Pop culture

(negative impacts)

Definition
Pop culture, also known as popular culture, refers to cultural activities or commercial products reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people. Popular culture is heavily influenced by mass media and this collection of ideas permeate the everyday lives of the society.

Historical origins
The term "popular culture" was coined in the 19th century or earlier to refer to the education and general "culturedness" of the lower classes Popular culture is often discussed in contrast to high culture. The term popular culture started as a definition of the entertainment options of the average person - everything that wasn't considered high culture. High culture referred to works that were of the highest sophistication and quality. For example, an orchestra playing Tchaikovsky would qualify as high culture, whereas a different group of instruments playing something that sounded like Metallica would not make the cut. High culture was experienced by and for those who were elitists, typically in the upper class. Basically, in non-intellectual terms: Pop culture is the world of music, movies, television shows, books, magazines, fashion, sports, art, video games, and the internet that has a following and acceptance by millions around the globe.

Quotes & (some memorable pop-culture quotes we all know)

1. "Popularity is not an indication of quality." (Bonta Vanna, american poet and novelist) 2. All over the place, from the popular culture to the propaganda system, there is constant pressure to make people feel that they are helpless, that the only role they can have is to ratify decisions and to consume. (Noam Chomsky, american linguist and philosopher) 3. Give the People what they want - and they'll get what they deserve. (The Kinks, one of the greatest rock & roll bands) 4. "Popular Culture is the new Babylon, into which so much art and intellect now flow, it is our Imperial Theater, Supreme Temple of the Western Eye. We live in the age of idols. The pagan past, never dead, flames again in our mystic hierarchies of stardom." (Camille Paglia) 5. "It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday." (Rebecca Black's accidental hit is one of the worst songs in living memory, yet here we are, still humming it. Fun, fun, fun, fun.) 6. "That shit cray." (Narrowly edging out "going HAM," Watch the Throne's catchiest catchphrase was apparently uttered 2,184 times during Jay-Z and Kanye's shows.)

Negative impacts of pop culture

1. Media
Movies and Television have already been influencing teenagers for years. The media influences teens when it comes to their choices from what they wear, what music

they listen to, how they talk, what kind of people they hang around, what they drink(alcoholic or not), right down to what they eat(or in some cases don't eat) Medical News Today has done a study with 600 films and 5,000 students and has found out that movies play an important role in a teenager's decision to drink at a young age. This show how a movie or maybe even a 30 second commercial can really make an impact on a teenager growing up. They know drinking underage is wrong but when they see it in movies or on TV they think it looks fun and want to try it. According to WebMD, "teens are twice as likely to have early sexual intercourse as those who are rarely exposed to sexual content" Movies more often than not put sex or sexual situations in their movies as much as possible because of the term "sex sells"

2.

Fashion

Fashion is much more than just high-end clothing, it pertains to almost everything someone does such as the way they talk, walk, and dress. Teenagers are in a time of their lives where they are experimenting with new modes of expression, fashion, trying to "fit in". Fashion indirectly creates cliques. Teenagers cling to these cliques, according to their taste, and in turn, the cliques influence their fashion. An example of a clique would be emo, characterized by: Tight fitting jeans, side swept bangs, skate shoes, and belt buckles The personality of an emo person is recognized as being depressed and "emo" tional. This leads to the stereotype of an emo person writing poetry about the futility of life and other related subjects.

3.

Celebrities

Celebrities are on TV, on the radio, in movies, playing sports, and even in newspapers, there is no way that we can escape them. Teenagers look up to them as a guide- they get fashion trends, how they act, even sometimes how they talk, all from celebrities. The reality is that people want a piece of what they cant have. Celebrities are used to endorse many things Nicole Kidman sashays in ads for Chanel No. 5 perfume. Eva Longoria, the bombshellette star of Desperate Housewives, sells LOral Paris hair color. Jessica Simpson struts for a hair extension company,HairUWear, and acne skincare line Proactiv Solution. Jamie Lee Curtis spoons up Dannon Activia yogurt while promoting environmentally friendly Honda cars. Celebrities influence fashion and what we wear Not all that long ago anyone with a tattoo was considered unsavory company. People sporting tattoos were unpleasant, sleazy and uneducated. Today, a tattoo just placed above the belt of your low cut jeans, on the shoulder, upper arm or anywhere on your body, is a trendy statement. How many music artists and celebrities are sporting a well placed tattoo for the entire world to see? It is no longer considered corrupt, immoral or distasteful to show off a tattoo what ever its message. It is considered a sexy accessory. David Beckham and Katy Perry are the most recent celebrities endorsing Adidas sportswear. Michael Phelps has been featured in Hanes commercials since winning eight medals in the 2008 Olympic Games. And a laundry list of athletes in the NFL, NBA and NBL endorse Under Armor sportswear apparel.

4.

Music

Music remains important in the hearts of teenagers According to Kathleen O'Toole's article on Standford online Report website: "On average, American youth listen to music and watch music videos four to five hours a day, which is more time than they spend with their friends outside of school or watching television."

 Common slang, when used in popular songs, slip into the vocabulary of teenagers. Popular phrases such as "Yay-yeah" and "Crunk" are now used by teenagers in everyday conversations. "Even some social groups are identified primarily by their choice of music" according to the media-wise website.

Pop culture in Singapore

Japanese pop culture In 1996, when the Tamagotchi craze swept Japan and other parts of asia, singapores teenagers formed long queues to buy models of the virtual pet. Even though the fad has subsided today, there are still websites devoted to this virtual pet Then there was the hello kitty craze in 2000, when MacDonalds used plushy toys to promote its value meals. Long queues were formed outside the fast-food restaurant, with some even staying overnight in the queue to be among the first to own the toy.