1. Why does this cultural text look the ways it does?
Time difference
Style Difference/ Choice
Perhaps it’s a statement of rebellion from social norms
2. Who is talking about it?
Everybody
Especially young people
3. Why are they?
It’s different from the norm
Unusual style for a professor
Mullets were a fad a few years ago
4. Who isn’t talking about it?
Older People
5. Why not?
Less a pop culture thing for older people
That style used to be more popular
Maturity factor of older people may make them less likely to talk about someone’s hair style
6. What are they saying about it?
It’s an older style
It’s unusual
7. Why are you thinking and talking about it the way that you are?
Prof asked us to use it as a cultural text, so we’re analying it semiotically- using cultural references we have
The teacher was present and talking about her hairstyle in front of her made for a somewhat awkward conversation. We’re not sure how open to be or what language to use.
When Steph left the room we felt more open to talk about what was ok and not ok and discuss more openly.
8. What is it like?
Mullet
Older style from the 80s
A style of hair that is easy to maintain
9. What is it similar to/ different from?
Similar to pop culture icon of mullet
Different from traditional women’s hairstyles
Different from the norm for a professor, usually professors have more of a business dress/hair style.
September 23, 2007 at 5:46 pm
I think that this response gets the most basic point of Steph’s haircut being unlike what we would usually see in a professor when they walked in the door. To add to this, I think that it makes the atmosphere more relaxed and more personal. I think the haircut says a lot about her personality. Thus, it’s easier to get a grasp on what this class might be like, how we will interact with Steph which I have already come to learn might be a little different that the majority of professors at this university.
September 24, 2007 at 3:46 pm
I do not agree with likeboldcolors when they say that everyone is talking about this particular haircut. This type of a haircut is a certain style which more people than just our professor have. I don’t think that people with the same style as Steph would think twice about her haircut. However that is not the only problem I have with the use of the word “everyone” in this analysis. I also find it to be confusing that at first likeboldcolors says that everyone is talking about the haircut and then further down in the analysis they say that older people are not talking about it. Older people I think would be included in the group labeled as everyone. Finally the only other disagreement that I have with this analysis is when likeboldcolors says, “maturity factor of older people may make them less likely to talk about someone’s hair style”. If someone with a different style than Steph sees her hair and finds it to be odd maybe their maturity would stop them from literally speaking out to her about it, but no matter how mature they are they would still think to themselves and maybe even talk to a close friend about how different Steph’s hair really is. I don’t think that maturity has anything to do with it.
September 24, 2007 at 9:04 pm
I like that this group stated that the hair cut is a “time difference” and it was a “statement of rebellion.” the time difference is definetly a big part of the semiotic method. Especially in this case because someone older ill see it differently than someone in our generation. I also believe that it was a statement of rebellion in that generation just like being “goth” is a rebellion today.
September 25, 2007 at 2:26 am
I agree with anon in the respect that likeboldcolor’s post really gives the basics about Steph’s haircut. Personally I like the haircut and believe there are reasons not posted here as to why she wears her hair the way she does. Though I don’t think everyone talks about the haircut, I do think a lot of people around campus talk about the haircut when they are first exposed to it. Since it is not a style usually seen, it becomes somewhat of a converstation piece. After being in class with Steph for a while you become used to her unique hairstyle and don’t even acknowledge that it’s really any different.
September 25, 2007 at 2:33 am
The mullet is a very popular haircut and I’m thinking there must be a reason outside of it’s eccentricity to be so. Does anyone think the mullet was used for practical reasons? It’s long in the back so I’m thinking that it could have been used to prevent sunburn in the back and provide shade on top of it. That’s what Arabic Keffiyehs are for, or at least one of the reasons.
September 25, 2007 at 3:13 am
I found some similarities as well as some differences in the responses given with likeboldcolors to some responses we came up with in my group. Yes, I agree that Steph’s haircut is unique, and one of a kind. However, I have to disagree with their response with who is looking at it. Think about it.. how many times a day do people take a second look, young or old, at Steph’s haircut. To some, it is considered unuaual, but to her, it works. It’s like if someone was wearing some ridiculous outfit in public, people are bound to give a double look, and i don’t think that age matters. “History, time itself, is a constant factor in a constantly changing world.” Popular culture once accepted, and many people rocked this mullet-like look. I also agree with anon136. Steph’s haircut and style is her own personal choice. Everyone is different, how boring would the world be if we were all the same?
September 25, 2007 at 1:40 pm
I think that this semiotic analysis is great, especially because it says that everyone is talking about it because it is not the norm. I touched on this a few minutes ago on another analysis, and I think it is a great point.
September 25, 2007 at 3:00 pm
I think that although older people may not talk about it as a topic for gossip, they may be thinking about it when they see it. It is certainly an unusual haircut to see in this time period. Anytime somebody of any age sees something that is unusual or uncommon, it is normal for them to think about it, whether in a positive or negative way. It is the fact that it is unusual that makes it noticeable.