# You're hopelessly out of touch if you've never heard of... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 11, 2011, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801 "2011-12-11T04:20:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/41 "2011-12-12T03:25:01Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > The first part of my list are names that I think a 20 something would expect a 50 something to have heard of. Remember, the question isn’t “Who would a 50 year old have heard of?” it was “Who would a 20 year old think a 50 year old would know of?” The wording changes the question. You will note that I _didn’t_ rephrase the question to “Who would a 50 year old have heard of?”, and that the OP is asking about 20-somethings and not people who are exactly 20. While I’m not a 20-something anymore I was one less than a year ago. If I wouldn’t expect a 50 year old to have heard of Gwen Stefani or Maroon 5, I would not guess that someone a few years younger than I am would either. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/42 "2011-12-12T03:31:22Z")
I’m 40 and I got all of them except the Black Keys and Florence and the machine. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/43 "2011-12-12T03:31:25Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > You wouldn’t recognize [Justin Bieber](http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lub1htqEgA1qfkei4o1_500.jpg)? It’s kind of amazing how ordinary the Bieber on the right looks in that picture. Like, I wouldn’t think twice if I saw him in passing on the sidewalk. ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/44 "2011-12-12T03:32:55Z")
I’m 47 and I know [The](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLSpj7q6_mM) [Black](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_PrT25o8Vs&feature=relmfu) [Keys](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpaPBCBjSVc). ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/45 "2011-12-12T03:46:21Z")
I’m 54 and at least know who everyone mentioned is and have seen thier videos or seen them perform on SNL. I know a little about Kardashian and JShore but haven’t seen either show. Mostly through internet mockery. I own two Black Keys CDs I bought before they got well known. I know nothing about gamer culture. I sometimes watch Glee. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/46 "2011-12-12T04:18:11Z")
> [@Trepa\_Mayfield](#): > > It’s kind of amazing how ordinary the Bieber on the right looks in that picture. Like, I wouldn’t think twice if I saw him in passing on the sidewalk. I’m pretty sure those were taken less than a year apart too. It’s like watching time-lapse photography or something. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/47 "2011-12-12T07:52:00Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I heard it here a few years ago accompanied by [this](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Chav.svg/220px-Chav.svg.png) picture. It seems to be the UK version of douche bag. Not quite - douchebags have money. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/48 "2011-12-12T08:08:39Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Not quite - douchebags have money. Classy remark? Yeah, that having been said, I was going to mention I pick up a sort of class-ism vibe from the term. From what I understand it’s a (lower-income) group who attempt to bolster their status by being over-into what is popular these days. (Which apparently British people look down on?) Most notably, from the examples I’ve been introduced to, there is an obsession/fixation with (knock-off) Burberry items. I like Burberry. I love their plaid. But I actually abandoned my (admittedly, knock-off) purse because I felt someone would judge me by it. Even though I’m in the US. As someone with an obsessively thrifty mother who snipped the same Izod/Lacoste alligator and sewed it onto various items of my clothing as I outgrew them, I can kind of sympathize. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/49 "2011-12-12T08:32:46Z")
[NYT article on chavs.](http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/13/books/chavs-the-demonization-of-the-working-class-review.html) (Actually a book review, but pretty informative). ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/50 "2011-12-12T09:35:04Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > [NYT article on chavs.](http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/13/books/chavs-the-demonization-of-the-working-class-review.html) > > (Actually a book review, but pretty informative). Exactly what I was alluding to. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/51 "2011-12-12T11:07:25Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > [NYT article on chavs.](http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/13/books/chavs-the-demonization-of-the-working-class-review.html) > > (Actually a book review, but pretty informative). Where that article goes wrong (and possibly the book does, I haven’t read it) is that it assumes that “chavs” and “working class” are the same thing. They are not, chavs are a specific subset of the working class. Don’t get me wrong, I have seen several of my friends back in the UK demonise chavs and I have found it very uncomfortable. There is a fair amount of classism in it, but it not only isn’t just that (a fair amount of chavs act in the same way as the football hooligans of old and let’s not forget that for many chavs the ASBO - anti-social behaviour order - is a badge of honour) but it is also incorrect to extend it the whole working class. Personally I just avoid using the word as I do find its use in some circles to be uncomfortable, but no longer being in the UK I never really have much cause to use it anyway. I’ve probably used it more in this post that I have in the past six months. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/52 "2011-12-12T12:01:47Z")
