JOUR FINAL
Mass culture
"Mass culture" is a set of ideas/values created through exposure to the same media Often "mass culture" is thrust upon us through advertising, news and pre-made pop stars
Consensus of studies on media violence
"leads to violence"
The Red Scare
). Rampant fear of communism led to investigations of citizens and the ruin of many lives
Curiosity/fascination
1.Horror movies depict behavior and experiences far outside the norm 2.Since curiosity and fascination are generally seen as positive, some theorize that these things are responsible for the appeal 3.We are innately curious about things that are not part of our regular lives
Economics of Oscar campaigns and rewards for winning
A best picture campaign costs about $10 million A studio with a Best Picture nominee might spend $100,000 on Oscar night alone Most of the campaign money goes to advertising $500,000 per film on DVD screeners $1 million to $2 million for assorted expenses PR consultants get $20,000 bonuses for wins Oscar-nominated films make $12.7 million more than non-nominated movies A Best Picture Oscar is worth $3 million A Golden Globe for best picture is worth $14.2 million Best Actor winners can expect a $3.9 million increase Best Actress winners get $500,000
Spiral of Silence Theory
According to this theory, the media can lead people to believe a majority of citizens hold a particular view ... even if this isn't true The theory argues that many who believe their views on controversial issues are in the minority, will keep quiet for fear of social isolation. There is psychological research to back this view up If people with alternative views keep quiet, the media may only present one view ... or present alternative views as far outside the mainstream
Low culture
Action movie like 'pirates of the Caribbean,' which is low on the skyscraper GTA Video Game
Media consumption rates and trends
Americans should now be consuming 15.5 hours of media per day This is according to trends noted by James E. Short in a 2013 report for the Institute for Communication Technology Management at USC Short also noted that a person can consume more than 24 hours of media in a day because we multitask
Socio-cultural studies
Another way to study culture is through the lens of 'cultural studies' This field is separate from 'cultural anthropology' but there is overlap 'cultural studies is a broad, academic discipline that borrows from sociology, literary studies, history, economics and other fields Cultural studies is 'a focus on how people make meaning, understand reality and order experience by using cultural symbols that appear in the media
Understanding of the way politicians use "entertainment" shows to promote themselves and become celebrities
Appear on Shows like Ellen, Fallon, Kimmel..etc
Aristotle's views on art and representation
Aristotle saw representation as a fundamental part of human existence He could be represented as having a positive view of the arts
How some pop culture serves as a California critique
As Leland notes, this idea of the inverted Hollywood dream is also present in gangsta rap music, like this classic by N.W.A. Of course, that song inspired the title of the 2015 movie about N.W.A., which can be seen as a California critique of its own
Impact that technological change has on culture
As this migration occurred, new technology emerged The typewriter (mid-1800s), telegraph (1830s), phonograph (late 1800s), film (late 1800s), radio (early 1900s) and better printing presses changed the way culture was consumed Culture became more accessible to everyone Changes in the newspaper industry illustrate this point
Cultural appropriation
As with many concepts, "cultural appropriation" can be difficult to precisely define In general, it is the exploitative appropriation or "borrowing" of something from one culture for use in another Usually, the appropriation involves a dominant class appropriating something from a less powerful class
Social Learning Theory
Bandura developed the "social learning theory," which argues that people can learn negative behavior from media and then repeat it For that to happen, Bandura argued, four things must happen 1) Attention: Subject must attend to the media 2) Retention: Subject must retain what was seen 3) Motor reproduction: Subject must be able to imitate behavior 4) Motivation: There must be some sort of reward or reinforcement for the behavior
Lenny Bruce
Bruce was a Jewish comedian who was seen as irreverent and shocking because he spoke openly about controversial topics. He was arrested multiple times for his use of "obscenity" during his shows. Like many comics (and tricksters), he would tackle difficult social issues (in this case the Holocaust and the problems with show biz) using comedy
Carl Jung
Carl Jung (1865-1961) argued that the subconscious mind is as important as the conscious
Trickster archetype
Clever, mischievous character who disrupts the existing order
Joseph Goebbels
Created a lot of nazi propganda A particularly disgusting example of Nazi propaganda is seen in a 1940 "documentary" titled "The Eternal Jew." (stop at approximately 9:30)
Origin of the word "culture"
Culture comes from the idea of 'inhabiting' or 'cultivating' Greeks saw 'culture' as the cultivating of the mind
Signifying
Definitions vary depending on who you listen to, but it relies on all of the following - Wordplay, typically built on figurative language - The term "signifying" is typically related to witty insults - Leland says it is "using language to mean two things
Uses and Gratifications Model
Developed in the 1970s, this model was a response to previous academic models which put the emphasis on the media "sender." This model acknowledges that media consumers are actively involved in media consumption, not just sitting back and receiving messages. It acknowledges that consuming media fulfills certain needs.
