In our minds, having choice instantly means we’re in control. We have the power to decide and to choose what we want. This sounds like it’s freedom. Being “in control” and having the feeling of power through the choices we’re able to make, choice gives short term happiness. As said in Chuck Klosterman’s chapter “Here’s Johnny”, “choice makes us depressed. We just don’t realize it”. Klosterman suggests the idea, although he isn’t the first one to make this claim, choice makes us think we’re happy, but makes us unconsciously sadder, which gives us the paradox of choice. Klosterman explains this hypothesis through Barry Schwartz, a professor of social theory at Swarthmore College. Schwartz suggests that “the culture of abundance robs us of satisfaction”, and refers this to “choice overload”. Relating this claim to my own experience, it’s true. I’ll be flipping through channels with a bunch of different and great shows on to watch, all at the same time. Sure I will temporarily feel happy there’s so much variety of what to watch, but once I finally make my choice after much debating, during the commercials I’ll be flipping to the other shows, to see what I missed out on. Choices gives me the feeling of contentment and control, but I then find myself questioning “What if…”. What if I had watched the other program instead, or bought that other shirt instead, or wore that top to school instead; I’ll often find myself later regretting my choice only to assume I missed out not choosing the other option instead.
In Chuck Klosterman’s reading, he focuses on how the paradox of choice creates loss of experience. Throughout the reading, Klosterman uses the example of the death of modern pop culture icon Johnny Carson. During the 60-70s, it didn’t matter who you were or what you were; you knew Johnny Carson. When you tuned into The Tonight Show at 11 at night, you were tuning in with majority of the American’s with a television, an experienced you shared with them. Even if you didn’t watch The Tonight Show, you knew who Johnny Carson was, this was a shared experience by Americans, the culture icon Johnny Carson. It didn’t matter if you found him entertaining or not, Johnny Carson seemed more famous than anybody, and he brought American’s together.
Now, with the rising advances in technology and products, we have choice. Klosterman states that we always want more alternatives claiming it’s a good thing, and it is a good thing which we are aware of, but only for a certain amount of time. With more choice, we often find ourselves regretting, wondering that “What if…”. More choices also causes us to have less shared experiences, which is where Klosterman suggests that “choice isolates us” overtime. With more alternatives on the television, we’re not all tuning into the same show every night, nor have that common subject between us anymore. Why? Because we all chose to watch something different on a Saturday night. So when the time comes that we’re in a group at school, or at work, and a character from Grey’s Anatomy, or Dancing with the Stars comes up in a conversation, not everyone will be able to relate, thus creating a smaller bond between people.
Despite choice giving us this feeling of control and power, in the long run it unconsciously makes us unhappier. More choice causes separation, the feeling of isolation, and regret amongst us, as suggested in Klosterman’s “Hey Johnny”. It’s funny, just last week I found myself you tubing “Kaba Modern” from America’s Best Dance Crew, cause I had no idea what my friend was going on about, since I chose not to watch them on TV.
Matrix vs The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Reality is real, hence the italiced root word "real".Reality is what we see around us, what takes place around us, what actually happens. Not something that we imagine, or dream to be real. Reality isn't what we believe to be there, but actually is there, whether we can believe it or not. In the Matrix, reality is distinguished by illusion where reality is an illusion in the movie. In the Matrix, everything we thought to be real, isnt.
Personally, I believe imagination can subsitute for reality, as it did in the movie "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly". Imagination creates our own reality, it gives people something to believe in. Although I defined reality as "real", ultimately, we can't be enitrely sure what we think reality is, is truly "real". Rather, we believe it's real because want too, it gives us closure. Really, we don't know what reality is, what surrounds us is what we think, and may be reality whereas something like our imagination gives us a reality we would rather accept.
Personally, I believe imagination can subsitute for reality, as it did in the movie "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly". Imagination creates our own reality, it gives people something to believe in. Although I defined reality as "real", ultimately, we can't be enitrely sure what we think reality is, is truly "real". Rather, we believe it's real because want too, it gives us closure. Really, we don't know what reality is, what surrounds us is what we think, and may be reality whereas something like our imagination gives us a reality we would rather accept.
Chuck Klosterman and Cereal Commercials
Chuck Klosterman looks at Cereal Commericals to view how the exclusion of Cereal Mascots from partiticpating in the actitivies of the main scream (i.e the kids in the commercial) subtely influence our society's definintion of cool from a young age. For Klosterman, to be cool in this society something must be exclusionary. Klosterman's idea of "exclusionary cool" is to possess something that other people want, but is in a limited amount. Technically, "exclusionary cool" means to own something that only a limited amount of people may own, making others who want but cannot have it, envious.
