Being out-of-touch & too mainstream

[Piper70]

Coincidentally this meme came up recently and I had never seen it. It came out in 2016 and the explanation didn’t make much sense. The phrase was from a video game or something. I have 2 sons so I’m sure I would have found good use for it since I’m an introvert with little patience.
I am in my early 50’s and my musical taste is all over the map. Pop, rock, rap, R&B, older stuff. Anything but country.
Fun fact, I went to high school with Elin Hilderbrand. She was behind me so I didn’t know her well but I ran into her a few years ago. I like some of her early books but her recent St. John trilogy was so poorly edited and factually incorrect, I couldn’t make it past the first book. It seemed lazy to me since she spends a month on island every year to write.

 

[Jambalaya]

Interesting, Piper!

I don't get that meme, either.

I didn't notice the problems with that trilogy. Was it the timeline that was wrong, or actual typos, or what? I feel silly now that I didn't notice!

 

[kenny]

I don't get that meme, either.

+2

 

[rainwood]

@Jambalaya The things you're calling mainstream are what used to be popular so used to be mainstream. What's popular now isn't fringe; it's mainstream now. You just aren't listening to it or watching it. It can be generational, but it's also a matter of whether you're someone who likes to seek out new stuff. Some do, some don't. Both choices are okay.

I do like to seek out stuff that's new to me, and though I didn't watch the Grammys, I'd heard of most of the artists and even have some of their songs, and I'm in my 60's. Some of the people my age prefer to listen to the music they liked when they were young. I'd find that boring, but everyone gets to float their own boat.

I like to keep up so I also watched some of the Marvel movies on Disney+ to see what they were about. Most of them are not my thing, but at least I know what people are referring to now. I also watched The Mandalorian for the same reason and ended up really liking it. You just never know.

But there are also things I don't feel the need to discover. Sometimes I felt like the only person on the planet who never watched Games of Thrones, but I was okay with that. I knew it was too violent for me (as are some of the Marvel movies).

 

[Karl_K]

Then again most of the youngsters will not get:
"All your base are belong to us"

 

[Jambalaya]

Thanks, Rainwood. My question is, how do you know what to seek out? I mean, if you've never heard of Marvel, you wouldn't know to look for it. Do you have kids who keep you up-to-date?

I don't ever come across much stuff that's popular now. By that I mean, no one I know talks about Marvel or The Mandalorian (both new to me as of a few seconds ago), and I don't remember any reference to them in the media I read. So if no one mentions them how would you know they exist? I read a national newspaper (I switch about: it was the NYT, then the Boston Globe, and now the Washington Post), and I throw in a bit of The Guardian and the Daily Mail to get different viewpoints. And for the latter, to follow the British royals. I also have The Atlantic. For TV, I watch things on Netflix and Prime, like Midsomer Murders, Bridgerton etc.

But Mandalorian....I mean, I read the media as mentioned above, I have Netflix, but I've never heard of it.

I feel thoroughly out of the loop and it's the more frustrating because I don't know how to keep up. Where is the Website of Current Popular Things?

 

[Jambalaya]

Then again most of the youngsters will not get:
"All your base are belong to us"

I don't get this, either.

Honestly, I feel I know nothing!

 

[Jambalaya]

OK, I've just looked up the Marvel stuff and the Mandalorian. Superheroes and space cowboys. Definitely not areas of interest to me, so perhaps I just filter them out.

 

[seaurchin]

OK, I've just looked up the Marvel stuff and the Mandalorian. Superheroes and space cowboys. Definitely not areas of interest to me, so perhaps I just filter them out.

I am far from on the cutting edge but that's what I do- When I hear something I don't understand, I just google it. Also, I think sometimes people over-emphasize whatever's new right this minute but imo overall it is not any substitute for years of experience at life.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Ive always been quirky but conservative
I don't care
some things ive never liked
i hope i make up my mind on things because i like them not because they are popular

 

[lilmosun]

Though I didn't watch the Grammys, I'd heard of most of the artists and even have some of their songs, and I'm in my 60's.

The first time I realized that I had lost touch with the mainstream was when I didn't recognize most of the nominees for the Grammy's

In all seriousness, as everything has exploded digitally, I find there are just too many options out there to keep up with. All the streaming services (music and movies/series), web-sites, social media platforms and mobile apps, It's too time consuming for this old lady so I no longer try. At this point, I am happy with the familiar and rely on friends for recommendations for new stuff.

