Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Blog #2- due 10/6: Reflect on how your current identities have been influenced by any particular popular culture...read below
Applying concepts from Baudrillard, Visual Rhetoric, class discussions, observations, your WIKIS and course readings, reflect, by selecting one popular culture that has "SUCKED" you in and describe how your identity has been influenced. Consider the space(s) you inhabit when you participate in that popular culture(such as a sporting event, or a dance club...), the logos present, colors, your senses, presence, and the tools that rhetors have used to seduce and construct identity. What sociopolitical ideologies impact those spaces and how does that impact you?
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One of the largest impacts on my identity would have to be Professional Football. I played football for six years throughout middle and high school. It gave me a chance to exercise and release all the pent up energy I had. As I continued to play, my love for the game turned into a need for winning. That fact made me quickly experience a destabilization at practice and before games. I felt uncomfortable and nervous and couldn’t restablilize until I was actually playing on the field.
After graduating from high school I continued to watch football not because it gave me the same release as the game but because the social spaces I would be drawn to were filled with people who had similar identities. I could stabilize in these places while still enjoying the sport through other players. Baudrillard would say that I was creating a false reality to replace the one I once lived but no longer truly experience. Places like sports bars would “suck” me in through visual rhetoric. The building would be filled with team slogans and neon signs of every color that would cause your mind to be flooded with emotions. I guess it would cause a sense of anticipation and allow people to act more aggressive than they normally would. Much like a disco, in that a freedom of expression was welcome and stabilizing. The post structural analysis of the audiences would free heightened emotions. Even the way the game was filmed was inviting. The close up shots, the wide angle shots, and the camera positioning that placed us on the field. Even the music, edited montages between commercials, and cut shots changed how I and other viewers would animate over the game. I even find myself buying commercialized artifacts (that are always brightly colored with my teams colors) to “fit in” or to show everyone this part of my character. The creation of this thirdspace would give me the false sense of playing in the game.
The identity that now engulfs my character is a created identity that is fed by the ways big businesses that make billions of dollars each year. This popular culture is a great example of modern simulacra I’ve been sucked into.
I agree with kris that sports has had a big role on my identity, except in my case it would be soccer. I have played my whole life and enjoy watching it every chance i get. I like to think that when i am on the soccer field, i have created a simulacra. I am in my own little world when i play and am not thinking about anything else. Anytime i am at a soccer related event, my identity is never destabilized. I can always feel comfortable in that environment and never feel awkward or alone. I think the way i dress also was affected by soccer. I enjoy wear replica jerseys or other shirts like that.
While we are on the sports topic. I am an athlete. Sometimes i actually wonder why i do track and field. I mean in ancient Greek times people did these things for different reasons than we do today. Now there are incentives to doing any sport in college. Tuition Scholarships and Free Books just to name a few.
I think the reason we all do sport is the love we feel while doing the sport. For me, its the love of achieving something that you could not do before. We destabilize at practice when we learn new things for track or at a competition when things aren't going right. I believe athletes have to possess an ability to restabilize quickly.
Sports has influenced the way i dress also. I dress usually with sweat pants and sweat shirt. Things usual "jocks" would wear. I think its easier to transition between practice and life. Plus, sweaties are very comfortable. I feel stable in "jock" attire. That is probably why 80% of the time i am wearing them.
Sports in college is a way of life. From the time u wake up we are doing morning runs, lifting, eating right, practicing, and having meetings. This could be a job in itself. So yes Baudrillard is right when he talks about false reality and what is "real." Sports i can say is my alternate reality that I have been sucked into living everyday.
One of the greatest impacts on my life is anime/the Japanese language and culture/Asian Studies. Anime originally got me interested in Japan when I learned that my first anime (Japanese cartoon) was not made in America. As I got older, I started to learn the Japanese culture, it's language and even a study aboard trip in Japan.
The colors were always bright and engertic colors, even the darker and supposdely more "evil" and neutral colors like black and silver. I think that what made them attractive for me.
In America, where most of the cartoons these days are being computer processed or digitazed, most of the animes are still drawn by the hand. Later on, it become more of the plot, the previews of the characters and, most recently, the music has "sucked" me in.
The feeling this produced reminded me strongly of my childhood and the old cartoons that I used to watch. While this feeling has developed into more complicated emotions, the base feeling still remains. The original tool was the TV, magazines and the occansional advertisments. Then the internet became available to my family and I began to use it to spread out and find other animes to watch.
