I know this guy’s band (Motorhead) and probably have the ability to recognize its logo.
But I have no clue what this band sounds like and other than reading a portion of this article, I cannot name any Motorhead songs (other than “Ace of Spades,” which, according to the article is the band’s “iconic” song … which makes me think I heard it on a VH1 Top 100 Metal Songs, something-or-other …)
The fact that I know this (without truly “knowing” in the experiential definition of the word … which I’ll address later), aligns me with a certain type of people (most likely white, most likely male, most likely of a certain age and musical taste).
This information is called “cultural knowledge.” When I am in a conversation and I use this knowledge, it becomes “currency,” in the sense that I am giving this knowledge in the hopes that my knowing it will return some sort of benefit, usually tied to the idea of respect (since I know the tidbit). Exchanging the information also brings out the identification with the type of people who would commonly know this information.
As for pop culture “knowledge,” the idea of “knowing” without truly having “knowledge,” calls to mind Postman’s use of “The Judgment of Thamus,” in his book Technopoly. In it, King Thamus says of writing:
“As for wisdom, your pupils will have the reputation for it without the reality: they will receive a quantity of information without proper instruction. and in consequence be thought very knowledgeable when they are for the most part quite ignorant” (p. 4)
It seems the same with pop culture knowledge. Most of us”know” about things in popular culture without truly experiencing them. We walk in a sea of information the same way we walk through air. We pick up certain tidbits of it and use it in order to be thought wise, but, in reality, we are just prophets of trivia.
But, at least it keeps the small talk moving at parties, doesn’t it?
Found this little guy on clearance at the local Target the other day. In case you’re curious, it’s an Andy Kaufman Limited Edition WWE action figure. I’m not exactly sure what the “action” is, maybe sniveling and wrestling women.
A long strange trip indeed ...
Of course I bought it. (Sometimes, I feel sorry for my wife, who has to put up with these kinds of purchases more often than not.)
This got me thinking: Is this the oddest action figure I own? What’s it take to be an action figure these days? And how is an Andy Kaufman action figure different than the two (yes … 2) Jerry Garcia stuffed figures? What’s the connotation between a plastic figure and a stuffed “teddy bear” type?
Obviously, I had a lot of time to think about these things in the toy section of Target, so here are some answers:
This is not the oddest figure I own. Off the top of my head, I think the oddest one is the Dennis Miller talking figure may be a bit weirder … that and the Bubbe Ho-Tep Elvis.
All it takes to be an action figure these days is money I guess. Just type in “custom action figure” into google and see what happens. Or look here. And you have to realize, that an action figure is a totally different animal than a bobble-head doll, which are pretty much a dime a dozen these days. There’s a difference. Really.
Which brings me to Jerry. How does a counter-cultural hide-your-daughters-and-lock-away-your-sons figure become a stuffed doll (complete with four and a half fingers on his strumming hand)? This is akin to going to the corner of Haight-Ashbury and seeing a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop across the street from a chain clothing store.
But, honestly: Andy Kaufman? Andy KAUFMAN? This is how he is remembered. Not really a comedian. Not really a television star. But a minor wrestler in a niche collection. That and some guy that Jim Carrey played.
Oh popular culture … Oh how we love you despite what you do …
Here’s a little context for Andy Kaufman wrestling. There’s more on youtube.
Came up with a new catchphrase. I know it’s new because I did a google search and an Urban Dictionary search. With your help, we can integrate this catchphrase into a common cultural language.
“Keepin’ the brown side down” is slang the can be used for any of the following:
Keeping out of trouble, laying low. (example: “How’s it going?” “Oh, you know, I’m just keeping the brown side down.”)
A departing phrase, akin to “take it easy.” (example: “Well, I’d better go. See ya later. Keep the brown side down.”)
Stay seated (example: “Listen here buddy, you’d better keep the brown side down.”)
The uses are almost limitless. Send stories on how you use it.
The phrase stems from a bit of nosiness and hard of hearing. I was at a convenience store and misheard the person in front of me talking with the cashier. It seems the original phrase was “turn that smile upside down.”
After clearing up the mistake, I proudly claimed the new phrase. There are witnesses to prove it.
So, this 10 minutes ramble is dedicated to the beauty of the English language’s flexibility. These arbitrary symbols we use to make meaning offer limitless possibilities. I love the English language.
Feel free to use this phrase as much as possible to try and spread it around. If you use a new word or phrase three times in a day, it becomes a permanent part of your vernacular. Use it, or lose it.
Where: video section of home-base two, Target. Browsing, killing time.
Quote: “A Clockwork Orange?” she said, clicking her tongue in apparent disgust.”That movie’s not even in English!”
Let the record reflect.
I’m not sure what that little scene means in the great scheme of things. Is it a sign of a society in a freefall or natural evolution? Is it a sign of internal elitism that needs to fleshed out? Is it a sign of a coming cultural apocalypse?
I don’t know. But I thought I should make a note of it until I figure of out.
For my peeps in Williams Hall Telecom — and you know who you are — I offer a inside joke on a pop culture reference from the Oscar telecast, the ultimate insider pop culture event.
I know this guy (Lemmy)
Found this little guy on clearance at the local Target the other day. In case you’re curious, it’s an Andy Kaufman Limited Edition WWE action figure. I’m not exactly sure what the “action” is, maybe sniveling and wrestling women.
