Our evolving society has brought changes in entertainment and popular culture as a reflection of shifting values while shaping how we experience our surroundings. The growth of the entertainment industry through diverse representations from films, television, or music across various digital mediums such as streaming platforms or social media influencers has brought about not only newer forms of entertainment but a significant impact on beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Through its continuous evolution, popular culture & entertainment have played a vital role in shaping people’s views & experiences. They promote diversity and empower marginalized groups while also helping to question the norms of our society. Understanding how they shape our communal thought patterns is vital for evaluating their important role. This thesis explores how entertainment and popular culture profoundly affect people individually and society. It will also highlight how crucial it is to critically analyze their role in shaping our collective thinking.
In exploring the profound influence of entertainment and popular culture, the study by Fox, Dowling, and Miller (p.299) looks at how podcasts have played a role in molding and sharing black culture over the last decade. It also looks at the influence of podcasts on the broader society as a form of entertainment, and popular culture cannot be understated. The authors claim that through podcasts, we hear about the unheard stories of Black communities that otherwise remain unrepresented. Within an examination of forty different podcasts aired between the years of 2010 to the present day with themes surrounding race relations and history as well as social issues, this article delves into content revolving around Blackness. According to the authors ‘ content analysis, these podcasts serve as valuable educational resources for listeners exploring Black culture.
Empowering Black people by providing them with different narratives to select from is one of the strengths shown in the findings regarding these podcasts, which also foster a sense of belonging. Additionally, diverse listeners can engage in critical dialogues and promote cross-cultural understanding by providing alternate spaces for nuanced discussions. The impact of podcasts on transforming entertainment and popular culture is highlighted in this significant article, promoting diversity through alternative media platforms by amplifying those whose voices are typically not heard and challenging societal norms. Comprehending how podcasts shape culture is crucial for valuing diversity within our global community. People who pay close attention to how podcasts operate as discursive cultural guides can support an equitable and inclusive society by promoting diverse representations.
Furthermore, by examining two Indian multinational corporations operating in emerging markets and their approach to merging traditional cultural values into contemporary management techniques, the paper by Malik et al. offers insightful analysis. The research reveals how popular entertainment adapts to local customs by incorporating indigenous elements (Malik et al. 820). It highlights an ongoing relationship between culture and entertainment. The article examines how traditional Indian cultural values are integrated into modern management practices through the performance management systems of two Indian MNCs. The authors use qualitative techniques to cover the interaction between indigenous cultural traits and atomistic modernity, including interviews and document analysis.
According to the findings, while adopting global management practices, the companies followed traditional Indian values of collectivism and social responsibility. How organizations undertake performance appraisals through elements such as setting up objectives for employees’ work, evaluating them against industry benchmarks & providing them with suitable recognition indicates how they imbibe the company’s culture. This piece stresses how crucial cultural adaptation is to thrive within the entertainment industry, revealing how emerging market firms balance globalized modernity with their unique local cultural traditions (Malik et al. 810). Cultural fusion has become noticeable not only in management practices but also in entertainment and pop culture overall, as different aspects from various backgrounds are merged to appeal to specific demographics while maintaining their respective origins.
Having a nuanced understanding of how entertainment and popular culture impact and are impacted by local cultural norms is crucial, as demonstrated in this research. Comprehending how traditional and modern cultural elements can give people a deeper appreciation for diverse entertainment offerings worldwide. This study further emphasizes how crucial it is for entertainment media to be culturally sensitive and inclusive while encouraging producers and consumers to incorporate a variety of cultural perspectives into their work or consumption habits. According to Kline, marketing strategies prioritize profit instead of creative and varied content, leading to narrowed imagination with reinforced societal standards. Exploring various marketing elements within children’s culture, including merchandise licensing and branding, is undertaken. The author states that marketing decisions and financial considerations can limit the range of narratives available to children (Kline 310).
The article is significant because it reveals how commercial interests could potentially harm the diversity and quality of children’s entertainment and popular culture. Moreover, marketing practices promoting harmful stereotypes can constrain children’s imaginative experiences (Kline 315). The importance of this research lies in its ability to inform people about power structures that operate in entertainment and encourages critical thinking while consuming media. Appreciating the effect of marketing on children’s culture enables individuals to consciously choose content that nurtures inclusion while fostering creativity and a sense of positivity. Also, it is crucial to ensure that entertainment creators and marketers are held accountable for how their work impacts children’s growth and overall welfare. By seeking out diverse entertainment options that align with our ethics and values, we contribute to an enriching cultural environment.
Entertainment & popular culture undeniably profoundly impact society & individuals by shaping perspectives while empowering underserved members of our community. Moreover, podcasts allow for a platform for marginalized voices while emphasizing traditional cultural values in modern-day management practices, showcasing the correlation between culture and entertainment. To promote an inclusive environment in children’s media consumption, we must remain aware of how marketing practices can influence their decisions. Understanding and actively engaging with these dynamics helps us to forge a more diverse and enriched cultural backdrop for everybody.
References
Fox, Kim, David O. Dowling, and Kyle Miller. “A curriculum for Blackness: Podcasts as discursive cultural guides, 2010-2020.” Journal of Radio & audio media 27.2 (2020): 298–318. https://doi.org/10.1080/19376529.2020.1801687
Kline, Stephen. “Limits to the imagination: Marketing and children’s culture.” Cultural politics in contemporary America. Routledge, 2022. 299–316.
Malik, Ashish, et al. “Holistic indigenous and atomistic modernity: Analyzing performance management in two Indian emerging market multinational corporations.” Human Resource Management 60.5 (2021): 803–823. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.22057
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