The dozens and its influence on rap
Dozens is a verbal duel built on wordplay, wit and insults. It was a form of non-physical combat, often focused on the opponents' family members Essentially, we're talking 'Yo Mama' jokes - "Yo mamma is so poor she created a Gmail account just so she can eat the spam" Not everybody agrees on how the dozens started or got its name Some say, it was a game designed to help blacks keep their cool even in the face of disparaging remarks
Edward Bernays
Edward Bernays (Sigmund Freud's nephew) designed a campaign in the late 1920s intended to manipulate the unconscious minds of women, encouraging them to smoke.
Lyndon B. Johnson's "Daisy" ad
Famous "Daisy" Attack Ad from 1964 Presidential Election Vote for Johnson or die??
The War on Terror
Fear of terror attacks has led to everything from international conflicts to changes in government policy.
The Cold War
Fear of war between the Western Bloc (US and allies) and the Eastern Bloc (Soviet Union and allies) led to an arms race.
Film noir
Films like "The Usual Suspects" (1995), "Mulholland Drive" (2001) and "Drive" (2011) continue the noir tradition This idea even inspired a popular video game, "L.A. Noire"
Folk culture
Folk music, traditions folk culture is primarily a community-based culture It is reliant on oral traditions passed from generation to generation You encounter a musician on the street. He begins to play a simple song you have never heard, and he explains that it is a traditional tune passed down by generations of his family. What type of culture have you most likely witnessed?
Thoughts on eating disorders and their connection to media
Girls in North America have shown increased incidences of eating disorders while media imagery has reflected ever-thinner women It is important to remember however that correlation does not automatically equal causation. In other words, coincidence could play some role in these associations .... both with violence and body image
Stages of the hero's journey (or monomyth)
He called it the monomyth ... or The Hero's Journey He noted that there are many common patterns seen in hero stories from around the globe The idea of the monomyth has been applied to scholarship on projects ranging from "The Matrix" to the Indiana Jones films Starts in the ordinary world: The journey starts with the hero's regular life Call to adventure: The hero is called to act Refusal of the call: The hero initially refuses the call Supernatural aid: As the story progresses, the hero acquires a helper ... often a wise, old man who provides psychological and physical support Threshold crossing: The hero enters a unknown underworld. This can be seen as symbolic of death Belly of the whale: The hero finds himself/herself in a dark place Road of trials: Once in the underworld, the hero is repeatedly tested
Walter Lippmann
He is a writer wrote that we perceive the world through "pictures in our heads." That means we create a simplified view of reality because reality is too hard to grasp
Director Alexandre O. Philippe's thoughts on pop culture
He thinks that pop culture matters Thinks that star wars changed the world Pop culture - although often trivialized - actually plays an important role in our lives a universal language: to make dream & smile that connects, its part of our fabric. We must cherish it and preserve it.
Hegemonic symbols
Hegemonic symbols surround us, reminding everyone of government power. Consider the American flag pin as used by politicians.
Hegemonic symbols
Hegemonic symbols surround us, reminding everyone of government power. Consider the American flag pin as used by politicians. Other examples of hegemonic symbolism include recognizable corporate logos
Hero archetype
Hercules, Katniss, Superman, etc
Key findings from the Comprehensive Annenberg Report on Diversity (conducted by USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism)
Hollywood is male-centric, Hollywood is overwhelmingly white, Hollywood is overwhelmingly straight Directors, overall, were 87% white , Broadcast tv directors were 90.4% white, Just 15.2% of directors, 28.9% of writers and 22.6% of series creators were female
Gender-role socialization
Horror movies, it is theorized, allow viewers to reinforce gender roles as defined by society Men can show themselves to be brave or fearless Women can show themselves to be sensitive
Reasons for and concerns about censorship
Humor Even in our society, which values free speech, we have a history of censorship in certain arenas Broadcasters can receive hefty fines for airing "indecent" or "profane" content
Familiarity with the FCC's equal time laws
If a network gives air time to one candidate, they are obligated to give the same amount of time to others They do not have to give them the same number of ads that an opponent purchases, but they do have to offer the same rate SNL example.
