Fashion Hell
D. Halligan wrote:
[ ]
> Fashion obviously serves some purpose, I’d argue it serves many. It helps
> lure in potential partners (for propagating the species in the most primal
> sense as we see throughout the animal world or just for a little fun) and
I’d emphasize the ‘a little fun’ part. Partners for childrearing result from fashion couplings?
I know it takes all kinds, but….
I read po-mo Baudrilliard where he said something about fashion
being the slipperiest thing going in culture. The perfect picture
of our culture. Pure vaccuum, or something like that.
So maybe on the one hand it says a lot, on the other
it’s out there actin greasy. Anyone know what he meant?
Those po-mo guys?
[ ]
> If you want to tell me what you are wearing
> I could equally tear it apart
Sure you’d equally analyze a variety of fashions but the
conclusions would likely all be different and reveal differing levels of merit and
quality. Fashion isn’t all equal.
It might tell us about the varying importance of identity
to the person. The clinging to outward signs of identity is often
an undeveloped state, reaching its peak in middle school years,
but often staying stuck there for life, whether the person is aware
of it or not.
Fashion can be as creative as anything, but how often is it?
That would figure into any conclusion.
Fashion is easily stereotyping. If the person fulfills the stereotype
upon further questioning, add that to your conclusion, for better
or worse. Some fashions indicate a reliable person, other kinds indicate
traits that might include unreliability, cultivated stupidity—“all you’ll
get outta me is a ‘doh, wassup'”—a hedonistic flair, greed, following
this group or that.
Fashion shows different levels of development in the wearer and
the reaction of the observer and they ain’t all equal.
*****
Shaun Richman wrote:
[ ]
> I agree with Dan, that fashion is quite helpful in the whole mating game
> thing.
But I think this is part of the Big Lie. Nearly every aspect of pop culture
has glommed itself onto the energies of the mating game. Hardly anyone would
do ANY of these stupid modern behaviors otherwise. But no one gets mates from
them! Emptiness and no results is part of the plan, too: get ya hooked, to have to
keep going back to try to be refilled. —Ya don’t get mates from going to the bar or
concerts. Not from fashion or music neither. It’s deeper longer than that. So to speak.
The funny thing is that I don’t think you really get mates from sex either.
With a mate you get past that pretty quick (not like it’s unimportant of course,
everything is important that’s real). Of course accidents happen and the silliest
things ever become the little triggers that get relationships going. But MATING
is a huge leap past casual relationship. You laugh about what brought you together
later. (THAT’S why you liked me?) But our whole culture intentionally creates
huge wastes of time and energy, with the goal of net cashflow their way,
forgetfulness our way. Better cultures avoid such malarkey, strengthen their people
to shun it. Really no one has the time to waste.
