media does have something to contribute to these ideologies, but it's not the only influence and it is shockingly weighted in the article, perhaps precisely for the virality factor.
that's a good thesis, i think.
the popular discourse around "media consumption" is really bizarre to me - i expect these sorts of conversations in fandom contexts because "having an intense relationship with a particular work of art" is kind of the definition of the hobby, but the degree of mainstream obsession with popular culture as a political arena kind of alarms me. obviously art has always been political - obviously the politics of art can be very, very important - but also, like, i don't know. it's easier, materially and psychologically, to obsess over the politics of children's cartoons than it is to organize for better housing rights, which is something i feel like this article is simultaneously doing (without really being aware of it?) and criticizing.
that said, i think it's spot on that market actors benefit from this self-infantilizing ideology; that mainstream media to some extent encourages it; and that these big brands would really, really like it if you built your whole identity around your relationship to harry potter or marvel movies or whatever, which are all things people need to be vigilant of, and which are all things that also very much alarm me.
tl;dr the article gave me similarly mixed feelings!
i definitely do feel like a 26-year-old teenager. that was an "i'm in this picture and i don't like it" moment, lol. it's heartening to hear you've been making progress on that front and that you've been feeling better for it.
also - i followed you not that long ago, and we've never spoken, so: hi! i'm finch. nice to meet you. let me know if this is or isn't the sort of engagement you want.
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momijizukamori
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Date: 2023-03-16 01:36 am (UTC)that's a good thesis, i think.
the popular discourse around "media consumption" is really bizarre to me - i expect these sorts of conversations in fandom contexts because "having an intense relationship with a particular work of art" is kind of the definition of the hobby, but the degree of mainstream obsession with popular culture as a political arena kind of alarms me. obviously art has always been political - obviously the politics of art can be very, very important - but also, like, i don't know. it's easier, materially and psychologically, to obsess over the politics of children's cartoons than it is to organize for better housing rights, which is something i feel like this article is simultaneously doing (without really being aware of it?) and criticizing.
that said, i think it's spot on that market actors benefit from this self-infantilizing ideology; that mainstream media to some extent encourages it; and that these big brands would really, really like it if you built your whole identity around your relationship to harry potter or marvel movies or whatever, which are all things people need to be vigilant of, and which are all things that also very much alarm me.
tl;dr the article gave me similarly mixed feelings!
i definitely do feel like a 26-year-old teenager. that was an "i'm in this picture and i don't like it" moment, lol. it's heartening to hear you've been making progress on that front and that you've been feeling better for it.
also - i followed you not that long ago, and we've never spoken, so: hi! i'm finch. nice to meet you. let me know if this is or isn't the sort of engagement you want.