Written Analysis  #1

Mona J. Barnes

Popular Culture – Facebook

Instructor – Jenifer Garey

April 10, 2015























Facebook

It is of popular belief that Facebook is going to be passé’ soon as the younger users find other ways to send and share information.  Facebook was initially something originally for the younger generation as a way of keeping in touch and sharing information.  Once the concept caught on, parents of those school age children started signing up just to watch what their children were doing.  Once initiated into this application, older generations started seeing the ease with which they could keep in touch with not only their children but also their family members, especially ones that were not nearby, as well as their own friends from college and other periods in their life.  Facebook began to take on a life of its own.
This being the reason that now many of the younger generation are moving away from it and using other applications such as snap chat.  They don’t want their parents so involved in everything they want to post and rant about.  If they use snap chat, it will appear and disappear in minutes, therefore, maintaining privacy.
Much like myths, Facebook has become universal.  It is known worldwide whether by name only or by supported usage.   It is used in many countries and is a great way to make contacts with people of other cultures and ways of life that we may never experience physically.  Anytime anyone sees the little blue f, they know that icon stands for Facebook worldwide.
The theories that apply to my topic is that, as mentioned previously, that this would be a great way for college age students to communicate.  It appears through many interviews that that this original theory was proven wrong as more and more people come to Facebook to make contact, to rant, to express views, to share family pictures and happenings, and Facebook has turned the old fashioned hand written invite into something of a relic for gatherings.  It is and has changed the way many people communicate with each other when a face-to-face is not possible.  Most people will respond a lot faster to their Facebook messages than they will to phone or even e-mails.
I have certainly learned that sometimes a small idea can have much a much larger impact than what was originally intended.  It appears that Facebook is changing the method and the speed with which we now communicate with each other and about each other.  I have also learned that this can either be good or bad, like everything, depending on how it is utilized.  It makes me think about how something created for fun turned out to be something that has changed the rules of etiquette when it comes to communication.  

Pop Culture 2015

Hello Fellow Classmates!  As you can see, I chose Facebook as my artifact of Popular Culture.  Everyone knows what it is, even if they do not use it.  Some have strong opinions about it and others are rather blase'.  Some use it for communicating with people from their past and catching up.  Some use Facebook for posting pics of family so other family members who are not in the vicinity can keep in touch and view pics.  Some air their very dirty laundry and cause drama, some only post happy news and thoughts.  Regardless, just about everyone from approximately age 8 to 78 and more are aware of it.  

I read key points for this week and am answering these questions even though we were only instructed to consider them as we read.

What is popular culture, and what does it mean to you?

In my opinion, I feel that popular culture consists of relative, universal things referenced in our society for whatever group you hang out with or deal with on a daily basis.  I could reference a Frank Zappa song and although it may have been universal and would be understood by peers of my age, a young person today may not have ever heard of him.  I believe that popular culture does span years and years of universal terms, slang words, speech etc, however, it is also relative. 

Why is an understanding of popular culture relevant to you in a business environment and in your present and future career.  

I believe it would be in the area of communication.  Whether using the latest "it words" or understanding references made in the workplace.  You need to stay relevant.  I have a staff that range in age from mid twenties to mid sixties.  I need to be cognizant of references I make that some may understand and others won't.  I don't want to exclude anyone or make them or myself feel irrelevant and "out of the loop".  If someone says "What day is it?" on a Wednesday, I would expect the reference would be universal, even if by accident, from the Geico commercials. All people want to be able to relate and have a common ground with which to build on.  I have also found that pop culture may be in reference to the latest tool everyone is using, like Facebook, Instagram, or snap chat.  They are important social tools that are used by many and at least some knowledge of them should be there, even if only in reference and not is actual usage.