Key findings from the "2016 Hollywood Diversity Report: Business as Usual" (conducted by the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA)
In 2014, people of color purchased 46% of all u.s. movie tickets But minorities claimed only 12.9% of the lead roles in the 163 films examined for that year That number is down from 2013 (16.7%) That number is down from 2012 (15.1%) The number is, however, up from 2011 (10.5%) Women claimed lead roles in only 28.3% of the 163 2014 films examined Women make up just over 50% of the U.S. population
The reinvention fantasy
In Chapter 4, Leland notes that "reinvention" is a key concept of hip and a male fantasy
Findings by Eduardo B. Andrade and Joel B. Cohen
In a 2007 study, scholars Eduardo B. Andrade (UC Berkeley) and Joel B. Cohen (University of Florida), argued that prior theories imagined that people can't be scared and happy simultaneously Their research - and the work of others - shows this doesn't seem to be true Their study indicated ... Horror fans and avoiders experienced similar levels of negative feelings while watching Feelings of relief afterward were stronger in non-fans
Minimal-Effects Model (Limited Effects Theory)
In later stages of media effects research (approx. 1940-1960), scholars found that the effects of media consumption are not uniform. This model used tightly controlled experiments to show that people engage in selective exposure and retention. Under this model, it is acknowledged that pre-existing beliefs, peer groups and other outside factors prevent "strong" media effects on the general audience. This does not exclude the possibility of media having a "strong" effect on an individual.
The War on Drugs
In order to quell fears about drug use and associated crime, scores of Americans have been incarcerated for non-violent crimes.
Mark Twain
In other words, Twain often failed to present his messages literally. The reader had to dig in to find the "real" meaning. Known for many great literary works, including "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"
Hypodermic Needle Model (Magic Bullet Theory)
In the 1920s and 1930s, some intellectuals - having witnessed war propaganda - argued that the ideas present in powerful mediated messages are simply injected into weak audiences .This theory is now seen as too simplistic because it assumes that all media consumers are the same.
Ways pop culture can influence society
Jennifer Aniston's "The Rachel" haircut Gossip Girl & fashion movie quotes in daily references binge drinking due to alcohol songs 9/11
The collective unconscious
Jung developed the idea of the "collective unconscious" Jung argued that the "collective unconscious" was an inherited psychology that all human beings share
Connection between hard-boiled detective stories and gangsta rap
Leland notes that many hard-boiled detective stories intentionally set the California dream on its ear
Cool jazz Charlie "Yardbird" Parker Thelonious Monk Dizzy Gillespie
Leland writes that jazz pioneers including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk transformed our music culture with bebop These musicians played with the easily accessible melodies and rhythms that most Americans were used to prior to their ascent
Bebop
Leland, of course, notes that bebop not only changed music, it was a cultural statement The artists were pushing back against the mainstream and cared little for their audience
Functions of myth in culture
Metaphysical: Myths help explain the mysteries of life and the universe. Some of this function has been supplanted by science. Cosmological: Myths help explain the seasons, life cycles, etc. Some of this function has also been supplanted by science. Sociological: Myths help provide social order with thoughts on morality and human behavior. This is common in mass media. Pedagogical: Myths help explain periods of transition in our world. This is common in mass media.
Urbanization
Minority groups - and not just racial minorities - could gather together with a sense of community As people migrated, they brought their culture with them
The Great Migration
More than 6 million African Americans moved from the South to the North in the early 1900s This was a result not only of increased opportunity but because of the way blacks were treated in the South This led to even further urbanization of America
Joseph Campbell
Mythologist Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) said myths fulfill four basic functions in our society
High culture
OPERA IS TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE 'UPPER CLASS' OPERA IS OFTEN MORE APPRECIATED BY THOSE WITH ENHANCED MUSICAL EDUCATION
Wise old man archetype
Offers guidance to a hero
Understanding of the "appropriation vs. appreciation" argument
Often, those accused of appropriation defend their use as a form of cultural appreciation Others argue that the appropriation is at best inappropriate and, at worst, racist or demeaning
Familiarity with the trend of celebrities running for political office
One of the strongest critiques of celebrity politicians is that they in fact short-circuit the democratic process by winning on personal appeal instead of sound policies Donald Trump-Celebrity Apprentice
Plato's views on art and representation
Plato, saw representation as a key way that humans interact and learn Plato argued that representations are simplistic substitutes for reality He argued that representations can actually lead people away from the truth Because of this, he was distrustful of art, which is highly representational
The role of technology in cultural evolution
Pop culture changes right alongside technology because it is so dependent on media Once upon a time, music was widely dispersed with player pianos and phonographs. Now, we stream anything on Apple Music or Spotify We now have celebrities created by new media.
