A Royal Wedding. (Assignment 4-1)

The week before any wedding has a lot of excitement and wonder attached to it. When you are talking the royal wedding that excitement gets multiplied and shared all over the world. The upcoming wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton has the media on it's toes ready and willing to divulge every detail of the upcoming nuptials. It is almost impossible now, 6 says before the wedding, to turn on a news station and not hear updates and breaking news.

When the world fell in love with Lady Diana Spencer, the future wife of Prince Charles we became enamored with these royal weddings, their traditions, and their expenses. Charles and Diana were married on July 29th, 1981 at St Paul Cathedral in front of 750 million global viewers. Their wedding 29 years ago cost them over 6.4 million dollars and became one of the most grand royal weddings that has only begun to catch our attention (Stasi). William and Kate will take their vows on April 28, 2011, just under one week from today at Westminster Abbey in front of many friends family and foreign royalty. There is expected to be viewership of over 2 billion people watching on their televisions and through online broadcasts. The total cost of their nuptials is yet to be divulged, but can be expectedly more than Williams parents ("The royal wedding," 2011).

Prince William and his bride to be Kate Middleton have captured the hearts of wedding enthusiasts all across the globe. There is a page in almost every pop culture magazine and website dedicated to these two. They have become cultural icons not only in England, but in the US and abroad. Everyone is wanting to know who she will be wearing what kind of accessories will adorn her, how will she adjust to royal life. What could it be like knowing one day you might be the queen of England? This wedding gives hope to all of the non-royal little girls who dream of becoming a real life princess.


Stasi, L. (n.d.). Di-secting the royal wedding, how will will and kate's big day measure up. Retrieved from http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/di_ssecting_the_royal_wedding_eE2xvX26RLjBorxh6MLJEI

The royal wedding william & kate. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.theroyalweddingwilliamkate.com/

The Game of Life (Assignment 3-3, Stereotypes)

                When thinking of my favorite game, I go back to the game of Life.  Life is a simple board game that I played over and over again with my mom, cousins, and friends, I even still have a copy in my home just in case.  To me this game was a chance to have fun, and pretend to be someone different for just a little while.  I got to be the millionaire, the mom, the police officer, and the banker in charge of all the money.  This game meant that I got to be grown up for awhile and imagine what life could have in store for me.  It was a fun yet harmless competition that I could have with someone else, and learn a few of life’s lessons along the way.

                Life, however, is a game full of stereotypes about society and the people who live within it.  Explicitly, the game puts you on life’s path and sends you in the proper direction while really only giving you one choice.  In the beginning you get to choose for yourself whether you would like to go to college or not, but silently only lets you pick certain careers while keeping some for only the college grads along with the level of salary that you are allowed earn.  Next it sends you through the turmoil and fun of being a young adult followed by a quick dash to life’s next big step, getting married.  Life then sends you on your way and tells you next that after marriage is buying a house together.  Secretly it keeps you wishing that you get the big house, and not the one that is shoddy and looks in despair.  Then through the journey of adulthood, everywhere you go so does your husband or wife, and if you’re lucky you will get to have a few children along the way, more fate than choice.  You get the special tiles for doing big life altering things like writing a novel, becoming famous, or anything that is within the public eye.  It tells you the only way to win at Life is to have the most money at retirement and reside in style at the upscale resort that isn’t for those who weren’t able to save as much money. 

               The forces behind the stereotypes comes from a mix of social, religious, cultural, and economic stereotyping.  It stems from the beliefs that people should be married and stable before having children, purchasing houses, and retiring.  There is a stigma attached to those who go outside the beaten path and the judgments imposed are those based on our own societal, religious, or cultural upbringing and beliefs.  These stereotypes come from peer and family pressure in that we don't want to dissapoint those we love.  They stem from our want to fit in with society and and be a part of something we believe to be bigger or better.

               Holding on to these stereotypes can be harmful, however, if we do not allow ourselves to live with an open mind.  Stereotypes can teach an important set of morals, values, and acceptable behavior, but can hinder creativity and the chance to explore all that they can be in life.  While the game of Life is fun, exciting, and a gives many options for exploring our own futures as a kid, it can be pressuring children to have a certain mindset before they are mature enough to make their own decisions.

