Coffee; the magical bean juice that helps us do all of the things. But coffee is not just coffee, it's a huge part of popular culture and provides a larger insight into who we are individually, and as whole, a lot more than we would think. The many elements that go into the world of coffee, such as how we drink it, how often, and where, can tell us a lot about us. And just like coffee, social media is also a huge part of popular culture. There's Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and so much more, and they all have different functions and purposes. Some people use social media for fun, some of us for business, and some not at all! Some of us can't start our days without a cup of coffee, and some of us can't start our days without checking our various accounts and notifications. One of the larger social media outlets is Instagram. You can tell so much about a person through the other accounts they follow, the posts they like, and what they post such as: if they're in relationship, what they do for work, what kind of food they like, and more.
But Instagram is essentially just a highlight reel of every users' lives. Operative word being highlight, because very rarely do you see anyone post the bad, for the world to see. And why would we? Why wouldn't we post ourselves looking our very best, or that delicious and aesthetically pleasing brunch you had, or of the new car you finally got? This has to say something about us as a society, when we refuse to post a photo from an unflattering angle or footage of your kid having an absolute meltdown telling you you're "the worst parent ever". Everyone is always trying to put their best faces forward, pun intended, and it's something that we as a society engage in daily; probably without ever really noticing.
The video of "An Example of Popular Culture" touches base on all the different dynamics surrounding coffee such as how and where we drink it, and what it says about us. This can help us see social media the same way and allows us to understand how and why we use it the way we do. It is something we use constantly, and for all different reasons, but at the end of the day it is something that brings us together and allows us to connect with people all over the world.
If you’ve ever come across a photo captioned by something either eerily relatable or so obscure that you have no choice but to laugh with confusion, you have stumbled upon a newer type of meme. Technically speaking, a meme is anything within culture that has gone viral via the internet, but most commonly the medium for memes is images with relatable captions. Memes are a large part of modern popular culture, as their widespread usage, popularity, and ability to be personalized to fit almost any identity. If brevity is the soul of wit (thank you, Hamlet), then memes are for you. These images have been around for years, and they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. They are most often a single image with most often than not, crudely dubbed captions that appeal to the audience in how relatable they are. The longer the meme, the less likely it is to be successful… but if that’s the case… is it a meme if it isn’t successful? The very definition includes the fact that it has been passed around from internet user to internet user becoming widespread in a short amount of time.
One example of this are memes that shed light on the human condition and the struggles that come with that. They can be very cathartic to some. Most memes seen scrolling through whatever social media platform you chose are self-deprecating. Although it is not healthy for ones self-confidence or sense of self worth, venting about your inner demons through the lens of humor is cheaper, and frankly more attainable than therapy. The interesting part about this though is that the audience connects with the meme, making the creator not alone in how they view about themselves or what they struggle with. This unity is depressing, sure, but nevertheless uniting. Some memes can be viewed to make light of tough subjects like mental health, but at the same time allow for conversations for such to begin, and allow for the audience to feel as if they are not alone in what they struggle with. Most importantly, though, it is funny as hell.
This is not to pigeonhole memes by any means- memes can range to extremely relatable to the point that it kind of hurts, to extremely obscure and funny due to how out-of-context and bizarre it is. These obscure memes are referred to as “Surreal Memes” (example pictured right). These are harder to break down in terms of relatability because, really, it’s not relatable. These kinds of memes are funny not because of their relatability, but because they fit into a niche of humor that has exhausted all other avenues of memes. For example, a photo
But the important thing to note here is that memes are popular culture because, we, as individuals, can identify with different memes. Whenever someone sends a meme to their friends, family members, coworkers, significant other, or whatever it may be, they are identifying (through relating with the content of the meme) the meme with someone or themselves. Commenting “same,” or “this is so me,” or “so you,” is attaching identity onto said meme.
To be a person who views and enjoys memes is to be a person who has access to the internet. It’s almost impossible to not stumble across a meme while on the internet, especially if you are using social media. Companies sometimes use memes (more often than not unsuccessfully) to appeal to audiences to claim that they are “hip with the times,” so-to-speak. Ultimately, memes are infinite in their range of content, but because of this, people are able to identify with different memes and relate in different ways, but in the end unite the audience with others who have also enjoyed a meme.
