The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
Tuesday, April 5, 2008 - 5B
POP CULTURE TIMELINE
>> IPOD MINI
1.04
This bite-sized music icon makes
it all the more fashionable - and
colorful - to be an audiophile.
Compared to its bigger brother,
which had four buttons and a solid-
state dial, the Mini is not a step
down but far, far up. At 4 GB, the
Mini is large enough to carry 2,000
songs and small enough to fit just
about anywhere, while its vibrant
color scheme makes it even more
desirable as a fashion accessory.
Another step in Apple's plan for
world domination.
>> JANET EXPOSED
2.04
During the Superbowl XXX-
VIII halftime show, families across
America are shocked when they
catch a glimpse of Janet Jackson's
ornament-adorned nipple. Accord-
ing to Jackson's co-performer, Jus-
tin Timberlake, the controversy
was the result of an unfortunate
"wardrobe malfunction."
>> JUDD APATOW
8.05
With the release of the block-
buster comedy "The 40-Year-Old-
Virgin," writer/director/producer
Apatow becomes the new golden
child of the Hollywood community,
an honor he's more than happy to
live up to with subsequent hits like
"Knocked Up" (2007) and "Super-
bad" (2007).
>> FLAVOR OF LOVE
1.06
"Flava flaaav!" The distinctive
callofhumanity's mostgifted lady's
man echoes across dorm-room
televisions everyhwere. Many said
it couldn't be done, but Flav man-
ages to create a reality TV show
from the ashes of a failed reality TV
show. Flav has always made a living
from doing effectively nothing, and
after yelling things as a member of
"Public Enemy," it's only right that
he creates the most useless reality
show possible.
>>N I NTEN DO WiI
11.06
Nintendo releases its latest in
state-of-the-art gaming consoles,
quickly knocking aside competi-
tors like the Playstation 3 and
Xbox 360. With games like "Super
Mario Galaxy" and "Super Smash
Bros. Brawl," the Wii becomes yet
another reason for students to skip
lecture.
>> BRITNEY LOSES IT
2.07
Britney Spears's thinly-veiled
sanity begins to crumble when
the formerly long-haired pop
star barges into an L.A. salon and
shaves her head in front of the
bewildered owner. The world
watches in horror as, during the
subsequent months, Spears con-
tinues her downward spiral into
drug-infused lunacy. Is this a sign
of the times? Let us hope not.
>> POTTER'S FINALE
7.07
The release of "Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hallows," the seventh
and final installment in the beloved
series, sparks a mad rush to every
bookstore in walking - and run-
ning - distance. Reactions are,
mixed, but J.K. Rowling once again
comes out on top with the book
breaking sales records to make any
muggle stand up and take notice.
>> IN RAINBOWS
10.07
English alternative rock band
Radiohead releases their latest
album, In Rainbows, ina download-
able MP3 format on their website.
In Rainbows's revolutionary release
made it one of the most important
records of the year because many
critics and fans assumed it would
save the music industry.
>> LEDGER DIES
1.08
Fans arestunned whenthe"Broke-
back Mountain" star is found dead
in his apartment from an apparent
overdose of prescription medication.
Ledger had become a powerful new
name in Hollywood, nominated in
recent years for an Academy Award
and recognition from the AFI. His
death is especially shocking given
high anticipation for his newest
movie, "The Dark Knight."
These are the faces that have defined your college experience.
Best of wasted youth
Paul Tassi I Daily Arts Writer
used to own CDs - I bought an iPod.
I used to miss TV shows - I got Tivo. I
used to think "Zoolander" was the great-
est movie of all time - I saw "Once." It seems
like an eternity ago, but really, it was only four
years.
Pop culture has defined rather than influ-
enced my time at the University. Not only
because it's been my job here at the Daily to
report on it, but because it really has pervaded
every aspect of my life, and I think that's true
for many of us. I arrived as another freshman
brought up on "One Tree Hill," Playstation 2 and
Blink 182. Four years later, you'd think mytastes
would have matured. Have they?
I used to laugh hysterically at Ron Burgundy
("By thehammer of Thor!") and Napoleon Dyna-
mite ("Gosh!"). Thank GodI've progressed tothe
intelligent humor of Judd Apatow, whether I'm
watching a dilating vagina in "Knocked Up" or
browsing through a hundred different pictures
of cartoon dicks in "Superbad." Much better.
It's just that I don't feel like I've really
matured when, instead of doing calculus
homework, I'm shredding a Tenacious D song
on a toy guitar plugged into my Xbox or simu-
lating a sporting event on Wii by waving a
remote control around like I'm trying to catch
butterflies. The past four years have been a
constant battle between my desire to consume
pop culture and my need to graduate with a
GPA that won't land me a job at the mall. And
it's been kind of a losing battle.
It seems that pop culture has been more of a
hindrance than a help to my maturation in col-
lege. This is supposed to be the time where I'm
learning life skills and making connections for
my future. And, I mean, I suppose Ihave gained
some skills - I'm a level 35 commander in "Halo
3," and Lord knows I will destroy you in "Super
Smash Brothers" with any character on any
level. And as for connections? Those are with
my friends as we piled into my car time and time
again to go watch movies at good old Showcase
Cinema (now with student rates!). We've
come out shaking our heads after
"Spiderman 3," hopped up on
bloodlust after "300" and nod-
ding off after "Zodiac."
I don't regret leaving my'
econ exam 10 minutes early to
make sure I got home in time
for "The Office." It doesn't bother
me that I stayed up until four
in the morning on a week-.
night because I was on
the edge of my seat,
blazing through a
season of "Lost"
on DVD. I'm happy
that I learned that
the best movie to
watch drunk is
"Michael Clay-
ton" (drink
every time
George Clooney
acts smug and
you'll be gone)
and the worst -
game to play on.
a date is, well,
any game - except Wii bowling. Girls love Wii
bowling. Write that down.
The reason I've enjoyed all this is now I
know it stops. I was never that sure what a
highly stressful 9-to-5 job was like, but I'm
sure it doesn't involve watching eight episodes
of "24" in one day. Gone are the days of mas-
sive sensory overload, as I don't think I'll be
able to blast T.I. or M.I.A. for hours in my little
cubicle. (Well, maybe once - if I have an
office with a door.)
But I guess it's really over. Real life
has finally arrived. Pop culture will
always be around us, but we'll have
to consume it in little, bite-sized mor-
sels. Fortunate, as bite-sized has been
the trend as of late. Writers striking for
shows played streaming on your lap-
top, a thousand Sudoku puzzles
at your fingertips on Nintendo
DS, watching concert feeds on
your cell phone - it's all very
small.
In terms of maturity, I'm
not so sure I have to grow
up on April 27. I'm not
deleting my Facebook
or replacing everything
on my iPod with smooth
Jazz. I know I won't quit
my pop culture obsession
cold turkey, nor should I
have to. I'm only 20, and
I've still got plenty of
time to be young and
immature. We all do.
Information Technology
Congrats!
You've made it through college and passed all your exams, but can you pass this
computer security quiz?
Why might someone break into my computer even though
I have nothing of value on it?
a. Perform a crime
b. Distribute illegal materials
c. Steal my identity
d. All of the above
V