Signs

1. ED HARDY

- Now that I really looked at this Ed Hardy boot, I don’t see anything good about it. But a few years ago, everyone in my high school started wearing Ed Hardy. From shoes, to shirts, bags, and hats. Basically, we looked at the brand name before we looked at the product. Whether we liked it or not, it was Ed Hardy and that’s a popular brand name so the item was bound to get praises. All it takes is a person to wear it and then the masses will follow. This is how the American mass culture works. We live in a society that encourages us to think for ourselves and gives us freedom of speech and all that good stuff. But if we really did think on our own, this country wouldn’t function. For everything to run according to the way it should be, media has to play a huge role in our lives, especially when it comes to decision making and consumerism. When things are advertised, naturally we will go out and buy them. The Ed Hardy trend is an example of this. This is how our American culture works. We are not all born leaders. We are followers of what media and propaganda send our way.

2. POUTING GUY

- If anyone looked at this picture, they will definitely make fun of it. I don’t understand what is up with his hair, the orange headless cap, the pouting lips, and the peace sign. He also looks a bit too confident for such a pose. This sign displays what our expected views of gender are. Guys don’t take pictures like this one. If they do, their sexuality is automatically questioned and will receive negative comments. In the American culture, guys are expected to take “manly” pictures. Like the ones where you flex your biceps or stand in an arrogant, bigger-than-life pose. It sounds shallow and superficial, but honestly, this is what we expect. It’s okay for a girl to take this kind of picture but if a guy does, the feedback will be anything but positive. In our culture, we grow up having a specific idea of how the male should act. They are expected to be athletic, strong, tough, etc. As a society, we always say ‘express yourself’ but when we truly do, many times our expression will not be supported. As a culture, we want to maintain the balance and the circle that is built around us. We don’t want anything or anybody to step out of that safe circle with new perspectives and ideologies.

3. VISA/MASTERCARD

- We are all about money. No matter what everybody says, money is what makes the world go round. In almost every decision we make, money is involved. This sign just shows an easier way to get what we want and to access the greens. Credit cards have taught us that we can have anything we want, and all we have to do is worry about it later. We only live once so why not enjoy life to the fullest. And if there is one thing that is portrayed over and over again in our society, it’s that materialistic things bring us happiness. Of course, we are taught the complete opposite of that from our families, those feel-good movies, and from school. They tell us that money doesn’t bring happiness and I do agree with that. But yet again, as we get older and start to think about our career choices, the salary is a major factor in our decision. When we go out and buy something, whatever it is, its price plays a huge role is whether or not we will buy this item. In the American culture, we are encouraged to think wisely, especially when it comes to money. But at the same time, if everyone thought sensibly when it comes to spending money, we wouldn’t be the proud capitalist country we are today.

4. TRUCK

- This is an interesting picture. We all know how much guys love their trucks and this picture definitely portrays that connection. We also think a guy in a certain way when we see what type of car he drives. There is a huge difference between a guy driving a sedan and another driving a truck. Those who are in the big trucks blasting music are usually in your face and are too arrogant for their own good. With guys, it’s always a competition, especially when it comes to cars. Of course this is not completely true, but this is the stereotype in our culture today. This shows that we do judge a book by its cover. When seeing one of these trucks pass by the road, we automatically place the driver in a certain category. We’ll probably think that he’s a jerk in old ripped jeans with a faded t-shirt and work boots. I definitely wouldn’t expect to find a businessman in a suit come out of that truck in this picture. We don’t know this for sure but this is how our culture works. We categorize people by what they wear, do, drive, and everything else, even before we get a chance to know them.