Vibrantly-lined eyes and shiny new phones are only contributing further to the current trends that define individuality; with each thought, word, and action, pop culture dominates the direction we’re headed daily. Every time we visit a website, talk to one another, open the door to a store, listen to music, or read a book, millions of different types of influences affect us, altering our behavior and setting standards for us to follow. Americans unconsciously do this; it is often so ingrained that the changes occur automatically. Therefore, from this degree of influence, both negative and positive effects arise.

Often celebrities are held at a high level. We admire, envy, and think of them as a standard to achieve. On the other hand, we frequently laugh at their struggles, think them trivial, and even despise them. No matter the emotion behind the thought regarding celebrities, they are always influencing us directly and indirectly. Ideas about behavior, success in life, fashion trends, beauty trends, and just overall appearance are set by this different class. This can be positive, with a mixture of beauty, culture, and standard of living that is unprecedented and unique; however, it can also be negative, by creating a degree of excellence that can be unattainable.

All types of art have a similar effect. Literature, music, television, and movies are created to educate, to inform, to influence, and to entertain. Each influences thoughts about 1) how art should be created, be presented, be enjoyed, and 2) issues everyone faces, such as transitioning from a kid to an adult, the meaning of life, or the path one should follow based on cultural standards. Additionally, these types of art can influence other ideas also, like religion, politics, intelligence, existence, history, lifestyle, etc. These forms of communication are important to the well-being of our society, planting ideas, adding meaning, and spreading significance to others, but as always, sometimes awakening ideas and actions detrimental to the individual or society.

Within these forms of culture, topics like sex, violence, and drugs can be emphasized or perhaps glorified in a method that causes teenagers to act in ways they may think is more mature, or adults to act in ways they believe are acceptable when they aren’t. Issues like these are specifically one of the most negative, based on the effects that these behaviors may entail. In contrast, creating and expressing feeling and meaning are increasingly positive, in the ways they accelerate internal growth and human understanding for the creator and the viewer.

Trends in technology, food, beverages, and health each create different standards that influence the majority. The question is: Is there always a necessity for more? Constant consumerism, and valuing possessions higher than human connection, create multiple drawbacks, like perhaps indirectly detracting from one’s own happiness and love. New trends can be costly, and may cause others to spend what they can’t afford to keep up with conformity, which can be superficial and devoid of importance. However, new and different products and methods in each can provide more efficiency, enjoyment, and a higher quality of life.

Overall, perhaps there just needs to be a better balance regarding the importance and influence of pop culture. The negativity that can arise from it may cause unwanted or unnecessary effects, yet the positivity that comes from it helps define our culture, sets significant standards, and creates meaning in all that we do.

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