Sub cultures are found in every country all over the world. The video clip above is from a documentary called 'Trekkies' one of the larger and more well-known fan clubs in America, fans of the 'Star Trek' television shows and movies.
Trekkies are known for their fanaticism and in depth knowledge of the Star Trek world. They visit yearly conventions all over the country, and have formed organizations similar to those found in the show. Each of the groups have a commander and certain officers, and can go 'on duty' or 'on assignment'.
One of the most famous incidents highlighting the lengths to which Trekkies are willing to go to show their devotion to the show occured during the White Water trials involving President Clinton in 1996. The following is from Wikipedia:
"During the 1996 Whitewater controversy, a bookbindery employee named Barbara Adams served as an alternate juror. During the trial Adams wore a Star Trek: The Next Generation-style Starfleet Command division uniform, including a commbadge, a phaser, and a tricorder.[2]
Adams was dismissed from the trial for conducting a sidewalk interview with the television program American Journal.[2] The major news media reported(wrongfully) that she was dropped for wearing her Star Trek uniform to the trial. Adams noted she was dropped because she talked to a reporter of America Journal about her Trek uniform and not anything about the trial.[3] Although nothing was deemed as a trial enclosure violation, the rule was clearly stated: no juror was to communicate with the press in any manner.
Adams stated the judge at the trial was supportive of her. She said she believed in the principles expressed in Star Trek and found it an alternative to "mindless television" because it promotes tolerance, peace, and faith in mankind.[2]"
From this and other examples, it's easy to see that members of this subculture are not afraid of the 'combining' of two worlds - the real world and the fantasy world they are so enamored with.
My questions are these: Subcultures as a whole have usually a few major things that differentiate them from the surrounding culture. At what level do contradictions to the normal culture become a threat, or do they at all? Is immersing ones self in a subculture lifestyle to the point of neglecting parts of their 'normal' lifestyle healthy, or is there a problem?
36 comments:
I definitely think that it is unhealthy and bad when some members of these types so subcultures focus so much on their "other" world that the real world loses its reality in their minds. I remember hearing not long ago about a guy who committed suicide and left a not basically stating that he was freeing himself from the matrix. I can't honestly prove this did happen, I just heard it did, but regardless, the point is that when fanaticism reaches these kinds of points, its definitely not a good thing.
When people don't live in reality they lose touch with real life and this behavior easily becomes unhealthy. There's the saying, live in your own movie, for a reason.
There was a clip I saw of William Shatner making fun of the trekkies that came to see him at a Star Trek Convention. He said to them, "It's just a show." And so it is. I grew watching the Star Trek movies because my dad was into them alot. However, we're not part of this subculture that is obsessed with it. There is a real world.
I agree with the above statements - when you immerse yourself so much into a subculture that you lose your own personal self, I think that's unhealthy. It's like having an extreme parasocial relationship with a character on television. Once you begin to act like them, dress like, and in the end be them, you have crossed the line into an an unhealthy parasocial relationship.
I agree with Megan. I think there's a line between living within a group and letting it consume your life to the point where you ignore reality.
I think obsession or fanaticism towards anything is unhealthy. Even when it comes to spiritual matters, religious fanatics tend to do more harm to themselves.
I believe we only see these subcultures as unhealthy when we are not apart of them. However, I doubt there isn't a single person in this class that isn't a fanatic in some subculture. Perhaps some aren't as open as others, but we all are heavily involved whether we openly admit to the subculture or not.
The threat the pose on a grander-spiritual scale is the anti-zion idea, or the lack of unity. Also, I would not want a trekkie like that kid to be my lawyer or public relations representative.
It's a threat to your progression in life if you are that obsessed with a certain subject. Yes, I definitely feel that it's unhealthy and unnatural. Of course we should develop interests and hobbies, but there is moderation in all things. There is a line between obsessed and interested.
I think it is unhealthy for someone to completely immerse themselves in a subculture. I agree with Kylee, that there should be moderation in all things. I think its okay to identify with a subculture group, but if you let it consume your life then it can make you lose sense of reality. It can make you lose sense of what really matters.
The term "normal" is dependent upon each person's perspective. I feel that if people want to participate in subcultures then thats their choice. If it affects them to the point where they cant function with mainstream society then that is the consequences they must deal with.
when it gets in the way of you doing your roles as a husband / wife/ provider/ father/ mother, etc. thats when it's gone too far!
if characters portrayed on a screen are more important to you than actual people in your life, this may be a problem. not to say that its bad, but a balance needs to be struck.
I think that it is only unhealthy if it harms other people in society. I agree with the other comments in that if the person has completely lost touch of reality then there is most likely a problem.
Thank you for this video! I love this guy! He just cracks me up... especially when he answers the phone.
I agree that too much immersion in a subculture can cause people to lose touch with mainstream society. It is funny to see how people who are trying to separate themselves and become individualistic end up looking and acting so much like those around them.
