Intro to Popular Culture

Popular culture influences us on a daily basis, even if it's in a subtle manner. Whether it is music, literature, fashion, film, or social networking, there is at least one category that each of us enjoy hearing about. For this reason, it is important that we share what we know about popular culture on a global level. These days, the media provides a wide range of sources from which we can easily access our information. But what is "the media"? Essentially, it is a way for us all to communicate and discover what the current leading topics are. This can be done via blogging, watching videos, browsing the web, or simply getting a notification from a news app on your smart phone. Just like with technology, what's current in popular culture changes at a rapid pace as well. The term 'mainstream' frequently comes into play when looking at what's trendy with the younger generation. With the radio for example, there is always a certain amount of songs from various artists that are considered to be mainstream because most people are at least somewhat familiar with them since they are so constantly played. These artists are swiftly interchanged within the mainstream group. Apart from the fact that we are constantly craving change, I'm interested in exploring the characteristics that make certain artists gain popularity over others. These days, everyone wants to fit in in one way or another, while simultaneously trying to stand out. For example, many celebrities have generously chosen to donate a portion of their money to charities. Some have even developed their own charities, which have grown to be very successful. If we see popular icons donating their money for a good cause, we may get inspired to do so ourselves. In an effort to work for a good cause but do something a bit different, the company that makes TOMS shoes decided that for every pair of shoes sold, they would donate one pair to someone in need. This is great example of how even businesses are paying attention to pop culture. Many people model their own style after their favorite celebrity. Today there are clothing lines and even makeup collections which can help you achieve that celebrity's look. This is aimed to aid the consumer in keeping up with the latest styles that their favorite celebrity embodies and make it their own. Literature is another field that is heavily influenced by what is popular. If someone reads a book which they immensely enjoy, then they are going to spread the word about it. Soon, a large group of people are reading it and raving about how good it is, peaking the interest of others. Even if someone is on the opposite side of the world, they now  can still have access to these highly read books at tips of their fingers via e-books, and don't have to miss out just because it may not be available at their local bookstore. It is clear to see that we are all intertwined through popular culture. There are always new ideas to be discussed and trends to be set that will impact the way society thinks.