For those commenting that Ruby’s taste in literature is Euro-centric or limited, please don’t forget that she is still young and pursuing her education. She has a lifetime to explore and expand her experiences and tastes. She got an undergraduate degree in English literature and is currently pursuing a masters degree in a limited subject area, so her reading has necessarily been tailored to those areas. For someone her age, she is inspiring, and I’m sure her horizons and interests will continue to expand.
I would like to add 2 cents about this topic: 1. it might be surprising but many pieces of art currently considered as high culture were considered low culture at the time of their creation 2. To all watchers: don't feel down when you don't enjoy some pieces of high culture art, just look for other that will speak to you. For example, no matter how much I've learned about visual arts I couldn't bring myself to enjoy paintings, photographs etc. But I've found I'm much more into music.
I definitely agree. I don't really think rating art is helpful. I could see someone finding greater value in a modern romance novel than a piece of classic literature if its something that is more relatable. Who knows what will be considered a classic from this age in 1000 years? And who gets to decide that is relevant too. Historically, the whole population (of a country and of the world) has not been "in" on this artistic rating process.
My best friend, my brother, and I (while working in our 20s) took a community college class that not only explained the history and conventions of opera, but allowed us to sit in on rehearsals and then participate as seating ushers at an opera (which allowed us to watch for free.) We did it because we wanted to know more about this art form that people loved intensely, but none of related to. While I can’t say I love opera now, I have a deep appreciation for it, and am immensely grateful to the professor who created that affordable opportunity.
I love opera, I fell in love as a very young child trough subtitled tv broadcast. You don't always need the intellectualization of art to fall in love with it (not that I don't enjoy the parallel process of learning about the art manifestation). Another topic is how expensive and as such inaccesible some forms of art such as opera, classical music or theater are.
Ruby may I add an additional perspective?: I think it's important for people (especially people living in the West) to expand their definition of "high culture" to also include non-Western sources of art, literature, architecture, music, etc. We have at our resources a wealth of opportunities via the internet/libraries/museums etc to really look at what it means to be "cultured" in an expanded form. I am not saying this to diminish Western sources of culture, but to suggest a way of expanding one's horizons (e.g. reading Donne as well as Rumi, or reading Chinua Achebe as well as Joseph Conrad). Just a thought--love your videos!
High culture, low culture...subjective. Is culture. Is knowledge and an amazing way to do something for our souls. And above all, shouldn't be...trendy. Or something to be considered cool because social media dictates so.
As a Ph. D. student, I read huge numbers of marvel comics in the evenings. Why? I'd spend all day reading scientific journal articles and studies, and doing math and grading papers and then in the evening it was greta to just relax with some superhero comics. I loved the stuff I was working on in my studies, but enjoying highbrow culture doesn't have to be at the exclusion of also appreciation "pop" culture too. I think it helps keep the mind fresh to have a mix of both.
@heinzer69they were geniuses, Camus in particular. Of course they were very pessimistic about life, because the were smart and brave enough to see it for what it is
I think the high culture vs low culture thing is a matter of perspective, also, there is no good trying to force yourself to enjoy something to appear 'highly cultural' when you dont enjoy it in reality.
Coming from a poorer family and growing up with abuse means that my life was very different from Ruby's. In a sense, I was interested what marked someone has being of high culture vs what struck others as being low brow because I could not do much about my standing as a child, and I was bullied at school, treated badly at home. So I found my refuge in books. I was able to push back a bit against assumptions about me based on my home life...by learning on my own, generally for free, from libraries. If I think of what strikes me as pivotal to saving me from destruction...it was public libraries. I owe them my life. It was the sense I could improve my life by creating an inner world that was as rich as anyone else's even if I did not have the same access to same opportunities. I could still hold my own with others who came from money and better circumstances because I wanted to learn and I was incredibly curious. I do not really pay attention or give importance to high brow vs low brow divisions so much as what helps me grow...especially emotionally, psychologically. If it helps me in that sense, I consider that movie/ poem/ novel/ website as an avenue that is growth centric. That is what motivates me most.
It's amazing and I wonder why there aren't more thumbs up here. That's real greatness, using your own strength, willpower, ideas, focus and hard work to maneuver yourself out of circumstances that, instead of lifting you up and making you fly, have weighed you down. I know other people whose lives have been saved by books, including the German writer Elke Heidenreich (tip for you, Ruby). They all deserve the utmost respect.
I absolutely love what you said about reading deeply. I’m currently reading a vintage edition of the Oxford History of English literature 1600-1660 and between work, school, and family it’s taken me about a month. But that’s largely because I’m reading slowly, taking notes, looking up vocabulary, and jotting down things I want to explore more deeply. I’ve enjoyed it so much and it’s emotionally stirred me more than once! Happy new year 😊
I have learned from a friend who studies theater that I don’t need to acquire any specific skills to enjoy art that we consider “high art” (which doesn’t mean that your tips can’t be very helpful to enhance the experience). I can simply apply my knowledge from my usual listening to pop, rap, whatever music I enjoy, watching a movie, reading a novel… I know how to enjoy culture. it’s about the feeling, the associations a piece of art evokes in me and there will always be some kind of thoughts or feelings when I consume any kind of art. And they are all equally valuable. Even if I don’t get the painting/opera/whatever. This realization helped me get rid of the feeling that I’m excluded from certain arts for classist reasons and I am more open and less self-conscious now than I was some years ago. Oh, and I still think that your tips are really good Ruby! They also make consuming pop culture more enjoyable in my opinion :)
There is so much that could be said about the "high" and "low" culture conversation and I saw someone already mention that a lot of "high" culture was actually popular culture at the time it came out. I also want to add something I've noticed as a the child of professors who grew up around a lot of other professors- I don't know a single "intellectual" who isn't just as nerdy and enthusiastic about low/popular culture as they are about their field of study. So many lovers of comics, sci-fi, fantasy, dnd, and much more even more everyday things that we all enjoy. At the end of the day, I think it's rare to find a person who exclusively enjoys "high" culture. Really it's all just immense enthusiasm for any creative entertainment.
You’re so right! I only touched on it, but it’s honestly fascinating… Dickens, Shakespeare… they were all ‘low culture’ at one time. Pop culture is historically just seen as less important which just makes no sense!
This video reminded me of a professor I had during my first year at uni, who would send us a short text every single day from either a paper, the news, a book or from wherever she found something interesting, to make us freely reflect on it during the day. It was such a good practice! It would be AMAZING if you could do something similar, and propose short pieces for us to read, as sometimes if you are not in the academic world (as is my case) it can be hard to find valuable readings...
Nr 3 gave me an idea that the „one a month” doesn’t need to be a classical book. It can be a classic movie in a genre I like or some form of art that my friend recently told me she likes, so that I can become more connected to her. I also recommend having a challenge to go once a month to one of these: cinema, theatre, ballet, opera, concert, performance, exhibition. Once a month you go to one. This causes you to have a diverse cultural experience, cause each month you experience a different type of art but it’s only once a month so it can be achieved in the little time people have. It can be expensive depending on were you live and what types of genres you like. But this is sth I would recommend to someone who wants to “be more cultured” It’s important to remember that you don’t have to experience “high art” cause it’s limiting your cultural development. I recommend going to different cultural festivals for concert, to small theatres, movie festivals from other countries etc I think being “intellectual” is not about knowing Shakespeare but more about if you can analyse what you did read or watch and being able to see connections and being able to talk about art with other people and being emotionally moved by art. And respecting other cultures art
I particularly love this perspective because so often we do see very critically and analytically thoughtful arguments about everything from "low brow" media to fanworks to the "high society"/scholastic media. And all are valuable because they offer perspective and interpretation to the artwork that might otherwise not be considered when just absorbing something at face value. (And there's also nothing wrong with a superficial exploration of any media if it makes you happy, but the criticisms - pro or con - really enhance the experience you have with engaging with the media and it mattering to you in some way.) There's this undercurrent of negativity on platforms like Goodreads where if you give something your time only to then write a long review about the critical reasons you didn't enjoy a book or find it flawed, the fans will come out of nowhere to chastise you for wasting your own time and besmirching something they love. And while I think it's great that people enjoy things even when I - or one of my friends - do not, the genuine disconnect that happens with fandom vs criticism can be tiresome. The very fact that I did give this cozy YA fantasy novel a go and wrote something that's in-depth and analytical means that I am meaningfully considering it as a body of work to be critically regarded. Even if the end result of that is that I did not like it or find it terribly flawed in its execution, I'm offering ways in which it misses the mark to me - a subjective reader - and am giving it the time and value that I would Chaucer or Shakespeare or Wilde. That is the basis for criticism; it's not what you're consuming, it's engaging with it in a meaningful way even if the response you feel from it is positive or negative. Learning how to articulate that - in whatever way you want - is an indicator that you are engaging honestly with the media and therefore doing something "intellectual" with it.
The most important thing is to be is yourself. Pretending is sure to result in problems. If you want to read Milton & listen to Baroque music - go for it. If you want to listen to pop and read Hello magazine - do you. It doesn't matter. It does matter cosplaying.
This video came at the perfect time! I'm studying abroad the upcoming semester and I've been planning to engage in things typically considered "high culture" - visiting churches, going to opera and orchestra whenever I can, seeing plays and works of art. I've been looking forward to it since I got accepted! I'm really excited, I don't think I would have even applied if I hadn't been inspired by your channel to step out of my comfort zone. Thank you so much, Ruby
if youre in the uk, would recommend going to choral evensongs in a local church or catherdral, lots of opera houses and orchestras do fab young people deals if that applies but there will always be cheaper amateur orchestra concerts that will be fab, always read the summary of the opera before you go !
This might sound weird, but give yourself the space to be a little snobby in ways that help you expand your experience. Life always tends to wrap around popular culture and embracing everything, which is great for entry, but doesn’t really help you as you go 1, 2, or 10 steps deeper. As soon as you feel a deeper passion, out comes the word pretension. It’s okay to dig deeper and feel passionate about the details of something, and it is okay to seek a community that you can share those thoughts with.
I thought we’d kind of done away with the unnecessarily classist distinction of high vs. low culture decades ago 😅 I’m not sure there’s a need to aspire to engage with ”high culture” as such any more, surely it’s enough to engage with culture consciously, engage with the variety of it, and think for yourself, engage with other thinkers, and learn to make connections?
