Saturday, April 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
9-1 Swimming Pools
Swimming Pools Why do we have them?
I have had a large outside swimming pool for a number of years now. I always wanted a swimming pool when I was a kid and when I became an adult and bought my own place it was not long after that I purchased a swimming pool. Growing up in central Illinois we have only ¼-1/3 of the year that we could go swimming outside. I grew up at the YMCA swimming and going to the river and swimming, we have had a public pool as well growing up. When I was a kid in the 1980; s there was not a lot of people with pools. When a person had a pool back then, it always seemed like a good time and a party, fun, swimming and just an all out good time for all. The backyard pool was where it was at. After I purchased by own home, I knew I had plenty of room for a pool, the price was right so I bought a pool. Having a swimming pool is fantastic I have children and they have grown up with the pool in their backyard. In my case it would not be hard for the kids to beg for a pool as I’m the one who wanted a pool more than them. Having a pool is like having that little amusement in your own back yard. Not to mention the relaxing part of owning a pool. It is so nice to come home after a long day at work and just getting into that pool and just floating, it is so refreshing. To have company over on a summer day, and keep them all outside a swimming pool is the key to get people having a good time and swimming. The young and old love swimming and it is great for the memories. The long hot summer nights and a glass of lemonade next to the swimming pool, lighted by tiki torches, it feels like paradise in your own backyard. Probable the main reason to have a pool when you are a parent is for the kids. Our local swimming pool never re-opened and I feel for those kids who loved that hole and now have nowhere else to go. The swimming pool kids the kids out of trouble, they are home and safe. But with all the glee of the kids swimming it brings their friends, I will see kids over at 7 in the morning all ready to swim, waking my kids up. The neighborhood swimming pool or any swimming pool a kid grew up at will remember these memories forever.
I have had a large outside swimming pool for a number of years now. I always wanted a swimming pool when I was a kid and when I became an adult and bought my own place it was not long after that I purchased a swimming pool. Growing up in central Illinois we have only ¼-1/3 of the year that we could go swimming outside. I grew up at the YMCA swimming and going to the river and swimming, we have had a public pool as well growing up. When I was a kid in the 1980; s there was not a lot of people with pools. When a person had a pool back then, it always seemed like a good time and a party, fun, swimming and just an all out good time for all. The backyard pool was where it was at. After I purchased by own home, I knew I had plenty of room for a pool, the price was right so I bought a pool. Having a swimming pool is fantastic I have children and they have grown up with the pool in their backyard. In my case it would not be hard for the kids to beg for a pool as I’m the one who wanted a pool more than them. Having a pool is like having that little amusement in your own back yard. Not to mention the relaxing part of owning a pool. It is so nice to come home after a long day at work and just getting into that pool and just floating, it is so refreshing. To have company over on a summer day, and keep them all outside a swimming pool is the key to get people having a good time and swimming. The young and old love swimming and it is great for the memories. The long hot summer nights and a glass of lemonade next to the swimming pool, lighted by tiki torches, it feels like paradise in your own backyard. Probable the main reason to have a pool when you are a parent is for the kids. Our local swimming pool never re-opened and I feel for those kids who loved that hole and now have nowhere else to go. The swimming pool kids the kids out of trouble, they are home and safe. But with all the glee of the kids swimming it brings their friends, I will see kids over at 7 in the morning all ready to swim, waking my kids up. The neighborhood swimming pool or any swimming pool a kid grew up at will remember these memories forever.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
7-1--eBay Life
The life of an eBayer by an eBayer. It has been over 11 years now that I have been playing on eBay. I first got on eBay as a curisioity , like so many do and I went and bought a few items that I had as a kid, in which I thought I would have never seen again. It was about a year later that some stuff I have bought and seen, I have sold all ready as I sell antiques in malls and at shows, but not for some of the prices that I have seen on eBay. I started out with a couple of items I just could not sell anywhere but I sold them on eBay. Buying and selling on eBay can be a great experience most of the time, but as many buyers and sellers know there is bound to be a hassle somewhere along the eBay road. Buying items can be a great experience most of the time, but as buyers and sellers know there is bound to be a hassle somewhere down the eBay road. Buying items can be easy for a lot but for some it can be tenseful as the last second bidding might raise the item so high that you cannot bid again. And when it looks like you have won an item, the last second you will get outbid and that is called snipping. There is also the hassle of bidding/winning and paying for an item and then when you receive it, it was not as advertised. Another problem a lot of buyers have is the high shipping prices that some charge. There is shipping prices like 10$ for a cd or 15$ for a book. There is for the most part great transactions for buyers but you must be wary and look into your sellers selling history this will let you know what kind of seller there are and what you can expect.
