The Illusion Of Popular Culture - 983 Words

The Illusion of Popular Culture In the early 19th century a man by the name of Phineas Taylor Barnum changed popular culture with his extraordinary talent of promoting and advertising. His first success came with a slave woman known as â€Å"Joice Heath† who he claimed to be the nurse of George Washington. If this was true it would put Joice at 161 years old, thousands of people went to see â€Å"The greatest natural and national curiosity in the world† (Perlman 4/6/16) which turned Joice from an elderly woman to a national spectacle. I believe that the portrayal of women in 19th century popular culture has prevented the detachment of gender roles and has actually created confusion in the eyes of the masses. I will start by comparing the â€Å"Turkish Dance, Ella Lola† which is a short film of a woman dancing made in 1898 with 1850s megastars Madame Clofullia and Jenny â€Å"Swedish Nightingale† Lind, then I will compare the film to the â€Å"New Women† of Barnum and Bailey as w ell as early 20th century women. In order to fully understand my argument it is necessary to analyze the film by itself. The â€Å"Turkish dance, Ella Lola† is a video of a young woman dancing, she is wearing two skirts, necklaces, a flower headband, and a loose shirt. The dancing contains a lot of swirls, and hand movements as well as pelvic thrusts in both slow and fast tempos, she shakes her upper body making the necklaces and her shirt ricochet off each other. This was filmed in 1898 which was during the progressiveShow MoreRelatedFahrenheit 4511583 Words   |  7 Pagescan be nearly as seductive as it is deadly. The beauty often lies behind commercialism, materialism and capitalism. This seductiveness creeps in and brings anguish and chaos in our society, a place where popular culture flourishes. It is far easier to live a life of seclusion and illusion, a life where television is one’s reality. This is how life is represented in Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451, in which a society has changed into a pleasurable fantasy world by thinking censoring booksRead More Analysis of Francis Bacons The Four Idols Essay1030 Words   |  5 Pagesthe tribe, cave, marketplace and theater. At first I thought that these idols did not apply to humans at all, but now, after careful consideration, I understand how each idol relates to humankind.    The Idols of the Tribe represent the illusions of human nature: it refers to the idea that our everyday problems arise simply because we are humans. For example, it is human nature to think that there is more order in the world than there really is, to accept things as they are without questionRead MoreIndian Author Amitav Ghosh1119 Words   |  4 PagesAmitav Ghosh is a world renowned Indian author and novelist known for his works in English language. His writings often shows an amalgamation of cultures through the use of various languages. He has received numerous awards for his works and was also awarded the Padma Shri bythe Government of India. His writings are unique and contributed a lot to Indian Writing In English. The Shadow Lines, is one of such writings, a highly innovative novel which was published in the year 1988. It received the prestigiousRead MoreCulture in Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer’s Book Dialectic of Enlightenment609 Words   |  3 Pagesâ€Å" Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception† is a chapter in Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer’s book â€Å"Dialectic of Enlightenment† it goes onto discus the conflicts presented by the â€Å"culture industry.† Adorno states that the culture industry is a main phenomenon of late capitalism, encompassing all products from Hollywood films, to advertisements, and even extending to musical compositions. Adorno is very deliberate in noting the term â€Å"culture industry† over â€Å"mass culture† this was doneRead MoreFilm Review : Romeo Must Die 1269 Words   |  6 Pagesinterracial relationship and the coming together of cultures in the â€Å"melting pot† of the United States. Ultimately, the film fails because of the stereotypes embodied within the characters; this movie actually reinforces some stereotypes and typecasts some of the actors, creating an illusion of assimilation and inclusion while inadvertently doing the opposi te. It isolates these characters and defines what stereotypes are favorable and accepted in American culture as well as which stereotypes are not. In orderRead MoreThe Violence Of Abu Ghraib824 Words   |  4 Pagesdominant, we certainly do not do everything correctly. There are countless incidents where the U.S can be at fault but most people are blinded by popular culture and social media to realize the global events. There is a quote by Talib Kweli that goes, â€Å"The problem with our role is Americans live in a world of illusion†. We do in fact live in an illusion because we do not know what actually goes on in the world. All this time I had thought the U.S was better than everyone else but in reality we areRead MoreDoes Magic Really Exist? Essay881 Words   |  4 Pagesinfluence, or skill† (â€Å"Magic†). Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica states that magic is â€Å"a concept used to describe a mode of rationality or way of thinking that looks to invisible forc es to influence events, affect change in material conditions, or present the illusion of change† (â€Å"magic†, 2014). Magic covers a few different practices, including, but not limited to, divination, alchemy, sorcery, astrology, and necromancy. The term is also used in reference to conjuring acts and sleight of hand tricks used forRead MoreThe Meaning of the Truman Show1550 Words   |  7 Pagescelebrities take on the tabloid photographers who follow them around, the movie and television industry is giving us depictions of venal reporters and scheming entertainment conglomerates, which pull no punches when it comes to revealing how amoral our culture industry has become. Recently, there have been two important examples of this trend. In the flawed but interesting movie, Bulworth, Hollywood has given us a depiction of a politician who challenges the phony world of media-politics by offeringRead MoreFree Time Is Not More Than A Shadowy Continuation Of Labor732 Words   |  3 Pagescommodities. Therefore how free time is spent is incredibly important. However, Theodor Adorno asserts that free time is nothing more than a shadowy continuation of labor.(195) For Ardono free time is ultimately an illusion, an illusion propagated by the culture of industry. The culture of industry operates as an omnipresent and deeply malevolent entertainment machine. Its purposes is to simultaneously distract and subvert the masses. Furthermore, Free time is hopelessly shackled to modernRead MoreAdvertisement Is A Perfect Example Of Postmodernism Advertising880 Words   |  4 Pagespeople of today live in an ‘unreal’ and fake world. Filming and disseminating this process â€Å"allows us to live without the illusions that modernity dangled before us† (Hart pg 9) The background classical music that has been slightly distorted illustrates Hart’s (2004) belief that â€Å"Postmodernism takes what it likes from high culture (classical music) and puts it to work in popular culture (advertising)† (Pg 8, Hart, 2004), further illustrating the idea that postmodernism involves removing â€Å"things out of

In The Middle Of The 19Th Century, Congo Square Became

In the middle of the 19th century, Congo Square became a center of musical expression. On these Sunday afternoons, a new form of music was born. Pioneered by those on the bottom of a society full of slavery and segregation, the origin of jazz was less a singular event than an evolving movement. None of those pioneers, however, could have anticipated the future of their developing art form. None could have foreseen that their informal rhythmic gatherings would eventually lead to nationally recognized big bands with more than 20 musicians and celebrity band leaders. The trajectory of jazz history is complex and rich, flowing from style to style and from region to region. Each step along the way from the early brass bands to the bebop bands†¦show more content†¦Largely a remnant of military bands from the civil war, these provincial brass bands maintained a public presence with parades, parties, celebrations, and funerals. Fusing traditional marches with the developing ragtime styles and the cultural celebratory music of Congo Square, these bands started infusing their music with blues notes, syncopated rhythms, and jazz-like phrasing to get their audiences dancing. The instrumentation of these brass bands emphasized brass instruments, polyphonic musical style with a carrying tone, sectional playing within the band; many of these characteristics translated into early jazz forms. Though the label suggests a band comprising solely brass musicians, early Louisiana bands also included clarinet and saxophone. In the smaller bands used for indoor performances, a smaller â€Å"string band† was used, composed of cornet, violin, guitar, bass, and piano. These existing ensembles influenced the early jazz bands in New Orleans. Buddy Bolden’s band is widely considered the first true jazz band in New Orleans; according to a rare photograph from 1905, featured a pair of clarinets, cornet, valve trombone, guitar, and bass. Though the earliest bands wer e never recorded, jazz historians such as William Schafer have speculated about the influence of the brass band roots on the development of jazz style: black New Orleans brass band â€Å"nurtured a characteristic outdoor-playing style† with lots ofShow MoreRelatedThe Jazz Age : The Roaring 20 S1363 Words   |  6 PagesThe Jazz Age: The Roaring 20’s During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, jazz was the turning point or revolution and evolution within social stratification and the ideals of accepted normalities, bringing about a change within society and allowing African Americans to be commonplace among higher social classes and to exceed society’s standards. Ragtime, a more formally structured style of music, birthed jazz into this new era. Ragtime is more musically composed than jazz and most often foundRead MoreLes Demoiselles DAvignon5704 Words   |  23 Pagesnever liked Salmons title, and as an edulcoration would have preferred  las chicas de Avignon  instead. Background and development Picasso came into his own as an important artist during the first decade of the 20th century. He arrived in Paris from Spain around the turn of the century as a young, ambitious painter out to make a name for himself. Although he eventually left most of his friends, relatives and contacts in Spain, he continued to live and paint in Spain while making regular trips backRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. 