We have lots of contemporary icons in our culture , some of the icons that we have represents a
time, style , activity or even a local culture. The three icons that I choose
are CNN , Baywatch and Michael Jackson .
CNN ( Cable News Network)
Growing up overseas I remember watching CNN, back in the day I remember when my
dad wanted to know about what was going in the USA all he did was watch CNN.
No matter where you see the symbol "CNN" it is associated with America immediately. People around the globe tend to watch CNN and immediately assume that hat CNN is the most important News Channel in the USA
CNN is a popular icon and represent the whole country, when people see their cameras in other countries the first thing that come to their minds is America . CNN has established itself as an American icon of information and news not just here in the USA but around the World.
No matter where you see the symbol "CNN" it is associated with America immediately. People around the globe tend to watch CNN and immediately assume that hat CNN is the most important News Channel in the USA
CNN is a popular icon and represent the whole country, when people see their cameras in other countries the first thing that come to their minds is America . CNN has established itself as an American icon of information and news not just here in the USA but around the World.
Baywatch
Now , I know that many of us have mix feelings about
Baywatch .. Well, .. something was wrong with this TV Show , some how it seem to
sent misrepresentations of how life and people looks in the USA.. I remember living
in Italy and watching the show somebody saying “ Wow .. Girls and boys are so beautiful
in America “ , when I came to the country in 1998 I was talking with my friends
and told them the reality .. Sorry buddy not everybody looks like Pamela
Anderson in the USA.
Baywatch was
translated to 30 different languages and every 1/10 people on Earth who grew up
on that time has see or heard about Baywatch (According to the Guinness Records)
. Regardless of all that, this Icon represents my childhood , it also remains me living overseas and dreaming about coming to America and having a girlfriend
just like the girls of Baywatch... Lol..!!! Is amazing how much this show represented the
country in other cultures, therefore Baywatch will always be remember.
Michael Jackson.
We can write books and books about Michael Jackson,
He represents to me not just the culture of America but an entire movement and
Talent … Michael Jackson is the Greatest Entertainer that ever lived … His
music and talent has entertained people for over 40 years not just here but
people all over the world. Michael
Jackson itself is an Icon .. generations after generation had entertained it
selves with his music and will continue their admiration for his talent and great taste.
What is Popular Culture ?
We can find numerous definitions about Popular Culture , the best that I can describe is the collections of ideas, music, political views, perspectives, fashions, politics, attitudes, images,technology and other trends of a society . Popular change constantly changes year after year and it varies from country to country.
Some of the clear examples that we can think of Popular Culture is music and politics, back in the 70's for example Disco was the new trend in western society while politics and new ideas were trending across nations.
With the advance of technology new ideas and trends arrives to society , the idea of sharing friendship and finding old friend was born with Facebook. The sharing of ideas and opinions across the Internet was introduce by Twitter , and in general after years of technological advance we can say that Popular Culture has gone across a path of evolutionary ideas and trends that keep shaping society . I will argue that sometimes technology and Popular Culture destroy the main core of society and humans , for example since texting and Facebook were introduce to our societies , people has started to be OK with a simple text or "Wall Update".
The artifact that I choose is a symbol of our Popular Culture now in our days is YouTube, it is amazing how important and interesting You Tube has become. This website has open the eyes of many people and not to mention that has introduce ideas and has shared important trends in our societies from political demonstrations to new music videos. You Tube is an important way to communicate , lets just think about it. If you miss an important video or news , I'm sure is going to be in You Tube . This website has become an important icon on today's popular culture.
YouTube is a great example of an artifact. You can find anything on there! I have used YouTube to find funny videos, information on how to do something and to watch something that I may have missed on TV. I think almost everyone has used it at some point.
ReplyDeleteKchapman, Funny that you mention that every time that I miss the news or an important event , I usually search in YouTube , most of the historical events are there too. Is an amazing tool.
DeleteI agree, great example of a current pop culture artifact. Just like Twitter and Facebook, YouTube is not meant for everyone, though. People tend to forget that what they post on the web is often permanent and can haunt them forever. I just watched a Dateline episode the other night and it was regarding this college student that used her YouTube account to document all her drunken nights. That will catch up with her in the years to come, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteA drunk College student , YouTube and the Internet , that sounds like a recipe for a disaster, I"m sure that is going to catch up with her .
DeleteThank you for sharing
YouTube is a good popular culture topic. It has had a fast paced growth since it has entered the internet. I have used some of the video sites of YouTube and enjoyed the vast amounts of audio clips. There are YouTube camcorders that gives YouTube a dominant source for public to the internet. To me it has a set market for a popular culture that will keep up with the trends of what public wants.
ReplyDeleteEvery time that I want to watch an old clip , I always go to YouTube , I can't think another site like Youtube.. Is great.!!
DeleteI agree youtube is a good one too choose. My friends as well as myself whenever we are searching for something we check youtube first. We used it for some of our classes too when the instructors were trying to show us stuff.
ReplyDeleteI had used YouTube to post a presentation when I knew that I could not make it... Great tool
DeleteYouTube is a great pop culture topic. It only offers "EVERYTHING". Anything you want to find is on YouTube and "EVERYONE" with access to any form of technology has used YouTube at some point. I like to call it an online video catalog of movies, music videos, instructional videos, informational videos, political videos, and comedy which keeps pop culture relevant. It gives people new ideas and connects people and things from all around the world.
ReplyDeleteI can't think a different site better to Youtube ... I think is the only complete site where you can find anything ... Is a library.. !!
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