Popular Culture As A Functional Industry - Essay Example

Popular Culture As A Functional Industry Introduction Popular culture refers to a compilation of diverse views people have on issues that affect them. Many individuals who lack essentially close relations agree upon these views. These beliefs, which the people hold, draw great inspiration from various facets linked to the mass media. Moreover, the beliefs affect all these people every day of their living on earth. This piece offers an analysis of diverse ways in which pop culture is an industry, which teaches and perpetuates dominant political, monetary and societal norms and values. Further, ways in which popular culture presents setbacks to existent political, fiscal and social order of things are evident in the piece. In addition, the paper provides the diverse possibilities for conflict and change of popular culture. Ways in which popular culture reproduces values An evolution in pop culture facilitates many innovations in the contemporary world. For instance, people adapt new approaches of doing things through such phenomena as tourism, social systems and technology (Miller, 2011). It is apparent that individuals adopt modes of dressing from day-trippers who visit their homelands. In addition, Face Book, (most trendy social network) enables people to learn such things as new phrases, considered current at that time. Individuals from athwart the globe engage in forums created to address their interests through Face Book (Miller, 2011). People constantly ape what celebrities upload on their twitter handles in order to appear civilized. In addition, there are diverse creations of deep friendships through the popular networks. These friendships facilitate sharing of knowledge, which further influences how these associates behave in society. Variably, popular culture further affects the manner in which individuals choose their daily diets. Evidently, there is dishonesty in such networks because of the diverse needs people have. In particular, these people sensor their accounts in order for them to depict a certain image to their associates. According to Miller (2011), these illusion makes recruiting agencies hire wrong people who present wrong identification. According to Bainer (2001), popular culture facilitates the promotion of nationalism particularly when there is a goal to reach certain national expectations. Popular culture activities for example sports additionally facilitate unity in various nations. Moreover, the sport of hockey is associated with Canada because of the number of times Canada excels in the sport and many Canadian nationals who excel in the sport. There is identification of nations through famous popular civilization activities for example tourism, television productions and food. According to Boellstorff (2008), the contemporary globe is virtual and experiences a diffusion of sorts in which there is a merge between culture and politics. For instance, congressional representatives have moved from the conviction that their jobs are serious and cannot mix with other social issues. This merge is evident in the willingness, which these representatives display in embracing recent innovations. In the past, there was no utilization of advanced popular culture in political endeavors. Currently, there is the inclusion of famous politicians on most entertainment programs on national TV. It is normal for these politicians to be guests on the entertainment sports and socialize while seeking for votes. It is evident that the entertainment media amalgamates political concepts so that people who are least interested in politics understand it. There is a presentation of these political concepts in manners, which plead to divergent voters but most importantly young voters. Moreover, this young electorate has special interests in entertainment more than they value constitutional affairs because they are hardly seen participating in such issues. When there is a fusion of entertainment and politics, thus they experience many advantages since they are able to connect with political concepts. The creation of programs in the mass media, which depict real life disciplinarian activities like Judge Judy, presents many highlights for amateurs in family life (Shugart 2006). People are able to learn about desirable qualities from the production. They are further empowered to uphold family values through the show and other shows like Judge Judy. Popular civilization has influenced other economic aspects of the nation because of the proof depicted from different sales on the market. Consequently, people derive the need to buy things, which they consider basic from agents of popular culture. It is through popular civilization pressure that people engage in buying and disposing many products. When commercials air on national television people become fascinated about the advertised products because the commercials use appealing language (Charlton 2000) Evidently, many people currently undertake huge investments in areas closely linked to popular culture. For example, there was a recent IPO on Face Book shares, which economists suggest was successful. This is an illustration of popular culture’s positive effects on the economy of a nation. In addition, small-scale business personalities also willingly offer their involvement when they avail internet services in remote areas (Miller, 2011). Further, there is politicization of popular culture as evident in the use of abusive words in popular culture. Jay Z uses such derogatory phrases while referring to his own black race through popular culture. His music brings about controversial debates in all races. However, other individuals feel empowered by such kind of music (Cheryl 2004). Additionally, there is an equally diverse effect of popular culture on the social realm, which manifests itself as follows: first most trends in fashion borrow greatly from popular civilization. Consequently, there is a proliferation of these trends from such agents of popular culture as magazines and popular music videos. For example, when people read magazines, they see photographs of celebrities or what the society considers as beautiful. When they copy these trends, it becomes an example of how popular culture manipulates social norms. Further, rap music enables the identification of some black females with what they consider relevant in their lives (Cheryl 2004).   