Pop culture and the female mind: an insight.
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You may have noticed in the past few days that I’ve introduced a brand new feature. Underneath Frockwatch is a celebrity news feed of stories directly from Hollywood. Or rehab. Or wherever it is famous people hang out.
You can see all the stories here.
I’m sometimes asked how Mamamia can have posts about the travesty of breast ironing in Cameroon, the ettiquette of bringing kids to an adult party, a review of a semen cookbook (if you missed that one, run don’t walk here), a discussion about political leadership, a debate about the best age to lose your virginity, another about depression, a diabtribe against magazines who profit from making women feel shit about their bodies, clip of Lindsay Lohan’s wardrobe and a conversation about pregnancy discrimination all going on simultaneously. Isn’t that contradictory?
To that I say this: have you ever met a woman?
This is how our brains work. We can mentally multi-task and flick from something shallower than a puddle to something much deeper. And back again. Endlessly. We can switch gears and use different parts of our minds all at once. This is something to be proud of and it’s the way I run this site.
Celebrity news feed is an interesting addition and one I wanted to give a whirl. I’ve never believed that being interested in frocks or gossip means you’re stupid. In a mostly balanced diet, there’s nothing wrong with the occasional cheeseburger.
One thing that does bother me however is the tone of much of the celebrity news found in magazines and particularly online. Misogyny pretty much sums it up. Hello Perez Hilton. I used to be one of the many millions who looked at sites like Perez for my fix of mindless gossip but more than a year ago, I had to walk away, sicked by the tone which was unrelentingly nasty to the point of cruelty – about people’s weight, age, appearance, sexuality….even their children mocked mercilessly.
I’ve always thought there is some value in gossip. For women, it’s often merely a springboard to discussing issues in our own lives. The Lara Bingle story that keeps on keeping on is a perfect example of that. It’s not just about a footy player and a pretty girl (whose occupation is still a bit hazy in my mind). What makes it interesting and the stuff of online and off-line conversations all over Australia for days now is the questions is raises about technology, the morality of sharing private moments, betrayal in relationships, balancing work with a rocky relationship….all pertinent issues worth discussing because strip away the celebrity part and they’re applicable to most of us.
Before I committed to introducing this celebrity news feed, I was adamant about a few things. Firstly, I want the tone of news items to be neutral. Not bitchy, not nasty, not negative. I don’t want shit about losing baby weight or anything that’s bad for body image. And no nasty snark which seems to be the sole purpose of many gossip sites and mags.
The items themselves are not written by me, they’re just automatically published as a feed throughout the day (and night!) so if you see something you don’t like that’s slipped through the net, be sure to let me know at feedback @mamamia.com.au
The good news is that there will be up to 50 stories a day so you can keep coming back for new content constantly (what do you mean you need to do some work or feed your children? TRY HARDER!).
So anyway. We’re going to be introducing a few new things in coming months. Like some kind of book club and more food content and possibly health content also. And I’d love to hear from you about what you’d like to see more – or less - of here at Mamamia.
When I’m planning and posting content, I’ve always gone very much on gut instinct and occasionally, my gut gets it wrong so I’m always delighted to hear from you about what rings your bells.
What do you think of the celebrity stuff? Take it or leave it? What would make you come here more often or perhaps stick around for longer when you do?
Do you think there’s a place for celebrity news in the world of a switched-on, socially aware woman?
[image by Lallisig]
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Hi Mia,
I really enjoy your blog. In fact you are the only blogger I read at all!
However, I have to say I am not too keen on the celebrity newsfeed. I’m trying to cut down on celebrity internet popcorn in my surfing diet and it is too easy to disappear down a rabbit hole (to mix metaphors). I like the idea mentioned earlier of more things on health and wellness though.
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oh and also, how about a post something along the lines of ‘is this normal…?’ I don’t know how well it’d take off, but there’s often times when I question whether things I do, say, think etc are normal and always think about asking the MMers (don’t really have anyone else to ask)…
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Mia – love love love your blog. Celebrity stuff doesn’t really interest me a lot, as of yet I haven’t looked at any of the little ‘articles’ but it doesn’t bother me having it there. I’d really love to see more stuff on food, health, exercise etc…
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love this blog. keep up the good work mia.
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Sorry if I’m repeating but I haven’t read all comments yet.
I have been thinking to myself this week that I wish there was a forum.
Recently I have loved – ‘What I’ve learned’, ‘Best/Worst’ and ‘Never fail dinners’. Basically any post which results in us sharing hints and tips is a winner with me
Have spent a lot of time here at MM this week and am loving it. Thanks Mia
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There are a few things on here I don’t read, Celebrity is one of them usually, ( although having the feed gives a bit of info so easy to see if it’s someone I’m interested in), Frock Watch and Best & Worst Moments(gawd does anyone read that?- nearly always over 500 replies! I’d never get anything done if I read that every week).
It’s good to be able to pick & choose from such variety, some weeks I have heaps to read, others I just skim over most stuff.
Love WollyWally’s suggestion, for me it’s all the different points of view on different topics that are the most interesting.
Oh but please can this be a Bingle-free zone..the feeding frenzy is so far beyond ridiculous it’s scary.
