Whooooooh....it was just this beautiful autumn season in Ohio, trees full of leaves, warm days, cool nights, Halloween decorations on the shelves from just after when the swimming pools close and not too many Christmas decorations out yet.
It is cold in the morning now, and it gets colder as the day goes on. It is dark when you leave for work and it is dark when you come home, and when the sun is out you are inside a building and can't enjoy it. But when the leaves are down from the trees you can see the dark beautiful boldness of the trunk and branches reaching up to the sky. When you drive home at night the darkness is brightened by the holiday lights on homes and in the yards.
People are starting to light the logs in the fireplaces at night and the air will be filled with the sweet smell of the hearth. It is late fall now and the season is changing to winter. The stars are a little brighter in the sky at night when the it is clear out. Stop for a minute before you go in the house and breath in the cool sweet air. It will be the holidays soon, and maybe too soon they will be over. Don't miss them before they happen.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Gobble Gobble Gobble
The Offical White House Turkey Photo. It wasn't a Thanksgiving Holiday to start with, it was a fall harvest gathering, celebrated on and off in New England from Pilgrim times. George Washington, as President declared it a time to give thanks, but not all presidents issued Thanksgiving Proclamations unitl Abe Lincoln in 1863. Since 1947, in the Truman Administration a turkey has been presented to the President, which is 'pardoned' by the Chief Executive.
It is a time to give thanks, a time for friends and family to gather together. eating too much, parades, watching television, playing football, and eating too much. Rituals are standardized activites that we follow. That standardization can provide stability and comfort but the rituals become very important. I hope that the rituals you use to celebrate, do not become a burden.
Holidays are reflective of values that are important to us. Thanksgiving speaks to us about being grateful for the bounties we have received through the year, of family and friends, but also of the importance of diversity and helping those in need.
Monday, November 12, 2007
An Iconic "Lucky" Number- a Veteran's Day Observation
World War I was the "War to End All Wars", the "Great War" and when it ended the world saw a picture of industrialized devistation unimagined before. The Treaty of Versaille did not end war, three decades later an even greater war sweept throught he world, and with the end of that conflict came the conflict between the victors, the Cold War that persisted until the 1990's. Perhaps that Great War was just one part of an on going conflict that went on until the end of the century, that it was the Great War.
Numbers are very symbolic for us, we infuse them with special meanings for us, that help to sharpen our cultural focus. In our generation, 9/11 has become more then a date in time, it is an icon of American Pride in a confusing and ever changing world. It is not the first time we have had such an iconic number that we have clung to. The number used to be 11, 11, 11. The lucky elevens! November 11th at 11:00 a.m. (1918) the cannons and guns ceased firing across Europe for the first time in a war that lasted four years of pounding destruction. The number 11 became a symbol of the peace and tranquility that suddenly came to European Civilization, like the Red Poppy, for those soldiers and civilians that lived throught the Great War.
We are at war again, now in a different part of the world. We honored our citizen soldiers for a day, we marched in parades and reflected on the sacrifices they have made on our behalf. We honor those that we did not parade for when they returned home from Korea, South East Asia, from the Balkan countries. We do we go from here?
In two weeks it will be Thanksgiving, and are thoughts turn to feasting and shopping, will we forget sacrifice the brave soldiers make every day, how will we honor them not that the parade is over for another year?
Numbers are very symbolic for us, we infuse them with special meanings for us, that help to sharpen our cultural focus. In our generation, 9/11 has become more then a date in time, it is an icon of American Pride in a confusing and ever changing world. It is not the first time we have had such an iconic number that we have clung to. The number used to be 11, 11, 11. The lucky elevens! November 11th at 11:00 a.m. (1918) the cannons and guns ceased firing across Europe for the first time in a war that lasted four years of pounding destruction. The number 11 became a symbol of the peace and tranquility that suddenly came to European Civilization, like the Red Poppy, for those soldiers and civilians that lived throught the Great War.
We are at war again, now in a different part of the world. We honored our citizen soldiers for a day, we marched in parades and reflected on the sacrifices they have made on our behalf. We honor those that we did not parade for when they returned home from Korea, South East Asia, from the Balkan countries. We do we go from here?
In two weeks it will be Thanksgiving, and are thoughts turn to feasting and shopping, will we forget sacrifice the brave soldiers make every day, how will we honor them not that the parade is over for another year?
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Another important ritual....
This Tuesday is another important ritual in our Popular Culture. No, it isn't going to a Popular Culture class :-( it is time for you to move on from there.
The important ritual is Election Day! Many people take our freedoms for granted, and given that it might be inconvient and in todays world some might even question the reliability of the voting process, the election is a ritual that should reflect our belief in the democratic process (strained as it might be), and the ability of the individual to contribute to society.
We too often take freedom for granted, it is a right that must be exercised to be strong. Be a good student of American Society, spend a little time to find out about the candidates and issues (there are not a lot of issues).
Stengthen our society and VOTE ON TUESDAY.
The important ritual is Election Day! Many people take our freedoms for granted, and given that it might be inconvient and in todays world some might even question the reliability of the voting process, the election is a ritual that should reflect our belief in the democratic process (strained as it might be), and the ability of the individual to contribute to society.
We too often take freedom for granted, it is a right that must be exercised to be strong. Be a good student of American Society, spend a little time to find out about the candidates and issues (there are not a lot of issues).
Stengthen our society and VOTE ON TUESDAY.
Monday, October 22, 2007
The Game is not over, not even when the fat lady sings...
I am not really a sports fanatatic, but it is a very important part of popular culture, around the world, and I am a fan of popular culture. So I note, with some regret the loss that the Clevleand Indians had at Fenway Park last night. On the other hand, the Boston Red Sox played a great game and deserve to go to the World Series and I will watch and hope that the bring home the chanmpionship this year.
By the way... the first Offical World Series winners were the from Boston, (the Patriots later to be known as the Red Sox) in 1903 when the beat the Pittsburg Pirates. A series of exhibiton games were played in 1882 and 1883 between the winners of the American Association and the National Leagues. Championship games were offically played after that until a World Series was offically recognized in 1903. (The Yankees have the most World Series wins though the Pirates have beat them more often when they have played in the World Series together).
Now the important thing in all of this is that Americans are a very competitive people, and we seem to have a need to have a champion of something. There are many important spins offs of this which I won't go into here, you can bet on that! Baseball's champion for 2007 hasn't been recognized yet but we are torn up over something called the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) for college football. Started in 1998 to determine who the National Champion in College Football would be, (we seemed to exist well enought for 100 years without knowing). Well now we can know except that there seems to have been some controversy about how the ratings are determined and who should play in what bowl ever since the computer based system was set up by six major college conferences, leaving out some good non-conference teams.
...and the bottom line to all this rambling, Americans are a very competitive people who like games and try to live by the rules!
By the way... the first Offical World Series winners were the from Boston, (the Patriots later to be known as the Red Sox) in 1903 when the beat the Pittsburg Pirates. A series of exhibiton games were played in 1882 and 1883 between the winners of the American Association and the National Leagues. Championship games were offically played after that until a World Series was offically recognized in 1903. (The Yankees have the most World Series wins though the Pirates have beat them more often when they have played in the World Series together).
Now the important thing in all of this is that Americans are a very competitive people, and we seem to have a need to have a champion of something. There are many important spins offs of this which I won't go into here, you can bet on that! Baseball's champion for 2007 hasn't been recognized yet but we are torn up over something called the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) for college football. Started in 1998 to determine who the National Champion in College Football would be, (we seemed to exist well enought for 100 years without knowing). Well now we can know except that there seems to have been some controversy about how the ratings are determined and who should play in what bowl ever since the computer based system was set up by six major college conferences, leaving out some good non-conference teams.
...and the bottom line to all this rambling, Americans are a very competitive people who like games and try to live by the rules!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Autumn muesings?
It is fall, the darkness lingers later in the mornings, and descends more quickly at night. Even on a warm day, the evenings are cool. The air has a fresh dampness that is refreshing. One can smell the sweetness of victory all around us as play off games are approaching... yes the end of another sports season.
That wonderful convergence of times when we are more then halfway through football season and baseball is finally getting it's World Series contendors lined up. In the midwest, by now we usually sit back and watch those great coastal powerhouse teams in the runup to the Series and are content to count on College Football victories to feel satisfaction, this year the heart of Cleveland beats strong as the warm flush of success cuts through the cool autumn air. Could this be the year that the Tribe really makes us proud. The Buckeyes are No. #1 in the polls but there is the usual chatter about how they don't deserve it, but all who are true to the cause hope that this is the year that they can be vindicated, though respect of the sports writers will still be long in coming.
...and as fierce is our pride here, our fan loyality is not as overwhelming as can be found in countries around the world. The Cold War has ended but the fight for national honor is still strong in distant shores. England is going to Russian for a play off game in soccer. The fan competition now is about which country has the most vicious hooligans!
English fans were famous for the drunkin brawls before during and after the games. Now the Russians are claiming that the Brits have become lazy, that they are content with sitting in front of the the 'teley', drinking beer, and watching the game, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT! I thought that was a ritual the Americans have perfected years ago. So while fewer and fewer Brits are taking to the streets the Russians are gushing with pride about beating the "Sh...t" out of each other, as a show of strength for their football club. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7048137.stm
...and I thought those Europeans were so cultured, shut up, pass the chips and another brewsky, the commercal is over it's time to get back to the game!
That wonderful convergence of times when we are more then halfway through football season and baseball is finally getting it's World Series contendors lined up. In the midwest, by now we usually sit back and watch those great coastal powerhouse teams in the runup to the Series and are content to count on College Football victories to feel satisfaction, this year the heart of Cleveland beats strong as the warm flush of success cuts through the cool autumn air. Could this be the year that the Tribe really makes us proud. The Buckeyes are No. #1 in the polls but there is the usual chatter about how they don't deserve it, but all who are true to the cause hope that this is the year that they can be vindicated, though respect of the sports writers will still be long in coming.
...and as fierce is our pride here, our fan loyality is not as overwhelming as can be found in countries around the world. The Cold War has ended but the fight for national honor is still strong in distant shores. England is going to Russian for a play off game in soccer. The fan competition now is about which country has the most vicious hooligans!
English fans were famous for the drunkin brawls before during and after the games. Now the Russians are claiming that the Brits have become lazy, that they are content with sitting in front of the the 'teley', drinking beer, and watching the game, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT! I thought that was a ritual the Americans have perfected years ago. So while fewer and fewer Brits are taking to the streets the Russians are gushing with pride about beating the "Sh...t" out of each other, as a show of strength for their football club. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7048137.stm
...and I thought those Europeans were so cultured, shut up, pass the chips and another brewsky, the commercal is over it's time to get back to the game!
Monday, October 15, 2007
My Brother from THE FORCE...
You may think that you recognize the individual to the right, but you might be surprised to find out that you are probably wrong. Celebrities life cycles come and go, and 
would a good hero be without a good villian to "go up against". We
almost know more about our friend Vader then we know about Luke
Skywalker by now, or even care to know. Luke has become passe and
yet we are still intrigued by his foe and father Darth Vader.
And as I started out, you think that you know all about Darth Vader,
but there are still things that you may not know. He had a younger
brother, Chad Vader! As in all things in popular culture, things are
repeated and copied and morphed, success begets series, and over time new frontiers are forged. Stories about Chad Vader are now appearing on YOUTUBE, "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wGR4-SeuJ0" There you may follow the adventures of Chad Vader, Day Shift Manager. He speaks to us, and we identify with him. He is in our lifes everyday, he is much more powerful then his older brother who lives in a Galaxy Far Away, because Chad is here among us. Fear him, because he is near.
would a good hero be without a good villian to "go up against". We
almost know more about our friend Vader then we know about Luke
Skywalker by now, or even care to know. Luke has become passe and
yet we are still intrigued by his foe and father Darth Vader.