A tool that is unique to Japan is a rather large magazine that holds up to 5 or 6 manga or a Japanese comic. It officially came to America during the early part of the 21st Century, about 2001 or 2002. There are a variety of these comics ranging from daily comics to monthly comics. This is still a tool that I use today and I throughly enjoy the variety of comics that I can read.
...Too geeky, you think?
One of the largest impacts on my identity is doing musicals. I performed in musicals for six years(junior high through senior high) and really developed a fascination by them. When I first started performing I would get incredibly nervous and I would feel my identity destabilize. But once I got the hang of it, that destabilization feeling was more like a rush of excitement. This musical atmosphere helped me develop into the person I am today. I use to be on the shy side before I started performing in front of people, and now I enjoy singing, or speaking in public whenever I get the chance! Singing and acting is important to me because it helped shape the person I am today. When singing on stage, or in front of people I feel a sense of belonging. I also love the acting aspect of musicals because it lets you break away from your own identity and talk and act like someone else. This really helps make me appreciate the person I have become. I want to go into the career of Public Relations and having an outgoing personality will help me succeed in my career. I owe that partly to being in musicals.
Similar to all the posts above, I feel that sports and other activities have helped shape who I am today. Ever since the age of six, I have competed in many figure skating competitions all around the Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and New York areas. Figure skating has been a major part of my life, and the opportunities have increased my confidence as I performed for hundreds of people, and a panel of United States Figure Skating Association judges. As my passion developed for figure skating, my identity began to stabilize. As I first stepped onto the ice, I felt destabilized. I often questioned, “Would if I fall?”, “Would if I forget my program?” and other millions of questions running through my head. However, as my music began, I started to restabilize. I would catch my breath, calm down my nerves, and sell my routine for the judges. By the end of the program, I felt stabilized, and confident of my routine. I believe that all children benefit from figure skating, joining a basketball team, and other activities. It will only assist in the long run and help build character and identity.
After thinking about what popular cultures sucked me in I was torn between soccer and graphic design so i mind as well talk about them both. to start off i will talk about soccer. soccer has been in my family's blood for yrs me and my brother both played most of our lives and our parents were always right they by our side cheering us on because they loved the sport just as much as we did. my identity was always stabilized for me when i walked out onto that field. I always felt comfortable and I never felt out of place. The only time my identity may have changed is probably in high school when the coach picked the roster for the varsity time. I never made it on the main team and it bummed me out for a little bit, so you could say my identity was destabilized during that time. I am sorta the same way with graphic design. I usually have a positive attitude and identity when i am in that class because its what i love to do and that is art on computers. the only time in this case that my identity could change would probably be when projects are due and i feel that mine is not as good as everyone elses. I like to look at graphic design as a competition and the goal is to achieve the best work in the class. those are the popular cultures that i believe sucked me in.
Go Steelers!
One of the largest impacts on my identity would have to be the music that I listen to. The gospel music that was rooted into me as a Child made me the Man I am today. It made me make the right choices in my life and kept me from making the wrong ones. This certain kind of music is very inspirational. It also helps me learn from my mistakes, when I fall short of God. And im sorry to keep bringing Religion into everything. But my way of life is what makes me who I am. Church and the music that comes out of it is what makes me stronger everyday and step throughout my life. All week I feel stabilized with my surroundings because of what I get out of my music. It not a point nor time where Im destabilized with this popular culture, because it just speaks good fruit in my life. Through the hardships I been through in my life Church and the music it produced made me prosperous, spirit-filled, spirit-led, word based young man, mission minded, Finacally stable, and man existing to honor God.
The realization of what i'm about to write comes with some very sinister undertones, and i can feel my identity destabilizing as i try to edit my thoughts before i type them, not necessarily because i don't want to write it, but because i don't want to believe it.
As a musician i am a performing artist, which comes hand in hand with the judgement of two groups- audiences and the critics therein. It doesn't matter if i'm playing the bassoon (yes, that's right, i'm a bassoon major) or the piano, or whether i'm playing the guitar at an open mic night. The list doesn't end there, but with any type of performance there is a certain level of judgement attached, and this judgement at some point begins to affect (not effect) the rest of the spaces i'm a part of.
First of all, there is the technical level (wow, those are a lot of fast notes) which is simply a judgement of ability. This is the obvious one.
