The American way of life revolves around popular culture. The artifacts surrounding them shape the lives and personalities of individuals. The choices people make regarding the things they buy come from commercials they have seen on TV, ads in the newspaper, or something they have seen someone else possess. Advertisers design marketing campaigns that are especially appealing to get consumers to purchase their products. But, are consumers aware of the affect popular culture has on their lives? Identifiable Patterns
America has become a society of people who demand instant gratification and convenience. A distinctive pattern has emerged to fulfill the demands of consumers by providing them with everything from fast food windows, where they do not even have to leave their car to get food, to grocery delivery services that bring food directly to their house. Advertisers design marketing campaigns to persuade consumers to buy their products not based not solely on the product itself, but on the convenience it will provide to them.
Most of the things people buy are for entertainment purposes. Things like CD’s, DVD’s, toys, and even vehicles are purchased for recreational purposes. The fact that the entertainment industry is a multi-billion dollar industry provides evidence as to where Americans spend enormous amounts of money. Leisure activities are an important part of society.
The Essay on Why Do Bad Things Happer To Good People
Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do good things happen to bad people? These two questions have bewildered mankind throughout the centuries. Even the greatest philosophers and theologians have yet to develop a concrete answer. Philosophers, theologians, and even religious leaders have developed many hypotheses. Some of these hypotheses support each other while others conflict. It is for ...
Purchases made by Americans more often then not are done so to reflect a certain kind of status. They go to tanning salons, get their hair and nails done, and buy designer clothes and jewelry. They buy expense cars and eat expensive food and all of these things are designed to portray their level of success in life.
Indication of Trends
Restaurants are affected by pop culture as well. Whether it be the type of restaurant that becomes popular because of a fad or trend, or an item added to an already existing restaurants menu because of a certain type of diet that happens to be popular at the time. For example Sushi restaurants have become an increasingly popular trend. All different kinds off low carbohydrate diets are popular now, and several fast food chains and restaurants have followed suit by incorporating low carbohydrate menu items. “For more than 150 years restaurants have been a central part of the American experience. More than mere eating establishments, they have been important regional landmarks, community meeting spots and cultural institutions” (Barbas, S 2003).
Reality TV shows have taken over the networks and show no signs of slowing down in the near future. Americans are addicted to these types of programs and seem to be able to watch one after another. One articles says, “Even if you didn’t watch it was hard not to be engulfed by “Survivor” it was everywhere”(Rieder, R 2000).
From Survivor to Forensic files it is all about reality.
One authors says of Survivor, “the show follows a persistent trend in popular culture that thrives on producing ways and knowledge for consumers to use, understand and derive pleasure from products.” (Murray, K 2001).
This comment is indicative that not only are these reality shows here to stay, but they provide a platform for advertisers to sell their products.
It has even become trendy to protect the environment. Several famous actors and actresses have bought environmentally safe vehicles. Americans always want to be like their favorite actors and actresses so they go out and buy them too. The hybrid vehicles have become some of the highest selling vehicles on the market.
The Term Paper on American Culture 2
The arts, more than other features of culture, provide avenues for the expression of imagination and personal vision. They offer a range of emotional and intellectual pleasures to consumers of art and are an important way in which a culture represents itself. There has long been a Western tradition distinguishing those arts that appeal to the multitude, such as popular music, from those—such as ...
People are becoming more focused on their health as well. The fitness business is more lucrative now than it has ever been. People cannot turn on the TV without seeing a commercial for a gym or some type of diet product designed to help them lose weight. There are health food stores on every corner. Trader Joes, a popular organic health food store always has long lines of people waiting to buy their products.
The author of this essay realizes the effect popular culture has on the lifestyle she lives. She has made decisions to buy products based on commercials she has seen on TV. She has bought clothes because they looked good on someone else. She has also tried new food because they were new and popular. However, to say that it is thought about every time she buys a Mocha Caramel Frappuccino from Starbucks, or to say she buys products based solely because it was advertised on TV, or worn by someone else would not be correct either. The products she buys are bought because they are personally appealing to her not because everyone else is buying it. For example, if she sees a certain article of clothing on someone else and likes it, if it doesn’t look good on her she will not buy it. In the end it is definitely been more of a subconscious influence.
References
Barbas, S (2003, Spring).
“I’ll Take Chop Suey” Restaurants as Agents of Culinary and CulturalChange. _Journal of Popular_ _Culture, 36_ (4), 669, 18p; Abstract retrieved
November 16, 2004 from EBSCO Host database.
Murray, K (200, Fall).
Surviving Survivor: Reading Mark Burnett’s Field Guide
and
De-naturalizing Social Darwinism as Entertainment. _Journal of American & Comparative_ _Cultures_, _24_ (3/4), 43, 12p; Abstract retrieved November 16, 2004, from EBSCO Host database.
Rieder, R (2000, October).
Surviving Reality Television: Does Pop Culture Belong on Page One? _American Journalism Review_, _22_ (8), 6, 1p; Abstract retrieved November 16, 2004 from EBSCO Host database.
