Jam Jars.

We watched another movie. I didn't like it either. It's called Kids.
Somehow I don't think our professor's intention is to show us movies we'll like.


Film:
I don't really have anything to say about Kids. It showed us youth culture in the US, and it did a good job of that. But it didn't REALLY challenge my preconceptions.

Readings:
Okay Gordon, let's take a look at what you have to say. A world within a world, I like that. Ooh and I like the bit about how a particular subculture relates to one's access to the rewards of national culture. I'll talk about that first.
I think I speak for us all when I wonder about the futures of the various members of the various high school cliques. Which cliques have the most members that are deemed successful by the standards of society, i.e. wealth and happiness? Is it the preps, who come from money? Or the nerds, who busted their asses to get the grade? Now we're a bit more grown up and you can't tell the subcultures apart by the lunch tables. But which ones have members who consistently succeed? The problem with this question is that people are rarely devoted to a sole subculture during their lives. As such, they typically fall into multiple groups before settling into normality. Many metaphorical hats are worn and then cast away in favor of new ones.

Is there a common denominator in the personality of members of a particular subculture? Sure, sometimes. Take a look at the youth in the movie Kids, who are generally great at not giving a fuck. Take a look at members of true punk culture, who are generally trying really hard to make it look like they don't give a fuck. But it would be wrong to think that the situation is so black and white. There might be a lot of people who can be categorized under Punk, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're all going to have the same or even similar views. Many will, but there are exceptions to every rule. What I mean is that for every hardcore punk, there is a casual punk. To think they're all the same is silly. Unless every aspect of their life is covered by an all-encompassing doctrine, punks are going to be different people, with different upbringings, outlooks and ideas.

All I'm saying is: Go ahead and categorize all you want, but people aren't jam jars (this metaphor brought to you by Caroline Casey, whose TED talk will stick with me for a looooong time). The contents won't always match the label.

Oh and Hebdige, I haven't forgotten about you, I'll get to you in my next post.