine that you are a five year old child, and like most children, you have a strong liking for chocolate. Everything else aside, you are hungry and your mother comes to you and gives you a chocolate bar. What happens? You eat it! You never had a choice in the matter. You were naturally inclined to like chocolate and so therefore when a chocolate bar was presented in front of you, you “chose” to eat it.
Now suppose you are that same child and that you really don’t like asparagus. Your mother comes to you and gives you a plate of asparagus and says, “Eat it if you want to.” What happens now? The choice was made before you were even born. Asparagus tastes bad and you don’t want to eat it, so you don’t.
Now in a third situation, you are that same child, but now you are 12 years old, and you have dreams of being a professional athlete. You parents eat asparagus, and they are both healthy people. You have been seeing ads on TV where professional athletes are running around, throwing balls, jumping high, and eating asparagus. Then a black screen comes up with white lettering that says “Just eat it.” Now what happens when asparagus is offered at the table? It is now a balance between your inclination to disliking asparagus and the influence that the world has had on you about the benefits of asparagus. If there are no substitutes around, and your desire to be an athlete outweighs the bad flavor in your mouth, you will eat the asparagus.
Going back to the topic, you can see that people are products of what they are and their environment. Whoever you are: look at the events that shaped you into what you are. Look at the traits your parents have that have rubbed off on you. From here you can see what group you ended up in and why. From there you can see what opportunities you have to invent and create, saying your willing to leave your comfort zone and take a chance.
Journal 2
Cultural transformation
Everybody grows up in a specific culture, with specific behavioral rules and ideas of what having a good life is. I believe that all people are unique. In the world not two persons are alike. The environment and the surroundings also influence how people look and behave. In fact even if one person was cloned, the clone of that person would never be totally identical to the real one, since other factors such as the surroundings and type of life would never be the same. But, even though everybody in this world is unique, not everybody cares or can make a difference in the life of other people. In the blog was given the example of Albert Einstein. He obviously made a huge difference in many people’s lives and created the foundation of many of the things we know today.
Not everybody has the same talents and for this reason different people can do different things. To be considered not only unique, but also a so called in the blog, “change maker” is necessary apply whatever makes us special and use it to make a change in our world. A change maker influences other people’s lives in some way. I agree that in most cases change makers don’t follow other people’s ideas, they follow their own ideas and don’t care much about how they are view by society. But for most people is hard to don’t care about society.
In the blog is mentioned that, “the fish is the only specie to really come to know water”. I believe this statement means that people are inside of their own world and that is hard to see more than what is usual and common to them, because they are so raped in what they already know. There is also mention that change makers are like fishes going up stream. But to go against the flow makes everything more complicated. The values and culture in which one grows stays with us always in some way. One person can change though out his life time, but always stays with what he has grown up with. Things such as music, ways of dress and hair styles had became part of what we are. People tend to form their personality based on their culture. Sam mentions on the block that he has recently started listen Chinese music, but that he has found that he only likes music that he had heard before.
I believe that culture, customs and traditions are something that most people feel proud about. Cultural transformation occurs as a result of a change of live, but it takes several generations in order to completely be modified. Personally I love my culture, I don’t feel special in any way, I am like most people my age and I think kind of similar to other people, for this reason I admire people that dare to be different in a positive way.
I think this topic is very interesting. I am who I am because of what’s around me: family, friends, religion, and the environment in which I live. Since I was brought up in a very cultured, urban area I am very similar to many people in my community. I am a typical white female teenager brought up on Long Island. I have three malls within twenty minutes of my house. I have two Dunkin Donuts, two Burger Kings, a McDonalds, and two shopping centers all on the main road in which my street is off. The idea of stepping out of the box is very hard for someone like me to do. I was brought up to always be polite, even you disagree with someone keep quiet. My family has always tried to persuade me to keep things that I do not agree with more silent than anything, never disturb the peace. However, I am a very strong-headed person; when someone says something I don’t like I cannot just roll it off my shoulder. I have to say something. Stepping out of the box is a very hard thing to do though especially in a jappy town like Plainview, but I have always tried to be true to myself and not just go along with the crowd. In 8th grade, I just changed schools and met all these new people. The group of girls I hung out with were fun and “cool”. However, during gym class one day I saw this girl playing jacks by herself. I went over and started playing the game with her. After gym, my “friends” came up to me and told me that the girl was weird and I should not associate with her. This was my first real moment to becoming an adult in real life. My “friends” did not like the girl; I had to make a decision to either follow the crowd or be true to myself and hang out with the girl anyway. I am not saying by any means that I don’t follow the crowd, however in this case I didn’t and continued to befriend that girl. It is very easy to follow all the fish on the mainstream, it is certainly tough to be the fish who swims by themselves. I think in day and age, being unique is important. For example, unlike most people I do not eat many “normal” foods. For example, I do not eat hamburgers, eggs, sushi, or soup. I stick to the same foods and repeat many of the same meals during the week. I am different than most in that area and I am okay with that. I think it is extremely important to be okay with who you are and allow your self to be unique. There are so many people in the world and it would be a shame for everyone to try and be the same person. I think that is one of the best things about America; there are so many different types of people with different religions, backgrounds, cultures, personalities, and hobbies.
