Carpe Diem/Mixed Signals

Hope the title isn't too clever, but the topic for discussion is YOLO (ugh) and the song "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams. 

YOLO, stemming from a song by Drake means You Only Live Once. It is a degraded version of Carpe Diem. For those of you who have seen Dead Poets Society you must also cringe at YOLO as well.

Unfortunately, YOLO brought about teens doing frankly stupid things and the acronym to blame it all was YOLO.  For example, a friend of mine relayed a story about her younger sister's friend. A boy was standing in the cafeteria and tossed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at the wall, in hopes of a food fight, he screamed YOLO as he performed this. This is all documented on his detention slip. What a waste of a good sandwich.

Lately there has been a lot of hype around the song "Blurred Lines" which Robin Thicke reportedly told Huffington Post that, "It was nice to disrespect women for once." It was unfortunate to hear these words come from a man who I would swoon over listening and watching the music video to "Lost Without You." The excuse for this behavior is that both he and Pharrell Williams are happily married with children, so they see no harm in it.

The song is so darn catchy. The overall message however, is a bit tragic. Not that we haven't had other main stream media music that has been appalling. A chart topper right now is called "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk.

 

My case for these is only that it will pass and while it is around it will be catchy, but I think it comes down to values and knowing that this song isn't going to change the world or represent all of the men in it.

Here is how I've broken it down: Defiant teen doing rebellious act = Screams YOLO. Guy trying to dance with girl and/or take her home, gets rejected = Cries out damned Blurred Lines!

I doubt the rate of assault and other such atrocities will increase or be promoted through this song. Look back to the songs of the 80s, or to Jersey Boys "What a Lady What a Night." I'm going to be honest I had no idea that song was about a prostitute.

The censored music video for "Blurred Lines" tries to make is more comical that the artists cannot have it the way they originally desired (see next paragraph). Still is demeaning over all. The men look like goons and the girls look like fools.

The uncensored music video (click on link to view video) does cause a bit of discomfort because the men are fully dressed while standing next to the naked women dancing. It is sort of a power struggle and a bit awkward. They don't need to lose a stitch of clothing as the women are dancing next to them. See for yourself. That I have to say is probably the only part that causes concern. If they had lost at least their shirts it would seem that both sexes are on the same level but the obvious lack of clothing and differentiation is alarming and degrading.

Just to sum it up, YOLO is for idiots, please prevent them from using this term and express how moronic they sound and the song "Blurred Lines" is but a passing song and will not effect young adults to think anymore "unholy" as they already do, nor do I think will it make them act in that fashion.

"Come on Barbie Let's Go Party"

Though Aqua had the scandalous modern Barbie's antics down, recently Huffington Post showed us what the average American woman would look like as a Barbie as compared to the stilt with hair.

As we know children grow up playing with dolls, I will not just target little girls on this. Girls play with Barbie (honestly I loved brushing their hair, but it got really knotty and I found that frustrating) and she is thin, wears make-up, tiny heels (MAJOR chocking hazard by the way), and aprons and various other "girly" or "female" oriented career clothing (barf). Following this boys also deem girls to be interested in these things and pink and other such atrocities. Not saying that boys are better off, having loud commercials that promote the stereotype that boys need colorful and violent action toys.

-Side note: I played with Barbie, Ninja turtles, Lion King, and Power Rangers, and yes they all shared a seat in Barbie's pink Corvette.

There have been various studies conducted on this and how it effects behavior, but I think the visual of the work that Nickolay Lamm did by creating a true all-American Barbie is fascinating.

As I look at this comparison I think that normal sized Barbie (the one who actually shares proportions similar to mine) is more attractive and something that I think young girls would like to play with. You know this doll will spark a new study. Barbie's body is not ideal. She would have many medical issues. From a possible necessary breast reduction, to aiding her in walking with her peculiar arch in her feet.

Hope they start selling this model on the shelves!

 

Much Ado About Something

It has been quite a while since my last post. I know my dearest and loyal (maybe one) fans have missed my blogging activity.

I would like to address that over this time gap a lot has changed in our world. We re-elected Obama, were fearful of Romney taking away our choice, Gays have the ability to enjoy a legal marriage with all the benefits that straight couples receive, Plan B was proposed to be available over the counter for girls, and Texas is fighting to stop abortion. There are of course plenty more things that have occurred, but you intelligent readers have been following the news and know this already.

Currently I have been changing fields of study and career paths. As it is listed somewhere I studied Journalism at Iona College. I have graduated and now am looking towards law school. With this I would like to study Media and Entertainment Law so that I can work with major publications and make a change.

If you follow me on twitter, @anj4insights I have been keeping extremely busy on there! So much so that Joanna Coles, @joannacoles Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine, has favorited a fair amount of my posts. So if you are not following me, then you certainly should!

Let me speak more about Joanna Coles. Joanna Coles, who you can read more about her origins by clicking her name, has done something magnificent. She has taken my dream, tear, and is pushing Cosmopolitan back to it's great history of being a "Fun, Fearless, Female" publication by reviving it with stories that focus on women's issues both here and abroad. She has taken the reins and made the publication political, and has given writers the ability to be true journalists. I cannot wait for the future success this publication will bring.


Enough spoiling Ms. Coles with my admiration. Additionally there are many women and men who have made some astounding contributions over this time that I have not been writing. When I was at a convention this past summer for a Gujarati festival, I met Sunil Desai, he is the President and Treasurer of the Bindi Project @BindiProject. This organization is passionately pursuing and giving the well deserved respect for women that both Indian men and women, boys and girls should share. I celebrate and admire their efforts. www.bindiproject.org

 

Additionally I would like to speak about Sheryl Sandberg, @sherylsandberg who wrote Lean In. It was a phenomenal read and I highly suggest anyone who is working in a corporate setting read it, or anyone who intends on pursuing any form of career. I will probably refer to this book again since I have underlined my favorite lines and ideas (so just about 50% of the book). I tried to refrain, but it is difficult. Visit http://leanin.org/ to see the organization.

Sorry my first posting in some time has dragged and been a bit scatter brained. I have so many things to write about and share but the first post I think should be like a pilot episode, a little bit of this a little bit of that and you have a semi decent picture of the fun in store.

I look forward to some responses and to chatting with you all soon.
Let the fun begin!