Working Hard or Hardly Working?

When thinking of formulas and how it relates to my chosen popular culture topic I think of hard work reaping great rewards.  Michael Jordan was an outstanding basketball player, but he didn’t wake up one day and knew how to play the game of basketball.  He earned his endorsement at Nike along with all of his rings and awards.  He marketed himself into a brand and he is still reaping the rewards from it. 

Michael Jordan played basketball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was part of the 1982 Championship team (Michael Jordan).   He entered the National Basketball League in 1984.  He received recognition of being the rookie of the year.  Jordan was a six time NBA champion, a six time NBA finials MVP, five time most valuable player, a 14 time all-star, a three time NBA all-star MVP, a 10 times NBA scoring champion, a 3 three time NBA steal champion,  and a two time NBA slam dunk contest champion, just to name a few of his accomplishment (Michael Jordan).  Michael Jordan led the Chicago bulls to 2 three peat championships

While earning all of those titles and award Jordan marketed himself and his brand.  Throughout the years many superstars have been signed to the brand.  Through is endeavor Jordan was able to become a majority owner of the Bobcats.  Michael Jordan has an estimated net worth of 650 million dollars and still earns over 80 million dollars a year in endorsements (Michael Jordan net worth).  He was the first athlete to earn over 30 million dollars a year (Michael Jordan net worth).

Michael Jordan is a true entrepreneur.  He is a true business man and has marketed himself to the masses.  He is a true icon of pop culture.  He worked hard to achieve everything that has earned and it has paid him well.  It is true to say what comes easy won’t last, and what will last, won’t come easy. 

Reference

Michael jordan. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan.

Michael jordan net worth. Retrieved from http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-athletes/nba/michael-jordan-net-worth/

Are You Ready for the Zombie Apocalypse?

            In the article Terror in Horror Genres: The Global Media and the Millennial Zombie the author, Nichole Birch-Bayley, explains how the change in zombie films is directly related to the Northern American obsession with apocalypticism.  With the world operating in a global state any large scale crisis would affect the globe as a whole.  The article touches the topic of the media and what role it plays in the event of a global crisis.  It looks into the violence that occurs during a crisis and how people become survivors and conform to it or die.  The author evaluates movies released in the new millennium and explains the shift from the rise of the slow moving rigor stricken dead to the fast moving blood hungry dead of today's apocalyptic zombie flicks. 

            In the article Birch-Bayley directly relates the shifts in the films to the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11th.  The idea of the mass destruction in the United States brought fear and the films fed off that fear.  This fear invokes a "crisis mentality" that shows the concerns of a society waiting on the next terrorist attack, the next outbreak, or next pandemic (Birch-Bayley).  Prior to the new millennium the films existed were strictly for entertainment.  They did not house the political and social tensions as today's films do.   Society that do not have the ways and means to deal with disaster are hardest hit in these films.  The separation of the classes proves to be detrimental. 

            The author touches on the media portrayal of the crises.  It is shown how the events are spelled out through news frames, and newspaper clippings.  The article discusses the government's role in the film and their role in the spread of information about the crisis and how information is interpreted by the governmental official sources (Birch-Bayley).  The author believes that in the films the government's poor judgment of downplaying the crisis played a role in the crisis.  In one of the films innocent uninfected civilians are exterminated for containment by the military. 

            The article also discusses how in the films eventually all infrastructure falls.  There is no government,  no media, no internet, and no electricity.  Everyone is left isolated to fend for themselves, from the zombies and from each other.  This feeling of isolation is apparent in any large crisis.  In the films the characters are left with the feeling that the everything is gone.  There is no one left to save them, not the government, the police.  The author discusses how this isolation leads the characters to resort to violence.  The fear is not of the violence, but the inability to suppress violence, and the inability to suppress a global crisis (Birch-Bayley). 

