Final Project: Pop Music and the Culture of Cool

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ojrv7eqxhgjuopr/Nile%27s%20Final%20Video%20Render.mp4


I couldn't get the video to embed correctly so I there is the link.

We felt that music and its effect on people and culture was underrepresented in this class so we went to the billboard charts and picked from the top songs to show how these songs shape the dress, attitude, and lives of the listeners.

*we don't claim any ownership of the music used in this video, it is used for educational purposes only. All music credit goes to the owners and copyright holders*

Nile Wright, Jenna Jessen, Raegan Werner, Michael Mathis, Nathan Maude

Breaking Bad

I know it was been a while since the craze for "Breaking Bad" went on but I can still tell you that I'm pretty obsessed over it. I found myself thinking I knew the characters as if they were a part of my life. I think thats pretty normal though when you get attached to something of the sort like a TV show. I would sit on my bed in shock, denial, or excitement as the series came to an end. I
honestly think it is one of the best drama series out there. I won't deny it when I heard people talk about the show I just shrugged it off and knew it was just a dumb craze going on.

As I was searching through my Netflix, I noticed that the series was on there. I thought to myself, "maybe I'll just watch one episode just to say I watched it." Well after the first episode, I was hooked. I actually found myself watch SIX episodes in one day...and this was on a week day. I don't know what it was but I loved the whole show and the concept. I found myself rooting for Walt even when he began to turn to the dark side. Why? I think it's because the series started off by showing us the good side of Walt. The show showed us that he was an older gentlemen diagnosed with cancer with a baby on the way. When he turned to making drugs, I wasn't mad because he was doing it for good intentions. I think thats what most people thought too. He was this good guy that turned to the bad guy through out the series. But even at the end of his run, we still saw a smidgen of light that he held onto.

Overall, Breaking Bad made it possible to have you sitting at the edge of your seat and making you feel like you are part of the story. It has been a while since I have found a TV show to do that. I think thats why I loved this show so much. It made me feel alive and part of their story. At the same time, it shows that people will go to the extremes to help the people they care about..even if its making meth.

Home

Its that time of the year my friends. Slowly but surely we have made it to the end of the year and I honestly couldn't be more excited. Thanksgiving and Christmas have to be some of my favorite holidays. Not because of the presents and all of the generic stuff but because of the thought of being with my family and being home. I think once you get to college, you
appreciate home so much more. Nothing beats your mom making you a home cooked meal or realizing how nice it is for her to do your laundry. I really took go granted this fact when I was in high school. But with the holidays, it makes us realize and appreciate the thought of home. Thats why they call it Thanksgiving, to remember to be thankful for the things that we have in our lives. Trust me, I know what its like to fight with your parents and go through some hard times, but onc
e you are way from home, you realize those small fights weren't worth it.

I think I love the idea of "home" is because there is so many things that influence or trigger the thought of home. It can be a simple smell or even an image that will make you smile. I think the biggest thing that makes me miss about home is my grandma. If you are blessed to have a grandma like me, you will understand that she would do anything to make me feel missed when I'm away at college. These little moments need to be cherished because when we least realize it, they mean the most to us. Just like what Dorothy told us, "there's no place like home."

Being an Icon vs. Riches

When faced with the question, would you rather be rich or given the chance to change the future, which would you choose? Now you are probably thinking that if you have the chance to change the world, wouldn't you get the opportunity to be rich? That could be an answer but is it the right one? People have this thought that if you make a ton of money, you will be at the heart of people's icons. Look at Oprah, I know she has an endless supply of money and most people view her as a symbolic icon. Why? She may be rich but she uses her money to help people. She gives back to people that are far less unfortunate. That's where you get to decide if you are able to be both.


After watching the sports video about Lebron today, it stated that he wanted to be an icon figure like Muhammed Ali but be rich at the same time. Muhammed was the figure where he didn't care about his money. He wanted people to know about his passion to fight civil rights and his own beliefs before his riches. That's where I think Lebron can't be both. Lebron may help out with charities and such but I don't think he can be in the same category as Muhammed. I feel that Lebron would be more worried about endorsement deals than other situations that need seeking. I believe that Muhammed has showed us that being an icon takes more than just having the money to change the world. He has the thought process to show us he is bigger than money, he is an icon. 

Heros

Ever since I was little, I grew up watching superheroes. I can tell you that my most favorite ones were the classic Batman or Spider-Man. I would always buy the toys for either superhero and make up my own adventure. What surprises me today is the fact that kids are still looking up to these heroes after all of these years. Why do you think they still do? What makes kids want to be these incredible heroes? Well I could tell you first hand since I was part of that fascination.

