What is popular culture, and what does it mean to you?

Pop Culture is a set of trends and behaviors that people of society adapt to and accept as a part of cultural norms and values.  It is something or someone that has gained a sense of popularity from others.  Pop culture often consists of fashions, style, personality, music, social media, etc...  To me pop culture is just a circle of trends that are reborn often times by a celebrity or someone that has gained mass audience awareness.  The trend can either be a rebirth of the same original concept but sometimes may include a personality trait of the current culture that it is trying to appeal.  For instance, examples of fashion trends that used to be hot in the 90’s and have reincarnated in 2013 include:  Ruffled blouses, overalls, jean jackets, tight gelled curls, tinted sun glasses, plaid clothing design, and much more.  These fashion styles go through a phase of main stream and are often times initiated by someone that society considers popular such as a celebrity.  Once consistency becomes boredom the trend dies down as something new comes to take its place creating a new era of popular culture.  In general, pop culture is the main stream of society defining what we should be and look like in order to be “popular”.

Why is an understanding of popular culture relevant to you in a business environment and in your present and future career?

Understanding pop culture is important when it comes to business because it helps business professionals to be innovative in their approach when it comes to marketing.  Understanding their client’s perceived wants and needs based on current trend and values is a great way to grab and keep their attention.  If a business is not keeping up with the current wants and needs of their customers than customers are more likely to choose their competitors or someone who is.  It gives companies an extra added benefit and sets them apart from competitors and those around them. At the same time it gives them an opportunity to find commonality with their target audience and consumers making it easier to do business with new or existing customers.  In relation to a future career, it is helpful to understand the concept of pop culture because it instills a skill of innovation that could potentially separate you from other job candidates. 

What would you consider to be an example of a pop culture artifact? And why would you choose it?

An example of a pop culture artifact is the iPhone.  The iPhone has become one of the most known artifacts in today’s day in time due to its innovative features and capabilities that sets them apart from competitors.  This phone has been used by celebrities in movies, videos commercials etc...  It has beneficial features for individuals ranging from business professionals all the way to a college student.  Some of the characteristics contained include emailing, internet surfing, pictures, social media, games, music downloading, as well as touch screen navigation.  Every year Apple comes out with a new updated version of the iPhone intriguing consumers with its one of a kind features making it one of the most popular electronic cell phone devices used all around the world.