This summer, I will enter the world of extreme Pop Culture... NYC. I will go from my suburban life in Westerville, OH to a completely different world. Living in New York City has always been a dream of mine, but in all honesty it was never a dream I thought would actually become a reality. I work for Coach Leatherware as a manager at a mall in Columbus. Through my job, I was able to apply for an internship with Coach Corporate. And for some strange reason, they liked me enough to give me the internship. So... it's off to the Big Apple I go, and to be honest, I have never been more excited to do anything before in my entire life. So this class comes along with great timing, analyzing pop culture in the land of pop culture... there's something almost poetic about it.
When I think of popular culture, my mind automatically goes to Hollywood. I think of movie stars, trends, the latest videos on YouTube, TV shows, clothing, advertising, pop culture is truly all encompassing. Int our book, "Common Culture" defines popular culture as the distinct practices, artifacts, institutions, customs and values of a particular social group. Depending on the culture, whats popular is completely different. For instance, people that are mega stars in Europe, no one has heard of in the United States, because believe it or not "making it" in the United States is much harder then in other countries. Pop culture to me means whats right now. If I don't like a certain trend, I know it will eventually pass and America (or whatever countries culture you follow) will forget the trend was ever cool and it will eventually end up on an episode of VH1's "I love the (you decide the decade)". For me pop culture is what's in right now, at this moment, what's new and hip and cool, but what will most likely always pass. Although it is something that will pass, some pop culture moments are timeless.
I think that in a business environment is it important to know what is going on in society around us today. Whether we like it or not, Paris Hilton being released from jail will always be more important breaking news then the war in Iraq (and yes I do remember the live news reports of her getting out of jail when she actually had to serve her whopping 21 day sentence... and I remember because it was in the wee hours of the morning and the news cut off my show to show her release...). This is why it's called popular culture, because its whats most popular, it's what the country wants to hear about... whether we like to admit to it or not. In business-- trends change too depending on the pop culture of the moment; outfits change and what's appropriate business attire changes, also proper business practices and whats appropriate changes depending on the culture. Also popular technology affects business, the Webinar is much more common now then any face to face meeting, and a business email or "G-Chat" is much more normal then a business letter. Popular culture drives all of these forces, you either get with the times or get left behind. Being aware of this fact will always help me in my career, being conscious (although no necessarily meaning I have to follow it) of trends and whats going on in the world around me will always help my ability to excel in any environment I am in.
For my pop culture artifact I am going to choose the movie "The Breakfast Club". The reason why I chose this move is because of the fact that I wasn't even born when this movie came out, but it inspired an entire culture for years. The brat pack was the epitome of pop culture. Once this movie (and others like "Sixteen Candles") came out, they defined the 80's in the way people I wore their hair, did their makeup, spoke, acted like, dressed like... the list could go on and on, into the next decade. I think they are a great symbol of what pop culture is all about, and even though we may look back on those hair styles or outfits choices and think "WTF were they thinking?", my kids and grand kids will watch this movie made "way back when" and most likely have the same appreciation that everyone for the nearly 30 years has for it, which makes it timeless.
"Breakfast Club" (1985)-- The Brat Pack
The way you defined popular culture is very appealing, simple, descriptive, and it would make sense to anyone who reads it. The examples that you noted are very realistic especially the TV starts from around the world who can become popular in Hollywood and others will not.
ReplyDeleteThe seasonings that you provided for the relevance and influence of popular culture in today's business are completely true. Business are changing their methods to deliver news within their organization, and they are adopting any new technology available to continue becoming more efficient.
Finally, the artifact that you chose I think is very appropriate for this assignment. I have never seen that movie, but I watched movies from the 80's and some of them are great. I obtained a sense of the movie with your description. I am going to have to check out the movie, it sounds very interesting.
I love the way you described Popular Culture! The Breakfast Club is a great example of pop culture as well. I was born in '80 so this movie reminds me a lot of what I saw growing up. The clothing and attitude of the characters really did set a "culture" among young adults in that "day and age". I get a chuckle when looking at some of the "trends" showing up in the last couple years and how close they are to the '80s. Pop culture then, and pop culture now!
ReplyDeleteGreat description of Pop Culture!! I am also going to have to watch the movie. I love the 80's!
ReplyDeleteAnd Congrats to you on the new job and big move!