Popular Culture Research Articles

Yoga in Communist Poland

This article explores the popularization of yoga by Tadeusz Pasek (1925–2011). His characterization of yoga as ‘relaxation and concentration exercises’—cwirki—allowed practices derived from yoga to gain popularity in communist Poland. Classes were officially taught through the centres of the Society for the Propagation of Physical Culture (TKKF), a state institution funded by the communist authorities. Details of these classes were published in 1973 by the State Medical Publishing House (PZWL) in Theory and Methodology of Relaxation and Concentration Exercises. Pasek created a system of instructor training and certification within the framework of the TKKF, coordinated on a national level. He innovated model ‘calming centres’, combining TKKF structures within state-run housing cooperatives, functioning as yoga studios, community centres, and venues for psychiatric rehabilitation after in-patient treatment. Pasek introduced relaxation and concentration exercises for the rehabilitation of patients with neurotic disorders. Consequently, yoga practices, smuggled under the official name of relaxation and concentration exercises, entered academic circles of scientists and doctors, and also popular culture. Although its popularity waned as more yoga schools established themselves in Poland after 1989, Pasek’s innovation of culturally embedding the practices established a foundation for the development of many yoga traditions in post-communist Poland.

Tweeting on thin ice: Scientists in dialogic climate change communication with the public

This study examines the dynamics of interactions between climate scientists and the public on Twitter, utilizing a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. It explores scientists' tweets, public responses, and the factors influencing the "two-way" interactions and engagement with climate change issues. The findings indicate that scientists' personal disclosures and discussions of their professional lives significantly influence public engagement, particularly resonating with fellow scientists. Conversely, professional accomplishments often elicit more skeptical or critical responses from the public, highlighting the need for contextually relevant communication for lay audiences. Additionally, the study emphasizes the role of visual content, such as images and videos, in enhancing the accessibility and appeal of scientific information on social media. Furthermore, the current study uncovers a spectrum of public attitudes towards climate change, ranging from support to skepticism. It underscores the importance of acknowledging these diverse perspectives in climate communication. The use of humor and references to popular culture in public responses suggests an engaging and relatable approach to the topic. Ultimately, the study concludes that effective science communication on social media necessitates a nuanced understanding of audience perceptions, strategic utilization of visual elements, and a focus on fostering dialogic and participatory conversations, as argued by the public engagement with science (PES) model. This approach not only enhances public engagement with scientific content but also promotes broader civic awareness and participation in scientific dialogues about climate change, especially on social media platforms like Twitter.

The Hermitage of Santa Marina in Villamartín de Sotoscueva (Burgos) as a Refuge for the Community: To Protect a Building with Writings and Paintings in 1456 — A Secondary Publication

The Marina was built by the council of Villamartín de Sotoscueva (Burgos) in 1456, according to the inscription painted on its apse. This paper states that this hermitage was built in a violent environment by the nobility’s onslaught against the council powers, and the neighborhood protected its interior and exterior with a series of surprising mural paintings of an apotropaic nature, as well as the roof, through a tile inscribed with verses from the Poem of Fernán González, contemporary to the building. All of this responds to concepts inscribed in the popular culture of the medieval imaginary, expressed through visual and written clues.

Show and biz: The market economy in TV series and popular culture (2000–2020) By MaríaBlanco and AlbertoMingardi (Editors), Bloomsbury Publishing. 2023

Show and biz: The market economy in <scp>TV</scp> series and popular culture (2000–2020) By MaríaBlanco and AlbertoMingardi (Editors), Bloomsbury Publishing. 2023

Analysis of the Categorizations of Popular Culture and Their Influences in the Consumerist Society

Analysis of the Categorizations of Popular Culture and Their Influences in the Consumerist Society

Ethical communication: Exploring representations of Bedoon and migrant workers in the Kuwaiti TV show From Haram Street

