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Culture Term Papers Samples For Students

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No matter how high you rate your writing abilities, it's always a worthy idea to check out a competently written Term Paper example, especially when you're handling a sophisticated Culture topic. This is exactly the case when WowEssays.com directory of sample Term Papers on Culture will prove handy. Whether you need to come up with an original and meaningful Culture Term Paper topic or survey the paper's structure or formatting peculiarities, our samples will provide you with the necessary material.

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Anger is a physiological, emotional response when an individual feels threatened, or when one’s space, relatives and properties get violated. It is a normal emotion experienced by all individuals acting as an alarm to warn people when something seems wrong.

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Roaring Dragon Hotel is a three star that once had the repute of an outstanding service provider in the market, but later lost this reputation due to poor management. The initial management practices at RDH were based on planned economy. However, failure to change these management practices to fit the expanding economy led to declining popularity and hence declining income of the company. The initial plan to salvage the company was made by the provincial government and involved replacing the hotel’s management with an international management by HI through Paul Fortune.

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Important survival factors found in humanity are present in the central core or basic structure that forms the five variables of the client system consisting of genetic or innate features having strengths and weaknesses of the system. Five variables in the basic structure are physiological, psychological, developmental, sociocultural, and spiritual.

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This essay examines and discusses aspects of the belief system of the Akan people, who represent the largest ethnic grouping in the African country of Ghana, comprising in total just under half of Ghana’s entire population. Aspects of the Akan culture and beliefs covered within the paragraphs of this essay include their concepts of God and of Evil, their philosophy of the Person, and the links between the symbolic significance of their heritage art and their culture and beliefs. The aim is to gain some insight into the Akan belief system.

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Explore Our Top Cultural Research Paper Topics

Updated 20 Jun 2024

Culture is a broad term that covers an endless number of possibilities for crafting research topics. You can view it as a global aspect and write a research paper about culture inherent in all of humanity.

On the other hand, you may focus on answering some particular research questions about culture for a specific state or region, e.g., the local community you live in. Another possibility is to compare two cultures and learn about beautiful ethnic differences.

Whichever the case, writing a cultural research paper will open a unique world for us where we can view humanity on a more in-depth level and decipher what is inherent in each culture. Since the options for cultural research paper topics are numerous, it’s essential to choose the one that will catch the reader’s attention.

If the topic is too broad or too narrow, the reader will either get lost in the process of reading or end up lacking crucial information regarding your topic. If you're overwhelmed with assignments, you might consider the option to pay someone to write my paper , ensuring your research is thorough and well-presented. Therefore, to be sure that we satisfy our readers, we must pay close attention to choosing the right topic. Let’s see how.

How to Choose Interesting Cultural Research Paper Topics

Here are a couple of tips from our  research paper writing services on how to choose an interesting topic. Before the writing process, you should consider the following:

• Consult people from your surrounding.  Is there someone native from the culture you want to write about you can reach out to? Bear in mind that the most accurate information comes from culture bearers.
• Make a profound research about the topic you’re intended to write about.  Nothing is random in culture - each tradition, habit, style, and background have a specific goal and a purpose.
• Try to place yourself in the shoes of a culture’s representative.
• Always be accepting and tolerant.  Try not to involve emotions in the choice of topics and write accurately about them.

List of Culture Research Topics

Here’s a list of 20 interesting and somewhat general topics about culture everyone can find something suitable from:

• The Impact of Globalization on Indigenous Cultures
• Cultural Identity in the Digital Age: A New Form of Nationalism?
• The Role of Language in Preserving Cultural Heritage
• Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Marriage and Family Structures
• Cultural Implications of Climate Change on Traditional Societies
• The Evolution of Gender Roles within Different Cultures
• Food as a Cultural Ambassador: Exploring Culinary Diplomacy
• Cultural Responses to Pandemics: A Historical Perspective
• The Influence of Religion on Art and Architecture across Cultures
• Cultural Appropriation vs. Cultural Exchange: Drawing the Line
• The Role of Festivals in Promoting and Preserving Cultural Identity
• Impact of Colonialism on the Cultural Practices of Indigenous Peoples
• Cultural Assimilation and Resistance: Case Studies from Around the World
• The Psychology of Superstitions and Their Cultural Significance
• Cultural Perspectives on Aging and Elder Care
• The Intersection of Technology and Culture: A Double-Edged Sword
• Cultural Traditions in Conservation and Environmental Stewardship
• Music as a Reflection of Social and Cultural Change
• Cultural and Ethical Considerations in Genetic Research
• The Dynamics of Cultural Conflict and Cooperation in Multicultural Societies

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Cultural Diversity Research Paper Topics

The more people, countries and religions are on the planet, the greater the diversity. When choosing a title from this list, make sure to look wider.

