Icons can be anything that people relate too, and hold dear, important, and valuable in their personal life (Browne, 2005). These include any symbols that people can relate to and find a way to relate too. The book gives the example of Michael Jordan, who was a basketball player in the nineteen’s. When people think of Michael Jordan they automatically think of basketball and Nike, making him one of the best examples of an Icon available.
Personally, when thinking of Icons, the few examples that come to my attention are; Clint Eastwood, Pepsi, and G.I. Joe. These three examples are Icon I think, of each one defines a certain culture, and each means something to me personally.
I believe Clint Eastwood is an Icon to the Western genre, he is the character that I picture each time someone mentions a western movie. Pepsi is an icon to the soda industry; whenever a person sees the Pepsi symbol they automatically know it’s a soda. G.I. Joe is an Icon that comes to mind each time a toy is mentioned.
Each of these are examples of Icons that are close to me due to my childhood upbringing. As a young kid I remember seeing each one of these figures on a routine bases, which gave me reason to consider them icons

Reference

Browne, Ray , B (2005). Profiles of popular culture. Madison, Wisconsin: Popular Press.

The Reference of My Journal Article

References
DAGBOVIE, S. (2007, April). Star-Light, Star-Bright, Star Damn Near White: Mixed-Race Superstars. Journal of Popular Culture, 40(2), 217-237. Retrieved November 13, 2008, doi:10.1111/j.1540-5931.2007.00376.x

Weekly Written Analysis 1

In an incredible article, Ohm (2008) reported that a 2,000-year-old luxurious gold, pearl and emerald earring was found in Jerusalem. It dates back to the Roman period after the time of Jesus. The earring was uncovered by a team of archaeologists in a destroyed Byzantine structure, which was built centuries before the piece was made. Surely, this suggests that the earring was likely passed down through generations.
The picture of the earring shown in the article is astonishing. “A large pearl inlaid in gold with two drop pieces, each with an emerald and pearl set in gold”( Ohm, 2008). The archaeologists reports that the earring must have belonged to one of the elite in Jerusalem because such a valuable item couldn’t be one of just ordinary people.
The article is intended for a general audience as it informs the people in Jerusalem as well as others all over the world of the discovery. Subject-specific vocabulary and concepts were utilized in the article. For example, it conveyed information specifically about the 2,000-year-old earring. Also, it presented the concept of the earring dating back to the Roman period after the time of Jesus.
The article is logically organized. The thesis statement is clearly identified at the beginning, and the main points follow and support the thesis statement. The text was easy to read as there were no technical words or jargon.
A discovery of such a precious item is amazing. This 2,000-year-old well-preserved earring can provide essential information about the elite culture of Jerusalem’s women in ancient times. Can you imagine the influence this earring can have on the women in Jerusalem?

Why is an understanding of popular culture relevant in a business environment and in your present and future career?

Popular culture is the demands of the people. In a business environment this is relevant as it has a significant impact on what products and services the business will supply. For example, consumers expect the desired product or service to be excellent. If this expectation is not achieved by the business, consumers may not purchase the product and this can cause a loss in profits. Popular culture is important in my present and future career because due to technology, events in the workplace are changing and moving faster. To stay competitive, I must shift directions based on the customer requirements. Additionally, I must be computer savvy, and efficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Outlook to effectively perform in the workplace.

What does popular culture mean to me?

Popular culture is my family’s morals and values inspired by my parents and grandparents. For example, The Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Popular culture is reflecting on the days when I had one telephone in the household and one television with a rabbit ear antenna and three channels. Now, I have a landline telephone, a cordless telephone, and a cellular phone with a family plan. I have the opportunity to communication with family and friends anywhere in United States. I have a television in every room including the kitchen with cable and 100 channels, equipped with a DVD player. My grandchildren are thrilled when they visit, as grandmother has “Toon Disney”, and they can watch “Hannah Montana”, “Dora the Explorer”, “Zack and Cody”, and all the “Toys R Us” advertisements in between.

What is popular culture?

What is popular culture? Popular culture is the shared beliefs, assumptions, values, rules, and the norms of a specific group of people at a specific time. It reflects a society's way of life. Popular culture determines the type of music one listens to, the television programs that people watch, the variety of movies in the theaters, the food that one eats, and the fashionable attire that one wears. Popular culture is constantly changing. It’s here today and gone tomorrow. Popular culture is a significant part of our society. It has become the voice of the people and the power that form that voice.

An Example of a pop culture artifact.

Popular Culture Artifact Image

Dottie Peoples' CD "The Water I Give"