Popular Culture Unit 2 AMPA Pop Culture Originally

Popular Culture Unit 2 AMPA

Pop Culture Originally Popular Culture was a term used to distinguish culture that was enjoyed by the ‘masses’ from what was enjoyed by the wealthy and educated. Popular Culture therefore had connotations of being vulgar and cheap

Pop Culture Today In today’s world ‘Pop Culture’ is a term given to products and practices that are well liked by mainstream society Popular Culture embraces media works that are current and appeal to mass audiences While it may still have negative connotations, popular culture prides itself on being youthful, fashionable, relevant and commercially appealing

Products of Pop Culture are: Mass Produced and formulaic Designed and produced to make a lot of money Produced for the largest audience possible predictable following popular formulas

Products of Pop Culture are not: Unique works of art Born of the desire to be innovative and creative Produced to appeal to those with ‘good taste’ original

Pop Culture Criticism Popular media products usually fit the popular culture mould and are often subject to criticism To understand where this criticism comes from it is worthwhile discussing two other sectors of culture - High Culture & Folk Culture (DIY culture)

High Culture is linked to products associated with quality and perfection. Examples would include the ballet, opera and theatre Audiences who are generally from higher social classes historically have enjoyed these pursuits and are willing to pay high prices for ‘one-off’ experiences Products of high culture also assume a level of higher education and are therefore considered more worthy.

Folk Culture relates to culture created in small communities (ie various independent music and film movements) Folk Culture (DIY) Art and creativity over profits Individuality and originality is revered over ‘tried and true’ techniques Appeals to smaller niche audiences Often challenge dominant values of a society Small budgets but creative with constraints

High Culture, Pop Culture or Folk Culture?

“It is crucial to realize that many of the most honoured items in the high culture museum were the popular culture of their own day. Dickens and Shakespeare fundamental examples. The popular theatre of Shakespeare's day was held in lower esteem by the cultural authorities of the era than television of the 1950 s in our own society. ” David Thorburn (http: //web. mit. edu/comm-forum/forums/popular_culture. htm)