Chrysoula ([info]chrysoula) wrote,
@ 2002-12-02 20:31:00
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Structures
After reading the discussion today at [info]zogathon's journal, I had some connected but not entirely on topic thoughts of my own.

Basically, they come down to this: I believe, in America, almost everybody is part of one, or usually more, cultures. In each culture, there are three kinds of people. There are celebrities, there are producers, and there are observers. I suppose by 'culture' I mean what most people mean by 'subculture'. And I think this applies to every such culture I can think of, from movie production to hairdressing to fashion to local town politics to net.geeks to gamers. Celebrities are the names everybody knows. Producers are those who are definitely a part of the culture, but unrecognized and unnotable. Observers are those outside the culture who nonetheless enjoy participating in it passively


Hmmm...

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Hee hee!!
[info]xleste
2002-12-02 11:38 pm UTC (link)
I'm often amused at some of the things that influence a culture, and the construction of ideas, like what you mentioned with Animal Crossing.

For instance, I theorize that Crayola has shaped a few generations' perceptions of colors. Ex: a common conception of the color "puce" or "periwinkle" or "chartreuse" probably arose from Crayola mass marketing crayons in their 64 pack named those particular names. I think lipstick manufacturers do it within a limited segment of the population too. For instance, Mac make-up fans all know what color "plum" and "purr" is, just like Chanel users may know that "Desire" is a different shade of pink.

Just a piece of food for thought for you, some leadership literature indicates that some of the most successful leaders are those who are really in touch with the "observers". That might be a variable thing from one kind of "culture" to another in your view of culture. Like, that might be true in business culture and the notion of leadership, and NOT true in umm...something else I can't think of right now 'cause I'm tired.

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Re: Hee hee!!
[info]chrysoula
2002-12-03 12:12 am UTC (link)
The Crayola thing is really interesting and quite possible.

For reference, I don't necessarily think the celebrities are always the leaders in their culture, except by setting examples to follow. I wouldn't say all cultures HAVE leaders in the traditional 'guiding' sense, although some definitely do. Also, when I mean 'ignore' I mean 'try not to pay attention to the fact that hundreds or thousands of people /know their name/ and they /don't know them/. I hear that's bad for the digestion sometimes! Although yeah, the most beloved celebs are always those who can relax and interact with observers peaceably. Everybody Alton Brown signed a book for at the booksigning we attended was treated to a personal introduction from him. It was fascinating to stand in line waiting and watch him, as each group or person approached his table, stand there, stick out his hand, and cheerfully say, "Hi, I'm Alton," with a real sense of being genuine.

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