I just finished a class about Korean Pop Culture. We didn't talk about the concept of "high vs. low culture" nearly enough, but it's so true. The best way to be more "intellectual" is to think critically about the media you're consuming no matter what type of media it is. There are layers to everything and engaging with as many of those layers as possible is a great way to expand your mind and encourage intellectual growth. (Then again, it's also okay to just sit and enjoy something for the sake of it.)
@@kampyo Agreed! The concept of ”art” didn’t fully separate from the concept of handicraft until the 18th century in the Western world anyway, and it was only with the rise of cities and the release of art to the general public (as opposed to the wealthy) that there was a distinction between ”high” art (for the wealthy) and ”low” art (for the masses). It’s by no means a long, undisputed, canonic tradition, and we’ve moved past it even in the very limited context of the West. Making the distinction these days frankly smacks of elitism and is just generally uninformed.
Hey Ruby, thank you so much for this video. Personally, I sometimes feel a lot of pressure to engage with the so-called „high culture“, although I haven’t yet found my appreciation for some forms of it - like the opera for example. But hearing you talk about how informing yourself about an art form first can help you understand and appreciate it more, really resonated with me. I think there’s an expectation of intrinsically enjoying and appreciating „high culture“ (or maybe that’s just me). But it made me reflect on studying „The Great Gatsby“ back in school and analysing each page in depth whilst guided by an amazing teacher and it becoming one of the books that inspired me the most. I don’t think I would have appreciated as much approaching it on my own because I would have lacked understanding for some parts. Thank you so much for invoking that thought!
another dimension to add to this discussion is the exclusion of works by BIPOC in intellectualism/"high culture". There's a distinct Eurocentrist vibe to high culture that often doesn't acknowledge works that are just as old if not older than what's traditionally considered classic, but from the global south. That's also a barrier to engaging with the content, especially for bipoc
This is so so true and I should have noted this in the video! It’s such a messy and problematic language and, as I say, that’s kind of why I intentionally used it - but I wish I’d spoken about that. Thank you for sharing it here x
Hi, your divinely ordained devil's advocate here. There is no point in pointing out that great art doesn't only come from the West or as a result of a Eurocentric worldview. Maybe, if one is a complete cultural troglodyte and doesn't understand beauty is universal and blooms in a vast gamut of non-Western civilisations, yeah maybe then one is obligated to shine a light on more 'foreign', perhaps more obscure, pieces of art. However, this nebulous entity we call 'The West' shouldn't be obsequiously pandering to 'BIPOC' and other harmful postmodern dogmas which find race/sexual identity more important than the merit of the work itself. Why is it wrong for European 'high culture' to acknowledge their own art more than works from 'the global south'? Isn't that just a given? And how does this hinder bipoc from engaging with the content?
@@scrupulousscruples Did I say that great art doesn't only come from the West? I said that in discussing "high culture" and intellectualism, classic literature, etc. the focus remains on mostly Western pieces. Like I mentioned, this is another dimension to add to the discussion of the phenomenon and bringing that up doesn't automatically mean you're pandering, or shaming people for "acknowledging European works", it's making an **observation**. Even if the terms 'bipoc' or 'queer' have only existed for a short time, the existence of black, indigenous, people of colour, or queer people is neither new or postmodern dogma? We have in fact been around for a very long time. No one's saying that the work is better, or deserves to be looked at more *because* it was made by BIPOC folks, we're that due to historical and societal constructs regarding queer folks/bipoc, works that are just as good and just as culturally meaningful, weren't taken as seriously or weren't given their flowers in the way that they deserved. We're acknowledging that this altered perception of the work and are being intentional about how that changes the landscape. Lifting up works from the global south or created by black, indigenous, people of colour, etc. who may bring different perspectives and world views to classic literature, doesn't need to happen by casting aside European pieces. There's room to enrich the conversation by including everyone. If you can't understand the exclusionary language/ general conversation surrounding high culture, you missed Ruby's whole point from the beginning of the video. Take time away from being devils advocate and learn about how the social sciences work in inseparable ways.
The distinction between high and low culture is so pervasive and deeply unfair. As long as what you consume means sonething to you, I think that is most important thing. I personally write lots of fanfiction, and that is something that gets frowned on an awful lot. But it's just another way of engaging with the art you're consuming.
I also read and write fanfic. I have found some amazing fanfic pieces that are top tier in quality! And even the works that are not as polished or well written....well, I appreciate all the efforts of the writers. They will continuously improve if they continue to write. Some fanfics have changed my life for the better and have been very therapeutic! Hello fellow fanfic fan!
I also love asking my friends to "nerd out" to me about their favorite niche books / music / operas. I did do that to my friends when a lesser known opera really struck a chord with me this summer
"Reading deeply is more important than reading widely." Absolutely beautiful sentiment, Ruby. I really enjoyed this video. I hope you had a lovely Christmas!
suggestion for university students: your school may partner with local cultural institutions like museums, concert halls, etc especially if you live in a larger area. i signed up for a year membership at the museum in my city for only 50 dollars and it’s a five minute train ride from my campus.
I have the feeling that a lot of people on social media want to tell others what is right and wrong, which puts pressure on each other. You, on the other hand, radiate a sense of always being on the path, mindful and willing to learn. Thank you for your videos. You motivate us to discover the beauty in the here and now. That is very rare. :) By the way: I really like pumpkin productivity🎃
So glad you said that basically what moves you is what is art. So many people are made to feel less than for enjoying YA novels, or comic books, or whatever it is. Reading is reading, and there is no morality attached to what "intelligence level" that piece is ranked at. Enjoy what moves you.
Oh wow ! Wow wow wow ! It is very impressive how your content have become more and more complex without loosing its pedagogy and aesthetic. You incorporate your college readings so well, with such humility ; this mix between studytube and literary criticism really makes your videos stand out. Big up, can't wait for more videos in that format for the new year :)
I should add, for those who want to engage with so-called high art like opera and ballet, to not underestimate the power of modern technology. There are many performances available online on youtube or streaming services that you can watch from the comfort of your bedroom, so you can familiarise yourself with the story and music in that way as well. There are also many schemes these days dedicated to increasing access for young people, which is how I get very good seats to performances at cut prices. Under 21s even go free to the English National Opera in London.
You just opened a new window in my head for the perception of reading books…I aspire to read as many books as I can and it often overwhelms me not being able to do it…This is a better way to look at it…Thanks Ruby!
I find that it does help me to read around a subject too. I recently went to see the Messiah performed for the first time, and I found that reading the programme, reading the text being sung helped me so much more. Opera and choral works like the Messiah can seem so inaccessible if you have no understanding or appreciation, but putting a little effort into listening, reading and understanding the work and its context, rather than just passively sitting there, really makes a difference. And that also goes for so-called 'low' culture as well. I have no understanding of grime, hip-hop, of manga and anime, which also creates a barrier for me in accessing and appreciating examples of these when I come across them.
Regarding your first point on educating yourself more on the topic/ play/ background whatsoever: me not being a native English speaker, I have a hard time reading something which is not written in "modern English" - e.g. I started reading "The picture of Dorian Gray". So for me, learning or educating myself regarding the language helps me a lot to understand what is written and make it enjoyable. Before, I was just frustrated that I did not know soo many words and sometimes couldn't get the context.
Ruby, it was so interesting what you were talking about. Whenever I visit museums and art galleries, listen to operas and symphony orchestras, watch documentaries on Ancient history, Classical composers, and Classical writers such as Shakespeare, it always bring me back memories when I was doing my BA in Classics and MA in Classical Studies at the University.
When a person purposely broadens their scope in art, literature, and music it helps them communicate what they fundamentally believe. Exposure to these three kinds of expression ultimately forms a philosophy of how the universe is viewed physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Your comment about quality reading versus quantity is vital if we want to gain ground. I wonder how much I’ve missed over the years by a hurried glance through a work. I enjoyed your talk and insights on this subject. Thank you, Ruby, and all the best to you in the coming year!
Re: reading exclusively for the plot vs. reading for the language and effect... how insightful, I've never thought of it that way. So true! Reading for the language and effect is exactly how I feel about Keats, whom I absolutely love.
I’m currently reading The Secret History-not exactly Keats by any stretch and I’m over-highlighting it ALL-content, character development, the use of some great descriptive language, plot, new terminology. It’s dark academia and I’m here for it. Only 14 more hours to go! 😅
Thank you Ruby for this very interresting video ! I don't know if it is a difference of personnality, degree (since you are studying Litterature, and I studied Law) or nationality (I'm from France), but I have a slighlyt broader definition of an intellectual than you. So I will take the liberty of sharing my point of view (especially since your advices can also be applied to what I will say). I went to see the exact definition of an intellectual in my mother tongue: is considered an intellectual someone who has a taste for the activities of the mind, who has an aptitude for abstract thinking and who has the ability to analyze and reason. For an intellectual is not just someone who engages with art, but with all things that can be thought. So yes there is literature, cinema, music, etc? but there are also politics, economics, physics, law, philosophy, biology, language, history, etc. I wanted to share this difference, because even though, personally, I find it important to be interested in a little bit of everything, maybe someone will find it more difficult to always be in contact with art, while other fields will speak to them more (and therefore, it will be easier for them to be more "intellectual"). Again, really an interesting video that, funnily enough, allows us to reflect on what you say and therefore to have an intellectual activity together. ♡
I hope you had a merry Xmas Ruby and I wish you have a wonderful happy new year time period/holidays. You’ve worked super hard and deserve a big and great break.
I always interpret being 'intellectual' with having a keen interest in subjects and/or having something valuable to say. Its kind of odd, but one of my favorite cultures is Appalachian (Southern US) culture. I enjoy the music, the history (good, bad, and ugly) and the social challenges facing this region. Im Canadian and dont have any ties to this region, I just started learning about it and enjoyed it. It might be considered 'low culture' by typical standards, but it is unique and a lot about it is very beautiful.
I loved this video! It is so informative and helpful at the same time. When I finish a book I like to read about the author and the time in which the book was written. It adds a new layer of information to the book and sometimes gives me another way to interprete the book.
I’m really looking forward to creating a better version of myself this upcoming year, u are truly a great motivation for me. Thank you merry Christmas and a happy new year.
