Welcome to Voices of the Day, this week focusing on culture.
This week was definitely a highlight for me. I really liked hearing what cliche role people picked – from sitcom characters to sidekicks to “miserable old gits”. Special mention to Phoebe from Friends for being the spirit-role for two different voices. There are a lot of honest, varying viewpoints when looking at misunderstood lifestyles that was eye-opening and worth remembering. I had a special soft-spot for the depth people gave for the Power of Words in their life. Been really trying to tighten up the format week-to-week. Moved the pictures to the bottom of posts, I think it makes more sense and feels better that way. Learning a lot about the process as this continues, as with the cultural layers question – Nobody expanded on their number, and I was bummed about that originally. But then I reconsidered and thought, maybe it leaves it open to interpretation and more interesting to see the number of cultural layers without needing to label them. Culture was a topic of great importance to people, and the voices certainly did it justice, enjoy!
What personality cliches do you fall into? What character in a sitcom, or role in a movie would you fill?
Band geek
What is one habit, culture, or lifestyle that you have trouble understanding?
Mega sports fans
How strongly do you base ideas of right and wrong on your own personal ideas versus societal and cultural influences?
I try to balance the two as much a possible.
What power do words have to you? For you? In your life?
Words hold great power for me in life.
How many layers are there to your culture?
10000
How are you feeling, right now?
tired
Self-Description
I am very passionate about color guard. I love wholesome content of all kinds.
Stereotypical Role
Support, maybe a mage
Hard to Understand
People who drive inefficient vehicles for non work purposes.
Personal vs. Societal Influences
It’s likely societal and cultural influences which dictate what’s right and wrong.
Power of Words
Communication is key, and it’s a bit harder to mess things up reading or writing.
Cultural Layers
5
Feeling
A bit sleepy and a bit anxious about the next couple of weeks.
Self-Description
(No answer given)
Stereotypical Role
Daenerys Targaryen – Game of Thrones
Hard to Understand
bullying
Personal vs. Societal Influences
Very much
Power of Words
A lot
Cultural Layers
3
Feeling
Well
Self-Description
I’m an European Woman, living in my small country trying to live from the Cinema Business, doing cinematography.
Stereotypical Role
I don’t know.
Hard to Understand
Bandwagon sports fans.
Personal vs. Societal Influences
Somewhere in between.
Power of Words
Words matter. That is why we use them.
Cultural Layers
3.5
Feeling
Bored
Self-Description
I haven’t figured it out yet.
Stereotypical Role
I’m definitely the over emotional friend who never gets a date. Bonus points if they’re a writer, finish your drink if they say they’re a writer but they’re very clearly unemployed.
Hard to Understand
Going out and partying with strangers, honestly. I’m just super introverted and value the time I spend with others a lot differently so I don’t know why you’d spend it on strangers
Personal vs. Societal Influences
There’s a difference between what I think is right and wrong and what I think should be done for society. For example, I personally would never have an abortion because I consider that to go against my morals, but I would never EVER judge any individual for getting one for any reason. Everyone is different
Power of Words
I’m a writer (or a “writer”, see the unemployed part from before haha) so even simple language can change my day, my week, my life.
Cultural Layers
3
Feeling
Neutral
Self-Description
After years of struggling with mental illness, i am finally getting back on my feet. Coming soon to a bookstore near you!
What personality cliches do you fall into? What character in a sitcom, or role in a movie would you fill?
I’d be the dumb one who’s occasionally smart. Like Phoebe and Joey from Friends, but mixed together in an awkward mess.
What is one habit, culture, or lifestyle that you have trouble understanding?
In terms of lifestyle/culture I don’t understand religion. I guess I don’t understand how people can believe in God and also follow certain rules purely just in case he’s real.
How strongly do you base ideas of right and wrong on your own personal ideas versus societal and cultural influences?
I don’t really see things as right/wrong because nothing is inherently either. E.g. some things are outrageous in Western culture but if you go somewhere else, they’re perfectly fine, and vice versa. But I mostly base my morals off what I think and believe, mainly because I don’t get much influence from anywhere else and find it a lot easier to just think logically rather than emotionally
What power do words have to you? For you? In your life?
The power to get on the same level as someone else and to be able to understand each other. They can also be both completely useless when someone won’t listen, or really powerful when taken seriously. Sometimes even damaging.
How many layers are there to your culture?
1
How are you feeling, right now?
Tired, sad and angry
Describe yourself, however you want, in two sentences. (Names omitted)
Absolutely awful at social interaction, basically on the outside of everything. I have a few talents and skills but no one is ever interested in me enough to see them.
Stereotypical Role
Big man, small hearth. Some kind of sensitive jock.
Hard to Understand
How people are able to date so easily, I have trouble getting a single date while others do it like it’s a piece of cake
Personal vs. Societal Influences
Mostly my personal point of view, probably biased by what I see on social media.
