Research

The subject of “vibes” is not a specific focus in academia. I am using the term as a catch-all for a wide array of ideas, traits, behaviors, and attitudes that don’t fit easily into existing categories. While I am not an academic or clinician, I am dedicated to using trustworthy sources and high quality information.

Brain science, psychology, history, anthropology, and popular culture are all part of this research. My hope is to uncover connections across fields of study that lead to a clearer picture of vibes.

My current goal is to continue learning and sharing ideas via this newsletter. I hope to gather feedback, ideas, and resources that help build greater understanding to this work. My hunch is that new insights could help explain why we are the way we are.

Please keep in mind that this is a self-supported passion project. If you have feedback or suggestions, please contact me at: leelefever at gmail dot com.


Sources

The resources below are a sample of the sources I have read and documented to date.

Books

  • Anderegg, David. Nerds: Who They Are and Why We Need More of Them. New York: Penguin Group, 2007.

    • Focuses on the nerd stereotype and its social and cultural implications, examining how nerd identity is constructed and how it affects societal perceptions.

  • Frank, Thomas. The Conquest of Cool: Business Culture, Counterculture, and the Rise of Hip Consumerism. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997.

    • Analyzes how 1960s counterculture was co-opted by corporate America, transforming rebellion into a marketing tool, and explores the relationship between business culture and the rise of "hip" consumerism.

  • Folds, Ben. A Dream About Lightning Bugs: A Life of Music and Cheap Lessons. New York: Ballantine Books, 2019.

    • A memoir by musician Ben Folds, reflecting on his life, creative process, and career in music. The book blends personal stories with insights on artistry, failure, and success, offering lessons learned from his experiences in the music industry and beyond. Folds shares his thoughts on creativity, inspiration, and the importance of perseverance in artistic pursuits.

  • Quartz, Steven, and Asp, Anette. Cool: How the Brain's Hidden Quest for Cool Drives Our Economy and Shapes Our World. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2015.

    • Explores how the concept of "cool" shapes consumer behavior, social identity, and cultural trends, with insights from neuroscience and economics.

  • Hibbing, John R., Smith, Kevin B., and Alford, John R. Predisposed: Liberals, Conservatives, and the Biology of Political Differences. New York: Routledge, 2013.

    • Investigates the biological and psychological underpinnings of political ideologies, focusing on how inherent predispositions affect political preferences and behaviors.

  • Nugent, Ben. American Nerd: The Story of My People. New York: Scribner, 2008.

    • Chronicles the evolution of nerd culture in America, blending personal reflection with historical and sociological analysis to explore how nerds have been perceived in society.

  • Leland, John. Hip: The History. New York: HarperCollins, 2004.

    • Traces the history of hip culture, examining its roots in African American traditions and its influence on modern aesthetics, consumerism, and social movements.

  • Pountain, Dick, and Robins, David. Cool Rules: Anatomy of an Attitude. London: Reaktion Books, 2000.

    • Analyzes the concept of "cool" as a cultural phenomenon, tracing its historical roots and examining its significance in modern society. The authors explore how cool functions as an attitude that combines rebellion, detachment, and style, influencing everything from fashion and music to politics and personal identity. The book also investigates the commodification of cool and its role in shaping contemporary consumer culture.

  • Rubin, Rick. A Creative Act: A Way of Being. New York: Penguin Press, 2023.

    • A philosophical exploration of creativity, focusing on the importance of intuition, receptivity, and openness in the artistic process.

  • Thompson, Robert Farris. Flash of the Spirit: African & Afro-American Art & Philosophy. New York: Vintage, 1983.

    • Explores the cultural and artistic legacy of African civilizations, particularly the Yoruba, Kongo, and Mande, and their influence in the Americas, emphasizing spiritual and aesthetic traditions like ashe.


    Other

  • Azevedo, Flávia, et al. "Amygdala Structure and the Tendency to Regard the Social System as Legitimate and Desirable." Nature Human Behaviour, vol. 1, December 2017, pp. 1-8.

    • Examines the relationship between the structure of the amygdala and individuals' tendency to perceive the social system as legitimate. The study finds that variations in amygdala volume are linked to differences in how people view social hierarchies and norms, suggesting that neural structures play a role in shaping political and social attitudes. The article highlights the amygdala’s influence on system justification tendencies.

