#Cultural Shifts

[achillesuwu]

Thinking about how masculinity change over time. like, some things people did in a specific time and culture can seems very very feminine to us while it was peak masculinity in those day (like the color pink for boy and blue for girl, heels were for men,…)

And just look, post return Arthur pendragon repressed ass with his toxic masculinity would be knocked out unconscious lmao Like Arthur having to work on it not because he has some realization about his upbringing but because he was going to say to Merlin that’s he is such a girl for doing something but a woman beat him to it and say that he is so masculine for doing it and he just can’t figure it out.

[alpaca-clouds]

About the historical apocalypses

A while ago I made a joke. "I do not believe in the Italian language. They should be honest and call it, what it is: Neo Latin." And because I made this joke on twitter and twitter is a fucking hellhole, people got really angry about it.

What got lost in the hellhole, that is twitter, was the point I was trying to make: While, yes, Latin and Italian are different languages, if we were to zoom in at any point in time, it would suddenly become harder to differenciate. With almost any language it becomes super hard to say, at which point it stopped being language A and became language B.

Now, originally my point was kinda more about how we humans tend to draw abitrary lines, because we deal better with clear categories than spectrums. You know, like we do with genders and such.

Buuuut... Let me talk about ancient languages and more the ancient world, because there is this mistake people make in thinking about history... they draw abitrary lines.

The Slow Apocalypse

When we learn about history in school, we also put history into neat little boxes. There is the Ancient times, then there is the middle ages, then the Renaissance and so on. And maybe (probably not) we will learn about the Bronze Age Collaps. All those things. And it kinda makes it easy to think about it as "this was one period and everything within this period worked like so and so". As in: "Oh, the Ancient Egyptians build pyramids." But... yeah, only during a period of those 3000 years that Ancient Egypt lasted, they actually built those.

And we think of the end of the Ancient empires as "and then they stopped to be Roman". But... of course the people didn't. There were Romans around - so people, who spoke Latin as an actual living language - for a long while. Long enough for that language to slowly turn into other languages. There were people around, who believed in the Roman pantheon or the Egyptian pantheon or the Greek pantheon for a long while. Heck, there are still people around who believe in it. And with those I do not mean neo-pagans, but people who for generations have kept traditions alive.

When we hear "Bronze Age Collaps", that also often gets called an apocalypse, we think of it kinda like "Day after Tomorrow and then the world ended", but historically speaking apocalypses rarely (outside of the context of colonialism) went like that. With the Bronze Age it went relatively quick - like 50 years - but... Even after that... The Bronze Age Collaps happened around 1500BC and as you might have noticed: Yeah, those cultures became smaller and less organized. But they did not vanish.

Those apocalypses took place over a century. Not just three months.

Not really Dead

And now we come back to the stupid twitter joke of Italian actually being Neo Latin. Because here is the thing: The old cultures... they didn't really die. At least those, that were not actively erased. And heck, even quite a few of those are still around.

You know. When Black Panther 2 came out, I saw so many people being very confused about Nakia going around and talking to Maya people. Because of that. They do not realize that the Maya are still around. Especially as we think about the Maya - another "advanced civilization" - as dead and destroyed. But it isn't. The Maya are still around.

And... that is true for a good few parts of the Ancient cultures as well. As I said, there are still people around who believe in that stuff. And there are languages, that came from those cultures as well. Things changed. A lot. But if you actually go to those places, you will find that there is stuff that is still around. Festivals, that are still celebrated. Types of music. And shifted languages.

Here is the thing: We should not idealize the past. But... I also think that it is wrong to just act as if everything from back then is gone forever. There are cultures for which this is true. Cultures, from which we only will find ruins buried in layers and layers of earth and dust. There might still be fragments of the Indus river civilization found in India. But we know too little about that civilization to say that they really are. And other cultures might really have vanished, without us even knowing about them today.

But... just think about the Indo-European religion and culture for a moment. We do not know where they lived exactly or how they lived for that matter. But there are still bits and pieces from them around to this day. Bits of their language, of their religion.

Things do not end. They change. And I find that... strangely hopeful.