Then (and this is when the blur starts to happen) there are the judgements based on image and character. The simplest way to explain this is that i'm wearing completely different clothes in a concert hall than at a bar show.
This affect of being a performing artist has it's effect on every space the artist is in. We become so used to being judged (as it is our job) that we continue to raise the bar to sometimes unattainable standards. A personal connection would be to me as a runner, in that i am now up to 10 miles a day. At this point, the purpose has surpassed fitness goals and has moved simply to upholding the image. Hand in hand with this would be clothing.
When you don't follow suit with every other artist in your field people get confused. It's rare to hear me say that i am good what i do. Regardless, people are taken aback to see a bassoonist with tattoos, ever-changing hair styles, wearing sneakers with a suit, etc. And it's not that i'm trying to break any rules or iconic stereotypes (TRUST ME, you can't even imagine the discomfort of constantly looking how you want to but different from everyone else in the room that shares your interests) but there is a certain element of show in everything an artist does. And it really gets old sometimes.
Thats how my identity is more or less controlled by pop. culture.
I am the person I am today because of my time in the military. Spending 5 years active duty as a Navy Corpsman has given me an identity that I will posses for the rest of my life. The biggest impact on my life was when I was stationed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Iraq for 10 months. When I first arrived in Iraq, my identity was instantly destabilized. Entering a combat zone for the first time is very surreal. To me it was almost like I was watching CNN in person, except people were really trying to kill you. Some other factors caused my destabilization such as the weather being above 120 degrees, the food, and the lack of privacy. After a couple of months my identity started to re-stabilize as I got used to the everyday tasks. Things like standing in line to eat, using a porta-potty, or the limited access to stay in touch with family and friends became a normal routine. When I first got back to the United States, my identity went back to being destabilized. Little things like driving, privacy, eating what you want when you want, using a real toilet, made me feel uncomfortable. As what happened in Iraq, it took me a couple of months to get re-stabilized. From that experience my identity has changed forever. Today I do not take the little things for granted, always appreciating family and friends, and that experience has given me a new prospective on life.
Every popular culture affects every person, consciously and unconsciously. It's those that affect me unconsciously that are most fascinating because at some point, you'll realize how it DID affect you - that's pretty interesting to me, and might be one of the reasons why I'm a sociology major. A popular culture that has most definitely sucked me in would have to be music. I choose music to write about simply because of the wide variety of genres that exist - for every human emotion, there is a music genre to match the feelings. I'm open-minded to all sorts of music and love to pick and choose what kinds to listen to, depending on my mood. Music groups find ways to suck in their audience by advertising with crafty lyrics, colorful CD covers, touring, and merchandise. One can listen to music any time, any place - so one's surroundings can vary, whether you're in your bedroom, your car, or a concert. Social ideologies impact a concert event depending on the musical genre - the fans that are loyal to the music come to these events because they were 'sucked' into this popular culture based on their interests. As mentioned before, I like to keep an open mind when it comes to music and by doing so, I become involved with various social groups that in turn introduce me to different popular cultures.
Sports are a pop culture that I can say has had an impact on my life. Growing up I played soccer and baseball. Whenver I was on the field or at practice, I don't remember feeling destabliized and then becoming restabilized. I've always felt comfortable whenever I was on the field competing. During the game I was able to put everything else in my life to the side and enjoy playing in the game. Both soccer and baseball are team sports so while I was competing I was a member of a team. I feel playing these sports helped me construct my identity. Often times in sports winning becomes the only goal and other aspects are overlooked. I always went out with the attitude to win because that is the sociopolitical ideology attached with sports. However, I didn't let winning get the best of me. I learned through sports to win graciously and lose with dignity. Many people do not deal with defeat well (many of my teammates had trouble with defeat). I've learned how cope with defeat while being able to keep a positive outlook. I feel that my involvement in sports not only kept me active but promoted healthly emotional developement. The outlook I partially constructed on the field has carried over into my life today and helps define who I am.
I feel that our identities are formed by influences around us in society. If we come from a family that has musical talent, then we normally will develop a desire for music and instruments in some way or another. My family has always been dire sports fans. Each of my three siblings played sports throughout highschool and into college.