Selling on eBay is much the same as buying having fun and having an all around positive eBay experience such as making money, buy there can also be hassles for sellers. EBay has continual fee hikes and other fees, which have a lot of people up in arms, but this is just the way they are making profits and it is the American way to earn more. Other grips that sellers have is the way eBay has changed their feedback rating system. EBay has been catering more towards the buyers instead of the sellers and it is hurting seller’s feedback ratings in which they take pride in.
There is too many issues that a seller can have with buyers that it would take a separate blog posting for. This is the eBay life, got love it or leave it, we actually love it.
Selling on eBay is much the same as buying having fun and having an all around positive eBay experience such as making money, buy there can also be hassles for sellers. EBay has continual fee hikes and other fees, which have a lot of people up in arms, but this is just the way they are making profits and it is the American way to earn more. Other grips that sellers have is the way eBay has changed their feedback rating system. EBay has been catering more towards the buyers instead of the sellers and it is hurting seller’s feedback ratings in which they take pride in.
There is too many issues that a seller can have with buyers that it would take a separate blog posting for. This is the eBay life, got love it or leave it, we actually love it.
Monday, March 9, 2009
1-3 Antique Road Show
Johnny J. Goplin
1-3 Antique Road Show
March 9, 2009
HUMN 341-Q1WW
Morris Schottenstein
The article that I chose for this analysis is Narratives of Value and the Antique Road show “ A game of recognition” The intented audience of this article is many and for all types of people, the average person who collects antiques or just about anything of value. As in the article on page 9, sentence 7, meaningful relationships between people is commonly connected with objects; households are often full of such reminders. This is also a great research tool for people looking to research specific items that they have, that are shown being appraised on the show. This show is also intended for the average viewer, as they show and appraise a wide range of items covering many different genres. Another intended audience of the Antique Road show is historians, the majority of each segment is dedicated to stories that are based upon sentimental or historical narratives of value. With almost every item shown the person showing the item may have a significant story to tell about this item. After the person showing the item and tells of their story, an appraiser will elaborate more on the items historical significance.
Antique Road show travels from city to city, and they bring with them as many as 75 appraisers that are experts in all fields of antiques, and they can appraise many if not all the items shown. This crew of appraiser’s will bring with them the knowledge to get approximate appraisals for the person showing the item. The excitement with the item being shown is the appraised price itself. It is a great moment for actual human emotion, and watching it on TV is also a very gratifying moment, as well. The story ends by the appraiser usually asking how much the person paid for the item. The primary reason for bringing the item to be shown is to find out the monetary value of the item being brought in to show.
The article starts out by examine why an item is worth anything in the first place such as the market value, historical value. Sentimental value, artistic value and entertainment value. Throughout the article these reasons for the value are discussed in great detail. The point gone over and over again in this article is not only the monetary of each person items, but the stories that bring with them about these items. With just the items being appraised, they may be worth a great deal, but with providence and actual facts to back up items, they are usually worth more and many are historical pieces. The clip ends with the appraisers thanking the person who brought in the item for sharing their stories not only the item.