The video is about how the television show The Office illustrates postmodernism. Starting with a brief history about the documentary genre of film and how “mockumentaries” are a rearticulation, via the single camera filming, the talking head interviews, and a general concept that a real story is being told. “Mockumentaries" take the idea of a documentary and puts an ironic and humorous spin on the style. They are hyperaware of the confines of documentaries and contain intertextual references of other popular culture, which is characteristic of postmodernism. The hyperawareness produces conditions of an ironic knowingness with the audience as viewers notice and recognize the references within the show’s world. Postmodernism is portrayed through the show’s website, which is a commodification of the show. There is relentless commodification on the website, including character blogs, music videos, pictures, games, an episode guide and more content that adds to the complexity of the show. There is even a fake website for the company that is not just realistic, but it is regularly updated to keep up with character development on the show. Different things on the website in relation to watching the show, allows for niche interests to be met. The Office embodies postmodernism with intertextual popular culture references, mockumentary style, and the large range of media related to the show on it’s website.
The idea that postmodernism being the simultaneity of competing forms of rearticulation - the already said is being constantly recirculated in different perspectives, made me think of attending AfroPunk this past summer. From their Facebook, "AFROPUNK is an influential community of young, gifted people of all backgrounds who speak through music, art, film, comedy, fashion and more. Originating with the 2003 documentary that highlighted a Black presence in the American punk scene, it is a platform for the alternative and experimental. Remaining at the core of its mission are the punk principles of DIY aesthetics, radical thought and social non-conformity. AFROPUNK is a voice for the unwritten, unwelcome and unheard-of." AfroPunk is a music festival, at its core, but it celebrates blackness as a culture. The website for the event is based by a blog featuring different posts about artists, musicians, authors, notable events, and more. The Instagram has pictures of attendees, showcasing their fashion, art, and self-expression. It also has the festival's lineups for the different locations in Paris, Atlanta, Brooklyn, London, and Johannesburg. There is also an App, a Twitter, and a YouTube. All with the same information, for the most part. Each social media platform offers interaction surrounding the event and its ideals. The redundancy in content is postmodernism and the identity taken on is gained from the exposure to this part of popular culture
I really hate to admit that I am keeping the stereotype "bad" pop culture alive. I have a confession. I am the pop/country music loving, bad horror movie watching, reality TV junky. In fact, I am probably single handedly keeping the Kardashians in the news and on TV.
But I'm also not sorry. And that's what's so great about pop culture. There is a little bit of everything for everyone. That's why pop culture is so important. It is involved everything we do in life.
Music is a huge part of my life. If you ask anyone what I do all day, I'm sure they'll answer :SING! Not that I'm the best singer, I just really enjoy it. Music is my daily motivator. Though I tend to gravitate towards today's country, or Top 100, I listen to a large variety of music. My playlists contain all genres to go along with any mood I am in.
As for TV, as I stated before I love reality TV. The junkier the better. We're talking "Kardashians", "Love and Hip Hop" ... you name it. I also REALLY love crime shows, to include "Criminal Minds," "Law and Order," and documentary crime shows like "Snapped." I also am at the top of my game with kids shows due to my 2 year old. Admittedly, I am not too big of a fan of movies. Luckily, my husband is. This means I watch a lot of movies NOT by choice, but it does make me expand my horizons, so why not! Also, I have NEVER been a reader, but my New Years Resolution was to yet again try to venture into the world of books. I decided to start with one I knew I would like (because I am in love with the movies) which is to start the Harry Potter series. I read the first 2 a while back and really enjoyed them, but It has always seemed like a chore to read them. Any tips on helping me get into reading? Anyone? The value of pop culture is so dominant in our world. One of the most important aspects to me is the underestimated value of social media. When I moved from my family away to Missouri I was ecstatic that is was so easy to keep in touch. Social media allows people from all over the world to share their culture, ideas and values all within minutes. This a huge advance in technology, and we are so fortunate to be living in a time where these major advances are taking place. I'm really excited to be in this class. Looking at the syllabus I know I am going to be pushed out of my comfort zone, and I am really excited. I think it will be so interesting to be reading and studying more in depth topics of pop culture. Pop culture forms the way we think and act, and I wonder how these studies will make me have a different outlook on pop culture - and life itself. Good luck all!
