High, Low, and Popular Culture

Culture SOCI 1306 High, Low, and Popular Culture The line separating high culture from low culture, or more broadly, popular culture, in today's society is still a topic of substantial sociological study. High culture is usually connected to the inclinations, experiences, and interests of the upper class or elite. This type of culture is frequently associated with social status, intellectualism, and political power. Knowing the Chief Financial Officer of large companies such as Apple, Microsoft, or Google, for example, is considered to be high culture knowledge since it denotes acquaintance with powerful figures in the business sector. In a similar vein, knowing what high culture is and doing things like going to the ballet, seeing a great play, hearing the symphony live, or enrolling in a prominent university are iconic instances of high culture. These gatherings are further associated with money and rank since they are frequently costly, formal, and exclusive. On the other hand, low culture, often known as popular culture, refers to the cultural practices and viewpoints that are typical of the larger, frequently poorer socioeconomic strata. Popular culture is widely disseminated via commercial and social media channels, including radio, television, film, music, and websites owned by corporations. Having an interest in major sporting events, reality TV shows, anime, or even just knowing the names of the wait staff at neighbourhood hangouts are examples of characteristics associated with popular culture. This culture is meant to be mass-consumed and is frequently connected to entertainment and leisure. Popular culture is widely accessible to the majority, in contrast to high culture, which is accessed through a certain level of financial wealth. This promotes a feeling of community and shared experiences among various groups of people. It's a common yet divisive belief that high culture is better than popular culture. The elite's relationship with high culture frequently contains an underlying assumption of cultural supremacy. This view stems from the elite classes' historical power to define what are considered 'worthy' cultural practices and knowledge. One example of high culture is the Social Register©, which is a list of well-known American households. It is more than simply a list of names; it is an assertion of social standing that is frequently unknown and unavailable to anyone outside of these privileged groups. The distinction between high and popular culture—the latter more concerned with inclusivity and broad participation, the former more concerned with maintaining status and lineage—is emphasised by the exclusivity of these directories. The lines separating high culture from popular culture, however, are not unchanging; rather, they alter over time in response to social and technological advancements. Consider the plays of Shakespeare. They are a type of popular culture from that era since, during the time they were created and performed, they were meant for a wider audience. These plays are produced in upscale settings, studied in academic institutions, and regarded as works of great culture today. This progression shows that popular culture may have formerly been considered elite culture, and vice versa. In the same way, modern phenomena in popular culture, like the reality TV series "Dancing with the Stars," could be considered important cultural relics and perhaps elevated to the status of high culture by future generations. The fluidity of popular and high culture emphasises how context-dependent and intricate the cultural hierarchy is. High culture is frequently embodied by experiences and knowledge that demand a large commitment of time, resources, and mental effort. For instance, engaging in a thorough study of the ancient Greek drama "Antigone" is indicative of high culture. It alludes to a degree of knowledge and cultural awareness that is less typical in ordinary, informal encounters. This stands in stark contrast to popular culture, where conversations about the most recent sporting event or reality TV show finale are more accessible and widespread, fostering rapid social cohesion and exuberance. The commercialization of culture has also been a major factor in the blending of these boundaries. Aspects of popular culture can receive critical acclaim and intellectual curiosity, while pieces of high culture can become more accessible to a wider audience thanks to the extensive transmission of cultural goods through media channels. For example, throughout time, musical genres that were originally considered low culture or popular culture—like jazz and rock—have come to be respected and acknowledged, and they are occasionally even included in high culture contexts like concert halls and academic studies. Sociologists examine these tendencies in order to comprehend how attitudes and cultural experiences both influence and mirror society systems. Popular culture may serve as a forum for resistance and creativity, but high culture is frequently associated with upholding the status quo and sustaining preexisting power relations. Popular culture has enormous effect over public opinion and social standards because it is so accessible and ubiquitous. However, high culture, with its associations with exclusivity and sophistication, may provide the privileged a feeling of continuity and identity. The relationship between popular and high culture also brings cultural capital challenges to light. The non-financial social assets that support social mobility are referred to as cultural capital. Understanding high culture is sometimes seen as a type of cultural capital that may provide access to exclusive opportunities and social groups. On the other hand, even if popular culture promotes social connections among people, it may not offer the same opportunity for upward mobility. This difference highlights the obstacles that may exist between various cultural worlds as well as the socio-economic foundations of cultural engagement. In conclusion, the contrast between popular and fine culture is a mirror of larger societal divides around resources, money, and class. Popular culture is defined by its broad appeal and accessibility, whereas high culture is linked to the elite and intellectualism. Despite these divisions, the lines are always moving due to cultural shifts, marketing, and historical context. Gaining knowledge of this dynamic interaction may help one better understand any society's social structure and cultural milieu. It is unclear if the phenomena of modern popular culture will be viewed as high culture by future generations, but one thing is for sure: cultural hierarchies will keep changing as a reflection of the continuous changes in our social environment.