When it comes to mobility, in addition to social mobility as discussed in the previous article, there is another concept that is also related to it. Have you ever noticed how things around us are constantly evolving? From the way we communicate to the way we work, shop, and even think—everything seems to be in a state of flux. This ongoing transformation is what sociologists refer to as social change. It’s not just about the big moments in history, like revolutions or civil rights movements; social change is happening all the time, right under our noses. In this blog post, I’ll break down what social change is, why it happens, and what effects it has on our lives, with a few examples to keep things grounded.
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Today, let's get back to the topic and take a look at what subcultures are. Ever felt like you don’t quite fit into the mainstream? Maybe you’ve got a passion for something that seems a bit offbeat or out of the ordinary—whether it’s punk rock, skateboarding, or even knitting those quirky, oversized sweaters. If so, you might be part of a subculture, a world within a world where people connect over shared interests, values, and ways of life that differ from the broader society. Subcultures are the spice that keeps our culture from being a bland, uniform experience. They’re where creativity, rebellion, and identity come together to form something truly unique.
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As planned, it's time to talk about subcultures today. But in the last post, while exploring culture, we touched on the concept of 「language」. As a graduate of language university, and have written essay on the disappearance of language after arriving in New Zealand. I couldn't resist inserting an article about 「language」 today. It is actually a big concept. Let's talk about it briefly today, and we'll discuss it in a separate topic later. Imagine waking up one day and realizing that the language you’ve spoken your entire life is gone—no one else speaks it, and there’s no way to pass it on. It might sound like something out of a dystopian novel, but this is the reality for many languages around the world. Language is more than just a means of communication; it’s a lifeline to culture, identity, and history. Yet, languages are disappearing at an alarming rate. Let’s explore why language is so crucial, the shocking statistics behind language loss, and what happens when a language vanishes.
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In the last article, we discussed social norms, and when a set of norms comes together into a whole set of value systems, the people who follow them form their own cultural circles. So today we're going to look at what culture is. Ever notice how what’s considered “normal” in one place can seem totally bizarre somewhere else? That’s culture at work—the set of beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors that shape our everyday lives, often without us even realizing it. Culture is like an invisible glue that holds society together, giving us a sense of identity and belonging. But how exactly is culture formed, and what role does it play in our lives? And in today’s globalized world, what happens when different cultures collide? Let’s dive into these questions and explore the fascinating world of culture.
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