...I believe that to some extent culture protection was a motivator, however the sale of popular American magazines put an economic pressure on local Canadian magazine vendors to compete with sales that they saw was going to hurt them economically. American magazines would attract advertisers and resources would be diverted to the publication of the American magazines that they felt would be a major issue to compete for readership and advertisers. These American magazines would show the American lifestyle and I do believe that those images and readings may have presented a concern to conservative groups and felt that young readers would be influenced by the American pop culture. An example of one such magazine that could be a major influence...
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...In “Sailing to Byzantium” an old man faces the problem of old age, of death, and of regeneration, and gives his decision. Old age, he tells us, excludes a man from the sensual joys of youth; the world appears to belong completely to the young, it is no place for the old; indeed, an old man is scarcely a man at all—he is an empty artifice, an effigy merely, of a man; he is a tattered coat upon a stick. This would be very bad, except that the young also are excluded from something; rapt in their sensuality, they are ignorant utterly of the world of the spirit. Hence if old age frees a man from sensual passion, he may rejoice in the liberation of the soul; he is admitted into the realm of the spirit; and his rejoicing will increase according as he realizes the magnificence of the soul. But the soul can best learn its own greatness from the great works of art; hence he turns to those great works, but in turning to them, he finds that these are by no means mere effigies, or monuments, but things which have souls also; these live in the noblest element of God’s fire, free from all corruption; hence he prays for death, for release from his mortal body; and since the insouled monuments exhibit the possibility of the soul’s existence in some other matter than flesh, he wishes reincarnation, not now in a mortal body, but in the immortal and changeless embodiment of art. There are thus the following terms, one might say, from which the poem suspends: the condition of the young, who are...
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...Popular American Culture Paper Marie Loggia-Kee SOC/105 July 18, 2011 University of Phoenix Popular American Culture Paper When we talk about American Pop Culture, we are talking about society today, and how it has made a difference from the past. Culture is defined appreciating good music, food, and art. We see culture in our everyday lives; we eat, breathe, and speak culture in our homes. People become used to what is consider the new style. In our modern world, others refuse to participate. American Pop Culture is defined as culture that refers to the knowledge and customs of a specific group during a specific period of time, and simultaneously reflects and influences behaviors (Petracca & Sorapure, 2007). With the media changing through the years, our social habits have changed drastically for some, and not for others. For example I used to write letters to my family overseas, and now we email each other or use Facebook to keep in touch with all the updates within our family. Technology has gotten better throughout the years. With new technologies, everyone wants to be involved with in. Another great example of new technology is researching. We used to go to libraries to research on a book, product, or person. Now we are able to do it online in the comfort of our own homes. We also get to shop online which is another great example of pop culture. American pop culture has influenced our lives in many ways, like fashion for instance. Some of us like the new trend...
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...Trends in American Popular Culture First name, Last Name SOC 105 October 7, 2010 Instructor Trends in American Popular Culture American Popular Culture (Pop Culture) changes from generation to generation. Some of these changes become well-established trends within society and continue into future generations, while other Pop Culture, fads, seem to fade away. Changes within Pop Culture can have both positive and negative effects on society; but without these changes, America would be a bland, monochromatic society. Among the Pop Culture trends that we’ve seen over the years, technology has been a major trend that has gone through many changes over time. One facet of technology that has gone through changes is communication. Communication has evolved in different ways over thousands of years, but we will concentrate on the last hundred years or so. Some of the early forms of communication were by ship, train, and telegraph, and later, the telephone. Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone in 1876 laid the groundwork for people to talk at large distances (Constable, G. and Somerville, B, 2010). The first mobile radio was installed in police cars for the Detroit, Michigan police department in 1921. The first car phone was developed by 1956, although the equipment was big and bulky and a personal radio operator was required to switch the calls (Keith, 2004). Over time, telephones have allowed people to communicate with their neighbor across...
