One Man's Trash...
I have always enjoyed a branch of liberal arts which combines sociology, psychology, and anthropology. The names most often used to classify the diverse topics this covers are "culturology" and "media studies".
Basically, it means you can indulge whatever idiotic and fun obsesion you have, and at the end of the day feel like you are not just wasting time-you are doing research.
Whether it's comic books, noise music, rollercoasters, japanese cosplay, snails, conspiracy theory, or 1920s film stars, there are connections to the way society operates, and reflections of how the group consciousness of humans functions.
My own "important reseach work" has concentrated on Trash Culture :))
I could spend a lot more time explaining the concept, but not do as good a job as a search of Google would for anyone interested in learning more on the subject.
Instead here's some pictures of
