JOURNAL ARTICLE

Aesthetic Normies and Aesthetic Communities.

  • Published In: Journal of Aesthetics & Art Criticism, 2024, v. 82, n. 4. P. 407 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Lau, Ting Cho 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the concept of the "aesthetic normie," defined as a person who primarily engages with popular aesthetic items, and examines the motivations and ethical implications of their aesthetic choices. It identifies two main motivations for normies: a drive towards sociality, which seeks connection through shared popular tastes, and an avoidance of challenge, which leads to preference for accessible, non-demanding aesthetic experiences. These motivations can limit the normie's aesthetic range and depth, restricting access to diverse aesthetic values and distorting their ability to accurately appraise others, partly due to the influence of popular media stereotypes. The article argues that redirecting the drive towards sociality by fostering aesthetic openness—engaging with a broader and deeper range of aesthetic items and communities—can enhance aesthetic experiences, improve interpersonal understanding, and build valuable aesthetic communities, thereby aligning richer aesthetic lives with ethical benefits.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Aesthetics & Art Criticism. 2024/10, Vol. 82, Issue 4, p407
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0021-8529
  • DOI:10.1093/jaac/kpae014
  • Accession Number:183115752
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of Aesthetics & Art Criticism is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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