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