Throughout my first year of college, I religiously watched weekly episodes of The Bachelor, despite having significant issues with the franchise itself. I often found the show frustrating, predictable, and at times ethically questionable. Yet every Wednesday night, I still tuned in. This routine was not driven solely by enjoyment of the show’s content but by a desire to belong. A group of girls I had befriended would walk home from campus together each Wednesday and spend the entire walk discussing the most recent episode in detail—analyzing contestants’ behavior, speculating about drama, and forming strong opinions about who deserved the final rose. I quickly realized that if I failed to watch an episode, I would be excluded from the conversation altogether and lose social currency–ensuring my “death by Harry Potter,” as Klosterman puts it.
This example illustrates how popular culture serves as a persuasive force, not only in shaping opinions but also in influencing behavior. Sellnow and Brummett argue that popular culture is inherently rhetorical because it influences how audiences think, feel, and act. My decision to continue watching The Bachelor supports this claim, but it also expands it. The persuasive power of pop culture extends beyond the messages embedded within media texts and into the act of consumption itself. I did not merely engage with the show’s narratives; I altered my routine to secure my metaphorical rose. Popular culture, in this sense, persuades individuals to consume media as a prerequisite for social belonging.
In many cases, what we watch, listen to, or follow is less about personal preference and more about social survival. Mediated pop culture becomes a common language—one that allows people to connect, bond, and signal membership within a group—being culturally “in the know” grants access to conversations, community, and validation. As my experience demonstrates, choosing not to engage with popular media can come at a social cost, even when that decision is intentional or values-driven.
At its core, mediated pop culture is popular precisely because a large segment of the population enjoys it. However, this widespread participation also creates boundaries. Those who are unaware of or choose not to engage in certain cultural phenomena are inevitably positioned as outsiders. Viral trends, hit shows, and cultural moments create an in-group of those who understand the reference and an out-group of those who do not. While individuals may sometimes choose to place themselves in the out-group, there is no true “unsubscribe” or opt-out button from pop culture entirely. Its presence is pervasive, shaping conversations, identities, and social dynamics whether we actively participate or not. Ultimately, pop culture unifies by offering connection, but it also divides by quietly deciding who gets a rose and who gets sent home. If staying socially relevant requires constantly earning a cultural “rose,” at what point does participation in pop culture stop being a choice and start becoming a requirement?
Natalie, I really enjoyed your thoughts and insights on pop culture—specifically your discussion of the main reasons why we, as humans, choose to study it: so we aren’t left out in the cold. As you mentioned, being “in the know” ultimately keeps us part of the conversation and gives us a sense of purpose within our relationships. The question you posed in the last paragraph really made me reflect on the “roses” in my own life. One thought I had relates to the physical and emotional aspects of participation. When we choose to skip homework, working out, or even sleep just to catch the “next episode,” pop culture can begin to feel like a requirement rather than a choice. As Williams notes in his definition of pop culture, “we need it more than food.” At that point, earning those pop culture “roses” becomes less optional.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, your perspective on pop culture as a form of social survival rather than simple entertainment was something I appreciated the most. The example of The Bachelor illustrates how participatory culture can serve as a gatekeeper to social inclusion, particularly in tight-knit social circles like college friendships. It was great how you connected this to rhetoric, the pop culture that pressures us to partake, rather than just the messages, is something I found to be most interesting. The other comment about passing on sleep, homework, or self-care to watch a show is a great example of how this pressure is there, even if nobody is calling you on it. Your social death metaphor is spot on. Do you think it is possible to remain connected to a social group without embracing the dominant pop culture, or is there always a sacrifice that must be made?
ReplyDeleteAs someone firmly in Bachelor Nation (I am SO excited for the next one, by the way), I completely get what you're saying about watching less for enjoyment and more for belonging. I've noticed the metaphorical rose dynamic with my sister... when she falls behind on the season, there's a weird distance where I desperately want to talk about the experience with her, but it's like she hasn't done her homework, so I can't talk about the final test and my thoughts. It's like you either keep up or risk behind left behind, which perfectly captures how pop culture turns participation into a quiet social requirement, not just a choice.
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