Do you feel that popular culture in today's society is "dumbing people down?"?

Question

I have an essay to write for an English class relating the effect that popular culture has on society and vice versa. I, personally, feel that certain shows and movies that have been made, such as Survivor, are simple entertainment that does not require people to use their brains. Media has become a mechanism of pure enjoyment with no actual substance.
I am interested to see what other people think about this subject. Also, if you have any websites that could be enlightening, it would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Culture only dumbs you down if you let it, you need to keep your mind alive with a fresh input of good information all the time remember rubbish in equals rubbish out, refresh your mind not just by "Telly drip feeding" either, read stimulating books, listen to
beautiful music that makes you feel good to be alive, talk to like minded people.

Answer 2

I think media has always been a mechanism of pure enjoyment. I, personally do not feel that popular culture is dumbing people down. I look at various forms of media for exactly that - "entertainment". I rarely look to the tv, for example, to learn anything of substance. When I want substance, I open a book or go to a museum. Sounds like an interesting essay though, have fun learning.

Answer 3

popular culture today has decided that no child will be told they have failed, and everyone must stay with their first classmates. then the teachers must teach to these, slower students who should have been held back until they actually learned the work. People are finishing high school with no education, because the teachers are too busy teaching to the stupid kids. Yes, popular has indeed dumbed down people. And popular culture has decreed that homeschooling is a good thing, and some kids get no science, health, or classics education, some kids get nothing that is not in the bible or the quran. This is no good.

Answer 4

Hello Curious,

That is an interesting question.

Yes, it can be argued that the mass media dumbs down the people, but maybe you should consider the point of view that the mass media is just fulfilling their demands. Moreover, the people of today demand less 'thought provoking' forms of entertainment and the media supplies this need-

Previously, the world was one of ideologies..people had a cause, ranging from the 'working class' lefties to the right wing conservatives..However, i think it is fair to say that today political parties have centralised..there is not much difference in choice and people have become apathetic. Now people are more disinterested with domestic politics and therefore, with their lack of cause and more comfortable lifestyle, actually demand less "demanding" past times that mirror their leisurely lifestyles.

Hope this helps with your essay, good luck!

Answer 5

Entertainment has been aimed at about a ten year old mind for about the last 100 years. If anything, it has gone even lower with most television. Movies are a little higher.

Answer 6

dumbing down is a comercial strategy to maximise profit or viewing figures. It exists in every sphere of society i.e. supermarkets and can only be counteracted by positive action by consumer i.e clubs or memberships or by state or public broadcasting. in my opinion.

Answer 7

Well, all I can say is that tv in the seventies was just as bad, if not worse. Saturday evening tv has ALWAYS been moronic, and probably always will be.

Answer 8

absolutely -- it is NOT cool to be smart with pop culture there is an anti intellectual bias so naturally pop culture dumb society down through shame

Answer 9

TV is the oppiate of the masses and we know what drugs do to people.

Answer 10

Any society has high values and not so high values, You may choose to aspire or even add. Or not.