Northwestern University Sociologist Professor Visits DU
Dr. Gary Alan Fine, professor of Sociology at Northwestern University, and member of the 238th class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, shared his leading knowledge on the sociology of fun, outlining his most recent work. Though he says there are two sides of fun, the dark versus cheery, he discussed the latter. From weather room pets in Chicago, to pulling pranks on mushroom research colleagues, fun is seen everywhere, and is a natural occurrence – when true.
To open, Dr. Fine immediately dove into Donald Roy’s study of machine laborers. The conditions could be described well with the words from one of the workers “If it weren’t for the talking and fooling, you’d go nuts!” He painted the picture of the industrial working conditions, forcing his audience to understand the outrageous idea of ‘Banana Time’ in the factory. By opening with this, he allowed everyone to more clearly comprehend the discourse that is the sociology of fun. Immediately, he pulled the listeners into the story, and kept them engaged when he went onto speak about a pet fish, belonging to Joan, at a Chicago weather center. He continued to reference weathermen, Joan, and the fish throughout his lecture to reiterate what the meaning of fun is, and keep the premise at the forefront of the audience members minds’.
Overall, the six diverse topics he reviewed exemplified various versions of fun. Each offered distinct and unusual ways to relate to his discourse, which allowed everyone in the hall to more straightforwardly grasp the topic. Throughout the lecture, he referenced several notable sociologists, giving more credit to his study. Not only he and his coauthor study the the sociology of fun, but several others throughout history, including Erving Goffman. He quoted Goffman with regards to his explanation that fun is social cohesion, and as Dr. Fine said was the main takeaway, it organizes social life. Additionally, he spoke upon the dynamics of fun, explaining that it must be voluntary, else it would be a failed endeavor.
Later, at the end of his lecture, he touched back on the idea of forced fun, when someone asked how fun can exist when not allowed. He went on to explain that although fun may not be allowed, the tools and spaces are sometimes given to encourage fun. At that point, people take it into their own hands to “humanize the bureaucracy.” By collaborating and creating a joint hedonic satisfaction, people create their own meaning of fun. As Dr. Fine mentioned, Jackson-Jacobs studied how different groups, such as punk rockers, or skateboarders versus kick bikers, make environments into their own, shaping them to what they want. When people cross over the unspoken lines, unrest occurs.
What has always been second nature to participate in, became a study of practice of actions, and those of others, recognizable daily. Through anecdotes of his studies and those of others, Fine allowed his audience to think more deeply about the sociology of fun. Although most of his audience was composed of intro level students, he made kept his lecture complex and engaging, encouraging me to look more closely at his works, and those of Donald Roy, Erving Goffman, and Jackson-Jacobs.
Ultimately, the lecture urged the audience to see everyday events as more than just actions, but meaningful engagements that are a part of a functioning community.