What is popular culture and what does it mean to me?
In today's world pop culture can be defined as anything that may be of common interest to people everywhere. It can also include anything that is popular at the current time, such as a particular pair of shoes, or even the newest cell phone on the market. Pop culture may include; artwork, books, music, movies or even a popular historical site. Popular culture to me may include the icons in the world that everyone recognizes, and makes a difference in our society. From Rolling Stone magazine to Gucci made products. These are the icons that everyone recognizes, and makes up our popular culture. Why is an understanding of popular culture relevant to you in a business environment and in your present and future career?
The business world today is constantly changing, and making improvements in technology. Whether it is a computer, cell phone or fax machine, these are essentials for our business world. Understanding the pop culture will help me, and everyone strive to do a better job in the workplace, and at home. Having up to date equipment provides less time at the office, and allows for more family time. Understanding the pop culture will provide future careers to be more challenging, and have an enhanced income as well.
What would you consider to be an example of a pop culture artifact? Colonial Williamsburg is a historical site that I consider a popular culture artifact. This historical site is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. Williamsburg was the center of the government during the 18th century, and still receives visits from U.S. Presidents, congress, and head of state leaders. Williamsburg is considered a living history museum, and also a historical landmark. This historical site is the most visited by tourists in the state of Virginia.
Popular Culture Rituals and Stereotyping
A ritual is something that is done on a regular basis, and could be considered a routine. Rituals may also be performed for special occasions, or religious events. Rituals are a way of life for our pop culture, along with stereotyping. Stereotypes can be good or bad. From early childhood, we have been taught not to stereotype, or judge others. Rituals and stereotyping does not only occur in today’s society, but it also occurs in myths.
Thor, the god of thunder, performs rituals as he is conquering all evil. One ritual Thor performs, is carrying his hammer wherever he goes. Thor also wears a belt of strength on his missions. Thor’s hammer and belt are considered ritual devices. Thor is often stereotyped as being an enormously large built man with a red beard. Some may consider him evil because of the way he looks, and carries himself. Thor is sometimes viewed, and stereotyped as a loner, and non-caring about anything or anyone. This is simply not true. In his missions, Thor is always saving someone, and helping others. So, Thor is often misrepresented because of his appearance, and being stereotyped the wrong way.
In conclusion, rituals are a way of everyday life in today’s world. Whether it is a Friday night football game, and the singing of the national anthem, or attending church on Sunday morning, these are all rituals. We all have rituals, and may not even realize it. Stereotyping is another aspect of our lives, even though we try not to stereotype others; we all have the tendency to do it. We stereotype people, as well as cartoon characters and even animals. If we see a dog that looks mean, we assume it is, but this may not be the case. Stereotyping may someday get us in trouble by judging something the wrong way, so we should try not to stereotype without having all the facts.
"With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility’’: Cold War Culture and the Birth of Marvel Comics, by Robert Genter
Popular Culture Rituals and Stereotyping
A ritual is something that is done on a regular basis, and could be considered a routine. Rituals may also be performed for special occasions, or religious events. Rituals are a way of life for our pop culture, along with stereotyping. Stereotypes can be good or bad. From early childhood, we have been taught not to stereotype, or judge others. Rituals and stereotyping does not only occur in today’s society, but it also occurs in myths. |
| "Thor - The God of Thunder" |
"With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility’’: Cold War Culture and the Birth of Marvel Comics, by Robert Genter
The journal article “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility”: Cold War Culture and the Birth of Marvel Comics, focuses on Marvel heroes that were created in “The Justice League of America” and also “The Fantastic Four”. The Justice League of America brought several figures together. Batman and Superman were part of The Justice League of America in 1951. Superman and Batman were originally from the 1930’s. The Justice League of America revived them; this was in hopes of raising the profit sales since they were at a downward spiral during the 1950’s.
During the 1950’s Senator Estes Kefauver imposed a comic book code. The comic book code made it more difficult for the comic industries to make a profit. This was the beginning of the Fantastic Four, and its success.
1961 brought about the Fantastic Four which was the first superhero team that their title was produced by Stan Lee. The Fantastic Four portrayed the superheroes to talk, and walk like real people. The inspiration for the Fantastic Four came from Stan Lee’s wife, she felt like Stan was not putting as much effort into the comics as Stan normally did on other creative projects.