I think what draws us the most to these heroes is the thought of good verses evil. We always love to see why light over powers the darkness. Another great thing we like to see, is just like us, heroes fall along the way. Peter Parker was this nerd throughout his life and once he got his superpowers, he became more confident and believed in himself. I guess that's what heroes can show us. We might think that we are worthless but there will be a moment in our lives that will push us to see that we can overcome that obstacle. I know a lot of people think that superheroes just put up false hope for kids, but I don't see that at all. It gives kids that extra motivation to see they can make a change also. Just like how Make-A-Wish did for the "Batkid". A child battling cancer wished that he could be batman so Make-A-Wish foundation made that come true. They got the whole town of San Francisco to look like Gotham so a kid could dress up as Batman and fight crime. That just shows you the hope superheroes give to children and even the witnesses surrounding the child. We all have the power to do something great.

Cheap Food...Saving Lives

One day during class we were given the opportunity to watch “Food Inc.”. There was one segment in it that really got me thinking. In the movie, they talked about how this one money couldn’t afford food due to their economic status. They weren’t the most wealthy family and you could tell from the video that they were trying to live from pay check to pay check. What does a family do when they don’t have that much money and need food? They turn to the place where we view as “cheap”…McDonalds or Burger King.

They go to these restaurants and they are able to feed their entire family in under 10 dollars. I believe the family knows that this isn’t the most healthy decision but what else are they going to do? They need to be able to feed their entire family but they aren’t able to from the grocery stores. The video goes on to show the family at supermarket trying to find food in their price range but even lettuce is to much for them. Healthy greens is more expensive than an hamburger from McDonalds.

You are probably asking yourself, Michael, what are you trying to get at. Well I know that these fast food chains are bad for our health but at the same time, I know families are struggling in America so these terrible fast food chains are almost saving their lives. I believe that food from the supermarket shouldn’t be charged as much as they should. How does it make sense that lettuce is more expensive than a whole cheese burger? Families are going through hard times and need healthy food for their entire family but in the mean time these fast food restaurants are all they have. People may view fast food chains but but in my eyes, it depends on how they are used. I almost see it as saving someones life that needs food but cant afford to make a whole meal. It may be bad but in every bad, there is some good.

Geeks Vs Passion

As we were going over our lesson today in Popular Culture, I couldn't help to think about how Caleb defined the word "Geeks". When the word "geek" comes to someones mind, most of the time they relate it back to kids playing with creature cards (Pokemon) or even kids being obsessed with ships that shoot laser beams to destruct an enemy. But I don't really imagine that when it is brought up. Of course it's is a classic stereotype to imagine that but what is truly behind the word?

I believe that there is true passion out in the world. We all hold something close to our hearts and cherish it. Some have passion to play their hardest in basketball, some desire to write a book to make "New York's Bestseller List", and theres some that know more about Star Wars than others. The subjects to passion is endless but they all share the same trait. Thats what I believe geeks see in something. So what that kids know more about Star Wars than others? Thats something that they are passionate about and I can appreciate that. Also, geeks might read comic books and know every superhero out there but the only thing thats separating them from everyone else is the fact that their passion is what we view as nerdy. 

Overall, we are all humans. We all view something more important to us than what others might see it as. Geeks may know more about superheros or Star Wars than others but thats their passion. That's what they can go endless of hours talking about. Some people can talk about sports forever, just like how "geeks" can rant on about a "nerdy" subject. The only difference is the view that we see. Passion is what we need to realize that people have. Everyone has it.

Ellen

On the days I didn't have sports after school, I would always come home to find my mom glued to the TV at around 3. Why? Ellen DeGeneres was on. I never gave much thought of this show until I actually sat down and watched it with my mom. I actually found my self intrigued into the program and also found myself busting out a laugh quite a bit. I think what also captivated me to the program was that not only was it a show that gave you a break from your day to give you a few laughs but I also found out that Ellen truly does care about her fans and people in general.

When we talked about Ellen in class, we mainly focused on the daring movie of her coming out of the closet. I do believe she took a huge risk in doing this and I respect her a ton for taking that step but I believe that was just the beginning to her endless steps of bravery. Ellen has found a way to teach people that life is not always that bad. She has found a way to help out families that never that they would be able to afford anything and bless them with a check that brings them to tears. Along with the help to families, she has found programs and donated money to them including schools that need help in desperate times. Let's also not forget the fact that Ellen believes in dancing so that's also a great way to cheer someone up.

Overall, I find Ellen as true icon. She has found a way to break away from the mold that forced her to be scared of admitting her sexuality to becoming a hero in some people's eyes. She uses laughter and positive motives to show that life will always get better. Now whenever I get the chance, I love sitting down and watching Ellen with my mom knowing that Ellen is changing someone's life...one dance move at a time.