Whether it be a pick-up game of tackle football or an international soccer game on the tube, I will never have the willpower to turn down an opportunity to participate in a sporting event, one-way-or-another. At this very moment, I am watching Game 3 of the ALDS, Red Sox vs. Angels. Example: over the weekend I was at a party where there were both strangers and friends; as I entered, I immediately turned on the television to channel thirty-five so that I could view game two of the ALDS: Red Sox vs. Angels. I did not care if those around me did not want to watch the game. After no less than three minutes, a crowd gathered to witness the remarkable homerun by J.D. Drew in the Red Sox victory. Those around me soon became acquaintances although not three minutes prior, were complete strangers. My identity effects my environment and vise-versa. Even in a situation such as homecoming where most are looking to "get trashed", sports overpowered my temptation to conform toward the stereotyped mentality.
Music is another very strong portion of my identity (although I believe that music is for most people). At that very party, one simple song blasting over the party decibel level, my identity was restablized (as with many others) as everyone stopped their private conversations and quickly mended to sing together in unison.
It's funny to look back on the previous entries and analyze myself for a bit. Even though I hate to admit it, I will be upfront to say that I truly believe I am the walking epitome of popular culture. From my clothes to my taste of music and beyond, my identity has been built upon those who surround me, but then again, who hasn't fallen for the same fate? I'll focus with clothing-- even back to when I was in High School, my peers would constantly be purchasing their wardrobe from stores like American Eagle, Abercrombie, Hollister, Old Navy, etc. It was an image to uphold. If you didn't have that 1/2inch logo over your heart, you were probably judged for it. The irony behind it all is that I didn't even have much of a choice in the matter.. my parents would actually buy the clothes, whether it was for going back to school, or just needing some new spring stuff. You don't need a Psychology major (irony!) to tell you that this is a perfect example of conditioning. Parents buying clothes + children not being judged, possibly even being complimented = happy children, which then yields --> Parents buying more of this product, because who can fight something that seems to make your children happy overall? Because chances are, when they're happy in school or social life, home life will end up benefitting as well. And what does this lead to? To me, it sounds a bit like the ideological concept of The American Dream. But hey, that's just my idea. You might think I'm completely off the wall for even pondering this deeply on the subject. Anywho, I suppose I can continue this idea by saying that such conditioning has even affected me into this very day. When I walk into a clothing store that isn't trendy or stylish, it's clearly a destabilization. If I don't find something that represents a style similar to what I would wear, I automatically walk out. It has become habitual, even into dressing myself on a daily basis. Likewise, when I am dressed in attire which I feel comfortable and look good in, I may quickly stabilize to the surrounding environment, whether it is a crowded restaurant, club, or bar. Let's all be honest again- haven't we all suffered from a similar circumstance? When we know we look good, we'll enter any scenario almost fearlessly, as long as there is that “security blanket” to fall back on. Now, What does this “security blanket” provide? A Secondspace where you can concentrate on yourself and your company. I don't think I even need to convince you at this point that I'm screaming the term SIMULACRA!
For this blog, I feel a little lost, as compared to the previous assignment. I feel I am personally “sucked in” by so many different aspects of popular culture that it’s hard to simply identify one. So after much thought and analysis of myself, I think the most prevalent pop culture sucking me in right now at this time of my life is that of weddings.
I will be getting married in November, and even just sitting back and looking at the past two years of my life begins to reveal how engulfed my life is in the popular wedding culture of our economy. For the first few months I found myself most definitely destabilized, and I would later see that it would take a while before stabilization would actually set in.
Weddings are not even about the couple anymore. So often wedding planners (and parents even!) encourage the couple to do everything to ensure that their day is perfect. However, these same individuals are the ones that also want a couple to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars for that high-priced and ritzy perfect day. In an economy where there is no true financial security, couples struggle to make the ends of the wedding ribbon meet.
Even simply analyzing small aspects of the wedding planning process illustrates popular culture. When my mother, my future mother-in-law and I went to purchase my dress, I was continuously pestered and asked what else I would like to purchase. (Although, I must admit my saleswoman was NOT as pushy as some and she was friendly, she still pushed certain items.) One moment that still sticks in my mind is when she tried to convince me that I just needed a huge tiara, like a crown! While she continued to explain how much nicer I would look with four inches of cubic zirconia’s on-top of an up-do, the three of us shoppers had to insist that it did not fit me well at all. (Honestly, I would hope that no one would ever get something that ridiculous-but that is simply my opinion.)