In the stereotypical high school, going against the mold is like committing social suicide. However, my high school is unique in that it had a million different subcultures present so that following the stereotypical molds would be breaking the mold. In a small international school in Japan, each student has a completely different history than everyone else. For instance, one of my friends had lived in 7 different countries by the time she was 18, and had absorbed cultural aspects from each ones. She called her parents Haha and Chichi like Japanese children, used to say thank you in Korean and listened to Malay music. But in addition to all of that, she was born in Europe and her parents were American and Nigerian. To say that she could belong to any specific culture is like saying that apples are the only type of food. Opposed to a stereotypical American teenager that many subcultures is an anomaly beyond belief. Even I, who has only lived in 3 countries, try to belong to as many subcultures as possible.
That being said, my High School created its own subculture. I don’t know whether that’s unique to my international school, or every international school, but everyone was different and the same. For instance, we all listened to the same type of comedy and music. (Country never entered the halls for fear of being shunned beyond belief.) Ironically, those surrounded by examples of every race are the most racist of any people that I’ve ever met. The Indian kids knew that they were prim and the biggest cheats in the world. The white people knew that they actively didn’t try to absorb different cultures. They fought for their right to solely eat at McDonalds and Subway. Granted, kids of similar cultural backgrounds would generally hang out with each other, but due to the size of the school (graduating class of 50 or so), cliques were simply impractical. Although to Japanese kids would primarily hang out with Japanese kids, which was basically because they preferred to speak Japanese than English.
But even with the semi present-language barrier, people would still know words in different languages. I mean, apart from the basic hello, goodbye, people would know slang words in Japanese or Hindi, simply because they would hear it constantly. Students who came from the US for a year swiftly acclimated to the International school culture. From bringing pb and j sandwiches into school to eating donburi like the rest of us. We would still have things like Halo nights, but on other weekends we’d go to Karaoke like good Japanese kids. The cultures became intertwined, which, in itself was a subculture of its own. We judged and chastised the students who refused to mesh, those who didn’t know that Beijing was in China, those who didn’t eat Onigiri, and also those who didn’t know who Akon and Eminem are. If you didn’t know something about someone else’s culture it was more of a social suicide than being different.
I think this topic is very interesting. I am who I am because of what’s around me: family, friends, religion, and the environment in which I live. Since I was brought up in a very cultured, urban area I am very similar to many people in my community. I am a typical white female teenager brought up on Long Island. I have three malls within twenty minutes of my house. I have two Dunkin Donuts, two Burger Kings, a McDonalds, and two shopping centers all on the main road in which my street is off. The idea of stepping out of the box is very hard for someone like me to do. I was brought up to always be polite, even you disagree with someone keep quiet. My family has always tried to persuade me to keep things that I do not agree with more silent than anything, never disturb the peace. However, I am a very strong-headed person; when someone says something I don’t like I cannot just roll it off my shoulder. I have to say something. Stepping out of the box is a very hard thing to do though especially in a jappy town like Plainview, but I have always tried to be true to myself and not just go along with the crowd. In 8th grade, I just changed schools and met all these new people. The group of girls I hung out with were fun and “cool”. However, during gym class one day I saw this girl playing jacks by herself. I went over and started playing the game with her. After gym, my “friends” came up to me and told me that the girl was weird and I should not associate with her. This was my first real moment to becoming an adult in real life. My “friends” did not like the girl; I had to make a decision to either follow the crowd or be true to myself and hang out with the girl anyway. I am not saying by any means that I don’t follow the crowd, however in this case I didn’t and continued to befriend that girl. It is very easy to follow all the fish on the mainstream, it is certainly tough to be the fish who swims by themselves. I think in day and age, being unique is important. For example, unlike most people I do not eat many “normal” foods. For example, I do not eat hamburgers, eggs, sushi, or soup. I stick to the same foods and repeat many of the same meals during the week. I am different than most in that area and I am okay with that. I think it is extremely important to be okay with who you are and allow your self to be unique. There are so many people in the world and it would be a shame for everyone to try and be the same person. I think that is one of the best things about America; there are so many different types of people with different religions, backgrounds, cultures, personalities, and hobbies.
