HUMN240 Popular Culture

Throughout this course we have learned about different theories including stereotypes, rituals, formulas and others. The topic that best related to the topic of Violence in popular music was stereotypes. This topic was very relevant to the topic of violence in popular music and is a topic that is very prominent when listening to popular music. These stereotypes might be about the people who perform the music or those who listen to it. Many stereotypes about musicians include the type of people who create certain types of music. Some examples include that African Americans musician create rap and similar types of music and not country music. Country musicians have a stereotypical appearance of cowboy hats and boots. Stereotypes also relate to the people who listen to music. There are many stereotypes but it is often considered not normal when an eighty year old white male listens to rap music or something similar.
This class has presented some interesting information about theories and the topic of violence in popular culture. Throughout the class I found some interesting information about myths and how they might relate to popular music.
This course will help me to look at the topic of violence in popular music differently because of the information that was gathered. Throughout the class I researched myths, legends, rituals, stereotypes and other information and was surprised that each of these related to the topic of popular music in some way. This information has changed how I look at popular music by showing me more information about it and the way that it presents itself.

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Formulas are present in modern day movies, music, television shows, and books. These formulas define whom, what, how and other aspects of these entertainment venues. In popular music, these formulas may mean the difference between a big hit and big flop.
Formulas have been a part of music for many years but these formulas have changed over time. The formula used to create a song in the 1960’s is not the same as what would be used today. In that time the song duration, energy levels, tempo, volume, and other factors may have changed. These changes in the formula have resulted in completely different types of music then what was around 40 years ago.
There are some parts of the formula for making a pop song that have not changed. The introduction of a song is still present and lasts normally less then 15 seconds. The structure of music still remains that same. The AABA song structure is still popular in modern music and something that you will hear repeated throughout different music genres. The chorus of a song is not much different then what it was 40 years ago. The chorus is the hook of the song and what keeps the listener interested in the song. The bridge is the B section of the song and might vary in length but is normally eight measures. The bridge is a good place for the song to change keys, add an instrumental, or create other interest through different lyrics.
Popular music has changed in the last 40 years but with these changes parts of the formula for creating a hit have remained the same. The music of the earlier decades could be adapted easily to fit our era because the structure of many of these popular songs has not changed.

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The article that I chose to analyze was Diagnosing Drama: Grey's Anatomy, Blind Casting, and the Politics of Representation. This article was published in the Journal of Popular Culture in 2011 and was written by Amy Long.
This article focuses on the “race blind” casting behind the show Grey’s Anatomy and the politics that are involved in the show. The shows creator Shonda Rhimes, wrote the initial pilot episode without character descriptions, other than sex. This lack of character descriptions allowed the show to be cast without specific information about the race of the actors. This allowed for the casting of the show to be done without race in mind and actually resulted in a diverse cast. (Long, 2011)
This article also focuses on the politics behind the show and the effects that those politics have had on the show. The shows main focus is the “fairy tale” happy ending. This is dramatized on the show through the relationships of the two main characters Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd. Although the relationship of these two characters has been tumultuous throughout the show, they have ultimately continued to end up together. This idea of a fairy tale happy ending is also challenged throughout the show. In one episode Meredith drowns and although Derek finds her in the water, he is unable to save her life and become her “knight in shining armor.” This fairy tale ending is also challenged by the instability of the relationships with the rest of the cast. The cast has had its fair share of relationship problems and though this article was only referencing the first three seasons, these relationship problems continue throughout the show. (Long, 2011)
The final point of the article focuses on the conflicts between the actors on the show. Near the end of season two of the show two of the actors, Isaiah Washington and T.R. Knight, were involved in an altercation where Washington mad reference to Knight with a homosexual slur. Despite the blind casting of the show, the show was not without the drama that many other shows face. (Long, 2011)
The article is written for any audience. The information within the article is specific enough that those who know about the show would be able to understand the content described within the article. Those who had previous understanding of the shows content could also understand the article. The article contained references to the shows origin, description of its characters and additional notes at the end to supplement the contents of the article. (Long, 2011)
I believe that the main idea behind this article is that race affects every aspect of life even when you try to avoid it. Throughout the show the fairy tale ending never seems to happen for those who are not the traditional fairy tale characters. The fairy tale ending has still been difficult for the main characters of the show to attain. Meredith and Derek have been faced with him still being married, her death, his wife moving to Seattle, her nearly being killed by a bomb, him being shot, miscarriages, and losing their adopted child. Throughout this they have continued to return to their relationship but it’s not quite the happy ending that is idealized through fairy tales. (Long, 2011)
I agree with the main points that the author of this article has made. The article provides interesting and in depth information about the politics, drama, and relationships behind the show. Despite these factors the show has continued to thrive and is now into it’s eighth season. The show has helped the ABC network to receive high marks by civil rights groups for the interracial cast of the show. (Long, 2011)
The article is not a very important article in my opinion. Although it was interesting to read and think about this topic, there isn’t much value gained from reading the article. The article may be of value to those who are interested in civil rights or race relations. (Long, 2011)
References:

