I feel so much better seeing these beauties after reading the Hailey Baldwin/Half-Kardashian/Hadids/HaileeboBailee threads (I used to never look and I should probably go back to that since their threads undermine my entire life).
One thing that struck me in the videos is how Russians (even the ones I know irl) preach the American Dream dogma more than Americans these days.
Wasn't the "American dream" originally about poor Europeans sailing to America (dangerous journey) to get some free/cheap land and building a life for yourself? In that case American dream = opportunity + hard work.
I like "privileged" dream; I think this is one of the few correct applications of this word.
Maybe that's the point? That the lifestyle is unobtainable is maybe what makes it so alluring. Only a few people get to be Kardashians, however, with hard work you could be rich/famous in another manner. But since hard work is so... hard... it's easier to look up to someone you can never be instead of someone you could be, with work.
Out of every attempt I've heard at explaining how the Kardashians exist, this makes the most sense.
That, plus this whole idea of "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps," the idea that even if you're poor, the meritocracy of America will reward you or your children with upward mobility if you just keep working hard. The way the economy is right now, very few people really believe in it (which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, but I won't get into that). I feel like the Kardashian fame is definitely related somehow to the fact that people today have totally given up hope, but I can't quite articulate it.
Reality TV now is certainly more about rich people being weird, but I vaguely recall reality TV in the 90s being more about the "everyday man". So you're probably right.
I keep watching this and can't figure it out
I keep watching this and can't figure it out
Her dedication really speaks through in her captions too which just makes it so much better and well deserved
I missed this but it's an interesting point. In Black Swan (and elsewhere) Natalie Portman's hard working, talented, and beautiful character is insane (and perhaps only motivated by "approval"--not a passion for her art) while Mila Kunis' and Wynona Ryder's characters cheated to gain success, presumably, by sleeping with the artistic director. There are very few examples in contemporary art, by my observation, of people who work hard, applying their talent and beauty, and achieve success.Reality TV now is certainly more about rich people being weird, but I vaguely recall reality TV in the 90s being more about the "everyday man". So you're probably right.
To go back to ballerinas I then wonder why Black Swan did so well, with all this in mind. Maybe people secretly admire hard work?
Unless people took it to mean that hard work will destroy you in the end
I would so much prefer to see girls like this in Reebok ads. (I mean I still find the leggings horrible, especially compared to the usual beautiful ballet outfits, but at least I'll watch the ad now)
To look this graceful on the beach
and descending the stairs.
It looks painful as hell but also stuff like this is so motivational for me and puts my own *my calf hurts a little and I feel too tired to exercise* whining into perspective.