After the Fantastic Four came two new comics titled The Incredible Hulk, and The Amazing Spider Man. The two new comics also focused on their lives outside of the day to day activities of a superhero. The comics showed everyone what the heroes did on a daily basis, and how they lived their lives without being a hero. The Incredible Hulk is half-man, and half-monster. The creation of this character was made to see if a man of this kind could actually find happiness in the real world.
The Incredible Hulk proved to be another success. The next character to be revealed was Iron Man. Iron Man had a suit of amour, built in devices to help fight crime, and the ability to fly. Iron Man was virtually invincible, and could fight crime anywhere in the world with minutes with his flying abilities. Iron Man was created to help support the cold war, and hopefully put an end to communism.
The article gives a good review of what happened to comic books during the Cold War. Sales began to decline, and Marvel Comics came up with new characters for their comic books, while at the same time reviving some of the old characters from the past. The article has some good points, and lets the reader know how and why certain characters were created. I think this article was an informative piece while giving everyone a little in sight on the history of marvel comics as well. Marvel Comics characters have been around for what seems like forever, and they will continue to entertain us in the future.
GENTER, R. (2007). “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility”: Cold War Culture and the Birth of Marvel Comics. Journal of Popular Culture, 40(6), 953-978. Retrieved from http://0-web.ebscohost.com.olinkserver.franklin.edu.
Assignment 1-4-6
Popular Culture is something that I never really thought about before taking this class. I have heard the word a time or two and never even thought about what it referred to. I took this class just so I would broaden my horizons somewhat and be able to know what popular culture is without asking someone else or looking it up in the dictionary. Taking this class was one of the best decisions that I have made in a long time.
While taking this class I have become more familiar with “Thor-thunder of god”. Thor to me, in the beginning was just a cartoon character that has been popularized for kids to watch on television, but that is not all that he is. Thor is a religious Norse myth as well. I only believed he was a cartoon character when I began this journey, and now I know considerably more about Thor than I did at first. Thor is a pop culture icon. Thor is an icon because he has been made so popular through advertising on television, computer, billboards, and many other advertising tools that are used today. Thor is stereotyped as a big man with red hair, and beard. Some may consider him to be frightening, but Thor is harmless to those who cause no harm. The fact is Thor is a caring person, and is always helping others in their time of need. Thor’s character plays the same role on every quest. Thor’s life can be looked at as a routine for him. Thor can be called out in the middle of the night, fight a demon, or save a victim, and then he is on his way back home again, as a hero, as he thought of, with his cart, two goats and famous hammer in hand.
Pop culture is something to think about. Now as I am thinking back, I realize that stereotyping is something that everyone needs to watch, and try not to do. This world would be a better place if everyone did not judge others before knowing them. I am certainly going to do my best not stereotype, and teach my kids the same values.
Assignment 1-4-6
Popular Culture is something that I never really thought about before taking this class. I have heard the word a time or two and never even thought about what it referred to. I took this class just so I would broaden my horizons somewhat and be able to know what popular culture is without asking someone else or looking it up in the dictionary. Taking this class was one of the best decisions that I have made in a long time.
While taking this class I have become more familiar with “Thor-thunder of god”. Thor to me, in the beginning was just a cartoon character that has been popularized for kids to watch on television, but that is not all that he is. Thor is a religious Norse myth as well. I only believed he was a cartoon character when I began this journey, and now I know considerably more about Thor than I did at first. Thor is a pop culture icon. Thor is an icon because he has been made so popular through advertising on television, computer, billboards, and many other advertising tools that are used today. Thor is stereotyped as a big man with red hair, and beard. Some may consider him to be frightening, but Thor is harmless to those who cause no harm. The fact is Thor is a caring person, and is always helping others in their time of need. Thor’s character plays the same role on every quest. Thor’s life can be looked at as a routine for him. Thor can be called out in the middle of the night, fight a demon, or save a victim, and then he is on his way back home again, as a hero, as he thought of, with his cart, two goats and famous hammer in hand.
Pop culture is something to think about. Now as I am thinking back, I realize that stereotyping is something that everyone needs to watch, and try not to do. This world would be a better place if everyone did not judge others before knowing them. I am certainly going to do my best not stereotype, and teach my kids the same values.
