This post spoke to both my deepest desire and greatest fear; this idea of a culture omnivore is fascinating!!
I’ve seen people who accomplish this; they somehow know the latest niche brand, the newest TV and music references, they are aware of new travel spots, interior design trends, food and fitness! It’s a level of in-touch-ness that I want but the work on being THAT online is a nightmare to me too.
Honestly I buy the lie that an individual like the one I described just KNEW these things without remembering that they put a lot of time and energy into it. As Kristen quoted; is a luxury of time that most of us don’t have.
Love this post. 100% agree re: MAC. I wrote a while ago about how MAC got its groove back by simultaneously embracing innovation and its cultural cachet through its nostalgic past while partnering with it-girls like Gabbriette. https://kristenvinakmens.substack.com/p/how-mac-cosmetics-got-its-groove
Also, this line is amazing: "The luxury of time to pay attention, to filter out what deserves attention, in the attention economy. WHAT."
Oh I love your piece on MAC groove-return. I worked for MAC while I was at university, and I just want them back on top. I still have my brush belt (and a few deadstock unused lipsticks that I kept as mementoes of that era). Thank you for reading this one x
Have you heard of Paul Fussell’s book Class? It’s a pretty hilarious satirical take on the entire class stratification in America. But in the last chapter he refers to “category X” . . . the people who cross all the boundaries and be like equally comfortable playing croquet or reading Mother Jones. Feels like cultural omnivore is about the same.
Love this piece (and the one about reading being a subversive act that brought be here).
This was a really interesting article, Beth, thank you. 💕
I’m not sure if I’m a cultural omnivore or not, maybe it’s just the distance and perspective that age provides. I get most of my news from headlines and most of my cultural input comes from reading other people’s Substacks… like this one! 💜
But I like what I like and I learn more about what I find interesting and it turns out that provides a really wide breadth of knowledge and information. And, yes, I do have the gift of time.
This post spoke to both my deepest desire and greatest fear; this idea of a culture omnivore is fascinating!!
I’ve seen people who accomplish this; they somehow know the latest niche brand, the newest TV and music references, they are aware of new travel spots, interior design trends, food and fitness! It’s a level of in-touch-ness that I want but the work on being THAT online is a nightmare to me too.
Honestly I buy the lie that an individual like the one I described just KNEW these things without remembering that they put a lot of time and energy into it. As Kristen quoted; is a luxury of time that most of us don’t have.
I love this comment so much. HOW DO THEY KNOW?! x
Love this post. 100% agree re: MAC. I wrote a while ago about how MAC got its groove back by simultaneously embracing innovation and its cultural cachet through its nostalgic past while partnering with it-girls like Gabbriette. https://kristenvinakmens.substack.com/p/how-mac-cosmetics-got-its-groove
Also, this line is amazing: "The luxury of time to pay attention, to filter out what deserves attention, in the attention economy. WHAT."
Oh I love your piece on MAC groove-return. I worked for MAC while I was at university, and I just want them back on top. I still have my brush belt (and a few deadstock unused lipsticks that I kept as mementoes of that era). Thank you for reading this one x
That line is amazing!! And I see the people who have that luxury; it’s truly incredible!
haa
Have you heard of Paul Fussell’s book Class? It’s a pretty hilarious satirical take on the entire class stratification in America. But in the last chapter he refers to “category X” . . . the people who cross all the boundaries and be like equally comfortable playing croquet or reading Mother Jones. Feels like cultural omnivore is about the same.
Love this piece (and the one about reading being a subversive act that brought be here).
This was a really interesting article, Beth, thank you. 💕
I’m not sure if I’m a cultural omnivore or not, maybe it’s just the distance and perspective that age provides. I get most of my news from headlines and most of my cultural input comes from reading other people’s Substacks… like this one! 💜
But I like what I like and I learn more about what I find interesting and it turns out that provides a really wide breadth of knowledge and information. And, yes, I do have the gift of time.
Thank you Sheila. I love meeting people who know their own minds, and follow their nose/heart, like you do. x
Love these references, Beth x