Graaj
Pop culture...is a tool to make the populace compliant.
Posted on: 06/17/2009 17:54
Im not here to start a fight.
Im not here to troll.
But dont you see the way that popular culture has taken the people's focus from issues that are relevent to their lives, to trends, celebrities, and generally keeping up with a constant cultural revolution?
In stable cultures, we see things change very slowly, as the fundamental constants of those celebrating that culture's lives change slowly. In Canadian popular culture, there is a new thing every day. When we read/turn on/listen to the news, there is a large portion dedicated to the lives of people we have never met, nor will ever meet.
The attention given to serious matters, matters that affect our live and communities is becoming smaller all the time. How many of us can say that we pay as much as, or more, attention to the government and issues in our society as we do to our favourite media?
We just dont seem to have spirit, and what once was protest and petitions has become facebook groups and rare discussion. I dont feel that we're paying enough attention to our communities as we are to hollywood's. It just feels wrong.
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Wolfie
Posted on: 06/17/2009 20:22
You raise some interesting points.... I will have to give this deeper thought.
Thank You Graaj
*Peaceful Journey*
Wolfie
GordW
Posted on: 06/17/2009 21:54
Much of the time Pop Culture does act this way. And when it tries to do otherwise there is often a squashing effect (think about the SMother's Brothers being cancelled as a direct result of their political musings).
But every once in a while pop culture can be a force for real change. That chagne can of course be either positive or negative.
Elanorgold
Posted on: 06/17/2009 23:02
I agree, the change can be either positive or negative. We also choose to a great extent how much pop culture we have in our lives. Take me for example: I have no tv, no radio except CBC, so all my pop culture comes from things I choose to take out of the library, go see at the theater, or purchace. My favorite magazine is Scientific American, not much pop cluture in there. I admit, I hardly ever listen to the news, because it's always about people getting murdered or dieing in Aphganistan.
I think much of our culture's change also arises from technology rather than celebrity. We are moving fast becasue ideas get out and spread quickly, quicker than ever before. I only hope our biology can keep up with the change.
I don't know that we sign fewer petitions than we ever did, and we still protest when the need arises. I think we've still got spirit.
somegirl
Posted on: 06/18/2009 10:00
For me pop culture and especially reality TV and celebrity watching balances my interest in what is going on in the world. I can get to feeling really frustrated and helpless reading the news and things that are going on, or even in my work and personal life sometimes. Then it is time to sit down and watch 'I'm a celebrity, get me out of here' or check out what Britney Spears is up to.
Elanorgold, (love the new avatar btw), technology has made us able to find out so much information on whatever we want to know. For those interested in what is going on in the world there are a million points of view or photos and video clips at one's fingertips. It can become overwhelming, and then what am I to do with all that information? Can I effect change? Mostly not, the world just goes on and there isn't much I can do about it. I try to do my part, but in the end I'm just one uninfluential person.
Elanorgold
Posted on: 06/23/2009 11:12
Thanks! Yeah, celebrity watching is a light break, except for the celebrities themselves... I'd hate to be hounded and followed like that, everyone judging me all the time. I guess one would have to learn how to cope, how to brush things off. Some celebs do better than others.
I agree technology is great. Sure you can affect a change. You're doing it right now! Every person has a say, every person does their bit.