Critical Thinking Blog #3

Respond to the following prompt:

Consider the current youth popular culture compared to those of the past. What movements do you have in your youth culture? How are you a part of your youth culture?

When I think about the current youth culture today, I see a lot of the fashion movement to be quite popular. The media significantly contributes to this also. Magazines and television show what the "ideal" look is, and people believe what they see. When I was in high school, the best thing to do on the weekends was make a shopping trip to the mall with your friends to stay up with the latest fashions. Trends are always changing and youths care so much about what others think of them they will do anything to "fit in" with the popular trend of the moment. In the past, fashion was not a huge industry. Today, the fashion industry is huge. The worth of "designer" clothes is outrageous. When I read fashion magazines I am literally appaled by the prices of things. In the past, the worth of fashion was not nearly as much. I feel like I am part of this culture in a way, but not to the extent of top of the line fashion industries.

Pre-Reading Blog #3

Prompt: How do you perceive your popular culture? What does popular culture consist of in your world? Music? TV? The Web? Fashion? What attracted you to this particular section of popular culture? Why do you like it? How do you understand its history? Please end your blog with at least one good critical question.

Although there is a lot of heavy criticism with popular culture, I myself do take part in it and enjoy much of it. In my world, pop culture consists of a lot of things, including movies, books, the web, music, and even fashion. I can't drive in my car without my music. What I like about music is that is calms me down in a way and allows me to focus. When I'm driving and it is silent my mind wonders everywhere and I easy get distracted. Fashion is also a part of my life, although it is often perceived as materialistic and consumerist. I have worked in a clothing store since I was 15, four years now and I love it. Clothing often allows people to express themselves. I love the diverse fashion styles of every culture. The web is like my users manual. I use it everyday for everything. From communicating with friends and family, to shopping, to research, you name it and I use it just for that. The web connects everyone and it is very resourceful. Movies for me are pure entertainment. Movies allow me to sort of leave my own reality and just watch anothers. It's nice to leave the stresses of your own life for just a little bit when watching a movie. These popular cultures seem to be a big part of my life, yet to me not in any negative way.

Critical question: What emphasis does pop culture have in the life of Susan Jacoby?