In the first chapter, Grazian describes the meaning of popular culture. Grazian says that popular culture is a network of social relationships and can be broken down into 4 categories: well liked, well known, mass culture, and belonging to the people. He then goes on to define culture as essentially the way people live; having 3 properties: symbolic, socially constructed, and embodied in a recognizable form. Popular culture must be a collective activity, created by many people and absorbed by many people. The methods through which culture functions are discussed in the second chapter. Bonds between people can be formed though events from religions to sports in a process called collective effervescence. Popular culture also provides individuals with a way to make connections to others and discuss topics that would normally be taboo. Grazian then shifts to a critical approach of popular culture in chapter 3. This covers the influence of big name companies on media, marketing, and culture. These companies have exhibited controversial hiring practices and typecasting. Chapter 4 covers the interaction approach to popular culture, or the spread through peer to peer means, such as word of mouth. Grazian explains how most people's closest social ties tend to be the most homogeneous and weaker acquaintances diverge. Scenes provide a medium for subcultures to spread ideas, either an actual or virtual location.
I find this book to be much more interesting than the previous, probably because it relates to events in my actual life rather than hundreds of years ago. I was surprised that the author spent such little time covering internet memes and cultural powerhouses like Youtube and Facebook, considering quickly these mediums are growing. Although looking at the table of contents, it appears it might be covered in greater detail in chapter 10.
My discussion question is, do you think television will become a secondary source of entertainment in the near future, replaced by computers and the internet, much like radio has been cast aside for television in the mid 1900s?
-Derek Leidemann
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Hmmm I think this is a really interesting question. I think it will - at least maybe people will not need to physically own a television because things such as movies and television shows can be viewed and found on the internet. I do not know if it will ever force the television/movie companies to stop putting together shows and filming movies.
ReplyDeleteI think shows will be made but viewing them via cable or satellite TV will become obsolete as you're suggesting. The recent rise of online TV through providers like Hulu has lessened the need to tune in to a television set or remember to record shows. Also, on the internet it's much easier to target advertisements at people. Many of the commercials on TV are not focused like the ones on the internet are and are therefore less profitable.
ReplyDelete-Roman
I agree with Roman in that this has already really begun to take place. It seems that just as the radio was phased out via rich people getting televisions and relying on them for news, entertainment, etc., today everyone seems to have a television by not as many people have computers. Maybe in just a little bit of time that will change as well. Everyone will have computers and the internet and then... what's next? Muahaha!
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