Did you ever want to be the coolest kid on your block? Well Silly Bandz made it possible for you to achieve this status at the age of 6. But who knew that the concept would go beyond the recommended 5+ age group and continue its way up to college students, and even adults. Looking around the Babson campus you might be surprised to see students wearing these shaped rubber bands. The intended use for these bands was originally to be a creative replacement for rubber bands or hair ties. People interpreted the message differently and began wearing and trading them. Chapter 8 of our Media Society book goes into detail about how there is a “preferred” message that the creator is trying to get across and an interpretation by people, that may or may not be the same as the preferred, which is exemplified through these Silly Bandz.
Now there is a shape for everyone! So you love wiener dogs, rock that wiener on your wrist and be proud. Or maybe you always think about eating ice cream in class, slap that thing on your wrist for everyone to know. What you wear helps to define who you are or at least how you would like to be perceived by others. The bands send great messages to others on campus. You could walk into a party and not know anyone, but if you spot someone wearing Silly Bandz, you have an immediate conversation with them. The bands send a message to other people, “Hey, what shape do you think I am? Come talk to this kid so you can trade and get me!” Not only do the bands help our society mingle and meet new people, but the physical act of completing a successful trade may bring extreme happiness. You may begin the day with a crown and giraffe and end up with 2 armfuls of awesomeness. 
First, please put up the dates during which you posted these entries.
ReplyDeleteThe silly bandz are indeed an interesting (and silly) phenomenon. It seems to me still a popular thing among kids. You really think Babson students wear them? What do you think is the ultimate appeal of these rubber bands to adults? How does it relate to the famous Lance Armstrong wristbands?
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ReplyDeleteI love that you used silly bands as your medium. I always thought they were the stupidest invention ever until I worked at a camp for the summer. I then became obsessed with trading them, but I would always take into consideration which ones I thought would best define me, just as you said, "which shape do you think I am". Not as many students at Babson have them though. Probably because the school is constantly drilling professionalism into our heads. I still like them though.
ReplyDeleteJust out of curiosity, do you by chance have a blue dolphin? :D
I chuckled when I read this post because the other day I took part in a FME focus group that wanted to sell those on campus. I honestly didn't think they would work because even though silly bands have jumped out of the original proposed age group they also receive negative responses from people. When I wore one my little cousin gave to me as a gift many of my friends told me to grow up and why would I have that on my wrist. Nevertheless, what I'm trying to say is that silly bands are perceived in many different ways and sometimes do not offer up the conversation starter as you depicted in you blog
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