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This wasn’t an easy question for me to answer. There is so much that can be covered because what is “popular” is an ever changing arena. One day to the next, the world can make or break what is considered the “in thing”. After saying that, I suppose popular culture means to me whatever is hip or hot at the moment. I can buy a magazine at the store or watch television and see a hundred different things or people that are rising in popularity. I can also ask my three daughters to name what they consider popular and get three different answers to the same question. So, I guess the real answer depends on the generation you ask.
Why is an understanding of popular culture relevant to you in a business environment and in your present and future career?
I believe that popular culture is extremely relevant in a business environment. In order to be able to market the products that will make you money, you have to understand what is popular at any given moment. This is relevant to my personal career choice because I chose to go into the field of designing websites. Since the world is saturated with internet sites advertising for a million different products, it is important to me to know what is popular at the moment and use that to make my websites stand out above the rest.
What would you consider to be an example of a pop culture artifact? And why would you choose it?
I chose Michael Jackson as my pop culture artifact. I realize that he may be a bad choice in some eyes, but let me explain why I chose him over others. I grew up in the 80’s when Michael Jackson was just coming into his popularity as an adult. I can remember him dancing around in his music videos on MTV with his sparkly glove and jacket with many zippers. I also remember watching the Thriller video and learning every dance step the zombies danced, thinking all the while how cool I would look at the school dances coming up.
This is how I remember him and it saddens me that after all of the court battles and bad publicity, this is not how my children or their generations will remember him. I’m not saying that I was the world’s biggest fan after hearing about some of his exploits in recent years, but I can understand how life finally broke him down and kept him down. With that being said, I chose Michael Jackson as my artifact because he is one legend, throughout good and bad, that will always be remembered as the “King of Pop”. URL to this blog is: http://communicationmanagementresourcesawaid.blogspot.com/
Amy, I enjoyed reading your blog. I also grew up during the 80s when Michael was so popular. Everywhere you looked it was Michael, Michael, Michael. He was a very talented musician. It's sad to see how in just a couple of decades one's life can change so much. I'm sure his music will not be forgotten soon.
ReplyDeleteAmy, well done. I enjoyed your blog as I, too, grew up in the 80s as Michael Jackson exploded onto the music scene. There was nothing better than dancing with friends in the living room, watching MTV and trying to learn all the steps to Thriller. With his death recently, I thought about using him as my artifact and had the same concerns, is this a good choice? At one time, Michael Jackson was the definition of pop culture, it was sad to see his life take the turn that it did. But regardless of what anyone says, there is no denying the effect he had on pop culture.
ReplyDeleteI found your article to be very interesting and well written. I do agree that Michael Jackson is a big pop culture icon and a good choice, simply turn on a news network and see all the coverage he is getting still!
ReplyDeleteMatt
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog and I love your answer to the first question about getting three different answers to what is popular to your daughters. I very much agree with that. I feel pop culture is such a broad term, it is very difficult to narrow it down to a single definition. It does depend on the generation, people's attitudes and preferences and even beliefs to a point.
I also agree with your thoughts on Michael Jackson- it is sad how some of the younger generations won't remember him by his talent, more of what he was said to have done to the little boys who visited his ranch. Being 22, I personally don't remember his music, I remember some of his more recent work (Black or White, etc). However, I danced for 15 years and my instructor was a HUGE Michael fan, so I was definitely shown his videos and recognized his talent from back in the 80s. I am fortunate enough to remember him by that rather than what my generation would most likely relate to- what was said about him in the tabloids.
Nice blog :)
Marlaina