The current colloquial usage of the term ‘aesthetic’ has diverged from aesthetics as the nature of interpretation within the philosophy of art. An ‘aesthetic’ subculture on the internet has emerged; distinctly different and supporting the formation of online communities and material consumption. Through research, writing, and content creation, I aim to understand the online, contemporary interpretation of aesthetics, its creation of visual subcultures, political and racial effects, and market-related implications on Western consumers. Focusing chiefly on Japanese visual subcultures and online communities as a case study—through media, arts, and music—I hope to bridge postcolonial perspectives with internet culture. My project will review the traditional theories field of aesthetics; compare and observe the modern usage in comparison; and conduct my own form of content creation to explore this synthesis.