Dominate Messages from Folk Culture

Smart not Nerdy
Dominate corporate culture wants us to be smart but not nerdy. Its contradictory because we are told to "be ourselves" but we are also expected to conform with society's standards. Socially it wants us to dress like everyone else.

Step 1:
Wear clothes that compliment you. If you're in the "nerdy" clique, then try to discuss with your friends about trying to change your look.

You have to change to look so its more acceptable to how other people view it. It suggests that being nerdy is bad, its good to smart, but not like that.

Step 3:
Try to not be so eager to answer a question. If you don't answer it right, don't have a meltdown.

Folk culture wants us to be eager to learn, but not overeager, because you seem like a "brownnoser" and a "nerd". You should answer questions but not seem "eager" to. It also suggests though that we shouldn't get too caught up in getting things right. This message tells us to let ourselves have room for failure, so it doesn't effect us so strongly.

Step 5:
Try not act like a total dumb blond. This is over-doing it and people will think you are a poser.

Don't act smart but don't act "totally" dumb either. Don't seem like a poser though following these steps suggest that you are trying to be one.

Warning:
This may make your nerd friends upset. If so, apologize and say that you got caught up in things.

Its funny how they refer to the people as "nerd friends" not just "friends". Folk culture (and Corporate)praises the individual but shuns them too. One of the many present contraditions in our culture.

Dominate Folk Message- Be smart in a way that is acceptable to everyone else

"Why do we go on and on about individuality being the very essence of who we are and then accept a degrading level of conformity in virtually every facet of out lives?"
-Bradley Trevor Greive

How to Develop Good Study Habits for College

This is the Folk value of an education as a facet of what helps you have a good and meaningful life. This one tells you not only that but how to make the most of what you've learn. It implies that we should go to college since it is an article about how to build good skills and habits for College but some of the tips can also be applied outside of school. It prioritizes school but also absorbing what you have learned from it.

During all nighters you'll lose as much information from sleepiness as you'll learn from the extra time spent. Stay up late, but make sure you're budgeting at least 6 hours for sleep, even on your night before the big exam. Your brain processes what you've learned in your sleep.

Do not cram; there is no point in trying to, because you will only remember very little and it won't help your future career because you'll have rotten recall.

It doesn't mention grading, though its probably implied that if you get the information it'll help you do better on a test/school and get a good grade. It does show that it believes retaining the knowledge is very important and not just the grade, because while cramming may help you for a test, its most likely anything crammed will be forgotten and won't be of any help afterwards.

You remember things better in short amounts of time - DON'T study for 4 hours; you will only forget half the things you read. Study for an hour, then take a 5 - 10 minute break to walk around, and study for another hour. Be committeed to making the break work for you too- don't get distracted for an hour, make sure you get back within the time you've set for yourself.

Listening to calming classical music and chewing gum while you study are helpful items that can help you remember things better.

They have alot of tips on studying to retain your information. Showing knowledge is a value of Folk Culture and the good and meaningful life.