Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Is the Internet making us more pop culture focused?
With more information at our fingertips than ever before about pressing, disturbing, and complex global issues we seem to have become a nation focused on pop culture oriented news. Buzz worthy sensational lifestyles, crimes, and trends often make the headlines on the webs most popular news source websites (i.e. yahoo.com, msn.com, and aol.com) before political, economic, and social crises both here and abroad. So this begs the question: are we just really celebrity focused pop culture junkies at our core or is the Internet making us more intent on these issues? I realize that with advent of mass media its figureheads have been put under the microscope by popular demand, but I can’t help but feel that people’s concern with issue is growing in breadth and intensity. (Yes, those adjectives came from the reading ; ) ) I find that most of my casual conversation with people in social settings is much more likely to digress into the latest pop culture gossip than into thoughts and opinions on current events. How about you?
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8 comments:
Melissa, you bring up a really interesting and complex idea similar to "what came first, the chicken or the egg?" There is no question that media in all respects- newspapers, radio, television, and the internet- have historically exploded the pop culture scene. And I also believe, that in general, people are just fascinated by the rich and famous and the extraordinary. I am always disheartened to see that the most popular stories on cnn.com are not about important worldly issues, but rather about Britney Spears, a freak accident in the middle of nowhere, or other stupid news. Generally, I think that the Internet makes such stories that much more easily accessible (when I sign onto AIM, the homepage pops up with celebrity news! I happen to read them because they are right in front of my face). So, while its hard to tell which came first- pop culture obsession or internet induced obsession- there is no doubt, in my opinion, that the internet defintiely contributed in some way.
I have to say I agree with the ideas you've discussed. My blog focused more on the rise of fashion and celebrity blogs, a la Perez Hilton, but I definitely understand what you are saying! As nice as it is to use various internet sites as sources of diversion and alternative entertainment, parts of our culture have become so absorbed in the frenzy of celebrity insanity these days. We definitely have stumbled upon some problems when the home screens of our favorite and most reliable news outlets deem Nicole Richie’s court case and possible pregnancy anywhere near as important as the war in Iraq, for instance. The internet is certainly feeding our habits as pop-culture fiends, and I must admit that I am guilty of taking part in the very problems I discuss here at times, but it would be nice for us all to find a balance between the tabloid garbage and the delicate state of our world.
I definately agree with you Melissa, conversations usually take a turn to the latest issues facing a variety celebrities rather than more important and potentially threatening issues.
One issue that you raised was the issue of framing; that the Internet has the ability to tell us what to think about by having all of this pop culture news readily available to us with just a simple mouse click. It is often right on the homepage of many sites accompanied with some sort of image so our attention is easily grabbed.
Another phenomenon that goes along with this however I feel is the ability that the Internet has of hyperlinking. With all of these hyperlinks various pop culture stories are linked together and one story will just lead readers to yet another pop culture story that is slightly related to the previous and so forth. Other stories may link directly to a website for that particular celebrity, a cause they are involved in, or their movie/TV show. All of this hyperlinking essential creates a seemingly endless base of knowledge when it comes to these topics and it then seems to carry on into life off of the Internet.
I agree that our culture is more interested in Paris Hilton's next criminal charge than the war on Terror. To me, it raises the question of whether or not America chooses to avoid the problems that exist globally and turn their attention to something or someone that represents glamour and comfort which, in many cases, many Americans do not have due to the political and economic situations we are involved in. Therefore, I think that the Internet is geared towards the Entertainment industry but, in part it is because we, Americans, decide what the media will subject us too. Personally, I try to avoid the latest entertainment news but I find it hard to avoid everything because of its accessibility and I find myself looking through biographies of my favorite band more often than reading an article about future political candidates. Although it sounds pessimistic, I think in order to alter the front page of the Yahoo! News it will take a shift in the mentality of many Americans and an interest in global issues.
Hi Melissa, I have to say as a whole mass media has shifted our focus from the political news and the truly newsworthy items to the latest celebrity news and most recent scandal. Although the Internet has definitely helped in the dissemination of this type of information, I believe that the Internet is not the sole reason why our society is so concerned with pop culture. Every single news channel tracked the Paris Hilton story and even interrupted TV. Shows to give the latest Paris update. The news tracked this story more than any other news story regarding what is truly going on in the world. It’s hard to not have this shift in our society when every media outlet is focusing on the latest celebrity scandal or break-up. Are we really the ones to blame when everywhere we turn we hear we hear about some scandal? I think at the root of it, people really don’t want to hear about problems going on in the world; they rather escape their own lives and focus their attention on the lives of the rich and the famous instead of dealing with salient issues that affect our lives (global warming, war in Iraq, government policies, recently passed legislation, etc). Ultimately, all of the media outlets are trying to run a business, and to give their readers/listeners what they want to hear. If celebrity gossip is what sells, then clearly that will be focus of our news.
I find most interesting your conjecture: is it us or the internet?
Is the accessibility of information on the internet revealing something about modern human nature?
I'm not willing to answer these, but I will comment on how the internet is able to create the perspective that everything is popular...and everyone is doing (it).
With its massive network of links, the internet is able to cater to arcane hobbies and personal diaries to an extent previously unthinkable. Is everyone head over heels for Gawker these days? Well, perhaps not anymore than they were 6 years ago -- its just that no one was connecting all the readers in a public sphere. What may have been a guilty pleasure is made a little less guilty when you find others are also doing it. Maybe people spend the same percentage of their time getting hussy about celebrity gossip--now as ever--but the rest of us get to hear about it.
As for celebrity gossip pushing current events out of the public eye, well, if it is true, its probably just replacing sports. (I'm half joking)
I agree with your point Melissa. And also with Diane. After taking Contemporary Mass Communication this summer it is difficult to figure out which came first. Therefore while your point is well taken you can also present the counter arguement i.e. that our obsession with pop culture and celebrities has caused us to be a more CMC focused and TV savy nation. I think it would be very interesting to explore this in depth.
On a different note your writing style is very professional and I commend you on the use of terms from the reading. You could even talk about some of the theories towards the end (which support/don't support your point).
Great Job! I love that you promote futuring questions!
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