The style of this article is very well written with the first paragraph setting the stage for the rest of the article. The first paragraph covers what this article is about, and throughout the article it is right on queue with the given information. It starts out about a market value on historical, sentimental, artistic, and entertainment objects and how the value of these items are translated into commodities. The article starts with a short history of the Antique Road Show itself and then dives into the human drama with stories and appraisals. With the interjectory of the stories from the show throughout the article it makes it very entertaining and fun to read.
The article goes on with different points that were mentioned in the opening paragraph. Everything runs smoothly, with the definition of art nouveau, to the importance of an items historical significance. This article was easy to read and entertain as well, with the real life stories being told and real life emotions that come to life.
A key point to this article for me is when the question is asked, does it take a professional to determine what is valuable and what is not and what good taste is and what is not in good taste. There is examples on what a person’s taste may be like, this person may have good taste in a collectible, but it may not be worth much in monetary value. This article also talks about a person looking at a great old piece and seeing it vibrant and full of life and buying it and it turns out to be wonderful and expensive item. The key point is also, on how a person is trained and educated on antiques and collectibles, but they may not be an expert in all things old and collectible. This article says it does not take an expert in the field of antiques and collectibles to buy something that is worth a great deal of money, just good eyes and buy what they like.
The stories told here are very entreating. There is some stories told of objects being appraised which are one of the best parts of this article. After the appraiser gives his appraised price, the owner reactions are priceless. There are reactions of shock, happiness, pleasure and just truly emotionally amazed. There are also the reactions from the people who may have thought they had something very expensive and rare and it turns out it is worthless, and the person reacts bummed or mad.
This article shows what makes up the Antique Road Show and how items/treasures are appraised, along with the stories of these items. After all is done the reactions from the owners are priceless as well. For the appraisers, when they find out how much they paid for an item their reactions are also priceless.
Narratives of Value and the Antiques Roadshow: “A Game of Recognitions” The Journal of Popular Culture, Volume 41, issue 1 (February 2008), p. 3-20
1-3 Antique Road Show
March 9, 2009
HUMN 341-Q1WW
Morris Schottenstein
The article that I chose for this analysis is Narratives of Value and the Antique Road show “ A game of recognition” The intented audience of this article is many and for all types of people, the average person who collects antiques or just about anything of value. As in the article on page 9, sentence 7, meaningful relationships between people is commonly connected with objects; households are often full of such reminders. This is also a great research tool for people looking to research specific items that they have, that are shown being appraised on the show. This show is also intended for the average viewer, as they show and appraise a wide range of items covering many different genres. Another intended audience of the Antique Road show is historians, the majority of each segment is dedicated to stories that are based upon sentimental or historical narratives of value. With almost every item shown the person showing the item may have a significant story to tell about this item. After the person showing the item and tells of their story, an appraiser will elaborate more on the items historical significance.
Antique Road show travels from city to city, and they bring with them as many as 75 appraisers that are experts in all fields of antiques, and they can appraise many if not all the items shown. This crew of appraiser’s will bring with them the knowledge to get approximate appraisals for the person showing the item. The excitement with the item being shown is the appraised price itself. It is a great moment for actual human emotion, and watching it on TV is also a very gratifying moment, as well. The story ends by the appraiser usually asking how much the person paid for the item. The primary reason for bringing the item to be shown is to find out the monetary value of the item being brought in to show.
The article starts out by examine why an item is worth anything in the first place such as the market value, historical value. Sentimental value, artistic value and entertainment value. Throughout the article these reasons for the value are discussed in great detail. The point gone over and over again in this article is not only the monetary of each person items, but the stories that bring with them about these items. With just the items being appraised, they may be worth a great deal, but with providence and actual facts to back up items, they are usually worth more and many are historical pieces. The clip ends with the appraisers thanking the person who brought in the item for sharing their stories not only the item.
The style of this article is very well written with the first paragraph setting the stage for the rest of the article. The first paragraph covers what this article is about, and throughout the article it is right on queue with the given information. It starts out about a market value on historical, sentimental, artistic, and entertainment objects and how the value of these items are translated into commodities. The article starts with a short history of the Antique Road Show itself and then dives into the human drama with stories and appraisals. With the interjectory of the stories from the show throughout the article it makes it very entertaining and fun to read.