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...Irakli Mbrica HI 300: American Pop Culture Prof. Blower 12/13/13 American Woman Barbie’s Impact on Womanhood from 1950s-Current Times As you walk into any Toys-R-Us or other toy store, you will undoubtedly come across a wide section of nothing but pink. When you browse this area more closely, you will recognize the iconic name, Barbie, branded across a wide selection of dolls, houses, clothing, cars, and other accessories. Most likely, you will notice a news anchor and a computer engineer Barbie, representing the new Barbie careers of the 2010s. If you were shopping in any other decade since the late 1950s, you would see Barbie dolls with different costumes and careers. Since its inception in 1959, by creator Ruth Handler, the Barbie doll has taken on more than 100 different career paths and has become the most successful doll ever produced. This iconic and often controversial doll has had a great deal of influence on every decade since the late 1950s. From its very inception, Barbie was an innovative fashion doll, whose desirability and influence among girls quickly skyrocketed. It was the first ever adult-bodied doll, equipped with breasts, long legs, and a small waist. Previously, the only dolls for girls were baby or infant dolls that allowed little girls to play mommy. But with Barbie, little girls were soon able to imagine being much more than just mothers or wives, and could play as any career they wanted. The Barbie doll was not simply a fashionable toy, but...
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...American Dream As a Myth Erica Rideout HUMN240-F1WW Professor Deborah Rosenstock July 7, 2012 The myth of the American Dream does not have to be taught or learned. Growing up in America, it is imbedded in our minds at a young age that America has it all. American is the land of opportunity and allows its citizens to work hard and gain an uncapped amount of success. However, it is more apparent that this “dream” has transformed into a myth over the several years since its creation. Once upon a time, America was seen as the place to gain opportunity and success. However, as times continue to change, this vision of the dream continues to slip out of American’s hands and more into the mind as a myth. The major component of the myth of the American Dream is a simple one. America is the land of the free and home of the brave. Our American ancestors have fought for freedom and gained it allowing fellow Americans endless opportunities that can lead to great success. These opportunities do not just end with Americans; they are extended to all nationalities that come to America with hopes of living the so called American Dream. Although the American Dream may just be a myth, it definitely gives people hope. Most times, that hope is enough to lead to the drive and determination necessary to reach some level of the American Dream. There are several artifacts that help display the myth of the American Dream. Two artifacts that I have chosen are relevant to views...
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...SATIRE: HOMOSEXUALITY 05/08/2014 0 Comments Kenny was in the 7th grade, he loved to draw and he was really good . The guys in the 8th grade didn’t think that was cool though. They called him names. Kenny felt very upset . Was drawing for girls? Was he a homosexual? I mean he did like Hannah Montana, and Selena Gomez was a great singer. Why didn’t the others notice. He liked the color pink, he liked pink clothes. Why did the kids in the eighth grade call him a strawberry? Was it the shirt? I mean his dad wore pink shirts to church. His dad was not a homosexual! He had to be like the other boys, he had to start acting and dressing like them. Where would he shop now? Will he have to stop using clear nail polish? The Lady Gaga concert was coming up, what if someone saw him there? All of the seventh grade girls were going, what if they told? He shouldn’t go, he should stay home. But he has been waiting for this concert for TWO years! He had already bought his zebra printed pants, and those were so expensive. Last Monday he was standing in the lunch line, when he heard Charles the football player say “ Kenny, Kenny why are you such a lady” He knew it. His name was the problem, he had a girls name. HE WOULD CHANGE HIS NAME. that was the solution, after changing his name the eighth grade boys would like him....
