Research On "Absorbing The Cat" Online From The Perspective Of Youth Subculture

The term "absorbing the cat" was born and became popular on the Internet.More and more young people have become addicted to cats.This article focuses on the phenomenon of "absorbing the cat" on the Internet,places it under the perspective of youth subculture,and uses qualitative research methods such as participatory observation,in-depth interviews and text analysis,explains the reason why "absorbing the cat" is popular,explores the new trend of youth subculture in the current new media environment by analyzing the subcultural landscape of“absorbing the cat",and gains insight into the mental state and social demands of youth groups in the current social environment,and finally summarizes the issues of"absorbing the cat" in the process of subculture dissemination and puts forward several feasible suggestions.The popularity of“absorbing the cat" on the Internet has benefited from the empowerment of new media technologies.The texts,pictures,videos and other symbols related to cats in cyberspace construct a simulation world of cats,and all the cat-absorbing groups’desire for cats can be satisfied in the "super-real" virtual network.Observing the social motivations behind“absorbing the cat",we can find that most of the cat-absorbing groups are young people."absorbing the cat" is an escape method adopted by young people in the face of real social pressure,and a method they heal themselves in this era of general anxiety.As an aggregation of the "new-tribe" form,the cat-absorbing group has no fixed living quarters and no distinctive style symbols to highlight subcultural identity,which reflects the trend that current online youth subculture’s style dissipating and resistance weakening.The cultural symbol of "absorbing the cat" is a kind of "myth",and its spiritual connotation can be glimpsed through the decoding of the symbol:the cat’s characteristics such as freedom and laziness,as well as the self-projection on the image of the cat,are all "absorbed",to achieve spiritual satisfaction.This also reflects the anxiety and confusion of the current youth group,as well as the desire for spiritual healing.The cat-absorbing group exploits the right to speak in the appropriation and collage of symbols,and strives for a sense of identity and belonging.This is the practice of de-marginalization of the current youth subculture’s marginalized status.Business understands the young people’s mentality of pursuing symbol consumption,misappropriates cultural symbols of "absorbing the cat",and even deliberately cultivates and shapes its style.But "absorbing the cat" is not completely in a passive position of being used by business.The cat-absorbing group has become a participant in the commercial market by transforming economic capital from subcultural capital.Today,business and youth subculture is no longer a relationship of "incorporation means death",but has gradually become a relationship of mutual dependence,mutual existence and winwin cooperation."Absorbing the cat" has its unique subcultural values,but it also has obvious limitations.Cat lovers tend to fall into the trap of consumerism,become addicted to cats on the Internet,and get lost in the pleasure brought by the visual symbol of“absorbing the cat",which is not conducive to their normal life and physical and mental health.These problems of "absorbing the cat" are also common problems faced by youth subcultures in the current new media environment.In the face of these problems,the country needs to regulate the phenomenon of unhealthy markets,the young people themselves need to establish a correct consumption view,improve the network media literacy,and the media needs to create a good atmosphere of public opinion.