Though most will scoff at the idea of someone who just seriously quoted the highly tabooed Fall Out Boy, I would argue that Mr. Wentz mentions something worth noting. We are all part of a popular society—whether we like it or not. The denial of this reality proves to be a weak and ignorant attitude. What are those in denial fighting for? A greater cause?...Probably not. Themselves?...Even so, what is the true benefit behind their motives?...Perhaps so they can prove to peers that they knew about something first (music, fashion, art, vague ideas about nothing). Or maybe it is to appear edgier or artier or than anyone around them—although creating or flaunting something purely for that reason is meaningless and has no value as an idea, and is therefore not artful at all. In fact, it begins to appear superficial and pitiful.
It is easy to appear arty and interesting (A quick trip to American Apparel (Wal-Mart), Pitchfork (MTV), and Ikea should take care of that); but after time, it just doesn’t matter. It all becomes the same, only with different faces. The real value lies within the ideas and the meaning extracted from them, which ultimately contributes to society in a more fertile way, spurring development in a larger process. I would suspect that most of the smuggest of hipsters/artists/designers/musicians/etc. are fighting for little more than appeal itself, which is a cheap one-liner.
I believe that this idea of intent and meaning relates to everything we do and conceive of as people, but it becomes especially valuable within the design field. As an architecture student, this idea of meaning has been drilled into my brain again and again, but has just recently made the most sense to me. To me, a truly artful thing or idea crawls inside of one’s thoughts and dwells, inevitably affecting future thoughts and actions. In that way, the original thing becomes influential outside of itself…and therefore meaningful. Only through trial and error in creating things have I realized (and continue to realize) the importance of pushing limits and the worthlessness of complacency, both in terms of existing notions and one’s own innovative abilities. Eventually, the bullshit becomes easy to see through. So…in short: what really makes you so special?...No, really.
Be original, people. Be bold. But more importantly, mean it.
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