Raymond Chandler Dashiell Hammett James M. Cain
Private eyes in the works of authors including Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and James M. Cain, can be viewed as symbols of freedom from the 1920s and beyond
Excitation transfer (aftermath)
Proponents of this theory argue that the stress of watching horror films leads to an intense positive feeling when the plot is resolved and the scary images go
Richard Pryor
Pryor was known for tackling contemporary issues, often using profanity. Check out a snippet of Pryor doing a routine about race and the "N" word. He became a film star as well as a standup. Like many of the "hip" artists Leland writes about, he had considerable struggles in his personal life, including drug abuse.
Economic impact of improved media access
Radio, film and TV have all changed over the years With the changes, access has become easier and cheaper Greater access leads to lower prices Today, much digitized media can be consumed at no charge to the end user
Concept of a "protective frame"
Reinforcing that the actors are just playing a role Reinforcing the fact that it's just a story Music - or anything indicating that a movie is not reality - can serve as a protective frame
Concerns about embracing pop culture over high culture
SOME ARGUE THAT POP CULTURE EXPLOITS HIGH CULTURE WITHOUT ADDING ANYTHING VALUABLE CHECK OUT THIS EXAMPLE: SHAKESPEARE AS EMOJI
The Hard-boiled detective
Sam Spade (who we saw in the last clip) - Dashiell Hammett Philip Marlowe - Raymond Chandler Lew Archer - Ross Macdonald Mike Hammer - Mickey Spillan The hard-boiled tradition is still alive in modern pop culture, as is evidenced by the trailer for "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" (2014)
Fear as a tool for hegemonic power
Since we are studying media, we want to consider the messages that dominant groups might try to send in order to convince others to follow. Fear can be a particularly effective tool in convincing people to follow a particular ideology.
Societal concerns
Stephen King notes that horror is a "barometer of those things which trouble the night thoughts of a whole society." - Godzilla came out in the 1950s, representing concerns about nuclear war
The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance of the (1920S) is a terrific example of the way urbanization and the Great Migration impacted American culture
The 1938 radio broadcast of "War of the Worlds"
The Oct. 30, 1938, radio broadcast of "War of the Worlds" created mass panic. It's estimated that as many as a million people believed it was real. In New York, some men reported to the National Guard to join the fight.
The Patriot Act
The Patriot Act, which expanded the surveillance powers of the U.S. government was a result of the War on Terror. Although the Patriot Act has expired, all of its powers were renewed through 2015's USA Freedom Act.
Common Jungian archetypes, including the Great Mother, the Child and the Devil figure
The anima: The male understanding of femininity. Jung believed men have both masculine and feminine traits but tend to repress the feminine. The animus: The female understanding of masculinity. Just as Jung believed men have feminine traits that are largely repressed, he believed women have masculine traits. Great Mother: The idea of a nurturing female The Child: Represents the idea of the future and innocence. Example from "South Park" As you can see in the example, the "child" is more more naïve than the non-child
The cost of Super Bowl ads
The cost of a 30-second ad is now said to be $5 million
Oscar campaigns
The hope is that women will make up 48% of membership and minorities will make up 14% Stage 1: Aiming for nominations Stage 2: Going for the gold
Common archetypes in mythology
The ogre: A great, terrifying creature that is sometimes cannibalistic Shrek, The Witch, The Troll
Concept of modern archetypes
The rock star: reckless, debauched, famous, musical
The concept of hegemony
The word "hegemony" has roots reaching back to ancient Greece. argues that a dominant class maintains its power by convincing less powerful classes that its view of the world is just "common sense." So, hegemony is the acceptance of dominant values in a society by those who are not dominant.
Demographics of Academy Awards (Oscar) voters
There are approximately 6,200 voting Academy members - The majority (about 1,100) are actors - 94% of voters are white - 77% are male - 54% are more than 60 years old
Counter-hegemony
There are, of course, forces that resist cultural hegemony. Consider how Adbusters and others have spoken out against consumerism. "Buy nothing day
Jung and archetypes
These include ...The idea of Self: Jung saw this as the unified conscious and unconscious elements of an individual. Jung believed that disruption of this unification could lead to mental disorder.
