In a world where technology is constantly advancing, it is impossible to escape the media. David Grazian states this idea by stating that we are not as immune from pop culture as we would like to believe we are (Grazian, 2010). The media is constantly influencing society in ways that most people are unaware of. Due to the huge impact of media on culture, it is possible to examine it from the critical perspective in terms of the consequences that arise (Grazian, 2010). Using the film, Merchants of Cool, can aid in understanding the current state of the United States due to the strength that bonds media and culture together.
There is a strong and powerful relationship between the media and the population, specifically teenagers. Merchants …show more content…
These inequalities usually target women, minorities (people of color), and the poor. Merchants of Cool showed two characters that MTV created to help connect with and draw audiences in. For males, it was the “Mook” who embodied masculine traits such as an enjoyment of sports, being athletic and tough, and tending to occasionally act and enjoy violence. This character, despite having depicted very specific characteristics, did not convey negative messages to viewers. On the other hand, the female character, the “midriff” created various issues for women. Although never explicitly said, the message was simply conveyed; it was selling an idea that girls have to look good. Grazian demonstrates this when he gives an example of Abercrombie and Fitch’s hiring by noting how an individual was judged based on physical attractiveness which later contributed to the number of hours of work given and the area of the work (Grazian, 2010). He further emphasizes the inequality women face, especially in relation to the company, by stating that women were required to wear certain clothing but also meet weight requirements (Grazian, 2010). The midriff is no different; in both cases, women are degraded and subjected to inequality. The midriff did this by essentially telling women that their body is their best asset while also focusing and promoting sex. It also expresses the idea that an …show more content…
The amount of exposure a single individual has on a daily basis is astonishing. However, what is of more importance is the consequences that arise based on the relationship between society and media. Hegemony is a huge aspect of the media since it contributes to norms, social inequality, and social control. The issue is that only one group benefits from this, while other suffer while attempting to achieve an unattainable ideal. The takeaway from this would be that the companies that control the world and the media have to focus more on understanding the impact on groups as well as individuals. Only by breaking down the norm and encroaching upon the media to include varieties of people, will equality and positive change truly
There is a strong and powerful relationship between the media and the population, specifically teenagers. Merchants …show more content…
These inequalities usually target women, minorities (people of color), and the poor. Merchants of Cool showed two characters that MTV created to help connect with and draw audiences in. For males, it was the “Mook” who embodied masculine traits such as an enjoyment of sports, being athletic and tough, and tending to occasionally act and enjoy violence. This character, despite having depicted very specific characteristics, did not convey negative messages to viewers. On the other hand, the female character, the “midriff” created various issues for women. Although never explicitly said, the message was simply conveyed; it was selling an idea that girls have to look good. Grazian demonstrates this when he gives an example of Abercrombie and Fitch’s hiring by noting how an individual was judged based on physical attractiveness which later contributed to the number of hours of work given and the area of the work (Grazian, 2010). He further emphasizes the inequality women face, especially in relation to the company, by stating that women were required to wear certain clothing but also meet weight requirements (Grazian, 2010). The midriff is no different; in both cases, women are degraded and subjected to inequality. The midriff did this by essentially telling women that their body is their best asset while also focusing and promoting sex. It also expresses the idea that an …show more content…
The amount of exposure a single individual has on a daily basis is astonishing. However, what is of more importance is the consequences that arise based on the relationship between society and media. Hegemony is a huge aspect of the media since it contributes to norms, social inequality, and social control. The issue is that only one group benefits from this, while other suffer while attempting to achieve an unattainable ideal. The takeaway from this would be that the companies that control the world and the media have to focus more on understanding the impact on groups as well as individuals. Only by breaking down the norm and encroaching upon the media to include varieties of people, will equality and positive change truly