The idea of exclusionary cool creates artifical demand on consumers in society. Us, the consumers, are easily drawn in by trends that surround us. We see something; we want it. With new trends constantly being set out, a demand is put on the producers (corporations), to continue to "create" new trends, where then individuals in society technically market those trends by buying them, making others want them as well. To be "exclusionary cool", products are in constant demand, so the item or brand stays original.
Within Winston Churchill, I tend to notice that most people are cliqued together by culture and race. You can walk down the halls, and see people grouped together mainly by their race. The Tamils, Indians, Asians, West Indians, African Americans, you name it we got it. Grouping together by race discloses everyone else outside the culture. Within a group of black youth, it's not very common to see white folks amongst them. Why? Culture and ethnic backround gives a person identity, some more than others. Cliquing together based on culture is common. Within the clique, individuals are able to relate and assosciate with one another mainly because they're very similar in the sense how they were raised, the language they speak, the shows they watch and music they listen too. These group of individuals do a fine job of defining themselves by assosciating usually with only one another, disclosing their group to only those of their culture. Speaking in their language, staying together, you honestly feel completely
foriegn walking by them. If you're not part of a group's culture, you dont exactly "fit into their mold".
The idea of exclusionary cool creates artifical demand on consumers in society. Us, the consumers, are easily drawn in by trends that surround us. We see something; we want it. With new trends constantly being set out, a demand is put on the producers (corporations), to continue to "create" new trends, where then individuals in society technically market those trends by buying them, making others want them as well. To be "exclusionary cool", products are in constant demand, so the item or brand stays original.
Within Winston Churchill, I tend to notice that most people are cliqued together by culture and race. You can walk down the halls, and see people grouped together mainly by their race. The Tamils, Indians, Asians, West Indians, African Americans, you name it we got it. Grouping together by race discloses everyone else outside the culture. Within a group of black youth, it's not very common to see white folks amongst them. Why? Culture and ethnic backround gives a person identity, some more than others. Cliquing together based on culture is common. Within the clique, individuals are able to relate and assosciate with one another mainly because they're very similar in the sense how they were raised, the language they speak, the shows they watch and music they listen too. These group of individuals do a fine job of defining themselves by assosciating usually with only one another, disclosing their group to only those of their culture. Speaking in their language, staying together, you honestly feel completely
foriegn walking by them. If you're not part of a group's culture, you dont exactly "fit into their mold".
Trix Cereal Commercial 1991
The characters in the Trix commercial represent different figures in society. The three characters in this commercial are the the lady, the children, and the rabbit. The lady represents dominance and has the most power among everyone else in the commercial. The lady in the commercial mimics the figure of a political leader in society. The children in the commerical, who do not have much dialogue throughout, represent consumers in society, people who want and abide by what the higher power says to get them the product. The children all clique like consumers, and aim for the same thing. They're easily influenced by those around them who all want the same thing. The Trix rabbit in the commerical represents the "outsider" in society, the person who doesn't follow the norm in society and is shut down by those with power due to their possession of intelligence ultimately becoming a threat. In this case, the Trix rabbit poses a threat to the lady and the Trix company, because he is able to identify the flavours. The lady shuts him down, since he can allow the children (consumers) to get a free box of the cereal, which is what the company doesnt want, they want a profit out of their consumers. This commercial represents society as we know it today, companies with high authority who want profit from consumers such as ourselves. Those who are able to break from the norm are shut down in society because of the threat they possess.
The message being conveyed to viewers throughout this commerical is that as cosumers, we have to be aware of the companies who want profit from us, rather than work for us. As consumers, it is easy get sucked into a companies' marketing, especially when majority of the people around us go for it as well. Often those who are able to not get sucked into a corperation, are left unheard.
The message being conveyed to viewers throughout this commerical is that as cosumers, we have to be aware of the companies who want profit from us, rather than work for us. As consumers, it is easy get sucked into a companies' marketing, especially when majority of the people around us go for it as well. Often those who are able to not get sucked into a corperation, are left unheard.
The Definition of 'Meaning'
Meaning. Usually one would search for the meaning of something else, but what is meaning initially? To me personally, meaning is an insight, an outlook a person has. Meaning is expressing your emotion and thoughts, which you base on experiences and accounts you have been through during your life.
Meaning, in my mind, is a form of expression, of a way of thought, an insight you have to convey to yourself and to others.