A very happy new year Ruby 🎉 Hope to see u shining bright as always for all the years to come!! Wishing u and ur loved ones health, joy and prosperity. Cheers 🤍💐
Ruby, thanks a lot for this video. It’s so inspiring. I’m going to share it with my good friend, who also loves art, literature and music (we are both musicians). And I’m from Russia and this is so cool, that you read Russian literature for example Chekhov or Dostoevsky, despite all of political things, that are happening now. I’m so grateful! Thanks❤️
I feel this was a very timely video as I was reflecting recently on how I can get the most out of my hobbies going into the new year. One thing in particular being journaling/writing, and I feel this video provides so much inspiration for things to write about and experiences/activities to gain inspiration from. I particularly want to focus on that sort of “palette cleansing” idea of giving yourself space to approach a piece of art with a clear head, leaving room for your own genuine reactions to it. Thank you Ruby for this motivating video! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year :)
@@debbie1752 That sounds great - I may put that into practice myself :) There’s always things we want to learn more about but for me anyway, it’s sometimes hard to actually get around to it. Hope it goes well for you!
I am not an academic and never will be and i feel this video is trying to force people into getting in certain subjects just because you like them. I love classical music and play the piano and cteate my own classical tunes. I would not push my interest in classical music onto others and suggest that it is an interest to have. It must come naturally
I agree. Either you feel the pull of your soul towards certain interests or you don't. In addition, the desire to be more intellectual comes from the mindset of not being good enough, not smart, not educated enough, etc. This is social conditioning. Old beliefs that were taught to us by parents, grandparents, teachers, or that we have unconsciously adopted. Education is certainly important, opens up new opportunities and expands awareness. But it would be just as important to give people the feeling that they are okay the way they are - even without visiting museums every month or reading 100 books a year. Every person is valuable and lovable - regardless of their education. 🌻
This is such a valid point, and honestly this video is not meant for everyone - just for people who do want to try and enjoy particular new things. I think Pater has some great wisdom on this which I wanted to share but, by no means is this something people SHOULD do (and I really hope that wasn’t implied in the video! I tried to steer away from that!) x
Wonderful discussion, Ruby! I love all the examples you have offered and I want to sincerely thank you for sharing all of your travels with us. I cannot tell you how much I love the travel vlogs and videos you have shared on Oxford. It is all a gift.
I'd like to second what MissAdalia1991 wrote. The distinction between high and low art or culture is random and changeable, and it's often used to exclude people or groups of people from the table. Ignore! Also, no one will engage with everything. Finding yours is part of the journey and part of the pleasure.
Great video! Just a slight correction- I think using Mill here to illustrate your point may not be the the best choice, since he did in fact differentiate between higher and lower pleasures, arguing the former being superior to the latter in his writings. He used the quote to criticise Bentham.
The cleansing of the mind I can relate too. I was recently involved in a theater production where my character was moved by a piece of of music. On the days I would perform, i would purposely not listen to any songs just to make that one piece sound better. It really helped me immerse myself into the character.
Ruby, thank you for this video. I enjoyed it very much and feel inspired to delve more deeply in the things i love. Happy New Year to you and I look forward to your next video 🧚♂️
I think a big problem of people not enjoying "high culture" is because they don't connect with it - just like you said in your video. However, I don't think it's just because they don't know enough about it, it can also be because the story doesn't connect to you as a person. I have been to many museums and have read many 'classics', and found that most things I find hard to connect to since they are made/written by (wealthy) white men. (Someone else pointed this out in the comments as well, about "high culture" being almost exclusively western art). The books and art that moved me the most were written by people that aren't of "high society", or very well known artists, and I think being moved by something is so much more important - just like you point out. Being intellectual isn't and shouldn't be forcing yourself into reading or watching arts or whatever, I think it's about thinking about pieces of (human) creation and how they move you, change you, etc. I personally think this could even be things like speaking to other people and exchanging your thoughts on a subject, cooking or going out into nature. Limiting being "intellectual" to certain activities like reading or listening to certain music or watching the arts can become problematic very quickly I think (which you also point out in your video). A bit of a long comment, but I have many thoughts on this :) I really like your chatty videos and I hope you had a wonderful christmas!
Hi Ruby; I’ve just come across your channel and subscribed. What a refreshing and relaxing vibe you are putting out into the world. I like your advice. I also love the Bird and Blend shout out in the description box, they’re my favourite tea company!
Merry Christmas Ruby. You have a good festive season and all the best for new year mate. Hope you go far in life and may all your dreams come true. Blessings to you and all the best at uni. Hope your studying goes well. Look yourself and don't go too mad. Get some rest time in for balance. 😊
It's been a very long time since I studied Pater and Wilde but weren't they anti-intellectual? Unless the word 'Intellectual' is being used to mean 'intelligent.' Intellectual is a different thing though, it refers to a philosophical approach based on abstract reasoning. If you engage with something on an emotional level then you have engaged with it in the opposite manner to intellectually, which is precisely what Pater was saying. From what I remember of my Victorian Intellect and Culture paper (a long time ago!) Pater was a relativist, and Wilde took that relativism into his own form of amoral aestheticism, i.e. they were the antithesis of the intellectual approach. That was part of the difficulty with late C19th definitions of "culture" because Arnold made a distinction between culture and anarchy whereas Pater and Wilde argued that anarchy was culture. Matthew Arnold was the main mid-C19th proponent (in the humanities) of what we might now consider "intellectualism" and Pater and Wilde rejected that in favour of a more visceral or emotive approach. Basically, if Arnold was all about Apollo then Pater was all about Pan.
you’re so right! My intention here was to take that question ‘how to be intellectual’ and turn it on its head - the real point being to appreciate the art and engage with it as fully as possible, as Wilde and Pater say. Honestly though, I regret the way I framed this video now because I think it’s unnecessarily confusing (it would have made more sense to call this ‘how to enjoy art according to Pater and Wilde’ or something similar… but you live and you learn!). Thank you for sharing these thoughts though - it’s all interesting! X
I could well be wrong tbh, it's been a long time since I read anything about them and I was far from a model student so anything I do remember is pretty vague 😂
As is evidenced in this video, it is easy to fall into the trap of cocooning oneself into one's own culture -- like the exclusively classic, prosaic, western museums and performances shown here. Always consider diversifying your cultural diet outside of just adding to it!
@@bethmcmullan7686 Sure, but I am still very much convinced that you HAVE to go out of your way to learn about different cultures -- force yourself -- I don't care whether or not you think it is pretentious.
@@mauranepieters6529 If you go to museums, you'll also see loads of exhibitions about different cultures, especially historical ones. My favourite museum, which is a very neo-classical building with much European art, has many exhibitions about Egypt, Assyria, the Aboriginals, Easter Island, Papua New Guinea, Japan, India, and so on. You do not even have to go out of your way to be able to find those exhibitions, they will naturally come to you when you start engaging with the arts. I also don't think people HAVE to learn about different cultures. if a Nigerian guy just wants to engage with let's say Nigerian poetic traditions, I don't think he needs to read Chaucer and I highly doubt you would be so forceful with him, people are free to like and engage with what they like. With this attitude you just push people away
@@LydiaCaster I still disagree. While it's true that museums often feature exhibitions about various cultures, the reality is that many visitors, even in renowned institutions like the Louvre, tend to gravitate toward well-known attractions rather than exploring the diverse exhibits available. Fun fact: the average time spent in the Louvre is around 90 minutes, and a substantial portion of that time is often dedicated to finding and admiring the Mona Lisa. This tendency isn't unique to the Louvre; it reflects a broader pattern in how the general public engages with art. Consider the popularity of blockbuster exhibitions or iconic pieces-people often flock to these, inadvertently overlooking the wealth of cultural diversity presented in other sections of the museum. This behavior suggests that, despite the availability of diverse exhibits, there's a notable inclination to focus on easily recognizable and celebrated artworks. Moreover, many visitors approach museums with a limited time frame and specific expectations, leading them to prioritize renowned pieces over more niche or culturally diverse displays. This phenomenon highlights the need for a conscious effort to explore and appreciate the richness of global cultures beyond the well-trodden paths of famous artworks. To truly engage with art in a critical way, it often requires deliberate intent and a willingness to venture beyond the familiar, actively seeking out the less celebrated but equally valuable facets of our shared human heritage. Remember, this is a video about trying to be "intellecteal", in my book, the most intellectual people know how to find connections between cultures organically. I'm not saying you can't have niche interests that belong to one specific culture, but if someone wants to engage with Nigerian poetic traditions specifically, to use your example, it would be critical to study different poetic traditions as well, to know how Nigeria DIFFERS from those, so your point doesn't really stand. You can't learn about a culture in isolation.
@@LydiaCasterlooking at other cultures within a European context (e.g. British Museum) is maybe not the best way to learn about other cultures, or shouldn't be. Museum exhibitions are mostly done by curators who only read what most likely other white (male) people wrote about those foreign cultures and this influences what we learn through museums a lot. So, you shouldn't go to a museum thinking you will learn everything about the Khmer or Tutsi, because let's be honest, those objects were stolen in times of colonialism and studied by white (male) scholars. Being "intellectual" also means to be critical and reflective and not just consume culture for the sake of consumerism and being pretentious
I think that another thing that can be helpful is to read the news. An advice I was given is to read the entire newspaper when possible so you discover subjects you would not have been interested in otherwise. Being aware of what is happening in the world around us is, in my opinion, at least as important as knowing things about the arts.
Isn't it preferable to enjoy all the arts and explore what one is interested in regardless of high or low according to what one understands.... we cant build a high or low wall if we don't know how to do it! I'm with you on the opera... it is a privilege to be able to go to an opera or the theatre or even a film of ... and many of us are struggling with funding - some of us don't have that income. YOU work hard for yours from TH-cam and I am grateful for your energy, incite and learning. I am benefiting here....:) I'm not sure if you mean HIGH and LOW but I think you do... It's a bit highbrow ... I love what you are doing and I'm here at my age 74 because when I had a place at UNI to study LINGUISTICS... I had two children to raise single parent without family near me. I couldn't AFFORD to go...needed to return to teaching for INCOME...( which now needed higher exam levels so I had to study again ) and children needing home care so enable me to get to work before and after school hours...IN ADDITION later I studied O.U. to gain that degree which I never took after teaching college ( which I funded -No grant for me until I got married .... Its good for me to have found your inspiring vlogs even if some items are far to HIGH for me! :)
People who cant afford to go in museums and the opera can be intellectual as well though...being intellectual does not have to mean you listen to classical music and be that cliche...I know many intellectuals who listen to pop music and are generally more interestet into pop culture...it's just a mindset and how you perceive the world
@@teajurisic3129 Google arts and culture can let you look at the works of many museums around the world for free, and there are plenty of resources online to watch music performances and read classic literature for free. Modern technology has really made things a lot more accessible.
