Phil Pop Module 1

Introduction to Popular Culture

  • Contributions to Iconography:

    • Japan: J-Pop, visual kei, anime, local commercials.

    • United Kingdom: The Beatles, Spice Girls, Doctor Who, Mr. Bean.

    • United States: Elvis Presley, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Vogue, Ted Bundy, Coen Brothers.

    • South Korea: K-Pop, Body Shop, Samsung, K-Drama.

    • Cuba: Che Guevara.

    • Mexico: Selena Quintanilla.

    • Philippines: Trese, Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, Ben Cab, Bob Ong.

Defining Culture

  • Definition:

    • Culture encompasses a way of living including traditions, values, beliefs, behaviors, daily tasks, rituals, social norms, and rules as per Raymond Schuck.

    • Culture arises when a group agrees on observations and behaviors (e.g., social cliques in a classroom).

    • Matthew Arnold (1869) characterized culture as "the best that has been thought and said in the world," emphasizing an elitist view.

The Spectrum of Culture

  • High Culture:

    • Represents sophisticated aspects of society such as intellectual discourse, high-brow comedy, literature.

    • Notable examples include:

      • The Magic Flute: An opera by Mozart showcasing high aesthetics.

      • Gitanjali: Poetry by Rabindranath Tagore focusing on spirituality.

      • Philippine Scenes: Orchestral music integrating local folk instruments.

      • The Nutcracker: A ballet synonymous with Christmas.

  • Folk Culture:

    • Shared traditions within a specific group before dissemination.

    • Reflects regional diversity; examples:

      • Songs: Paruparong Bukid, Atin Cu Pung Singsing.

      • Dances: Tinikling, Singkil.

      • Festivals: Ati-Atihan, Sinulog.

      • Folk icons: Malakas and Maganda, Pilandok.

  • Popular Culture:

    • Acts as a bridge between high and folk cultures; easily accessible and generally favored by the masses.

    • Described as collection of traditions available to the public, often deemed "low culture".

Defining Popular Culture

  • Characteristics:

    • Popular culture is accessible and includes music, art, literature, fashion, dance, and film.

  • Definitions by John Storey (Crossman, 2019):

    1. Popular culture is widely liked and has no negative connotation.

    2. It is defined as what remains after "high culture" is identified, suggesting inferiority due to accessibility.

    3. Represents commercial products created for mass consumption, sometimes viewed negatively.

    4. Stems from authentic folk culture, formed by the people rather than commercial standards.

    5. Involves negotiation between dominant and subordinate classes, influencing cultural development.

    6. In contemporary society, the distinction between authentic and commercial is blurred.

Categories of Popular Culture

  • Major Groups:

    • Entertainment: Includes media forms like television, film, music, celebrities (e.g., K-Pop, Coen Brothers).

    • Lifestyle: New trends in fashion, art, and food (e.g., visual kei, celebrity chefs).

    • Sports: Includes traditional sports and eSports (e.g., NBA, Mobile Legends).

    • News: Significant events shaping public opinion (e.g., Junko Furuta case).

    • Politics: Related to political figures and events (e.g., Kim Jong-Un, Martial Law Crisis in Burma).

    • Technology: New media and internet culture (e.g., Facebook, TikTok).

Subsets of Culture

  • Subculture: A culture within a larger culture; examples include Filipino Aeta culture (folk subculture) and ballet (high subculture).

  • Counterculture: Opposes established norms, e.g., 1960s hippies advocating for peace against societal issues like the Vietnam War.

  • Co-culture: Exists alongside a parent culture, negotiating cultural identity (e.g., Filipino-American culture within white culture).

Youth Culture

  • Dynamics and Historical Context: Reflects the quest for self-identity, often driven by teenagers.

  • Historical Significance: Youth culture gained traction post-Industrial Revolution and has influenced broader society since the end of WWII.

  • Emergence and Influence: Youth culture, shaped by social autonomy, impacts the cultural landscape significantly and could have roots tracing back to colonization.