This research aims to provide a critical analysis of the portrayal of migrant workers and the Bedoon in the popular Kuwaiti TV series From Haram Street (Haram Street). The research methodology employs the use of a diasporic critique to explore to what extent have TV and popular culture as technologies of power allowed workers to submit to a certain degree of domination and how television reinforces this script of dominance. Using diasporic critique, the author highlights how labour migrants are displaced in reality but framed differently through popular culture. The key findings indicate that the series provides a highly stereotypical portrayal of the Bedoon and migrant worker communities. The findings also indicate that the diasporic nature of these communities – that of migrant workers and that of the Bedoon – allows for a privileged and hegemonic rhetoric that excludes domestic workers and Bedoon communities. Along with providing an insight into the feminist vernacular discourse in present-day Kuwait, Haram Street series also sets in motion hegemonic rhetorics meant to keep migrant workers and Bedoon communities disciplined and excluded through technologies of domination. Particular attention in this article is paid to how Haram Street shapes our understanding of the migrant workers’ and stateless individuals’ situation in Kuwait.

Disney characters as moral role models: a discourse analysis of Coco and Encanto

Popular culture characters and narratives can influence people’s understanding of moral actions, and thus guide their behaviors accordingly. Films have proven to be strong anchors in people’s understanding of morality. We examine the perception of resilience as a moral characteristic in examining not just how people become resilient (thereby focusing on impact and action) but also to study “resilience” as a discourse and discussion in society as a moral message. We argue that popular culture narratives, particularly Disney films, help reinforce moral meanings of resilience. By conducting a discourse analysis of two films-Encanto and Coco and particularly focusing on resilience, we aim to contribute to a deepened understanding of Disney’s role in producing morality through diverse narratives and characters who serve as role models.

A Transpacific Study of Anorexia Awareness and Popular Culture

Abstract This article looks at how the “anorexic condition” gained public awareness through popular culture, specifically in the United States and Hong Kong, and argues that the 1980s saw the beginning of anorexia awareness-raising in the American public, contributed by the untimely death of Karen Carpenter and the rapid expansion of consumerism. It uses racial, feminist, and disability theories to interrogate how their intersections defined and continued to shape anorexia. It examines the paradox that popular culture could be the very same agency that creates both such oppression and the “redemption” of its problematic consequences. This leads to a critical evaluation of the nature of popular culture, its influence on young people and their body image, and its prevailing influence on global society.

Beyond the veil: Popular culture, morality and the afterlife in contemporary society

Ongoing interest in the afterlife serves to navigate existential crises by offering solace or amplifying anxieties about death. Popular cultural narratives, deeply intertwined with religious doctrines, serve as interpretative frameworks for understanding human experiences, ethical conduct and the mysteries of death. This Special Issue, then, explores how, in an increasingly secular world, the afterlife is portrayed in media narratives, which, while primarily aimed at entertainment, also respond to deep-seated existential and moral questions. It discusses how these portrayals offer a mix of hope, happiness and moral guidance, reflecting broader societal values and beliefs about life, death and what lies beyond. This collection of scholarly contributions aims to dissect the portrayal of morality and religion in media representations of the afterlife, examining how these portrayals reflect, critique or reinforce societal norms and values. By focusing on themes such as digital immortality and the supernatural, the Special Issue not only highlights the evolving nature of afterlife narratives but also underscores the role of popular culture in navigating and negotiating the existential dilemmas of the twenty-first century.

Cultures of Artificial Intelligence. AI Assemblages and the Transformations of Everyday Life

Artificial Intelligence is one of the keywords of our time, and AI systems are currently initiating numerous transformations in various areas of everyday life. How can cultural anthropology at the interface with digital anthropology contribute to understanding these transformations and to shaping social and cultural negotiation processes around AI? To answer this question, this article develops the concept of AI assemblages, which aims to illuminate the dynamics of sociotechnical relations between human and more-than-human actors or elements surrounding AI systems. Assemblage thinking allows to reflect upon and describe numerous ‘small’ transformations of everyday life connected to AI without uncritically reproducing grand narratives of sociotechnical change and upheaval. On a more general level, analyzing AI assemblages is a way to study cultures of AI, that is, to study “a whole way of life” (Williams) in which routines, relationships, and cultural orders are increasingly shaped by AI systems. Three examples illustrate this perspective: AI assemblages in memory culture (virtual survivor testimonies in Holocaust remembrance), in popular culture (social media and their algorithms), and in academic culture (generative AI in academic research and teaching).