Loved this! For me it’s a matter of experiencing things that move me and fully appreciating the experience. It can be opera…or a mountain vista. Exploring and savoring all it has to offer is living fully to me.
@@ayaaaat Perhaps she does not understand these matters, so she does not like to submit to them, especially since she is still a young girl and is also not a Muslim, so she has no knowledge of what is happening. We, as Muslims, do not need anyone to support us and express his opinion on us.God is with us and that is enough. We have self-confidence, so we do not wait for someone to support us so that we can spend our time. We are strong for each other 💖💖😚🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸 Free Palestine
I’ve had the impression that high-culture are things that become generally classic and highly-respected for the extraordinary depth and level of skill it took to create it, and appreciated by a great many from all walks of life, not like much of the generally forgettable and disposable creations over time that don’t eventually “make it” to that level of general esteem and timelessness. As far as intellectualism as a separate thing, it seems that just about anything could be intellectualised. It’s interesting to see how differently the types of culture and intellectualism are perceived by people. It would be great to hear a group of PhDs discussing it. 💭
This video could've been titled 'how to be more intellectually engaged', 'how to more actively engage in cultural activities', etc. The current title comes with the implication that you are somehow an intellectual who has legit advice to give on the subject, which feels.. let's say interesting. But I guess it will definitely garner more views than less contentious and better nuanced titles. You say in the video that you don't want to buy into the division of high-low cultures, but honestly it feels a bit disingenuous when you always seem anxious to present yourself as someone who enjoys the so-called high culture and feels differentiated from your peers for that. When you show yourself engaging in more 'ordinary' activities such as watching TV shows or reading YA books, I notice that you often preface it by explicitly saying it's not something you often do. Same feeling with the remark you made in the beginning that you want to problematise the concept of being intellectual - it sounds pretty empty after watching the whole video that was basically accepting the conventional idea of intellectual without really challenging it. It almost feels like you included these words just to say that you've said them and deflect as much of potential criticism as possible. Enough people have talked about how your definition of culture and intellect has consistently been narrow. I just want to piggyback and say something I've been thinking about. You seem to have lots of fans from South Asia for some reason and I feel kinda sad seeing that their love for you and the British culture you show via your videos is strictly one-sided and unrequited. Like you'd drink chai latte or do yoga in videos and I see your SA fans appreciating that in the comments, but it's quite apparent you're not necessarily thinking about SA when you do those. It's obvious that Global South doesn't really exist in your world, doesn't fit your aesthetics and the image you want to create for your brand (unless something from there is acknowledged as good or 'cultured' enough in your world, like Ocean Vuong's works). I think your SA fans (and those from other parts of GS) know that and love you despite all that. It's their choice, I know, but it does get you thinking about certain things. I hope you use your winter holiday to plan and film some unsponsored videos. 7 out of the last 8 videos are sponsored and it really looks not good for your channel and the overall brand.
I am a longtime viewer and supporter of Ruby’s, but I have been trying to put my finger on why this video bothers me so much (along with some of her other sentiments around “culture” lately). Your comment perfectly encapsulates what has been a rather nebulous feeling for me, and I appreciate you sharing in such a thoughtful and eloquent manner.
It is just some people's life. Most people are living in their comfort zones. They have biases and not paying attention to others. It is not their fault. It is what we humans are. And Ruby is same as most people living in a comfort zone. That is common.
hello reading a lot about "high" and "low" culture and would just like to say as a musician,, you all can come to operas/orchestra concerts wearing whatever clothes, dont have to be "fancy", you can clap between movements, theres a lot of gatekeepy nonsense and, from the performers ourselves IGNORE IT Theres lots of places that do brilliant student/ young people deals and youll be able to find cheap orchestra concerts everywhere! And finally, classical music isnt a genre! Its so much bigger! so if you dont like mozart,, nor do I! same with operas just try different ones! just try listening to some other stuff (personally I love 20th century music, film music and video games) Also read the summary of the operas on wikipedia beforehand so you have the gist of whats going on ;)
I love you so much my girl. I always check if you've uploaded any new video😭 I started watching you when I was 16 and now I'll soon be 19!! Ruby I always wanted to be like you. I can't even tell you how much I love your vibes, your rooms and your style. It seems like you're one of my close ones
Ruby, I just wanted to thank you for posting this video. If you ever second guess sharing this type of content, please don’t, because you have an audience that is all ears! Every year I write out goals, objectives, and a list of new things I want to learn about in the upcoming years. Couple of weeks ago I completed my list and here are two things on my list are: 1. I will be reading more mindfully and one of the genres will be classics (from two different periods). 2. I will also be studying, listening to, and attending an opera in 2024. So, timing of your video was perfect😊. Happy New Year and be safe everybody🥳!
For someone making a video about being more cultured, you seem to barely engage with culture outside of Europe. You don't seem to read Latin American, Asian, African, or literature from native peoples. Even in your examples of "ultimate books" you cite all European authors. When you speak about American literature, you talk about Dickinson and Little Women over and over, ignoring the literary wealth that exists in that country. For example, you ignore the Harlem Renaissance, which is one of the most exciting literary periods ever. You may be attending a prestigious university and may know a lot about 17th century literature but there is a world out there that you seem oblivious to and that is quite sad.
@@melaniewilliams1351 ah a fine day it is, when my gracious interlocutor attacks the content of my character rather than the quality of my argument. Look, I'm sorry I hurt your feelings by saying what I feel about the situation, maybe don't take it so seriously… it's just a different opinion.
Thank you for sharing this! I have often watched videos on this topic and for most parts, I felt like there is still a very elite (and imo snobby) thinking around intellectuality, which usually excludes popular media. I think the other comments add enough aready, but we really need to change our perspective on learning and what is worth learning in the first place. I hope you (and anyone reading this) have a wonderful start into the New Year! Lots of love
Nowadays, people seem to be more concerned about tiktok, Instagram, watching reality TV shows nowadays. Dont get me wrong I know I'm not the smartest person out there 😅😅. However, I still go to museums, read, explore different places etc... I'm expecting my first child and I really want to do what my mum did growing up and take my child to all these places (will never force) to encourage her knowledge and understanding of the world. 🙂
Luv this Ruby💖 Wowzers, I’m learning so much from you! I’m absorbing it all in! Thank you for all you do and teach to the world! Here watching all your wonderful, educational and heartfelt vlogs! I find myself thinking you are my long lost sister, so not possible since I’m 30 years older then you! You are truly wonderful💖🐙✨
Thanks very much for this. I so appreciate your content-it inspires me to ‘do better’ with regard to taking care of my brain, so to speak. It IS easy to get caught up in the internet whirlwind, and it has impacted my attention span for sure. Please keep up the great work! ❤
La Boheme or Tosca are great operas to go to if starting out. The best productions to go and see are the traditional ones in lovely costumes and did in an old fashioned way, rather than gritty modern ways. After seeing a few operas then by all means go to a more modern style production to compare. I prefer traditional staging which sometimes has dancing included. Oh! Aida is another good opera. Operetta is a good way to ease into opera too, such as that by Gilbert and Sullivan which are fun. Have you been to see any G & S Ruby, Buxton Opera House are famous for their annual G & S festival.
The Magic Flute is another go-to that I recommend to people trying to get into opera, and any operettas that you can find really, but I have a soft spot for The Pearls of Cleopatra.
@@hxllxwbxdyI cannot emphasise enough how much I second this! The magic flute is what got me into opera and it’s one of my all time favourite works to this day - certainly my favourite opera!
boys theyre all just different mediums, at one point opera and orchestral concerts were just what people had instead of film, no "higher" or "lower", like what you like and ignore all the people trying to be gatekeepy over these things in the modern day
So, would you say that it’s mostly an open curiosity and mindfulness when it comes to interacting with the world? I like the idea that it is extended towards both art and science, following your emotions but also delving into the nature of understanding our world. Finding meaning behind creation itself
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For those commenting that Ruby’s taste in literature is Euro-centric or limited, please don’t forget that she is still young and pursuing her education. She has a lifetime to explore and expand her experiences and tastes. She got an undergraduate degree in English literature and is currently pursuing a masters degree in a limited subject area, so her reading has necessarily been tailored to those areas. For someone her age, she is inspiring, and I’m sure her horizons and interests will continue to expand.
I would like to add 2 cents about this topic:
1. it might be surprising but many pieces of art currently considered as high culture were considered low culture at the time of their creation
2. To all watchers: don't feel down when you don't enjoy some pieces of high culture art, just look for other that will speak to you. For example, no matter how much I've learned about visual arts I couldn't bring myself to enjoy paintings, photographs etc. But I've found I'm much more into music.
I enjoy rule34 art a lot though, it can evoke incredibly strong emotions.
Im a musician and I really do not enjoy Mozart that much lmao so yeah i feel that
I definitely agree. I don't really think rating art is helpful. I could see someone finding greater value in a modern romance novel than a piece of classic literature if its something that is more relatable. Who knows what will be considered a classic from this age in 1000 years? And who gets to decide that is relevant too. Historically, the whole population (of a country and of the world) has not been "in" on this artistic rating process.
@@DanuxsyIt's a if you know you know thing isn't it ??? And I know
My best friend, my brother, and I (while working in our 20s) took a community college class that not only explained the history and conventions of opera, but allowed us to sit in on rehearsals and then participate as seating ushers at an opera (which allowed us to watch for free.) We did it because we wanted to know more about this art form that people loved intensely, but none of related to. While I can’t say I love opera now, I have a deep appreciation for it, and am immensely grateful to the professor who created that affordable opportunity.
Opera Winfrey
I love opera, I fell in love as a very young child trough subtitled tv broadcast. You don't always need the intellectualization of art to fall in love with it (not that I don't enjoy the parallel process of learning about the art manifestation).
Another topic is how expensive and as such inaccesible some forms of art such as opera, classical music or theater are.
Ruby may I add an additional perspective?: I think it's important for people (especially people living in the West) to expand their definition of "high culture" to also include non-Western sources of art, literature, architecture, music, etc. We have at our resources a wealth of opportunities via the internet/libraries/museums etc to really look at what it means to be "cultured" in an expanded form. I am not saying this to diminish Western sources of culture, but to suggest a way of expanding one's horizons (e.g. reading Donne as well as Rumi, or reading Chinua Achebe as well as Joseph Conrad). Just a thought--love your videos!
word. +++++++
Rumi ❤
Well said
This!
