Assignment 1-4-6, Written Analysis, Deb Sweinhart

We Are Here Because Our Voices Aren’t Being Heard

     My popular culture topic, We Are Here Because Our Voices Aren’t Being Heard, is the topic that I chose for all of the Written Analysis assignments. The reason I chose this topic is because I wanted to learn more about the Occupy Wall Street and Tea Party Movements. As I completed each of these weekly assignments, I realized that not all of the popular culture theories related to this topic. The theory that fits the best into my topic is the theory of stereotype. An example of this is how Americans stereotype our leaders as educated white males, who are mature leaders with excellent speaking skills. The theory of stereotyping our Presidents was changed in 2008 when our first black president was voted into office. The other theory that relates to my topic is the theory of myths. The myth that there is freedom of speech for everyone living in America is true. These movements are speaking up and voicing their opinions and disgust over the way our government is run.

     What I found to be most interesting in my popular culture topic is the comparison of the two movements. Tabouli (2011) describes Occupy Wall Street as wanting to raise taxes on the rich, while the Tea Party movement wants to reduce taxes for the wealthy. We have two political movements targeting opposite results.

     Looking back on this course, I have a better understanding of what popular culture is. I learned that popular culture needs the media in order to exist -- popular culture is the peoples’ voice, and the media helps to communicate that voice. Popular culture changes constantly, it is never static. Some people feel that popular culture negatively influences our society due to the sex and violence that is written in song lyrics and movies/shows that are shown on television.

     I think that popular culture is part of being an American. We are very fortunate to live in a democratic society that allows us the freedom to express ourselves.

References

Tabouli, Julie. (2011, November 13). Faceoff: occupy wall street vs. tea party [infographic]. Retrieved from website:

http://dailyinfographic.com/face-off-occupy-wall-street-vs-tea-party-infographic

Assignment 1-4-5 - Written Analysis

We Are Here Because Our Voices Aren’t Being Heard

     This written analysis is based on the concept of formula. So, what is meant by the concept of formula? In popular culture, formula is best described by Browne (2005), as he explains that it is something like a cooking recipe. It outlines the ingredients to be used in the cooking and generally how they are to be mixed and cooked. Similar to a roadmap, formula tells someone where to go and what roads to use to make the journey (p.115).

How does this theory describe the topic I selected?

     My popular culture topic, “We Are Here Because Our Voices Aren’t Being Heard,” is referring to a “cooking recipe” of the cultural expression of wanting to be heard. The ingredients of my written analysis are based on large groups of people protesting against government. Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Partiers want to be heard. They are fixated over the myth that if they are heard, changes in government will be made.

     Tabouli (2011) describes one of these groups as having a desire to raise taxes for the wealthy, and focus on making fraudulent executives accountable for their actions; while the other group wants to reduce the government’s power and their spending, and reduce taxes at the same time.

What insights did I gain from applying the theory of Formula?

     I understand the formula of these two movements. These people are hoping that they will be able to make a cultural change by voicing their opinions based on numbers (crowds). They feel as though chanting of their wants and desires will make changes in government. There are no real “teeth” in what these movements are trying to accomplish. So when it’s all over, I would truly like to know how their recipe ends up. Over cooked or undercooked? 

References

Browne, R. B. (2005). Profiles of popular culture – a reader. Madison, WS: University of Wisconsin Press.

Tabouli, Julie. (2011, November 13). Faceoff: occupy wall street vs. tea party [infographic]. Retrieved from website:

http://dailyinfographic.com/face-off-occupy-wall-street-vs-tea-party-infographic

Assignment 1-3-2, Journal Article Analysis, Deb Sweinhart

The Death of Fame:

How Famous People Are Affected

Deborah A. Sweinhart

Popular Culture HUMN 240, Assignment 1-3-2

Professor Martin Poston

December 8, 2011

The Death of Fame:

How Famous People Are Affected

     Everyone who grew up watching television and listening to the radio knows that celebrities – famous people – come and go. I grew up in the 1960’s and 1970’s watching shows like The Beverly Hillbillies. I remember having a crush on the tall, dark-handsome actor, Jethro who played the part of Jed Clampett’s nephew. I remember thinking to myself if only he was not so naïve and ignorant, I would like him even more. So how does the stigma of playing a ‘not so bright’ actor affect his career? Well, Max Baer, Jr. himself calls it the ultimate case of typecasting. He told Biography Magazine, “I was born Max Baer Jr., but I’m going to die Jethro Bodine.” Max Baer is an actor that did not walk away or try to change his image as Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies. In fact, he moved on with his life retiring in 1980, with hopes of starting up a gaming resort in Reno (2001, p. 32). Other actors and actresses may not be as fortunate in maintaining their core self.

     There is considerable evidence that many famous people display signs of mental disorders. In researching this topic Smalley and McIntosh (2011) discuss what it is like to be famous. They describe celebrities as often feeling like there is no safe place to relax out of the public eye, partially due to media personnel such as reporters and Paparazzi (p. 386). They describe depression as one of main causes of alcohol and drug abuse, as well as suicide among celebrities (p. 387). Smalley and McIntosh report on three possible reactions to the loss of fame: clinging, reinventing, and downward spiraling (p. 388). As mentioned above in the case of Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies, Max Baer (who is now in his 60’s) successfully accepted the role as Jethro. In other words, he is a celebrity that clings to the role, incorporating it into his life. But some other celebrities end up hating themselves because they are unable to accept their public role (p. 388). Sometimes these celebrities end up finding a new way to make a living and leave their public role altogether, this is referred to as reinventing – they do not center their lives on their former fame (p. 391). For those famous people that media focuses on who end up in jail, hospitalized, or dead because of alcohol, drugs, or suicide they most likely experienced downward spiraling. These people continue to pursue the goal of fame despite the fact that the public no longer desires them (p. 392).

     I do agree with the authors’ main point in that famous people may fall victim to the perils of being famous, but there are many famous people over the years who have celebrated career successes. In my opinion most of those people looked at their acting, artistic, and musical careers as jobs – a way to gain a financial leg up – and moved on to more satisfying and rewarding careers that is out of the public eye, just like ‘Jethro’ did.

     This article is important because it helps the reader (who may be the ‘public eye’) understand what it is like to be famous. Being famous may not be as glamorous as we think.

References

Bioscope. (2001, September). Max baer, jr. Biography Magazine, 5(9), 32.

Smalley, K. B. & McIntoch, W. D. (2011). The loss of fame: psychological implications. The Journal of Popular Culture, 44(2), 385-397.