Let's hear it for the tragically un-hip

As someone who prides himself in knowledge of useless pop cultural facts, I came to a realization the other day: I'm tragically and hopelessly un-hip. For all of my fascination with fashion trends and the creative world, I consistently miss the cultural zeitgeist -- by the time I arrive at the party, only a faint outline remains and everyone has moved on to more substantial material and newer themes. A friend recently suggested that my personal tastes were like the musical, literary and cinematic equivalents of cotton candy: sweet and instantaneously satisfying, yes, but not quite 'filling,' i.e. politically driven, thought-provoking or semiotically dissectible. Somehow, he suggested, this was indicative of a shallow, immature mindset. The truly artistically-inclined, intelligent and trendy folk steer clear of what's in the clubs or pre-packaged for the masses, he said. While I did little in retaliation, I reacted by pondering said sentiment and taking personal inventory long after the conversation ended. Was he onto something?

At first meetings, I've found that you can tell a lot about a person simply by browsing their CD collection. This can be somewhat off-putting for some people (there's not a discreet way to ask someone to snoop through their music), but I've found it to be a dependable tactic. However, glance through my music and -- in addition to film soundtracks and scores -- you will find a myriad of dated material (typically released in the '80s) alongside a variety of current, albeit conventional, selections. It might only be considered 'edgy' or 'fashionable' if we were living in 1987. Ask me who or what 'the kids' are listening to these days and I'll be forced to declare ignorance. Consider, for example, the two best known albums I purchased this past year: "X & Y" by Coldplay, a rock band whose credibility has receded since its front man's decision to grant his offspring a produce-aisle moniker, and "Confessions on a Dancefloor" by Madonna, a venerable pop icon who seems to be struggling -- in often unflattering ways -- with middle age. While I take pleasure in listening to both of these selections, neither exactly grants me a much-sought aura of trendiness or arthouse sensibility.

When I find myself enjoying something off-the-radar, it's typically through word-of-mouth or by way of a friend's generosity, e.g. a personal mix CD. I am never going to be the one to say, "Check out this amazing band whose gig I caught while they were touring in southeastern Bohemia," or, "I learned about so-and-so before he got signed to Warner Brothers when he was still playing coffeehouses in San Diego and driving his father's 1986 Chrysler LeBaron." By the time I get a listen, their album's had a stellar review in Entertainment Weekly and the world is buzzing about their upcoming Irving Plaza gig which sold out in six minutes.

The same applies to my taste in literature and cinema. Among my more recent book/film selections: epic dramas, High School Confidential-style satires and, of course, the romantic comedy. Upon viewing or reading said material, I won't be able to defend a religious doctrine or critique political theory. There is, however, one consistent theme: pure escapism. I enjoy retreating to a world where the men are witty and dapper, women sassy and astute and all is set against a background of glamour and sophistication in some bustling metropolis or exotic locale. The right man always wins, no relationship goes unconsummated and lives are devastated only following a series of steamy rendezvous. By focusing on escapism, am I unconsciously telling myself that present realities have nothing to offer? Or that consuming oneself in fictional love affairs is better than pursuing a real, flesh-and-blood one of your own because of the consequences? Do I truly place more emphasis on style than substance? At the very least I've learned to save many of these movies for rainy day rentals and I'm past the dreadful "chick-lit" phase of 2003, during which I pored through such literary classics as "Wedding Season" and "The Devil Wears Prada," only to hate myself for wasting so much time in doing so. Sometimes *Curtis* even embarrasses Curtis.

So is there a way to up my 'cool, hip and trendy' factor, and if so, will there be a significant benefit? My conclusive thoughts on the subject: OK, so I'm hardly riding the cultural zenith. I've no right to classify myself as an artistic snob, not that I ever did so in the first place. While cultural tastes become part of one's character, I can't subscribe to the notion that subjective matters can truly be a basis for judgment. As I wound up telling my friend, it might be another thing altogether if I wasn't willing to ask questions or expand my thought. This is something I definitely strive to do.

In other news, I attended a special screening of "Trembling Before G-d" at Kino Svetozor this past Thursday. Talk about missing the cultural zeitgeist: the documentary got its American release in 2001! Regardless, I found the film -- about gay and lesbian communities of hasidic and orthodox Jews -- truly fascinating. I'm not sure why I've always found Jewish customs so intriguing -- perhaps, as someone who felt little to zero connection with organized Christianity since the age of 12 (much to the chagrin and dismay of my mother, mind you), I find those willing to dedicate themselves so rigidly to matters of faith pretty remarkable in their own right. Since I've just finished reading a book about an orthodox Jewish family with its own series of problems, the film made a suitable companion piece. Following the screening, there was a special Q & A session with the film's director as well as the "world's first" openly gay orthodox rabbi. While much of his spiel leaned towards the self-congratulatory, the rabbi made some interesting theories. It was interesting to witness his ongoing dilemma, to see that he's still torn between religious philosophies and the quest for his own personal happiness even after coming to terms with his sexuality. "Well, my boyfriend and I have made a beautiful life for ourselves in this world," he said. "Whether or not we'll be able to do the same thing for ourselves in Paradise...well, I don't know." Wow.