Everything in moderation. You need to realize what is socially acceptable, what is real, and what is important in life. You can have your distractions, entertainment, and hobbies, but you shouldn't let them go to far. What "too far" is is up for debate.
I regretfully inform the class that I've watched said documentary. It was for a film class - It's well made but I'm not a particular fan of the content.
There is a line between our lives and the entertainment that we consume. Sadly this line is often blurred. At the same time it's refreshing to see a group of people who are so passionate about what they love. Extreme? Maybe. I grew up going to car shows and swap meets - are trekkie reunions that different?
there just needs to be a medium as to where people's identity with their subculture and the real world exist.
I think that if someone immerses themself in anything, subculture included, so that it takes over normal aspects of their life, it is dangerous. However, if being part of a subculture is how someone gets their sense of belonging and they aren't hurting anyone, I don't see a problem with that.
Being too immersed into a subculture can be dangerous when it becomes their escape from the real world and they don't feel like they have to fully participate in the real world.
It can really cause problems when they have to work with other people.
There's nothing normal with "going on assignment" for something that doesn't even exist. Nothing. Normal would be enjoying it, discussing it in a book group every once in a while...but not letting it infiltrate your life.
I believe there should be a balance in all things. It is true, like Zach said, that we are all involved in some sort of subculture, but I disagree that we are all fanatics. Being involved in something and liking it a lot doesn't mean you are a fanatic. I believe most of us are not fanatics, especially because we have a life, we go to school, we work, we have families.. these things alone change our priorities drastically. And this is healthy, not the fanaticism these trekkies may experience.
I think as long as people can maintain a connection with reality, subcultures are just great. People like to be part of a group, and subcultures are one evidence of that. As long as there are no secret combinations going on I don't think there is a problem. Besides, trekkies are so entertaining. Let's leave them be.
a trekkie to me is no different than one of those people that dress up as a character for a movie on opening night..I don't understand it and it's a little strange but i would assume its because i don't belong to that particular "dress the part" subculture.To answer your question, i guess i would first need a definition of what "normal" is....there's a lot of weird stuff out there, but not understanding or not belonging doesn't make it any more abnormal or far from reality than some of the "normal" things we do.
I do believe it can be dangerous taking too much of an interest in a subculture. Your life in reality will only fall apart as you step farther into a trend or lifestyle that is a complete fantasy. I think it can change the way you relate to other people and it can be more destructive as you start to view your real life more and more like a fantasy made through your favorite television program or whatever.
the word "threat" in your question makes me think... threat to who? to themselves? to those around them? to society as a whole? i agree with zach- we see these subcultures as "dangerous" when we aren't a part of them. when participation in a subculture places someone's life, health, safety or well=being in danger, that's when you know it's gone too far.
I would say that when your subculture of choice becomes so much a part of you that there is neglect as to the areas of your life that would effect those close to you ie. family. When you children are not learning how to make friends because other kids are gawking at them for wearing their star trek uniform to school, that is when it needs to be scaled back. It is healthy to have hobbies that are included in a subculture, but when that subculture becomes popular culture for you then you have probably got some serious imbalance in your life.
good question. I think that because there is a balance in life of 'normal' people living there 'normal' cooperate lives that subcultures that neglect normal life can exist. so yes they can as long as they the other corporate workers still exist.
I think being completely immersed in a sub-culture is not a good thing, but I think we all have probably slipped into this trap before. We just have to take a step back and keep our life in perspective, with good balance.
I think it is unhealthy when people don't grasp reality. They live in a world that is so separated from life that they don't know what is going on.
Hate to admit this, but I've been to one of those Trekkie conventions. Pretty creepy, but kinda cool at the same time. I'd say it's all about one thing: balance. Teaching your child Kingon is going just too far...
We need to practice moderation in all things. I agree with what was mentioned earlier. If hobbies are more of a priority than family or work responsibilities, then it is a problem. We must prioritize and avoid getting too involved with extreme lifestyles.
I don't think sub-cultures are ever a threat to the main-stream, especially since diversity is a good thing, right? I think it's interesting and sad when people begin to fear subcultures. (I'm thinking specifically of the fear people had towards Mormons back in the day and of the fear Germans had of the Jews--just watched "Boy in the stripped pajamas" yesterday--wow. maybe that is where this rant is coming from.) I definitely think people can get waaaay to caught up in their subculture and it definitely can be unhealthy and dangerous. Take for example the FLDS (are all these that I'm referencing considered a subculture or am I off?) They aren't hurting anyone outside of their community, but there's so many terrible things inside their community and is because they've completely lost touch with the real world.
After reading this I was reminded of a friend I had in high school. Every week it seemed like he wanted to be something else, and he would express it through his dress. Whether it was "a jock," "skater," "preppy," etc., he didn't really find his true identity. He really didn't have his own real world.
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