Sun, 16 Oct 1994 19:20:21 -0700 for <socgrad@UCSD.EDU>
Date: Sun, 16 Oct 1994 21:20:17 -0500 (CDT)
From: Melanie <mlowery@comp.uark.edu>
Subject: Re: your mail
To: Michael Gibbons <mgibbons@cwis.unomaha.edu>
> 
> regarding the discussion on social movements and individualism, it sounds
> like defusing volitol (sp?) segments of the population is pretty good.  
> We could also ponder how  much people are looking for meaning in their
> lives in a culture which relies upon purchase to imbue meaning.   in this
> scenario, ralph lauren's attempt at grunge will allow some kids (or
> adults) to feel that somehow they are involved in the forefront of
> society.  i don't know; i'll have to bake this one awhile.

I wanted to add one more thing here. Pardon all of the posts at once, but 
I am catching up...

If people feel that they are joining a social movement of protest just by 
wearing clothing, does this actually take away from what could be 
meaningful participation in something?  By wearing the t-shirt, in other 
words, they are doing all they feel they need to do? If so, this goes 
with the idea of diffusing possible dissidents of the future, and it 
seems to me that I see this a whole lot on our campus. Especially among 
the Polo Grunge groups, but not only within them...

Melanie