The article goes on with different points that were mentioned in the opening paragraph. Everything runs smoothly, with the definition of art nouveau, to the importance of an items historical significance. This article was easy to read and entertain as well, with the real life stories being told and real life emotions that come to life.
A key point to this article for me is when the question is asked, does it take a professional to determine what is valuable and what is not and what good taste is and what is not in good taste. There is examples on what a person’s taste may be like, this person may have good taste in a collectible, but it may not be worth much in monetary value. This article also talks about a person looking at a great old piece and seeing it vibrant and full of life and buying it and it turns out to be wonderful and expensive item. The key point is also, on how a person is trained and educated on antiques and collectibles, but they may not be an expert in all things old and collectible. This article says it does not take an expert in the field of antiques and collectibles to buy something that is worth a great deal of money, just good eyes and buy what they like.
The stories told here are very entreating. There is some stories told of objects being appraised which are one of the best parts of this article. After the appraiser gives his appraised price, the owner reactions are priceless. There are reactions of shock, happiness, pleasure and just truly emotionally amazed. There are also the reactions from the people who may have thought they had something very expensive and rare and it turns out it is worthless, and the person reacts bummed or mad.
This article shows what makes up the Antique Road Show and how items/treasures are appraised, along with the stories of these items. After all is done the reactions from the owners are priceless as well. For the appraisers, when they find out how much they paid for an item their reactions are also priceless.
Narratives of Value and the Antiques Roadshow: “A Game of Recognitions” The Journal of Popular Culture, Volume 41, issue 1 (February 2008), p. 3-20
Saturday, February 28, 2009
5-1 Soda Pop
Soda pop in American popular culture. Soda pop, soda, coke or pop has been in American popular culture for over 120 years with Coca Cola starting the addiction. Soda pop is all over American culture there is adds everywhere in art, magazines, TV, billboards and just about anywhere else you can put print and graphics on. I started drinking soda, as my mom was a soda drinker and every kid wants a soda and I was on exception. There have been many brands of soda thorough the years that has come and gone with Coke and Pepsi products still leading the industry. Soda pop is big business and theses two companies are the biggest in the world. Soda pop is very appealing to young and old alike, in that when cold and you’re thirsty they can be refreshing.
My soda of choice is Mountain Dew. I had a friend that traveled across the country on bicycle, I asked what he did when he rode, what he saw on his trails. He said when he was bored or just watching the road ahead of him; he noticed a lot of garbage on the sides of the roads with most of the garbage being Mountain Dew bottles and cans. He said the Mountain Dew garbage out numbered all other sodas and garbage he seen. He did not remember certain views or buildings all he could talk about was all the Mountain Dew garbage.
Soda pop isn’t that good for you, but it is good and sweet and people will continue to drink it even if it makes you fat. My kids drink pop, as much as I don’t like the kids having pop, I feel that I have to let a kid be a kid as all the others in the world for over 100 years now. Children love soda pop and my daughter is no exception, but she did on her own will quit drinking pop for 1 year. Very good for a 13 year old kid, I would have never had that will now or at 13.
With all the different soda pops on the market, kids and adults still like the traditional sodas, even if we know all the different sugars are not good for a person. For some it is a guilty pleasure, for others it is an addiction, but for all of America it is POPular culture.
My soda of choice is Mountain Dew. I had a friend that traveled across the country on bicycle, I asked what he did when he rode, what he saw on his trails. He said when he was bored or just watching the road ahead of him; he noticed a lot of garbage on the sides of the roads with most of the garbage being Mountain Dew bottles and cans. He said the Mountain Dew garbage out numbered all other sodas and garbage he seen. He did not remember certain views or buildings all he could talk about was all the Mountain Dew garbage.
