Category Archives: Popular Culture

Popular Culture: Style, Swag, Trends

Mr. Nice Guy S.E.T.

Favor for a Favor

The Social Exchange Theory of Humanity

It is refreshing to see Bill and Melinda Gates giving millions of dollars to education and anti-poverty programs across the world, of course, Bill Gates is a billionaire after founding the Microsoft corporation in the 80’s, and is now focusing much of his attention to philanthropy causes. In a sense, one can say that Bill is being very altruistic as he is helping others without any concern for himself; or how he may profit off of his good deeds and actions. Not many people are altruistic – as many people may help, but they want something in return; whether it is recognition, accolades, or a future reward. With this definition, corporations that give back to communities/charities do so with motivations that focus on future rewards from government and businesses. Instinctively, humans operate on a Social Exchange Theory, which is to say that all human relationships are formed by the use of a subjective cost-benefit analysis and the comparison of alternatives, it is a process of negotiated exchanges between parties. What motivates one to do something for others is really what they expect to benefit from the process.

Some take pleasure in simply helping others


Designed by Carts

Some help others to appease others and to avoid a future threat


Designed by Stamatisgr

Some help others to increase their status to others


Designed by Phenix Land

Some help others to elicit a similar/greater favor from such individual in the future


Designed by Brown One

So based on these premises, I can’t understand how women time and time again will say “Oh, he is just a nice guy”, “he does that for me all the time”, “oh no, he doesn’t want anything in return”. I laugh at these women; as they are either really stupid, really clever, or lie somewhere in the abyss (in the middle). Don’t get me wrong, in any relationship (friendship, love, familial) there has to exist some cost/benefit exchange for the relationship to flourish; and both parties must feel that the exchanges and rewards are mutual/similar in intensity – or one party will feel ‘slighted’, and will develop the thought that they are being ‘used’. That’s why (regrettingly) we men must go to the girly type activities with our girlfriends; just as they must put up with our sports watching, athletic building, video game playing habits.

So just remember that the Social Exchange Theory really governs and regulates our behaviors and actions towards others. Since I don’t think that much of the people in the 15-34 demographic have much altruistic attitudes …

.:: LiBM ::.

Great CD Artwork

CD’s tangibility

Great CD artwork

The Audio CD will soon be replaced by digital downloads (iTunes, Napster) or by credit card sized items that act as a prepaid phone card; go online, scratch the back of the card, and download the album to your digital music player of choice. These steps are inevitable as the Internet age has made the physical CD obsolete as the medium’s message has changed, digitally speaking – the audio digital music device is the message (iPod, Zune), no longer the CD. One thing that will be missed from the tangible feeling of CD’s is the album artwork – which in the past few years have made a resurgence as record labels look frantically for ways to hold onto the traditional model. I am sure we all can recall a time when one of the best part of buying a CD was ripping the plastic, and opening the album artwork to see the credit, the pictures, lyrics, etc. That was a personal feeling and connection between the purchaser and the artist; which gave the CD far more relevance than the audio on the optical disk could ever have. Enough about that, here are some classic album artwork, all the way from the vinyl to the plastic:

Michael Jackson – Dangerous
Michael Jackson - Dangerous

Smashing Pumpkins: Zeitgeist

Kool & the Gang – Still Cool

Radiohead – Hail to the Thief

Van Halen – 1984

Kanye West – Graduation

I will miss this aspect of the music experience – as the last CD I recall buying was Kanye’s Graduation … even thought the iPod’s Cover Flow is cool, it just can’t ‘touch’ the affect of a physical CD.

.:: LiBM ::.

Abstracted Fear


Designed by dholl

Priming Fear

How we interpret ‘fear’

Fear is an emotional response to threats and danger. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of pain. Fear can be described with different terms in relation to the degree of fear that is experienced. It varies from mild caution to extreme phobia and paranoia. Fear is related to a number of additional cognitive and emotional states including worry, anxiety, terror, horror, panic, and dread. As an individual emotional state, fear can affect the unconscious mind, where it can become manifested in the form of nightmares. Fear may also be experienced within a larger group or social network. In this way, personal fears are compounded by social influence to become mass hysteria – exactly what the media does. So I thought it would be fitting to show some several emotions and feelings that produce fear and how the media uses these tactics to deliver news:

Loneliness

by lonelypierot

Life seems to be about connections and relationships with family, friends, co-workers, lovers. The media does a good job of promoting this basic human ‘need’ of ‘not being lonely’ – with relationship studies, tips, and tricks.

