I literally just left a discussion about what "Edgy" means. So these thoughts are fresh and unfiltered. Should be fun. AND, to be honest, I'm really interested in hearing what others have to say about it.
What is Edgy? Like love, poetry, and sleet, we tend to recognize it when we see it but have a hard time describing it well. Which makes me wonder - doesn't that mean Edge is all about WHO is doing the perceiving rather than WHAT is being perceived? Initially, this sounds like terrible news to rock stars, skinny jean wearing worship leaders, and 45% high school students across America (not counting the 45% who are copying the real Edgies) who have carefully tried to market themselves as more Edgy than the rest. But as I think about it now, this is actually better for everyone.
If those paying attention to you (those whom you have influence with) are the ones determining where you fall on the Edge scale, all you need to do to maintain that perception is to figure out how to stay 2-3 steps ahead of what is otherwise considered normal. What I'm saying is, if you're a 35 year old leader who is responsible for a primarily 40 year old audience, you probably don't need a tattoo on your neck. But if that same 35 year old is a teacher or a youth pastor, you probably need to pierce an eyelid or drive a motorcycle to achieve ful edginess (because motorcycles never stop being cool and Edgy).
Most people want Edge. The good news (I think) is that you no longer have to figure out what that means. Before you cut your hair like that or decorate your home office with modern art, learn from your audience where the line is between Edge and Punk. It won't take nearly as long as you think to figure it out. Ask them what the last song they downloaded was (if they respond by telling you what CD they just bought, you might respond by telling them how glad you were that Ross and Rachel wound up together). Ask where they bought the shirt they are wearing. These simple types of questions will let you know how much Edge they are ready for. Never forget, most people will follow what they perceive to be an Edgy leader because they can see that you aren't content to just accept what the majority hassettled into. But if you go too far they won't see you as Edgy. They'll see you as unstable.
How do you define Edge? And how does it work for or against you?
I believe that edgy comes from being close to the edge. So then you have to ask, "the edge of what?" I think it has been the edge of what is considered appropriate. As people crowd to the edge, the line doesn't seem as distinct, so what used to be edgy seems kind of normal. You have to go a little further to seem edgy, like you said, because what used to be viewed as inappropriate doesn't seem that way anymore.
ReplyDeleteHere is a good visual illustration: http://youtu.be/YY1iWVBszV0