Patrick Garner-Mix it Up Chapters 1-4

In "Mix it Up" by David Grazian he describes pop culture in terms of the world today or recent events. He describes exactly what pop culture means. Chapter 1 deals with music evolving throughout history. Describes how different types became popular and faded out. The author describes the different types and the people who follow these types of pop culture. Chapter 2 focuses on the functionalist prospective,which is one of the three approaches to describe pop culture. The author takes a stand point that we talk about and get hooked on people in the media to be able to talk about things in their lives instead of our own. Chapter 3 deals with the critical approach. He discusses the power of culture industrys. For example, how people become obsessed with brand names. Also, how big name brands such as coca-cola take over and sell limitless varietys of other products such as Dasani, Crush, Sweppes, etc. This is what people know and they become obsessed with certain realms of large firms. Chapter four deals with the interaction approach. This approach is how people think from what other people say. For example, someone might tell you that coca cola products are no good so you drink pepsi products. Really you do not know this but you listen to the gossip.

I found interesting chapter 3 and the power of culture industrys such as Disney. I did my industrial engineering intership at disney last spring and I know how obsessed people get with it. Because something is Disney owns people who are obsessed with it love that too. Anything with the Disney name on it will usually sale. We think it is crazy in the United States, the Disney name is even more popular around the world. I mainly found it interesting just looking at it through the critical approach.


Do you think people really follow celebrity's through the media to help make their own lives feel better? From my own perspective I do not follow celebrity gossip because half of it is nonsense. I am just wondering if anyone can agree that it is an outlet for people to talk about dumb things the celebritys do to free themselves from their private lifestyles.