On a similar note, I once was always the first in line with the latest tech stuff...installing hacks for improved features, etc. Then I realized I was spending a lot of time migrating and figuring things out for a brief period of enjoyment. Now I dread upgrading anything...if it works and does what you want..don't mess with it!!

Not sure if this means I am getting old or lazy or more likely, both.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Here's an age-related meme that got me recently. Does anyone else not understand it? My grown kid had to explain the humor to me.

Um, maybe because Chili's went out of business years ago?
Please tell us what your offspring said.

BTW, my mid-60s boyfriend picked me up for our first date in a shirt much like that. I was charmed, and the Alpha Romeo he drove didn't hurt either. Why are we all embarrassed for still being here and having been smart enough not to get run over by a bus?

 

[rainwood]

Thanks, Rainwood. My question is, how do you know what to seek out? I mean, if you've never heard of Marvel, you wouldn't know to look for it. Do you have kids who keep you up-to-date?

I don't ever come across much stuff that's popular now. By that I mean, no one I know talks about Marvel or The Mandalorian (both new to me as of a few seconds ago), and I don't remember any reference to them in the media I read. So if no one mentions them how would you know they exist? I read a national newspaper (I switch about: it was the NYT, then the Boston Globe, and now the Washington Post), and I throw in a bit of The Guardian and the Daily Mail to get different viewpoints. And for the latter, to follow the British royals. I also have The Atlantic. For TV, I watch things on Netflix and Prime, like Midsomer Murders, Bridgerton etc.

But Mandalorian....I mean, I read the media as mentioned above, I have Netflix, but I've never heard of it.

I feel thoroughly out of the loop and it's the more frustrating because I don't know how to keep up. Where is the Website of Current Popular Things?

I don't have kids, but I have nieces and other younger people in my life. I like being able to connect with them about the things they enjoy, and it turns out I often enjoy them too. The more things I find out about, the more things I find out I like. Not everything, but more than enough to make it worthwhile. Lots of what's popular now is talked about in the NYT, the WaPo, and the Guardian. I don't know about the Daily Mail as I don't ever read that. Look at the entertainment section to see what movies and TV shows are discussed. Seek them out if you have the right streaming service or cable channels, and take a look. If you don't like them, you can turn them off, but you'll know about them and won't feel left out of the cultural conversation.

I probably can't be as helpful with music. Music is a HUGE part of my life. There isn't any genre I reject. Some I like better than others, but I've found something I like to listen to in every genre, including country, hip-hop, rap, and opera. I have music playing most of the time, including right now. You might want to try a music streaming site like Spotify or Apple Music for the free 30-day trial period, find a song you know you like, and see what else they recommend. Or see what's popular and find out what K-pop is. See if you like it. Even if you don't, you'll know what it is. It's a global phenomenon.

I don't stream music, but only because I already have so much digital music I own, including having burned all of my many CD's but only the songs I liked. I have something like 30 GB of music on my phone and computers, which is a lot. I make playlists for different kinds of music and play those often, adding to them when I find something else I like. As Kenny says, the audio quality sometimes isn't quite the same, but I can take my music with me everywhere, and that's important to me. Though I will say when I listen to some of the classical stuff with my AirPods, I can hear when the pianist takes their foot off the damper pedal - not just the sound effect stopping, but the pedal itself - and other details I otherwise wouldn't hear.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

So, the internet is biiiiig and we have access to a ridiculous amount and variety of content these days. I don’t think it’s a big deal if you’re not aware of the “newest popular thing” unless you really want to be. I mean, I’m in my late 20s and I don’t know (or like) a ton of current popular music. I listen to recently released music, but mostly indie/folk/soft rock etc. Spotify browse or just YT video recommendations are a good way to discover music.

As for language, it evolves lol. I don’t completely understand the way teenagers talk but you gather meaning from context. It’s the same with every generation. When my parents start using words like “groovy” it makes me instinctively cringe a little because it sounds so alien of a word to use. I’d suggest following some Instagram meme pages if you want to get more aware of how people talk these days and the humour. Like, I laughed at the chilis meme, I’m not gonna lie

As for movies and TV shows, just check out the popular today shows/movies on Netflix. I’m not a big tv/movie fan myself so can’t be helpful there.