Everything from the dress and shoes, to the reception and caterer, reflects society’s idea of having the biggest and the best. Very few brides-to-be settle for a plain dress with little or no decoration. Many feel that unless they have a million-dollar bridal gown, their day will not be complete. Along these same lines, receptions and caterers tend to also cost the couple more money than they can even imagine. Most receptions absolutely have to be at some sort of country club or resort, with a five-star chef preparing the meal. Popular culture has so taken over the world of weddings that we see movies released every year that encompass some type of wedding theme, whether it is something good or something bad.*
There is some good news, however. After seeing this aspect of popular culture and living it for two years, there are many instances where bigger is not always better, and that there is no need to spend thousands and thousands of dollars in one day. Small signs of relief are seen in sales at bridal stores as well as online at different wedding websites. Personally, my dress is nothing fancy, and my fiancé is catering our reception. As the date gets closer and closer, and it’s safe to say that I’m eating, breathing, sleeping and running “wedding.” However, it is also safe for me to say that after two years of planning, buying, saving and preparing, I am finally stabilized in a new aspect of pop culture, as well as a new chapter in my life.
*27 Dresses (2008), Monster-in-Law (2005) and Wedding Crashers (2005)
The popular culture that has impacted my identity is sports. Growing up watching and playing sports consumed the majority of my day. My identity was stabilized as I felt very comfortable on any sports arena. As the game progressed my identity could destabilize and re-stabilize depending on factors such as my personal performance, my team’s performance, the fans reactions to the game, and the finale outcome of the game. I used sporting events to escape reality. Baudrillard might say my reality is sports and my everyday life is an escape from sports. Participating in sports can obviously influence dress as our culture is consumed with replica sports jerseys. Sports also influence our mentality and people often have a difficult time leaving there aggressive and cocky swagger on the field. This swagger can be harmful to society when people used it in a threatening fashion to intimidate or physically harm another person. This swagger can also give someone that added confidence during a job interview giving them the edge over other possible employees helping them get the job. This sports mentality can be beneficial to a persons identity with used in the correct context with boundaries. I feel my sports mentality has benefited me and will continue to do so. A sociopolitical message at every sporting event I have been apart off is the American national anthem. This message builds a strong American pride influencing people to love our country.
I feel repetitive in saying that my identity has been affected by sports. It has impacted my identity so unbelievably much. I honestly come to counter my life around sports. The biggest sport would be soccer. I have been playing soccer for the last 15 years. I can't believe sometimes just how long I've been playing. I have always been competitive and this was the best way to express it.
I have to admit that I become very destabalized right before the game. I usually make myself sick from being nervous or I have to use the restroom several times. Like Kris said, I too wouldn't be able to be comfortable or restabilize until I was on the field playing my position. Then I was in my own zone and doing my own thing.
Again, sports are just similacras of other sporting events. In the tools used by rhetors, I looked at the postcultural analysis. Sports usually appeal to men. However, they are becoming more common to women. This is where last class we looked at previous Superbowl advertisements. It still seems that the majority of advertisements are towards men.
I would have to agree that sports and for me running is a huge identity with me. I've been running cross country and track since 7th grade and every year I find myself more and more involved. When I first started running I was really destabilized because I liked to run but didn't know how to embrace it. After joining cross country and track in middle school, high school, and even college I have felt more and more stabilized. At times it has felt that I feel destabilized when I'm not running or take a day off. Running has completely "SUCKED" me in because it is a huge part of who I am and I could not image myself without running.
What I like about running is that I can run anywhere, anytime and when I run I can get physically lost of where I'm going but more importantly mentally lost too. I can have a bad day or be really stressed but by the end of the run I can find myself physically and mentally and I can stabilize myself again. When I run I experience not only first space but also second space when I run. This allows me to think and focus on other things when I run.
I would have to say that running has completely "Sucked" me in and it makes up who I am and without it I would be a completely different person.
~Matthew Beucker
Sporting events have played a large part in constructing my identity. The majority of those have been Pittsburgh Penguins hockey games, and over the years I have become very comfortable in the black and gold surroundings. I have even sat in the same section for about 12 years, so there is really no surprise or destablization that occurs when I go to a game.
However, this past weekend, I went to the Notre Dame football game. I have never been to such a large college football game before, and I was instantly overwhelmed and felt my identity destablizing from the second I walked in. Everything was quite different out of the comfort zone of my living room (or Mellon Arena for that matter). I didn't know where to go to find my seats or my friends I was meeting. The only thing that made me feel like I at least kind of belonged was the fact I was wearing "The Shirt," which literally thousands of other students were wearing.
