Explore the 4 Traits of Popular Culture and How They Impact Society Today
Popular culture plays a pivotal role in shaping our beliefs, values, and behaviors. The media and entertainment industries heavily influence popular culture, creating a shared set of symbols, images, and ideas that we collectively associate with our cultural identity. Here are the four traits of popular culture and how they impact society today:
1. Popular Culture is Dynamic and Evolving
Popular culture is constantly evolving and changing to fit the needs and interests of the people consuming it. What was popular in the 90s is now outdated and irrelevant. This dynamic and ever-changing nature of popular culture makes it difficult to pinpoint any particular aspect of it that is universally shared. However, this constant evolution is consistent with the overall trends of society.
2. Popular Culture is Mass-Produced and Commercialized
Popular culture is often mass-produced and commercialized, catering to the masses in order to generate profit. Companies invest heavily into crafting the next big thing in popular culture trend and setting the agenda for what they believe society should prioritize. The nonstop stream of popular culture products and trends can be overwhelming, leading to a sense of societal pressure to remain relevant.
3. Popular Culture is Inherently Social and Collective
Popular culture is not just something consumed by individuals but rather, something shared collectively across society. A new popular culture trend will represent shared values, experiences, or interests. It can drive social cohesion and allow for a sense of community that cuts across boundaries of gender, race, and socioeconomic status. This shared experience can generate greater empathy towards other people’s experiences.
4. Popular Culture is Reflective of Society’s Values
Finally, popular culture is reflective of what society values and what its priorities are at a given point in time. Popular culture often reflects the broader cultural landscape of a society, behaving as a mirror that reflects what society holds in high regard at a particular moment. But popular culture is also important in shaping society’s values, encouraging certain behaviors, and shaping people’s worldviews.
To sum up, popular culture serves as a lens through which people view contemporary society. By better understanding the traits of popular culture, we can develop a deeper appreciation of its influence on our norms, beliefs, and behaviors.
