Monday, January 2, 2012

What is popular culture?

People are exposed to popular culture with little to no effort at all.  People do not need to seek out popular culture, or spend large amounts of money or time to experience it. People will experience it through their every day routines. In order to experience popular culture, people do not need to have a high level of education; People do not need to be educated on the type of popular culture either. Popular culture will touch people by triggering emotions, and providing entertainment of some nature.  Popular culture does not require individuals to understand the artifact or why they are attracted to it, it simply pertains to people's emotions.

The study of popular culture can benefit me in my future career.  I am currently seeking a a degree in marketing.  Having an educated understanding of popular culture will enable me to develop useful marketing strategies.  I will be able to identify current trends, celebrities, fashion, and all other types of popular culture.  Attaining this knowledge will enable me to develop products, and strategies that will adhere to people wants and needs.  Not being educated in popular culture would keep me from understanding the fundamentals of successful marketing.



Battlefield 3 is an example of a popular culture artifact. Battlefield 3 is a video game that can be played on many different types of consoles. The game enables individuals to control a soldier and utilize different vehicles and war tactics.  People are exposed to Battlefield 3 though television commercials, advertisements, word of mouth, and in-store advertisements.  Even though the game features include intricate weapon systems, and intelligent fighting techniques; It does not require the person to be educated on the war tactics or weapons at all.  The person can have little knowledge of military or weapons and still enjoy the artifact.  The game is not priced beyond the average person's purchasing capabilities, and surrounds us without people having to search and retrieve.