Millions of Dead Vibes: How Aesthetics Hurt Art

TL;DR

Vibes culture, characterized by the categorization and naming of artistic styles, has gained popularity in online media, particularly through platforms like the Aesthetics Wiki.

Transcript

The internet has this compulsion to name and  sort every aspect of culture, no matter how   small. Every plot device and character trope,  every tiny sliver of the TikTok algorithm,   every type of human interaction is  inevitably demystified with a name. Ironically, we can’t seem to agree what this  trend should be called. I’ve heard it called   “... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌟 Vibes culture, characterized by the naming and categorization of various aesthetic trends, has been shaped by the pervasiveness of social media and the desire to speak and think in tags.
• 💡 The Aesthetics Wiki is a community-driven platform that seeks to assign names to every conceivable artistic style across different domains and has steadily grown in size.
• 🌲 Aesthetics can be subjective, with some styles being hard to describe or categorize. However, the dedication of the community to this task is reminiscent of the MOGAI movement that has come up with thousands of gender and sexuality labels.
• 📚 Many aesthetic labels describe styles that are decades old, with only the names being newly coined. The wiki aims to summarize and categorize these styles, exploring their origins and motifs.
• 🖼️ While the Aesthetics Wiki can be a valuable resource, it often oversimplifies and flattens the complexities of artistic movements, being more focused on content sorting rather than exploring the depth and meaning behind the art.
• 🔎 The wiki's categorization of aesthetics can be arbitrary and the community often fails to discuss the artistic choices and intentions behind the styles, instead focusing on the superficial aspects.
• 💄 Vibes culture is driven by the desire for aspiration and the perception of a perfect lifestyle, but it often neglects the complexities and realities of human experiences and embodiment.
• 💻 The rise of vibes culture can be attributed to the increasing influence of the internet and the shift from considering oneself as a worker to a consumer, leading to the commodification of personal identity and the portrayal of one's life as content.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has the internet and social media influenced the rise of vibes culture?

The internet and social media have provided platforms for users to share and consume aesthetically pleasing content, leading to the popularization of vibes culture. Through the internet, individuals can easily access and explore different artistic styles, contributing to the categorization and naming of aesthetics. Social media platforms also allow for the dissemination of these aesthetics, creating communities around specific vibes and influencing the way people perceive and engage with art. Vibes culture, therefore, thrives online due to the accessibility and interconnectedness of internet culture.

Q: What is the purpose of the Aesthetics Wiki, and how does it contribute to vibes culture?

The Aesthetics Wiki serves as a platform for users to research, categorize, and name various artistic styles across different domains. It contributes to vibes culture by providing a centralized database where users can discover and explore new aesthetics. The wiki allows individuals to participate in the creation and definition of aesthetics, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding of artistic styles. By categorizing and naming aesthetics, the wiki helps individuals navigate the vast world of online media and offers a means of self-expression through aesthetic identification.

Q: How does vibes culture impact the perception and appreciation of art?

Vibes culture influences the way individuals perceive and appreciate art through the categorization and naming of aesthetics. By assigning labels to specific styles, vibes culture provides a framework for understanding and discussing art. However, there is a risk that this categorization may oversimplify or pigeonhole certain artistic expressions, neglecting the complexities and nuances of individual artworks. Vibes culture tends to prioritize the aesthetic experience over deeper analysis or understanding of artistic choices, potentially limiting the depth of engagement with art.

Q: What is the relationship between vibes culture and consumerism?

Vibes culture has a strong connection to consumerism, as it often revolves around lifestyle choices and personal branding. Many aesthetics within vibes culture are aspirational and promote specific symbols or products associated with a particular vibe. This can lead to a desire to consume and acquire certain items or experiences in order to embody a desired aesthetic. Vibes culture intersects with capitalism by commodifying lifestyles and creating a market for products and experiences that align with specific aesthetics. However, it is important to distinguish between the individual's personal aesthetic choices and the broader cultural influence of vibes culture on consumer behavior.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Aesthetics Wiki, a community-driven platform, categorizes and names artistic styles across various domains.

• Many of these aesthetics are not new, but the categorization and naming have gained popularity through online platforms.

• Vibes culture is driven by the desire to understand and make sense of the ever-expanding world of media and aesthetics.