1. BR: What the heck is “Pop Culture”?

2. High Culture
We have looked at a lot of the differences between different cultures. Starting today, we will look at some of the differences within cultures too.
Within our own society, there are subsets of culture. For example, if you listen to classical music and read poetry, you are likely a part of high culture.
High Culture is the pattern of cultural experiences and attitudes that exist in the higher echelons / levels of society. In the U.S., this is often associated with wealth & prestige
Examples of High Culture in the U.S.?
Having a butler, or driver
Really nice house
Eating Grey Poupon, etc.
Some High Culture Events?

3. Popular Culture
The term Popular Culture, aka Pop Culture for short, are the patterns of cultural experiences and attitudes of main stream society.
These are things that average everyday people do. What might be some parts of Pop Culture?
Watching a 4th of July Parade or Fireworks
Watching a High School Football Game
Watching the season finale of a popular TV show, etc.
These are topics that most everyone else is familiar with. You can chat about how the local college or professional team did last weekend, but discussing the recent “Hamlet” play might draw some quizzical stares.
Ironically, Shakespeare is considered high culture today, but it started out as pop culture. Thus, these things do change and evolve over time.
What else has changed, that once might have been high society, but is no longer?
Car ownership
Playing golf, etc.

4. Subculture
A subculture is a smaller cultural group that exists within a larger one, but the people inside of it share a specific identity.
We have 1000s of these subcultures in America. For example, Biker Culture, which revolves around dedication to motorcycles.
Other examples:
Trekkies: People who love Star Trek (same for Star Wars)
Alcoholics Anonymous: Support group for alcoholics
An even further branch of culture are what are called countercultures. These are groups that DO NOT get along with mainstream culture, and often fight against it. Subcultures usually exist in peace with a larger culture. Countercultures do not.
Examples of counterculture groups?
Hippies
LGBT (now considered more acceptable by mainstream culture)
Black Power (also more acceptable than in the past)
Cults (non-mainstream groups, often religious) are also considered to be countercultures. For example, many of the polygamous groups that exist in this area would be considered countercultures. Mormons were once considered a counterculture, now more of a subculture.