Editorial

This Special Issue delves into the nexus of pop politics and popular culture, focusing on the employment of cultural symbols and strategies in communication. The articles included discuss the evolution of politainment in the digital age, where social media platforms amplify political messages by blending entertainment with political discourse. The authors highlight concerns regarding the devaluation of political information and its impact on democratic quality. Furthermore, the issue examines how pop politics encourages civic engagement and political awareness, utilizing various mediums for collective action, while cautioning against the potential adverse effects on public discourse. Ultimately, this Special Issue provides multidisciplinary perspectives on the intersection of politics and entertainment, its implications for democracy, and the evolving landscape of political communication.

Howdy Comrade

Abstract American and Western audiences have long come to understand Soviet and Russian womanhood, and thus US womanhood, from representations in popular televisual texts. While there is a long history of popular culture presenting the “othered” women of Eastern Europe, for example as temptress “Bond girls” during the Cold War, these narratives have continued onscreen into the twenty-first century. We examine the myriad representations from both the Cold War and post-Cold War period, noting the typical narrative constructions that focus on femme fatales, psychological and sexual trauma, and economic precarity, and how these have continued in contemporary popular culture to shore up notions of Western cultural and political superiority. The characters and the situations in which they find themselves, as spies, assassins, and double agents, continue to send messages about danger and dominance regarding both gender and geopolitics.

Editors’ introduction

This introduction offers a way into Punk &amp; Post-Punk’s Special Issue on ‘Goth Histories’. It points to recent traces of the subculture in popular culture and recognises key trends in a relatively vibrant scholarship. The issue was stimulated by a discussion between the two editors as to the whys and wherefores of this at a conference of the Subcultures Network in April 2023. The collected articles hope to give some sense of the different ways by which the Gothic retains a punk-inflected presence into the twenty-first century. Long may it continue to haunt our mindscapes, mediascapes and landscapes.

The Romanovs on Contemporary American TV

Abstract This article analyzes the Netflix six-part docudrama The Last Czars as well as the Amazon Prime anthology drama The Romanoffs for its representations of Russian imperial history and its heritage. Using an intersectional lens, it utilizes a close watching of the TV shows to identify a nostalgia for Russia's imperial legacy as core element of both series. Embedding the findings within popular culture, the analysis further shows that the nostalgic depiction of the last Russian imperial family and the mourning of their loss has a century-long history within American media. Comparing these depictions further to recent commemorations of the last Romanovs through the exhibitions Russia My History points to the Western complicity in Russian imperialist and colonial ideology through the recent shows in liberal American media.

‘I am human’: A Blochian glance at daydreams in Turkish advertising and popular culture

This article discusses utopian facets of advertisements and popular cultural products by employing the Blochian formulation of utopia. Grounded in Marx’s theory of alienation, the article asserts that the people encounter numerous socio-economic and emotional deprivations in the capitalist social order. By generating images of an alternative and better future where these deprivations are eliminated, advertisements and popular cultural products achieve a utopian function. Yet this utopian function remains an abstract utopia since it is not equipped with a concrete historical contextualization offered by Marxist dialectic. The discussion is backed by a succinct review of certain video advertisements and pop songs produced by Turkish cultural industries.

