I’ll make a daring proposition that many people feel uncomfortable with. Yet as an anthropologist in orientation, I can’t help but notice that popular culture is the great unifying force across our nation. Regardless of race, class, or religion, what we share in common as a collective culture are the TV shows that we watch, the celebrities that we revear, and the brands that we consume. Popular culture is our common vocabulary. Suspend your judgement for just a minute or two…
You probably know what a Starbucks coffee tastes like (whether you like it or not), or what flying on Southwest Airlines feels like in comparison to a trip on American. You know Britney Spears, and that she’s gone a little cuckoo lately. You read Harry Potter’s latest book, or bought it for someone you love.
Anyone could assemble a voluminous list of brands, media experiences, and pop culture icons that are almost universally recognized across the U.S., if not across much of the world. Put aside the commerical implications of this and any concerns that come to mind. Popular culture is our common language. Learn to use it to your advantage.
