ASSIGNMENT 1-2 DATE: 2/10/08

POPULAR CULTURE AND ENERGY DRINKS

“Popular culture is the culture of the people collectively and singly,” (Browne, 2005). “Pop culture is the shared knowledge and practices of a specific group at a specific time,” (Petracca and Sorapure, 2007). These are two different interpretations of popular culture. I would define popular culture as anything that happens to be the “cool thing” or what is catching on in society or what you like or dislike. Popular culture is influenced by economics, education, exposure, emotions and sensations. Popular culture changes from person to person, from state to state, and from country to country. Culture is all around us, it is in everything we do, wear, say and it’s in the way we act.

Understanding popular culture is extremely important. By understanding the culture of different people around you, you will begin to understand why they act the way they do and what influences them. I work in a manufacturing setting as a controller. Being a controller you get to deal with all employees. We have a diverse group of people working for us. Understanding their backgrounds and culture will make me able to understand them as individuals better.

ENERGY DRINKS

An example of a pop culture artifact would be energy drinks. Energy drinks are becoming very popular even though they are not that good for you. “Approximately 65% of energy drink users are under the age of 35 years old, with males representing approximately 65% of the market,” (http://www.wikipedia.com/). Energy drinks give you an enormous burst or high of energy but you crash afterwards and end up feeling more tired than before. Energy drinks or enhancers date back to the early 1900’s in other countries. In 1995 energy drinks were introduced in the United States. “By the year 2001, the US energy drink market had grown to nearly 8 million dollars per year in retail sales,” (http://www.wikipedia.com/). It is predicted that the energy drink market will reach 10 billion dollars in revenue by 2010. That is quite impressive and why I believe energy drinks can be considered as a pop culture artifact. Energy drinks accelerate heart rates and blood pressure and cause that jittery anxious feeling. Energy drinks contain high levels of sugar which can decay teeth worse than soda pop.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, popular culture is all around us. We all contribute to popular culture in our own ways. Energy drinks are one of many pop culture artifacts in our society today. Every person has their own ideas of what can be considered a pop culture artifact. What is yours?

REFERENCE

Browne, R.B. (2005). Profiles of popular culture; a reader, Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.

Petracca, M. & Sorapure, M. (2007). Common culture; reading and writing about American popular culture. (5th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Wikipedia. (2007). www.wikipedia.com. Retrieved February 8, 2007.