Aggression

by Uribaani

Always makes for a good news stories; news channels love showing protestors clashing with police, protestors getting arrested, throwing rocks – makes the protestors seem like the only way they can vent their frustration is through angry methods.

Uncertainty

by Silvair

Lou Dobbs is classic for this, he will say something like “China just increase their defense budget by X amount of dollars”, and then questions their motive for doing such – creating uncertainty in the mind of the viewer of what China may be planning to do. When news channels report stories that seem to be very vague, they are almost doing it so the viewer can piece together the ‘implied correlation’, they create casual dots that force the viewer to draw the connections.

Conspiracy

by b0nkers
News channels always love a good conspiracy story because it allows the viewers imagination to run wild. Imagine, just saying “talks were held between government officials from Iran and North Korea”, the automatic response thought turns to negative thoughts of weapons of mass destruction – when it could be trade.

Only through education, enlightenment, and empowerment can we see through the ‘fear’ and face reality.

.:: LiBM ::.

A model is to an example as

Sports Role Models

The sports athelete is a tough job; especially if you are very good at what you do. With success, more money and more responsibilites come with the territory as money is tied to image, image is tied to sponsorship contracts, and public perception is easily sculpted from one’s glorified actions. Even more importantly though is how youth see’s sports figures – because it is the youth that idolizes these stars and will mimick their behavior. Thus, it is advantageous for these athletes to be socially responsible so that they become a role model as opposed to an ‘example of’. Role models are positive, are a good pattern to model youth’s behavior after (on & off the court/field); in contrast, an ‘example of’ character is one whose on & off the court behavior is frowned upon in society, and these individuals are usually known as the ‘bad boys’ and have run-ins with local and federal law enforcement (Vick!). Enough preamble, let’s get into it:

 

A model is to an example as …

Jerry Rice is to Michael Vick


Designed by: Mike Walchuk


Designed by: Sapoman

We all know the story of Michael Vick’s foolishness …


Michael Jordan is to Charles Barkley


Designed by: austin671


Designed by: evolutionsky

Probably not a pic from, but this must be the press conference where he explained that he had the get the killer brain from the girl in Phoenix …


Emmitt Smith is to Terrell Owens
Designed by: dzmond


Designed by: kelmo


Muhammad Ali is to Mike Tyson


Designed by: el-douglas


Designed by: ucarts

Mike Tyson has went from being a ruthless boxer to now showing some warmth, his latest movie I hear is actually pretty good.
.:: LiBM ::.

Sight to the Motown Sound

Motown Art

Motown played an important role in the racial integration of popular music, as it was the first record label owned by an African American to primarily feature African-American artists who achieved crossover success. In the 1960s, Motown and its soul-based subsidiaries were the most successful proponents of what came to be known as The Motown Sound, a style of soul music with a distinct pop influence.

Motown has owned or distributed releases from more than 45 subsidiaries in varying genres, although it is most famous for its releases in the music genres of rhythm and blues, soul, hip hop and pop. Motown Records left Detroit for Los Angeles in 1972, and remained an independent company until June 28, 1988, when Gordy sold the company to MCA and Boston Ventures (which took over full ownership of Motown in 1991), then to PolyGram in 1994. Now headquartered in New York City, Motown Records is a subsidiary of The Universal Motown/Universal Republic Group, itself a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.

It would be a crazy social music experiment to see if any modern day artist could remake the Motown sound; the only artists that I see that are ‘close’ would be a Chrisette Michelle, Amy Winehouse, or even a Jon Legend.  But I think with R&B in a current stalemate, the people could use some of that classic old soul sound.


Designed by LDGSherar


Designed by Aspis


Designed by dirtball

.:: LiBM ::.