Thank you for sharing this - this is such a valuable and important point
High culture, low culture...subjective. Is culture. Is knowledge and an amazing way to do something for our souls. And above all, shouldn't be...trendy. Or something to be considered cool because social media dictates so.
As a Ph. D. student, I read huge numbers of marvel comics in the evenings. Why? I'd spend all day reading scientific journal articles and studies, and doing math and grading papers and then in the evening it was greta to just relax with some superhero comics. I loved the stuff I was working on in my studies, but enjoying highbrow culture doesn't have to be at the exclusion of also appreciation "pop" culture too. I think it helps keep the mind fresh to have a mix of both.
Very well said!
@heinzer69they were geniuses, Camus in particular. Of course they were very pessimistic about life, because the were smart and brave enough to see it for what it is
I think the high culture vs low culture thing is a matter of perspective, also, there is no good trying to force yourself to enjoy something to appear 'highly cultural' when you dont enjoy it in reality.
everything is relative. Sure, sure.
Coming from a poorer family and growing up with abuse means that my life was very different from Ruby's. In a sense, I was interested what marked someone has being of high culture vs what struck others as being low brow because I could not do much about my standing as a child, and I was bullied at school, treated badly at home. So I found my refuge in books. I was able to push back a bit against assumptions about me based on my home life...by learning on my own, generally for free, from libraries.
If I think of what strikes me as pivotal to saving me from destruction...it was public libraries. I owe them my life. It was the sense I could improve my life by creating an inner world that was as rich as anyone else's even if I did not have the same access to same opportunities. I could still hold my own with others who came from money and better circumstances because I wanted to learn and I was incredibly curious. I do not really pay attention or give importance to high brow vs low brow divisions so much as what helps me grow...especially emotionally, psychologically. If it helps me in that sense, I consider that movie/ poem/ novel/ website as an avenue that is growth centric. That is what motivates me most.
It's amazing and I wonder why there aren't more thumbs up here. That's real greatness, using your own strength, willpower, ideas, focus and hard work to maneuver yourself out of circumstances that, instead of lifting you up and making you fly, have weighed you down. I know other people whose lives have been saved by books, including the German writer Elke Heidenreich (tip for you, Ruby). They all deserve the utmost respect.
I absolutely love what you said about reading deeply. I’m currently reading a vintage edition of the Oxford History of English literature 1600-1660 and between work, school, and family it’s taken me about a month. But that’s largely because I’m reading slowly, taking notes, looking up vocabulary, and jotting down things I want to explore more deeply. I’ve enjoyed it so much and it’s emotionally stirred me more than once!
Happy new year 😊
I have learned from a friend who studies theater that I don’t need to acquire any specific skills to enjoy art that we consider “high art” (which doesn’t mean that your tips can’t be very helpful to enhance the experience). I can simply apply my knowledge from my usual listening to pop, rap, whatever music I enjoy, watching a movie, reading a novel… I know how to enjoy culture. it’s about the feeling, the associations a piece of art evokes in me and there will always be some kind of thoughts or feelings when I consume any kind of art. And they are all equally valuable. Even if I don’t get the painting/opera/whatever. This realization helped me get rid of the feeling that I’m excluded from certain arts for classist reasons and I am more open and less self-conscious now than I was some years ago. Oh, and I still think that your tips are really good Ruby! They also make consuming pop culture more enjoyable in my opinion :)
There is so much that could be said about the "high" and "low" culture conversation and I saw someone already mention that a lot of "high" culture was actually popular culture at the time it came out. I also want to add something I've noticed as a the child of professors who grew up around a lot of other professors- I don't know a single "intellectual" who isn't just as nerdy and enthusiastic about low/popular culture as they are about their field of study. So many lovers of comics, sci-fi, fantasy, dnd, and much more even more everyday things that we all enjoy. At the end of the day, I think it's rare to find a person who exclusively enjoys "high" culture. Really it's all just immense enthusiasm for any creative entertainment.
You’re so right! I only touched on it, but it’s honestly fascinating… Dickens, Shakespeare… they were all ‘low culture’ at one time. Pop culture is historically just seen as less important which just makes no sense!
This video reminded me of a professor I had during my first year at uni, who would send us a short text every single day from either a paper, the news, a book or from wherever she found something interesting, to make us freely reflect on it during the day. It was such a good practice!
It would be AMAZING if you could do something similar, and propose short pieces for us to read, as sometimes if you are not in the academic world (as is my case) it can be hard to find valuable readings...
Nr 3 gave me an idea that the „one a month” doesn’t need to be a classical book. It can be a classic movie in a genre I like or some form of art that my friend recently told me she likes, so that I can become more connected to her. I also recommend having a challenge to go once a month to one of these: cinema, theatre, ballet, opera, concert, performance, exhibition. Once a month you go to one. This causes you to have a diverse cultural experience, cause each month you experience a different type of art but it’s only once a month so it can be achieved in the little time people have. It can be expensive depending on were you live and what types of genres you like. But this is sth I would recommend to someone who wants to “be more cultured”
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to experience “high art” cause it’s limiting your cultural development. I recommend going to different cultural festivals for concert, to small theatres, movie festivals from other countries etc
I think being “intellectual” is not about knowing Shakespeare but more about if you can analyse what you did read or watch and being able to see connections and being able to talk about art with other people and being emotionally moved by art. And respecting other cultures art
I particularly love this perspective because so often we do see very critically and analytically thoughtful arguments about everything from "low brow" media to fanworks to the "high society"/scholastic media. And all are valuable because they offer perspective and interpretation to the artwork that might otherwise not be considered when just absorbing something at face value. (And there's also nothing wrong with a superficial exploration of any media if it makes you happy, but the criticisms - pro or con - really enhance the experience you have with engaging with the media and it mattering to you in some way.)
There's this undercurrent of negativity on platforms like Goodreads where if you give something your time only to then write a long review about the critical reasons you didn't enjoy a book or find it flawed, the fans will come out of nowhere to chastise you for wasting your own time and besmirching something they love. And while I think it's great that people enjoy things even when I - or one of my friends - do not, the genuine disconnect that happens with fandom vs criticism can be tiresome. The very fact that I did give this cozy YA fantasy novel a go and wrote something that's in-depth and analytical means that I am meaningfully considering it as a body of work to be critically regarded.
Even if the end result of that is that I did not like it or find it terribly flawed in its execution, I'm offering ways in which it misses the mark to me - a subjective reader - and am giving it the time and value that I would Chaucer or Shakespeare or Wilde. That is the basis for criticism; it's not what you're consuming, it's engaging with it in a meaningful way even if the response you feel from it is positive or negative. Learning how to articulate that - in whatever way you want - is an indicator that you are engaging honestly with the media and therefore doing something "intellectual" with it.
The most important thing is to be is yourself. Pretending is sure to result in problems. If you want to read Milton & listen to Baroque music - go for it. If you want to listen to pop and read Hello magazine - do you. It doesn't matter. It does matter cosplaying.
This video came at the perfect time! I'm studying abroad the upcoming semester and I've been planning to engage in things typically considered "high culture" - visiting churches, going to opera and orchestra whenever I can, seeing plays and works of art. I've been looking forward to it since I got accepted! I'm really excited, I don't think I would have even applied if I hadn't been inspired by your channel to step out of my comfort zone. Thank you so much, Ruby
That sounds wonderful! I hope you have an amazing time!
if youre in the uk, would recommend going to choral evensongs in a local church or catherdral, lots of opera houses and orchestras do fab young people deals if that applies but there will always be cheaper amateur orchestra concerts that will be fab, always read the summary of the opera before you go !
Aahh I'll keep that in mind! Thank you so so much
This might sound weird, but give yourself the space to be a little snobby in ways that help you expand your experience. Life always tends to wrap around popular culture and embracing everything, which is great for entry, but doesn’t really help you as you go 1, 2, or 10 steps deeper. As soon as you feel a deeper passion, out comes the word pretension. It’s okay to dig deeper and feel passionate about the details of something, and it is okay to seek a community that you can share those thoughts with.
I always get a cosy feeling looking at your vids, something we need in this world of today ...
Happy New Year Ruby 🎉 Sending love, light, good health, happiness fun and lots of good times to you and your family xx
I thought we’d kind of done away with the unnecessarily classist distinction of high vs. low culture decades ago 😅 I’m not sure there’s a need to aspire to engage with ”high culture” as such any more, surely it’s enough to engage with culture consciously, engage with the variety of it, and think for yourself, engage with other thinkers, and learn to make connections?
I just finished a class about Korean Pop Culture. We didn't talk about the concept of "high vs. low culture" nearly enough, but it's so true. The best way to be more "intellectual" is to think critically about the media you're consuming no matter what type of media it is. There are layers to everything and engaging with as many of those layers as possible is a great way to expand your mind and encourage intellectual growth. (Then again, it's also okay to just sit and enjoy something for the sake of it.)
@@kampyo You did a class about Korean Pop Culture? How are you going to make money of that? What value does that have?
@@kampyo Agreed! The concept of ”art” didn’t fully separate from the concept of handicraft until the 18th century in the Western world anyway, and it was only with the rise of cities and the release of art to the general public (as opposed to the wealthy) that there was a distinction between ”high” art (for the wealthy) and ”low” art (for the masses). It’s by no means a long, undisputed, canonic tradition, and we’ve moved past it even in the very limited context of the West. Making the distinction these days frankly smacks of elitism and is just generally uninformed.
@@rmalsen3052what do you gain from being a braindead capitalist bootlicker?
@@rmalsen3052 haha sorry but this comment is cracking me up. I work at an academic library and like to take classes for fun.
