A Cog in the Writing Machine
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My Space, My Public Space Revisited
So since this is not a free write, my sentences will be much more complete and my spelling not as sorry. Or at least one could hope, right?
Anyways, my "Public Space" has not changed since last we had class. I am still doing the retail store Hot Topic, specifically the one in the Hulen Mall. This is an easy and fun place for me to write about because I've been a part of Hot Topic's "target audience" since I can remember. I always stop by to look through the store when I'm at the mall, any mall that has a Hot Topic. I actually go out of my way to look at a directory to see if there is a Hot Topic in that mall if I am new to the mall. Yes, I forgo all decency to look like an out-of-towner to find this store.
When we talk about the expectations, I didn't intentionally set any out of the ordinary. Which means I still set some. I expect the Hot Topic store to be like any other Hot Topic store: grated arch entrance, faux red brick walls, black shelving, interesting and "edgy" clothing and paraphanelia,music played loudly from the latest CD release (be it a movie soundtrack to a dragoncore band), and very nice, personable help staff. These are all the things I expect of a Hot Topic, nothing out of the ordinary, but definitely expectations.
I've pretty much come to terms with Hot Topic over the many years I've been a shopper there. The are owned by the same over-arching company that owns Abercrombie & Fitch which hurt my rebel 15 year old heart when I found out about it. Also in a world where uniqueness and rights are questioned at every turn, Hot Topic is hardly singular. However, I'm still a proponent that it takes more cajones to dress up like that and walk around sometimes than it does than to dress otherwise. Because there are a lot of pre-conceived notions about people whenever they dress a certain way. There are for anybody who dresses anyway but my main focus is for those who tend to shop at Hot Topic.
Well that's all for now,
<3,
Audrey B
posted by Audrey B at 8:51 PM
2 Comments:
I never knew you shopped at Hot Topic! I used to as well. My mother always called it "the shop of the underworld". I csn't wait to read your finished public analysis and read how someone else views the store.
Audrey,
You've chosen a great space for analysis. I had no idea Hot Topic was owned by the same parent company of A&F, but I can see how that knowledge may lead to some interesting analysis. Well done.
AI
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