Natasha

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Herd Quotes from BrainyQuote, an extensive collection of quotations by famous authors, celebrities, and newsmakers.

"The human race is a herd. Here we are, unique, eternal aspects of consciousness with an infinity of potential, and we have allowed ourselves to become an unthinking, unquestioning blob of conformity and uniformity. A herd. Once we concede to the herd mentality, we can be controlled and directed by a tiny few. And we are." David Icke

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Sigmund Freud

Freud wrote an essay about the herd instinct.

He "contends that the mental phenomena that are occurring in groups are derived from a herd instinct, which is innate in human beings just as in other species of animals. Biologically this gregariousness is an analogy to multicellularity and as it were a continuation of it. From the standpoint of the libido theory it is a further manifestation of the inclination, which proceeds from the libido, and which is felt by all living beings of the same kind, to combine in more and more comprehensive units. The individual feels 'incomplete' if he is alone. The dread shown by small children would seem already to be an expression of this herd instinct. Opposition to the herd is as good as separation from it, and is therefore anxiously avoided. But the herd turns away from anything that is new or unusual. The herd instinct would appear to be something primary, something 'which cannot be split up'."

This directly applies to the 'sheep-like' pattern individuals exhibit in society and reflects the fear of standing out and being different.

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This is a great academic text from Routledge on Nietzche's theory of the herd instinct and it's problems ins society. 

Nietzsche objects to herd morality because it values what does not have value. It is in the interests of lower, not higher men. If each person’s values help establish favourable conditions for themselves, then the triumph of herd morality will lead to the continuation of herd-like people. It is therefore not something for the human race as a whole to live by. 

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The herd instinct and the common theory

Below are two thought-provoking, stand-on-their-own sections from Patrick Spread's paper "Science and Support: The Struggle for Mastery in Economics" in the new issue of RWER.  The herd instinct Fu...

"People all go in one direction with the one idea. The group members convince each other that the idea is the answer they have all been looking for. Then some event occurs that casts doubt on the idea. A rival individual puts forward an alternative idea, and gains support. People begin to move away from the first idea and edge towards the second. At a certain point, the erosion of support erodes the confidence of the old group, and a trickle of defections becomes a torrent. The new group gains confidence from the build-up of its support. The new group, with the new idea, becomes ascendant. People move with the herd because it gives a sense of security, whatever the status of the herd ideas."

This is true for trends that come in and out of fashion in society. This is how it works. This is the herd instinct.

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Inspiration for Assessment 3 - 

Looking at the works of Hattie Stewart and Ana Strumpf and interesting/edited/illustrated magazine covers.

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research

Most of my research for the last assignment is relevant to this current one. For example the herd instinct, the power of advertising and fashion as a reflection of culture, all tie into the basis of 'trends' -how they are created and how they are carried out by many.

It is because of the 'herd instinct' that people look to each other as what to do and how to look. We feel a sense of belonging when we are with similar individuals or those who share our aesthetic judgements.Trends are also all about desire and wanting what you don't have, in the belief that it will complete you and bring you happiness and beauty. We are constantly being marketed at, which only accentuates what we are lacking. The media tells us what we need to have in order to fit into the greater society, be accepted by others and accept ourselves as equal. It is this belief system which fuels humanity and society at the moment, but it is not the way it has to be.

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Art Book Page With Calibrations 1 by Chad Wys (web/tumblr/fb/s6)

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Trends are marketed at us through online marketing techniques, such as email campaigns. Banner ads haven't worked as well, according to Kessier.

It is this fanatic dedication to fashion and apparel brands that drove fashion brands to the Web. According to research results from Miller-Williams, released this July, e-commerce shoppers say more than 80% of the reasons behind their decision to purchase is outside the realm of their online experience. What matters to shoppers is the brand. (Customer Loyalty) 

Online shopping has introduced "virtual models" in order to defeat consumer hesitation when it comes to the way clothes may fit ones particular body shape. This approach is helping - shoppers who use the feature are nearly 20% more likely to purchase, and they tend to spend 16% more in their average orders than shoppers who don't use the virtual modeling technology.

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This article regards the vegetarian, vegan and raw vegan diet as a fad and not as a true healthy lifestyle. It is hard to know whats the "right" way to eat, but I think it comes down to the individual and their intuitive connection with their body and what it's asking for.

Raw veganism is quite an extreme diet and lifestyle as all food must be raw. Cooked food is considered a toxin. This diet is extremely popular among the increasingly health-conscious younger generations.

Another good source: http://skepticalvegan.com/2011/01/28/raw-veganism/

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Celebrity bindis at Coachella: Cultural appropriation or harmless fashion trend? (with images, tweets) · cbccommunity

A Social Media Story storified by CBC News Community

Wearing a bindi is a huge fashion trend at the moment as part of the spiritual/ bohemian/ hippy style, but some see it as offensive and purely being worn for aesthetics rather than it's intended purpose.

Traditionally, the bindi is worn on the forehead of married Hindu women. It symbolizes female energy and is believed to protect womenand their husbands. Bindis are traditionally a simple mark made with the paste of colored sandalwood, sindoor or turmeric. The bindi is most commonly a red dot made with vermilion.

Source: http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/things/bindi.htm

"Do you even know the significance of a bindi in Hinduism/ Indian Culture?" 

"Please stop appropriating other cultures."

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Oyster mag's covers are electronically produced and funky. Sometimes they use a title, but sometimes just a symbol or the name of the cover girl. They have fun with it.

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INSPIRATION

magazine covers

frankie mag is known for its quirky, hand drawn aesthetic which is cute and interesting. Both RUSSH and frankie use minimal words on their covers. frankie's images say it all, while RUSSH only has a theme title.

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TRENDS

My group and I have decided to explore the various trends of popular culture at the moment. We will be presenting them in  the form of 12 magazine covers to represent the influence of media on deciding what's popular and on influencing consumers. The magazine will be  called 'trend' mag. there will be 12 issues which makes up 1 year.

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Example of the new and improved McDonalds vegetarian patty burger in recycled, sustainable packaging.

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source: http://cargocollective.com/mariabago/McDonald-s-is-not-for-you