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This view has been accepted as a statement of fact in numerous influential studies (Katzenstein, Keohane, Krasner, 1998, p. 669; Krasner, 1999, pp. 220-223; Rodrik, 1997; Sachs Warner, 1995). I argue, however, that notwithstanding the aggregateRead MoreInternational Management67196 Words   |  269 Pageseconomic power. Many emerging markets continued to experience growth during a period in which developed countries saw their economies stagnate or decline. The global political environment remains volatile and uncertain, with ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Africa and continuing tensions in Iran, North Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan, especially as the U.S. role in these latter two countries evolves. On the economic front, failure to conclude important trade agreements, including the so-calledRead MoreUK - Analysis Report31935 Words   |  128 PagesSummary The UK, being one of the influential members of the EU and one of the largest economies of the world, remains a significant economic and political force. The relative economic decline experienced by the country throughout most of the 20th century has been reversed in recent years, with the UK riding out the present global downturn well so far. Its membership in the UN Security Council, EU, NATO and G8, along with its continued strong links with its former colonies through the CommonwealthRead MoreNational Security Outline Essay40741 Words   |  163 Pages-Traditional views of national security center around defending territory -Protecting homeland not a major concern until after WWII due to physical isolation -Pearl Harbor attack changed national opinion - protecting homeland now major concern -US became aggressive in defense of homeland after WWII by extending defensive perimeters through the creation of alliances (UN, NATO, Rio Treaty) -Forces -Before WWII, large standing armies were seen as threats to liberty -With development on nuclear

Discussion Board Why Is the Hot Comb Important free essay sample

Professor Shari Manley Why the hot comb Is Important? Abstract Women and men with naturally curly, wavy or kinky hair have used hot combs for more than a century to create straight and versatile hairstyles. Over the years, the hot comb has served as an alternative for straightening hair without the use of perms and other chemical processes. It been a very positive useful Invention throughout the African American community. A hot comb also to many known as a straightening comb. The hot comb Is a widened tooth metal comb.This comb is normally used to help straighten ultra curly or kinky hair. With the use of a hot comb many are able to achieve a variety of hair styles. Hot combs are either electric or heated by using a heating source on either a range top or burner to a temperature between 300 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The hot comb was first initially invented and developed in France. We will write a custom essay sample on Discussion Board Why Is the Hot Comb Important or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It was to help enhance European super straight look hairstyles traditionally found on Egyptian Women In 1845. Annie Malone was the first to patent the tool in the united States. Madame CO Walker was the first to improve the teeth on the invention. Many debate whether the European Invented the hot comb, or Madame CO Walker because she was the first to Improve the product for the united States to use up to current day. The hot comb became very controversial after slavery in the African American community. Many African American believed that the hot comb was very damaging to the natural state of African American womens hair. Many debated whether the hot comb was beneficial or another temporary downfall to a bigger problem.There were some African Americans who believed that the hot comb damaged the African-American community because it made the community submissive to the white ideal image of beauty and disregarded African American culture. Many African Americans of lighter color were very happy, it boosted their egos and made them feel like Just maybe they could blend in with the ideal white image and treated equally. The lighter color women believed that they were also better than the darker color women in the African American community.Hot combs are still used today throughout the salons In the African American community. The African American women use the hot comb as an alternative oppose to chemical straightness. The Black Inventor Online Museum, http://www. Blackthorn. Com/pages/ history. HTML What is a Hot Comb? . Historiographers http://www. Weeklies. Com/what-is-a- hot-comb. HTML//. Retrieved 2012-05-24. L ETC Leonard C. Spelling, MAC; COOL Purina SAA, MAC, The Follicular Degeneration Syndrome in Black Patients: Hot Comb Aliped Revisited and Revised Archives of Dermatology.