[adaptive-dragonet]

I asked ChatGPT why beauty is gendered in the US and it spat straight facts and I can’t keep this to myself-

“The association of beauty with femininity rather than masculinity has deep cultural, historical, and social roots. Beauty, as a concept, has been gendered in many societies, including in the USA, where it is primarily linked with women and femininity. However, this isn’t inevitable, and in some cultures or historical periods, beauty has been valued in both men and women. To understand why this association exists and what changes would be needed to broaden the concept of beauty to include masculinity, let’s explore several key factors:

Why Beauty is Primarily Associated with Femininity:

1. Historical Gender Roles and Aesthetics:

• Historically, gender roles have shaped societal expectations around appearance. Women were often valued for their aesthetic appeal, while men were valued for their strength, power, and productivity. This division is deeply rooted in patriarchal societies where women’s roles were often tied to domesticity, nurturing, and pleasing men, while men were expected to be providers, protectors, and warriors.

• In many cultures, women were seen as the bearers of beauty and grace, with art, literature, and fashion focused heavily on the female form. Think of how many classical art forms, including Renaissance painting or Greek sculpture, glorify the beauty of the female body. This has contributed to an enduring association between femininity and beauty.

2. Marketing and Consumer Culture:

• In the modern world, advertising and consumer culture have reinforced the idea that beauty is primarily a feminine trait. The beauty industry—encompassing cosmetics, skincare, fashion, and personal care—has traditionally targeted women, promoting ideals of physical beauty and often equating a woman’s value with her appearance. This is seen in everything from makeup commercials to fitness advertisements aimed at women.

• Meanwhile, marketing for men has historically emphasized strength, utility, and ruggedness. Men’s grooming and fashion industries, until recently, focused more on functionality than aesthetics, framing masculinity in terms of practical power rather than physical allure.

3. Beauty as Passive vs. Masculinity as Active:

• Another reason beauty has been tied to femininity is that beauty is often seen as a passive quality—something to be admired or appreciated—whereas traditional masculinity is framed as active, involving strength, assertiveness, or action. In gendered terms, men are traditionally expected to “do,” while women are expected to “be” (beautiful, gentle, nurturing).

• The idea of men being “admired” for their beauty can seem incongruous in cultures where masculinity is tied to action, competition, and production rather than aesthetics. This contributes to the idea that beauty is primarily a feminine characteristic.

4. Fragile Masculinity and Gender Norms:

• Cultural expectations around masculinity also play a role. In many societies, including the USA, masculinity is often framed as something that needs to be proven or protected. Men who are seen as too focused on beauty or appearance risk being labeled as “effeminate” or even face questioning of their sexuality. These rigid gender norms make it harder for men to openly embrace beauty or be appreciated for their physical aesthetics without challenging their masculinity.

• This can lead to a societal double standard where women are encouraged to beautify themselves, but men are discouraged from doing the same. Thus, beauty becomes something primarily associated with femininity.

What Would Need to Change for Beauty to be Associated with Both Masculinity and Femininity in the USA:

1. Broader Definitions of Masculinity:

• One of the most fundamental shifts would be a broadening of the definition of masculinity to include traits like vulnerability, aesthetics, and beauty. The hegemonic masculinity that prioritizes strength, control, and dominance would need to make space for other expressions of masculinity—those that embrace creativity, aesthetic appeal, and self-care without undermining a man’s identity.

• Encouraging men to explore their own sense of beauty, whether through grooming, fashion, or self-expression, without fear of ridicule or loss of social status, would be key to breaking down rigid gender norms.

2. Cultural Representation of Men as Beautiful:

• The media plays a massive role in shaping societal values. If men were represented as beautiful—without qualifying it as being “for women” or “for a purpose”—this could shift perceptions of beauty as inherently feminine.

• We would need to see more male beauty in movies, advertisements, fashion, and art, where male bodies and appearances are admired not for being strong or rugged but for being beautiful in their own right. This includes depictions of men in roles where softness, aesthetic refinement, or even emotional beauty are celebrated, not seen as emasculating.

3. Expanding the Beauty Industry to Include Men:

• While the beauty industry has historically targeted women, there is a growing trend toward men’s grooming and skincare, but it is often framed in terms of functionality (e.g., “look sharp” for a job interview, “stay fit” for athleticism). For beauty to be more inclusive of men, the beauty industry would need to market aesthetic enjoyment and self-care for men in a way that is not purely utilitarian.

• Creating spaces in beauty, fashion, and personal care industries where men are encouraged to explore beauty for its own sake—rather than to fit societal molds of productivity or masculinity—would help break down the association of beauty with femininity alone.

4. Redefining Beauty as Universal:

• Culturally, we would need to shift the perception of beauty from being a gendered trait to being a human trait. This would involve promoting the idea that beauty exists in all people, regardless of gender. Just as many now accept that intelligence or creativity isn’t gendered, beauty too could be seen as something universal.