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..."Love Never Felt So Good" is a song performed by American recording artist Michael Jackson, released posthumously on May 2, 2014. Two reworked versions of the 1983 demo track originally composed by Jackson and Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka form the first single released from Jackson's second posthumous album, Xscape. The first version is a solo produced by American record producer John McClain and Dutch record producer Giorgio Tuinfort. The second version is a duet featuring American recording artist Justin Timberlake, produced by American record producers Timbaland and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon. It is the second collaboration between Jackson and Anka to be released since Jackson's 2009 death (the first being "This Is It"). The single charted on number 9 in the US and on number 8 in the UK. First worked on as a demo, Jackson co-produced the song during a 1983 recording session with Anka. The original version only featured Jackson's vocals, handclaps and a piano, played by Anka. In 1984, Anka sent the song to Johnny Mathis, who recorded a new version of the song with revised lyrics by Anka and Kathleen Wakefield.[3] Mathis' version made it on his 1984 album, A Special Part of Me. In 2006, Jackson's demo leaked online. During the 2013-2014 recording sessions for the Xscape album, the song was given a revision as a disco-sounding track. The first version, which only features Jackson, was produced by John McClain and Giorgio Tuinfort and was featured as the first track on the standard...
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...Studentereksamen The texts in section A focus on the American Dream. Write a paper (700-1000 words) in which your answer the following questions. Answer the questions separately. Give an outline of how the American Dream is interpreted in texts 2, 3 and 4. Text 2: Arnold Schwarzenegger's view on the American Dream is; that it is something you have to make yourself worthy for. This is characterized by three things. To truly succeed as an American citizen you have to learn the English language. This is a necessity to blend in to the American culture. Another factor that weighs in high according to Schwarzenegger about the American Dream is the right to vote. In Austria, you do not have the right to vote, so he exaggerates the fact that the right to vote should not be taken for granted. He also says that 'democracy is not a spectator’s sport', so you should participate as much as possible. Thirdly, he emphasizes that giving back to your country should be important. According to Schwarzenegger you should give back as much and as possible. He ends the text paying tribute to all the great immigrants who have performed service for The United States. Text 3: The third text epitomizes the opinion that the American Dream is money-oriented. Since the economy was at a downfall in 2008, the American Dream had been, metaphorically speaking, been killed or at least wounded. Beyond that, the text is angled in a much more negative way, but maybe a more realistic way. The writer, Anya...
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...accommodation and assimilation to mainstream American culture You might want to reflect on how the historical times in which they came of age influenced their experiences Consider differences and/or similarities in their attitudes towards --parents --traditional Chinese culture --Education --American values Matthew Munet Pardee and Jade; Similar Yet Different Family and class backgrounds have a major influence on the way humans create our perceptions and beliefs. I for one come from a Hispanic middle class family. My beliefs may have some similarities to other middle class Hispanics but may be completely opposite compared to a female who comes from a wealthy Hispanic family. This can be seen if we compare Pardee Lowe and Jade Snow Wong. These two prominent Asian American authors depict The Chinese authors Pardee Lowe and Jade Snow Wong display how assimilation differ with social class, gender, and ethnic background through their stories Nisei Daughter and Father and Glorious Descendent. There experiences defy the many anti-Asian prejudice that was established upon the Chinese people during that time. Coming from an Americanized home and wealthy family Pardee Lowe epitomized the ideal situation of growing up as a Chinese child. His father being a wealthy merchant differentiated from a typical Chinese kid growing up in American society. In addition, having an Americanized dad relieved Pardee of the many contrasting cultures that other Chinese kids such as Jade...
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...The American Dream Has Been Reborn Immigrants flee from their home countries for what? A piece of a dream that seems too good to be true. No more poverty, no more suffering, no more days gone hungry. A certain hope and dream that has driven many to become obsessed with power and success. But most don’t know, as beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, so is happiness and prosperity. A happy family isn’t determined by how many cars they drive or the size of their wallets, rather the size of their heart. The American dream is the hope to achieve the pursuit of happiness, one thing this country may never lose. The true feeling of doing what you love is what it feels like to have happiness. Whether its providing for your family so your offspring has a bright future or having a career in which you are satisfied. Satisfaction. Thats the problem… Todays society has become so consumed with advancing, making more money, and gaining influence they don’t take the time to look up and see the beauty around them. When individuals place promotions ahead of family they lose sight of what the ‘Dream’ is. Take Oscar Carlos Acosta as example, he was a stud baseball pitcher who let his obsession get the better of him, leading to the loss of his family and pitching career. He let his obsession with making it to the majors destroy him. But all was not lost. The American Dream is a hope of a second chance, a new start. And in the end Acosta reconciled with his wife and children and went...