With each new cheer that was introduced in the stands, my identity was destablized. However, as they were repeated and I caught on, I felt as though my identity restablized. I felt as though I really was part of something when thousands of students were cheering in unison, with most everyone wearing the same t-shirt.
The presence was definitely one of cheer for Notre Dame through the encouragement of the band and cheerleaders, as well as messages that came across the scoreboard. This helped to keep my identity stable since I was there for that very reason.
One of the largest impacts on my identity would have to be music. I have played instruments, gone to concerts and listened to music all my life. Playing in concerts, I was always destabilized in the beginning of the song because I was afraid I would mess up and everyone would hear me. As I got into middle school I began to improve in my music and was able to move up to player 1 which was the best musician for that instrument. Even though my teacher would tell me I was good, I was my worst critic. The more concerts we played in, the more I would feel stabilized and be able to enjoy playing and not worrying about messing up. Now in college, I’m not involved in any music anymore. So the only music that sucks me in now is music on the radio. If I’m having a bad day I will put on music to relieve stress and get lost in reality. Music helps express my emotions.
When I go to concerts to see bands I feel stabilized and feel right at home. I am able to know how they feel being on stage and having lights blaring in their faces. Hearing the music pumps me and I am able to once again get lost in the music.
In popular culture, there are many aspects that I have simply not been attracted or naturally pulled toward. Yes, I enjoy music. And yes, I enjoy sports, movies, the arts, technology, etc... However, I do not see myself or my identities being heavily influenced by these typical popular culture items.
I have found that I am often pulled towards and most affected by documentaries and or documentary photography. I feel that many documentaries put me in identity that desires to do the things that are being discussed. For example, a documentary on extreme sports or unique sports would create in me, a desire to pursue these sports. Many documentaries spur me on to have a desire to travel and photograph my travels.
From class, I would learn that many of the visual rhetoric that is included in these documentaries very specifically affect my identities. I find stabilization while viewing them and researching the topics that are covered. Many documentaries use very catchy themes or very dramatic topics which will affect the viewers very emotionally which will lead the viewer to take action or at the very least, become aware of something. These topics and themes are very effective at making me both aware as well as desiring to pursue whatever I'm watching. These documentaries very easily suck me in.
My rejection of a specific subculture has has a significant impact on my identity. Ironically, this rejection has had one of the largest impacts on my life since initially being sucked in. The subculture I am referring to would be considered by most as underground music, which is referred to by those involved as "the scene." The genres common in this environment include punk, metal, hardcore, pop-punk, emo, indie, experimental etc. The retail store "Hot Topic" is a generic example of the culture of "the scene," but is seen by those deep inside the subculture as a place where a poseur would shop.
I became interested in this area of pop culture around sixth grade when I started listening to specific bands instead of the radio. The progression of my tastes went from a genre of music called "ska" to "punk", when I started listening to bands like Operation Ivy and Rancid in middle school. During high school, I began going to see bands play at community centers, fire halls etc. These shows are the life of the scene, and from that point I was sucked in. I began playing bass, and guitar soon after. During my first 3+ years of college, I continued going to shows and played in a few bands. These shows always had an effect on my stabilization in the culture. If I was playing a show, it would be common to feel stabilized, as all eyes were on myself and my band during our set. However, if we didn't play well, I was quickly destabilized. Going to shows with friends often had a very stabilizing effect also. Sociopolitical messages are literally everywhere in this subculture, as it is perceived by many involved as a rebellion against mainstream society / culture. The social spaces these events take place at often reinforce this feeling, as they are held in various places rented by the person setting up the show (fire hall, community center, the basement of a home, etc.). Watching bands play in a fire hall(a show)is much different than going to a concert at a stadium, arena, etc. It is common for clothing or band logos to contain some type of message. T shirts often made me feel stabilized, especially if the band was liked by another person, which established a bond.
I once related heavily with the identity associated with "the scene," until last year when I began to feel destabilized at shows. I was having a hard time relating to others, and often felt too old for that environment. I also perceived my peers to be disingenuous in their beliefs, and eager to fit in with the crowd, as I often was. I quit my band, sold my bass amp, and haven't gone to a show since, (although I would considering going to see a select few bands if they came to the area). I also deleted a large portion of my music collection, but still listen to many of the same bands and styles of music. Both my involvement in, and rejection of this slice of pop culture has had a positive effect on my identity.
dpalm21, my faith has absolutely defined who I am, also. I support you in bringing it into the mix.