The 1920's and 1930's (Assignment 1-5)

Defining the Era

The 1920s and 1930s was a time of great change in American history, fashion, art, music, and other pop culture artifacts.  It was a time period in which our lives were becoming bigger and fuller.  Women were at work and college learning to become great inventors, artists, and professionals.  The Volstead Act too place in 1920 and prohibited the sale of drinks that contained more than one half ounce of alcohol.  The roaring ‘20s was a time of prohibition, speakeasies and bootleg whisky.  1921 is the year the 19^th amendment was passed allowing women to vote in national elections.  The stock market was the most active it had ever been during the 1920’s until the fall of ’29 when on Black Thursday the stock market crashed and sent the US into a panic causing the greatest period of recession in history known as the Great Depression.  The US and its people lived through this dark and hard period through most the 1930s before the economy recovered.  In the 1930’s the       Social Security Act of 1935 was set up to ensure income for the elderly.  These decades were the turning point for the American economy becoming regulated more and more by the federal government. 

People

The 1920s was the era of Harry Houdini, Henry Ford, and Al Capone.  It was the decade of the gangsters, intolerance, sawed off shotguns and crime.  Flappers could be seen in the clubs with the men It was a time of the mass production of automobiles which lowered the price to $290 for a car.  Charles Lindbergh finished the first transatlantic flight.  In the 1930’s Amelia Earhart followed the aviation style of Lindbergh and became the woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.  Jesse Owens became the star of the decade by winning four gold medals in Berlin at the Olympics.  Frank Lloyd Wright was a famous architect and developing turn of the century designs building higher and higher.  It was an era full of life and prosperity along with great hope for the future of the company turned bleak and full of despair and fighting to regain control of the economy and the American dream.

Movies and Radio

The 1920’s was big on silent films, and known most famously in the movie industry for starting the Oscars in 1927.  People in the 1930’s were big on film during the great depression, and movies such as “Gone with the Wind” and “The Grapes of Wrath” became huge films that are still popular.  Movie Stars were born such as Clark Gable, Bette Davis, and Gretta Garbo.  Disney developed and released their first animated movie “Snow White”.  People were fascinated with Bob Hope and the Marx Brothers.  Families would gather around their radios to listen to “Fireside Chats” of Franklin Roosevelt and delightfulness of Bing Crosby. 

Music

The 1920’s was the era of Jazz and the Grand Ole Opry which was first transmitted over the radio in the ‘20s.  It was the Charleston, Black Bottom, and the Shimmy dance moves at the clubs.  The 1930’s evolved into the big band era, and the ways of Duke Ellington, and a motto of “It don’t mean a thing, if you ain’t got that swing”.

Fun Facts

This is the era of the mass production of fashion as women were moving away from staying at home and more toward careers and dreams. 

A pack of cigarettes cost 10 cents in 1920

Board games most played were Mahjong, Ouija, and in the ‘30s, Monopoly was first released. 

Hats were a definition of social class and status

The Empire State Building and Chrysler building were completed in this time period. 

The Mount Rushmore memorial was completed in this era by Gutzon Borglum. 

These were two great centuries to explore and gain a wider understanding of pop culture.  This era is truly what started the American ideals of movie stars and role models that weren't necessarily intellectuals btu entertainers.

Fashion?!?

          While getting my daily dose of pop culture through Yahoo.com, I stumbled across a link to check out the best and worst dressed of the CMAs.  Knowing that they regularly judge each iconic figure who walks the red carpet for major awards events, I asked myself the question, who has the professional opinion that constitutes what is fashion.  We as a society sit back, watch these shows, and read the critiques the next day to discover who was the ultimate best and worst dressed for the evening.  The impending questions are on what really is fashionable, and how can I get one that I can afford?

            Fashion is the style of hair, clothing, accessories, purses, and shoes that we choose to wear on any given day.  Why would be choose such an outfit?  Did we see it in a magazine, on television, is it our own unique twist on a current fashion?  It is the theory of some analysts that designers create the future of fashion.  These designers give their clothes away or pay celebs and models to wear certain outfits so the paparazzi will inevitably see them out and shoot photos of them.  We as consumers of pop culture and fashion goods will want to dress similar to the people we idolize and hope that this fashion looks just as good on us. This is what creates fashion in their minds.  Another idea is that the Color Marketing Group people help to develop fashion.  They are a group of professionals who design, market, and teach with color.  They hold forums to develop a palate of colors based on ones that are going to be used frequently throughout the year based on past trends and upcoming world events.  They sell these palates to designers and fashonistas across the globe and that is how designers decide which direction to go when designing their new line.  I can only suppose there is a panel of judges somewhere that has been clued in to the information of trending styles and colors that gets to make the official professional opinion in what’s in and what’s out or who’s hot and who’s not. 

