Pop culture is what is happening now in society, and it is constantly evolving. Such things as entertainment and how we communicate are tied into popular culture. Britney Spears, the iPhone, the internet, and pizza… all of these are examples of pop culture. Why? It is because these people, products, communications, and foods touch our lives on a daily basis, if not directly, than through people we associate with. Britney is frequently in the news, you’d be hard pressed to go a day without seeing someone on their cell phone, you’re browsing the internet now, and are likely to eat pizza sometime in the near future… So what is pop culture? It is, in essence, the sum of our actions and how we relate to each other as a society.
While things such as cell phones and pizza may not seem like they have much relevance, this is not true. We are judged, in part, by how we fit in with society in general. In order to be accepted, it is necessary in some ways to demonstrate awareness of what is current. While what Britney is doing is not a norm for society in general, it has become an American past time to watch celebrities and their antics. You would be hard pressed to find someone during the day that wouldn’t have something to say about her latest exploit. Being aware of society in general we can also determine what could be considered to be appropriate behavior for us. Could we run over a photographer’s foot with a car and get away with it? Probably not.
So how does this relate to business? Having a grasp on what the general population is doing / eating / watching can be a great asset. Being able to make conversation with anyone is an important business skill, and knowing what is the “now” thing will give you easy discussion material. Also, knowing what society considers “appropriate” behavior and dress can lead us to making the right decisions in those areas. You will make a better impression in a business suit at a job interview, for example, than in a pair of torn jeans.
For my artifact, I have chosen something from my childhood that is making a come back these days… the My Little Pony toys. I had dozens of these toys as a little girl, and now, twenty-five years later, they are just as popular as they were when the toy line was launched. You have to wonder, are they around because little girls still love ponies, or is it because their mothers get that nostalgic feeling when buying them? Personally, I think it is a little of both. :)
Photos Copyright Hasbro, retrieved from http://hasbro.com/mylittlepony/default.cfm?page=Products/Catalog&viewall=yes
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5 comments:
I liked your wide range of pop culture examples. I wish the current American past time was something more productive rather than keeping up with the latest celeb news.
Your artifact is great. My Little Pony reminds me of my childhood as well. I like that I still see them in stores and on TV. MLP reminds me of a simpler time in my life!
I really liked your popular culture artifact "My Little Pony". I to played with them as a little girl. I would sit for hours brushing and braiding its hair. Then one day recently I happened to be in the toy aisle at a store and saw the collection of "My Little Pony". Well, needless to say I did excitingly purchase one for my daughter. Now after reading your blog I wonder if I didn't make that purchase more for my self....?
I like your use of colors and pictures. I like a blog to have a little flare to it. When a blog is boring looking, I have no interest in reading it.
Everone else has said it, but, My Little Pony, nice choice. My sister had these and used to use them as horses for my G.I. Joes. G.I. Joes are also coming back.
I really liked the comment about the photgraphers foot being run over, it is so true. The internet really is making it so celebraties are held to the standard of everyone else, however, as we saw with Ms. Hilton its still not enough. Maybe with the continuing pressure the internet brings celebraties will wise up and start acting right.
As to your artifact, I have a 6 year old daughter who will turn 7 on Dec. 4th. My Little pony is an artifact I have become all to acquainted with. I will agree it is probably a little bit of my daughter loving ponies and my wife's comment, "Did you see they are releasing a line that looks like the one's I grew up with." Ponies and girls it seems to me as a dad, are just something that belongs togeher.
I liked your expression "...the sum of our actions and how we relate to each other as a society." I would add that the STUDY of popular culture also hones in on WHY we act certain ways and WHY we relate in such ways with each other. The actions are the visible signs of our values, myths and beliefs. THIS is what makes popular culture an important part of humanities.
I want to say something poignant about My Little Pony, but I can't quit laughing about Tim's GI Joes riding all the pink horses! hahahaha. Great image for that artifact!
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