Popular Culture

Popular Culture

There are many definitions but this one seems most fitting when discussing popular culture. "Culture: learned and shared human patterns or models for living; day- to-day living patterns. These patterns and models pervade all aspects of human social interaction. Culture is mankind's primary adaptive mechanism" (p. 367). Culture is traditions passed on from previous generations. Different groups of people share common culture that can be found in things like the foods they eat, the language they speak, and the homes they live in. To learn about the finer things in life, like priceless art and high society would make a person "cultured" because most high class things are usually historical.

Popular culture can be defined as anything that reaches a huge audience. Things that are popular today, like the iPod, the twilight series, trendy fashion, reality TV and celebrity obsession are pop culture. No matter how much you say you don't follow pop culture it is still a active presense in your life. It reaches all audiences of life as long as they are a part of society. Three major trends that are popular in America today are among those mentioned above. The iPod is in everyone's pocket these days. It has become more of a pocket pc and less of a music device. You can get the latest news, social networking updates and email all on the iPod. Reality TV is also popular in America. Americans enjoy watching "real" people deal with the drama in their everyday lives. Jersey Shore is a (arguably) popular reality series. The Twilight series, much like the Harry Potter series 10 years ago, has taken American youth by storm. In pop culture trends you either love it or hate it, with majority of the people loving it. No matter what, popular culture will always be in your life. Unless you want to live in the middle of nowhere with no connection to the outside world you will be exposed to it when you listen to the radio, watch TV, and view advertisements. It is important to realize the influence it can have and the knowledge to resist. You don't have to do something because you saw it on TV and it seems cool. Have fun with pop culture, be entertained by it, just do not let it run your life and destroy your sanity.

Reference

Damen, L. (1987). Culture Learning: The Fifth Dimension on the Language Classroom.

Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

Petracca, M., & Sorapure, M. (2007). Common culture: Reading and writing about American

popular culture (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall