Pop culture

afro-elf · 07-24-2002, 10:21 AM

Why do you think pop culture is so popular?

I am aware that I can be a supercillious bastard at times, but most of the entertainment that is produce today is just acerebral and/or trite.

Is that we as a whole are so mundune in our taste?

Are we lulled into a stupor by powers behind the scences?

Any thoughts?

galadriel88 · 07-24-2002, 10:48 AM

Pop culture, hmmm....

It seems to me that all societies have things that are popular with a majority of their citizens. These things may be related to religion, political beliefs, ecenomics, etc. In our case, pop culture is related to ecennomics, in that there are things that are popular for a while - fads - , lots and lots of people buy them, and they then become "out of style" or "unpopular." It helps keep the economy going, as you have different companies out there trying to keep up with the latest in pop culture.

Rána Eressëa · 07-24-2002, 03:03 PM

Well, yeah. Pretty much. The more people change their mind on what they want, the more they buy, the more money that's made. Then, you have the universal squeaky clean and perfect things/people that everyone wants to see because it allows them to dream of what they'll never have or never be. Pop culture is a superficial, high-above regular human standards world that most people want to be a part of. Or at least that's how I see it.

***HOBBIT*** · 07-24-2002, 06:14 PM

Well I think the popular music of today really sucks. How can kids listen to that garbage? I probably only think this because I am a musician and I know what real music should sound like.

Andúril · 07-24-2002, 06:20 PM

And what exactly should real music sound like?

Rána Eressëa · 07-24-2002, 06:22 PM

Pooey. Music is music. People just like different kinds. Pop culture, however, circles less around music and more around what the people making the music look like.

Andúril · 07-24-2002, 06:28 PM

And how they jump around n sink with the music.

Sween · 07-24-2002, 06:35 PM

i hate it when people get on there high musical horse and start critizing pop music. there is a good reason why it is called pop music and is so high up in the charts and that is because it is popular. and for somthing to be popular it is a pre requisit for it to make people happy. allthough n sync are not really my thing (im more of a........hmmmm lets not go into my music tatse lets just say ive a cd by sumone called lional) i have a little sis who is 6 and she dances about to bands like n sync and s club 7 and she has such a smile on her face its kinda sweet. they must be doing something right the sell out concerts all the time and get high up in the charts.

When it comes to music if it makes ne one happy its allright with me

BeardofPants · 07-24-2002, 06:38 PM

Modern music DOES suck. It has no imagination, no originality, and it's all about marketing instead of quality. I'm thoroughly sick of bubblegum pop. And as for pop-culture, the reason it is so popular is because people are sheep, they like to fit in, and follow the herd.

I think they also like being mindless. How many tripe movies are being produced these days? (versus) How many movies actually challenge your beliefs? Your mind? When was the last time you saw a movie which actually managed to confuse or make you feel uncomfortable? Look at what movies win academy awards. They're the "safe" ones. Bah! Give me movies, culture, music etc with grit, and originality, which isn't "produced." Ergh.

Lizra · 07-24-2002, 06:41 PM

I think pop culture is meant for and made by young people. I really don't pay that much attention to it. Here today, gone tomorrow. It's just a way for young people to have fun, assume an identity, and occupy themselves till they get more serious. (I'm not putting it down, it serves a purpose, of course some young people don't buy into it, it is pretty silly!

)

Erawyn · 07-24-2002, 08:11 PM

yes its all about money and large corporations and whatnot, i mean thats mostly why pop culture exists isn;t it? but why can't people be less sheepish and develop their own opinions, tastes, and decide what they find interesting for themselves? Just because something is extensively promoted doesn't mean we all have to like it (although apparently i am wrong, it does) at least the whole teeny bopper thing seems to be running out of steam. i'll be relieved when n'sync is dead.

***HOBBIT*** · 07-24-2002, 08:15 PM

Shockingly I agree with BOP.

Rána Eressëa · 07-24-2002, 08:24 PM

I like the nitty-gritty stuff other people can't handle. A lot of pop culture I see, I don't like. But some of it I do, so I'm pretty neutral I guess.

BeardofPants · 07-24-2002, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HOBBIT
Shockingly I agree with BOP.

Watch it, you'll get sucked into the vortex!

galadriel · 07-24-2002, 11:48 PM

As far as I know, kids like pop music just because they don't know any better. It has a good dancing beat, and if you haven't heard *real* music, this qualifies it as "good" music.

Of course, it's generally not good music. It's all about looks, glamour, and money. (ie, Britney Spears types. Are there dozens of non-mainstream singers who are much more talented than her? Absolutely. Do they consent to sing cheesy lyrics while wearing see-through clothing? I think not.) So music becomes just another product.

Admittedly, pop music is fun when you're in middle school, but once you get older and develop (hopefully) some taste, I can't understand why you'd listen to it. Shows a lack of individuality on the listener's part.

When it comes to pop culture at large, I personally go the way of early-industrial Japan: selective borrowing works every time. When you reject all pop culture on principle, you can become just another kind of snob. So pick what works for you and ditch the rest.

galadriel88 · 07-25-2002, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Admittedly, pop music is fun when you're in middle school, but once you get older and develop (hopefully) some taste, I can't understand why you'd listen to it. Shows a lack of individuality on the listener's part.

I would even go so far as to say that it's more of an elementary thing. I'm going into 8th grade and by 6th grade, hardly anybody in my class was still listening to NSYNC, much less Britney Spears and her clones. We've all graduated to either A: rock and classic rock or B: rap & R&B, which I have no taste for but is certainly better than some other things out there. I went the way of the rockers and have thouroughly enjoyed it. Only recently have I become interested in what I call "educated pop"- artists like Michelle Branch, Vanessa Carlton, Celine Dion, Avril Lavagne, Natalie Imbruglia, Jewel, etc.

Rána Eressëa · 07-25-2002, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by galadriel88
Only recently have I become interested in what I call "educated pop"- artists like Michelle Branch, Vanessa Carlton, Celine Dion, Avril Lavagne, Natalie Imbruglia, Jewel, etc.

Great choices - I listen to all of them.

Erawyn · 07-25-2002, 01:27 PM

love natalie imbruglia, but i only have her old CD. does anyone have the new one? is it even out yet?

Wayfarer · 07-25-2002, 04:16 PM

Why is Pop culture popular?

]: )

Mayhap it is because pop (popular) is simply whatever happens to be in vogue at any given time? hmmm?

Wayfarer · 07-25-2002, 04:21 PM

And as regards that... because america has been systematically dumbing itself down for years... and the rest of the world emulates america.

The feelings oriented, thought-deprived, wholly subjective political agenda makes it hard to get people to actually think for themselves.

And, in a sad irony, many of hte most intellegent americans spend their time supporting this view.

07-24-2002, 10:21 AM	#1
afro-elf Hoplite Nomad Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 3,931	Pop culture Why do you think pop culture is so popular? I am aware that I can be a supercillious bastard at times, but most of the entertainment that is produce today is just acerebral and/or trite. Is that we as a whole are so mundune in our taste? Are we lulled into a stupor by powers behind the scences? Any thoughts? __________________ About Eowyn, Does anyone know what her alias Dernhelm means? She was kown as dernhelm because of her exclaimation when she realized that the rider's headgear was heavy and obscured her sight. 'Dern Helm" Culled from Entmoot From Kirinski 57 and Wayfarer.

07-24-2002, 10:48 AM	#2
galadriel88 Halfwitted Queen of Lothlorien Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Far off in a dream Posts: 1,166	Pop culture, hmmm.... It seems to me that all societies have things that are popular with a majority of their citizens. These things may be related to religion, political beliefs, ecenomics, etc. In our case, pop culture is related to ecennomics, in that there are things that are popular for a while - fads - , lots and lots of people buy them, and they then become "out of style" or "unpopular." It helps keep the economy going, as you have different companies out there trying to keep up with the latest in pop culture. __________________ The beuatiful mind/The beautiful heart/Doesn't deserve the pain/How can I stop the rain? -How Can I Stop the Rain? by Kessid, my new favorite band +Every good thing that comes into my life is only a reflection of the greatest gift of all; the offering of yourself, dear Son of God+ Always remember, you're uniqe, just like everybody else! "The one constant through all the years has been the Trombone. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. Its been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again, but the Trombone has marked the time. This field, this section, this band is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and could be again. Oh, people will come . . . people will most definitely come."

07-24-2002, 06:14 PM	#4
*HOBBIT* Saviour of Entmoot Admiral Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: NC/NJ (no longer Same place as bmilder.) Posts: 61,986	Well I think the popular music of today really sucks. How can kids listen to that garbage? I probably only think this because I am a musician and I know what real music should sound like. __________________ President Emeritus (2000-2004) Private message (or email) me if you need any assistance. I am here to help! "I'm up to here with cool, ok? I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis" - Zaphod Beeblebrox Latest Blog Post: Just Quit Facebook? No One Cares!

07-24-2002, 06:35 PM	#8
Sween im quite stupid Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cockermouth Posts: 2,058	i hate it when people get on there high musical horse and start critizing pop music. there is a good reason why it is called pop music and is so high up in the charts and that is because it is popular. and for somthing to be popular it is a pre requisit for it to make people happy. allthough n sync are not really my thing (im more of a........hmmmm lets not go into my music tatse lets just say ive a cd by sumone called lional) i have a little sis who is 6 and she dances about to bands like n sync and s club 7 and she has such a smile on her face its kinda sweet. they must be doing something right the sell out concerts all the time and get high up in the charts. When it comes to music if it makes ne one happy its allright with me __________________ Yeah god hes ok but i would rather be judged by a sheep than that idiot

07-24-2002, 06:38 PM	#9
BeardofPants the Shrike Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA <3 Posts: 10,647	Modern music DOES suck. It has no imagination, no originality, and it's all about marketing instead of quality. I'm thoroughly sick of bubblegum pop. And as for pop-culture, the reason it is so popular is because people are sheep, they like to fit in, and follow the herd. I think they also like being mindless. How many tripe movies are being produced these days? (versus) How many movies actually challenge your beliefs? Your mind? When was the last time you saw a movie which actually managed to confuse or make you feel uncomfortable? Look at what movies win academy awards. They're the "safe" ones. Bah! Give me movies, culture, music etc with grit, and originality, which isn't "produced." Ergh. __________________ "Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords

07-24-2002, 03:03 PM	#3
Rána Eressëa The Rogue Elf Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,722	Well, yeah. Pretty much. The more people change their mind on what they want, the more they buy, the more money that's made. Then, you have the universal squeaky clean and perfect things/people that everyone wants to see because it allows them to dream of what they'll never have or never be. Pop culture is a superficial, high-above regular human standards world that most people want to be a part of. Or at least that's how I see it.

07-24-2002, 06:20 PM	#5
Andúril The Original Corruptor Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,881	And what exactly should real music sound like?

07-24-2002, 06:22 PM	#6
Rána Eressëa The Rogue Elf Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,722	Pooey. Music is music. People just like different kinds. Pop culture, however, circles less around music and more around what the people making the music look like.

07-24-2002, 06:28 PM	#7
Andúril The Original Corruptor Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,881	And how they jump around n sink with the music.

07-24-2002, 06:41 PM	#10
Lizra Domesticated Swing Babe Join Date: May 2002 Location: Reality Posts: 5,340	I think pop culture is meant for and made by young people. I really don't pay that much attention to it. Here today, gone tomorrow. It's just a way for young people to have fun, assume an identity, and occupy themselves till they get more serious. (I'm not putting it down, it serves a purpose, of course some young people don't buy into it, it is pretty silly! ) Last edited by Lizra : 07-24-2002 at 06:44 PM.

07-24-2002, 08:11 PM	#11
Erawyn Elven Warrior Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: america junior Posts: 320	yes its all about money and large corporations and whatnot, i mean thats mostly why pop culture exists isn;t it? but why can't people be less sheepish and develop their own opinions, tastes, and decide what they find interesting for themselves? Just because something is extensively promoted doesn't mean we all have to like it (although apparently i am wrong, it does) at least the whole teeny bopper thing seems to be running out of steam. i'll be relieved when n'sync is dead. __________________ peace never hurt anyone "Be not so bigoted to any custom as to worship it at the expense of Truth." Johann Georg von Zimmermann

07-24-2002, 08:15 PM	#12
*HOBBIT* Saviour of Entmoot Admiral Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: NC/NJ (no longer Same place as bmilder.) Posts: 61,986	Shockingly I agree with BOP. __________________ President Emeritus (2000-2004) Private message (or email) me if you need any assistance. I am here to help! "I'm up to here with cool, ok? I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis" - Zaphod Beeblebrox Latest Blog Post: Just Quit Facebook? No One Cares!

07-24-2002, 08:24 PM	#13
Rána Eressëa The Rogue Elf Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,722	I like the nitty-gritty stuff other people can't handle. A lot of pop culture I see, I don't like. But some of it I do, so I'm pretty neutral I guess.

07-24-2002, 11:48 PM	#15
galadriel Elven Warrior Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: a castle made of clouds Posts: 459	As far as I know, kids like pop music just because they don't know any better. It has a good dancing beat, and if you haven't heard real music, this qualifies it as "good" music. Of course, it's generally not good music. It's all about looks, glamour, and money. (ie, Britney Spears types. Are there dozens of non-mainstream singers who are much more talented than her? Absolutely. Do they consent to sing cheesy lyrics while wearing see-through clothing? I think not.) So music becomes just another product. Admittedly, pop music is fun when you're in middle school, but once you get older and develop (hopefully) some taste, I can't understand why you'd listen to it. Shows a lack of individuality on the listener's part. When it comes to pop culture at large, I personally go the way of early-industrial Japan: selective borrowing works every time. When you reject all pop culture on principle, you can become just another kind of snob. So pick what works for you and ditch the rest. __________________ Human kind cannot bear very much reality. dreamflower - for all things Lady Galadriel

07-25-2002, 01:27 PM	#18
Erawyn Elven Warrior Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: america junior Posts: 320	love natalie imbruglia, but i only have her old CD. does anyone have the new one? is it even out yet? __________________ peace never hurt anyone "Be not so bigoted to any custom as to worship it at the expense of Truth." Johann Georg von Zimmermann

07-25-2002, 04:16 PM	#19
Wayfarer The Insufferable Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,333	Why is Pop culture popular? ]: ) Mayhap it is because pop (popular) is simply whatever happens to be in vogue at any given time? hmmm? __________________ Disgraced he may be, yet is not dethroned, and keeps the rags of lordship once he owned

07-25-2002, 04:21 PM	#20
Wayfarer The Insufferable Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,333	And as regards that... because america has been systematically dumbing itself down for years... and the rest of the world emulates america. The feelings oriented, thought-deprived, wholly subjective political agenda makes it hard to get people to actually think for themselves. And, in a sad irony, many of hte most intellegent americans spend their time supporting this view. __________________ Disgraced he may be, yet is not dethroned, and keeps the rags of lordship once he owned

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
America and Its Culture	hectorberlioz	General Messages	90	02-23-2007 02:27 PM
The N-word and ghetto sadness/stupidity	The Telcontarion	General Messages	39	02-20-2007 12:45 PM
hobbit culture	imrahil	Middle Earth	11	10-09-2004 02:50 PM
If you like Japanese culture, langauge, anime, etc	afro-elf	General Messages	17	10-11-2003 03:50 PM
European City of Culture	Draken	General Messages	11	06-15-2003 10:59 AM