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...trees and reducing the amount of carbon in the air digital newspapers and magazines also became a big success for mass media and global news. Today events that take place half way around the world are in local newspapers or on broadcasting stations within minutes of their occurrence. The 20th century gift to mass media is speed and advertisement. Businesses can introduce themselves and their services to a wider scale of consumers instead of only their local based customers. There were also a number of visual improvements to mass media during the 20th century. Movies were made in 3D, green screens were used to insert false backgrounds, and clarity was improved by creating high definition lenses. | How did each development influence American culture? | With all the...
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...psychology of desperation and deep meanings of struggle to many of Arthur Miller’s poems. “The Crucible” deals with extraordinary tragedy in lives of normal people due to the witch-hunts. “All My Sons” probes with the idea of dissatisfaction and unrest within the greater American population, influenced from the desperation and paternal responsibility put on people. Lastly, “Death of a Salesman” a work based on the American dream and national values, was influenced greatly by his hatred relationship with his uncle. The historical and personal events that occurred during Arthur Miller’s early life greatly influenced his writings of “The Crucible”, “Death of a Salesman”, and “All My Sons”. “The Crucible” was historically influenced by those trying to cleanse American culture of anyone who persisted in seeing the Soviet Union as a source of good in the world. This disgusted Miller so much that he based “The Crucible” on the anti-communist hysteria that pervaded the 1950s America, and the witch-hunts of the late 17th century He hated the idea of tragedy in ordinary lives and had much concern for the physical wellbeing of the working class. The outburst of these ideas caused him to be called before the House Committee on Un-American Activities, and was convicted of contempt of Congress for not cooperating (this conviction however was later appealed). The unraveling of his troubled and turbulent marriage with Marilyn Monroe was the main personal event that influenced Miller’s writing of this...
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...American Culture of Consumerism Present day American culture is heavily influenced by consumerism. American’s are focused on material possessions, instead of working for their status in society they would rather project a desired status with the use of material possessions. The rest of the world views Americans as a more materialistic society than majority of the other countries. Americans love to eat, work, party, and spend money all in excess. This means that they value and collect more material objects than most people would ever dream of owning. The American people are so focused on maintaining their material possessions to show off their status, that they focus less on building relationships and developing a sense of self and a sense of appreciation. The marketing world only takes this materialism higher, it focuses on this insatiable “hunger” for the newest trends and thus advertises their products to appeal to a wide variety of consumers. Tom Horton, a writer for The Baltimore Sun, helps put it in perspective in his article The Toll of American Materialism stating “For the record, Americans are five percent of Earth's population, consuming about thirty percent of the Earth's nonrenewable natural resources. If global trade actually enabled the other ninety five percent of the world to live the American dream, we'd need another five or so Earths to support it.” For Americans it is more important to obtain, maintain, and protect their material objects than it is to focus...
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...soon realizes that it’s not all she imagined it to be. Hungry Hearts seems to suggest that America can bring success and joy to everyone, including immigrants, but it will come at a cost of integrating into a new world and nation different from their own. Instead of making the easy transition into this new society, the characters come to the realization that there will be some give and take with adjusting to this new world. She implies that cultural traditions and heritages may have to be forfeited or lessened in this new world to make room for what is socially acceptable in America. This is only if one wants to be successful and take full advantage of the American dream and all this country has to offer. For immigrants who seem to be able to merge the various aspects of each culture successfully, they learn that American society doesn’t really view them equally, but instead looks upon them as a lower class citizen compared to naturalized citizens. In “Wings”, Shenah Pessah, the protagonist is on adolescent immigrant who looks forward to making something of herself, brimming with joy and aspiration to improve her life. In the new world her life seemingly becomes better when she meets a young professor, John Barnes, who represents everything she wanted to be in America. Unknown to her are his true motives of his interests in her. When she says she’s from Russia, the first thing he thinks of is: “So he was in their midst, the people he came to study. The girl with her hungry eyes...
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