• The Impact of Cultural Diversity on Global Business Practices
• Multiculturalism in Education: Challenges and Opportunities
• Cultural Diversity and Its Influence on Global Marketing Strategies
• The Role of Language in Promoting Cultural Diversity
• Immigration and Cultural Integration: Success Stories and Challenges
• Cultural Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits and Challenges
• The Impact of Cultural Diversity on Team Dynamics and Performance
• Cultural Representation in Media and Entertainment
• The Effects of Globalization on Preserving Local Cultures
• Cultural Diversity and Public Policy: Case Studies from Around the World
• The Role of Cultural Festivals in Promoting Diversity and Unity
• Cultural Diversity in Healthcare: Understanding and Overcoming Barriers
• The Influence of Cultural Diversity on Artistic Expression
• Cultural Diversity and Conflict Resolution: Lessons Learned
• The Role of Technology in Bridging Cultural Gaps
• Cultural Diversity in Sports: Breaking Down Barriers
• The Impact of Migration on Cultural Identity
• Cultural Diversity and Innovation: How Diversity Fuels Creativity
• The Challenges of Cultural Relativism in a Globalized World
• Promoting Cultural Diversity and Tolerance through Education

Cultural Anthropology Research Paper Topics

Here, you’ll find a list of 10 ideas for research paper about culture that are concentrated on anthropological aspect:

• The Role of Rituals in Maintaining Social Order in Traditional Societies
• Kinship and Social Structure: A Comparative Analysis of Matrilineal and Patrilineal Societies
• Cultural Adaptations to Environmental Changes in Indigenous Communities
• The Impact of Westernization on Indigenous Cultural Practices
• Language Preservation and Revitalization in Minority Cultures
• Gender Roles and Their Evolution in Different Cultures
• The Anthropology of Food: Cultural Significance of Cuisine Across Societies
• Traditional Healing Practices and Their Place in Modern Medicine
• The Effects of Globalization on Language and Cultural Identity
• Cultural Perspectives on Death and Mourning Practices
• The Influence of Colonialism on the Cultural Landscape of Africa
• Urbanization and Its Impact on Traditional Social Structures
• Cultural Constructs of Beauty and Body Image Worldwide
• The Role of Folklore and Mythology in Shaping Cultural Values
• Cultural Anthropology of Digital Communities and Online Behavior
• Migration Patterns and Their Impact on Cultural Identity
• The Intersection of Culture and Mental Health Practices
• Economic Systems in Traditional Societies: From Barter to Digital Currency
• The Anthropology of Religion: Rituals, Beliefs, and the Supernatural
• Cross-Cultural Studies on Aging and Elderly Care

Subculture Research Ideas

• The Evolution of Punk Culture and Its Influence on Music and Fashion
• Cyber Subcultures: The Rise of Virtual Communities and Their Social Implications
• The Skateboarding Subculture: Lifestyle, Identity, and Urban Spaces
• Gothic Culture: Aesthetic, Literature, and Social Identity
• Hip-Hop and Rap: Cultural Expression, Social Issues, and Global Impact
• The Role of Zines in Subcultural Expression and Communication
• Cosplay Subculture: Identity, Performance, and Fandom
• The Vegan Movement: Ethical Consumption and Subcultural Identity
• Gamer Culture: Social Dynamics and Stereotypes in Gaming Communities
• Street Art and Graffiti: Artistic Expression or Vandalism?
• The Influence of Social Media on the Formation and Evolution of Subcultures
• Rave Culture and Electronic Dance Music: Community, Identity, and Experience
• The Mod Subculture: Fashion, Music, and Social Change in Post-War Britain
• Straight Edge Movement: Music, Lifestyle, and Ideology
• The Role of Subcultures in Shaping Youth Identity and Social Beliefs
• Kawaii Culture in Japan: Aesthetic, Consumerism, and Global Influence
• The Steampunk Aesthetic: Retrofuturism, Literature, and Community
• The Intersection of Subcultures and Political Movements
• Sneaker Culture: Collecting, Customization, and Community
• The Tiny House Movement: Minimalism, Sustainability, and Lifestyle Choice