            As for getting your hands on a little piece of fashion with a little more reasonably priced tag (I use reasonably priced loosely), well the internet can be your best friend.  These immediately popular looks that we all want to own but have nowhere to wear can all be found just by typing in the favorite designer of the evening.  The internet is full of plenty of designer knockoff styles the day after celebs hit the runway.  Sites such as Yahoo.com put the links to the dresses up with them occasionally, if not in the original article, in a follow up a few weeks later.  Is it easier to copy the style that has already been critiqued and refined than take the risk?  In my opinion, yes, for those of us who are not the visionary types, I thank the paparazzi for recording the styles I love but would not have had the guts to try!

Contemporary Idols

            In pop culture I identify icons as people, places, or things that have a noticeable impact on our ways of thinking and viewing the world.  After giving this some thought I think three of the most influential icons of my time are Lance Armstrong, John Stewart, and Oprah Winfrey.  Lance Armstrong is a seven time Tour de France winner, and advocate for cancer research.  He started his own charity Livestrong and most notably sells wrist bands for people to buy and donates the proceeds to cancer research.  John Stewart is the current host of the Daily Show which discusses politics and news in an unusual yet fun manner.  He is a proponent for spreading the word to vote, becoming informed citizens, and taking advantage of being a free American citizen.  We all know who Oprah Winfrey is and about her talk show.  Oprah a new network owner, and women’s empowerment and education advocate is responsible for the discussion of topics that reach people of all ages and cultures.  Oprah’s  most generous acts come from her Angel Network and the work she is doing to help underprivileged girls in countries that normally wouldn’t have the same chances for education.  

            I chose these icons because they are all actively working to better the lives of those around them.  Even though they are not all doing the same work, it is all important in its own special way.  Lance Armstrong and his Livestrong charity is important to the people fighting and surviving cancer and their family members.  The bracelets that he is selling and people are continuing to wear is a constant reminder that we are all in this fight together.  As simple of an idea as it may be, it connects us as human beings without dividing us into races, genders, or ages.  I believe that through connecting people together for a cause it brings us one step closer to connecting and understanding each other.  John Stewart works in a different fashion, he uses humor to reach his audiences.  John Stewart is a political advocate for becoming empowered American citizens.  Although he may have his views and political ties, he is open minded when it comes to awareness and the power of voting and being heard.  John Stewart is not afraid to team up with those from other sides in the spirit of good humor, good debate, and good conscious.  He is getting the young voters charged, helping them to become educated, and relating world topics to things they are interested in and can understand.  John Stewart may not be devoting his life to charity, but he is helping the future of our country one laugh at a time.  Oprah, one of the few women of the world who don’t need a last name to be known.  As a talk show host, Oprah has done more to help women understand themselves, give them hope in ways no one person can.  As a philanthroper she has shown us the power of helping others and giving them a second chance through donating time, energy, or money.  She is truly one of the most iconic women of our times, and her goodwill will live one through our children and grandchildren for a long time to come. 

I in the end chose these icons because they are all people that I have learned something from.  Lance Armstrong is a person who has lived his life through dedication, willpower, and the strength to fight through cancer and seven of the toughest bike races in the world.  He is a person that I look up to and would want my future children to see as inspiration too.  John Stewart is an icon that interests me because during the last election and throughout the years following, I have watched him become a hub of information for people in their twenties and more.  He can relate to them in ways that no politician can.  John Stewart gives relevant facts, and encourages a confused generation become responsible Americans.  This is important because as a generation the late X’s and Y’s have not been held as responsible as they should be for the future of our nation.  Oprah almost stands for herself, she is one of the greatest and most charitable icons of this generation.  Her ability to touch people and changes lives through good and humanity is a beautiful thing to witness.  In my life, philanthropy is important, using talents, abilities, and situations to help others less fortunate is great feeling.  Oprah is a person to look up to and use as an idol for doing good and spreading the wealth of money, wealth of knowledge, and wealth of truth. 