It’s appreciating beauty in all its form, music, art, language, sculpture, etc. - cultured intellect
Hey Ruby, thank you so much for this video. Personally, I sometimes feel a lot of pressure to engage with the so-called „high culture“, although I haven’t yet found my appreciation for some forms of it - like the opera for example. But hearing you talk about how informing yourself about an art form first can help you understand and appreciate it more, really resonated with me. I think there’s an expectation of intrinsically enjoying and appreciating „high culture“ (or maybe that’s just me). But it made me reflect on studying „The Great Gatsby“ back in school and analysing each page in depth whilst guided by an amazing teacher and it becoming one of the books that inspired me the most. I don’t think I would have appreciated as much approaching it on my own because I would have lacked understanding for some parts. Thank you so much for invoking that thought!
another dimension to add to this discussion is the exclusion of works by BIPOC in intellectualism/"high culture". There's a distinct Eurocentrist vibe to high culture that often doesn't acknowledge works that are just as old if not older than what's traditionally considered classic, but from the global south. That's also a barrier to engaging with the content, especially for bipoc
This is so so true and I should have noted this in the video! It’s such a messy and problematic language and, as I say, that’s kind of why I intentionally used it - but I wish I’d spoken about that. Thank you for sharing it here x
Hi, your divinely ordained devil's advocate here. There is no point in pointing out that great art doesn't only come from the West or as a result of a Eurocentric worldview. Maybe, if one is a complete cultural troglodyte and doesn't understand beauty is universal and blooms in a vast gamut of non-Western civilisations, yeah maybe then one is obligated to shine a light on more 'foreign', perhaps more obscure, pieces of art. However, this nebulous entity we call 'The West' shouldn't be obsequiously pandering to 'BIPOC' and other harmful postmodern dogmas which find race/sexual identity more important than the merit of the work itself. Why is it wrong for European 'high culture' to acknowledge their own art more than works from 'the global south'? Isn't that just a given? And how does this hinder bipoc from engaging with the content?
Why only BIPOC?
@@scrupulousscruples Did I say that great art doesn't only come from the West? I said that in discussing "high culture" and intellectualism, classic literature, etc. the focus remains on mostly Western pieces. Like I mentioned, this is another dimension to add to the discussion of the phenomenon and bringing that up doesn't automatically mean you're pandering, or shaming people for "acknowledging European works", it's making an **observation**.
Even if the terms 'bipoc' or 'queer' have only existed for a short time, the existence of black, indigenous, people of colour, or queer people is neither new or postmodern dogma? We have in fact been around for a very long time.
No one's saying that the work is better, or deserves to be looked at more *because* it was made by BIPOC folks, we're that due to historical and societal constructs regarding queer folks/bipoc, works that are just as good and just as culturally meaningful, weren't taken as seriously or weren't given their flowers in the way that they deserved. We're acknowledging that this altered perception of the work and are being intentional about how that changes the landscape.
Lifting up works from the global south or created by black, indigenous, people of colour, etc. who may bring different perspectives and world views to classic literature, doesn't need to happen by casting aside European pieces. There's room to enrich the conversation by including everyone.
If you can't understand the exclusionary language/ general conversation surrounding high culture, you missed Ruby's whole point from the beginning of the video. Take time away from being devils advocate and learn about how the social sciences work in inseparable ways.
@@melaniewilliams1351 Where did I say *only* BIPOC?
The distinction between high and low culture is so pervasive and deeply unfair. As long as what you consume means sonething to you, I think that is most important thing. I personally write lots of fanfiction, and that is something that gets frowned on an awful lot. But it's just another way of engaging with the art you're consuming.
Well said!
I also read and write fanfic. I have found some amazing fanfic pieces that are top tier in quality! And even the works that are not as polished or well written....well, I appreciate all the efforts of the writers. They will continuously improve if they continue to write. Some fanfics have changed my life for the better and have been very therapeutic!
Hello fellow fanfic fan!
I also love asking my friends to "nerd out" to me about their favorite niche books / music / operas. I did do that to my friends when a lesser known opera really struck a chord with me this summer
"Reading deeply is more important than reading widely."
Absolutely beautiful sentiment, Ruby. I really enjoyed this video. I hope you had a lovely Christmas!
It was Bentham who said that pushpin and poetry were equal! Mill's work introduced the concept of high and low pleasures
Ahhh thank you! I’m sorry for that - I had it in my head it was the other way around 🙃xx
suggestion for university students: your school may partner with local cultural institutions like museums, concert halls, etc especially if you live in a larger area. i signed up for a year membership at the museum in my city for only 50 dollars and it’s a five minute train ride from my campus.
hello?
I have the feeling that a lot of people on social media want to tell others what is right and wrong, which puts pressure on each other. You, on the other hand, radiate a sense of always being on the path, mindful and willing to learn. Thank you for your videos. You motivate us to discover the beauty in the here and now. That is very rare. :) By the way: I really like pumpkin productivity🎃
So glad you said that basically what moves you is what is art. So many people are made to feel less than for enjoying YA novels, or comic books, or whatever it is. Reading is reading, and there is no morality attached to what "intelligence level" that piece is ranked at. Enjoy what moves you.
Oh wow ! Wow wow wow ! It is very impressive how your content have become more and more complex without loosing its pedagogy and aesthetic. You incorporate your college readings so well, with such humility ; this mix between studytube and literary criticism really makes your videos stand out. Big up, can't wait for more videos in that format for the new year :)
I should add, for those who want to engage with so-called high art like opera and ballet, to not underestimate the power of modern technology. There are many performances available online on youtube or streaming services that you can watch from the comfort of your bedroom, so you can familiarise yourself with the story and music in that way as well. There are also many schemes these days dedicated to increasing access for young people, which is how I get very good seats to performances at cut prices. Under 21s even go free to the English National Opera in London.
You just opened a new window in my head for the perception of reading books…I aspire to read as many books as I can and it often overwhelms me not being able to do it…This is a better way to look at it…Thanks Ruby!
I find that it does help me to read around a subject too. I recently went to see the Messiah performed for the first time, and I found that reading the programme, reading the text being sung helped me so much more. Opera and choral works like the Messiah can seem so inaccessible if you have no understanding or appreciation, but putting a little effort into listening, reading and understanding the work and its context, rather than just passively sitting there, really makes a difference.
And that also goes for so-called 'low' culture as well. I have no understanding of grime, hip-hop, of manga and anime, which also creates a barrier for me in accessing and appreciating examples of these when I come across them.
Regarding your first point on educating yourself more on the topic/ play/ background whatsoever: me not being a native English speaker, I have a hard time reading something which is not written in "modern English" - e.g. I started reading "The picture of Dorian Gray". So for me, learning or educating myself regarding the language helps me a lot to understand what is written and make it enjoyable. Before, I was just frustrated that I did not know soo many words and sometimes couldn't get the context.
Ruby, it was so interesting what you were talking about. Whenever I visit museums and art galleries, listen to operas and symphony orchestras, watch documentaries on Ancient history, Classical composers, and Classical writers such as Shakespeare, it always bring me back memories when I was doing my BA in Classics and MA in Classical Studies at the University.
When a person purposely broadens their scope in art, literature, and music it helps them communicate what they fundamentally believe. Exposure to these three kinds of expression ultimately forms a philosophy of how the universe is viewed physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Your comment about quality reading versus quantity is vital if we want to gain ground. I wonder how much I’ve missed over the years by a hurried glance through a work. I enjoyed your talk and insights on this subject. Thank you, Ruby, and all the best to you in the coming year!
Re: reading exclusively for the plot vs. reading for the language and effect... how insightful, I've never thought of it that way. So true! Reading for the language and effect is exactly how I feel about Keats, whom I absolutely love.
I’m currently reading The Secret History-not exactly Keats by any stretch and I’m over-highlighting it ALL-content, character development, the use of some great descriptive language, plot, new terminology. It’s dark academia and I’m here for it. Only 14 more hours to go! 😅
Hey Ruby !!!! You'll always be my inspiration! I've been watching you since you were a kid .
This feels like a guide on cosplaying an intellectual more than being one
Thank you Ruby for this very interresting video !
I don't know if it is a difference of personnality, degree (since you are studying Litterature, and I studied Law) or nationality (I'm from France), but I have a slighlyt broader definition of an intellectual than you. So I will take the liberty of sharing my point of view (especially since your advices can also be applied to what I will say).
I went to see the exact definition of an intellectual in my mother tongue: is considered an intellectual someone who has a taste for the activities of the mind, who has an aptitude for abstract thinking and who has the ability to analyze and reason. For an intellectual is not just someone who engages with art, but with all things that can be thought. So yes there is literature, cinema, music, etc? but there are also politics, economics, physics, law, philosophy, biology, language, history, etc.
I wanted to share this difference, because even though, personally, I find it important to be interested in a little bit of everything, maybe someone will find it more difficult to always be in contact with art, while other fields will speak to them more (and therefore, it will be easier for them to be more "intellectual").
Again, really an interesting video that, funnily enough, allows us to reflect on what you say and therefore to have an intellectual activity together. ♡
No such thing as high and low culture. There is tradition and money on one hand and change on the other.
You're videos are so calming as well as motivating. ❤
I hope you had a merry Xmas Ruby and I wish you have a wonderful happy new year time period/holidays. You’ve worked super hard and deserve a big and great break.
I always interpret being 'intellectual' with having a keen interest in subjects and/or having something valuable to say. Its kind of odd, but one of my favorite cultures is Appalachian (Southern US) culture. I enjoy the music, the history (good, bad, and ugly) and the social challenges facing this region. Im Canadian and dont have any ties to this region, I just started learning about it and enjoyed it. It might be considered 'low culture' by typical standards, but it is unique and a lot about it is very beautiful.
I loved this video! It is so informative and helpful at the same time. When I finish a book I like to read about the author and the time in which the book was written. It adds a new layer of information to the book and sometimes gives me another way to interprete the book.
I love that!
I’m really looking forward to creating a better version of myself this upcoming year, u are truly a great motivation for me. Thank you merry Christmas and a happy new year.
A very happy new year Ruby 🎉 Hope to see u shining bright as always for all the years to come!! Wishing u and ur loved ones health, joy and prosperity. Cheers 🤍💐
Happy New Year, Ruby! You are my most important discovery of the past year!❤
Ruby, thanks a lot for this video. It’s so inspiring. I’m going to share it with my good friend, who also loves art, literature and music (we are both musicians). And I’m from Russia and this is so cool, that you read Russian literature for example Chekhov or Dostoevsky, despite all of political things, that are happening now. I’m so grateful! Thanks❤️
Russians have created beautiful literature and music, and politics doesn’t change that.
Ruby can you please do a What I Got for Christmas video?? We would love to see! ☺️
I feel this was a very timely video as I was reflecting recently on how I can get the most out of my hobbies going into the new year. One thing in particular being journaling/writing, and I feel this video provides so much inspiration for things to write about and experiences/activities to gain inspiration from. I particularly want to focus on that sort of “palette cleansing” idea of giving yourself space to approach a piece of art with a clear head, leaving room for your own genuine reactions to it. Thank you Ruby for this motivating video! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year :)
Oh me too! I’m setting monthly “goals” to learn more about different subjects.
