THE IDEA OF POPULAR: A FLIRTATIOUSLY THEORETICAL TOUR OF BELONGING by Jonathan Brady A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the California Institute of Integral Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in East-West Psychology California Institute of Integral Studies San Francisco, CA 2010 CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL I certify that I have read THE IDEA OF POPULAR: A FLIRTATIOUSLY THEORETICAL TOUR OF BELONGING by Jonathan Brady, and that in my opinion this work meets the criteria for approving a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. in East West Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies. _________________________________________________ Daniel Deslauriers, Ph.D., Committee Chair Professor, East West Psychology _________________________________________________ Steven Goodman, Ph.D. Professor, Asian and Comparative Studies _________________________________________________ Janice Jentz, J.D. Lawyer, Non-profit CFO, Event Planner, Model © 2010 Jonathan Brady Jonathan Brady California Institute of Integral Studies Daniel Deslauriers, Ph.D., Committee Chair THE IDEA OF POPULAR: A FLIRTATIOUSLY THEORETICAL TOUR OF BELONGING Abstract Formal studies of popularity, while attempting to understand and legitimize the existence of popularity as a social construct, simultaneously dismiss popularity as trivial and unimportant. This interdisciplinary study on popularity recognizes this dismissal and articulates various ideas of popularity, in particular how the idea of popular affects interpersonal, communal and political relationships. Popularity, therefore, is an intrinsic aspect of how humanity is collectively bound together. In applying a broad perspective, this study engages in a grand tour of theories. In order to enrich the academic and non-academic discourse on the ideas of how we are with others, this study explores the significance of this notion of popularity and the impact of technology on our capacity to be with others. Recent technology, otherwise known as social media, binds us even closer together, accelerating the rate and widening the reach of popularity. This work expounds the application of the notion of popularity through several lenses: Freudian and contemporary psychoanalytic formulations of civilization, Platonic ideals of beauty, Marxist notions of power, Mahayana Buddhist literature on the notion of interdependence, Buber’s dialogical relationships, Machiavellian political tactics, i contemporary feminist discourses on oppression, as well as the presence of internet based social networking sites. The objective, herein, is to address the problem of disconnection in a digital age, while articulating the need for a broad theoretical exploration to understand popularity. We do not need to overvalue popularity at the cost of devaluing what is unpopular; we belong regardless of how we are labeled. ii Acknowledgements This work would not have been the same without all the wonderful, supportive, and ultimately patient people in my life. There have been numerable people that have held my process, pointed me to authors, and reminded me to place commas, to cut the jargon, and to be congruent while writing about popularity and not denying my own social life. Although I generously acknowledge theorists in my work, here is where you will find those persons who know or have inspired the idioms and possibly obscure cultural references. Each of them deserves personal recognition; each of them deserves to have their names within this work. More than a tangible collage of all the people that have helped me, these acknowledgments also show all the people whom this work belongs to. Daniel Deslauriers has supported me in this project since the beginning. He taught my first doctoral level research class, on narrative methodologies, and helped me find the story of this topic. The narrative arc of this project could not have been possible without his consistent aegis. Steve Goodman supported my cognitively omnivorous style throughout this work. He pointed me to more authors, more connections between authors, and above all to include Frank Zappa in this dissertation. Janice Jentz was my expert. Her refined presence on this dissertation is a testament to her embodied knowledge of being in the public spotlight, but also knowing the sociological and political dynamics inherent in popularity. I am beyond indebted to her for her guidance, support, encouragement, and generous edits of the many drafts of this work. She also iii continuously redirected me to think beyond passing this dissertation to making this study a fiercely political one. She reminded me to make this personal. Amelia Ramos has been a gracious editor as she held me accountable for writing the first draft on time. She has also fervently edited this work, assisting me in conveying these ideas with clarity and without too much complicated jargon. While my tone has been cultivated with her, all errors, typos, and