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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi27530dDCc&feature=player_embedded
Before we answer this question let's start by teaching mom about what a subject is and a position in cultural studies. So we have a man who enjoys watching a little girl's show about 6 strong female leads. He finds a few friends who enjoy the show as well and begin to form a subculture, a smaller collection of views and ideals. They decide to call themselves a Brony. Well there you have it by god, a subject. So now that we have our subject lets move onto their position.
Bronies can't believe they liked the show and by the end of their contemplation they are astounded that others are becoming fans just like them. They enjoy the show, and that is their position.
How dare they. Shame on you men. How could you enjoy a show that is so emasculating for having only female leads. How could you find pleasure in watching a little girl's show. Well this is how:
Because a guy introduced a friend to a new experience and was taught by a brony on how to enjoy the show. Much like how Becker talked about casual marijuana users. Becker argued that something is not innately pleasurable unless it is taught to by others. Without that key social element, the act itself is dismissed.
This growing subculture has a very difficult position to defend. How do you call yourself a man and love this show. Or better yet, how dare you defy what society has declared what a man should and shouldn't do. Shame, a strong word that can force a child into obedience, and once cause a Japanese man to take his life. This is an interesting concept of how these people are breaking through the hegemony of society. Oh dear old mom does't know what a hegemony is? Let's just call it our apparent normal day to day views on life, or our reality of the world.
How does our mass media friend Fox News greet them? By asking them how much shame they should feel. Not should they feel shame, but how much. When a subject, our brony, takes a position, to defy the laws of what a man is, it is seen as disgraceful.
Well, how much less of a man should they feel?
I liked how you explained what a subject. It was very creative and a good way of explaining it to someone other than a student taking this class. I found it difficult to explain 'to a mom' and you found a unique way.
ReplyDeleteI also liked how you brought us Becker and how you used 'without that key social element, the act itself is dismissed'. It really sums up the necessity of having society involved.
I agree with your statement that growing subculture is a very difficult position to defend. There are so many rules, norms, and other things society drums up and changes all in a matter of days/weeks/months etc.
I also agree with your notion that when a subject takes a position that defies what the 'norms' of society is, it is usually seen as disgraceful or wrong.
Very creative! I really enjoyed reading this and I think you made some awesome connections to our readings! Your post even helped me understand a bit more about what we're learning about in class! I also loved how you posed that question at the end of your post. I mean, shouldn't they feel like more of a man because they're breaking through the norm? Super interesting piece! Loved it!
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