Lululemon Case Analysis free essay sample

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. Created by: Kelsey Davis GBA 490-901 March 21, 2014 Table of Contents Executive Summary To: Laurent Potdiven Chief Executive Officer Lululemon Athletica Inc. This report has been created with the intent to analyze the athletic apparel industry with a specific focus on Lululemon Athletica, Inc. , further refered to as Lululemon. In this report you will find that the strengths and weaknesses of Lululemon’s current strategies and future goals are analyzed and compared to that of its closest competitors. In conclusion to the analysis, recommendations have been made to potentially guide Lululemon Athletica, Inc. in a positive direction in regards to its future endeavors. The following tools were used to examine Lululemon Athletica, Inc. : An overview of Lululemon’s external environment An evaluation of the competitive forces within the athletic apparel industry. An evaluation of the rivals within Lululemon’s industry and analysis of a strategic group map for athletic apparel industry An overview of Lululemon’s internal environment A S. We will write a custom essay sample on Lululemon Case Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page W. O. T.  analysis of Lululemon An analysis of the key success factors within the yoga-inspired athletic apparel industry An evaluation of the driving forces of change within this industry An assessment of Lululemon Athletica Inc. ’s current strategy An analysis of Lululemon Athletica Inc. ’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats A weighted competitive strength assessment of Lululemon Athletica Inc. and its two closest rivals in the industry An assessment of Lululemon Athletica Inc. ’s competitive advantage An evaluation of Lululemon Athletica Inc.  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s most recent financial results The findings of this report show that Lululemon Athletica Inc. is in a niche market that is becoming ever more competitive. Although this is the case, Lululemon has been able to hold on to a majority of this niche market share due to its ongoing efforts to develop athletic apparel that possess a envious dynamic of style and practical fit. Because of the strategi es and goals Lululemon has set in place they have strategically and successfully positioned themselves to reap the rewards of great success and growing popularity. In order to maintain this high in the years to come, Lululemon must work hard to maintain strong management, pricing power, and a budget focused on constantly providing new technology within the realm of athletic wear development. External Environment As we have noted previously, Lululemon operates in the athletic apparel industry. Just like many of Lululemon’s competitors, they outsource the production of their products to manufacturers in other countries. The majority of the apparel being manufactured in Asia where it is most cost efficient to produce. By producing in under developed countries where labor is cheap and selling their final products at grossly marked up prices in highly developed countries they are able to achieve the substantial profit that they have consistently seen for the past few years. Although it may be cheaper to outsource production to under developed countries, it can be difficult to maneuver through their political constructs and manufacturing regulations or lack thereof. In addition to manufacturing in foreign countries, outside of Lululemon’s home base of Canada, it also has retail stores that are currently located in the Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. (Thompson, Peteraf, Gamble, and Strickland 39-52) By selling products to consumers in multiple countries, you always have to consider the state of their economy. This can greatly affect current sales and how Lululemon will project sales there in the near future. Because athletic apparel, especially high end athletic apparel, is not a necessity, Lululemon has to rely on consumers having a disposable income to purchase their  products. Since Lululemon is a brand centered on healthy living, they must keep up with the current trends of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and make an effort to incorporate that into their product’s look, feel, and all together vibe. In the athletic apparel industry, as in any industry, it is key to stay in touch with the current trends in order t o keep your products relevant. With Lululemon focused on such a niche activity it will be important that they explore other markets within the sports apparel industry in the future so as to stay relevant. We can see the company’s first steps in doing just this when they recently introduced their men’s apparel line. A summary of the athletic apparel industry’s external environment are listed in Exhibit 1. Driving Five Forces Lululemon faces constant competitive pressures from the five main driving forces: rivals/competitors, new entrants, substitute products, suppliers bargaining power, and buyers bargaining power. ( Thompson, Peteraf, Gamble, and Strickland) Below is a detailed analysis of the competitive forces noted in Exhibit 2. The rivalry among existing competitors is strong. It is becoming increasingly harder to develop new and unique products based solely around a small niche activity. There are only so many aspects of yoga that can be explored and that products can be developed to accompany. Although Lululemon was the first, new competitors are seeing the profit to be had in this niche market and are entering with the goal of creating new more creative strategies to compete with Lululemon and take part of their large market share. (Morning Star) The threat of new entrants is moderate. Although this niche market is attractive, it takes a substantial initial investment to create, develop, and market, this high end performance wear. It is also hard to gain a share of the market when having to compete against already existing large chains. What causes there to still be a potential threat of new entrants is that consumers’ demand have consistently been increasing and they will have to be met by someone. If the existing companies in the industry can’t keep up with demand created by the consumers this will leave an opening for new entrants. The threat of substitute products is low due to the consumers demand for the highest quality products and their strong loyalty to the already existing brands in the industry. It is nearly impossible to duplicate the performance of the high quality materials these products are made for a lower cost or lower quality material. (Morning Star) The bargaining power of the suppliers is strong because very few suppliers offer the quality materials and fabrics needed to produce these products. Consequently, the bargaining power of the buyer is low because there isn’t much room for negotiation on the price of the products due to the need for such quality. (Morning Star) Rivals and Industry Leadership There are many competitors within the athletic apparel industry. With such a diluted market it can be hard to obtain and maintain a sizable portion of the market share, but Lululemon does just that by focusing its brand on the niche yoga market segment. The top two industry leaders with in the athletic apparel market are Nike and The Adidas Group as noted in Exhibit 9. Though these two have the greatest market share, they do not have focus on one segment of the market. By Lululemon focusing on the yoga market segment they are able to allocate a greater percentage of their resources to the research and development of their yoga apparel making Lululemon a top ranking rival within that market segment. With that in mind, Nike and The Adidas Group have had to focus on the marketing campaign of their yoga apparel line to stay competitive in that market segment. (Morning Star) Lululemon’s apparel is tailored to suit the wants and needs of the niche yoga buyer. Although Lululemon started off producing on a small scale their production has quickly grown over the last several years due to its ever growing popularity. By focusing on creating athletic apparel for one particular activity, yoga, Lululemon has cornered that market making it hard for rivals who create athletic wear for many sports to compete. (Thompson, Peteraf, Gamble, and Strickland) Internal Environment: Strategy Business Model It takes very little research to find out that Lululemon possesses a rare cult phenomenon that exudes a status symbol among people who practice yoga. This all comes rightfully so due to the fact that from the beginning founder Chip Wilson focused on developing a premium line of yoga inspired athletic apparel. In 2007, after taking the company public, Lululemon announced a growth strategy that had five key elements: 1. )They aimed to grow the company’s store base in the United States while continuing to expand in Canada. 2. ) They focused on increasing brand awareness via grassroots marketing programs like organized yoga-focused events.