seemingly incongruent verbiage are mine; I take credit for those. Morgan Tingley directed me to Darwinian competition, systems theory, and more reading. His firm yet exacting assistance throughout Chapter Five has made it more legible. I am indebted to him for helping me make a coherent argument in this chapter. Morgan Ersery lent her precise sensitivity to the chapter on aesthetics. Admittedly, she is the person that I run towards if I want to talk about beauty, art, or deportment. Her edits helped clarify my own thoughts on responsiveness and all the ways that we are drawn towards others. Aubrei McGinn took time to look over my chapter on character, and from her studies in developmental psychology, reminded me that I know this material, and to trust what I know. Her gentle reassurance calmed my anxiety regarding this chapter. Lauren Smith’s unwavering stance on social justice within the fashion industry encouraged me to see the values of materialism, beyond the typical critiques. She also lent her charismatic presence to the Chapter Nine, supporting me in articulating the spiritual values therein. J.D. Hogan taught me how to format my table of contents, which had been irking me since the start of this project: tears of joy in that moment. iv Dalen Gilbrech generously provided his couch, daily affirmations to write, and the vision to accomplish this dissertation. Matthew Chambers got me thinking about architecture and urban planning as it relates to popularity, as well as the feeling of being new and wanting to be welcomed. Roman Rodriguez continuously supplied me with new music to distract myself with: sublime. Zack Lyon was a fervent supporter of me distracting myself with dancing. Artists Scott Brown and Joshua J. asked me to dance for them at their events and I accepted; writing about popularity necessitates being a bit social. Chris Atwood commiserated with me over his dissertation, gave me more references on oppression, and directed me to look at the ontology of mobile phones: brilliant. I can’t thank Chris enough for this guidance. Rochelle D’Silva ran this race with me and called me out on not putting more initiative into socializing. Her dissertation on auditory hallucinations within schizophrenia is brilliant and revolutionizes the clinical understanding of a symptom, and of the dis-ease. I hope that my dissertation belongs on the same shelf. Elijah Nella continuously ran into me while walking through the streets of San Francisco, reminding me that being public, all too often, means being followed. Beja Tinsley pointed me to societal expressions of beauty as seemingly unnecessary all the while engaging in the public discussion of what is and is not popular. Lisa Frankfort reminded me that community is only community if it is used. Her voice will never leave my ear; I don’t want it to. Samantha Schwartz, her Blackberry abuzz, redirected me to the necessity of invitations as proof of v belonging. Caitlin Elliot brought me back to church and reminded me of where I belong. Kelly Borukhovich is a fervent believer in the desire to protect all others from unnecessary pain. She also directed me to Sun-Tzu and to not forget military sciences as a precise form of managing and defending the public. Lynzie Miller introduced me to playdates as an adult, encouraged me to wear my beauty on the inside and the outside, and to never forget a name. She also encouraged me to take my first ballet class, which lead to the inclusion of the writings of Twyla Tharp in this dissertation. Janeece Hayes reminded me that writing, if it isn’t accessible to a wider audience, excludes more people than it includes. You can thank her for helping me address you, my reader. Josselyn Gaulke admired my work and offered perhaps the most vulnerable description of popularity that I have heard. Her tender acknowledgement of popularity, of wanting to be loved by one’s friends, throughout life, is still with me. Rudy Gonzales continued to remind me that this dissertation was already written in my heart and that I need only put it on paper. This comfort helped me through many writer’s blocks. Josiah Stickels showed me that introverts have their own experience of popularity and felt sense of belonging: a categorically different and an altogether beautiful kind of popularity. Kurt Bollacker, Marty Combs, and Rich Martin gave me a felt sense of belonging, which is still with me to this day. aMy Anderson allowed me to pontificate on fashion and the necessity of presentation while shopping with her. vi Sincere acknowledgements go to my colleagues at my schools, who daily place me in new social contexts. Caleb White, lovingly works with children, admires beauty and truth, and wishes for children to be the best that they can be, is certainly a popular teacher. Ms. Paige vocally supports all students. Bjorn Wickerstrom is the self-titled “Best Renegade Jeep Driver Ever” while Suzette Bradley is the self-titled “Queen of Awesome” and both encourage students to be a bit more charming.