I have been alive for 19 years. I am so old. I have certainly seen some things. I have witnessed the rise and fall of Pokemon Go in one summer. The rise and fall (and rise?) of Britney Spears. I have seen the rebirth of Star Wars and I've already graduated high school. Like I said, I've seen a lot. But apparently, a lot has happened before me. My parents like to tell me I they've seen stuff. But then again, I'm sure my grandparents tell them the same thing. And true, I've only been alive 0.00000008274930624490 galactic years. So I'm willing to consider there may have been a past before me. Let's see what cool stuff happened to old people!
The second paradigm shift is the necessity to be politically correct, or also commonly referred to as "PC culture." Within the last two decades, America has seen an enormous shift in what is considered appropriate language. It has evolved from admonishment to cursing to admonishment of culture specific words being tossed around without care. The problem is that the rise of this culture is divisive. On one hand, acknowledgement of cultural sensitivity and values creates an empathetic culture that promotes respect; but on the other, what is deemed politically incorrect might be stretched too far and instead promote a society that is unprepared for truly harsh problems. Whether you are an extremist here or in the middle, you probably have firsthand experienced this type of issue and it is wroth examining how people today function from people before the 21st century. I will likely focus on a group that is in the 1960s, as that is the generation that most of our parents were probably born around.
The first paradigm shift I identified is that it is now cool to be smart! If my reliance on parental anecdotes and sitcom jokes from the past are accurate (and let's be honest, there's a fair chance they're exaggerated), then being a nerd was social suicide. But today, it seems intelligence and getting good grades has become increasingly important. It also seems now that applying the label "nerd" is not as common now since several people branch out and are involved in different activities rather than just one. I think that there is a lot of research that can go into this topic (assuming it doesn't lead to a dead end), which would reveal not just how intelligence became respected but also expose changing high school culture, such as creating a high stress environment for success. I know, we just left high school. I'm sorry to even bring it up again so soon. But since we're so close to it still I think the idea of studying this phenomenon could have interesting conclusions.
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| Image Courtesy of Whisper |
The second paradigm shift is the necessity to be politically correct, or also commonly referred to as "PC culture." Within the last two decades, America has seen an enormous shift in what is considered appropriate language. It has evolved from admonishment to cursing to admonishment of culture specific words being tossed around without care. The problem is that the rise of this culture is divisive. On one hand, acknowledgement of cultural sensitivity and values creates an empathetic culture that promotes respect; but on the other, what is deemed politically incorrect might be stretched too far and instead promote a society that is unprepared for truly harsh problems. Whether you are an extremist here or in the middle, you probably have firsthand experienced this type of issue and it is wroth examining how people today function from people before the 21st century. I will likely focus on a group that is in the 1960s, as that is the generation that most of our parents were probably born around.
I know we only need two, but I just glanced over at my copy of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and had to mention a third idea of studying public perception of mental illness. If you haven't read that book, read it! It wraps you around its finger and then emotionally abuses you. I don't know if that's actually selling it well, but read it regardless. And at one point, The Catcher in the Rye was a favorite book of mine as well. I still love it so you should also read that too. But back to the point, the book is narrated from a teenager in therapy, so the entire idea of mental illness is incredibly interesting to me, especially since taking AP Psychology in high school. Also! Shameless (this is already the second TV show I have referenced in this RCL blog-SOS) has a character who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and watching him struggle to be his unrestrained self or take medication is disturbing yet fascinating as you feel pity. For all of these reasons, I have a vested reason in studying how we as a community react to those diagnosed with mental disorders.
Your second idea is the most interesting to me, due to its relevance to our current administration. Showing the magnitude, causes, and effects of the paradigm shift of political correctness would likely shed light on the vehement opposition in some political circles to anything perceived as even remotely political correct.
ReplyDeleteYou have such great ideas! Although, I have to admit that my favorite from the three you presented is the shift to respecting intelligence. Given that this is an honors course, I think its fair to say we are all academically driven so I think the content would be fitting and interesting for this class. I really hope you're able to find enough research to bring this idea into your talk. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou ideas are definitely unique, so well done. I would think your first example would require a lot of research and is probably more risky than the others. It is hard to know whether you would be able to find enough substance to pinpoint some reasons why that shift occurred. I think your second and third example have a lot of potential because there is a lot out there about mental illness in our society as well as political correctness in our society.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how being smart is seen as cool can bring a significance to the society. Although I agree with that but I'm not sure how you are going to sort that out. Your second paradigm shift idea will be interesting. So much psychology and social factors to think about in figuring out what is an appropriate language.
ReplyDeleteWhile I hold my nerd glasses in one hand and type with the other, I cannot help but nod in agreement to your first topic. It is absurd how evident and hilarious the first paradigm change is, and the positive (and much needed) change it has introduced in our generation. !Bigger glasses are easier to see with !) I would call the second topic a bit abused already, but if you have some interesting methodologies to make it interesting and fresh all over again, then shoot for it! Bring out your passion for the topic, for JD Salinger once said, "The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one."
ReplyDeleteP.S. I love The Catcher In The Rye to death :')
This is a very hard choice in my opinion. Both of these ideas are very feasible and can very easily explicated through the paper and speech. Though it is by a slim margin, I must say that I am more of a fan of the idea of the language change and the adoption of new standards of political correctness. There have been some pretty messed up statements made in semi recent history due to ignorance on a topic and I feel like that definitely needs to be brought to light. I mean we as a collectivized whole were convinced that AIDS was a gay disease and that Eugenic sterilization for, as the official documentation would refer to it as, societal "morons" was a very necessary thing to do. We have truly had some very distasteful phases in recent history and I think that there are endless opportunities for such a topic.
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