Am I on the fringe of society? Wow what a question to ask. How does one begin to respond. I do agree with the statement that most people follow the norm. It wouldn’t be mainstream if most people didn’t prescribe to its ideas. But the question still remains unanswered, am I part of the mainstream? Yes.
I think as an individual and I live as an individual but i most certainly am affected by the norms of my society. This is actually kind of eye opening and also rather depressing to reflect upon. I as well as most people would like to think that I am my own person devoid of influence from others, and to an extent every person is. There is no normal, but a varying degree of distance from popular cultural ideas. I am a product of the ideas which I am surrounded by. Lets start simple, my favorite food is pizza. I grew up on long Island home of the delicious pizza, with pizza in every shopping center. Who doesn’t enjoy a slice of pizza? I wear clothes from the stores in my mall and other chain stores like Walmart. I smoke, drink, and play all of the games which those around me play. Competition is naturally fun, but I like frisbee or football because my friends and I have played it all of my life. All that I do many people do. I have not changed society one bit in my 20 years of existence and realizing that fact is hard to overcome.
So how can I? What can I possibly do to be original? In order to change society do I first have to reject it and have it reject me in return? I am part of a fraternity, a school, a country, a family, a race, a demographic, and a species. As part or these major groups I adhere to certain “norms”. How do I break free from these norms, do I even want to? I enjoy and get happiness out of pizza or a new set of clothes or getting tickets to the sold out concert that everyone I know has been dying to see.
So there is the dilemma. By getting to the fringe of society one must first reject the norms of society. It only takes one person to begin to change a culture. But, if I like my current culture why should I stand up to change it. I can’t remember the last radical idea which I had. So now what? Do I try desperately to think of something wanna change about society? Do I start walking backwards to class to see if I like it better? I guess thats up to me and the opportunities I encounter and the ideas my head comes up with. I’m content with being the norm I guess. But hey Ill keep my eyes open to ideas that I like, even if they are not the social norm.
As a college student interested in sociology and how the society’s keeping its conservative perspective as well as its dynamic changes when people face some innovative idea, Sam’s lecture on Tuesday was extremely interesting to me. Especially, the fish and the water analogy was really brilliant! I thought about myself and reflected that analogy on my life. I used to be a fish swimming in the very center of the mainstream. I always follow the norms and expectations that the society and people around me have set up. It was so natural for me to do anything other people expected me to do. Now I know this is very funny, but I used to have a really serious creed when I was in third grade in elementary school. The motto for my life was “Be an exemplary student” and I truly got an award for exemplary students. Looking back at that time, I actually agonized to think about something sounds really great to me and to other people, and that was the final result of my long, long anguish. I believed I was at the center of all the norms and I would be the role model of how other kids should behave and follow after. Yes, that was me and my very conservative parents were so proud of me being like that. I had never been outside of the society’s expectation and always the one who led the main stream. However, as I grew up, I somehow felt there was something wrong with me, but that was something that I could never find. I felt like I always did the right thing and that should be that was what I must be. I was losing myself in the wave of the norms. I was especially the one who was right in the middle of all those social norms. I ate what other people ate, I dressed what others think proper, I spoke what others expected me to talk about, I did what other people expected me to do, and so on. I thought everything was perfectly going around me because everything happened just as what I expected. One day, however, I had to move to Jordan because my father had to supervise the construction going on there. Even though I attended American international school there, most students were from Jordan and finally I was out of the society’s norm. I ate different food from what other people ate, I dressed really different from what others wore, I thought differently from most of people there. That was totally weird for me to suddenly become an outsider from the main flow of the society. People thought I wore such an interesting clothes even thought that was the most common clothes that people in Korea wore. That experience gave me a lot of introspection. The norms can change as an individual moves from place to place and being in the middle of the main stream cannot attract or intrigue other people. I never tried to be innovative, but that just happened so naturally. I’m still the one who wishes to live the ordinary life rather than an ingenious life. When I think about the time when I lived in Jordan.. oh, I don’t think that was me at all.