And as I started out, you think that you know all about Darth Vader,
but there are still things that you may not know. He had a younger
brother, Chad Vader! As in all things in popular culture, things are
repeated and copied and morphed, success begets series, and over time new frontiers are forged. Stories about Chad Vader are now appearing on YOUTUBE, "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wGR4-SeuJ0" There you may follow the adventures of Chad Vader, Day Shift Manager. He speaks to us, and we identify with him. He is in our lifes everyday, he is much more powerful then his older brother who lives in a Galaxy Far Away, because Chad is here among us. Fear him, because he is near.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
You are out of the this world!!
October 4. 50 years ago the Soviet Union launched the first object into space orbit. No man made article orbited our planet before then. Since that time it has become more and more crowded in space, now there are people living full time in space, all the time! It is second nature to us, people on Earth don't seem to think anyting about it, that there are always people living out beyond our comfortable cozy little blue planet.
Was this just the beginning of the space race or something more, I think it is something much more. Of course, the development of space has changed our world here in innumerable ways, but among them is a growing dependence and fascination with technology generally.
Icons, enduring symbols for things that a culture values. Sputnik, an icon for technology and the inpact that it has had on our lives?
Friday, September 28, 2007
Believes and Values
Popular Culture is one of the best reflections about what our real beliefs and values about our society are! They may not be yours, but they do reflect what they are in the society generally, for better or worse.
Look at what is around you and this will tell you what is important to our society, it is what people consume, mentally as well as physically. McDonalds hamburgers and fast food is a significant part of our popular culture, and reflects are need for speed and efficiency over...over... well, maybe our health.
You may not be watching porn or gambling on line, but someone is or it would not be there on line. Sex and getting rich, entertainment over education, these are values of the broader culture. Don't be discouraged, it is important to stand up for what you believe in. We also value diversity and and the freedom to choose and those are reflected there as well.
Democracy isn't always pretty but it seems to work.
Look at what is around you and this will tell you what is important to our society, it is what people consume, mentally as well as physically. McDonalds hamburgers and fast food is a significant part of our popular culture, and reflects are need for speed and efficiency over...over... well, maybe our health.
You may not be watching porn or gambling on line, but someone is or it would not be there on line. Sex and getting rich, entertainment over education, these are values of the broader culture. Don't be discouraged, it is important to stand up for what you believe in. We also value diversity and and the freedom to choose and those are reflected there as well.
Democracy isn't always pretty but it seems to work.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
What taste of Popular Culture?
There are three kinds of 'taste cultures',
folk, elite, popular. We move as a culture back and forth between them all the time.
It is interesting to observe this movement and think about what it says about or society.
I was just reading that the new season opening of the Metropolitan Opera was broadcast in Times Square in New York, and that it has started doing successful 'simal-cast' of Opera performances in theatres around the country.
Last night a new season of Dancing With the Stars began again on television. Now in it's fifth season, it's success has spun off several other dance programs.
What does this say about our culture?
folk, elite, popular. We move as a culture back and forth between them all the time.
It is interesting to observe this movement and think about what it says about or society.
I was just reading that the new season opening of the Metropolitan Opera was broadcast in Times Square in New York, and that it has started doing successful 'simal-cast' of Opera performances in theatres around the country.
Last night a new season of Dancing With the Stars began again on television. Now in it's fifth season, it's success has spun off several other dance programs.
What does this say about our culture?
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Another beautiful fall day, what are you doing?
It is another beautiful fall day, what are you doing?
I am working on line :-O
...but I did run out for a few minutes to have some ice coffee with friends. The friends were out bicycling near my home, they called me and thought that I would ride over and meet them, no,
I drove but I would have loved to ride. Central Ohio is getting to be a great bicycling town, there are wonderful trails popping up all over the place.
What better time to ride then in the fall, the weather is great, the scenery is the best. The leaves are just starting to turn. I have lived many places and autumn in the mid west is a real treat. We don't have an ocean (though we have a Great lake), and we don't have many mountains (though we have some good hills), but we usually do have four seasons, so you need to stick around to enjoy them.
Bicycle riding seems to be a bit of popular culture here. People of all ages can do it, and you can get into relatively inexpensively (yard sales...another form of culture/popular or folk can get in you in for just a couple of bucks) or you can spend lot's of cash and be part of the 'elite' scene!
Do you ride?
I am working on line :-O
...but I did run out for a few minutes to have some ice coffee with friends. The friends were out bicycling near my home, they called me and thought that I would ride over and meet them, no,
I drove but I would have loved to ride. Central Ohio is getting to be a great bicycling town, there are wonderful trails popping up all over the place.
What better time to ride then in the fall, the weather is great, the scenery is the best. The leaves are just starting to turn. I have lived many places and autumn in the mid west is a real treat. We don't have an ocean (though we have a Great lake), and we don't have many mountains (though we have some good hills), but we usually do have four seasons, so you need to stick around to enjoy them.
Bicycle riding seems to be a bit of popular culture here. People of all ages can do it, and you can get into relatively inexpensively (yard sales...another form of culture/popular or folk can get in you in for just a couple of bucks) or you can spend lot's of cash and be part of the 'elite' scene!
Do you ride?
Friday, September 21, 2007
Change is in the air...
The days are still warm now but the evenings are getting cooler, each day it darker a little earlier, but are these the real signs of a change of season? We experience different rituals throughout the year the helps mark those seasonal changes, and they are a very important part of the our popuar culture!
For many people in the mid west it might be apple picking or taking your kids the corn field maze, the hunted "__" (fill in the blank, there is a variety of haunted places that will happily entertain you and your loved ones for a slight charge... I am really paying someone to chase after me with a very lound but very non functional chain saw).
....and yes as sure as the leaves turn from geen to yellow and red, the supper makert selves change from school supplies to candy and pumpkins.
Football, college and professional games fill our television screens. What are your seasonal rituals?
For many people in the mid west it might be apple picking or taking your kids the corn field maze, the hunted "__" (fill in the blank, there is a variety of haunted places that will happily entertain you and your loved ones for a slight charge... I am really paying someone to chase after me with a very lound but very non functional chain saw).
....and yes as sure as the leaves turn from geen to yellow and red, the supper makert selves change from school supplies to candy and pumpkins.
Football, college and professional games fill our television screens. What are your seasonal rituals?
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
:-)
Popular Culture seems to be the same thing day after day, but it is always changing, every day. What was popular last year is gone this year and what was just a local thing is now all over the place. Britney Spears was recently dropped by her management agent, and we hardly hear abo0ut Paris Hilton, but O.J. is back in the news for now.
"Smilies" those little emoticons are 25 years old this week, casually started by a person at Carnegie Mellon.
"Smilies" those little emoticons are 25 years old this week, casually started by a person at Carnegie Mellon.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The Day the Music Died
On this day in 1970, Jimi Hendrix died of an overdose of sleeping pills while partying in London. His band, the Jimi Hendrix Experince had formed in 1966, in just four years he established a reputation as the greatest Rock Guitarist in history. His sound stil speaks to us today, it soars with bursts of energy, showing a desire to push the boundries of freedom of expression. Civil Rights and Anti War sentiments were in the air and this was a sound that reflected those passions, but its genius speaks to us still today.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Guru
Welcome to the Pop Culture Blog Spot of Prof. Schott.
Look here for regular postings about the world of Popular Culture,
There is always something going on in Pop Culture, so check back regularly...
CHEERS.
Look here for regular postings about the world of Popular Culture,
There is always something going on in Pop Culture, so check back regularly...
CHEERS.
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