The Three Sides of Popular Culture in Media
Popular Culture has three sides.
Junk Culture, pop cultures' evil cousin is the side that celebrates the shallow. Low on the intellectual scale. Popular to some, yes, but very trendy, look driven and it’s popularity often isolated to certain demographics. Entertaining perhaps but inevitably a fashion-over-substance cheap thrill.
Smart Culture is higher on the intellectual scale, lasts longer and has a more robust “coolness” profile. Elon Musk, Family Guy, devices and the more clever and adventurous programming, products and people exemplify this. There are soulful, cerebral and wonder qualities that are the trademarks of smart culture.
Conspiracy Culture is the absurdity of “conspiracies” fueled by social media, especially Tik Tok, and extreme right and left media forces. Possibly the most dividing forces on earth —- ranging from the mildly plausible to the absurd to the damaging, and usually perpetuated by fanatical believers utilizing the availability of electronic soapboxes
Junk Culture and Conspiracy Culture are the most harmful to the National IQ and contribute to the global perception of American stupidity…a cheapening of the American culture in the information Wild West
Smart Culture advances and enlightens and usually makes a lasting impact. Think about films or songs that have lasting relevance. They are almost always the inspired ones rather than the buzz and burn ones whose long term relevance is a trivia question rather than reverence.
You can make a lot of quick money with Junk and Conspiratory productions and projects, or you can go the enlightening route and experience a longer and more positive life span and contribute to reversing the junk epidemic
Smart culture can appear arrogant. It’s not. It’s quality and street-smart thinking capable of touching all demographics and lifestyles in a lasting way
I think conspiracy and junk culture will always exist but If there was a Cultural stock market—I’d buy Smart Culture now.