One of the biggest influences on my current identity would have to be music. Listening to badns such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Pearl Jam over the years has really helped me to relax and deal with my everday life. Getting lost in the music and lyrics of some of the greatest bands in history has really helped me over the past years. Through music I have created my own simulacra because I get lost in my own little world and nothing else seems to matter. I take the words from songs by my favorite artists and just relate them to my own life and how they seem so similar. Everytime I listen to Pearl Jam it seems my identiy stabilizes because I feel that I agree with everything the lead singer has to say. Sometimes when I listen to music it's almost like they're writing about parts of my life and I can relate to that. The best experience is going to the concerts of these bands because everyone is there for the same reason you are. You look around and see everyone having a good time and I just feel so at peace and comfortable. The scene is the best social space and just helps to restabilize my identity. The identity I have now is so largely shaped because of the music I listen to and get lost in. Everyone needs something to help them come to terms with themselves, and mine is music. The calming effect it has on me is just what I need and use to get me through my days.
One of the biggest influences on my current identity would have to be music. Listening to badns such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Pearl Jam over the years has really helped me to relax and deal with my everday life. Getting lost in the music and lyrics of some of the greatest bands in history has really helped me over the past years. Through music I have created my own simulacra because I get lost in my own little world and nothing else seems to matter. I take the words from songs by my favorite artists and just relate them to my own life and how they seem so similar. Everytime I listen to Pearl Jam it seems my identiy stablizes because I feel that I agree with everything the lead singer has to say. Sometimes when I listen to music it's almost like theyre writing about parts of my life and I can relate to that. The best experience is going to the concerts of these bands because everyone is there for the same reason you are. You look around and see everyone having a good time and I just feel so at peace and comfortable. The scene is the best social space and just helps to restablize my identity. The identity I have now is so largely shaped because of the music I listen to and get lost in. Everyone needs something to help them come to terms with themselves, and mine is music. The calming effect it has on me is just what I need and use to get me through my days.
I never actually looked back on my life and analyzed the things that were around my all of my life completely impacted my life as I was sucked in. The pop culture that had the largest impact on my identity was the art of dance. I started dancing when I was three and as I grew as a dancer and became more talented, it became a part of who I am. I always felt at "home" while dancing which would state that my identity was always stabilized. Getting on the stage ready to perform was the most comfortable I have ever felt no matter how many eyes were staring at me from the sea of people in the audience. Thinking about the 16 years that I danced, I can't remember one time when my identity was destabilized because I was always so happy and comfortable in that pop culture.
As the colors of costumes, stage lights, etc. were always changing, they always had an affect on my moods and feelings. When the stage was black I felt mysterious and empty but in a good way. When the stage was bright and full of yellows I was energetic.
Although I do not perform on a stage anymore, I will always be able to restabilize when music is played and I begin to dance.
Growing up in a small own I feel that I have been rather sheltered from pop culture. Now that I am in college, I am finding that popular culture is a much larger part of my live then I would like to realize. I have never been one of those trendy girls who put lots of thought into the clothes that they buy, that was just not me. I listen to county music and love the stories that it tells. I feel that I can identify with those stories. For fun at home we ride ATVs and hang out around camp fires when it is nice. Looking at all of this I see that that is just a different sect of popular culture.
I feel that the area in which I grew up has the most influence of my identity. Having family close and spending time with them is that makes me comfortable. Going into a bar or party would destabilize my identity. I am in the place in my life were I am really questioning my identity and who I am. As it comes time to graduate college I find myself very unsure of who I am. This is making me think about "what sucked me in" and I can not figure it out right now. Strong relationships with others is what has sucked me in. I am finding that depending on those relationships to guide my identity has made me feel like I lost my own identity. Hopefully I will be able to figure it out.
Something that has recently "sucked" me in is the popular online game, Call of Duty 4. To provide a little background about the game for those of you who have not heard about it, I would like to elaborate on a few of the key attractions of its online gameplay. The game is a first-person shooter game based in modern day warfare. Online players create their own name to be identified as and the game can begin from there. Players can also choose from a variety of different modes of gameplay; one vs. one, team battles, free for all, etc.
When I personally set aside the time to get online and play this game, I like to make the room as comfortable as possible. I stabilize myself within everything surrounding me from the room temperature to the cleanliness of the game area. Even though this has nothing to do with accessing the game whatsoever, I feel stressed and uncomfortable if the setting isn't to my liking once I begin to play.
