Clout Nation
Out and about…what?!
Clout is intangible. Yet it’s an imaginary scale by which a lot of folks measure themselves- and each other by.
Clout has always been out and about around town. But it seems much more pervasive and “in- fashion” as of late. It’s a lead weight. A hanger-on-er that drowns out a vital reason parties exist. Which is to let our proverbial hair down and escape, release and recharge. And do what it takes to make navigating life off the dancefloor easier- if only for the fleeting moment.
“Clout” is only one letter off from “cloud.” Perhaps that’s a kawinkydink, but I’d argue perhaps not. Clout is a dark, cumulus and vapid vapor that hangs over people’s heads. Akin to a dense fog, it interferes with line of sight, skewing perspectives on people, places and all types of things. Some are more on the look out for it than others. Obsessively peeping it out like they would the weather forecast. Often ominous and stormy, it’s also…boring. Because it dulls the beauty found only by peering out- and having patience for the details.
What exactly is clout all about anyways? Tit for tat- about this and that. Access and proximity for cool points- that surprise…don’t amount to a real prize. A moveable and mythical goalpost for social climbing up an eternally stretching and invisible ladder.
And just what is the culprit? Well..you name it. Celebrity obsessed culture. Capitalism. Social media. This hell-ish hullabaloo whips up a frenzy. Clout accelerated by algorithms masquerades as acceptance. False attainment counted in followers and likes. A number skewed no matter how you view it- because it’s based on how frequently you use an app. That monetizes you. Which…is whack.
And what is clout too cool for what exactly? Certainly not for school- where you can learn something. It’s “too cool” for whatever personal and preconceived notions might be erected in one’s mind. And…to each their own, there’s nothing wrong with that if it gives you joy. But truly know- no one is at the center of the universe. And nobody should feel- or be made to feel lesser than because of access, proximity or any other made up social construct.
As far as I’m aware, no one person has ever been crowned the all encompassing arbiter of cool. Not even the Fonz in his heyday. Okay, I digress…I just couldn’t resist such an extremely dated and ridiculous example. The point is, clout is completely and utterly subjective. Because influence and attention perceived by some as serious- can easily be seen by others as stupid.
What clout doesn’t do is add any positive vibes to a party, make you smile or turn up the fun dial. Posturing for what? To be cool?! Social standing? Are you having fun? Did you enjoy yourself? I mean again, to each their own. But some folks can seem constipated with clout. At least that’s my take on the stank faces that read…rank. A lame duck-duck-goose game with no clear winner.
All that being said, it is impossible to gauge the amount of fun other folks are having. I’ve never come close to cracking the code on resting bitch face. But as a sweeping generalization, positive exchanges, energy and laughter seem to be on a rapid decline.
You might be thinking…well Tovah, humankind is aggravating an existential inferno with a ceaseless barrage of doomsday-esque events. And…there’s not much to be happy about. And on a macro view- and for some personally I completely agree. But I counter that parties are perfect places to play when the world leaves us more than dismayed. Rather than lash out at others with misplaced feelings born of fear, anger and anxiety.
And just what is the polar opposite of clout? Here’s my take in no particular order:
Dancing
Kindness
Shennanigans, hijinx and capers
Laughter
Gratitude
No one’s above or beyond being attuned to or pondering clout. Anybody can find their mind wrapped in a tangled web of perceptions- and perhaps misconceptions that distract from the music. If so, the ultimate check- on yourself, is to shake up whatever normulan going-out routine you have going on.
Do something diametrically different. Step through the looking (and perhaps judging) glass and surround yourself with new faces, new music- and have a new experience. Leaving the familiar for the fresh can snap you to your senses. And perhaps help you realize how lost in the social construct sauce you might have been.
The clout creep into underground spaces is something I think about a lot. There's this point where a party or a night stops being about the music and the people and starts being about how it looks from the outside. You can feel it shift - when people start angling for the shot instead of losing themselves on the floor. The original draw of underground club culture was precisely that it was unseeable, unverifiable by those who weren't there. Clout is antithetical to that.