The Educational Value of the Kardashians

By Opinion Editor 2 years ago

Elena discusses what the Kardashians may offer to the academic field.

The anticipated release of the Kardashians’ new reality show, of the same name, aligned in April this year with a brief visit home to see my parents. This unfortunate coincidence led to what is probably one of the most heated debates my family, and I’m sure many others across the globe, have ever partaken in: is there any educational value to the the show and the family documented within it?

 

Although streaming platforms refrained from sharing viewer ratings, not a week later, Disney announced the very first episode as the “Biggest Launch Ever”, making it the most watched series premiere on Hulu in the United States, Star+ in Latin America and on Disney+ internationally. The original show, ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ grew its viewership from an original 898,000 tuning in to watch the first episode almost 15 years ago, to 2.4 total million viewers for its sixteenth season finale. As far as the shift into social media, it only aided their rise in popularity, with the family now boasting a combined following of 1.2 billion on Instagram.

 

Source: Heatworld.com

 

And despite my belief that neither viewing ratings nor follower counts equate to the pertinence of the content in our culture, it is worth noting the sheer number of individuals that willingly consume the turbulent private lives of these sisters. Moreover, there is a significant amount of academic interest that many of the aforementioned individuals have in the transition of the influencers from ‘just another rich American family’ into a cultural reset in and of itself.

 

This is the case made by Kimposium! – a symposium that first took place in November of 2015, and that six years later, with the end of the original show, would once again occupy the lecture halls of London’s Brunel University. The aim of the event was to examine the Kardashians as a powerful popular culture phenomenon and uncover the answers to some of the questions we’ve pondered regarding our fascination with them – what it implies about ourselves, our desires, and our values.

 

Meredith Jones, the mind behind Kimposium!, put it best when addressing the backlash that her academic interest in the family generated in the press, “I was interviewed several times for press and radio and each time was asked to justify the notion of taking the Kardashians seriously. I found myself wondering whether a symposium around, say, Bear Grylls would have caused the same furore. I doubt it because the broadcasting of Grylls’ overtly masculine set of skills and the cultural relevance of his labour as a professional wilderness survivor and adventurer seems to go unquestioned, despite their irrelevance to the lives of most people.”

 

Jones’s point has become, therefore, one of my key arguments in response to any attack on the academic validity of the reality show: the issue isn’t that of whether documentary-type programmes are acceptable academic sources, but instead, the root of the matter is how global audiences continue to diminish the feminine and seemingly niche concerns encountered in privileged and beauty-driven lives, activities like dieting, exercise, hair removal, ageing, etc.

 

Source: Whattowatch.com

 

When claims are made against the intellectual integrity of the widely acclaimed show, it is worth wondering – isn’t the mere emotional response to this stimulus a valid enough reason for it to be considered worthy of further study? Let alone the fact that this response is exhibited in millions of people varying in race, sexuality, ethnicity, age and nationality. This strength in numbers observed in both viewership and followings isn’t the cause but rather the effect of the Kardashian revolution, which continues to unite an increasingly divisive world. It is this very phenomenon that urges further insight into the KUWTK empire; insight that can prove psychological, sociological, economic, anthropological, or political, among other factors, thereby making a plot centred on “glamour labour”, the pursuit of love, female-driven business endeavours, friendship, and most importantly, family, so pertinent in our day and age.

 

All of which brings me back to April, a brief visit home to see my parents, and a heated family debate. The conclusion of this affair is simple: when it comes to educational value, every source can be academic when observed through a critical lens, and, The Kardashians, either as a business, as a family, or as a form of entertainment, are no different. It is not a question, at this point, of whether you like or dislike the women who carry the brand, but instead a calling to the intellectual within, who from an entirely academic standpoint, should maybe start considering keeping up with the Kardashians.

Comments

comments

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

133 thoughts on “The Educational Value of the Kardashians”

  6. You can certainly see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.

    Reply

  53. PBN sites
    We generate a system of self-owned blog network sites!

    Benefits of our PBN network:

    We carry out everything so GOOGLE doesn’t grasp that THIS IS A private blog network!!!

    1- We obtain domains from different registrars

    2- The principal site is hosted on a VPS hosting (Virtual Private Server is rapid hosting)

    3- Additional sites are on various hostings

    4- We designate a distinct Google ID to each site with confirmation in Google Search Console.

    5- We develop websites on WordPress, we don’t utilize plugins with assistance from which Trojans penetrate and through which pages on your websites are generated.

    6- We refrain from reiterate templates and utilise only exclusive text and pictures

    We don’t work with website design; the client, if desired, can then edit the websites to suit his wishes

    Reply
  61. Pingback: talent search

  125. Understanding COSC Certification and Its Importance in Horology
    COSC Validation and its Stringent Criteria
    Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres, or the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Agency, is the authorized Swiss testing agency that attests to the precision and accuracy of wristwatches. COSC certification is a sign of superior craftsmanship and reliability in chronometry. Not all watch brands seek COSC validation, such as Hublot, which instead follows to its proprietary demanding criteria with mechanisms like the UNICO, achieving equivalent precision.

    The Science of Exact Timekeeping
    The core mechanism of a mechanized watch involves the mainspring, which delivers power as it unwinds. This mechanism, however, can be prone to external factors that may affect its precision. COSC-validated mechanisms undergo rigorous testing—over fifteen days in various conditions (5 positions, 3 temperatures)—to ensure their durability and reliability. The tests evaluate:

    Mean daily rate accuracy between -4 and +6 seconds.
    Mean variation, peak variation levels, and effects of thermal changes.
    Why COSC Certification Matters
    For timepiece aficionados and connoisseurs, a COSC-certified timepiece isn’t just a piece of technology but a demonstration to enduring quality and accuracy. It symbolizes a timepiece that:

    Presents excellent reliability and precision.
    Provides confidence of quality across the entire construction of the timepiece.
    Is likely to maintain its worth more effectively, making it a smart investment.
    Popular Chronometer Brands
    Several renowned manufacturers prioritize COSC validation for their watches, including Rolex, Omega, Breitling, and Longines, among others. Longines, for instance, provides collections like the Record and Spirit, which showcase COSC-validated mechanisms equipped with advanced substances like silicone equilibrium springs to enhance resilience and efficiency.

    Historical Background and the Development of Timepieces
    The idea of the timepiece dates back to the need for precise timekeeping for navigational at sea, highlighted by John Harrison’s work in the eighteenth cent. Since the official foundation of COSC in 1973, the validation has become a benchmark for judging the precision of high-end watches, sustaining a tradition of excellence in watchmaking.

    Conclusion
    Owning a COSC-validated timepiece is more than an visual selection; it’s a dedication to excellence and precision. For those appreciating precision above all, the COSC certification provides tranquility of thoughts, ensuring that each validated timepiece will perform dependably under various circumstances. Whether for individual satisfaction or as an investment, COSC-accredited watches stand out in the world of watchmaking, maintaining on a legacy of careful timekeeping.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

THE STAND