            Many have asked themselves if they are ready for an apocalyptic scenario.  Since the tragedy that occurred on September 11th, Americans are more aware of the threats that they face.  The possibility of a apocalyptic scenario occurring seems to be closer to home then it was over a decade ago.  The author of this article is correct in saying that in today's global world a crisis would affect all.  The ideas of the media being an outlet to document the spread of a crisis is right on and the possibility of the government minimizing details could contribute to its further destruction.  Furthermore the isolation and the dog eat dog mentality created by a crisis of this scale would lead to great violence.  The author is correct in her analysis of the isolation that is experience in the films.  Empty streets and vacant home leave a feeling of isolation and would only heighten fear.  This fear would grow into a constant need to protect oneself at all costs.  After it is all said and done the action becomes reaction and violence becomes normal.  Survive at all costs. 

            This article is very relevant.  With show like The Walking Dead, Revolution, and Dooms Day Preppers gracing the airwaves of television today, it is fair to say the United States has bought into the apocalyptic hype.  It opens eyes to the fact that the government can't always be there and maybe it can even make things worse.  Films and series that strip all of the mainstream  way makes people see what is really important, surviving with and protecting loved one's.

Reference

Birch-Bayley, N. (2012). Terror in horror genres: The global media and the millennial zombie. The Journal of Popular Culture, 45(6), 1137-1151. doi: ISSN: 0022-3840, DOI: 10.1111/jpcu.12001

I am NOT a Role Model!

With the advances in media through television and the internet the outlets offered to celebrities toady are endless.   Between Twitter, Facebook and Instagram the masses can stay up to date on their favorite celebrity.  Through this it can be said that the lines of celebrity and heroism can be clouded.   Just because one may enjoy peaking into the lives of the rich and famous is does not constitute them being a hero.  A hero is someone that changes the world, someone that betters people around them.  For me personally I do not hold a celebrity to that high of esteem. With my popular culture topic being Michael Jordan I would like to share with you this same argument that he faced.  In 1993 Michael Jordan was in the prime of his career.  He was winning to championships and selling shoes and endorsements.   He did a little celebrating along the way.  After being seen in casinos along the cost of Atlantic City he got some backlash for his actions.  When asked to comment on this, the fellow NBA player Charles Barkley stated, “I’m not paid to be a role model. I’m paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court” (thedailybeast.com). He is right he didn't sign up to guide people.  He didn't aspire to change lives.  He wasn't there to be a hero.  He just wanted to play ball.  He was a hero that was being watched under a magnifying glass, just a Jordan was, whether he was aware of it or not.

Later fellow NBA super star Karl Malone comments, “Charles…I don’t think it’s your decision to make. We don’t choose to be role models, we are chosen.  Our only choice is whether to be a good role model or a bad one” (thedailybeast.com).To many Michael Jordan is the embodiment of a hero.  He sits at the ranks with all basketball greats.  He is the drive for some small boys dream to be in the NBA.  I imagine he gave Lebron James some inspiration.  Sometimes it is more important to look to someone more accessible to be a hero, not a celebrity.  

The Worlds Greatest

With Michael Jordan turning fifty years old this year there has been homage to his greatness. His career has been tallied up and analyzed recently as to who measures up to him. People want to know who the next Michael Jordan is. What does that mean “who the next Michael Jordan is”? Jordan was rookie of the year when he entered into NBA in 1985. Throughout his career he was crowned league MVP 5 times, Finals MVP 6 times, an All Star 14 times and won 6 championships (Westrich, 2013). So is that all that the ‘Next MJ” will have to live up too?

When Jordan entered the league he was signed to NIKE and AIR JORDAN was born. Before AIR JORDAN basketball shoes were just basic white tennis shoes. Jordan wore the first pair of AIR JORDANs in 1985 and they were later banned because they did not meet the color standards of league regulations. Jordan was fined every time he wore those shoes in a game and NIKE, appreciating the added hype received for this, footed the bill (The air Jordan, 2013). With the years the stigma of the shoes grew and each year a new pair is released with a hefty price tag.

So what does this mean? Michael Jordan, the man himself, the brand that he made and all the sneakers, the sweatpants, the sweatshirt, even the socks are pieces of him. Little imprints that this one man has left on society because of his greatness. He is a popular icon and he will remain to be. Trough the game of basketball Michael Jordan has managed to become a legend of his time and will remain to be that legend until someone can top his greatness. Not only did he accomplish things on the court. He made himself a brand and was marketed to the masses. This too makes him an icon.

