Pop Culture: The Best Thing To Happen To Our Generation

            Contrary to popular opinion, I think pop culture is the best thing that happened to this generation. There certainly were things in the generations before mine that were relatively better; however, not everything falls under that title. For example, segregation and slavery are negative aspects of the past that do not exist in the modern day.

            So, what does one say to someone that tries to argue that their older generation is better? You present the facts that prove them wrong. The time I grew up around, technology and television entertainment were on the rise. Technology has proven to be very helpful in both people’s personal and professional lives. Social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter assist people in connecting with their family and friends while software databases help companies keep all their information in a neat and organized manner.

Along with helping us connect with the people around us, the pop culture associated with technology has contributed greatly to society in making people smarter. Although this may sound strange, since adults seem to think the opposite. However, in his article, “Watching TV Makes You Smarter”, Steven Johnson argues, “The real world doesn’t come in nicely packaged public-service announcements, and we’re better off with entertainment like The Sopranos that reflects our fallen state with all its ethical ambiguity.” Today’s shows and films educate the youth about real life issues and force them to think critically.

Shows being aired today deeply focus on fair representation. They throw in a little of Spanish and a little bit of hood to appeal to all different types of audiences and to display the different struggles these people go through daily. This makes them more culturally aware. Also, another idea that his generation seems to publicize is critical thinking. Most of the shows created in previous generations were very straightforward with their plots and characters. These shows would not interest someone today because “the modern viewer doesn’t have to think to make sense of what’s going on, and not having to think is boring.” Shows today carry multiple plot-lines with many characters with varying backgrounds. To keep up, the viewer must utilize distinct parts of the brain. This type of thinking was not required in shows aired in the past. In relation to television, pop culture has had a positive effect on people today because it forced them to connect and think.

Johnson, Steven. "Watching TV Makes You Smarter." The New York Times Magazine, 24 Apr. 2005.