Ideas seep into our culture, consciously or unconsciously, through media texts. Sometimes they are very apparent while other times, they somehow just seem to show up when we least expect them.
It is suggested that “the most potent effect of mass media is how they subtly influence their audiences to perceive social roles and routine personal activities” by Philip Elliott (62). As a culture slowly shifts and changes in accordance with these new influences, the ideas become ideologies. As ideologies compete for cultural norms, they fight for hegemony, “the power or dominance that one social group holds over others” (61).
New ideas are continually brought into society as old ones are pushed out. As the popular items change, ideologies and then hegemony follows. This creates an endless cycle of consent and popularity that result in an ever-changing society with constantly shifting ideals.
Now, I don’t truly believe a hairstyle can change the beliefs and values of a culture; however, this particular hairstyle is a relevant example of how one moment in media can seep into society.
Lauren Conrad is a main character on MTV’s The Hills. Lauren began to wear her hair a particular way time after time. Then, all of a sudden, when I look around, this hairstyle starts showing up on Facebook, in classes, and, in general, all around me. Now, I’m not in anyway being judgmental against those who’ve done their hair like that, because if my hair were longer I probably would have too, but this example goes to show that one element of media can begin to seep into our everyday culture.
Although a hairstyle is a simple and what seems like a practically meaningless example, it shows the permeation of an idea into a culture and how it can quickly make itself known in subtle yet impactful way.
It is suggested that “the most potent effect of mass media is how they subtly influence their audiences to perceive social roles and routine personal activities” by Philip Elliott (62). As a culture slowly shifts and changes in accordance with these new influences, the ideas become ideologies. As ideologies compete for cultural norms, they fight for hegemony, “the power or dominance that one social group holds over others” (61).
New ideas are continually brought into society as old ones are pushed out. As the popular items change, ideologies and then hegemony follows. This creates an endless cycle of consent and popularity that result in an ever-changing society with constantly shifting ideals.
Now, I don’t truly believe a hairstyle can change the beliefs and values of a culture; however, this particular hairstyle is a relevant example of how one moment in media can seep into society.
Lauren Conrad is a main character on MTV’s The Hills. Lauren began to wear her hair a particular way time after time. Then, all of a sudden, when I look around, this hairstyle starts showing up on Facebook, in classes, and, in general, all around me. Now, I’m not in anyway being judgmental against those who’ve done their hair like that, because if my hair were longer I probably would have too, but this example goes to show that one element of media can begin to seep into our everyday culture.
Although a hairstyle is a simple and what seems like a practically meaningless example, it shows the permeation of an idea into a culture and how it can quickly make itself known in subtle yet impactful way.
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