My experiences let me express meaning through the way I talk, the way I think, all coming down to the unique way of who I am because of the outlooks I have on the world around me.
Other’s influences, the environment’s influences, and everything around me plays a part in how I feel about meaning. But when it comes down to it, it’s personal. No one can take away my perspective and my view on finding out the meaning of everything.Through this thought and inquiry I’ve realized that “meaning” is no longer defined for me by the dictionary, but of how I see it, my own meaning of meaning.
Meaning, in my mind, is a form of expression, of a way of thought, an insight you have to convey to yourself and to others.
My experiences let me express meaning through the way I talk, the way I think, all coming down to the unique way of who I am because of the outlooks I have on the world around me.
Other’s influences, the environment’s influences, and everything around me plays a part in how I feel about meaning. But when it comes down to it, it’s personal. No one can take away my perspective and my view on finding out the meaning of everything.Through this thought and inquiry I’ve realized that “meaning” is no longer defined for me by the dictionary, but of how I see it, my own meaning of meaning.
The Two Ways to Look at Life
Random or connected?
I guess I could say that I do tend to believe everything in life is connected; things that occur, occur for a reason as apposed to events happening randomly. In Chuck Klosterman’s article “Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs”, he groups one’s outlook in life into two categories: events happen for a reason or life’s events are out of pure luck. I find I consider that everything that takes doesn’t just happen out of luck because I personally want to believe that the people I meet, the places I go to, and the events I'm faced with happen for a reason, whatever that reason may be. Believing that everything happens for a reason gives me closure and makes me as an individual feel more secure about the things that take place around me. Although, sometimes events I’ve faced seem to make no sense and occur randomly, and often I want to believe life’s events happen out of luck. However, viewing what occurs through the reasoning of fate seems like a more rational way of looking at things.
I guess I could say that I do tend to believe everything in life is connected; things that occur, occur for a reason as apposed to events happening randomly. In Chuck Klosterman’s article “Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs”, he groups one’s outlook in life into two categories: events happen for a reason or life’s events are out of pure luck. I find I consider that everything that takes doesn’t just happen out of luck because I personally want to believe that the people I meet, the places I go to, and the events I'm faced with happen for a reason, whatever that reason may be. Believing that everything happens for a reason gives me closure and makes me as an individual feel more secure about the things that take place around me. Although, sometimes events I’ve faced seem to make no sense and occur randomly, and often I want to believe life’s events happen out of luck. However, viewing what occurs through the reasoning of fate seems like a more rational way of looking at things.
'worth a thousand words'
Burning Monk - The Self-Immolation [1963]
The picture I picked for our final blog, and to me is "worth a thousand words", is this picture of a Buddhist Monk from Vietnam who burned himself to death in a busy area in downtown Saigon. Odd? Yes, a little. But to me, this picture really speaks a thousand words.
In this picture, a Buddhist Monk set himself on fire in attempts to bring attention to the secretive policies of the Catholic Diem regime that controlled the Southern Vietnamese government at the time.
This picture shows the action committed is his source of communication. In attempts of protest and to be heard, the Monk took his own life. This shows determination and nobility; he gave his life to be heard by others.
The picture I picked for our final blog, and to me is "worth a thousand words", is this picture of a Buddhist Monk from Vietnam who burned himself to death in a busy area in downtown Saigon. Odd? Yes, a little. But to me, this picture really speaks a thousand words.
In this picture, a Buddhist Monk set himself on fire in attempts to bring attention to the secretive policies of the Catholic Diem regime that controlled the Southern Vietnamese government at the time.
This picture shows the action committed is his source of communication. In attempts of protest and to be heard, the Monk took his own life. This shows determination and nobility; he gave his life to be heard by others.
Tragically Flawed
So, in a famous Shakespearean play, I imagine myself the beloved King's daughter.I have everything going for myself, being the King's daughter and all. Wealth, power, shoes, so what I'm a little spoiled. Everything is going just swell, but wait, I forgot to mention one detail.
Well I am becoming of age to be married, and my dad is now trying to find me a proper suitor, one who can uphold our family's name. To add to this mess, I am already in love, with a peasant who works as the second gardener in our household, believe it or not.
Here is my tragic flaw: falling in love.
Despite what my dad, the King, may have in store for me, I continue to see my love every other night. Unfortunately, the snooty guard finds us, only to report his findings to the King. This unfortunately leads to my death, where my father, cruel man he is, has me killed for defying our family's name and wanting to be with a peasant. Even despite my pleas and attempts to leave my father and his riches, I am taken to be hung.
Let's just say, love does hurt!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
