Mix It Up (1-4)

David Grazian's Mix It Up examines the concept and nuances of popular culture. Grazian argues that "popular culture is produced, consumed, and experienced within a context of overlapping sets of social relationships. " In the first chapter, "The Straight Story," Grazian examines the social and collective nature of popular culture as well as the manner in which popular culture is constructed and utilized. Chapters two through four are set forth to elaborate upon the various reasons behind the mercurial nature of certain pop cultural trends and its social consequences. To help anchor this elaboration, Grazian presents three theoretical approaches toward the sociology of media and popular culture. In chapter two, "Friday Night Lights,"Grazian presents a functionalist approach to the sociology of media and popular culture. The functionalist approach essentially explains culture functions as social adhesives that provoke unity within societies. Grazian utilizes "primitive" cultural rituals and behaviors to correlate modern cultural rituals (like parades and sports games) induce emotional bonds within communities. Functionalism helps to explain the popularity of massive public events like sports games and concerts. Grazian suggests that pop culture offers consumers the chance to communicate with others and feel a connection. Chapter three, "Monsters, Inc." introduces the critical approach to the sociology of media and popular culture. The critical approach identifies economic and cultural power of the mass media as the source of certain dominant pop culture trends. While the functionalist approach suggests the masses create the trends, the critical approach suggests the media creates popular culture. Popular culture is seductive, forceful, and addictive. Chapter four addresses the interaction approach to pop culture. The interaction approach stresses the weight of peer influence upon the state of popular culture; it is the people around us in our everyday lives that determines consumer taste. Grazian provides examples of communities the illustrate the power of collective expenditure.

What I found interesting was the way Grazian used Rihanna's hit song 'SOS' to illustrate how music, and in general all forms of popular culture, has a cyclical motion and that bits and pieces of the past shape the current state of popular culture. I know that when I listen to a current song, I noticed that it took certain beats and lines from older songs, but I never thought about this in the way Grazian presented.

I do wish that Grazian dedicated an entire section, maybe an entire chapter to the phenomena of Starbucks. It is overpriced branded coffee that manages to have a multitude of chains around the country and certain parts of the world. How exactly does a coffee shop gain the brand status of McDonalds? He explains to a certain extent, but it would be fascinating if he elaborated even more.

-Lolia