To be an icon is not only having to be great at a craft. It must mastered be riveting and leave the audience wanting more. One must appeal to all of the masses and be marketable. Michael stands apart from all other that have walked the path before him and that have followed.

The air jordan original - og 1. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.sneakerfiles.com/air-jordans/jordan-1/air-  jordan-original-og-1-i-black-red/

Westrich, J. (2013, February 15). The great debate: Jordan vs lebron james. Retrieved from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1530945-the-great-debate-michael-jordan-vs-lebron-james

Icons

Icons of popular culture last the ages. These relics are a representation of the popular culture during those times.  They continue to inspire and influence beyond their era. I chose these icons because they have done just that. For representation of what I believe to be an icon I have chosen Micheal Jordan, The Beatles and The Brady Bunch.  You just can erase the imprint these icons have left on popular culture.

I had to chose Micheal Jordan keeping with the trend of my earlier post, being that he is one of the greatest athletes to ever grace the game of basketball.  Have you watched ESPN lately.  They have segments comparing Lebron James to him.  Arguments about if he will ever be on his level (hello the rings tell all).  So we all know MJ, he needs no introduction.  

There's a story of a lovely lady, who was bring up three very lovely girls.  We all know where it goes from there.  It is iconic.  We know the song.  We know the show.  We know Cindy is sweet and innocent and Marcia is the girl next door that every boy wants to date.  Besides all of the fun stuff that got us interested, The Brady Bunch came into the homes of many displaying their wholesome values to the world.  I think we may need a modern day "Bunch" to bring those values back today.

Last but not least The Beatles (in my British accent)!  Hello, these men TRANSFORMED music.  I know my Pandora jumps from Beyonce to Norwegian Wood on any given day.  The Beatles embodied the British invasion in the 60's and brought rock and roll to the states.  Once you look past the screaming and crying girls you see the music.  It was constructed note by note each and every sound thought about.  For this, they will live on forever.

Pop Culture 101

What is popular culture?  Pulp culture is defined by dictionary.com as “cultural activities or commercial products reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people. When I think of pop culture I think of the pop icons throughout the years.  Athletes like Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player to ever play the sport, music artists like Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, and actresses like the blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe have graced the public with a legacy that will outlast the ages.  I also think of the many iconic movies like Star Wars saga, the Twilight Saga and the Lord of the rings trilogy.  These movies have a cult like following that will live on for many years.

Beyond the people and films, many things within the society can be considered part of pop culture.  Apple products are highly regarded by many.  Carrying an iPhone is a status symbol and all of the celebrities have one.  Being in direct connection to the internet is not only beneficial for work it’s great for your social life too. 

From their iPhones celebrities update their Facebook, Twitter and Insatgram sites. So the whole world can know which handbag Klohe Kardashian carried today.  What’s hot or not, that it’s cool to paint your ring finger a different color when you get your manicure, and for men to wear funky dress socks, these are things that we learn through the social outlets of today? 

So after absorbing all of the main stream information reaching use through music, TV, films, magazines, and social media, one must reflect what we will hold on to and what we will disregard as rubbish.  Do you run out to the mall and buy the newest coach bag because every else has one?  Do you buy yourself the expensive shoes that we seen in a magazine because they look so good on you?  Do you wear expensive make up because “it makes you look flawless”?  Of course you do!  You do because it makes you feel part of something.  It makes you feel good, and there is nothing wrong with that!

Artifact of Pop Culture

The Jordan Retro 11's aka the Breds to most coveted pair of J's.

So you say what is this...this is not iconic.  But on the contrary.   The history goes that Micheal Jordan wore these shoes (well the originals)  in 1995 when he led the Chicago Bulls to another Championship against the Seatle Supersonics.  My husband, being the collector that he is, counted down the days until these shoes were released.  He tried to order them through pre-sale......to no avail.  On the day of release we both spent hours on the internet trying to get a hold of the precious shoes for him.  We failed, he was devastated, I will not disclose to what I ended up paying for these tennis shoes from a re-seller, it is rather depressing.  But he has them and he only wears them when it is dry outside....other than that, they sit in their box, inserts inside them with all of their wrapping....these shoes are indeed an artifact of pop culture!