Power of Words
Could not live without them, without subtitles I could not watch foreign shows. I could not enjoy the internet as it is. Studying would be impossible for me without written text.
Cultural Layers
3
Feeling
Bit tired and stressed out because of work
Self-Description
One of the strongest introverts around.
Stereotypical Role
Phoebe from Friends
Hard to Understand
selfish, wealthy people
Personal vs. Societal Influences
I think I use my personal ideas more frequently than other influences. THis is often because I think societial or cultural influences don’t use qualifiers enough and fall prey to heuristic models without considering multiple outcomes.
Power of Words
Linguistics has become increasing more powerful due to societal norms changes such as the gender spectrum. Words are often used to exclude because they speak to the majority which could make minorities feel bad about themselves
Cultural Layers
20
Feeling
content, pensive
Self-Description
I am a woman, mother, wife, professor, daughter, sister, and aunt. I care about the environment and equity for all.
Stereotypical Role
Miserable old git
Hard to Understand
Buying distressed clothing. It’s like buying a new car with dents and scratches.
Personal vs. Societal Influences
I have my own ideas of right and wrong, regardless of the opinions of others.
Power of Words
?
Cultural Layers
10
Feeling
fine
Self-Description
Workedhard for 50 years. Now telaxing in retirerment.
Stereotypical Role
The vegan
Hard to Understand
War, racism
Personal vs. Societal Influences
Quite strongly I suppose
Power of Words
It depends on the words!
Cultural Layers
72
Feeling
Not good sorry 🙁
Self-Description
I am apparently a very nice person but I don’t know what’s going on in this world.
What personality cliches do you fall into? What character in a sitcom, or role in a movie would you fill?
I would be the the funny sidekick or best friend and I’d likely die partway through to further the development of the main character.
What is one habit, culture, or lifestyle that you have trouble understanding?
I really don’t get how people can eat meat. A living creature had to die for that.
How strongly do you base ideas of right and wrong on your own personal ideas versus societal and cultural influences?
I used to be a lot more influenced by the people around me but I’ve started thinking more for myself and figuring out what I think is right.
What power do words have to you? For you? In your life?
They can be pretty powerful.
How many layers are there to your culture?
4
How are you feeling, right now?
Rushed
Describe yourself, however you want, in two sentences. (Names omitted)
I’m queer, disabled, and trying my best. I really stop procrastinating.
Stereotypical Role
Weird nerdy girl
Hard to Understand
watching vloggers, being very right wing
Personal vs. Societal Influences
How would I know? That’s not something you are usually conscious about. But I think I have my own basis, and do my research before forming ideas.
Power of Words
They are very important to me. I love the science of words and languages, and communication is important to me in general.
Cultural Layers
967
Feeling
Annoyed by this questionnaire
Self-Description
I am a very curious person with a lot of interests. I am also an ambivert.
Stereotypical Role
A lonely hero
Hard to Understand
It is difficult for me to have to be constantly available via phone and the internet. I have to be ready to answer at any time, and this puts me in a state of constant alert.
Personal vs. Societal Influences
I prefer to think than my personal ideal of right and wrong is strong, and make my best to base on my own judgement, but I understand that you cannot hide from the society. Of course I absorb cultural influences, at least subconsciously.
Power of Words
Previously words and language used to be a second reality for people; now, I think, they are forming our first reality. Words are very real. You can beat with a word and it will be more painful than with a stick.
Cultural Layers
100
Feeling
Quite well; I am fine right now.
Self-Description
I am a middle aged Russian woman, with interesting work, family, and friends. I discover my culture during my whole life, but I will never have time to find out about all its layers.
Stereotypical Role
insane serial killer
Hard to Understand
having children
Personal vs. Societal Influences
very
Power of Words
quite a bit
Cultural Layers
10293857034985730498570
Feeling
puzzled by the previous question
Self-Description
i don’t want to
Stereotypical Role
I would fall into that cliche of the attractive guy that one of the female leads has a fling with, but they end up breaking it off because I’m pretty nerdy
Hard to Understand
Smoking. Despite all the research and evidence of how awful it is for you, people still do it.
Personal vs. Societal Influences
Morals are subjective and different for each person.
Power of Words
Words have immense power. They can create worlds in your head just by reading them on a page. They have the power to start wars and something as simple as brightening someones day.
Cultural Layers
1
Feeling
Tired, but overall pretty great
Self-Description
I am an unassuming athletic nerd. I enjoy sports, reading, video games, board games, and a variety of stereotypical nerdy interests
Thanks for listening to the Voices of the Day. I hope you took something away from this post that you can keep with you. Did you think about what habits perplex you? Did you figure out what role you would fill? Feel free to use your power of words to leave a comment below letting us know! And check out the Conversely Facebook Page on Thursdays and Sundays, to have your voice heard! And if you want to hear more great insights check out our Last Post where voices spoke about their fears, free-time, and personal honesty. Have a great day, and thanks again for listening to the Voices of the Day.