  • Abuhamdeh, Sami, and Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. "The Artistic Personality: A Systems Perspective." The Wiley Handbook of Genius, January 2014, doi:10.1037/10692-003.

    • Examines the personality traits commonly associated with artists from a systems perspective, integrating individual, social, and cultural factors. The authors explore how traits like openness to experience, autonomy, and a tolerance for ambiguity contribute to creative expression. The study also considers how the social environment influences the development of artistic talent, focusing on the dynamic interaction between personal attributes and external conditions.

  • Ainslie, Scott. "The Roots of Coolness: Ancient Yoruba Aesthetics in the New World." The World & I, vol. 12, no. 10, 1997, pp. 204-219.

    • Investigates the influence of Yoruba aesthetics on contemporary notions of "cool" in the African diaspora, particularly in the Americas. Ainslie traces the concept of coolness back to Yoruba ideals of composure, grace, and spiritual power, examining how these ancient principles have shaped modern cultural expressions in music, art, and social behavior. The article highlights the enduring impact of African traditions on global culture.

  • Devinsky, Orrin, Morrell, Martha J., and Vogt, Brent A. "Contributions of Anterior Cingulate Cortex to Behavior." Brain, vol. 118, no. 1, 1995, pp. 279-306.

    • Investigates the role of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in regulating behavior, particularly in relation to emotion, cognition, and motor control. The authors discuss how the ACC contributes to processes such as decision-making, error detection, and emotional regulation, highlighting its importance in psychiatric and neurological disorders. The article provides a comprehensive overview of ACC functions and its influence on adaptive and maladaptive behaviors.

  • Gladwell, Malcolm. "The Coolhunt." The New Yorker, March 17, 1997.

    • Examines how "cool" is discovered, tracked, and commodified by marketers, focusing on the work of coolhunters who identify trends in youth culture. The article explores the elusive nature of coolness and its impact on fashion, branding, and consumer behavior, emphasizing the role of early adopters and tastemakers in shaping mainstream trends.

  • Gillota, David. "Black Nerds: New Directions in African American Humor." Studies in American Humor, New Series 3, no. 28, 2013, pp. 17-30.

    • Explores the emergence and significance of the Black nerd figure in contemporary African American humor. Gillota analyzes how this character challenges traditional stereotypes of Black masculinity and provides a fresh comedic perspective that blends nerd culture with African American identity. The article discusses the cultural implications of this intersection and its role in shaping new narratives within African American humor.

  • Kwon, Diana. "Conservative and Liberal Brains Might Have Some Real Differences." Scientific American, January 13, 2022.

    • Discusses scientific research suggesting that the brains of conservatives and liberals may differ in structure and function, particularly in areas related to threat perception, cognitive flexibility, and decision-making. The article explores how these neurological differences could underlie the distinct political ideologies and behaviors of conservatives and liberals.

  • Mailer, Norman. "The White Negro." Dissent Magazine, 1957.

    • An essay analyzing the hipster phenomenon in post-WWII America, considering the rejection of societal norms and the adoption of African American cultural aesthetics as acts of rebellion.

  • Warren, Caleb, and Campbell, Margaret C. "What Makes Things Cool? How Autonomy Influences Perceived Coolness." Journal of Consumer Research, vol. 41, no. 2, August 2014, pp. 543-563.

    • Explores how perceptions of coolness are linked to autonomy and nonconformity. The authors argue that individuals and products are seen as cool when they exhibit autonomy in ways that deviate from norms, without rejecting them entirely. The study examines how this delicate balance between autonomy and mainstream acceptance influences consumer behavior and the social currency of "cool."


How I’m Using Artificial Intelligence

AI is a helpful resource for this project. When I read a source, like a book or research paper, I add my notes and quotes to NotebookLM, an AI tool by Google. NotebookLM helps me organize and synthesize information quickly. It also provides citations when referencing the sources I include its responses.

I use tools like ChatGPT (OpenAI) and Claude (Anthropic) to help develop ideas and understand concepts. I occasionally ask AI to make suggestions to improve my writing. However, I am dedicated to writing original content in my own voice.

Ideas? Feedback?