# How "with it" are you? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 26, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892 "2012-03-26T23:49:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/81 "2012-03-28T01:12:46Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > Yeah - I’m always surprised when every so often someone will say something like “I couldn’t pick Justin Bieber out of a lineup.” He’s like, EVERYWHERE. He’s on a toothbrush for cryin’ out loud! I’m stunned there isn’t a Bieber cereal or something. (Oh! I gotta tweet Scooter! I’m gonna be rich!) I get not liking him, I just think it’s odd that someone could be so oblivious to something so everywhere. > > . . . . Bieber- he’s the kid with the hair in his eyes, right? ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/82 "2012-03-28T01:25:01Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > And as a subset: > > How “with it” are you ACTUALLY > and > How “with it” do you see yourself? > > For some inexplicable reason it’s bizarrely important to me at my advanced age to remain “up” on things in order to interact with people socially both online and IRL. > > There is stuff I have zero interest in but I recognize is expected to come up in conversation at any given time: Kardashians, Jersey Shore, HIMYM, American Idol, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Glee, yadda. > > But the music is HARD WORK. There are approximately 10,000 bands/singers out there right now who are the NEXT BIG THING and I cannot even. I’m force-feeding myself as much as I can and will never catch up. > > How “with-it” do I see myself? _Pretty_ with-it. I’ve seen Justin Bieber, Big Time Rush, and One Direction live (BEFORE their US debut on the Today show, ahem.) I know The Wanted but don’t especially like them because they look like Dick Tracy villains and I know LMFAO and you do too, even if you think you don’t because they’re the song in that hamster commercial. > > How “with-it” am I actually? I would’ve said 100% NOT AT ALL until I had this exchange a couple days ago: > > Me: (meandering disdainfully around the music section at Wal-Mart) > Pimply Teenaged Employee: “Can I help you find anything?” > Me: “I’m looking for the One Direction “Up All Night” Yearbook edition?” > PTE: … > Me: “They’re a band?” > PTE: “One…band? I don’t think we carry that.” > Me: “No, One Direction - it’s a Wal-Mart EXCLUSIVE?” (No Joke.) > PTE: If we had it it would be over there? ::waves hand:: > Me: (It’s…only the number one album in America? They’re on the cover of Rolling Stone? You don’t even have the REGULAR CD. WTF?) > > So in a nutshell, I’m more “with it” than the 17 year-old boy at Wal Mart. And the entire Wal Mart corporation in general apparently. Which may or may not say something. > > Oh, also: does anyone get what I say when I say “with it” or am I so old that’s not “with it” anymore? That would be the sweetest burn ever. Nothing here seems to indicate that you’re “with it” (to me, sorry). ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/83 "2012-03-28T01:39:32Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Bieber- he’s the kid with the hair in his eyes, right? [Yes?](https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRPnvmELytK8cZjIEzI0e9-HpqfU0j4NcqS7X1lahSWMwEEcBrnlQ) [No?](http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2011/stylewatch/blog/111114/justin-bieber-300x400.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/84 "2012-03-28T01:56:48Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > But why would you care about being aware of things if you weren’t concerned with appearing cool? Like I said earlier, I want to be able to hold a coherent conversation in day to day life. You know, with the people, who like the things. > [@nashiitashii](#): > > I listened to that One Direction video and I’m amazed at how you’re interested enough to get a CD, let alone a signed one. Just not my cup of tea, and it seems like it’s a really age-specific pre-teen girl thing. Wait - what video. Did I link to a video? (scroll scroll scroll) I didn’t. You did that yourself, lol. (What did you watch, exactly? There are some BAD 1D videos out there.) That having been said, I think the acoustic “[One Thing](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDv7efxb4No)” is great. I didn’t get a signed CD BTW for the record. I have seen them live but not up close and all like that. And will be seeing them again in June in Las Vegas. If **AClockworkMelon** gets his shit together I will take him. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/85 "2012-03-28T02:02:03Z")
The only thing that’s necessary to be with it is to be a Kesha fan. All other pop culture is obsolete. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/86 "2012-03-28T02:11:37Z")
> [@Ponch8](#): > > The only thing that’s necessary to be with it is to be a Kesha fan. All other pop culture is obsolete. \*COUGH! [Ke$ha] \*/COUGH ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/87 "2012-03-28T02:37:25Z")
Musically, no longer with it. With it in terms of movies. Probably more with it than I used to be in terms of fashion. Moderate withitness in technology. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/88 "2012-03-28T02:45:53Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Moderate withitness in technology. Yeah, moderate here too. I have a tablet but mostly I stab at it going “Do the things!” ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/89 "2012-03-28T02:48:15Z")