@@debbie1752 That sounds great - I may put that into practice myself :) There’s always things we want to learn more about but for me anyway, it’s sometimes hard to actually get around to it. Hope it goes well for you!
The first clip with you in black - you’re absolutely blooming Ruby! Happy holidays!
I love this type of vid with Ruby chatting into the camera about a more challenging topic. She is so poised and eloquent!
I am not an academic and never will be and i feel this video is trying to force people into getting in certain subjects just because you like them. I love classical music and play the piano and cteate my own classical tunes. I would not push my interest in classical music onto others and suggest that it is an interest to have. It must come naturally
In no way was my comment meant as a criticism its just that i feel people should do whatever they feel like doing.
I agree. Either you feel the pull of your soul towards certain interests or you don't. In addition, the desire to be more intellectual comes from the mindset of not being good enough, not smart, not educated enough, etc. This is social conditioning. Old beliefs that were taught to us by parents, grandparents, teachers, or that we have unconsciously adopted. Education is certainly important, opens up new opportunities and expands awareness. But it would be just as important to give people the feeling that they are okay the way they are - even without visiting museums every month or reading 100 books a year. Every person is valuable and lovable - regardless of their education. 🌻
This is such a valid point, and honestly this video is not meant for everyone - just for people who do want to try and enjoy particular new things. I think Pater has some great wisdom on this which I wanted to share but, by no means is this something people SHOULD do (and I really hope that wasn’t implied in the video! I tried to steer away from that!) x
Wonderful discussion, Ruby! I love all the examples you have offered and I want to sincerely thank you for sharing all of your travels with us. I cannot tell you how much I love the travel vlogs and videos you have shared on Oxford. It is all a gift.
I'd like to second what MissAdalia1991 wrote. The distinction between high and low art or culture is random and changeable, and it's often used to exclude people or groups of people from the table. Ignore! Also, no one will engage with everything. Finding yours is part of the journey and part of the pleasure.
Great video! Just a slight correction- I think using Mill here to illustrate your point may not be the the best choice, since he did in fact differentiate between higher and lower pleasures, arguing the former being superior to the latter in his writings. He used the quote to criticise Bentham.
Wouldn't a true 'intellectual' know this?
The cleansing of the mind I can relate too. I was recently involved in a theater production where my character was moved by a piece of of music. On the days I would perform, i would purposely not listen to any songs just to make that one piece sound better. It really helped me immerse myself into the character.
Ruby, thank you for this video. I enjoyed it very much and feel inspired to delve more deeply in the things i love. Happy New Year to you and I look forward to your next video 🧚♂️
I think a big problem of people not enjoying "high culture" is because they don't connect with it - just like you said in your video. However, I don't think it's just because they don't know enough about it, it can also be because the story doesn't connect to you as a person.
I have been to many museums and have read many 'classics', and found that most things I find hard to connect to since they are made/written by (wealthy) white men. (Someone else pointed this out in the comments as well, about "high culture" being almost exclusively western art).
The books and art that moved me the most were written by people that aren't of "high society", or very well known artists, and I think being moved by something is so much more important - just like you point out.
Being intellectual isn't and shouldn't be forcing yourself into reading or watching arts or whatever, I think it's about thinking about pieces of (human) creation and how they move you, change you, etc. I personally think this could even be things like speaking to other people and exchanging your thoughts on a subject, cooking or going out into nature. Limiting being "intellectual" to certain activities like reading or listening to certain music or watching the arts can become problematic very quickly I think (which you also point out in your video).
A bit of a long comment, but I have many thoughts on this :) I really like your chatty videos and I hope you had a wonderful christmas!
Love your content Ruby!! I hope you do a Christmas haul like a few years ago! It always provided such great inspiration for me! Happy holidays!
Hi Ruby; I’ve just come across your channel and subscribed. What a refreshing and relaxing vibe you are putting out into the world. I like your advice. I also love the Bird and Blend shout out in the description box, they’re my favourite tea company!
Merry Christmas Ruby. You have a good festive season and all the best for new year mate. Hope you go far in life and may all your dreams come true. Blessings to you and all the best at uni. Hope your studying goes well. Look yourself and don't go too mad. Get some rest time in for balance. 😊
It's been a very long time since I studied Pater and Wilde but weren't they anti-intellectual? Unless the word 'Intellectual' is being used to mean 'intelligent.' Intellectual is a different thing though, it refers to a philosophical approach based on abstract reasoning. If you engage with something on an emotional level then you have engaged with it in the opposite manner to intellectually, which is precisely what Pater was saying. From what I remember of my Victorian Intellect and Culture paper (a long time ago!) Pater was a relativist, and Wilde took that relativism into his own form of amoral aestheticism, i.e. they were the antithesis of the intellectual approach. That was part of the difficulty with late C19th definitions of "culture" because Arnold made a distinction between culture and anarchy whereas Pater and Wilde argued that anarchy was culture. Matthew Arnold was the main mid-C19th proponent (in the humanities) of what we might now consider "intellectualism" and Pater and Wilde rejected that in favour of a more visceral or emotive approach. Basically, if Arnold was all about Apollo then Pater was all about Pan.
you’re so right! My intention here was to take that question ‘how to be intellectual’ and turn it on its head - the real point being to appreciate the art and engage with it as fully as possible, as Wilde and Pater say. Honestly though, I regret the way I framed this video now because I think it’s unnecessarily confusing (it would have made more sense to call this ‘how to enjoy art according to Pater and Wilde’ or something similar… but you live and you learn!). Thank you for sharing these thoughts though - it’s all interesting! X
I could well be wrong tbh, it's been a long time since I read anything about them and I was far from a model student so anything I do remember is pretty vague 😂
As is evidenced in this video, it is easy to fall into the trap of cocooning oneself into one's own culture -- like the exclusively classic, prosaic, western museums and performances shown here. Always consider diversifying your cultural diet outside of just adding to it!
@@bethmcmullan7686 Sure, but I am still very much convinced that you HAVE to go out of your way to learn about different cultures -- force yourself -- I don't care whether or not you think it is pretentious.
@@mauranepieters6529 If you go to museums, you'll also see loads of exhibitions about different cultures, especially historical ones. My favourite museum, which is a very neo-classical building with much European art, has many exhibitions about Egypt, Assyria, the Aboriginals, Easter Island, Papua New Guinea, Japan, India, and so on. You do not even have to go out of your way to be able to find those exhibitions, they will naturally come to you when you start engaging with the arts. I also don't think people HAVE to learn about different cultures. if a Nigerian guy just wants to engage with let's say Nigerian poetic traditions, I don't think he needs to read Chaucer and I highly doubt you would be so forceful with him, people are free to like and engage with what they like. With this attitude you just push people away
@@LydiaCaster I still disagree. While it's true that museums often feature exhibitions about various cultures, the reality is that many visitors, even in renowned institutions like the Louvre, tend to gravitate toward well-known attractions rather than exploring the diverse exhibits available. Fun fact: the average time spent in the Louvre is around 90 minutes, and a substantial portion of that time is often dedicated to finding and admiring the Mona Lisa. This tendency isn't unique to the Louvre; it reflects a broader pattern in how the general public engages with art. Consider the popularity of blockbuster exhibitions or iconic pieces-people often flock to these, inadvertently overlooking the wealth of cultural diversity presented in other sections of the museum. This behavior suggests that, despite the availability of diverse exhibits, there's a notable inclination to focus on easily recognizable and celebrated artworks.
Moreover, many visitors approach museums with a limited time frame and specific expectations, leading them to prioritize renowned pieces over more niche or culturally diverse displays. This phenomenon highlights the need for a conscious effort to explore and appreciate the richness of global cultures beyond the well-trodden paths of famous artworks. To truly engage with art in a critical way, it often requires deliberate intent and a willingness to venture beyond the familiar, actively seeking out the less celebrated but equally valuable facets of our shared human heritage. Remember, this is a video about trying to be "intellecteal", in my book, the most intellectual people know how to find connections between cultures organically. I'm not saying you can't have niche interests that belong to one specific culture, but if someone wants to engage with Nigerian poetic traditions specifically, to use your example, it would be critical to study different poetic traditions as well, to know how Nigeria DIFFERS from those, so your point doesn't really stand. You can't learn about a culture in isolation.
@@LydiaCasterlooking at other cultures within a European context (e.g. British Museum) is maybe not the best way to learn about other cultures, or shouldn't be. Museum exhibitions are mostly done by curators who only read what most likely other white (male) people wrote about those foreign cultures and this influences what we learn through museums a lot. So, you shouldn't go to a museum thinking you will learn everything about the Khmer or Tutsi, because let's be honest, those objects were stolen in times of colonialism and studied by white (male) scholars. Being "intellectual" also means to be critical and reflective and not just consume culture for the sake of consumerism and being pretentious
I think that another thing that can be helpful is to read the news. An advice I was given is to read the entire newspaper when possible so you discover subjects you would not have been interested in otherwise. Being aware of what is happening in the world around us is, in my opinion, at least as important as knowing things about the arts.
Isn't it preferable to enjoy all the arts and explore what one is interested in regardless of high or low according to what one understands.... we cant build a high or low wall if we don't know how to do it! I'm with you on the opera... it is a privilege to be able to go to an opera or the theatre or even a film of ... and many of us are struggling with funding - some of us don't have that income. YOU work hard for yours from TH-cam and I am grateful for your energy, incite and learning. I am benefiting here....:)
I'm not sure if you mean HIGH and LOW but I think you do... It's a bit highbrow ... I love what you are doing and I'm here at my age 74 because when I had a place at UNI to study LINGUISTICS... I had two children to raise single parent without family near me. I couldn't AFFORD to go...needed to return to teaching for INCOME...( which now needed higher exam levels so I had to study again ) and children needing home care so enable me to get to work before and after school hours...IN ADDITION later I studied O.U. to gain that degree which I never took after teaching college ( which I funded -No grant for me until I got married ....
Its good for me to have found your inspiring vlogs even if some items are far to HIGH for me! :)
People who cant afford to go in museums and the opera can be intellectual as well though...being intellectual does not have to mean you listen to classical music and be that cliche...I know many intellectuals who listen to pop music and are generally more interestet into pop culture...it's just a mindset and how you perceive the world
just my thoughts :) love your videos!
museums are free
@@AlwynRainMystic that might be true for some places, but for example where im from they unfortunately are not
@@teajurisic3129 Google arts and culture can let you look at the works of many museums around the world for free, and there are plenty of resources online to watch music performances and read classic literature for free. Modern technology has really made things a lot more accessible.
