Article Analysis
Popular Culture and Social Interactions: Production, Consumption, and Usage
The author of this article examines the role of social interaction in popular culture and it is written to give a general overview to the readers of these processes. Production, consumption, and usage are the key stages that popular culture goes through before and after it reaches its audience.
Production
During the production stage the product is visualized and created by an individual or team of creators (Fine, 1977). Social interaction from a group of collaborators or artists provides the energy needed to produce the product. Collaboration between all of the creators is important because each person contributes their ideas that will help develop the product collectively. Cultural production may consist of groups who are colleagues and the “homogeneity of creative output is a result of continual interaction through group conformity, even though different from the rest of the culture” (p. 455).
Support is very important in social interaction and the creation of popular culture. For example, a team effort when working on a movie would be a good example because of the collaborative effort involved in the overall production of the film which includes, overseeing the financial aspects, support personnel, and group dynamics, until the final product is complete (p. 455). Recognition and reward are equally important in the creation of popular culture. For example, the Academy Awards each year will bring together a collective group within popular culture from that industry.
In our society in order for something to be categorized as popular and earn the producers money, it must be recognized by a large segment of the population. “The groups of people who consume different forms of popular culture will consist of various aspects such as the “time of day, day of the week, and location (p. 458). For example, people who go to view a movie may not know each other, but there could be something that will bring strangers together. Usually this social interaction is due to common values and beliefs that each have and that are brought out in the production. (pp. 458-459).
The consumption of popular culture on television can also decrease the amount and quality of social interaction. “A study of seventy-six housewives found that, there was little or no conversation while the television set was on; 32% claimed that the amount of talking varied with the program, and 16% claimed that a considerable amount of conversation occurred. Concentration, gregariousness, and other personality factors may also affect the depth of social interaction .These two cases have to be investigated further to evaluate the effects of popular culture production” (p. 460).
Popular Culture Usage as a Conversation Tool
The author suggests that, popular culture items that are a part of a fad are usually talked about the most, but can differ depending on the public’s taste in products and symbolic meaning. These types of products can start conversations on various levels. The three main levels of social interaction are 1) people who do not each other, but talk about popular culture in general such as
Conclusion
In conclusion production, consumption, and usage of popular culture are usually taken in by homogenous and heterogeneous groups and not just individuals. For a popular culture product to become popular it must have symbolic meaning to the public whether it deals with their favorite hobby, part of their culture, continuously talked about, and advertised. This article flowed well and was easily to follow as it progressed through the stages of popular culture development.
Fine, G. A. (1977). Popular culture and social interaction: Production, consumption, and
usage. Journal of Popular Culture, 11(2), pp. 453-466.
This is an interesting article. Popular culture has certainly exploded over the years. I attribute that to modern technology and all of the avenues we now have at our fingertips to hear and see events almost as quick as they happen. I liked the way the article talked about each individual sections, production, consumption and usage.
ReplyDeleteGood article selection.
Holy guacamole! Are you a serious brain, or were you trying to impress the professor? I say all of this light heartedly, please do not take offence. I found this article very agonizing to read. In fact, to be honest I couldn't finish it. I enjoy the end user side of pop culture. I know it exists, I know why it is useful to understand, but this article clearly written for professionals in the field. Your analysis is as about as deep as I truly would want to take the subject. I applaud your bravery for attempting to tackle this article.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with Bryan more!!! The article was brutal but your analysis was it's saving grace for me. The analysis was still very well written and had the same components but it was easier to read than the article, at least for me. GREAT job!!!
ReplyDeleteFirst I must say that your article was not that bad, but it was not that easy to read. However, I found parts interesting. It is hard to believe how many poeple work on these projects and also the amount of time and money that are spent to perfect these artifacts before they are released.
ReplyDeleteDarren
My opinion on your article was that it wasn't that bad. It wasn't the best article, but it was okay. You did a good job on your end though. I also agree with Darren that the time put into these projects is amazing.
ReplyDelete