Emotions and Pop Culture
An Amphitheater of emotional fans surrounded me, belting "Me and My Dog" lyrics by Boygenius. I held onto my sister's hand as tears welled in our eyes, knowing the importance of holding onto this moment. Concertgoers around me embraced each other, absorbing the music. My phone found solace in my back pocket, my eyes glued to the stage, then back to my sister. It became a topic I could talk about for hours.
Music, movies, and pop culture are more than entertainment; they reflect our thoughts and emotions. The deep connection that resonates with our being and ignites an innocent giddiness. The first chord of your favorite song, the powerful monologue in your favorite movie, or the style you just had to mimic. Even the weird hyper fixations or middle school obsessions we don't mention (but secretly hope someone else does), everyone has something that they could talk about for hours, with quips about the artist and memories to share.
Growing up, the walls of my childhood bedroom were a look into my thoughts and hobbies. I'd cut and paste magazine clippings of Disney stars and tack them on the wall above my wooden bunk bed. In middle school, I printed out photos and made collages. When I was 15, I felt Joni Mitchell's lyrics were speaking to me, and at 17, I watched Lady Bird until I could quote the film from start to finish.
"Did you know she wrote this song about this?" Followed by a detailed story. "What about the director's vision, or did you know the cast did this?" Pop culture isn’t just about the song or media; it's about the connection it flourished.
How can our favorite artists and media spark such a specific connection? The rise of social media has made us an information-saturated generation, and instead of feeling overwhelmed, we welcome it.
For me, 1980s pop culture will always light an enthusiastic flame in my chest. On a gloomy 2016 summer day in July, I started a new show, Stranger Things. My sister, who had become uninterested within the first 30 minutes, decided to go upstairs, leaving me glued to the couch. The sun had begun to fade, and the night welcomed me, and I couldn't stop. Here I was, watching a show with kids my age battling monsters and biking to synthesized beats. It was like my black-and-white world had become technicolor.
My obsession has dwindled, but that nostalgic comfort remains. The topics we can ramble on for so long may lose significance over time, but sometimes, you hope someone will bring it up again. Urging to retell a story or dig through the memory box of photos. Our favorite movies and music hold a special place for us. They are more than just pastimes; they are puzzle pieces in our development. Finding us a significant time and lining up with our lives perfectly.