Contemporary Icons

The three contemporary icons that I have selected are

1.     Reality Television show: MasterChef

2.     Social networking sites: like facebook, twitter, orkut, myspace,

3.     Media personality: Prabal Gurung (Most sought after fashion designer)

In today’s world mass media has taken over people so much that our life revolves around it. During our daily routine we tend to use one or the other media. Television has become a huge part of our life. It is a recreational factor for every age. And these days every television channels has at least one reality show because it has been a hit and everybody loves to watch it. In fact I think it’s a great time pass. The reality show that I am talking about here is a show called MasterChef. It is a television cooking game show, which was first aired on television in 1990 in the UK version of the show. After that the show was a big hit and many other countries around the world starting to use the same logo of the MasterChef. Today MasteChef is produced in more than 35 countries in the world and airs in at least 200 territories, which is great. This show is really interesting and it gives the viewers or the person who love to cook more confidence and has helped them realize that we should do what we love to do; you never know we might just succeed. All we need is a little confidence in ourselves and a lot of dedication towards our passion. And it has helped people showcase their hidden talent in cooking because not everyone who participates in the show is a cook or a housewife. Some of them are teachers, musician, and artist as well. So it is really fun to watch the show because different people from different background showcasing their art through cooking is very interesting. I personally love it because I am a food lover and has helped me learn to cook new things too.

 The next icon that I selected is social networking sites like facebook, twiiter, hi5, myspace etc. This is also another icon, which has hold people together no matter how far they are from eachother. Today who doesn’t have a facebook page or who doesn’t have a twitter account? We would rather open a page and see what’s going on in their life than to call them and ask them personally. It has made our life so much better and easier. Today facebook is one of the many popular means of social networking. And twitter is used to express one’s mood or their current location, which has been more popular in the celebrities or businessmen’s world. The world has narrowed down due to these kinds of sites. My generation has become so into these social networking sites that each and every thing is done or seen from one’s facebook page or twitter page. Verbal communication has lessened which these social networking sites have replaced. But I guess we shouldn’t be depending on these computers for all our life. I guess I should try to live a week without it. The big question here is can I or can’t I ????

The last icon that I selected is Prabal Gurung. People are so into fashion these days. All they want to be is fashionable and stay in style. Prabal Gurung has become the hottest new designer in the fashion industry today. And the good thing about it is that he is also a Nepali guy born in Singapore and raised in Nepal. I feel so proud that a Nepali citizen is doing well worldwide. It is a great motivation for other upcoming fashion designer in our country. He has totally become an icon to every single girl or guys. I mean everyone in the Hollywood is wearing he’s designs from Michelle Obama to Demi Moore and many more another actresses has worn he’s design. Prabal Gurung has become a renowned fashion designer in a very short period of time which is a really good thing because it takes a lot time for some people to get this name and fame specially in Hollywood and hat’s off to he’s hard work and dedication. I really wish to meet him someday and wear he’s designs even though I cannot afford it. ;)

So, these three icons, which I have selected, are the major three things, which people are into these days. It is the three major parts of popular culture today .

Popular Culture and Facebook

 

The term ‘popular culture’ holds different meanings depending on who’s defining it and the context of use. It is generally recognized as the vernacular or people’s culture that predominates in a society at a point in time.

I tried to search a particular meaning for popular culture. It has a variety of explanations and abundant definitions. With the fundamental aspects in mind, popular culture may be defined as the products and forms of expression and identity that are frequently encountered or widely accepted, commonly liked or approved, and characteristic of a particular society at a given time. Similarly in the context of viewing the literary dimensions, I came across Ray Browne and in his essay ‘Folklore to Populore’ offers a similar definition: “Popular culture consists of the aspects of attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, customs, and tastes that define the people of any society. Popular culture is, in the historic use of term, the culture of the people.”

A popular culture involves a large mass, thereby making it eminent and renowned. Therefore if any business ideas could be innovated keeping in mind, the concept of popular culture it is sure to take off profligately. Popular culture is proposed by the mass media and given that the audience is large it plays a major role in the society.  The understanding of popular culture is important in business. Popular culture is produced in order to shape the perception of the masses, therefore when businesses are selling their products they will have to propose certain popular culture in order for the consumers to accept the product, this can only be done through the mass media whereby a certain cultural text is proposed by the media in order to promote the product of the business.

 

One of the most influential and popular culture these days would be the extensive use of face book. The culture is not just limited within a certain mass of people; rather it has engulfed children, youths, adults and senior citizens too. However, the charm of this culture predominantly exists among the youths. Everyone is updating their statuses, everyone is posting their photos, everyone loves to know what is going around them, and everyone loves being on “ Face book”. “Facebooking”is the common term that is used exclusively these days and at homes or offices, at business hubs, schools or colleges, facebook stands as an almighty. Moreover, thanks to the wireless connections or wi-f, and 3G,  facebook can be used almost everywhere; yes, while you’re walking or traveling or even shopping. Facebook has done wonders! 

There is no doubt that facebook is globalizing us as well as our lives, but we need to control facebook and make sure that facebook never controls us back. It should never be given that space to hinder our productivity and efficiency. Using it rightfully can promulgate activism because of its association with popular culture, but exploiting it can cause a serious damage too. Just because it is a popular culture does not permit one to ignore their responsibilities and duties. 

Therefore, popular culture is something which people live with, but in different phases of time. It has to come into every body’s notion that a thing that is popular today may not be as popular tomorrow.