060 | Transcending Pop Culture
May 3, 2021
Minute of Transparency: Back In Our Day...
Today's Topic: Transcending Pop Culture
In this episode:
This race is for rats
The fad vs. freedom formula
Searching for contentment
// 1. THIS RACE IS FOR RATS
So we've been doing this whole podcast thing now for over 15 months - in fact this is the 60th episode - sometimes I can't believe we're that far in...
But one thing I've learned is that you can use words, or you can define words. And defining them often opens up a whole new way of thinking.
Because each of us brings our own definition to the table - even if the definition is wrong, or only half right.
So defining a word, or concept can help us see things we would normally miss.
And this was true for me when looking up the definition for "rat race."
My personal definition, the one I brought to the table, was largely centered around stress, and over-working.
But according to the Cambridge Dictionary, you can define "rat race" in the following way:
"...a way of life in modern society, in which people compete with each other for power and money."
Interesting - right? How the actual definition adds a little flavor? Unique elements I didn't have in my definition?
Things like:
"modern society" The fact that this is a new thing, a recent phenomenon that exists because of the culture we created for ourselves
"a way of life" The idea that we can get so caught up in this, that we start to view it as life itself - just the way things are supposed to be
"competition" The idea that we aren't caught up in a personal struggle - we're actually basing our success on the failures of others
"power and money" The idea that the thing we're really after is fame and fortune. Getting more. Having more. Being more than others
Crazy right? That was a whole lot more detail than I had in my personal definition - which focused on being stressed from working too hard...
This is the definition I want us to have in the back of our minds during this episode.
As we discuss Pop Culture - I want to think of it through the lens of the Rat Race.
That Pop Culture just might be an element of the Rat Race:
It can be subliminal on some level
Or it can be blatant, and easy to recognize
But either way - Pop Culture may not be the simple, fun trendy thing it appear to be.
So let's jump in and define Pop Culture:
According to dictionary.com what we're really looking at is the definition of "popular culture" of which "pop culture" is a simplification:
"Cultural activities or commercial products reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people."
So the interesting elements in this definition are:
"Activities" Things we do or take part in
"Products" Things we buy, sign up for, or pay for on a regular basis
"Reflecting" "Suited to" or "Aimed at" Three interesting clarifications. Basically that these things exist because they reflect our wants and desires, or are suited for them. But also that other people are aiming them at us - almost like a gun - because they know we're primed for them in some way
"Masses" This idea that we're doing these things or buying these things because everyone else is doing the things or buying the things
Again, interesting to break out what is really meant by the term Pop Culture...
I don't know about you - but I think my personal definition was actually spot on this time. In fact - my definition went beyond the words and actually came with flashing images of products, musicians, movies, plays, etc. Maybe because we've all been impacted by Popular Culture and on some level recognize it for what it is.
Now I don't want to spend a bunch of time on specific elements of pop culture - because specific elements change all the time.
This is where phrases like, "That was so last week..." or "That was so 2020..." come from.
This idea that popular things change quickly - and just because something was popular a year ago - doesn't mean it will be popular today.
Another phrase we use is, "…the new black" phrase.
So the TV Series, "Orange is the new black" plays off this concept.
But the idea is this: You're explaining that something has moved from obscurity to popularity.
For example, a clothing designer saying, "Brown is the new black" is saying that brown has become a popular color - a staple that year, the way black has always been a staple in clothing design.
All phrases trying to capture this idea that popularity is conditional, and changes all the time.
But let's talk generalizations - buckets that most pop culture elements fall into:
The definition suggested "activities" and "products" so let's just start with those:
Activities:
Social media
Music
Movies
Sports
Video games
Politics (especially in recent history)
Conspiracy theories
Online shopping
Products:
The right clothing
The right house in the right neighborhood, in the right school system
The right car
The right brand of computer or smart phone
The right TV. What are we up to now? 100" 8K TVs?
The right exercise platform. Peloton, Tonal, The Mirror, Hydrow, etc.