I thought I was out of touch but you guys make me feel really hip. I’m 44 and know all of them apart from Nikki Minaj, whose name I have heard maybe once before but of whom I know nothing (Something to do with Pussycat Dolls? Female rapper? Am I close?). I have to say, though, a lot of **Joey P** ’s list looks pretty out of date - like 10 or more years old. I’d imagine many 20-somethings haven’t heard of a lot of those oldsters. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/53 "2011-12-12T12:14:34Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > I thought I was out of touch but you guys make me feel really hip. I’m 44 and know all of them apart from Nikki Minaj, whose name I have heard maybe once before but of whom I know nothing (Something to do with Pussycat Dolls? Female rapper? Am I close?). > > I have to say, though, a lot of **Joey P** ’s list looks pretty out of date - like 10 or more years old. I’d imagine many 20-somethings haven’t heard of a lot of those oldsters. Yeah, she’s the only one I got stuck on, but I’m 37 so compared to the rest of you I’m a mere zygote. Clearly. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/54 "2011-12-12T12:57:58Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > I have to say, though, a lot of **Joey P** ’s list looks pretty out of date - like 10 or more years old. I’d imagine many 20-somethings haven’t heard of a lot of those oldsters. I’m pretty sure everyone on my list (except Florence and The Machine and The Black Keys) is currently getting regular airplay on Top40 stations. I’d be willing to bet they are all currently on the Billboard charts (or at least have been within the past few weeks). Also, glancing at the list I’m also guessing that at least half of them didn’t exist (as pop stars) more then 10 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/55 "2011-12-12T14:57:08Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’m pretty sure everyone on my list (except Florence and The Machine and The Black Keys) is currently getting regular airplay on Top40 stations. I’d be willing to bet they are all currently on the Billboard charts (or at least have been within the past few weeks). Also, glancing at the list I’m also guessing that at least half of them didn’t exist (as pop stars) more then 10 years ago. I think P Diddy is your only misstep. I don’t think the kids give a crap about him anymore. It’s all Kanye nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/56 "2011-12-12T15:55:51Z")
I have to say how much I relate to the OP. I bought one of those magazines in the grocery store line the other day. (I wanted to see Kim Kardashian’s wedding dress, so shoot me!) Flipping through the pages I realized: I don’t know who any of these people are. None of them. I only know KK because her Step-Dad, Bruce Jenner, was a childhood hero of mine. I do see one or two other names that may well be the children of people I’m familiar with. They should get off my lawn. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/57 "2011-12-12T16:04:56Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > Yeah, she’s the only one I got stuck on, but I’m 37 so compared to the rest of you I’m a mere zygote. Clearly. Same here. Well, I’m 36, but Nicki Minaj is the only one I had no clue of. I checked out some videos on Youtube, and none of them sounded familiar. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/58 "2011-12-12T20:47:47Z")
Well to be fair, I only know Nicki Manij because she presented an award at the BET awards with…Justin Bieber, and no, I don’t know why on earth Justin Bieber was at the BET awards. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/59 "2011-12-12T21:17:20Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > 43, almost 44 and to give a run at **knorf** ’s experiment: > > **Gwen Stephanie( Stefani )** - Recognize, know the early _No Doubt_ hits, could probably pick her out of a lineup. > > **P Diddy** - Know him by reputation and am vaguely aware of his significance. Not very familiar with his own ouevre, but could probably pick him out of lineup. > > **Maroon 5** - No clue. > > **Christina Aguilera** - Aware of her, might be able to pick her out of a lineup. Couldn’t name a single song. > > **Katy Perry** - As per Aguilera. Unfamiliar with her work except in the most passing way, but she is slightly recognizable to me from media exposure. > > **Justin Timberlake** - Know him, don’t care for his music, but I have a friend who was once a fanatic fan and thus am reasonably familiar. > > **Beyonce** - Similar to Aguilera and Perry, except I also know her from that Austin Powers film. > > **Justin Bieber** - Reputation only. Couldn’t pick him out of a lineup. > > **Nikki Minaj** - No clue. > > **Snoop** - Somewhat familiar. > > **Jay Z** - Know by reputation, can’t picture his face. > > **Black Keys** - Nope. > > **Adele** - Nope. > > **Glee** - TV show I never watch. Not my cup of tea by description. > > **Florence and the Machine** - Another one for the “not a clue” pile. > > I will note that I’ve never been a big pop music/Top 40 guy. At least not in the modern era ( I listened to some 1960’s and 1970’s pop rock stuff ). I was into funk and some rock in my early teens, classic rock + blues + hard bop & fusion jazz into my twenties, alternative/punk rock + oldies + folk + world music + old timey country/bluegrass + classical in my thirties. > > So I suspect even if I was a teenager today, this stuff would mostly be outside my interest range, with the possible exception of No Doubt, who I thought did some catchy stuff ( though apparently her biggest fanbase at the time were tweener girls ). My answers are eerily similar to this, with the exceptions being that I know of P Diddy by name only, couldn’t pick justin T. out of a lineup or identify a song, and have never heard of Maroon 5 or Jay Z. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801/60 "2011-12-12T21:24:54Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Not knowing who Lady Gaga is would probably be the equivalent of not having heard of Madonna in the 90’s. > > (FTR, I really don’t like Lady Gaga and think she’s a talentless hack compared to Madonna, but she’s here and very popular…Also, I think Stephenie Germonatta is a very talented singer and piano player). I’ve never heard of Stephanie Germonatta, though I’ll correct that after I hit submit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hopelessly-out-of-touch-if-youve-never-heard-of/605801.md?page=4)