• Movements that promote body positivity and diversity already do some of this work by highlighting that beauty isn’t limited to narrow ideals, but more would be needed to include men in this conversation. There would need to be a rethinking of what is considered beautiful across the gender spectrum.

5. Challenging Fragile Masculinity and Homophobia:

• One of the largest barriers to associating beauty with masculinity is the fear that doing so would feminize men or call their sexuality into question. In the USA, gender norms are often policed in ways that associate beauty and self-care with gay men or men seen as outside the bounds of traditional masculinity.

• For beauty to be seen as a trait of masculinity, we would need to challenge fragile masculinity—the idea that masculinity is so precarious it can be threatened by something as simple as admiring a man’s beauty. This would require pushing back against homophobia and gender rigidity, promoting more flexible understandings of gender expression.

6. Historical Examples of Masculine Beauty:

• Another powerful cultural shift would be to draw on historical examples where men’s beauty was celebrated. Ancient Greek culture, for instance, revered the beauty of the male form in both art and philosophy. Similarly, during the European Renaissance, male beauty was often idealized in art and literature. Drawing attention to these historical precedents could help reframe beauty as not inherently feminine, but something that men have also embodied and embraced throughout history.

• This historical awareness could provide men with a sense of heritage in embracing beauty, making it feel less like a modern or “feminizing” trend.

Conclusion:

For beauty to be seen as both a masculine and feminine trait in the USA, cultural changes would need to challenge rigid gender norms and expand the definitions of both masculinity and beauty. The media, beauty industry, and social perceptions of gender roles would need to evolve to embrace the idea that beauty is universal, not inherently tied to one gender. Encouraging men to explore their own beauty, expanding media representation, and promoting flexible gender expressions would all help shift the cultural association of beauty from being primarily feminine to being a shared human experience.”

[infinitysisters]

Interesting and prescient insight from a 1992 essay written by distinguished professor of History at CUNY Graduate Center, John Patrick Diggins (b.1935 - d.2009)

“1990 marks a curious time when the Left in the United States has no political significance but considerable educational influence, no power to affect immediate events but considerable authority to shape the minds of the young. Having lost the class war in the factories and the fields, the American Left continues the battle for cultural hegemony in the classroom.”

[tmarshconnors]

"Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant, then it tries to silence good."

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput is an American prelate of the Catholic Church.

[dc-probate-attorney]

Gender Roles in Marriage: Embracing Change in Modern Marriages

  Marriage, once perceived as a union rooted in strict gender roles, has undergone a significant transformation in recent decades. Traditional gender roles, where men were expected to be the primary breadwinners and women the homemakers, have evolved into more fluid partnerships. Modern marriages are witnessing a paradigm shift, challenging societal norms and fostering a new era of equality and…

[giantpetrel]

It's amazing how actually coming to Tumblr has caused me to do a complete 180 in my opinions. I used to love mocking it for all the demented shit on there (psychotic progressives, weird porn blogs, etc.), but the fact remains that in 2023 Tumblr is the last bastion of normie social media sites where you are allowed to regularly use non-HR-approved words and share non-mainstream ideas without being blasted into space.

This, unfortunately, is a sign of the censorious prog wannabe-commisar hivemind's incredible victories over the past decade and a half. These were the folks who normal people said "are just on Tumblr," it was the home for fringe weirdos and the only place their crap could gain traction.

Now, those very same Tumblrites have conquered the mainstream. The normalfag "uh those are just some weirdos on Tumblr, they're not a real problem" crowd have comletely acquiesced, and now repeat the same talking points which were "only for fringe crazies" back then, and that worrying about meant you were "spending too much time online," all the time being 100% convinced that their opinions have never changed, that they always believed what they believe now.

Tumblr is still the Internet's premier dumping ground for fringe rejects who aren't welcome anywhere else... but that category is now the people who haven't kowtowed to the previous batch of Tumblr users in the great kulturkonquest.

[bskstudios]

In recent years, the rise of streaming platform in Lanham, Maryland, has dramatically transformed how we consume entertainment. These platforms provide a diverse array of shows and movies catering to various tastes and preferences. With the ability to binge-watch entire seasons, audiences can immerse themselves in rich narratives and compelling characters. This accessibility has allowed individuals to engage more deeply with content, influencing their daily conversations and cultural references.

