Quote:
Originally Posted by
DocHolliday 
This, I think, is a subset of the emergence of a StyleForum style. This would make an interesting discussion in itself, but I suspect it would just get mired down in the usual tired talk of groupthink.
I do worry that we're becoming a bit like the Borg, assimilating newcomers so they become like us. In some ways, I think the forum has become more open to new styles, and in other ways I think the forum has a way of homogenizing newcomers. Not necessarily deliberately, mind you. It just seems to happen. I look at WAWY each week and am struck at how many similarities the pictures often share.
I do find the trend toward idol worship a bit odd. PG looks great, but I have no desire to dress like him.
I both agree and disagree:
First, I agree that when people come here, in many cases they tend to conform to the societal mean. But generally, when that happens it's because they weren't very stylistically adept to begin with. So, assimilation is really more a way of teaching and learning, which must be done before one can move forward.
However, I think that there are some very notable examples of people who don't fit the cultural homogenization, yet still gain acceptance and appreciation here. On the outer limits you have guys like Fuuma, SoCal, LabelKing, etc. that all have their own style that isn't replicated elsewhere. However (and more subversively) you have guys like PG who comes in and (despite the groupthink) shows that Armani, et al can actually look really good and who helps move peoples' ideas away from the strict buttoned down style that makes the place feel so homogenized. The fact that you don't want to dress like PG means we aren't really like the Borg after all.
