Modern Wisdom #212 - Ashley Mears - Why Do People Go To Nightclubs?
7 snips
Aug 20, 2020 
Ashley Mears, a sociologist, writer, and former fashion model, dives deep into the bustling world of nightclubs. She reveals why men splurge thousands on VIP bottle service and the loud, pulsating music that fills these spaces. Mears discusses the social dynamics at play, especially the pressures women face in nightlife, and the rich cultural symbolism of champagne. She also shares insights from her immersive research in New York and Miami, exposing the intriguing relationship between beauty, wealth, and social connections in the high-end club scene.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Collective Effervescence in Nightclubs
- Nightclubs offer a sense of collective effervescence, losing oneself in music and the moment with others.
- Loud music helps create this feeling by reducing distractions and enhancing shared focus.
Modern Potlatch in Nightclubs
- The exorbitant spending in nightclubs, particularly on champagne, can be seen as a modern form of potlatch.
- This anthropological concept describes status display through wasteful consumption, similar to historical tribal societies.
The Role of Models in Nightclubs
- The presence of fashion models in VIP sections elevates the status of the space and its occupants.
- Their specific type of beauty, validated by the fashion industry, communicates rarity and prestige.