[selkies-world]

OK, OK SO I WAS JUST THINking

In my religion, we don't use our Gods' names to swear or cuss, because mentioning our Gods by name usually equates to invoking or summoning them. So if I said "FUCKING [NAME]" or "[Name], [Name], [Name]" (ala "Mary, Jesus & Joseph" in frustration, exasperation, exaltation or surprise, it's the equivalent of butt-dialing them while shouting.

BUT in my native language, there isn't a direct translation of "JFC", because most of it predates Jesus (yk when Cleopatra & Ceaser were having their Thing & Brutus was sharpening his knife??? We were speaking our language then, and for the most part, it hasn't really changed since) & the modern additions to it just. Did not like him, I guess? Like, we can incorporate his name into stuff, but it's a lot of effort when we have other stuff we can say instead. WHICH IS WHEN I REALISED that instead of cursing / cussing a God (ala saying their name in vane), we have 2 main options: either repeat the negative / positive of the statement, which is literally translated as you saying "No, NO, you did NOT say that you DID NOT" / "Yes, YES, you DID JUST say that YOU DID" but which is understood as the equivalent of "oh jfc" with a sigh / "jfc" with a small laugh, OR we can just use the name of the person we're talking to (it gets more complicated if you're talking to 1 person but about another) and you literally say "Do NOT, DO NOT say that, Mark" / "Mark, say that, SAY THAT" but is understood as the equivalent of "jfc!" / "jfc!"

And it just... idk, it got me thinking. Is there sayings / phrases the equivalent of "Jesus FUCKING Christ" in reference to Allah / any other Gods, or is that considered butt-dialing them, or is it like slapping a but of paper to your back which reads "SMITE ME" ??????? And if there ISN'T an acceptable name in your religion to use in this context, what's your native language's equivalent??? Do they cross over (ie: JFC is a mostly western saying, and the west is culturally Christian, AND predominantly* Anglo-sized & English-speaking)???? Or are they totally separate????

*I know not every single person in every single country speaks English, but chances are if you're wandering around Europe or the Americas, you'll find someone who can partially understand English SOONER / EASIER than you will if you're outside of Europe / Americas.

*There's also the fact we can more or less guess at some words because even though the languages are different, they overlap enough that we can recognise "oh, that word looks / sounds kinda like [word]" and use that as a starting point for finding translation help. Whereas if we go East or South (or some areas to the North), we don't have that.

[black-crested-jaybird]

I got to spend a couple of days chaperoning 9-11 year old kids at a camp earlier this summer and honestly the amount of casual self-awareness and inclusion I observed was astonishing to me. I can assure you that when I was their age, none of us were talking about accessibility support needs (physical and mental) for daily life, or our personal mental health challenges and experiences. Especially with people we'd just met. Consent is often a general expectation now, when it wasn't even a concept my generation was exposed to except - if we were lucky - in the context of sex ed.

Yes, kids are still kids, and kids still do dumb and/or unkind things (too often, so do adults!). But the overall culture is changing, and you know what? The kids are alright.

i think we all need to be careful of concluding "the average teenager is more self-centered/mean/uninformed than ever before" rather than "the peaks of the self-centeredness/meanness/lack of awareness of teenagers is now digitally documented, usually with their faces attached + drives hundreds of thousands of outrage clicks per day".

imagine your fandom blog from age 15 included videos of you reading your posts out loud

[cyber-soul-smartz]

The Ship of Theseus Paradox: Self-Awareness and Adaptability

The Ship of Theseus Paradox makes us question who we truly are as we change over time. It can feel unsettling yet empowering, pushing us to embrace self-awareness and adaptability. Dive deep into your evolving identity. #SelfAwareness #PersonalGrowth

[omegaphilosophia]

The Impact of Telephones and Cellphones on Society

Telephones and cellphones have significantly transformed society, influencing communication, social behavior, economics, and even personal identity. Here’s a detailed look at their impact:

1. Communication Revolution:

Instant Communication: Telephones introduced the ability to communicate instantly over long distances, which fundamentally changed how people interacted. Cellphones took this a step further by making communication portable, allowing people to stay connected virtually anywhere.

Global Connectivity: Cellphones have created a more interconnected world, enabling people to communicate across continents with ease. This has facilitated international business, diplomacy, and personal relationships, shrinking the world in terms of social and economic interaction.

2. Social Behavior and Interaction:

Social Dynamics: The telephone transformed social interactions by making it possible to maintain relationships over distances. Cellphones, particularly with the advent of texting and social media, have further changed how people interact, often reducing face-to-face communication and leading to new forms of digital socialization.

