Abstract
We find in this chapter 5 configurations of aesthetico-cultural cosmopolitanism situated along a continuum of possibilities, where no “pure” forms can serve as a measurement standard; in fact, the various combinations, degrees, and levels of cosmopolitanism that are observed may be reversible, since they are shaped equally by real aesthetic experiences and symbolic relationships with the world, its objects, and cultural representations. A number of studies have suggested that a refined relationship to culture can, more or less implicitly, produce a standard of preference for the exotic and faraway, accompanied by effects of rarity and difference: the high value placed on cultural eclecticism thus becoming a new form of legitimate culture. Could aesthetico-cultural cosmopolitanism merely be reproducing the mechanisms of cultural distinction employed by certain social classes in the past, and thus, reinstate the dominance of a new globalized elite, the big winners of the global competition? The very large majority of young people who exhibit some configuration of aesthetico-cultural cosmopolitanism reveals that, on the contrary, far from being reserved for an elite, this sociological trend more closely resembles a new generational standard of good taste. This does not, however, preclude the existence of strong social variation between configurations.
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Notes
- 1.
The interviews were chosen because they illustrate how young people become open to other cultures and develop their world view through the consumption of cultural products. The profiles presented are indicative of the variety of cosmopolitan attitudes among young people, including the rejection of cosmopolitanism.
- 2.
Woman, 21 years old, born in Le Mans, pursuing a master’s degree in education, studying for her teacher certification exam and is working as a monitor in a Paris high school located in a priority education zone, lives with her sister in Paris; both parents are French. Even though Margot pursued a secondary education, she has had difficulties finding work, and thus, achieving economic stability.
- 3.
A program started in 1982 that channels additional resources to schools in disadvantaged areas and encourages the development of new teaching projects.
- 4.
American medical drama on air since 2005 (in France, since 2006 on TF1, and since 2007, in a multilingual version) that takes places in a fictional teaching hospital.
- 5.
American sitcom that ran from 2004 to 2012 (in France, from 2005 to 2012 on Canal+, from 2006 to 2012 on M6, and in rebroadcasts on VM and Teva since 2013 and 2015, respectively) and which told the story of a group of women in Fairview, a fictional suburb, through the eyes of one of their—recently deceased—friends and neighbors.
- 6.
A 2006 American romantic mystery film written and directed by Neil Burger that focuses on the rivalry between a magician and a coldly rational prince who are both in love with the same woman.
- 7.
Franco-Germano-Belgian romantic comedy written and directed by Julie Delpy and released in 2012.
- 8.
Films by Asghar Farhadi , which were released in 2006 and 2011, respectively.
- 9.
A French rock, pop, and electro folk band that sings in English, formed in 2006.
- 10.
This is consistent with the fact that a majority of the reading public is female.
- 11.
Man, 21 years old, born in France, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Japanese, works in a recreation centre, lives with his parents in the Île-de-France region; father is Egyptian and mother is Algerian.
- 12.
Episodic series that are only available on the Internet.
- 13.
French science fiction web series, broadcast since 2009 (first on DailyMotion, then on Nolife) and which focuses on time travel.
- 14.
Man, 22 years old, born in France, has lived and attended high school in Munich, pursuing a master’s degree in political science; lives with his French mother and German stepfather in Paris.
- 15.
American drama television series that ran from 2001 to 2010 (in France, starting in 2002 on Canal + , and then in rebroadcasts on TF1, starting in 2003). Its originality lies in its format: each season has 24 episodes, each episode tells the story of one hour of the day during which Jack Bauer must prevent a terrorist attack.
- 16.
American comedy-drama television series that ran from 2006 to 2010 (in France, since 2008 on TF1, since 2010 on Guilli, since 2012 on NRJ12, and since 2014 on Chérie25) and that follows one woman on her quest for inner beauty.
- 17.
American police procedural on air since 2003 (in France, and since 2004 on M6).
- 18.
German action series on air since 1996 (in France, since 1997 on TF1, and since 2006 on TMC).
- 19.
Feature film by Korean director Park Chan-wook that won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009. The movie tells the story of a Catholic priest who dies during a failed medical experiment but comes back to life, thanks to a blood transfusion that turns him into a vampire.
- 20.
1954 film by the Japanese director Akira Kurosawa , which takes place in medieval Japan, when a village recruits seven samurais to defend itself from raiders. It is one of the most famous Japanese films in the world (it won the Silver Lion at the Venice Mostra in 1954) and is considered as both a classic of samurai film and of historical action film.
- 21.
1958 film by the Japanese director Akira Kurosawa , which recounts the comic and epic adventures of two peasants.
- 22.
1957 film by the Japanese director Akira Kurosawa , which is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, transposed into a medieval Japanese setting.
- 23.
1972 Russian film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky that won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 1972, inspired by the eponymous novel by the Polish author Stanisław Lem first published in 1961. Solaris is both science fiction and psychological drama and centres on the psychologist Christ Kelvin , sent aboard the space station orbiting the strange planet Solaris.
- 24.
A French musician songwriter, film composer, poet, painter, writer, actor, and director, widely known for his diverse and often provocative artistic output.
- 25.
Swedish metal band founded in 1993.
- 26.
1992 American film adaptation by Franco Zeffirelli .
- 27.
Man, 22 years old, holds a BTS (associate’s degree) in accounting, works part-time, lives alone in the Île-e-France region; both parents are French.
- 28.
Horror novel by Stephen King published in 1996 (it won the Locus Prize for the best horror novel in 1997 and was later turned into a TV movie).
- 29.
British series that ran from 2009 to 2013 (in France, starting in 2010 on OSC Choc, and since 2012 on TF6) that tells the story of five adults sentenced to work in a community service programme.
- 30.
British rock group active from 1968 to 1980, characterized by its guitarist’s impressive riffs, the vocal skills of its lead singer, the talent of its drummer, and the important role played by solos and improvisation when playing live. The group is part of rock history.
- 31.
American rock group active from 1987 to 1994, emblematic of grunge and alternative music.
- 32.
French pop-rock group, created in 1999 and which sings in English.
- 33.
A French language ska acoustic band with politically charged lyrics.
- 34.
French synthpop duo created in 2003 that plays electronic music heavily influenced by disco and heavy metal.
- 35.
French musician and music producer who was a pioneer of electronic music and sold more than 80 million records throughout his career.
- 36.
Stands for “massively multiplayer online role-playing game.”
- 37.
Stands for “player versus player.”
- 38.
Woman, 18 years old, born in France, pursuing a vocational baccalaureate in secretarial studies, lives in a rural area of Normandy; both parents are French.
- 39.
American soap opera on air since 1973 (in France, since 1986 on TF1) that depicts the rivalry between two Wisconsin families.
- 40.
French television show on air since 1993 on France 3.
- 41.
French television show on air since 2004 on France 3 that depicts the life of residents in a fictional neighborhood of Marseille called “Le Mistral .”
- 42.
American medical drama on air since 2005 (in France, since 2006 on TF1, and since 2007 in a multilingual version, frequently rebroadcast on NT1) that takes place in a fictional teaching hospital and follows the development of a new class of interns.
- 43.
American vampire fantasy series in four volumes written by Stephanie Meyer and published between 2005 and 2008. The series recounts the story of Bella Swann , a young teenager who falls in love with Edward Cullen, a 104-year-old vampire. The books were later turned into movies.
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Cicchelli, V., Octobre, S. (2018). Five Configurations of Aesthetico-Cultural Cosmopolitanism. In: Aesthetico-Cultural Cosmopolitanism and French Youth. Consumption and Public Life. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66311-1_4
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