“If it isn’t popular, then it isn’t culture.”http://www.intellectbooks.co.uk/MediaManager/File/popularculture%28jan12%29web.pdf

Definition of culture:

•The values, ideas, arts, entertainments, beliefs, customs, and social behaviour shared by largesegments of society

Definition of pop culture:

•culture produced for mass consumption•Short for “popular” culture •Considered the opposite of “high culture” for the elite

What does it include?•toys and games•fashion fads•trends in magazines•gossip about famous people•television shows•movies•video games•souvenirs (ex: ticket stubs)•posters of celebrities

Why should you care about pop culture?

•It has strong connections to education, mass communication, and society’s ability to access knowledge

Why should you care about pop culture?

•It has great influence and impacts everything from fashion to food packaging

Why should you care about pop culture?

•Most of us have the reality television show that we don’t want anyone to know we watch, the pop song whose lyrics we would never admit we know by heart – but why do we feel guilty?

Click

Why should you care about pop culture?

•Pop culture seems to simultaneously encompass everything we love most about mass media and everything we fear

•For this reason, it is important that we understand why

But first…a few definitions you need to

know

Zeitgeist: zeit = time; geist = mind

- the “spirit of the times” - the general mood and culture within a nation

Zeitgeist Examples

•1980’s = belief in power of money and the many ways to spend it

•1970’s = peace, love

•1950’s = post war euphoria

•1920’s = frivolousness and avoiding seriousness 

 

Fad vs. Trend

Fad – short-lived interest in an aspect of culture

Ex: Pogs, marbles, platform shoes

Trend – an interest in an aspect of culture that’s longer lasting than a fad; affects a greater amount of people

Ex: iPods, baseball hats

 

 

Icona person or image generally looked up to (and measured up to); almost everyone is familiar with him/her/it

Ex: Madonna, the Golden Arches

 

 

Icons

 

 

The Rules of Pop Culture

•Don’t challenge currently accepted values (the “status quo”)

•Reinforce the dominant social,political, and economic system  

 

 

Click for a pop-culture video that reinforces current political system

The Rules of Pop Culture

•Reflect the current desires, hopes and fears (which may or may not reflect the actual reality of the times)

ex: not all families in the 80s are like the Cosbys  

 

 

The Rules of Pop Culture

•Influence public responses to and personal reflections on a variety of issues

ex: High-profile trials such as O.J. Simpson or…. 

 

 

Click for proof of media investment in current issues

Top companies in the worldinfluence and promote pop

culture.

For that reason, it’s wise to be aware

of the dominating global brands.

Forbes’ Best Global Brands, 2013 Forbes’ Best Global Brands, 2013

# 5 (47.3 billion)

Best Global Brand, 2013 Best Global Brand, 2013

Google AdvertisementGoogle Advertisement

Click for ad

# 4 (50.7 billion)

Best Global Brand, 2013 Best Global Brand, 2013

IBM AdvertisementIBM Advertisement

# 3 (54.9 billion)

Best Global Brand, 2013 Best Global Brand, 2013

Coca-Cola Advertisement Coca-Cola Advertisement

Best Global Brand, 2013 Best Global Brand, 2013

# 2 (56.7 billion)

Microsoft AdvertisementMicrosoft Advertisement

# 1 (104.3 billion)Best Global Brand, 2013 Best Global Brand, 2013

Apple AdvertisementApple Advertisement

REMEMBER:

“If it isn’t popular, then it isn’t culture.”