There was some funny banter this week on my twitter about Justin Bieber, in which I said I wanted to see “Never Say Never.” I meant it, I do. First of all, have you seen that little three-year-old drum? Second, this kid is a phenomenon, and I like to study phenomena. Third? Cute haircuts and good dancing.

As soon as I said it, a wave of hate and snark hit my @ replies, and it sparked some discussion on the concept of unjustified hate of pop culture and its deities. (It also prompted a joke about me writing ‘Bieber, A History,’ which prompted Jordan to make the funniest picture spoof of Harry, A History that I’ve ever seen.)

When I checked my Formspring I had a rather demanding question on the subject (though I suspect it was just a friend being snarky and funny, but it hit a nerve! So, apologies to anonymous friend, it’s not you, it’s me). I found myself ranting about how people get pissy about pop culture, and since it’s an important topic to me I’ve copied it below.

(In other news I’ve integrated my formspring account here, so I’ll be better able to double-post answers to things I like here! Yay

You want to see Never Say Never. Defend yourself.

No. Defend YOURself, anonymous! Justin Bieber, whether you like it or not, has had a ton to do with pop culture and actually IS an important figure in the narrative of how media and grassroots movements can shape our lives. His story is not irrelevant, and cannot be dismissed thanks to the pure power he holds over the landscape. But more than that, MUCH more than that, I just really hate it when people get snobby about pop culture. Highbrow doesn’t equal good – lowbrow doesn’t equal good – popular doesn’t equal bad – unpopular doesn’t equal good. It’s when we think that things that are wildly popular are inherently bad for that reason that we become really out of touch. Obviously whatever he’s doing is connecting with people on some level. Is it just that he’s a cute boy? No, I’ve heard some acoustic stuff, by all accounts the kid can sing. Is he just manufactured fluff by the recording industry? It would be easy to believe that were it not for this thing called youtube.

But it’s the Twilight argument – I may not love Twilight (and I don’t) but I’m not about to say that everyone who likes it owes me an explanation. It means something to them, therefore it has value. And I will never, NEVER, indicate that there’s no artistry in things that aren’t highbrow – there is, just of a different sort than people like to quote when they try to make themselves sound important.

I’m a curious person with a wide range of interests. I could recite all seven seasons of The West Wing to you, “Rhapsody in Blue” has the power to make me cry, and I could also do That’s What She Said Jokes with the masters of the world. I never want to become the person who scoffs at something that’s popular or deceptively light, or loses their sense of humor or appreciation for that which doesn’t have a place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art but DOES make a young person feel better about thier lives. If Justin Bieber makes a young person happier, who cares what I think? Who cares what the wine drinking critics of the world think? Something there has created value, and it’s that – it’s what causes THAT – that I find myself most interested in.

Love what you love, guys. Don’t let ANYONE tell you what you love is wrong or doesn’t have value. I spent a lot of time defending myself over this very thing with Harry Potter and let me tell you, it’s not worth it. Something that strikes a chord within you means something to you, period – anyone who can’t appreciate that, and can denigrate it, and can turn their nose up at you because of it, is not worth your time.

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