Notice I'm saying "The right..." a lot
That's because unlike activities - where we're simply involved in something - with products it is more about having the product and making sure it's the right one - the one everyone else will view as cool, or popular
Now this list could literally go on forever - and Amazon is there to ensure that it does
Spirituality/Causes:
I threw this one in just because it interested me
These could probably be clumped under "Activities" but I pulled them out for effect
First up: Spirituality
There is no doubt that there have been spiritual movements that became part of pop culture
Scientology - thanks to Tom Cruise, John Travolta and others
The Kabbalah - thanks to Madonna, and a group of Hollywood elites at the time
And those were the flavors of the day
At any point in time in Hollywood, it could be Judaism, or Christianity that are the trending religious belief system
Next up: Causes
There have always been causes, and people willing to stand up for a cause
But not like we see it today
The truth is - the younger generation is actually pushing back against some of the traditional pop culture elements
Instead they're asking questions like:
"But what do you stand for?"
"Are you helping your community?"
"Are you preserving the environment?"
"Are you an equal opportunity employer?"
etc.
They really seem like they want the world to change
It's as if they've been there, done that and they aren't happy with the pop culture norms we have in place
But the fascinating part is this:
Because this is the outcry of a generation - it is quickly becoming pop culture to them
It's the thing the masses are doing
And dare I say, it can be a competition at times?
Just look at social media! It feels like people are fighting to have the most "cause related" posts out there
To be the first to post
To be the one with the most edgy post
To be the one that posts other famous peoples posts
To be the one who can pull multiple causes into one post and get more bang for the buck
Now this isn't all bad right? I mean if an entire generation is speaking out against racism, against pollution - how can that be bad?
And I agree - if all these conversations lead to societal change in these areas - I'm all for it
I guess the danger is that the conversations are just that - conversations - part of the new pop culture - but nothing more
It's an easy bandwagon to jump on - and it requires very little investment of time or energy to be part of
But I digress... That almost felt like a soapbox there for a minute...
And doesn't that just tie in to the MOT from this episode? It was almost like I was saying, "Well back in OUR day..."
Though hopefully that isn't the way I'm approaching the younger generation.
We need to be open and listen
We weren't raised the same way
We don't live in the world they live in
We didn't have access to technology the way they do
Life is different - so they should be different!
And that's a good thing
// 2. THE FAD VS. FREEDOM FORMULA
This section of the episode is going to be pretty short.
What I want to do is present a theory, a principle, a formula if you will to describe the way Pop Culture impacts us.
Simply put, I'm suggesting that Pop Culture and Freedom are inversely proportional things.
Something is said to be inversely proportional when one side increases and the other decreases.
That said, the following statements should be true:
The more involved you are in Pop Culture, the less freedom you will enjoy
The less involved you are in Pop Culture, the more freedom you will enjoy
Now before you write me off completely...let me clarify.
There is nothing wrong with Pop Culture. I'm not suggesting we all become Amish, and remove electricity from our lives in order to experience true freedom.
Though that would be an interesting study to be part of 🙂
But remember how we started this episode? We talked about the Rat Race, and how Pop Culture plays a significant role in the racing around we do.
That's the filter I'm asking you to look through.
Now it's obvious that we're all involved with Pop Culture on some level:
We live with Pop Culture
It walks down our street
It drives by our house
It goes to our schools
It works with us at the office
It wants to be friends with us
It enters our home through the mail, email, television and the radio
If you are connected to the Internet - you are in a relationship with Pop Culture whether you like it or not
That said, it is up to us how involved we want to be. And that's really where the formula comes in.
Let me illustrate with two stories:
First, pretend you are a high school student (and if you are one - simply look at your life right now)
I'm going to assume a few things
You're searching for independence
Trying to figure out who you are
This leads to posturing - having to look a certain way, act a certain way, wear the right clothes, listen to the right music, be seen in the right places with the right people
There is typically a level of fear or anxiety in this situation
A lot of time and energy is put into studying pop culture at this age because you need to understand it in order to navigate it with your peers
And there is a level of sadness and depression that can set in when you feel left out, or can't measure up to what people view as popular
Second, pretend you're a 50 year old like me (and if you are - I feel your pain...)
Now I'm not going to assume anything here - I'm simply going to explain my situation because I'm living it
I'm not searching for independence
I know who I am
I've given up on posturing - I still like nice things - and I have favorite things - but I no longer have to have them in order to be accepted, feel accepted or fit in in any way
I don't live in fear or anxiety
I have stopped making sure I know everything going on in the world
I scroll Instagram, but haven't made the transition to TikTok for example...I know - so old school right?
