Of Storey’s six definitions that characterize popular culture, I agree most with his first definition: that popular culture is well-liked and favored by many people. When I think of popular culture, some things that come to mind are hyped summer blockbusters, passionate, dedicated fan bases, and top music chart hits. Popular culture includes things that are wildly enjoyed and consumed by the people’s interests. Furthermore, some interesting trends that support the definition of popular culture as widely-favored culture are the spending of massive amounts of money spent towards said liked subjects and the formation of enormous, thrilled fan base followings.
One of the ways we can see that popular culture is indeed culture that is liked by many is through the tremendous amounts of money spent towards things considered as popular culture. Naturally, people tend to spend money on things that they enjoy. For example, critics and movie-viewers alike greatly enjoy Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy. Advertisements and rumors about the summer hits exploded the hype, and people excitedly discussed their theories of the movie’s various elements 24/7. Moreover, the trilogy has easily earned over $2.3 billion worldwide since its 2005 debut. The box office profits of the Dark Knight Rises alone after 2 months accounts for $1.0 billion and counting. The large blockbuster sales convey and cement the people’s favor towards the Batman trilogy. Moreover, another example of something that can be reaffirmed as pop culture through its massive revenues is Apple and its wildly successful product line. Today, iPhones and MacBooks are easily among the most popular electronics. They are in the pockets and computer bags of millions because of their renowned effectiveness and sleek styling. One can also see the mass favor towards Apple through its incredible annual revenue and successful stock prices. In Q1 2011, Apple’s iPhone generated a total of $10.47 billion, while the iPad made $4.6 billion. APPL stock grew from $2.75 in 1980 to $396.75 in August 2011. They are often referred to as today’s technologic monopoly that has easily earned the obsession of thousands of consumers. As seen through the Batman trilogy and Apple products, items of popular culture that are widely-favored by the people are also supported by their large spending.
Furthermore, the definition of popular culture as well-liked culture can be supported by large fan bases followings. Hardcore and casual fans often come together to form massive followings, cooperatively sharing a common passions towards things they enjoy. For example, the creative, block-building game Minecraft has captured the hearts of millions of players. Players praise its development team Mojang for responding to the opinions of the user base and releasing numerous free updates; millions of gamers alike online vouch for the indie game’s recent prominence. Moreover, there have even been Minecraft conventions called MineCon that has attracted thousands of players around the world to meet and celebrate Minecraft. Another example of a large fan base that illuminates a clear favoring towards culture, aka popular culture, is the college football community. Millions of Americans come together to enjoy the tradition of watching their favorite colleges compete in the beloved sport of football. Fans attend football games and form tailgating parties where they can obsess and debate over the teams. Clearly, college football is popular culture that is widely favored and discussed by the people all the time; the passionate fan following further cements college football as part of American popular culture.
Some may disagree with the Storey’s definition of popular culture as well-liked culture; they say that things can be popular for being bad or disliked. For example, people argue that Jersey Shore is popular for featuring airheaded individuals that party and argue for no good reason; people think its popular for its pointlessness. However, the critics fail to realize that they themselves, in part, actually enjoy hating and bashing the show. People often obtain a sense of moral elevation when they point out others flaws. So, in a sense, critics actually favor the show for its ability to be bashed.
I believe that popular culture is defined as culture that is well-liked by many. For example, the Batman trilogy and Apple are well-liked by many people, and their large profits support the fact. Other subjects of popular culture include Minecraft and college football, which are supported by large fan followings. Some may say that there are exceptions to Storey’s first definition, such as Jersey Shore or the Friday song which are famous for being disliked, but beneath the hatred lies, in a sense, an enjoyment or favoring in bashing their inadequacy. Popular culture consists of culture that is favored and well-liked for a variety of reasons; however, the fact remains that popular culture is largely culture enjoyed by the people’s favor and interests.
Blevins, Tal. “Minecon Is a Go!” IGN. IGN Entertainment, 18 Nov. 2011. Web. 03 Sept. 2012. <http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/18/minecon-is-a-go>.
Calonia, Jennifer. “History of AAPL: What If You Had Purchased Apple Stock in 1980? (Infographic).” GoBankingRates.com. Go Banking Rates, 7 Mar. 2012. Web. 03 Sept. 2012. <http://www.gobankingrates.com/investments/history-apple-stock-since-1980-infographic/>.
“The Dark Knight (2008).” Web log post. Rotten Tomatoes. Flixter, Inc., 18 July 2008. Web. 03 Sept. 2012. <http://www.rottentomatoes.com/>.
The Five Pop Culture Vultures 