Since I have left the nest and traveled the world, quite literally, I have observed
quite a strange phenomenon. The things that were once artistic, political, or rebellious statements
about one’s identity are now mainstream.
Piercings, tattoos, cursing, obnoxiousness, promiscuity, voluntary bald-headed women,
and whatever else seemed odd at one point has become the norm.
So my question, are these things really still statements?
One of the big topics in my university always consist of one
finding them self and being different from everyone else.
So most teenagers and college aged students, in answer to this,
decided to go to have a statement of some sort made upon them selves,
whether it affected their physical or verbal person.
In order to be different presently, I guess you would have to be the exact opposite
of what was once opposite. No cursing, no tattoos, no piercings, no obnoxiousness,
no promiscuity, and so on and so forth. And if this were the general idea,
humans would be changing between these identities for years to come.
Interesting…
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The way you have switched ideas around is very good. I agree, and since we are all trying to be different, arent we all being the same! Funny and confusing!
Take Care,
Nikki
:) Check out my post:
http://www.progressiveu.org/232338-battle-of-the-sexes-especially-for-engineers
http://www.progressiveu.org/235117-military-appreciation
http://www.progressiveu.org/001148-remakes-keep-or-toss
The tattoos, piercings, and cursing are so common today that there really isn't anything unique about them anymore.
i disagree in some extent.
i believe tattoos can be extremely unique, all depending on the tattoo.
Since when are voluntary bald headed women the norm?
I think there's still a great deal of individuality in today's society. I have a friend that got a piercing, but then hides it and dresses very modestly when in public. She just does some crazy things with her hair. I have another friend that gets piercings all the time and dresses pretty provocatively, with the exception of when she's in softball practice. Most of the girls I had class with in high school dressed fairly modestly, and all the guys dressed respectably. Perhaps promiscuity and tattoos are not uncommon now, but that doesn't mean that everyone does/gets them.
~C
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Jessamine Q.
Yeah you are right, not everyone. Goodness knows I sure don't do any of that stuff. But a majority are now doing it and most parents are starting to let their children get these things at early ages.
Oh and the whole voluntary bald thing was an exaggeration. I guess back in the 1910s :) women with really short hair such as Halle Berry were looked on as weird.
I would love to personally have my hair cut that short then I would not have to struggle with my hair every morning.
I still feel uncomfortable with your assertion that the majority are doing it. I know a good many are, but there are also plenty that aren't. Like I said, I know that most of the girls I had class with in high school dressed modestly. Now that I'm in college, I see the same thing. There's a few girls every now and then that I see dressed promiscuously, but I wouldn't say the majority are. Guess we're seeing two different things.
~C
Visit my blog.
Jessamine Q.
I could just be wording things badly so thank you for your observation. But I think we can agree that these things are a big surprise to see anymore when walking down the the street. Unless it is totally outrageous and sometimes you have to take second look just to see if what you saw was really what you saw.
Good point. Just because things are not as shocking as they once were, doesn't mean they are now the norm. Although depending on where you live it may actually be the norm.
Many things get assimilated into the mainstream because companies want to make money off of it. It happens in fashion all the time, so why not other simple adornments of the body?
Yes, these things become trendy both so that business can sell it, and it eliminates the threat. The punk movement is a great example. Instead of the rebellious and rambunctious youth, it became about fashion, and businesses made 'punk clothing' which goes against what punk is, but it sold and it sold well (Hot Topic).
i think that people do the opposite because they want to be that person who sticks in everyone's head years and years later. i don't think there's anything wrong with it because i like people to be different.
Practically everyone from my high school was like that. Many students from my school become "rockers and goths," to distinguish themselves from the so called mainstream people, "the ballers and the hip hop people." However, the majority of the people in the school were in fact "rockers and goths." Being different to fit in does seem like the norm today, even though it is pretty ironic. People should stop trying to fit in, and start trying to truly be themselves.
i completely agree, and have always felt that way.
for that reason i only had a small group of friends at school..who really dont even get me, or are really into what i'm into, but i still love them.
Things are becomming mainstream but they are still a form of expression. More people are expressing and new tand different hings are now taking the place of it.
What used to make you different now makes you the same. But not conforming doesn't make you different either. We're all just turning into the same person. Gotta love the individuality that exists..
I am a artistic person everything I do is part of my love of art. I could not imagine a place without expression. The key to individuality is thinking.
Tiffany Southall signing out by keeping you up-to-date.
with being the same?
Today, it's practically impossible to "be yourself" with so many outside influences. You'd essentially have to live alone in a cave, and then who'd be around to experience the real you?
Better not to try and control it, and allow yourself to grow and mature with your environment, the way we were designed to do (within reason).
I could see why someone would be bitter about this subject. I'm feeling some bitter aura from some posts.
For instance: If I had gotten a tattoo, and someone else got one just like it; I may be angry. I may be insulted. Also, I may be flattered.
There are many different ways a person can be unique without piercings and tattoos. The way a person speaks, the ideas they have, they way they decorate their houses....not just the way they decorate their bodies.
I do realize that some of us may be referring to "posers". I also realize that when you look at someone who is called a "poser", it is a person trying to be something that they aren't by the way they look. You can tell the person isn't genuine, and I realize that it is a step below lying.
I think the best advice you can give people is after they are done "trying on" different things; to go with what feels best. You can tell when someone is comfortable with themselves.
Also, trends do tend to become the norm occasionally. Then another trend changes people. You can't lament about the past, when if you shaved your head and got a tattoo on it you would get noticed. I think that if such things concern you; come up with something new!
I don't believe there is a wrong approach to individuality. However, I also clearly see your points.
These are all still statements, they're just not unique statements. Instead of worrying about what everyone else is saying, one should worry about his or her own statement.
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