MTV Generation?

[camus8]

This morning NPR had a story saying that this generation's college students are the most narcissistic in all generations. Everything is about them and the world would be a better place if they were "in charge

Comments

My thoughts - post 2

[babs_da_crusha]

4) As far as expressing individuality or uniqueness (and in regards to Nietzsche) -- modern capitalistic economies may provide the individual w/ a wider variety of choices and the ability to choose an identity, but often these are not unique or individualistic at all. Nietzsche hated capitalism because he believed that mass consumption contributed to the development of a "herd mentality" and did not allow room for expression of individuality or uniqueness. Still, there is the problem that these shows socialize children into thinking that being somebody unique depends on what and how you consume goods.

5) Lastly, I don't watch MTV often (or much TV for that matter), but I do admit to watching My Super Sweet 16 and Laguna Beach. My friend refers to this as "cultural anthropology." In fact, for amusement, I've developed a drinking game to these shows. Highly entertaining, especially the more you drink. As far as the dating shows go, I haven't watched to many of those, but my friend and I were addicted to elimidate for awhile. The stereotyping of gender roles in that show is unbelievable. I've been trying to find a clip I can download to show to my students when we discuss gender. I've been having trouble finding any clips or shows I can download. Also, sadly enough it is not on the air anymore.

Okay, I'll stop writing now. I didn't think I'd have this much to say about this topic, but I guess I did. I've had similar type of sentiments and thoughts running through my head for the past couple of years, but this is the first time I've actually written something about them (actually, thanks because now I think I have some lecture notes written for next time I teach intro. soc.)

Re: My thoughts - post 2

[banefinn]

I *really* want to post a long, rambly comment about Marxism, commodity fetishism, and cultural anthropology ... but I have to work in a couple of hours, so I can't really do that right now. I will say that I prefer De Certeau to Nietsche in the context of constructed identity, primarily because the former embraces a much more liberating and (in my opinion) realistic model of the ways in which commodities are recoded by their owners to create a sort of bricolage of semiotic identifiers.

One of the problems I've always had with mainline Marxist theory is its belief that the audience is unworthy of comment. Going back to Adorno, there has always been this strong vein of thinking which can be summed up as: "Anyone who likes popular culture is obviously not smart enough to be trusted with power." I don't agree with that.

I'd put most of the blame on bad parenting (and mentoring), as it has been responsible (directly) for most of the tragedies of recent American culture (Columbine, the MTV generation, etc.). When parents abdicate their responsibilities and authorities in the lives of their children, it is only a matter of time before those children revert to a form of savagery. The same is true in the case of teachers; when it became "acceptable" that young boys would bully one another to establish a heirarchy, educators laid the groundwork for later misery.

I don't care what Jack Thompson or Michael Moore say, a video game didn't make those kids kill people. Being systematically abused while the school system looked the other way caused it. The video games were only a warning sign, and should have been seen by the parents - who were too busy jetsetting to raise their children.

Sorry, as a graduate of an MA degree in Popular Culture Studies, I get a little tired of the media ragging on society's productions as the cause of its sins. Not that you were; quite the opposite. I just got a little worked up.

Re: My thoughts - post 2

[babs_da_crusha]

Interesting comment - I don't think I have read any De Certeau, so I can't offer any comment on that. I do find Nietzsche actually rather liberating at times, but I do agree that some of his thought is overly optimistic, especially in terms of the ability for there to be a cultural revaluation of values (i.e. where fear and uncertainty no longer form the basis for our morality and culture - i see this as such a fundamental part of human existence, I don't know how that could be overcome).

I do agree that some of it is parenting - but, I would not want to cite that as the main reason for recent social problems. (even certain characteristics of bad parenting can be related to other sociological factors or structural problems. I didn't include this in my previous post and I almost edited my comment because it kind of bothered me . . . but, as a sociologist, I think that any explanation of sociological phenomena is not reducible down to one or two factors or causes. Social reality is extremely complex (and attempting to explain that complexity can be difficult). My post earlier does lean heavily toward class as an explanation, but I don't think that is the only or one of the most important explanations for why we have a narcisstic generation of teenagers/kids. I'm not saying that you are doing this with parenting, but I did want to make it explicit that I am aware of the importance of understanding the complexity.

Given that you don't necessarily prefer Nietzsche, I can also see why you don't necessarily prefer Adorno's ideas on pop culture and who holds power. I am actually taking a seminar in Critical Theory right now, so I can't say I can offer much of a response back, at least not until I have a better understanding of the Frankfurt school, Horkheimer, Adorno, etc.

I totally understand about getting worked up about things . . . hence my long, rambling posts that take up way too much space. Where did you get your MA in Popular Culture studies?