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Dickheads (2015)

thebaffler.com

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Re: Dickheads (2015)

#31

Post by ycombinete »

082349872349872 wrote: post #23
ycombinete wrote: post #5

The tie as we know it, was a streamlined version of the cravat. Which was popularised in Europe during The Thirty Years War (1618–1648), by Croatian mercenaries. That knowledge has always pleased me, when I’ve had to wear a tie. That it’s descended from these swashbuckling, brightly attired, mercs.

To be fair, many high-status male attire items have descended from swashbuckling, brightly attired, mercs. - clean-shaven, short-haired? originally for the advantage in hand-to-hand combat.[1] - trousers? originally worn (in the mediterranean context) by dope smoking barbarian cavalrymen. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/Sc... - puffy renaissance hips? originally from the padding worn under t…

Great info! I'll be mentally playing action movie montage music when I suit up for my meetings, get my hair-cut, or put on comically large hipped renassance pants, going forward.

Re: Dickheads (2015)

#32

Post by searchableguy »

praptak wrote: post #15
jamesrom wrote: post #13

Why is this on HN?

It builds an interesting argument. It takes dick jokes and makes them quality humor.

I read the full article and this doesn't seem to have any focus. It vaguely mentions some interesting tid bits but doesn't articulate on them or back them up properly.

Re: Dickheads (2015)

#33

Post by ycombinete »

wz1000 wrote: post #25
ycombinete wrote: post #8

This was a fun and beguiling little read. I noticed more ideological leaks forming in the article the further I read. Of course Foucault is always the great give away. The trite little attacks on men at the end seal the deal.

Interesting you pick on any mention of Foucault as giving away ideological leanings, since, incidentally, Graeber was not a big fan. From "Fragments of an Anarchist Anthropology": > Academics love Michel Foucault’s argument that identifies knowledge and power, and insists that brute force is no longer a major factor in social control. They love it because it flatters them: the perfect formula for people who like to t…

Thanks for the references.

At some point between 2006 and 2015, he must have decided that Foucalt was accurate enough on the subject of exercising power in society, to quote him so unquestioningly in this article.

Unless, of course, there's a distinction between the subset of "power" that this article deals with, and those he previously criticised Foucalt on, that make all four passages congruent with each other.

Re: Dickheads (2015)

#34

Post by 082349872349872 »

bryanrasmussen wrote: post #30
bryanrasmussen wrote: post #24

I think this kind of Freudian viewpoint about the purpose of all sorts of things began to fall out of fashion at the turn of the century (with the dying off of committed Freudians from the last century), and it sounds sort of ludicrous now - much like if someone started spouting off theories based on phrenology. It reminds me of some book I was reading in the 80s that started off in the intro with the theory that roc…

I am of course still somewhat sympathetic to a little less obsessive view that ties may function as phallic symbols, given that there is a difference between design and engineering - a rocket is shaped the way it is because of its engineering purpose, but a tie seems to have no purpose other than design (although I suppose the cravat and pre-modern ties had other purposes.) - I didn't think this observation should be…

The hunting stock (a more direct descendant of the cravat?) is said to have emergency uses (sling, tourniquet, etc.). That noted, I've practically used my belt numerous times, but never my neckwear.

Well, hardly ever. At "The Oasis" (an infamous fictional dive), men's gimme caps slowly slide backwards on their heads until everyone knows the evening has sufficiently advanced to sing songs. At black tie affairs the growing prevalence of rakishly worn unknotted bow ties provides exactly the same signal.

Bonus track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1OqqFecdj4

(can confirm: I've returned goats to the neighbours)

Re: Dickheads (2015)

#35

Post by searchableguy »

t0mbstone wrote: post #2

Let's get rid of ties! I have always hated them and thought they were moronic.

I love uniforms. If everyone has the same kind of clothing, it's easier to interact. People consciously look out for brands, specific clothing, and make up their mind on what the person is like before ever interacting with them. It signifies equality to me.

The minimalism of uniform makes it possible to notice the subtle differences. That's what a tie is for. It's to differentiate yourself but not too much.

Re: Dickheads (2015)

#37

Post by 082349872349872 »

ycombinete wrote: post #31
082349872349872 wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, many high-status male attire items have descended from swashbuckling, brightly attired, mercs. - clean-shaven, short-haired? originally for the advantage in hand-to-hand combat.[1] - trousers? originally worn (in the mediterranean context) by dope smoking barbarian cavalrymen. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/Sc... - puffy renaissance hips? originally from the padding worn under t…

Great info! I'll be mentally playing action movie montage music when I suit up for my meetings, get my hair-cut, or put on comically large hipped renassance pants, going forward.

Compare the "arming formula" of a Homeric ἀριστεία.

I understand donning hockey pants helps wheel snipes.

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