Taste Cultures

8/29/11
Today in class we talked about taste cultures and why people like what they like. This caused me to do a self-evaluation of what I appreciate and why I appreciate it. Why do I hate reality shows? Why is Bob Dylan my hero? Why do I have less respect for my friends who watch Jersey Shore? Why do I enjoy listening to albums on vinyl? Why do I hate Justin Beiber? Why do I love Madmen and Arrested Development?
After some contemplation I came to the conclusion that I appreciate intellect and intelligence. I like things that take thought, creativity, intelligence, and that may require more thought and contain a deeper meaning. I enjoy listening to albums that you have to listen to a few times through in order to fully understand or appreciate. I like songs that have deeper meaning, where the lyrics can be taken out of the song onto paper and still be beautiful. I enjoy artists that write their own music, play their own instruments, and that put thought into their music. I enjoy shows that require historical knowledge. I enjoy comedy shows that require thought and knowledge in order to understand the jokes.
With this said, I hate the majority of things that are popular, because they are quite the contrary. I hate the fact that uneducated morons are paid millions of dollars to be on television while partying and flexing their muscles in their tight wife beaters. I hate Snookie. I hate the fact that the typical “hit” on the radio is usually written by someone then passed to someone else with a pretty face with no artistic ability who then claims that the song is theirs. These untalented people are then praised and go on to become millionaires. I hate reality TV and the fact that people think that it is actually real life.
I don’t hate these things because I am cynical. I hate these things because they require no deep thought and no intellectual ability. We as a society are putting our values into things that are absolutely worthless, and that disturbs me. American culture is taking a major turn for the worst simply with the things we choose to put our time, value, and money into. I think it’s a matter of lack of self-respect.
If you’re reading this, you’re most likely too smart to be sinking down to Snookie’s level. So stop. It’s that simple. Stop contributing to the downfall of our society by putting your values into trash.