Blogging about Bloggind

            I was trying to decide what I would write about for my first attempt at a real bog, searching the internet high and low for just the perfect reminder of what pop culture is to me and what about pop culture peaks my interest.  I realized that blogging and it power to connect people to each other is what I had been researching and dissecting the past few weeks. 

            What started out as an online journal entry, writers forums, or weblogs, have become what we know of today as the blog.  A blog can be a powerful tool that allows us to reach millions of people throughout the world.  A blog can be a website, part of a website, part of a larger forum, or found in many different areas of the web.  It can be used for ranting, reveling, describing, divulging, or polling.  Most often a person’s blog is used to spread some of their vast knowledge with people looking for that particular information, or personal feelings on topics to share with people who have the same opinions and interests.  Most importantly what defines a blog is that it is an unfiltered forum for sharing ideas and generally a place for commenting and conversing. 

            What I find the most interesting about blogging is that it has become more than just an idea of expression and connecting with people.  Blogging is a money making entity, get enough people to follow you and you can earn advertising money, become a link within in newspapers and magazines, or any number of options that can result in a high paying job.  Maybe not surprisingly, but some of the highest grossing blogs have come from blogging about pop culture itself.  As a society, we have become obsessed with celebs misbehaving, royal weddings, and reality T.V. drama, of course, the more pictures and videos the better.  Now as much as people are writers for printed copies of People Magazine, Cosmopolitan, or even the USA Today, and other magazines or newspapers they have become blurbs of print with a follow her at…   There are so many avenues to explore when considering blogging as a money making opportunity.  As a career, blogging could be incredibly lucrative with the right set of skills and an ability to entertain an audience.  I often wonder if I could make it in this one day you’re in and one day you’re out atmosphere, if I were a better writer of course.

References:

Gavriliuc, S. (2010) Top best most popluar blogs to watch in 2010. Retrieved on April 2, 2010 from http://ceoworld.biz/ceo/2010/03/29/top-best-most-popular-blogs-to-watch-in-2010

Problogger (n.d.) 31 Days to building a better blog. Retrieved on April 2, 2010 from http://www.problogger.net/archives/category/31-days-to-building-a-better-blog

Pop Culture Artifacts...

Pop Culture, as defined by me, is a piece of our culture that envelops current art, music, icons, fads, and other pieces of our social experiences.  Generally we think of pop culture as being a tangible object or an intangible idea that affects a group of people in how they act, think, or feel.  Pop culture changes with its audience and is often the cause of changes throughout society.  Personally, I see pop culture as the face of generations, and way to watch the development of groups of people as we were influenced by music, television, and icons of our own times.  I believe that pop culture and the dissection of its histories is important for all generations in order to learn how to relate to one another.  Keeping current on its topics will only allow us as people to stay on the sharp in the ways of human relations.

In business, pop culture can teach us a lot about people we are currently working with and those that we are interested in dealing with.  Knowing how to relate to people of many cultures as well as generations can be important in developing and maintaining relationships.  Pop culture shows us what society deems acceptable in fashion, slang, discussion points, and other generalizations.  It is important for marketing and advertising campaigns, learning what will entice a group of consumers to purchase a product or service.  Pop culture can help a struggling company find a new niche in moving forward as much as studying pop culture can help a thriving company stay on top of the market share.  Businesses are founded on consumers needing their product, and these consumers are founded on the culture surrounding them. 

When I think of pop culture, and pieces that have had an impact on society, I think of Friends, the television show that ran from the mid ‘90’s to the mid 2000’s.  It was prime-time T.V. show that changed the way people dressed, cut their hair, ate, drank, and spoke.  Quoting the show quickly became a fad around the office the next day, as well as comparing our lives to theirs as if they were real friends of ours.  Friends, opened the door for many more sitcoms by tackling awkward moments, and other issues that people didn’t put on television before.  It still to this day has us looking as how Jennifer Anniston does her hair, and what is happening with Matthew Perry or the rest of the cast.  I believe that this was a sitcom that had a tremendous effect on pop culture.