2 is to 1 as


Image by The Jader

Replacement inevitability

Analogies, comparing, knowing when to call it

2 is to 1 as one is to next inline to take over the ‘number one spot’; all of the analogies, with all things being equal in the universe, should over time, take over the number one spot from the current occupier in their respective field. So really it comes down to ‘how’ that change will happen; will it be a hostile takeover? Will the number one’s relevance diminish over time? Or will the number one bow out before they are still on top? When dealing with sports and entertainment; both are in the public eye, but the changes are very different – with sports figures usually going out on top to cement their legacy, and with entertainers they usually stay in the schoolyard too long; kinda like a College kid still hanging out around their High School – it just looks off.

So here are some examples of number 2’s hovering/vying for that number one spot:

2 is to 1 as …

Keri Hilson is to Beyonce


Designed by: alexds1


Designed by: mapx

 

Lady Gaga is to Britney Spears


Designed by: djcharly


Designed by: W-Tash

 

Lebron James is to Kobe Bryant


Designed by: mysticm0nkey


Designed by: blesstherebel33

 

Soulja Boy is to Bow Wow
Designed by: cheli0890
Designed by: niecee06 

Regardless if it is an R&B singer trying to overstep her boundaries, a manufactured pop tart trying to overtake an established pop tart, a great ball player challenging an olympic and multi NBA championship-winning player, or teeny rappers fighting over who gets the most adoration … eventually we all have to learn when to bow out and move on to another chapter in our lives.  Unfortunately with these examples, they probably will stick around High School well past until they are finished College, lol.

.:: LiBM ::.

O’Reilly defends Palin and the Right over Eminem lyrics

O’Reilly defends Palin over Eminem lyrics

What is interesting about this is that O’Reilly goes in a tirade about liberal attacks on the right by using a song by Eminem (who does not subscribe to liberalism). Trying to make a mountain of a mole – only thing he is accomplishing is generating more buzz for Eminem. Only been 80 some odd days and the right is losing their mind over their loss of power.

That gets a ‘pass’ … really?

Really? That gets a ‘pass’?

Social Causes for Alarms that are not alarms

I like how we as a society, are very upset and vocal at such news stories and figures like the AIG fiasco; where after billions and billions of bailout money, and causing this economic meltdown, AIG gives out millions of dollars in bonuses – and the public is outraged. I am sure many of us want to go to the barn and get pitch forks and burn down the financial institution; this is an example of acceptable rage and anger toward an institution and/or individual. Essentially, the public doesn’t want AIG to get away with this behaviour or ‘get a pass’; like, oh ya, that is acceptable behaviour, because you know, they are AIG. That logic is not flying, so thinking about that, there are many examples of where some people, situations, events are ‘getting a pass’; the real meat & potatoes of such newsworthy events are not being reported or contested.

For example, this whole ‘Chrianna’ issue (Chris Brown & Rihanna) is finally getting around to talking about relationship abuse, but not enough dialogue is going on about the effects of witnessing or being the victim of childhood abuse – as those that witness abuse growing up, are more likelier to abuse their spouse when they are adults (i.e. Chris Brown).

Snoop Dogg

One of the game’s most influential rappers, a pop culture icon, but let’s be real – how is a self glorified pimp being able to go on Martha Stewart? Snoop has produced successful porn videos, rolls with Bishop Don Juan, smokes copious amount of marijuana, and he gets to speak at the 2009 Nation of Islam march? Its like America said, “Oh, its just Snoop Dogg, that is his thing”, which would lead some to suggest that since Snoop has been presenting his image for over 15 years or so; his longetivity of his image grants acceptance. I mean, I ain’t hating on Snoop, but I can’t believe that he gets a ‘pass’ in this ‘politically correct’ society, he has even been on the ‘The View’ – the most liberal ultra-feminist show.


Snoop on the ‘View’

Dr. Phil/Oprah

Encouraging weight loss is a noble idea, really. Americans are the most obese nation on the planet, I mean I live in Canada, and whenever I am in Anywhere, U.S.A., a small drink size, looks like a large to me. However, in all persuasive messages coming from a communicator, credibility is important – in terms of weight loss, Dr. Phil, Oprah, are not credible. People are more likely to believe someone, believe the message of what they are saying, if such communicator embodies the traits to which they are expressing.