“With it” sounds an awful lot like being up to speed on the latest in suburban American media consumer culture. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/90 "2012-03-28T03:01:41Z")
> [@Trom](#): > > When I look at the[line-up](http://pitchfork.com/news/45567-pitchfork-festival-announces-dates-initial-lineup/) of this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival, I know 7 out of 13 bands. I used to be a lot more with it musically, but I really fell off when [OiNK’s Pink Palace](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oink%27s_Pink_Palace) was shut down. First off: Humblebrag FTW, goose Second: OMG I know TWO of those bands! I am relevant! **mad high-fiving** ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/91 "2012-03-28T06:18:14Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > First off: Humblebrag FTW, goose > Second: OMG I know TWO of those bands! I am relevant! **mad high-fiving** I only know four, but I have seen one of them live. In 1998. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/92 "2012-03-28T08:40:00Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > For some inexplicable reason it’s bizarrely important to me at my advanced age to remain “up” on things in order to interact with people socially both online and IRL. I thought that was why we graduated from high school, so we could start to have conversations about things which interested us. Who exactly are you talking to that requires intimate knowledge of tween music? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/93 "2012-03-28T09:00:28Z")
I wasn’t even with it when it was new. Guess I’m without it. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/94 "2012-03-28T09:06:36Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > First off: Humblebrag FTW, goose > Second: OMG I know TWO of those [Pitchfork Music Festival] bands! I am relevant! **mad high-fiving** Isn’t the point of Pitchfork that it’s a site for obscure indie rock bands? I mean if you want to be up on the latest bands kids actually listen to, go download the Gossip Girl soundtrack. > [@voguevixen](#): > > \*COUGH! [Ke$ha] \*/COUGH Ke$ha is like so 2 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![DeweyDecibel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DeweyDecibel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeweyDecibel)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/95 "2012-03-28T12:01:19Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > What exactly IS a food fad? I can think of two, and these are both fast food related: ciabatta bread and chipotle anything. Yeah, chipotle and ciabatta would be food trends. But also, things like that organic is still popular but local and hyper-local have become more important. Hyper-local = the restaurant has it’s own garden in the back or somesuch. Offal (organ meats) are in. Pork belly may have jumped the shark. Speaking of shark, there’s a controversy over shark fin soup akin to the foie gras one. That kind of stuff is non-fast food food trends. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/96 "2012-03-28T12:09:47Z")
People who care about being with it are, by definition, not with it. Also, yeah, buying CDs disqualifies you also. Sorry. I don’t make the rules. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/97 "2012-03-28T13:23:28Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Isn’t the point of Pitchfork that it’s a site for obscure indie rock bands? > > I mean if you want to be up on the latest bands kids actually listen to, go download the Gossip Girl soundtrack. > > Ke$ha is like so 2 years ago. That’s only because she hasn’t released any new songs in a while. Her new album is due in May, so you’ll be hearing a lot more from her. Get used to it, okay? ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/98 "2012-03-28T13:35:47Z")
34 year old guy and I don’t know what the hell’s going on pretty much anywhere. I’m cool with that. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/99 "2012-03-28T14:52:11Z")
I don’t know what to think. When you say you are older, do you mean for a Beiber fan, like late 20’s? Or maybe 35, but still hopelessly young at heart with a taste for boy bands? Perhaps 40 - 50’s, having a mid life rebirth of music mania, hot hip pursuit? 65 -75, okay, I can’t imagine how this’d work, but still, I suppose it’s a possibility. I’m not asking for your exact age, but could you give us a ball park, it would really help to understand where you’re coming from. Do you hope to have kids? Have teenagers? Have grandchildren? Other than that, I had a brief infatuation, deep abiding yearning to be ‘with it’. I was 13 and in junior school, then, of course. That passed and I find I have been indifferent ever since. Hard work to stay on top of ‘with it’ new music? Yeah, not for me, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892/100 "2012-03-28T15:01:34Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Isn’t the point of Pitchfork that it’s a site for obscure indie rock bands? > > I mean if you want to be up on the latest bands kids actually listen to, go download the Gossip Girl soundtrack. Kind of. It used to be that 10 years ago. Now they more strive to be in front of trends, but still with a snobbish attitude. They tend to focus more on indie/hipster stuff, but not exclusively. For example, they gave Kanye West’s newest album a perfect 10.0 rating. But, for the purposes of this thread I’d argue having even heard of Pitchfork is a point in the “with it” category. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-with-it-are-you/616892.md?page=6)