Popular Culture Today - Essay Example

?Popular Culture Today Popular culture or pop culture refers to the ideas, perspectives, attitudes and life styles through which human life is developing. Since science and technology are developing so quickly, our perceptions about life and this world are changing rapidly. The popular culture of the current generation is entirely different from that of the generations in the past. Nobody can think in terms of living in past. Everybody wants to live in present or in future. In other words, people are always on the lookout for developments and advancements and because of that their pop culture is also changing rapidly. No country seems to be free from the rapid growth of popular culture. The only difference is that in advanced countries the growth of popular culture may takes place much rapidly than in underdeveloped countries. For example, soft drinks were signs of lavish life styles earlier and it was available in western countries only. However, it is available in all parts of the world at present. In other words, cultural changes or life style changes are taking place in all the corners of the world. Even the tribal people or the people living in rural areas are changing their life styles periodically. Even in some of the most patriarchal societies like Saudi Arabia, one can visualize pop culture changes. America is a country which is striving for changes. Many people are of the view that cultural changes or the development of new popular culture normally originates from America. Since America is a liberal society, it can accommodate any changes. Religion has not much role in politics or social life of the people and therefore America can welcome or accommodate any changes in pop culture easily. This paper analyses the trends in changing popular culture in America. Students may not be typical of the population as a whole, though jeans are widely popular among nonstudents of same age group, and only slightly less widespread among older age groups. So thinking about jeans is a good way to begin a discussion on popular culture (Fiske, p.1). Clothing is one area in which one can witness huge changes as part of the pop culture changes. Earlier, Americans used pants stitched in different ways. Tight pants, loos pants and bell bottom pants were the symbols of fashion at some periods of time in the past. However, the present era is the era of jeans, especially blue jeans. Majority of the celebrities, not only in America, but all over the world are fans of blue jeans at present. Even though jeans provide a rough look, even the soft hearted females are currently fans of jeans. One of the unique characteristics of jeans is the fact that it attracts all people irrespective of their religion, race, culture, gender, socioeconomic status, age etc. Apart from jeans, T shirts also attract Americans very much. Half pants is another major way through which Americans express their fashion concepts. Only on formal occasions, Americans use formal dressings like pants and coats. On all other occasions they like to wear jeans, T shirts, half pants etc. The gap between two different fashion trends has been reduced completely over the past few years. “Apparel designers used to have an eighteen-month lead time between concept and sale. Now they're reducing that to a year, or even six months, in order to react faster to new ideas from the street” (Who decides what's cool? Certain kids in certain places-- and only the cool hunters know who they are). Current generation is always looking for new ideas and concepts. The better living standards and advancements in science and technology helped them in doing so. For example, the advancements in computer technologies or digital electronics brought huge changes in America and other parts of the word. The size of the computer has come down gradually and as a result of that, laptops, palmtops and gadgets entered the market. Now a mobile phone like Samsung Galaxy S2 or iPhone can perform the activities of a computer without many problems. It is difficult to see an American without a high end mobile phone or laptop at present. Some of the world's top models may be about to be kicked off the catwalk after a recent ban on super-thin models from runways in Spain.The ban on "skinny" models performing in shows, instituted by Madrid Fashion Week organizers after a model died during a show in South America last month, sent shivers around the world of haute(Klonick). The concept of physical beauty has also changed a lot in the recent years. Earlier, Americans liked slim beauties. It should be noted that celebrities or models such as Naomi Campbell with slim figure were visualized as the beautiful woman in the past. However, beauty consciousness is changing rapidly. Now many of the Americans consider ladies with medium complexion as the beautiful woman. In an effort to keep the figure as slim as possible woman models usually undertaking severe dieting which actually destroying their health. On the other hand, it should be noted that men with muscular bodies are still considered as the beautiful males. In short, Americans kept two contrasting views about the beauty of a male and female in the past. However, at present, they are changing their views about female beauty. “Metrosexuality is more than male vanity, more than being well-presented," says London writer Mark Simpson, in a 1994 essay"” (McQuaid). Earlier, only females were so particular in maintaining their beauty. Males were not much concerned about their appearance or beauty. However, at present, American males started to think more seriously about their beauty and as a result of that a new term called metrosexuality was evolved. The beauty product manufacturers, who earlier concentrated only in the making of lady beauty products, are now started to produce more beauty products for men. Even while manufacturing shaving creams or shaving razors, product manufacturers are keeping a unique style and blend in order to attract the male population. It should be noted that current perfume manufacturers are making separate perfumes for males and females based on their tastes. These perfumes are claimed to be projecting masculinity and feminity in different ways. The growth of metrosexuality is evident from the fact that males are now increasingly working as the brand ambassadors of many products. Earlier, female celebrities were used extensively for promoting goods in the market. Tiger Woods and John Cena are brand ambassadors for many products now because of the changes in pop culture. It should be noted that these people were never considered as brand ambassadors in the past. It's possible to think of culture as art, literature and music - it's more realistic to think of culture as the commercial messages that surround us. It's more accurate to think of culture as the machinery hidden behind the gleaming facade of commerce. It's more honest to think of culture as the process that makes you desire things. The culture industry is, simply put, every commercial