I was playing basketball with my friends two weeks ago and one of my friends popped me a question:
“Hey Will! Why do you wear your pants so high?”
I was caught speechless for a moment. Then I gave a rather boring answer: “I just like it this way.”
What could I say? These are one of the many moments where I am just unanswerable to people’s interrogation. These moments are often depressing. They make me feel pathetic – for the questioners.
Why can’t I just be different?
I lived in Singapore for 6 years. Singapore is a country so small and dogmatic (kind of) that most people talk and behave the same way. They don’t really have a choice because every single day, they wake up to the same concrete buildings in the same city and the same crowds who talk exactly like they do.
My friends in Singapore couldn’t tolerate my differences enough: “Why do you do this? Why do you wear that?”
I could not stand their questions either. It was a great country – but I left.
I have lived in three different countries in the past 20 years and came to the United States last year. It was great to realize that America (the country America not including Argentina and Brazil) is a brilliant place with sufficient tolerance for differences. It is one of those countries where freedom can actually be at a reachable distance.
This topic is extremely interesting to me because for many years, I have felt that I do not belong to any specific group but always reside somewhere on the edges of different cultures. I felt strongly about Mr. Richards’s comment in class: people on the edges tend to be more creative.
I was not born innovative by nature but my different experiences did make me appear unique/different. No matter I am – China, Singapore or the US, I seem to do things a little differently from the people around and I enjoy being different – although traditional Chinese parents like mine only want me to be like everyone else. I dress differently, talk differently. I enjoy different hobbies and I like girls who are different from other girls. These differences sometimes make me feel like I am all alone somewhere because I do not fit in with a single crowd, but hopefully it helps me look at things from other angles and serve me well in the future.
However, am I really thinking outside the box? I have lived in three countries – but only three countries – three out of 180 in the entire world. I am just like most other Asian people who do not understand what is going on daily in Africa. It doesn’t really matter if you travel to Kenya or Egypt to see the pyramids. Living there and experiencing the local life every day is totally different. If I don’t do that, I will never be able to look at the world from their perspectives. There are 47 countries on the African continent and they are all distinct from each other. Besides that, how would I ever know what it is like to live in Siberia, Albania or the Kingdom of Tonga? I am just thinking…
As a college student interested in sociology and how the society’s keeping its conservative perspective as well as its dynamic changes when people face some innovative idea, Sam’s lecture on Tuesday was extremely interesting to me. Especially, the fish and the water analogy was really brilliant! I thought about myself and reflected that analogy on my life. I used to be a fish swimming in the very center of the mainstream. I always follow the norms and expectations that the society and people around me have set up. It was so natural for me to do anything other people expected me to do. Now I know this is very funny, but I used to have a really serious creed when I was in third grade in elementary school. The motto for my life was “Be an exemplary student” and I truly got an award for exemplary students. Looking back at that time, I actually agonized to think about something sounds really great to me and to other people, and that was the final result of my long, long anguish. I believed I was at the center of all the norms and I would be the role model of how other kids should behave and follow after. Yes, that was me and my very conservative parents were so proud of me being like that. I had never been outside of the society’s expectation and always the one who led the main stream. However, as I grew up, I somehow felt there was something wrong with me, but that was something that I could never find. I felt like I always did the right thing and that should be that was what I must be. I was losing myself in the wave of the norms. I was especially the one who was right in the middle of all those social norms. I ate what other people ate, I dressed what others think proper, I spoke what others expected me to talk about, I did what other people expected me to do, and so on. I thought everything was perfectly going around me because everything happened just as what I expected. One day, however, I had to move to Jordan because my father had to supervise the construction going on there. Even though I attended American international school there, most students were from Jordan and finally I was out of the society’s norm. I ate different food from what other people ate, I dressed really different from what others wore, I thought differently from most of people there. That was totally weird for me to suddenly become an outsider from the main flow of the society. People thought I wore such an interesting clothes even thought that was the most common clothes that people in Korea wore. That experience gave me a lot of introspection. The norms can change as an individual moves from place to place and being in the middle of the main stream cannot attract or intrigue other people. I never tried to be innovative, but that just happened so naturally. I’m still the one who wishes to live the ordinary life rather than an ingenious life. When I think about the time when I lived in Jordan.. oh, I don’t think that was me at all.
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