Pop Culture
Smart vs. Stupid in Today's Popular Culture
There are many different aspects of today's popular culture and each aspect promotes different ideas. Whether it is television, movies, the internet, fashion trends, magazines, or the media, each has its effect on the way people believe, think, and act. Many of them promote "stupidity," and, others promote "smartness" or even both. Either way society thrives off pop culture. Stupidity has become more apparent in today's society and television, today's popular icons, and the media are all major reasons for this. With the advancements in today's technology it has become easier for American's not to think.
Television is a prime example of how people do not have to think and can "veg" out. In a short thirty minutes the producers of the popular MTV television series The Real World display the ideals of sexual promiscuity, alcoholism, and irresponsibility to the extent that the chaotic world that the characters live in seems normal to viewers. The combination of casting for stereotypes rather than good people and setup of the house is designed to create a dramatic tension between cast mates. The irony in the title, "The Real World," is that the actions on the show are not real at all. Another example of a stupid television show is Jackass. Jackass is a show where a group of crazy guys do life threatening stunts as a form of entertainment. Throughout the series, the producers cast people from all different backgrounds and stereotypes. To name a few, there is "the gay," "the outcast," "the alcoholic," "the slut," "the jerk," and "the drama queen." When all brought together to live under the same roof, there is automatically tension, which the producers want because it appeals to the audience. They also, when searching for possible candidates, look for good-looking people who would attract the audience. These characters casted by the producers do not promote any sensible morals, but instead promote...
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