Thursday, April 1, 2010

I Love To Leave The Interpretation of My Music Up To The Listener. It's Fun To See What They'll Say It Is - Erykah Badu


That was a pretty eventful post yesterday! I really enjoyed reading all of the comments, and I appreciate everyone's point of view. I think this is a video you either hate or love, but it's always good to hear other people's perspectives. I love a good debate, and there were some awesome points mentioned.



Thank you to Seygra20 for pointing out that this video was inspired by Matt & Kim's Lesson's Learned [you know I googled the heck out of that when I got home..lol]. There is a debate going on right now [in the comments on youtube] comparing the two vids, and if Erykah received more flack..  And thank you to Indigo who answered Negesti7's question; Group Think was what came out of Erykah's mouth when she fell to the ground.

In a nutshell [and according to this source] Group Think can be pretty much summed up as:
A type of thought exhibited by group members who try to minimize conflict and reach consensus without critically testing, analyzing, and evaluating ideas. Individual creativity, uniqueness, and independent thinking are lost in the pursuit of group cohesiveness, as are the advantages of reasonable balance in choice and thought that might normally be obtained by making decisions as a group.

During groupthink, members of the group avoid promoting viewpoints outside the comfort zone of consensus thinking. A variety of motives for this may exist such as a desire to avoid being seen as foolish, or a desire to avoid embarrassing or angering other members of the group. Groupthink may cause groups to make hasty, irrational decisions, where individual doubts are set aside, for fear of upsetting the group’s balance. The term is frequently used pejoratively, with hindsight.
I remember watching this video in my psychology class, which talked about the group think phenomenon. Pretty interesting stuff. Do any of you agree with the group think theory?

Wearing: Top: Kimchi Blue + Tweed Pants: Vintage + Stockings: H&M + Shoes: Zinc [got them from Macy's] + Jewelry: Forever 21

10 comments:

  1. I love your outfit....especially the shoes. No problem on the Matt & Kim

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  2. I dig the outfit. Those shoes r delish.

    I agree with the group think theory and that it mos def exists. It is a perfect example why Erykah got the flack that she did for the vid. I didn't mind the video and agreed with what she was trying to say and the symbolizm behind it. Most artists and people who "dare" to be different do get it though. It's people that haven't come into their own and care about the group think mentality that hate on the video. B/c to me, in a porn, sex and lust filled socitey that we live in, it's so funny people got up in arms about it. It's just a naked woman. Sheesh.

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  3. I think that part of the problem is that people cannot separate sex and nudity AND the fact that throughout AfAm female history in the US our bodies have been hypersexualized. Women in general are sexually objectified and AfAm women in particular.

    ps<--- the shoes are redic!

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  4. i just love your Hair. I especially LOVE THE SHOES.

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  5. My opinion on group think is this: Yes there are times that you are in a group and you want to make an opinion and it gets shut down. At that moment "some people" feel like a fool and keep their mouth closed. Not me though, An opinion is my opinion. We have freedom of speech, but it used out of content like the video. If Ms. Badu wanted to express her creativity and make a point. Do a closed set and have people who are willing to join into her expressiveness help her conduct the video. Group Think can also help others with their creative thoughts to bring it out. I know that they would be many artist that would have joined into this video with her and even some others who are not in the music world. like I said before Children were around and we need to help keep our children's mind pure. that is why certain billboards that have lots of nudity and sexual content is taken down, to protect the minds of innocent people (children).

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  6. yes group think most certainly exist and it is through group thinking why there are certain issues going on in this world today..but there should be a balance. As the saying goes, "there is a time and place for everything." With that said, there are obvious disadvantages and advantages of group thinking. As intelligent humans we should try our very best to find some balance between the two. It's all part of our logical way of thinking.

    Whether it was appropriate or not of Ms Badu either way she provoked thoughts and to me that's a blessing...And as smart people we should all tastefully agree to disagree without judging because we are know better.

    As usual gorgeous outfit!!

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  7. I just consumed over three hours writing about my experience as an African American male. Absolutely crazy events that so many people including African American women would be surprised to hear. There are dangerous perceptions around the world about men of color. My freedom has been questioned on a women's word and my life has rested on whether a police officer or red neck could muster the courage to squeeze the trigger. Ms. Badu got a free pass just like Matt & Kim, Prince (the Artist) would have went to jail and forced to pay bail and appear for a trial date.

    Group Think? Who thought of such an expletive, which more frequently arrest the mind on the phrase over the concept. If anyone dare confirm the “Group Think” theory, then in fact as part of this group of blog respondents you certainly validate the theory of the cohesive culture and it’s system of thought.

    Only one person is required to begin a tradition, nevertheless mutation and evolution will in time alter any organism. So ask the question, "is this new or cutting edge"? Walk in darkness without the expectation of witnessing light.

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  8. Very pretty you take great photos :)

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  9. I love the outfit, but the shoes I LUV:)

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