And what I'm finding is that most of my sadness and depression come as byproducts of being too connected to technology and not connecting enough with the real world around me
Now I know - these two illustrations are highly stereotypical...
Results may vary...
There are numerous scenarios in high school, and kids can be impacted differently than I described. Likewise, not every 50 year old will report the same life experience I'm reporting.
And that's fine - but this doesn't change the formula - it's still valid.
I threw out very stereotypical scenarios because I wanted you to see it from the freedom perspective.
I think you would agree that the high school student described, is living in slavery on some level. They are hopelessly chained to a system that is not their friend. Pop Culture changes day by day, and trying to pin your identity on it is just painful.
In my situation, there is freedom - or at least a higher level of it. Because I have backed off the Pop Culture train and have found value and meaning in other things.
And that's the theory - the formula in a nutshell:
“The less you are caught up in Pop Culture, the greater the freedom you will experience.”
Now I still struggle with it - don't get me wrong. But not at the level I used to. And looking back I can see the formula play out:
As a teenager, I felt trapped at times and freedom was an illusion
At 50, I feel a much higher level of freedom, and am less trapped by the culture
But the funny thing is that I can still see it ebb and flow based on my behavior. The more I think about the things the world tells me are important - the less freedom I feel. And the more I focus on God, my wife and family and the passion He put within me for writing - the more I can feel the freedom return.
// 3. SEARCHING FOR CONTENTMENT
To wrap things up lets swap out two words.
Let's get rid of the word freedom, and in its place use the word contentment.
Because at the end of the day - what we're choosing - is to be content. And in a round about way we experience a whole new level of freedom.
When we get to the place where we're able to identify what it takes to achieve this freedom, we feel lighter, we worry less, we can see the forest for the trees and we are able to be that much more productive.
You can engage in Pop Culture and still be content. But only to a point. And only you can determine where that point is.
If you're feeling stressed out, anxious, tense, depressed, jealous, unseen:
Maybe it's because too much of your focus is on Pop Culture
Maybe you're caught up in the Rat Race - doing all the things our culture tells us are important
Maybe you're doing all the things culture tells you you have to do to be popular, accepted and successful
Maybe you've given up some of your freedom for the lies our culture tells us
But if that's true - and you know it's true - you're in a good place - because knowing is half the battle.
And knowing this about yourself will help you take steps away from Pop Culture to the things that really matter.
No I know - this is hard. And it's actually a lot harder for some of us than others.
The younger you are - the stronger the pull Pop Culture will have on you. As an adult, if you haven't done the hard work to understand yourself and your worth - you may feel the same pull.
But in either scenario - there is a next step you can take. And it all has to do with getting your priorities lined up. It might look a little like this:
STEP 1: Understand Your Value
Not value because you are keeping up with Pop Culture
Value because you were created by God - and He loves you just the way you are
STEP 2: Understand Your Role
Knowing your value helps you live differently
You can hold your head high because you have value no matter what the label on your clothing says. No matter what type of car you drive
And you will learn to view others in the same way - as valuable children of God no matter how popular they are in society. Accepting people who don't fit the Pop Culture mold
STEP 3: Understand the Balance
If you've made it through the first two steps - you're ready to engage Pop Culture
Not by diving in head first - as that can derail you from the great progress you've made
But at this stage, you should understand Pop Culture for what it is
And you should be able to balance it out in your life
You still watch television
You still scan social media
You still buy popular products
But at this point it should be from a whole different vantage point
You're able to find the value in the activity or product, without letting it determine your value
And if needed, you can let it go
Because you see the negative influence it is having on your life
Let’s Land the Plane:
This week, wrestle with the following questions:
What does your Rat Race look like?
Does it include an unhealthy level of Pop Culture attraction?
Do you long for the freedom that comes with being content?
If so, write the three steps on a 3x5 card and put it somewhere you will see it on the regular
Then read them over each time you see the card
And slowly begin to practice contentment
Thank you for hanging out with us today. This was as much for my benefit as it was for yours. I think we all struggle with Pop Culture, and feeling like we need to keep up in order to be somebody.
Luckily we know that isn't true - we just need to keep reinforcing it.
Until next time, have a great week, stop racing the rats, and keep Transcending Human!