Soda pop isn’t that good for you, but it is good and sweet and people will continue to drink it even if it makes you fat. My kids drink pop, as much as I don’t like the kids having pop, I feel that I have to let a kid be a kid as all the others in the world for over 100 years now. Children love soda pop and my daughter is no exception, but she did on her own will quit drinking pop for 1 year. Very good for a 13 year old kid, I would have never had that will now or at 13.
With all the different soda pops on the market, kids and adults still like the traditional sodas, even if we know all the different sugars are not good for a person. For some it is a guilty pleasure, for others it is an addiction, but for all of America it is POPular culture.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Performance Enhancing Drugs in Major League Baseball
Assignment 3-1
Johnny J. Goplin
HUMN. 341
Performance Enhancing Drugs in Major League Baseball
Feb. 15, 2008
Baseball is an American pastime, icon, and is in all of American popular culture from TV, movies, toys, books and so much more. For the last 5 years, Congress and other people have been trying to get to the bottom of the steroid use and other performance enhancing drugs used such as HGH (human growth hormones). This has been a taboo type of a subject to talk about from the 1980's-mid 2000's. These drugs have had a major impact in baseball as longtime records are being broke by outright cheaters who are enhancing muscles to hit the ball farther and throw the ball harder. Baseball for a long time has had controversies with drug use, but the drugs used in the past my baseball players, these drugs didn't enhance their abilities. As casual fans or die-hard fans it was getting obvious that baseball players were getting bigger and bigger.
Special baseball players had historic records that seemed unattainable until the steroids came into use. from 1973-1990 there was only 1 50 home run hitter in a season. In the last 15 years there has been many 50++ home run hitters and many in 1 season. True baseball players are bigger and stronger and they keep their bodies in shape, but for the few players taking steroids it is hurting all the honest hard working ball players who want an opportunity to get into the record books by the hard work and God given natural talent.
One Mark McGuire a heavy hitting baseball player who holds rookie home run records and was the first to break Roger Maris's long lasting home run record has not been elected to the baseball Hall of Fame, due to the assumption he did steroids. He has not been caught, but his name has been mentioned using the drugs and this is the reason why he is being kept out of the Hall of Fame.
With baseball players who would have been definitely Hall of Famers without the use of enhancing drugs, may now never get in such as Roger Clemons, Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGuire and so many more. Baseball players blamed a lot of other things on their steroid use, that never had any merit, it was their own selves to choose to do them, knowing it was wrong. I was a kid in the 1980's and I knew it was bad then and now. major League Baseball will recover and this 15 year period may go down as the dirtiest era, and a lot of fans will have their own asterisks besides the tainted records that were achieved during this era.
Johnny J. Goplin
HUMN. 341
Performance Enhancing Drugs in Major League Baseball
Feb. 15, 2008
Baseball is an American pastime, icon, and is in all of American popular culture from TV, movies, toys, books and so much more. For the last 5 years, Congress and other people have been trying to get to the bottom of the steroid use and other performance enhancing drugs used such as HGH (human growth hormones). This has been a taboo type of a subject to talk about from the 1980's-mid 2000's. These drugs have had a major impact in baseball as longtime records are being broke by outright cheaters who are enhancing muscles to hit the ball farther and throw the ball harder. Baseball for a long time has had controversies with drug use, but the drugs used in the past my baseball players, these drugs didn't enhance their abilities. As casual fans or die-hard fans it was getting obvious that baseball players were getting bigger and bigger.
Special baseball players had historic records that seemed unattainable until the steroids came into use. from 1973-1990 there was only 1 50 home run hitter in a season. In the last 15 years there has been many 50++ home run hitters and many in 1 season. True baseball players are bigger and stronger and they keep their bodies in shape, but for the few players taking steroids it is hurting all the honest hard working ball players who want an opportunity to get into the record books by the hard work and God given natural talent.
One Mark McGuire a heavy hitting baseball player who holds rookie home run records and was the first to break Roger Maris's long lasting home run record has not been elected to the baseball Hall of Fame, due to the assumption he did steroids. He has not been caught, but his name has been mentioned using the drugs and this is the reason why he is being kept out of the Hall of Fame.
