Pre-Reading Blog #3

I really don't think I understand the current popular culture. The first thing that came to mind when I read the phrase "popular culture" was fashion. Looking at the current fashion style, I will say I don't fit in the criteria at all. Straight leg pants were around in the eighty's when I was growing up and then went out of style. Now the fad is back and I really don't understand why. The same thing of course happened with bell bottom pants that were popular in the sixty's and in the late ninety's. As for what the celebrities wear, I don't know who tells them that this is the new thing, but half of the time I am amazed they are out in public. I am definitely glad I am not in Hollyood lights because I prefer to be comfortable in jeans and t-shirts. As for TV, I really don't watch it anymore. I can't stand all of the reality shows on TV now. Of course we can thank the craze to MTV with first making the Real World and Road Rules. However, I will admit there is a few shows, such as Top Chef, Iron Chef, and other Food Network shows, I find entertaining because I learn new techniques and ideas. However, the amount of commercials in these breif episode periods is unbelievable. And I will also admit that there are a few fictional TV series I enjoy watching, but I usually wait until they come out on DVD so that I can watch them when I want to. Some of these shows include 24, House, Bones, and Rescue Me. I enjoy the stories in these shows and that is what attracts me to them. The music I listen to is mainly country with a mix of everything else mixed in. I understand why I like country. The songs and music tell a story and has a purpose. Some of the songs are just for fun, but overall it is how I feel and how it makes me feel. I don't think people can say that I follow main stream culture and popularity. I chose to be who I am. If the current popular culture happens to suit me, then it happens to suit me. I think the only thing about popular culture I do follow is technology. Since it also happens to be my job, I think this is a great thing to keep up on.
The next part of the prompt I don't really know how to respond to. The history is of course there, but does it matter? I guess that answer will vary person to person.
How do you determine what the current popular culture is? Does popular culture pretain to groups or individuals and how do you determine where it begins and ends?