Accessibility and Availability: The expectation of being constantly reachable has altered social norms around availability and response time, creating a culture of instant gratification and often blurring the lines between work and personal life.

3. Economic Impact:

Business and Commerce: Telephones enabled businesses to operate more efficiently by facilitating quick communication. Cellphones have revolutionized commerce through mobile banking, e-commerce, and mobile payments, making transactions faster and more accessible.

Economic Growth: The mobile phone industry itself is a significant driver of economic growth, creating jobs in manufacturing, services, and app development, and contributing to GDP in many countries.

4. Emergency Response and Safety:

Emergency Communication: Telephones have always played a crucial role in emergency response, allowing people to quickly report emergencies and seek help. Cellphones have enhanced this capability with features like GPS, enabling faster and more accurate emergency responses.

Personal Safety: Cellphones provide a sense of security, especially for vulnerable populations, by allowing immediate access to help and keeping individuals connected to others.

5. Information Access and Sharing:

Information Revolution: Cellphones, particularly smartphones, have put vast amounts of information at users’ fingertips. This has transformed how people access news, learn new skills, and stay informed about world events, contributing to a more informed populace.

Social Media and Content Creation: The widespread use of cellphones has given rise to social media platforms and user-generated content, democratizing information creation and sharing. This has had profound effects on media, politics, and personal identity.

6. Impact on Privacy:

Privacy Concerns: The ability to be constantly connected has also raised significant privacy issues. Cellphones can track locations, record conversations, and store vast amounts of personal data, leading to concerns about surveillance, data breaches, and the erosion of personal privacy.

Social Surveillance: The constant presence of cameras and recording devices in cellphones has also led to a culture of social surveillance, where individuals may feel they are constantly being observed or judged by others.

7. Cultural and Psychological Effects:

Cultural Shifts: Telephones and cellphones have influenced cultural norms around communication, changing how people express themselves and relate to others. The rise of texting, emojis, and social media has altered language and communication styles.

Psychological Impact: The constant connectivity provided by cellphones can lead to anxiety, stress, and the pressure to be always available. On the other hand, they can also provide comfort and a sense of connection, particularly for those who feel isolated.

8. Education and Learning:

Educational Tools: Cellphones have become powerful educational tools, enabling access to online courses, educational apps, and real-time information. They have made learning more flexible and accessible, particularly in remote or underserved areas.

Digital Divide: However, the reliance on cellphones for education has also highlighted the digital divide, where those without access to modern technology are at a disadvantage.

9. Technological Advancements:

Innovation: The development of cellphones has driven technological innovation, leading to advancements in computing, battery technology, wireless communication, and user interface design. Smartphones, in particular, have integrated numerous functions, from GPS to cameras, revolutionizing how people use technology in daily life.

Smart Devices Ecosystem: Cellphones have also become central to the ecosystem of smart devices, connecting with other technologies like smartwatches, home automation systems, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices, further integrating technology into everyday life.

10. Environmental Impact:

Resource Consumption: The production of cellphones involves significant resource consumption, including rare earth metals and energy, leading to environmental concerns. The disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) from outdated or discarded phones also poses environmental challenges.

Sustainability Efforts: In response, there has been a growing movement towards sustainable practices in cellphone production, such as recycling programs, the development of eco-friendly materials, and efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of manufacturing processes.

Telephones and cellphones have dramatically transformed society, influencing how we communicate, work, learn, and interact. While they have brought numerous benefits, including increased connectivity, economic growth, and access to information, they have also introduced challenges related to privacy, mental health, and environmental sustainability. As technology continues to evolve, the impact of these devices on society will likely deepen, further shaping the way we live and interact with the world.

[thegrowthtimes]

My Knowledge Journey: May, 2024

Explore the transformative power of adopting the role of an archivist in blogging. Forget perfection and focus on sharing knowledge. From geopolitics to self-improvement, blending topics can create engaging content.

To be honest, I didn’t learn anything on a technical level. However, when it comes to mental and systemic aspects, My Knowledge Journey: May, 2024 Embracing the Role of an Archivist in Blogging: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Expression Key Takeaways: Forget Perfection: Blogging doesn’t need to be perfect, and you don’t need to be an expert. Just focus on sharing what you learn. Think Like…

[forgottenbones]

Poetry Scandals: Plagiarism Throughout the Ages

[marketxcel]

Unveiling the Future: Exploring Key Trends for 2024

Explore the future with insights into the key trends shaping 2024. From technology to lifestyle changes, discover what lies ahead and stay ahead of the curve in this exploration of emerging trends.