Fight Club
I’ve just read an article about the Teen Fight Clubs that seem to be cropping up throughout the nation. It’s fascinating—go read it for yourself.
The article’s content is provocative—the existence of such a reality as described forces the ultimate question of why? On the surface the appeal of such seemingly pointless barbarity is baffling. I mean, who really wants to be surrounded by a bunch of violent muscle-brains? Unless you already are one, of course, and the strongest one at that!
I think that the core of human identity is present even in these disreputable ruffians; the transposition of their violence into contemporary analogues makes the whole phenomenon more coherent. My attempts to face the question have led to the following hypothesis:
- Humans feel an innate need for recognition and power. Rephrase this however you like; the locus of the statement is that people want to matter and they want to feel that their efforts are significant.
- Current social mores exist in part to present “acceptable†ways to recognition and power. That is, if you do this and/or that in such and such a way we will recognize you and you will be effective.
- Teens, or (more generically) young people, may feel that the channels to recognition and power provided by current social norms are too difficult for them to navigate and/or take too long. The channels in place may require things that the teens don’t have or things that the teens don’t want.
- Instead of trying to fit into current acceptable channels young people may attempt to create their own institutional channels based off of more rudimentary requirements, i.e. they can get to the end of the channel, achieve the desired end of recognition and power, faster and potentially easier through their sub-channels than they can through the currently accepted ones.
In the end, the idea that winning a fight may bring power and recognition in an important peer group has far more appeal (despite the inherent danger of getting one’s face kicked in) than the perceived slow, arduous journey towards “normal†success in academics or business. Perhaps it is impatience, boredom, and the need for acceptance that fuel the path to barbarity.
Aug 1st 2006
Maybe its nouveau Dada.
Aug 1st 2006
I think it is even simpler than that. The blame for this rests squarely on the shoulders of the Video Game industry. These companies are the purveyor of the violence that leads to this sort of thing. That being said, I think that is it important to consider the opposing viewpoint, that cheese is tasty.
Aug 1st 2006
Well that all depends. Which do you prefer? Lindburger or Swiss.
Aug 1st 2006
Chad: I think your point about the Video Game industry is right on and is completely compatible with my framework here. Video Games are virtual institutional spaces where the player gains success and recognition in a very short time through subversive means. And it is definitely Swiss cheese…
Aug 1st 2006
I also would agree that cheese IS tasty, but actually would like to take that notion farther and pose the question: if violence is only a venue for acquiring something desired, or if, rather, it is a (weak) means to efface emotions?
I think you’re thoughts are excellent, Tim! I found them very interesting. Whenever I see incomprehensible violence I also wonder: why? What is the sense.
I often come to the conclusion that it is often one’s own guilt that one attempts to beat out of the opponent.
Aug 2nd 2006
Thanks for the comment, Timothy. No doubt violence can be a means of effacing emotions; but I’m not sure that I feel that that explanation is the best one for the Teenage Fight Clubs, though certainly each individual involved has his or her own reasons for involvement.
I imagine at least two tiers of emotional justification for participation: 1) Those being beaten and most likely to be beaten (do they really think they will win?)seem most likely to be the ones expunging their own guilt; 2) the ones at the top of the power structure seem more greedy (more emotionally complex than that, to be sure, but I don’t currently think their primary motivation is to compensate for their own guilt).
Obviously Germany and the United States collectively look at Violence through different lenses–violence isn’t Taboo here like it can be in Germany.
Anyway, that’s a jumbled response…
Aug 2nd 2006
of course, they may all want to be like Brad Pitt . . .
thanks for the link!
Aug 2nd 2006
of course, they may all want to be like Brad Pitt . . .
thanks for the link!
Aug 2nd 2006
also, are video games a cause? or a symptom?
Aug 7th 2006
I just found this.
Title: “Watching Pro Wrestling on TV May Spur Violence Among Teens”
Seems fitting…
Aug 18th 2006
Linked to you at Bloggin’ Outloud. Thanks for continuing the discussion (via AJ). Lyn
Aug 18th 2006
thanks for the link, Lyn.