To me, popular culture means the different items and
lifestyles that influence the way we live in our societies. Throughout history there have been many
influences that have changed our lives.
Take for instance a computer, which has changed how people communicate
and socialize with others. I bet you the
newest generation of youth doesn't even know what a letter, envelope and stamp
are because they spend so much time on computers.
The understanding of popular culture is relevant to a
business environment because it helps to shape how businesses operate, sell
their products, and understand what the consumer wants and needs. In my current career in real estate, popular
culture helps to create areas that people live.
Take for instance how developers have taken rundown buildings in
downtown Los Angeles refurbished them up to codes for urban living spaces in
the heart of L.A. business district (Stewart, 2001).
The artifact I think is an excellent example of pop culture
is John Wayne a.k.a. “Duke”. He has been
an idol to me since childhood and a huge influence in American culture for over
four decades. I had the opportunity this
summer to visit his birthplace in Winterset, Iowa and learned interesting
stories about his personal life outside of the movie industry. To me the Duke has been a symbol of American;
the good guys who always won the gun fight and got the girl at the end. It was a treat to see his birthplace and will
return to see the new museum they will build in the future.
Picture taken August 12, 2012 by Desire' Barker in Winterset, Iowa.
Reference
Stewart, J.
(2001). Downtown developers court urban dwellers. Daily Variety, 271(18),
B6. Retrieved on September 30, 2012 from
http://0-web.ebscohost.com.olinkserver.franklin.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=6&hid=21&sid=caf4264d-275a-4d19-8454-3825d49e840c%40sessionmgr11