If you really feel OotL all the time there are definitely websites for that (that I also frequently use). Like just google something and “explained”. Or check out the subreddit (r/outoftheloop) and that’s just full of people asking about a cultural reference and others explaining it.

 

[Matata]

Eh? Eh? (tap, tap, tap). Hello, anyone there? How does this contraption work?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

By 1987 half way through high school i had turned my back on pop music

 

[Dancing Fire]

Music stop playing after 1982.

 

[Piper70]

Interesting, Piper!

I don't get that meme, either.

I didn't notice the problems with that trilogy. Was it the timeline that was wrong, or actual typos, or what? I feel silly now that I didn't notice!

There were multiple grammatical errors and also factual errors about the island. She mentions driving the switchback on Jacobs Ladder and there isn’t one. Also repeats an incorrect history of Lovango Cay. If you are going to set a book in an actual place, do the research and get it right. I also feel like most trilogies are just money grabs. Maybe I’m just picky or protective because we had a house there ( just sold it ). Lots of STJ tourists like the books.
I record The Tonight Show and watch it which keeps me informed about new music and entertainment. Also, I have 2 adult sons and one of my besties is a 40 yo gay guy so they keep me up to date. My musical tastes change according to my mood. I’m currently listening to 90’s stuff like Alanis Morrisette, Sublime and Everclear. So the mood is dark.

 

[Jambalaya]

Redwood and AllAboard, thank you SO much for your long and thoughtful replies! I appreciate all your suggestions and will definitely dive in with those!

I work with seniors and my friends' kids are gown, so I don't have any youngsters to keep me in the loop.

Piper, thanks for your reply and for your great suggestions, too. I'm going to re-read those books and see what I can spot!

Matata - hahahaaaa!

 

[Missy]

I am pretty much the opposite of mainstream and have no clue as to modern references etc.
And that is OK with me. My brain is filled with other things at the moment and there is no room left for anything I am not interested in or find important to my life.



and "to thine own self be true".

 

[kenny]

Wow. Powerful quote missy.

 

[LilAlex]

Via a friend I discovered Matt Maeson's song Cringe, and I really liked it. That made me feel cool. Is he fringe, or mainstream, or what?

Does anyone else ever feel too mainstream and old-fashioned for our society?

Matt Maeson is awesome -- one of the last live shows we went to before...before something. I feel like we stopped going -- I can't remember why...

Have kids -- it's like starting all over again. YMMV -- some parents hate their kids' music, clothes, friends, interests, tastes. Makes me sad to think about it and sadder to see it. My kids introduced me to so much great music that I would have overlooked!

 

[LLJsmom]

@Jambalaya The things you're calling mainstream are what used to be popular so used to be mainstream. What's popular now isn't fringe; it's mainstream now. You just aren't listening to it or watching it. It can be generational, but it's also a matter of whether you're someone who likes to seek out new stuff. Some do, some don't. Both choices are okay.

I do like to seek out stuff that's new to me, and though I didn't watch the Grammys, I'd heard of most of the artists and even have some of their songs, and I'm in my 60's. Some of the people my age prefer to listen to the music they liked when they were young. I'd find that boring, but everyone gets to float their own boat.

I like to keep up so I also watched some of the Marvel movies on Disney+ to see what they were about. Most of them are not my thing, but at least I know what people are referring to now. I also watched The Mandalorian for the same reason and ended up really liking it. You just never know.

But there are also things I don't feel the need to discover. Sometimes I felt like the only person on the planet who never watched Games of Thrones, but I was okay with that. I knew it was too violent for me (as are some of the Marvel movies).

The things you're calling mainstream are what used to be popular so used to be mainstream. What's popular now isn't fringe; it's mainstream now. You just aren't listening to it or watching it. It can be generational, but it's also a matter of whether you're someone who likes to seek out new stuff.

Exactly this. It's about following the trends. If you want to, you can. Just turn on the radio. There is still radio. If you don't like it, you will turn it off and never know what the current trends are.

Or go on YouTube and look up "2020 most popular movies" and there you will find Marvel. Do that for 15 year from 2005-2019 and you will be able to learn as much about Marvel as you want. Only if you want though, because if that does not interest you either, then you will not try to learn and therefore will not know.

And if you are ok with it, that's fine too.