Ways in which it challenges the order of things Popular culture could present many advantages to human beings; however, it has the following challenges to the order of various things in society. It facilitates change from the traditional and conformist mannerisms to more liberal ways of living. People adapt to lifestyles, which are not very familiar to them because of the influence of popular culture. The mostly affected area in which there are challenges in the order of things is religion. This aspect of some individual’s lives encourages them to have belief in an ultimate being. Traditionally, most people had that belief on God, and they went to temples, churches and mosques to worship. Popular culture has changed this order of religion in the following features: First, contemporary people worship their fellow human beings who they consider mighty. For example in America, many celebrities present subverted ideologies of religion to their fans. Pop idols such as Beyonce, Madonna and Lady Gaga deliberately abuse Christian images in order to get attention from their fans. Consequently, Madonna depicts a picture of herself in a church seducing Christ, which offers many controversial responses (Sean 2003). For instance in her world, Madonna makes it possible to physically talk to Christ and even compare herself to Him. This is evident from the ‘Like a Prayer’ video in which Madonna manipulates her hands to depict the circumstance in which Christ’s hands are nailed on the cross. There is change of the order of religion here because the norm for Christians is that their Christ is mysterious. Further, Madonna changes this order because she not only makes Christ accessible but also brings Christ to a level she can have some seductive talk with her. Additionally, there is an emergence of various rituals, which have close relations with religious practices. Evidently, sports personalities embrace rituals such as prayer when there is need to celebrate a goal, which they have made. Consequently, there is a firm ritual in the sport of basketball where basketball players practice free throwing. They believe that this increases their chances of winning the game in which there is proper practice of the ritual. Moreover, various athletes engage in superstitious acts for them to suppose they will win the matches. In addition, other significant figures in pop culture present their diverse links to Christ. For instance, Kanye West thinks of himself as the Messiah who undergoes torture in the world just like Christ (George 2000).  Further, there is a connection between a series of comic books in India referred to as Amar Chitra Katha and religion. These popular books have continuously offered entertainment to people through religious themes (Sean 2003). In addition, there is a conversion of such books in to the types of media, which appeals to many contemporary people. According to Charlton (2000), there is a further effect of popular culture on Economics and Politics of the world as proved below. First, great artist like Banksy concentrate on creating controversial pieces, which pass political messages to people. Moreover, there is a sale of some of these pieces in order to generate income for some artists. Additionally, Banksy creates pieces, which oppose capitalism and other negative economic ideologies (Charlton 2000). In particular, he displays his pieces of work on public walls in order for many people to view free of charge. Consequently, there is attaching of many meanings to these brands. In particular, Guevara’s picture reminds Cubans of the liberation attained from America. Here, popular culture plays the role of connecting important historical events to present generations. Miller (2011) depicts that popular culture has facilitated the sharing of opinions, which can transform the political or fiscal atmosphere of numerous countries. For example, there is a plan to apprehend the infamous Kony of Uganda using popular culture. The plan entails a detailed procedure in which people are encouraged to report the bandit anytime they see him. Popular civilization will be in use here to destroy a political rebel; therefore, it changes the order of political events. Another significant facet to note about popular culture and politics are the legendary Che Guevara whose prodigy lives on after a long time (Charlton 2000). Any Cuban acknowledges the effect of Guevara’s fight against what they term as unfairness from the Americans. However, most people lack the knowledge about Guevara’s history; therefore, they buy products labeled with Guevara’s image anyhow. According to Charlton (2000), most corporations register huge profits from the sale of Guevara’s merchandise. Possibilities for resistance and change Popular culture includes resistance songs, which encourage people to question the norms that exist in their societies. According