05.23.08

Weezer and internet culture

Posted in internet subcultures, materialism at 5:06 pm by rachel

Just last week I talked about the specific kind of nerdy community vibe that formed at ROFLCon. Today, Weezer - a pop band with a nerdy ex-Harvard frontman, whom we nerdy current Harvardians feel obligated to pay attention to - released the video for their single “Pork and Beans” on YouTube.

The song’s about staying true to yourself even though you’re not cool at school. This is pretty much the quintessential challenge of young nerds everywhere… but guys, check out their video:

And yes, they’ve co-opted a bunch of heroes of internet culture to sell their upcoming CD. And they’re definitely not the first commercial entity to try to harness internet culture to make some bucks.

But when I watch this video, I feel like I personally just got a big shoutout from some other nerds who happen to have made it big. From the comments I’ve been reading around the internet, that’s what the dominant reaction has been. It feels like a big in-joke we’re all pulling on mainstream pop culture: like “hey, look who’s setting the trends now, assholes!”

So good job Weezer. re: your co-option of internet culture, I can honestly say: ur doin it rite.

03.17.08

Threadless Tees are $9

Posted in materialism at 10:04 pm by rachel

Threadless has a big sale going on, now until Sunday. Use this link to do your shopping and I get points towards more indie-ish t-shirts. Kind of a brilliant viral marketing incentative, that. You heard it here first.