When I was younger, I was totally plugged in to pop culture. I watched all the coolest shows, listened to all the latest music, and yes, even wore the latest fashion. That's right, I had some Skidz back in the day. I also went with the mullet and the round sunglasses that flipped up like Dwayne Wayne's from the show A Different World. I even tried sporting an earring in my left ear to mirror that of George Michael, because I had faith!
In the 90's it was all about grunge. I had all the albums - Green Day, Nirvana, Sound Garden, Alice in Chains, watched all the videos (back when MTV still played videos), went to the club, got my drink on with all the co-eds at college, watched all the popular TV shows like Friends and Will and Grace and The Real World back when The Real World was the only reality TV show. I was totally immersed in pop culture and I loved it.
Fast-forward to 2010. Now I stand in line at the grocery store and I see all these magazines about who is dating who, who had who's baby, and I just don't care any more. Not only that, but I think, "who in the world gives a rats ass about this stuff?" Why should I care about some star's life? I see movies like "The Social Network" and I think, "why on earth would someone pay $10 to go see a movie about the guy who started facebook?" That looks like the dumbest movie ever made. I saw a magazine cover the other day that read, "Get beautiful in 5 minutes!" Do people really believe this mess?
It's not that I don't pay attention to pop culture and I'm like some old miser living in the forest mailing bombs out; it's just that I don't care about it any more. I still know what's going on. I read the news, I know who is popular, I know what movies are out, etc. It's just that it is no longer a part of me. It's not who I am any more. I don't let the world influence me as much as I used to. I define me, not the world and pop culture.
The older I got the less and less I payed attention to pop culture. Kids, work, house, cars, church - all these things became important to me. I also started to mature (finally). Then I started realized what a dumbass I was back then! Maybe that's it - maybe I just don't want to be that person any more because I realize how incredibly stupid I was; how immature I was; and how many dumb decisions I made. I don't want to be that person any more. I want to be a man - a real man. One that stands up for his family; one that fights for what is right even if it costs me; one that is a great father. You see if I'm going to be all those things, I have to let go of who I was and become a man. Because a real man doesn't run when the crap hits the fan. A real man is left standing when all else has fallen down. And I can't be a real man if I'm hanging on to the boy that I once was.
In the 90's it was all about grunge. I had all the albums - Green Day, Nirvana, Sound Garden, Alice in Chains, watched all the videos (back when MTV still played videos), went to the club, got my drink on with all the co-eds at college, watched all the popular TV shows like Friends and Will and Grace and The Real World back when The Real World was the only reality TV show. I was totally immersed in pop culture and I loved it.
Fast-forward to 2010. Now I stand in line at the grocery store and I see all these magazines about who is dating who, who had who's baby, and I just don't care any more. Not only that, but I think, "who in the world gives a rats ass about this stuff?" Why should I care about some star's life? I see movies like "The Social Network" and I think, "why on earth would someone pay $10 to go see a movie about the guy who started facebook?" That looks like the dumbest movie ever made. I saw a magazine cover the other day that read, "Get beautiful in 5 minutes!" Do people really believe this mess?
It's not that I don't pay attention to pop culture and I'm like some old miser living in the forest mailing bombs out; it's just that I don't care about it any more. I still know what's going on. I read the news, I know who is popular, I know what movies are out, etc. It's just that it is no longer a part of me. It's not who I am any more. I don't let the world influence me as much as I used to. I define me, not the world and pop culture.
The older I got the less and less I payed attention to pop culture. Kids, work, house, cars, church - all these things became important to me. I also started to mature (finally). Then I started realized what a dumbass I was back then! Maybe that's it - maybe I just don't want to be that person any more because I realize how incredibly stupid I was; how immature I was; and how many dumb decisions I made. I don't want to be that person any more. I want to be a man - a real man. One that stands up for his family; one that fights for what is right even if it costs me; one that is a great father. You see if I'm going to be all those things, I have to let go of who I was and become a man. Because a real man doesn't run when the crap hits the fan. A real man is left standing when all else has fallen down. And I can't be a real man if I'm hanging on to the boy that I once was.
I love all of your thoughts Vans! I feel much the same way now actually. already... haha im only 20 years old and i hate pop culture. i think its a complete waste of time and money and so insignificant compared to reality. i feel somewhat disconnected from it because as a 20 year old kid, i feel like i should be connected to all of those things but i feel like its immature and a poor investment of time. so many things in life seem so much more important to me. your thoughts are very encouraging because not only do they provide insight, they also show that life isnt just about those shallow and hopeless things but so so much more.
ReplyDeletethanks for your kind words Kevin! I am glad you already realize what I didn't until much later! You hit the nail on the head! Good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAwesome writing. I'm really looking forward to reading more of your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Pop culture is pretty vapid. Definitely a sign of us getting OLD :)
ReplyDeleteI read those words and it's exactly what I thing when I "pause" my life a sec and think about it. I loose to much time or give to much time just hanging around, doing fun things only, trying to "stun" my mind and forget myself, I really run after fun things, and try to avoid those that are not, but I should run after things that makes me become the man I want to be.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comments everyone!
ReplyDeleteTrue dat! I know I'm 'over the hill' when I just don't give a poop about anybody but my family. That's what matters to me. Good stuff dude!
ReplyDeleteI'm 15 and, if you look on my iPod, your never gonna find any pop-culture trash on it.I've never liked rap, or metal, and today's pop-rock artists (aka Daughtry or Bon Jovi.. even though he's not so much "today") make me wanna throw my radio through the window sometimes. So heh who knows? Maybe when i get 'over the hill' my inner pop culture junkie will come to light..?
ReplyDeleteI don't wanna grow up. =P
Well written though!!
Yes, it's because you are older. Yes, you are becoming your parents. (Cue horror music)No, I don't think education caused this transformation, but having the wisdom to focus on the things in life that are truly fulfilling and have eternal impact certainly did. It's who you are now...a grown up. Gulp.
ReplyDeleteAnd there is NO WAY you have forgotten to have fun! Impossible.
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