From Invisible to Visible

Abstract Asian women are often marginalized in global contexts, and they are often disembodied or presented in sexualized images in film and television productions. Even in the Asian region, Asian women have difficulty giving themselves a voice in popular culture. This essay has selected three films and tends to explore the gender connotation, body, and sexuality in the film works of East Asian female directors in recent decades, with the intent to explore the female sexual desire that is expressed and reflected in those female directors’ works.

The Picture Show: Lucille Clifton’s Poetry and Children’s Writing from Popular Culture and Film

The Picture Show: Lucille Clifton’s Poetry and Children’s Writing from Popular Culture and Film

Walking the Earth between Ezekiel and Kung Fu 's Caine: Pulp Fiction and 1990s (Popular) Culture between Irony and 'Reenchantment'

Abstract: In the cultural milieu of the 1990s, Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994) emerges as a compelling exploration of spiritual and moral ambiguity. The film's flamboyantly postmodern narrative intertwines themes of grace and the miraculous, culminating in moments of profound existential reflection—with an ironic twist. Set against the backdrop of a post-Cold War era marked by uncertainty, disillusionment, and hope, Pulp Fiction navigates complex moral and ethical terrain. This paper analyzes Tarantino's movie alongside contemporaneous auteurs such as the Coens and Fincher, exploring their shared engagement with themes of justice, morality, and existential meaning. Through a lens of cultural reenchantment, these films illuminate the moral dilemmas of an era in transition.

MAGA to the Maxson: Apocalyptic America and Fallout 4’s Brotherhood of Steel

American political rhetoric has become increasingly zealous in its use of right-wing, Christofascist and apocalyptic imagery. While its contemporary moment is deeply connected to the current Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, it has a much longer history in American popular culture. This article specifically links this contemporary movement to the Fallout franchise, a popular post-apocalyptic video game series to illuminate cultural patterns of America’s apocalyptic political rhetoric. The video game series begins as a trope-laden post-apocalyptic western of survival by the gun. Later and more recent iterations have emphasized settler-colonialist nation building, and other forms of troubling American exceptionalism in a post-nuclear world. The explicit connections between these militaristic and political conceits is so ubiquitous in American media that it has become a cultural point of identity.

Ambivalence of kawaii as a phenomenon of modern aesthetics in Japan

The author analyzes various aspects of the modern popular culture of kawaii. The connection between sweetness and the terrible in kawaii aesthetics is clarified. It is emphasized that the roots of kawaii go back to the Japanese culture of the past and today's total spread of the cute in Japanese everyday life is reflected in politics, government, business, the military complex, art, influencing all spheres of society and manifesting itself as a key component of the national identity of the Japanese. Attention is focused on the aesthetic category of yami-kawaii. Creepy kawaii understands the works of Japanese artists and the youth subculture. The connection of kawaii and yami-kawaii is shown. The subject of the study is the images of Japanese artists of the XX – XXI centuries. A characteristic feature of the art of which is the excessive depiction of the cute, indicating a connection with modernity. Comparative historical and iconographic research methods based on cultural, philosophical, and art historical scientific materials were used. The relevance of the topic is due to the need to explore new trends in art, with the need to rethink classical, aesthetic categories, in connection with the catastrophes of the XX – XXI centuries, which changed European culture and left an indelible mark on Japanese culture. The novelty of the research lies in an attempt to analyze the phenomenon of kawaii in a dual aspect: kawaii of the sweet and kawaii of the terrible in the art of Japanese artists, based on the phenomenon of fear as the driving force of yami-kawaii, as well as using the aesthetic category of "kawaii" as an all-pervading characteristic of mass culture. The yami-kawaii style is an independent aesthetic category, widespread by the youth subculture. The popularity of the "sick" kawaii as a crude grim reality is applied in the marketing of the industrial industry. Infantilism manifests itself as a defense, a psychological barrier in search of support and sympathy. The aesthetics of kawaii mildness acts as one side of the coin, the other is the internal conflict of society – fear, helplessness, depression. The yami-kawaii subculture is an expression of the aesthetic phenomenon of suffering and fear.