With baseball players who would have been definitely Hall of Famers without the use of enhancing drugs, may now never get in such as Roger Clemons, Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGuire and so many more. Baseball players blamed a lot of other things on their steroid use, that never had any merit, it was their own selves to choose to do them, knowing it was wrong. I was a kid in the 1980's and I knew it was bad then and now. major League Baseball will recover and this 15 year period may go down as the dirtiest era, and a lot of fans will have their own asterisks besides the tainted records that were achieved during this era.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
3-2-Icon Analysis--MLB--UAW--DC clothing
Assignment 3-2
Icon Analysis
I choose MLB (Major League Baseball) as a contemtary icon. This is a worldwide symbol/icon that is noticed and regarded as the best professional baseball league in the world. The next icon I choose was the UAW (United Auto Workers) icon. This is probable the most known of all organized unions in the manufacturing work place. The last icon I choose is the DC clothing label. DC is a major clothing line started by a star skateboarder; this clothing line is world known and very popular amongst Americans.
The MLB icon has been known to me since I could see and hear. This is associated with professional baseball players, baseball stadiums, baseball cards and so much more. It’s one of the earliest American popular culture activities, and it has sustained its popularity for over 140 years now. Right now MLB is scrutinized by the steroid problems in the sport. As of the 2nd week of February 2009 the biggest and arguable the best baseball player in the game and of all time has just been caught and admitted to using steroids. MLB will get over this steroid scandal and stay popular amongst the USA and the world.
The UAW icon is an American icon and institution that stands for loyalty and solidarity to fellow brothers and sisters in UAW factories. The UAW has a place with me as I was in the UAW for 10 years and I became a journeyman electrician with them. My father, uncle, cousins and grandfather worked for the UAW through the years. I will always feel for the union and non-union members for rights and fairness in the work place. The solidarity for each member in the union from one another was very nice to have. When I see a UAW sticker, shirt or worker I think of their loyalty and solidarity to their unions and the companies they work for. The UAW has been getting a bad rap as of lately with the auto industry fallout, but all they wanted and fought for was the right to have the American Dream. UAW is and always will be an American icon.
DC clothing line is a clothing line that my kids need to have. It is a very popular American clothing line that probable is more popular with pre-teens to 30ish year olds. The founder of the clothing line is a professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek who has many records and has been a pro-skateboarder since he was 11, he is now 34. Rob was one half of the Rob & Big reality show and has other reality shows now on TV. Rob like many other entrepreneurs in the clothing line are coming from totally different backgrounds such as rappers, sports stars and more to become successful and rich by going the route of the American Dream and trying, taking a chance and succeeding.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
1-2 Popular Culture Blog Seinfeld
Assignment 1-2
Johnny J. Goplin
HUMN. 341
Popular Culture Blog
Feb. 8, 2008
Popular Culture as it reads in the book Common Culture (2007), is the shared knowledge and practices of a specific group at a specific time. Pop culture both reflects and influences people's way of life and these groups will share customs, artifacts, and values of popular culture.
What popular culture means to me is basically how I'm living and what I'm doing and also what I need to still do in life that is popular too many people in the USA. I feel that I have been living all aspects of popular culture and it has taken me thirty-five years to take in my culture and other culture's to make me the person I'm today. I'm all American popular culture at its best. There is so much popular culture all over the world and I have seen some, but for me the USA culture, customs, and practices is what I like to do and want to do.
Popular culture is what is popular with the people in your own culture. Eating cats and dogs may be popular in the cuisine culture in certain parts of the world, where I come from, the USA, cheeseburgers is a popular cuisine culture that I partake in. different things that I have done or seen in my up-bringing have led me to certain popular culture entities such as, baseball -playing baseball, going to baseball games, and collection all baseball items such as baseball cards. This is a very special popular culture that I will be partaking in the rest of my life and probable my children's lives as well.