to recent wiki leaks, there is excitement in these individuals when their heroes engage in rebellious activities. For example, the recent arrest of George Clooney after ignoring admonition to depart from the Sudanese embassies. This is significant to note because there is revelation of the arrest through popular culture. Further, George Clooney is popular and attracts attention from supporters who view him as iconic. Additionally, other agents of popular culture emanate from rebellion as evident in the birth of Face Book. Clearly, many people become ecstatic about popular culture and all innovations that arise because of popular culture. However, some people feel offended by the effects of popular culture and they constantly wish to abolish some facets of popular culture. There are possibilities that there is resistance of popular culture by few people who disagree with those popular ideologies (Ludlow 2010). Evidently, not everyone will agree with social and economic aspects of popular culture because some facets of popular culture are very controversial. Many people will embrace popular culture but the minority who do not subscribe to the views will equally offer resistance. For example, parents can form resistance forums against programs, which they consider unfit for their family. Consequently, consumers can demand that products, which they consume, undergo superior modifications in order to attain suitability standards. In addition, people can refuse to study popular books, which they consider to have an unconstructive effect on their reasoning. When they unanimously do that, the production of such popular books will stop. Moreover, popular culture has the potential to undergo further change due to of the popularity already achieved. It is evident that modifications are evident amidst humanity through the many agents of popular culture (Bainer 2001). Consequently, there will possibly be a further change in peoples’ lifestyles by way of popular culture. For example, more change in production of popular civilizations shall result to additional innovations in popular culture. Evidently, popular culture shall undergo subjection to inevitable change through technology. In particular, the biggest facilitators of change in popular culture are social networks, which enable people to experience a culture, which they like. Since, everything changes with time, popular culture will change the nation’s view of politics and the general society (Boellstorff 2008). The contemporary fashion trends will further change to even more advanced ones for future generations. In addition, there shall be more liberalization of ideologies using popular culture. For example, it is possible to envision tentative situations where issues which are currently considered controversial as normal in the near future. There shall be an establishment of postmodern methods of communicating which will further undergo advancements through popular culture. Moreover, such issues as ethnicity and social classes will endure an elimination procedure in which it will be hard for people to display hatred of other human beings even if it is in the virtual world (Boellstorff 2008). Conclusion Popular civilization is a functional industry, which ought to serve individuals while enabling them to live better lives. It needs to undergo some form of directive so that there is a lessening of the unconstructive effects. In addition, people should undergo suitable training in which there is an analysis of ways in which they can embrace popular culture without negotiating their moral values because popular civilization could change their values. Certain issues, which affect humanity like social classes and ethnicity, need subjection to a process or system in which there is exposure of their negative effects. Consequently, there should be the establishment of professional organizations, which aid in promotion of positive popular culture. Moreover, if an agent of popular culture for example popular literature poses negativity to members of that society, then there must be an eradication of the same. Finally, if people display any resistance or change to their present lifestyles, they need to ensure that the culture they adopt is beneficial to them. References Bairner, A. (2001). Maple Leaf Americans: Sport and Questions of Canadian National Identity. In Sport, Nationalism and Globalization: European and North American Perspectives. Albany: State University of New York Press. Boellstorff, T. (2008). Coming of Age in Second Life: an Anthropologist Explores the Virtually Human. Princeton: Princeton Charlton, H. (2000). Introduction. In Che Guevara: Revolutionary & Icon, ed. Trisha Ziff. New York: Abrams Image. Cheryl L. (2004). Empowering Self, Making Choices, Creating Spaces: Black Female Identity via Rap Music Performance. In That’s the Joint! The Hip Hop Studies Reader. New York:NY. Routledge. Ludlow, P. (2010). Wikileaks Hakvitist Culture and The Nation. Retrieved from: http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/7669895/771113000/name/Wikileaks.pdf Miller, D. (2011). Fifteen Theses on What Facebook Might Be. In Tales from Facebook. Cambridge: Polity Press. Sean, M. (2003). Popular Culture Fandoms, the Boundaries of Religious Studies, and the Project of the Self. Culture and Religion.Princeton: Princeton Shugart, H. (2006). Ruling Class: Disciplining Class, Race, and Ethnicity in Television Reality Courtshows. Howard Journal of Communications. Watson, J. (2006).Tran nationalism, Localization and Fast Foods in East Asia. In Golden Arches East: McDonald's in East Asia, 2nd ed. Stanford, CAs: Stanford Read More