THE RELEVANCE OF POP CULTURE IN OUR DAILY LIVES

THE RELEVANCE OF POP CULTURE IN OUR DAILY LIVES

As we live and breathe, we are all affected at one level or another by aspects of pop culture.  We use, read, see, and interact with differing facets of pop culture every day.  As I attempt to define, in my own words, what pop culture means to me, this image comes to mind:

In writing this blog entry, I was interested to find out where this pop culture icon originated.  I was surprised to learn that it was designed by the British of Ministry's Information Office as a source of public morale during World War II.  Although thousands of these posters were printed, they were never put on public display and the campaign was considered a failure. The poster was rediscovered by a couple in 2000 going through an old box of used books.  They displayed the original poster at their bookstore, and the resulting popularity of the phrase became a cultural phenomenon.

It's interesting to me how different aspects of pop culture have an effect on groups of people which transcend economic and societal barriers that may be in place to divide us.  Pop culture can be defined as those cultural actions, images, relics, customs, and attitudes that are used to shape our society topically at any given period of time.  It is what we see, think, and feel that is relatable on a mass scale.  Pop culture, therefore, is important to recognize and understand for the impact it creates in our lives, personally and professionally. We use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc., to relate and communicate on a daily basis.  We use cellphones for not only calls but to download the latest apps and information for our use.  We use cultural icons such as "Keep Calm" to relay personal resiliency and forthrightness.  In each of these examples, our intent is to connect and to understand the world in which we live.

My major is Communications.  I think it is very important that I am able to know and navigate this new interconnected world in my professional life.  I want to be able to see trends in my career field that will further utilize my talents.  It is vital that I keep myself abreast of what is considered "now" culturally as well as to gauge what may be in the foreseeable future.  Understanding how pop culture is relevant in my daily life gives me the opportunity to be aware and knowledgeable of what my future may ultimately be shaped by.

In my premier blog, I wrote about the pop culture trends and icons I witnessed in 2013.  Although the post was somewhat light-hearted in tone, I hoped to convey a more deeper understanding of how pop culture can shape and influence us.  Whether it is myself taking a "selfie" to reading that President Obama did the same during Nelson Mandela's funeral is important.  It is important in the fact that in each instance, the intent was to document and share a moment in our respective lives on a cultural level, using the tools that help shape our world.  Understanding how pop culture allows us to understand the world in which we live is important. Pop culture can help guide us in our quest for understanding ourselves and others.

I'll leave you with this, dear bloggets:

 That is what I hope you all aspire to.

Nancy Jane