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more relationship/friendship advice please
thanks for a great blog though Mia
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I second this…more advice about tricky family and relationship issues would be great.
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I agree with this post enormously Mia.
So far I haven’t paid too much attention to the celeb news feed, clicked on it a few times and enjoyed it and I think I will get into it more…it’s not really why I come here,
BUT having said that I don’t go to celeb sites or read gossip mags. Too much of a downer for me. And as for Perez Hilton. I checked out that site to see what all the fuss was about a while ago and just thought YUCK. Not only was it mean and mindless but the guy can’t write. I DO NOT want his voice in my head and I refuse to partake in any part of making him some sort of Hollywood power player.
SO if I am going to enjoy some celeb gossip (which I do) I am thrilled for it to come through a filter of neutrality, so I really appreciate that aspect of the feed.
Really looking forward to the book club and cooking/ recipe sections in whatever form they take.
Don’t shy away from those big issues either Mia. The intelligent, respectful debate is what makes this my favourite site!
Thanks for all the thoughtful and thought-provoking work you do here!
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I like to see posts how to ” solve problems” instead of” who’s right who’s wrong” for example referring at the post about the cocktail party, ” how to deal with a friend that show up at a cocktails adult party with kids ” , I find the ” who’s who’s” bring the worst in people the” solution” one bring the best out of people, first we all like to help, second we all have different way how to solve problems, and I noticed that in this blog when we all come together to solve a problem we come up with some very very interesting and helpful ideas, there are great minds visiting the blog everyday let’s used for good instead of tearing each up down, love to all ooxx
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great idea! although I do love the heated debates I must admit.
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Great points wollywally!
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Thank you Anonymous and Vicki II, I do like a good heated debated I do not like when boundaries of respect are broken or cross, love ooxx
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I really like the variety of posts on here and sharing ideas with others. And I love the humour that so many people here inject into the discussions. =)
With the group therapy I only comment when I feel I have a similar experience otherwise I am adding nothing to the conversation. But I still enjoy reading them and the comments, just because I don’t comment does not mean I don’t like or read a thread.
My favourite posts are those where a topical issue is aired and discussed such as the environment, schooling, Tony Abbott, etc. The overviews you give from Julie Cowdroy are well informed to give us a starting point too. I also really liked reading about your visit to the health farm.
Health and cooking SOUND good but I was not that interested in the favourite quick meals thread (although I thought I would be … maybe it was just me on that day). Cooking is one of my interests and so is gardening and I like to read about fashion and look at street fashion sites. There is not much interesting street fashion where I live.
Finding out a bit about the others on here also interests me, I liked reading the thread about where we all live, it is great to find the commonalities we have. The guest posts provide great variation too.
I like a bit of celebrity goss but would agree with you on the hissy quality of that as to whether it is worth reading.
I would also like to hear more of your views Mia, but can understand that this is not always a great idea for you to give here.
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Glad to know I’m not the only one with a negative opinion on Perez Hilton, I find his comments poisonous and definitly not on track with switched on, socially aware women.
On the other hand, a bit of fluff doesn’t hurt to distract us from the seriousness of modern day life, as long as we all take it for what it is – fluff.
A book club would be great!
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Yes! A book club, please!!
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I agree with all the posts below. A book club would be great as would a cooking section. More on health, particularly mental health would be great too.
I really enjoyed reading the ‘what do you know’ post earlier this week.
Like a bit of celebrity gossip but can take it or leave it…too far removed from real life for me.
I also really like discussions about current affairs.
Yes I do visit every day and read every post I really like the diversity.
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Hate to be a downer..
but I like my gossip with a bit of bite..
other wise it isnt entertaining
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I’m sober until my bubba is born and weaned…so if I can’t have a glass of red in the evening, give me a shot of goss – reading that Miley Cyrus has declared that she and her BF are ‘deeper than normal people’ is priceless fairy floss!
I agree with all 73 other posts – Love this site, and love the fact that you plan on trying out new things. Of the ideas suggested – I’m glad I’m in such large company in being excited by the idea of a book club.
MadCass suggested music content which is such a great idea – I love finding out what people are listening to…helps with discovering new artists and remembering old albums I’ve lost touch with.
Permanently twenty three mentioned politics – YES please! Women-centric stories are necessary, but broader political stories and news would be grand.
Forums?…not so much a fan. I think because each story becomes its own forum, breaking out from there just feels like it would dilute it. But that’s just my opinion.
Can’t wait to see what you’ve got planned!
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I’m a newbie here and love the mix of content, if I were to have an opinion on future content it would only be that I feel pretty ‘meh’ on most celeb gossip (with the exception of what they are wearing!) and any interviews with the stateswomen of acting..ie Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren et al. Just a small aside, I’ve just finished reading Living Oprah by Robyn Okrant who spent a year living by all of Oprah’s guidelines and ‘musts’, a very very interesting look into women and the impact celebrities have on the way they feel about themselves and their own lives. I thought this segued with the pop culture and female mind theme. Sorry for the blathering…
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Oooh..Ooooh..I forgot to say I’d love a book club, I had to give mine up because of shift work and I miss it terribly
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