LONG, A. (2011). Diagnosing Drama: Grey's Anatomy, Blind Casting, and the Politics of Representation. The Journal of Popular Culture, 44(5), 1067-1084. doi:10.1111/j.1540-5931.2011.00888.x

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Heroes are described as a person who demonstrates heroic qualities such as courage, selflessness, loyalty, determination, valor, bravery or other qualities. Heroes are a concept that have been around for thousands of years and are based on an ideal that people strive towards. Heroes also have a fatal flaw that could result in their demise. The cult of celebrity is a term for those who become famous without any particular reason.
Heroes are not often thought of as a part of popular music. But popular music has heroes of a different sort. The musical world has heroes that have helped in shaping the world of music to become what it is today. The music industry would not be the same without such musicians as the Beatles, Elton John, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga. These musicians and so many more have changed the world of music into what it is today. Without their influence the world of music would be something else entirely and for that they can be lauded as possessing a heroic quality.
The cult of the celebrity is the concept that people can become famous despite the fact that they are not worthy of it or have done nothing to invoke this fame. This cult of celebrity is evident through Reality Shows such as the Jersey Shore. The characters on this show have become famous simply by being themselves on television. This happens with musicians as well. The public is willing to follow their every move despite the fact that they are merely musicians and have no real claim to fame other than that. Musicians are subject to this same cult like worship in that people will give anything to follow their every move.

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Rituals and stereotypes are two topics that are widely discussed when it comes to popular music. A ritual is an established procedure that is done for either religious or other reasons. Rituals may vary from country to country and have been present in society for thousands of years. A stereotype is a popular belief or preconceived notion about a specific type of person.
Rituals don’t affect popular music itself but there are rituals that are often related to the performance of popular music and there are songs that become a rite or passage for certain events.
There are many different rituals that are related to the performance of popular music. If you go to a wedding you will most likely hear songs like YMCA, the Chicken Dance, Electric Slide, or many more. These songs each have a ritualistic dance that accompanies them that most people know.
Some popular songs that have become ritualistic include playing the Wedding March at a wedding ceremony and singing Happy Birthday on someone’s birthday. There are other songs that have become ritualistic at these events as well. Different events have different popular songs that you often associated with them. At weddings you will often hear At Last by Etta James, at funerals you will often hear My Way by Frank Sinatra, and at confirmation you will often hear Ave Maria.
Stereotypes are also present in popular music and include things such as who listens to what type of music. There are often certain people that are associated with different types of music. Country music is often thought of as being listened to by people in cowboy hats or boots. Classical music is often thought of as being listened to by wealthy or boring people. There are many other stereotypes related to this idea that certain people listen to certain to certain types of music.

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What is your understanding of the word ritual?

A ritual is an established procedure that is done for either religious or other reasons. Rituals vary from country to country and have been present in societies for thousands of years.

What rituals do you observe in our society?

Baby showers are used as a ritual to mark the beginning of a significant event.
Bachelor parties are used a ritual to mark the end of a way of life.
Funerals are used as a ritual to mark the end of life.
Graduations are used to mark the completion of an important task.
Birthdays are used to mark the passing of a period of time.
Marriage ceremonies are used to mark the connection of two families.

What rituals do you observe in your family?

Many family participates in many traditional rituals such as birthday parties, celebration of holidays, and holy communion at church each Sunday. We have a unique Christmas ritual of opening one gift on Christmas Eve. It is always a pair of new pajamas and marks the start of the holiday for us. My parents did this when my brother and I were younger and I have continued it with my children. As I will be getting married in July, we are busy planning the ritual of marriage which will join our two families.

Are there any rituals that you can identify that are prevalent today? If so, what are they?

