Category: pop culture

From The Mouths of Millennials: Why They Are Awesome!

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 6 Comments

Since the day I walked into my first job as a consumer culture researcher and brand strategist,  the number one "target" for the roster of companies on my client list was Millennials.  Then:  tweens and teens ready to enter the working world and start driving cars and buying several cars from complete auto loans -  … Continue reading From The Mouths of Millennials: Why They Are Awesome!

Nine Pieces From Ninth Street: Philly street Art

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I had the opportunity to spend a few days in Philly this week for the second time in a few months doing some fieldwork. My team and I spent time in several neighborhoods - in people's homes observing life and food culture. I remember before we arrived someone mentioned that a few of the blocks … Continue reading Nine Pieces From Ninth Street: Philly street Art

Coming Together Over Free Coffee: A Starbucks Political Statement and Marketing Magic

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 4 Comments

The U.S. political environment is pretty bound up these days with the debt ceiling crisis and government shutdowns, etc.  All the CNN and MSNBC addicts among my readers (I imagine quite a few) are likely well aware.  If you look to your Facebook and Twitter feeds you will likely see lots of griping and general … Continue reading Coming Together Over Free Coffee: A Starbucks Political Statement and Marketing Magic

The Loneliest Generation?

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This article poses an interesting paradox: how is it that the most socially networked generation in history is also potentially the loneliest? I suppose the idea here is that in the era of being able to carefully curate your public facing identity we are missing the ability to make more intimate human connections and thus limiting our self actualization ability.
I am not sure I buy it – honestly. I think the social network environment actually opens up more opportunity for human intimacy – introducing us to people with similar ideas and ideas that we may never have met otherwise – allowing us to have friends wherever we go and thus giving us more possibilities to connect with one another and further our pursuit of “who am I and what am I doing here”.
Interested in thoughts out there. Are Millennials really that lonely?

So-Called Millennial

Recently a clever video went viral called The Innovention of Loneliness which illustrates some of the modern problems that have been introduced because of the Internet and technology. If you’re a millennial, most of what the video talks about will feel familiar, like the ability to “self-edit” and constantly be plugged-in to our communication platforms. Mark-Anthony Smith of Entitled Millennial wrote about his personal experience of growing up with social media starting with AOL Instant Messenger all the way back in 1998! His experience should also be very familiar to the average millennial. It correlated with my experience as well, and acknowledges that the internet (for good or ill) is an integral part of how millennials grew up.

I thought I would follow up by talking about the video, and some of my thoughts on the impact the internet has had on our ability to relate with each other.

The…

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Best of The Best Street Art and the Role of Art In An Urban Context

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 3 Comments

My favorite thing about street art is that it puts art, literally, in context.  Rather, it creates art within a context: expressing something about local and / or popular social mores in a forum that allows denizens of  that context to be disrupted with a different kind of conversation starter. It addresses issues relevant to … Continue reading Best of The Best Street Art and the Role of Art In An Urban Context

DragonCon In Context

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About four years ago my wife and I met at DragonCon: a Fantasy/sci-fi/comics/all-things super-nerdy convention held annually in downtown Atlanta. While both of us are needs at heart (and in-practice) in many ways - we were there as mostly observers that year - hanging out at one of the host hotel bars observing hundreds of … Continue reading DragonCon In Context

The Lesbiman: A New Masculine Ideal?

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 4 Comments

In the last couple of years I have spent a good amount of time studying the context  of the American Male (often in comparison with other geographies / cultures).  The concept of masculinity as a part of how men make their consumer behavior choices is pretty interesting.  I have been affirmed in some areas and … Continue reading The Lesbiman: A New Masculine Ideal?

Some Context for Restoring Faith In Humanity: A Little Bit of Kindness Can Make a Huge Impact

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 3 Comments

I thought this one was worth the share. It made me tear up, anyway. I think too often we look at people as "us" versus "them". It's basic Sociology: Conflict Theory. It states that in order for society to function in an orderly fashion, we need to have a common enemy. A bit misguided perhaps … Continue reading Some Context for Restoring Faith In Humanity: A Little Bit of Kindness Can Make a Huge Impact

First World Problems: Part Deux

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 3 Comments

A couple of months ago I posted a blog about lamenting our "first world problems" and was reminded of it when I found myself in the midst of a bitch-fest at a dear friend's company's happy hour to welcome his new French intern. We both looked up mid-complaint at one point, simultaneously realizing our ridiculousness. … Continue reading First World Problems: Part Deux

New “big bang” theory for men

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 1 Comment

I like this take from the other side of the pond on commercial formation of the masculine ideal - given the relevance to topics I am pursuing in research right now about American Men... Related articles Decoding masculinity: Q&A with Robb Willer, professor of sociology (stanforddaily.com) Conversations About Masculinity: Who Is The American Male? (thenarcissisticanthropologist.com)