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Pop Culture Research Topics

• The Evolution of Pop Music and Its Influence on Global Youth Culture
• Reality Television: Impact on Society's Perception of Reality
• Social Media Influencers: Shaping Trends and Consumer Behavior
• The Representation of Gender and Sexuality in Popular Films
• Memes and Internet Culture: Communication and Social Commentary
• The Globalization of Anime: Cultural Exchange and Adaptation
• Celebrity Culture and Its Impact on Self-Image and Aspirations
• The Rise of eSports: From Niche Hobby to Mainstream Entertainment
• Fashion Trends Originating from Pop Culture Icons
• The Role of Popular Literature in Shaping Contemporary Myths
• Superhero Movies: Cultural Significance and Box Office Dominance
• The Impact of Streaming Services on Television and Movie Consumption
• Fan Fiction and Fan Cultures: Participation and Creativity
• The Influence of Video Games on Popular Culture and Society
• Social Movements and Pop Culture: A Symbiotic Relationship
• The Commodification of Nostalgia in Film and Television
• The Role of Music Videos in Shaping Pop Music Perception
• The Impact of Pop Culture on Language and Slang
• Viral Marketing: How Pop Culture Facilitates Brand Engagement
• The Representation of Science and Technology in Pop Culture

Socio-Cultural Essay Topics

Here are ten exciting socio-cultural ideas. If you’re interested in comparing a community’s social and moral aspects, choose one title from this list as a basis.

• The Impact of Cultural Norms on Gender Roles and Expectations
• Social Media's Role in Shaping Modern Cultural Identities
• Cultural Dimensions of Globalization: Homogenization vs. Cultural Diversity
• Language as a Cultural Tool: Its Role in Shaping Social Reality
• The Influence of Religious Beliefs on Social Behavior and Norms
• Migration and Cultural Integration: Challenges and Opportunities
• Cultural Perspectives on Mental Health and Well-being
• The Role of Education in Transmitting Cultural Values
• Social Stratification and Cultural Capital: The Dynamics of Inequality
• Cultural Responses to Environmental Challenges and Sustainability
• The Evolution of Family Structures and Its Socio-Cultural Implications
• Youth Subcultures and Their Rebellion Against Societal Norms
• The Influence of Popular Culture on Political Engagement and Discourse
• Cultural Traditions and Their Impact on Modern Legal Systems
• The Role of Art and Culture in Social Activism and Change
• Cultural and Social Implications of Biotechnological Advances
• The Sociology of Food: Cultural Significance and Social Practices
• Cultural Identity in Multicultural Societies: Belonging and Conflict
• The Impact of Tourism on Local Cultures and Social Structures
• Cultural Stereotypes and Their Effects on Interpersonal and Intergroup Relations

Cultural Phenomena Topics

• The Global Spread of Fast Food Culture and Its Impact on Dietary Habits
• The Rise of Social Networking Sites and Their Influence on Social Relationships
• Eco-Conscious Living: From Niche Lifestyle to Mainstream Culture
• The Cultural Significance of Memes in Digital Communication
• The Impact of Reality TV on Perceptions of Reality and Fame
• The Phenomenon of Binge-Watching and Its Effects on Content Consumption
• The Influence of Hipster Culture on Fashion, Music, and Lifestyle
• The Role of Viral Challenges in Shaping Online Communities
• Minimalism: A Cultural Reaction to Consumerism
• The Resurgence of Vinyl Records in the Digital Age
• The Cultural and Social Implications of Body Modification
• The Rise of Digital Nomadism and Changing Work Cultures
• Fan Culture and Celebrity Worship: Psychological and Social Dimensions
• The Impact of Cancel Culture on Public Discourse and Accountability
• The Evolution of Language and Slang in the Internet Era
• The Growing Popularity of Esports and Its Recognition as a Legitimate Sport
• The Cultural Phenomenon of Selfie Culture and Its Impact on Self-Perception
• The Influence of Streaming Services on Music and Television Consumption
• The Role of Podcasts in Shaping Modern Media Consumption
• The Emergence of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) as a Cultural Trend

Cultural Psychology Research Topics

• Cross-Cultural Variations in Emotional Expression and Recognition
• The Impact of Collectivism vs. Individualism on Self-Identity and Social Behavior
• Cultural Influences on Cognitive Development and Learning Styles
• The Role of Culture in Shaping Attitudes towards Mental Health and Therapy
• Acculturation Stress and Coping Mechanisms among Immigrants
• Cultural Dimensions of Parenting Styles and Child Outcomes
• Language and Thought: How Linguistic Diversity Shapes Cognitive Processes
• Cultural Adaptations of Psychological Interventions and Therapies
• The Psychology of Superstitions and Magical Thinking across Cultures
• Socialization Practices and Their Impact on Gender Roles and Identities
• Cultural Perspectives on Aging and the Elderly
• The Influence of Religious Beliefs on Psychological Well-being and Coping Strategies
• Cross-Cultural Differences in Perception and Visual Cognition
• Cultural Norms and Their Impact on Conflict Resolution Styles
• The Role of Cultural Heritage in Shaping Individual Values and Morals
• Intercultural Communication: Psychological Barriers and Bridges
• Cultural Factors Influencing Decision Making and Risk Taking
• The Impact of Cultural Diversity on Team Dynamics and Creativity
• Cultural Identity Development during Adolescence
• The Psychological Effects of Cultural Displacement and Identity Negotiation

