On cultural references

The intent

Using cultural references, with the intent of analogies and metaphors, can come with a burden. If the recipient of the reference cannot grasp any significance out of a reference, then the reference can become a burden to its transmitter. Or, the transmitter would simply feel a sense of wasted effort.

What once fermented as a comprehensive synthesis to the transmitter, now becomes a source of frustration when attempting to transmit the synthesis to another. Something so meaningful to the referent would come across as something so meaningless to the recipient. It would feel like leading to a horse to water only to have the horse reject a drink.

The result

Frustration becomes a source of gaslighting for the transmitter, who then wonders if using comparisons bear any utility whatsoever. Or, the transmitter simply moves on trying to “sell out” to a potential audience. Alternatively, the transmitter could quit using references altogether. One desires that last path the least because it might “lack soul”.

Thus, the cultural reference provides an analogy that fits well when both parties appreciate the context. When the context eludes the recipient, the cultural reference collapses into a lake of disorienting confusion. At worst, the cultural reference might even evoke “triggering” sentiments of mockery (as if the transmitter had a flagrant will of “intolerance” towards the recipient!)

Example

The use of overly local connotations (shibboleths, as one might put it) could alienate a recipient from the full understanding of a cultural reference. Many from a certain country (or even language community) tend to do this. They almost always think that the rest of the world has had the same upbringing and education.

Varieties of localisms include references from local sports, foreign films, unpopular music and so on. You have to live in a certain place for a long enough time to grasp the nuances of those localisms.

Solutions?

Some places lack social cohesion due to their so-called diversity. These societies then result in cultural references often not translating readily from one person to another. Perhaps this argues the need for more homogeneous local cultures? Should individuals try to organize themselves more appropriately?