How Did Pop Culture Originate?

John Storey (Cultural Studies Professor) offers six different definitions of popular culture. It is

1. It is a culture that is widely favoured or liked.
2. It is whatever is left after you substracted "high culture."
3. It can be defined as commercial objects that are produced for mass consumption by non-discriminating consumers.
4. It is folk culture and is created by the people (authentic) as opposed to commercial enterprises.
5. It is partly imposed on by the dominant classes, but the subordinate classes decide what to keep or discard.
6. The distinction between "authentic" and "commercial" is blurred.

The definitions of pop culture proposed by professor John Storey seem to change depending on the context. Since the 21st century, mass media has changed so much that it is difficult to establish how they function.

• In 2000, "mass media" meant only print (newspapers), broadcast (television and radio) and cinema.
• Today it accepts a variety of social media forms.
• Popular culture today is mostly something established by niche users.
• Social media means consumers are in direct contact with producers and are producers themselves.

In a way, popular culture is again expressing the simplest meaning: it is what many people like.