In the most basic form popular culture has been defined as everything from "common culture," to "folk culture," to "mass culture." While it has been all of these things at various points in history, in Post-War America, popular culture is undeniably associated with commercial culture and all its trappings: movies, television, radio, cyberspace, advertising, toys, nearly any commodity available for purchase, many forms of art, photography, games, and even group "experiences" like collective comet-watching or rave dancing on ecstasy. While humanities and social science departments before the 1950s would rarely have imagined including anything from the previous list in their curricula, it is now widely acknowledged that popular culture can and must be analyzed as an important part of US material, economic and political culture. "Pop culture" is also one of the US' most lucrative export commodities, making everything from Levi's jeans to Sylvester Stallone movies popular on the international market.
Reference: http://english.berkeley.edu/Postwar/pop.html
My take on Pop Culture:
When I think of Pop Culture I think of current music, TV, fashion and even crimes. With music its interesting to see the carry over from culture to culture. A good example is the increased popularity of Bollywood. I know if I went to a party or club in my early twenties and this music was played the DJ would have been booed and I even like this music. TV has had a big impact on pop culture since unfortunately people spend way too much time in front of it and it is what is helping raise our kids. (Even some commercials are inappropriate for children.) I think the biggest impact has been reality TV putting so called real people in real life situations on TV for display. Some how we all are drawn to it just like those magazines in he check out isle that we all know is fake. Moving on to fashion we are all subjected to this how could we not its pretty straight forward as fashion changes so does the clothes offered in the department stores. When I mentioned crimes I am really thinking about the new type of crimes not the more traditional robbery , murder and violence. With the increase in technology crime has taken a new path an electronic one. We have identity theft, computer hacking and even the ease of access victims via the Internet.
My Artifact of choice:
It is the all mighty reality TV. There are so many shows like this one that it has become a little overwhelming. But yet they are so popular. If memory serves me right I think one of the biggest movements into reality TV started with MTV and the show called Real World. I seen this first few seasons and I remember thinking to myself that I was unsure that it was real or were they all actors. (I am still on the fence with this one, LOL) Reality has evolved so much that I would guess that every network channel has some form of reality TV on it and is scheduled during prime time hours.
This is a small list of some shows you all might be familiar with:
The Amazing Race American Idol America's Got Talent America's Next Top Model The Apprentice The Bachelor The Bachelorette Big Brother The Biggest Loser Dancing with the Stars Extreme Makeover Great American Road Trip Hell's Kitchen The Hills I Survived A Japanese Game Show Jon & Kate Plus 8 More to Love Project Runway The Real Housewives The Real World So You Think You Can Dance Survivor Top Chef Wife SwapSo what do you all think about Reality TV and what is your favorite one I know you have one, LOL. My favorite is Hell's Kitchen