message you've ever received, whether it's an ad, an alligator on a polo shirt or a signature on a pair of jeans. And until you recognize its symptoms - such as people buying a t-shirt with a logo on it, effectively paying to become an advertisement - you can't get out of it (Puckett). The intrusion of commercialism can be visible in every segment of human life at present. Morality and ethics are strange subjects at present and profitability is the popular subject at present. People compares every activity based on the profit it provides to them rather than the service it provides to the society. Even while wearing a T- shirt, Americans knowingly or unknowingly becoming the brand ambassadors of some products. Competition is getting severe because of globalization. The distance between people and products has come down a lot because of globalization and internet related new technologies. It is for an American to purchase a product from China at present with the help of internet related commercial activities or e-commerce. The conventional shopping methods have been given way for internet purchasing because of the advancements in technology and changes in pop culture. It should be noted that current generation can purchase any product from any part of the world, staying at the convenience of his home “While it is more acceptable today, very few homosexuals live openly and comfortably in the public sphere. As a result, homosexuals often hide their true sexual desires, living dual lives” (Moris). Sexuality is another area in which American pop culture undergone huge changes in the recent past. Same sex marriages, lesbianism and gayism were performed secretly in the past. However, present generation do not have any problems in accepting such things. In fact, gays and lesbians are getting same privileges in American society as others are getting. It should be noted that in many of the American states, same sex marriage is legal present. People in the past have more faith in marriage like social or religious customs. Divorce was not much popular in the past. Now, substantial portions of marriages taking place in America are ending up in divorces. Instead of marriages, people are more interested in staying together, a new concept evolved as a result of the changing pop culture. Abortion is another controversial area in which people are keeping different views at present. Abortion is against the teachings of religion and therefore it was not practiced widely in the past. However, now, people do not have any problem in destroying an embryo, if happens to be an unwanted one. Premarital sex activities are growing considerably in America because of the changes in life principles and attitudes. Such sexual activities may end up in unwanted pregnancies. People are ready to destroy such unwanted fetus without much worries because of the changing pop culture. Each year the Grammy nominations, which are determined by members of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, engender what often sounds like deafening protest. Some music fans think the nominees are too populist, while others think they’re not populist enough; some ponder the hair-splitting difference between record of the year and song of the year, while others — many, many others — simply ignore the classical and New Age categories (Music). Another change visible in American pop culture at present is in the attitude towards music. It should be noted that BoneyM, Beetles and ABBA were some of the most famous music troops in America in the past. Madonna, Michael Jackson and Britney Spears have stolen the heart of many of the music lovers in the recent past. However, classical music is getting more popular in America at present. Even the themes of music have changed a lot in the recent past. Earlier, females were the center points of many of the music lyrics. Life experiences were also portrayed beautifully in the music, a couple of decades before. However, music themes were changed considerably during the Madonna and Britney era. Current songs, “not only offer material for critique of male colonizing of women’s stories, but also to women’s experiences and male engagement with the problems of gender”(Birrer & Schnackenberg). Music is always a reflection of what's going on in the hearts and minds of the culture. If you're singing songs that are about cutting women up, usually these guys are tapping into an unconscious male rage that is real, that's existing —they're just able to harness it. So to shut them up isn't the answer. They're a gauge; they're showing you what's really happening in the psyche of a lot of people." (Birrer &Schnackenberg) Feminism is gaining grounds in America at present and as a result of that the themes of many of the current songs are women issues. The so called hip hop culture is getting popularity in America and all over the world. “Although created by black youth on the street, hip hop's influence has become worldwide. Approximately 75 percent of the rap and hip hop audience is nonblack. It has gone from the fringes, to the suburbs, and into the corporate boardrooms” (Reese). It should be noted that current generation is not much interested in taking home made foods. They are more interested in fast foods even though they are aware of the problems associated with fast food culture. The popularity of McDonald's, KFC, Coca Cola and Pepsi can be consider as the examples of hip hop culture or fast food culture. To conclude, pop culture is changing more rapidly in America than in any other parts of the world. Change can be visible in all segments of human life including clothing, food habits, life styles, beliefs in religion, love for music, fashion concepts etc. Marriage is no more an essentiality in America and instead of marriage, the concept of staying together in getting more prominence. Sexual orientation has been changed a lot in the recent years. Instead of heterosexuality, homosexuality is gaining grounds now. The advancements in technology also brought huge changes in the life styles of the people. Works Cited Birrer Jessamyn & Schnackenberg. “Questioning the Status Quo in Popular Music: Tori Amos's Strange Little Girls as Feminist Revision”. Web 11 December 2011 Fiske, John. “Understanding Popular Culture”. Routledge. Web 11 December 2011 Klonick Kate New Message to Models: Eat! 2006. Web 11 December 2011. McQuaid Peter. Special Men's Fashion Issue. 2003. Los Angeles Times. September 07, 2003. Web 11 December 2011 Morris Marti Jo. “Batman & Robin: “Crime Fighting Duo” or “Ambiguously Gay Duo?””. Web 11 December 2011 “Music”. 2003. Web 11 December 2011 Puckett Scott. “How Much Did You Pay For Your Identity?: The Big Business Of Selling Individuality To Kids”. 2008. Web 11 December 2011. Reese R. “From The Fringe: The Hip Hop Culture And Ethnic Relations”. Popular Culture Review, volume XI, no.2, Summer 2000. Web 11 December 2011. “Who Decides What's cool? Certain Kids in Certain Places-- and Only the Cool Hunters Know Who they Are”. 1997. Web 11 December 2011. Read More