@@AlwynRainMystic not all of them and certainly not in my part of the world...
I loved the first tip! I'm actually stuck reading Jose Saramago but I'm pretty sure that knowing the background could be very helpful to me
Loved this! For me it’s a matter of experiencing things that move me and fully appreciating the experience. It can be opera…or a mountain vista. Exploring and savoring all it has to offer is living fully to me.
I am a Muslim, but I hope you are happy this Christmas. Your beautiful videos have won my patience. Ruby Daomi is eager to publish beautiful videos
@habib2834 الحمد لله حمدا كثيرا
@habib2834 لم افهم كيف سأرى الحقيقة يوما ما
I'm Muslim too, I used to really like her a lot but I've seen that she's been silent over Palestine which really disappointed me...
@habib2834 اه معك حق وانا اتمنى لها ذلك ،اللهم اهدها للطريق الحق هي وجميع الضالين آمين يا رب 💖🇩🇿🇵🇸
@@ayaaaat Perhaps she does not understand these matters, so she does not like to submit to them, especially since she is still a young girl and is also not a Muslim, so she has no knowledge of what is happening. We, as Muslims, do not need anyone to support us and express his opinion on us.God is with us and that is enough. We have self-confidence, so we do not wait for someone to support us so that we can spend our time. We are strong for each other 💖💖😚🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸 Free Palestine
I’ve had the impression that high-culture are things that become generally classic and highly-respected for the extraordinary depth and level of skill it took to create it, and appreciated by a great many from all walks of life, not like much of the generally forgettable and disposable creations over time that don’t eventually “make it” to that level of general esteem and timelessness.
As far as intellectualism as a separate thing, it seems that just about anything could be intellectualised.
It’s interesting to see how differently the types of culture and intellectualism are perceived by people. It would be great to hear a group of PhDs discussing it. 💭
This video could've been titled 'how to be more intellectually engaged', 'how to more actively engage in cultural activities', etc. The current title comes with the implication that you are somehow an intellectual who has legit advice to give on the subject, which feels.. let's say interesting. But I guess it will definitely garner more views than less contentious and better nuanced titles.
You say in the video that you don't want to buy into the division of high-low cultures, but honestly it feels a bit disingenuous when you always seem anxious to present yourself as someone who enjoys the so-called high culture and feels differentiated from your peers for that. When you show yourself engaging in more 'ordinary' activities such as watching TV shows or reading YA books, I notice that you often preface it by explicitly saying it's not something you often do. Same feeling with the remark you made in the beginning that you want to problematise the concept of being intellectual - it sounds pretty empty after watching the whole video that was basically accepting the conventional idea of intellectual without really challenging it. It almost feels like you included these words just to say that you've said them and deflect as much of potential criticism as possible.
Enough people have talked about how your definition of culture and intellect has consistently been narrow. I just want to piggyback and say something I've been thinking about. You seem to have lots of fans from South Asia for some reason and I feel kinda sad seeing that their love for you and the British culture you show via your videos is strictly one-sided and unrequited. Like you'd drink chai latte or do yoga in videos and I see your SA fans appreciating that in the comments, but it's quite apparent you're not necessarily thinking about SA when you do those. It's obvious that Global South doesn't really exist in your world, doesn't fit your aesthetics and the image you want to create for your brand (unless something from there is acknowledged as good or 'cultured' enough in your world, like Ocean Vuong's works). I think your SA fans (and those from other parts of GS) know that and love you despite all that. It's their choice, I know, but it does get you thinking about certain things.
I hope you use your winter holiday to plan and film some unsponsored videos. 7 out of the last 8 videos are sponsored and it really looks not good for your channel and the overall brand.
I am a longtime viewer and supporter of Ruby’s, but I have been trying to put my finger on why this video bothers me so much (along with some of her other sentiments around “culture” lately). Your comment perfectly encapsulates what has been a rather nebulous feeling for me, and I appreciate you sharing in such a thoughtful and eloquent manner.
I think you’re an absolutely terrible person for insulting her.
It is just some people's life. Most people are living in their comfort zones. They have biases and not paying attention to others. It is not their fault. It is what we humans are. And Ruby is same as most people living in a comfort zone. That is common.
Very charming as always but I think you might need to reread your Jeremy Bentham and J S Mill….
hello reading a lot about "high" and "low" culture and would just like to say as a musician,, you all can come to operas/orchestra concerts wearing whatever clothes, dont have to be "fancy", you can clap between movements, theres a lot of gatekeepy nonsense and, from the performers ourselves IGNORE IT
Theres lots of places that do brilliant student/ young people deals and youll be able to find cheap orchestra concerts everywhere!
And finally, classical music isnt a genre! Its so much bigger! so if you dont like mozart,, nor do I! same with operas just try different ones! just try listening to some other stuff (personally I love 20th century music, film music and video games)
Also read the summary of the operas on wikipedia beforehand so you have the gist of whats going on ;)
I love you so much my girl. I always check if you've uploaded any new video😭 I started watching you when I was 16 and now I'll soon be 19!! Ruby I always wanted to be like you. I can't even tell you how much I love your vibes, your rooms and your style. It seems like you're one of my close ones
Happy Holidays to one and all, hope this new year brings many great things to everyone!! ❤️
Ruby, I just wanted to thank you for posting this video. If you ever second guess sharing this type of content, please don’t, because you have an audience that is all ears!
Every year I write out goals, objectives, and a list of new things I want to learn about in the upcoming years. Couple of weeks ago I completed my list and here are two things on my list are:
1. I will be reading more mindfully and one of the genres will be classics (from two different periods).
2. I will also be studying, listening to, and attending an opera in 2024.
So, timing of your video was perfect😊.
Happy New Year and be safe everybody🥳!
For someone making a video about being more cultured, you seem to barely engage with culture outside of Europe. You don't seem to read Latin American, Asian, African, or literature from native peoples. Even in your examples of "ultimate books" you cite all European authors. When you speak about American literature, you talk about Dickinson and Little Women over and over, ignoring the literary wealth that exists in that country. For example, you ignore the Harlem Renaissance, which is one of the most exciting literary periods ever. You may be attending a prestigious university and may know a lot about 17th century literature but there is a world out there that you seem oblivious to and that is quite sad.
Why is it wrong for a European to engage more with European cultures than others?
She’s European….that’s her culture & the one she has most access to…
Also you come across as so condescending
@@melaniewilliams1351 ah a fine day it is, when my gracious interlocutor attacks the content of my character rather than the quality of my argument. Look, I'm sorry I hurt your feelings by saying what I feel about the situation, maybe don't take it so seriously… it's just a different opinion.
@@scrupulousscruplescalm down she was responding to the original comment not yours. Also she was agreeing with you lmao
@@theavodkado oh sorry, I must have misunderstood. I thought she was responding to me haha
Moralising comes from the class divide
Omg we JUST covered fin de siecle in my class and I never had heart of it before and here you are, mentioning it days later 😂
Thank you for sharing this! I have often watched videos on this topic and for most parts, I felt like there is still a very elite (and imo snobby) thinking around intellectuality, which usually excludes popular media. I think the other comments add enough aready, but we really need to change our perspective on learning and what is worth learning in the first place. I hope you (and anyone reading this) have a wonderful start into the New Year! Lots of love
Nowadays, people seem to be more concerned about tiktok, Instagram, watching reality TV shows nowadays.
Dont get me wrong I know I'm not the smartest person out there 😅😅. However, I still go to museums, read, explore different places etc...
I'm expecting my first child and I really want to do what my mum did growing up and take my child to all these places (will never force) to encourage her knowledge and understanding of the world.
🙂
Luv this Ruby💖 Wowzers, I’m learning so much from you! I’m absorbing it all in!
Thank you for all you do and teach to the world! Here watching all your wonderful, educational and heartfelt vlogs!
I find myself thinking you are my long lost sister, so not possible since I’m 30 years older then you!
You are truly wonderful💖🐙✨
Thanks very much for this. I so appreciate your content-it inspires me to ‘do better’ with regard to taking care of my brain, so to speak. It IS easy to get caught up in the internet whirlwind, and it has impacted my attention span for sure. Please keep up the great work! ❤
La Boheme or Tosca are great operas to go to if starting out. The best productions to go and see are the traditional ones in lovely costumes and did in an old fashioned way, rather than gritty modern ways. After seeing a few operas then by all means go to a more modern style production to compare. I prefer traditional staging which sometimes has dancing included. Oh! Aida is another good opera. Operetta is a good way to ease into opera too, such as that by Gilbert and Sullivan which are fun. Have you been to see any G & S Ruby, Buxton Opera House are famous for their annual G & S festival.
The Magic Flute is another go-to that I recommend to people trying to get into opera, and any operettas that you can find really, but I have a soft spot for The Pearls of Cleopatra.
@@hxllxwbxdyI cannot emphasise enough how much I second this! The magic flute is what got me into opera and it’s one of my all time favourite works to this day - certainly my favourite opera!
@@hxllxwbxdy good advice too. I agree.
Hi Ruby this was really lovely I love tea too to quote Edgar Allen Po "do a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life" hahaxo
Great insights and tips. Please do share more on how to read deeply. What all to do understand while reading.
This is so enlightening and yet so emphatically put. really grateful for this kind of content.
boys theyre all just different mediums, at one point opera and orchestral concerts were just what people had instead of film, no "higher" or "lower", like what you like and ignore all the people trying to be gatekeepy over these things in the modern day
You ticked the right box about reading deeply against reading a lot. I tend to do both, if it`s really possible tbh. Intersting video as usual ;)
So, would you say that it’s mostly an open curiosity and mindfulness when it comes to interacting with the world? I like the idea that it is extended towards both art and science, following your emotions but also delving into the nature of understanding our world. Finding meaning behind creation itself
Thanks for the vid,,lots of love and future wishes ❤️
Will you show us your christmas presents ?
this was such a unique video - thank you for sharing your tips 🍵
Consuming western high culture doesn’t equal to being cultured.
Did she say it did? She didn’t, but she’s European & it’s the culture she has access to. Don’t lecture.
@@melaniewilliams1351 Why not lecture? Only Ruby has a right to lecture?
This video seems ethnocentric to me
LOVE this topic, Ruby! Thank you! Great suggestions. ❤