Quick Summary: John Storey classifies popular culture in several ways: as residual culture (e.g., folk music), mass culture (e.g., Hollywood blockbusters), a site of hegemony and resistance (e.g., punk rock), a culture of the people (e.g., social media influencers), postmodern culture (e.g., Quentin Tarantino's films), and as a cultural industry (e.g., the "Star Wars" franchise). These classifications highlight popular culture's diverse forms and functions, from mass-produced entertainment to grassroots expressions of everyday life.
John Storey, a prominent cultural theorist, provides several classifications of popular culture in his book "Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: An Introduction." Here are his key classifications along with examples for each:
Popular Culture as Residual Culture:
This view sees popular culture as what remains after determining what high culture is.
Example: Folk music and traditional crafts that persist alongside more mainstream cultural products.
Popular Culture as Mass Culture:
Popular culture is mass-produced for mass consumption, often through commercial means.
Example: Hollywood blockbuster movies like "Avengers: Endgame" or mainstream pop music like songs by Taylor Swift.
Popular Culture as a Site of Hegemony and Resistance:
This perspective, influenced by Antonio Gramsci's concept of hegemony, views popular culture as a battleground where dominant groups attempt to impose their views and subordinate groups resist.
Example: Punk rock music in the 1970s as a form of resistance against mainstream cultural norms and values.
Popular Culture as a Culture of the People:
Popular culture is created by the people and reflects their everyday lives and experiences.
Example: The rise of social media influencers who create content based on their daily lives and interactions, such as vlogs on YouTube.
Popular Culture as Postmodern Culture:
This classification sees popular culture as characterized by the breakdown of the distinction between high and low culture, blending various styles and genres.
Example: Quentin Tarantino’s films like "Pulp Fiction," which mix elements of various genres and styles, creating a pastiche.
Popular Culture as a Cultural Industry:
Popular culture is produced and distributed by the culture industry, which commodifies cultural goods for profit.
Example: The global franchise of "Star Wars," which includes movies, merchandise, theme parks, and more.
Each classification highlights different aspects of popular culture, offering a comprehensive understanding of its multifaceted nature.
Via: Academia.edu
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