Lil Wayne kissing Baby

How can the ‘greatest rapper alive’ get a ‘pass’ for kissing another man? Remember when he kissed Baby, and his justification was that Baby is like his father, but even if you talk to most Fathers that have sons, they stop kissing their sons after a certain age … well before puberty. In a realm like hip-hop, that is very No-Homo, the hip-hop community has seem to given a ‘pass’ to Wayne, really?  Maybe Canibus was right when he talked about the Gay Rapper wrecking havoc on the game.  Talk about getting hoodwinked, and now Wayne is supposedly the ‘greatest rapper alive’ with his drug, syrup infested raps.

Kudos to Jon Stewart who recently scolded CNBC for being complicit in this global financial meltdown, he didn’t let them get a ‘free’ pass, but it may be telling of media when someone who is a comedian, is really handling hard-hitting stories that real journalists should be investigating.  Some things seem out of context to me at times, and we sensationalize the WRONG aspects of a story or an event.

.:: LiBM ::.

Hall & Oates: Hip-Hop’s favorite source to sample

Hall & Oates: Hip-Hop’s favorite source to sample

Some background if you don’t know -and if you don’t know, then you really are not up on your music game, but Hall & Oates are a pop music duo made up of Daryl Hall and John Oates.The act achieved its greatest fame in the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. They specialized in a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues styles, which they dubbed “rock and soul.” They are best known for their six #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: “Rich Girl”, “Kiss on My List”, “Private Eyes”, “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)”, “Maneater”, and “Out of Touch”, as well as many other songs which charted in the Top 40. They have sold 80 million albums worldwide.

They have one of the most sampled songs in hip-hop industry, here is just a list (which I think is outdated):

* 1989 – “Say No Go” – De La Soul
* 1993 – “V.S.O.P” – Above the Law
* 1996 – “My Crew Can’t Go for That” – Trigger tha Gambler
* 1996 – “So Deep” – Dan-e-o
* 1997 – “I’ll Do Anything” – Heavy D
* 1998 – “I Can’t Go for That” – 2 Live Crew
* 1999 – “Can’t let go – C-Note
* 2000 – “Can’t Go for That (Remix)” -Tamia
* 2000 – “After Party” – Koffee Brown
* 2001 – “Traffic” – Stereo MC’s
* 2002 – “4 Myself” Mac Dre ft. Devious and Dubee
* 2003 – “Sunrise” – Simply Red
* 2003 – “Take Me to Your Leader” – King Geedorah
* 2004 – “I Can’t Go For That/Happy People Remix” – Notorious B.I.G. / R. Kelly (“Happy People” samples Spandau Ballet’s “True”)
* 2005 – “Wait Til I Get Home” – C-Note
* 2006 – “Give and Go” – Girl Talk
* 2006 – “No Can Do” – Tech N9ne
* 2006 – “Can’t Go On” – Örten

and here is the track:

Get up on your music game people!

.:: LiBM ::.

The mean gangsta leans

Gangsta Leanin’

Whatever happened to the fine art of the ‘lean’? That gangsta lean that let mofo’s know that you are here; it also let them know that you are not to be messed with. It seems like in the 80’s and towards the 90’s, rappers probably used to practice leaning for music videos and general interviews. Nowadays, general swag has replaced the gangsta lean, but I don’t think these artists have what EPMD, Das EFX, and others had, I don’t know, you be the judge.

80’s Mean Mugging – Defining the Lean


Eric B & Rakim – Paid in Full

Leaders of the New School

90’s – Taking the Lean into different contexts


Das EFX – catching wiggidy wreck with the Jeep in the Streets


West Coast Low Riding Leaning with Snoop

2000’s Leaning ???


Slim Thug

.:: LiBM ::.

Adidas Fly House Party

Adidas Ultimate House Party

The full-length video of the Adidas House Party featuring everyone from Run DMC, Russell Simmons, Missy, David Beckham, Method Man, Redman, Kevin Garnett, Estelle, Young Jeezy, and of course classic and fresh Adidas shoes. This is the full-length commercial, not the 30-second chop up that you see on your regular TV channels. Only one thing, has anyone ever been to a fly house party like this? I recall all my house parties been barely full, and not having that much style, but I still had fun in the ‘bashment jams’ … my West Indian Caribbean people will not what I mean!

.:: LiBM ::.