One ritual I notice is prevalent is birthday parties. It seems like every week my kids are asking to attend a birthday party for one friend or another. I also think that wedding rituals are very prevalent. There are whole television shows dedicated to this ritual.

What ritual would you like to develop for either our society or your family?

We have a few rituals that will be celebrated in our family this year. Since we will be getting married, that will be a ritual we celebrate. Also, I will be graduating on May so we will celebrate that ritual as well.

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Violence is prominent in televisions, movies and popular music. This violence occurs as a part of popular music through the lyrics that express this violence. Music containing violent lyrics is more prevalent in rap and heavy rock music but does occur in other forms of popular music as well.
There are really two popular beliefs about the presence of violence in popular music. The first belief is that the violent lyrics have no effect on those who are listening to the music. The second belief is that music with violent lyrics can cause listeners to act with more violent behavior. These views are both shown in this quote, “We cannot point to any piece of music and say that it must generate violence, but nor can be say that it cannot under any circumstances.” (Masterman, 2009)
Listening to violent music does not necessarily cause a person to act violently. I have listened to music with violence in it and never wanted to “cap” someone. But on the other hand I don’t have violent tendencies. My children are not allowed to listen to that type of music at home but sometimes they will hear it at school and numerous times my child has repeated language that he learned from popular music. Often he doesn’t understand what he is saying but since popular music can affect language, I believe it could also affect behavior.
Certain musicians who perform music with violent lyrics have become icons. These musicians have escalated above the level of musician and despite the language in their music millions revere them. Two specific rappers that became icons are Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. Despite the argument that rap music does not inspire violent behavior both of these icons were murdered by shooting.

References:
Masterman, B. P. (2009). Dark Side of the Tune: Popular Music and Violence (review). Notes, 66(2), 282-284.
Bezatis, Athan (Contributor). (2000). Biggie and Tupac [Image], Retrieved January 13, 2012 from: http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/2002/biggie-and-tupac/

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The three icons that I chose are Jennifer Aniston, Toby Mac and Spongebob Squarepants. Jennifer Aniston is a popular icon in both television and movies. She is most famous for her role in the tv show "Friends" but has appeared in numerous movies. Toby Mac is a popular Christian music artist. Spongebob Squarepants is a popular cartoon character.

I chose Jennifer Aniston as a popular icon because of how she inspires others. Throughout her time on the show "Friends" she inspired clothing and hairstyles. Since the end of the show "Friends", she continues to inspire women with both style and the type of person that you can be. She also inspires others with her charity work including work with cancer research, Habitat for Humanity and Feeding America. I chose her as an icon because of her charity work. I met in person last year at a Feeding America event that I was part of. She was very involved in helping others and not focusing on herself.

Toby Mac is a popular icon because of his work in spreading the gospel. He has been performing in Christian bands for quite a few years and his work inspires others. The music that he performs is very upbeat and if you weren't aware that you were listening to Christian music, you might not realize it. I chose him as an idol because his work is very inspiring and helps being people to Christ.

Spongebob Squarepants is a popular icon that is very important in my home. He has stored in the cartoon show as well as cartoon movies. Entire lines of clothing, household decor and toys all spawned from his character. I chose him as a pop icon because my two children are sitting here watching Spongebob as I do my homework and I realize how much of an influence that the show has on children. The characters of the show teach behaviors and language to those who watch it.

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Pop culture are any items that are part of our culture based on preferences or an informal consensus. This might be television shows, actors/actresses, movies, video games, music and other items. To me, pop culture is what is "hot" or popular in our culture. These pop culture items normally dominate the news, radio and Internet.

It is important for me to understand popular culture because this information can have an effect on how the company I work for operates. I currently work as a Web Developer, and people often see websites throughout our culture and what these same types of websites for their own site. We have to constantly keep track of what is new, popular or rising in popularity so that we can stay up to date with these trends. This will be an important aspect of my career going forward because it will be a constant process to keep up with these trends.

The artifact that I chose is the television show Grey's Anatomy. I am huge fan of this shown and watch it religiously. Many people would consider this show a soap opera but the show keeps me very interested and like many popular shows parts of the language even becomes part of everyday life. Seriously! The show has inspired other parts of language including nicknames such as "McDreamy". Music plays a prominent part of the show, one popular song played on the show was "How to Save a Life" by the Frey.

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