As players begin to enter the 'lobby' where the games will first begin, I notice all the different names each user has created. Each players' name is unique in spelling, formation, and the origin of the name. Some players use movies/music/other games to identify themselves and their secondspace character while others choose quotes/phrases/and nicknames. I chose my name to be a representation of my last name and its phonetic meaning when said aloud: wREKage. Based on my style of gameplay, this suits me well as a visual of a player who plays wrecklessly. A player's game name can be considered a connection to the player's individuality on a more personal level.
Gameplay on this particular game is much like a disco where each player can freely express themselves without any hinderance of outside influences. Each player can "become" an aspect of war (sniper, infantry, stealth) to suit his own personal desires. As gaming continues, players can connect with each other through voice-activated headsets. As I play, the sights and sounds of the battle soothe me and I am always attracted to the teamwork and comrodery that occurs between players during the game. We all work together to reach the same ultimate goal: to win. Many architypes come into play in this situation: hunting groups of companions, loyal retainers, tasks, and a battle between good and evil.
Viewing this identity from the thirdspace, I see a lot of similarities between my character on the game and off the game in the real world.
I think the thing that has had the greatest impact to my identity would have to be college life. Almost everything revolves around my college life. It is the main way that I identify myself. College is more than just going to class and writing reports. It is actually an entire lifestyle, at least for me it is. I have college friends, college activities, and college responsibilities that seem to be completely separate from other aspects of my life. When I am at IUP I feel that I am in a different world and that I am a different person than when I am at home.
Concerts have influenced my identity. I enjoy listening to new types of music and learning about bands. Mars Volta was the most recent concert I attended. I knew of the band, but had not listened to a great deal of their music. The concert hall was crowded which made seeing the stage difficult to see. Thankfully there were televisions showing the stage. I was content with watching the show on the tv's, but I felt it was not the full experience. Slowly I advanced towards the stage. By the end of the concert I was standing front row, eyes glued to the stage, and my ears full of music. At this moment I realized that seeing things on television may be good, but there is nothing that equals seeing something live.
After the concert I watched Planet Earth. The idea of seeing some live was still in my head. Planet Earth does a great job of capturing nature. I was content with watching the show, but I couldn't help but wonder what it must look like in person.
My desire to be outside enjoying nature starteed from a very young age. My father got me interested in kayaking and skiing around the age of ten. Instead of going on expensive vacations, we would kayak through estuaries in new jersey. To go skiing we would share a cabin with about thirty other people, all belonging to the pittsburgh expolorers club. I have met many good friends through the explorers clubs' trips. Friends that get together and go rafting, skiing, snowboarding and kayaking even though we all go to different schools.
One of the things I enjoy most about outing activities is the company I travel with. The freedom of riding a river is one of the most exhilerating experiences I have ever had. I feel these activities determine what kind of people I surrond with myself and am comfortable with.
Ok I feel like I have been "Sucked" into a lot of pop culture. From Swimming, Band, and Theater in high school. To Fraternities and sororities in college. But I believe the biggest pop culture i was Sucked into is College.
So much has gone into me completing college this semester and I am looking back now to see if it was at all worth it. I am going to be leaving college wish a huge amount of debt that is going to take me 10 years to pay back. Plus i decided wrong when chooseing my major. I am not even going to use my degree when I leave but i will be making more than most people that use their degree makes. I feel college should be really thought out before kids in high school put themselves into huge debt and decide it was not for them. I believe that high school guidence counselors should actually explain other options other than you have to go to college or your a failure in life.
I think the one thing that has had one of the largest impacts on my identity has been going to summer camp, Hartman Center. I started going there every summer since 4th grade until my senior year of High School. I also worked there as a staff member for three summers during college. This experience has really helped to shaped me to the person that I am today. The best memories that I have revolved around Hartman Center. I have also made some of my best friends while working there. It is a place with a care free atmosphere, which has allowed me to really explore who I am as a person. It has also been a place where I can go, even during the off season, that allows me stabilize myself. When I go there I get that sense that time stands still, and I am able to center myself, and ease my mind. Hartman Center is located in the middle of the woods, and it is a place that allows me connect back to nature, and free myself from the fast pace of modern society. While working there, I was able to figure out there person I really want to be. I was able to mold myself into a leader and showed me how to take charge when needed in any situation.
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