Blank space : a cultural history of the twenty-first century / W. David Marx.
Over the past twenty-five years, pop culture has suffered from a perplexing lack of reinvention. We've entered a cultural "blank space"--an era when reboots, rehashes, and fads flourish, while bold artistic experimentation struggles to gain recognition. Why is risk no longer rewarded, and how did playing it safe become the formula for success? Acclaimed cultural historian W. David Marx sets out to uncover the answers. In this ambitious cultural history, Marx guides us through the blur of the twenty-first century so far, from the Obama era to the rise of K-pop, from Paris Hilton to the Marvel cinematic universe, from Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to . . . Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, whose enduring influence highlights both their adaptability and the broader shifts in pop culture. Combining sociological, economic, and political insights with a deep dive into art, street culture, fashion, and technology, Blank Space dissects the rise of profit-driven, formulaic trends and the shifting cultural norms that often prioritize going viral over innovation. He reveals how backlash against indie snobbery and nineties counterculture gave rise to a counter-counterculture--one marked by antiliberal sentiment, the celebration of business heroes, and the increasing influence of industry plants and the elite class. In a world of crypto bros, nepo babies, and AI-driven art, Marx offers readers a much-needed dose of clarity and context. Vibrantly narrated and sharply argued, Blank Space is an essential guide for anyone looking to understand the chaos of the twenty-first century, the trends, tastemakers, and icons who shaped it, and how we might push our culture forward over the next quarter century--through renewed emphasis on creativity, community, and the values that transcend mere profit.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780593833995
- ISBN: 0593833996
- Physical Description: 375 pages ; 24 cm
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: New York, NY : Viking, [2025]
- Copyright: ©2025
Content descriptions
- Bibliography, etc. Note:
- Includes bibliographic references (pages [283]-357) and index.
- Formatted Contents Note:
- Introduction -- Part One: 2001-2008. Downtown New York after 9/11 -- Hip-hop hybridization -- Pop, idols, and celebrity -- The nerd internet -- Part Two: 2009-2015. Thanks, Obama -- Techno-optimism -- Millennials -- Kimye -- Blurred timelines -- Part Three: 2016-2019. Revanchism and resistance -- Techno-pessimism -- Ultrapoptimism -- Capitalist surrealism -- Part Four: 2020-2025. The omnivore monoculture -- Techno-nihilism -- A new luxury -- Boys gone wild -- Conclusion: restoring cultural invention.
Search for related items by subject
- Subject:
- Popular culture.
Civilization, Modern > 21st century. - Genre:
- Informational works.
Available copies
- 13 of 14 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at Onslow County Public Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 14 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Main Library | 306 MAR (Text) | 36015000770426 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
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| 300 | . | ‡a375 pages ; ‡c24 cm | |
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| 504 | . | ‡aIncludes bibliographic references (pages [283]-357) and index. | |
| 505 | 0 | . | ‡aIntroduction -- Part One: 2001-2008. Downtown New York after 9/11 -- Hip-hop hybridization -- Pop, idols, and celebrity -- The nerd internet -- Part Two: 2009-2015. Thanks, Obama -- Techno-optimism -- Millennials -- Kimye -- Blurred timelines -- Part Three: 2016-2019. Revanchism and resistance -- Techno-pessimism -- Ultrapoptimism -- Capitalist surrealism -- Part Four: 2020-2025. The omnivore monoculture -- Techno-nihilism -- A new luxury -- Boys gone wild -- Conclusion: restoring cultural invention. |
| 520 | . | ‡aOver the past twenty-five years, pop culture has suffered from a perplexing lack of reinvention. We've entered a cultural "blank space"--an era when reboots, rehashes, and fads flourish, while bold artistic experimentation struggles to gain recognition. Why is risk no longer rewarded, and how did playing it safe become the formula for success? Acclaimed cultural historian W. David Marx sets out to uncover the answers. In this ambitious cultural history, Marx guides us through the blur of the twenty-first century so far, from the Obama era to the rise of K-pop, from Paris Hilton to the Marvel cinematic universe, from Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to . . . Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, whose enduring influence highlights both their adaptability and the broader shifts in pop culture. Combining sociological, economic, and political insights with a deep dive into art, street culture, fashion, and technology, Blank Space dissects the rise of profit-driven, formulaic trends and the shifting cultural norms that often prioritize going viral over innovation. He reveals how backlash against indie snobbery and nineties counterculture gave rise to a counter-counterculture--one marked by antiliberal sentiment, the celebration of business heroes, and the increasing influence of industry plants and the elite class. In a world of crypto bros, nepo babies, and AI-driven art, Marx offers readers a much-needed dose of clarity and context. Vibrantly narrated and sharply argued, Blank Space is an essential guide for anyone looking to understand the chaos of the twenty-first century, the trends, tastemakers, and icons who shaped it, and how we might push our culture forward over the next quarter century--through renewed emphasis on creativity, community, and the values that transcend mere profit. | |
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