Negative Oscar campaigns, also known as "whisper campaigns"
They bash on other movies damaging rumors or innuendo are spread about the target, while the source of the rumors seeks to avoid being detected while spreading them (for example, a political campaign might distribute anonymous flyers attacking the other candidate
The evolution of culture
This evolution takes place in all art forms, including dance Evolution of twerking Evolution in music samples, books and films
Cultivation Effect Theory
This theory argues that people who consume a great deal of media, perceive the world in a manner consistent with media portrayals
Agenda-Setting Theory
This theory argues that the media can't tell you what to think ... ... But it does tell you what to think about
Catharsis
This theory argues that watching a horror movie can actually cleanse a person of pent-up emotion or aggression
Third-Person Effect Theory
This theory suggests that many people believe the media impacts others more strongly than them
Controversy surrounding this year's Oscar nominees
This year there is not enough diversity boycott the oscars
Cultural anthropology
Through cultural anthropology, we study human beings and their artifacts A TRADITIONAL APPROACH WOULD INCLUDE MARGARET MEAD'S (1901-1978) STUDY OF SAMOAN CULTURE IN THE 1928 BOOK 'COMING OF AGE IN SAMOA
Decoding mediated messages
To decode LOL or WTF, you must know "text" "Citizen Kane" is widely considered to be one of the best movies of all time Students don't always "get it" today It might have something to do with context We all bring certain things to the table when interpreting media Lack of context can lead to confusion
Jon Stewart
Tricksters such as those Leland describes in "Hip" have continuing popularity. Consider the comedy techniques Jon Stewart used regularly as host of "The Daily Show."
Vampire as a metaphor
Vampires as a metaphor for forbidden sexual desires
Werewolf as a metaphor
Werewolves and fear of the natural world or being eaten by a beast
The Truman Show disorder
What if "The Truman Show" were your life? That's the delusion the psychiatrist Joel Gold observed in five patients at Bellevue Hospital, in New York. As cameras and technology continue to encroach on us, will this disorder, and others like it, become more common?
Representation
When a sign or symbol stands for something else Representation can be simple, like a picture or illustration in a book Representation can also be complicated. Consider allegory, where a writer or filmmaker uses characters, plotting and imagery to explore a noteworthy societal problem
Terry Southern
Writer and satirist Terry Southern is known for his work on the screenplays for "Dr. Strangelove" and "Easy Rider." He also wrote the books "The Magic Christian" and "Red-Dirt Marijuana and Other tastes."
Zombie as a metaphor
Zombies and infection ... or overpopulation
Sensation seeking
Zuckerman notes that some personality types are inherently driven to seek thrills, adventure and outside stimuli Horror movies seem to provide arousal to "sensation seekers" Note that Zuckerman says "sensation seeking" explains why today's horror movies push more boundaries than those from the past
Mean World Syndrome
a phenomenon whereby violence-related content of mass media makes viewers believe that the world is more dangerous than it actually is. Mean world syndrome is one of the main conclusions of cultivation theory.
The cost-benefit of Super Bowl advertising
ads influence 'brand favorability,' and while that may not necessarily translate into sales, the Super Bowl provides a opportunity for a company to make an asymmetrical bet to get itself in the national conversation.
Antonio Gramsci
an Italian, Marxist journalist. Gramsci argued that power brokers in society maintain their status by convincing the less powerful to share in their value system
Lyndon B. Johnson's "Daisy" ad Famous "Daisy" Attack Ad??
from 1964 Presidential Election Vote for Johnson or die??
Margaret Mead
mead argued that young Samoan women had an easier time transitioning to adulthood because their culture has FEWER hang-ups about bodily functions and sex this film investigates the 12 months Mead spent with the Samoans in the Twenties. Mead believed cultures like the Samoans could teach people how to live in harmony. Her book depicts a society of free love -- devoid of jealousy and teenage turmoil
Nazi use of propaganda
propaganda efforts as the most important factor in creating an atmosphere where atrocities against Jews were tolerated Goebbels promoted People's Radio sets, which were cheap and had only German and Austrian stations marked As Germany entered into war, listening to foreign radio stations became a crime. Also, all radio was outlawed in some occupied areas. Nazi propaganda labeling anyone listening to foreign radio as a "traitor"
Woody Guthrie
reflected his era and influenced generations of other popular artists he is a musician was a Depression-era folk singer
Slacker archetype
someone who is alienated from his/her work and has become talented at doing nothing
Counter-hegemony
there are, of course, forces that resist cultural hegemony. Consider how Adbusters and others have spoken out against consumerism. "Buy nothing day