I feel to that if you understand the popular culture around you, this will make you a better business person in any culture you do business in. To have an understanding of other countries popular culture, will make the people I'm doing business with more comfortable working with myself. I have worked with a lot of Japanese engineers and at times it is hard understanding or even talking to them. What made the relationship better with the Japanese engineers was that they enjoyed popular culture that was similar to ours in the USA. Even though communication was hard at times, we were able to talk about golf, baseball, fishing, movies and more. When communication was tough, myself or the Japanese engineers would use similarities to baseball or other popular culture to get our points across to each other. I will continue to use popular culture to communicate with other cultures, wherever my career takes me.
I would choose the television show Seinfeld as a popular culture artifact. This is just a TV show like many in the past and many more to come, but it has changed many people and will be a popular culture artifact for time to come. Seinfeld was very popular with their characters and plots of some of their episodes. I for instance have named four of my wiener dogs by names of characters from the show Seinfeld, over the last 12 years they are named Puddy, Krammer, Elain, and Newman. people in the US and some others around the world celebrate a made up holiday around Christmas time, called Festivus Day. That holiday was created on a Seinfeld episode in which the character George and his not-right family celebrate the holiday for people fed up with holiday stress. These are just a couple of examples on how and why the TV show Seinfeld is a popular culture artifact.
References
Petracca, Michael, and madeleine Sorapure. Common Culture (chapter 1, page 4). Reading and writing about American Popular Culture. Prentice Hall, 2007.
Johnny J. Goplin
HUMN. 341
Popular Culture Blog
Feb. 8, 2008
Popular Culture as it reads in the book Common Culture (2007), is the shared knowledge and practices of a specific group at a specific time. Pop culture both reflects and influences people's way of life and these groups will share customs, artifacts, and values of popular culture.
What popular culture means to me is basically how I'm living and what I'm doing and also what I need to still do in life that is popular too many people in the USA. I feel that I have been living all aspects of popular culture and it has taken me thirty-five years to take in my culture and other culture's to make me the person I'm today. I'm all American popular culture at its best. There is so much popular culture all over the world and I have seen some, but for me the USA culture, customs, and practices is what I like to do and want to do.
Popular culture is what is popular with the people in your own culture. Eating cats and dogs may be popular in the cuisine culture in certain parts of the world, where I come from, the USA, cheeseburgers is a popular cuisine culture that I partake in. different things that I have done or seen in my up-bringing have led me to certain popular culture entities such as, baseball -playing baseball, going to baseball games, and collection all baseball items such as baseball cards. This is a very special popular culture that I will be partaking in the rest of my life and probable my children's lives as well.
I feel to that if you understand the popular culture around you, this will make you a better business person in any culture you do business in. To have an understanding of other countries popular culture, will make the people I'm doing business with more comfortable working with myself. I have worked with a lot of Japanese engineers and at times it is hard understanding or even talking to them. What made the relationship better with the Japanese engineers was that they enjoyed popular culture that was similar to ours in the USA. Even though communication was hard at times, we were able to talk about golf, baseball, fishing, movies and more. When communication was tough, myself or the Japanese engineers would use similarities to baseball or other popular culture to get our points across to each other. I will continue to use popular culture to communicate with other cultures, wherever my career takes me.
I would choose the television show Seinfeld as a popular culture artifact. This is just a TV show like many in the past and many more to come, but it has changed many people and will be a popular culture artifact for time to come. Seinfeld was very popular with their characters and plots of some of their episodes. I for instance have named four of my wiener dogs by names of characters from the show Seinfeld, over the last 12 years they are named Puddy, Krammer, Elain, and Newman. people in the US and some others around the world celebrate a made up holiday around Christmas time, called Festivus Day. That holiday was created on a Seinfeld episode in which the character George and his not-right family celebrate the holiday for people fed up with holiday stress. These are just a couple of examples on how and why the TV show Seinfeld is a popular culture artifact.
References
Petracca, Michael, and madeleine Sorapure. Common Culture (chapter 1, page 4). Reading and writing about American Popular Culture. Prentice Hall, 2007.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
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