Western Civilization Essay Topics

• The Influence of Ancient Greek Democracy on Modern Political Systems
• The Role of the Roman Empire in Shaping European Culture and Law
• Christianity and Its Impact on Western Ethical and Moral Values
• The Renaissance: Humanism and Its Contributions to Art and Science
• The Reformation and Its Effect on Religious and Political Landscapes in Europe
• The Enlightenment: Reason, Individualism, and the Birth of Modern Thought
• The Industrial Revolution and Its Social and Economic Consequences
• Colonialism and Its Legacy in Modern Western Societies
• The French Revolution: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, and Its Global Impact
• The Development of Constitutional Monarchies in Europe
• The Impact of World War I on the Political Map of Europe
• The Rise and Fall of Fascism and Communism in 20th Century Europe
• The Cold War: Ideological Conflict and Its Influence on Global Politics
• The European Union: Integration, Expansion, and Challenges
• The Influence of American Culture on Western Society in the 20th Century
• The Digital Revolution and Its Impact on Western Societies
• The Role of Women in Western Civilization: From Antiquity to Feminism
• The Impact of Immigration on Cultural Diversity in Western Countries
• Environmentalism and Its Growing Influence in Western Policy and Culture
• The Future of Western Civilization: Challenges and Prospects in a Globalized World

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Written by David Kidwell

David is one of those experienced content creators from the United Kingdom who has a high interest in social issues, culture, and entrepreneurship. He always says that reading, blogging, and staying aware of what happens in the world is what makes a person responsible. He likes to learn and share what he knows by making things inspiring and creative enough even for those students who dislike reading.

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A List of 185 Interesting Cultural Topics to Write About

Culture is a set of knowledge, behaviors, and beliefs shared by a group of people. You would probably agree that it’s an integral part of humanity. It’s no wonder that students are often assigned to write about it.

That’s why we came up with a list of interesting and creative culture essay topics. Whether you are writing a research paper, an essay, or a speech, our list of culture topics is for you. You can find various topics from popular culture and funny aspects of culture to cultural diversity. They will be useful for middle school, high school, and college students.

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• 🔝 Top 10 Topics
• 🏺 Western Culture Topics
• 📚✍️ Cultural Criticism
• 🎥 Cultural Phenomena
• 🧔👓 Subculture Topics
• 🧑🤝🧑 Socio-Cultural Topics
• ⛩️🕌 Cultural Diversity
• 👥 Cultural Anthropology

🔝 Top 10 Cultural Topics

• What causes culture shock?
• Cultural appropriation in fashion
• The Cold War’s impact on culture
• Women’s role in Italian culture
• Global impact of American culture
• How to preserve cultural diversity
• Pros and cons of cultural globalization
• Cultural differences in East Asian countries
• How do people assimilate into a foreign culture?
• Cultural background’s effect on one’s personality

🏺 Western Culture Topics to Write About

Much of today’s culture takes roots in the Western world. With this subject, the possibilities are endless! You can write about ancient civilizations or modern European culture. Sounds interesting? Then have a look at these topics:

• Write about a Greek myth of your choice.
• Research the history of the ancient Roman theater.
• Pick a Greek philosopher and describe their legacy.
• The heritage of the Roman Empire in the modern world.
• Discover the history of the Olympic Games .
• How did Christianity spread throughout Europe?
• The architecture of ancient Britain.

• How did the Great Plague influence western culture?
• Write about the key Renaissance artists.
• How did humanism emerge in British culture?
• Pick a European country and analyze how its traditions developed.
• The impact of the Renaissance on Europe’s worldview.
• Research the latest archeological discoveries of western civilization.
• How did the Protestant Reformation influence German culture?
• The legacy of the Renaissance artworks. 
• What was the effect of the 1848 revolution on art?
• The role of scientific discoveries in Europe’s socio-cultural formation.
• Analyze the influence of colonization of African culture.
• Describe the highlights of the Enlightenment period.
• How did Brexit affect the British lifestyle?
• Did the American Revolution bring change in culture?
• What attitude does Poland have about their World War II heritage?
• How did the technological revolution impact everyday life in Europe?
• The influence of World War I on French culture.
• Write about European fashion during a specific period.

📚✍️ Cultural Criticism Essay Topics

Cultural criticism looks at texts, music, and artworks through the lens of culture. This type of analysis suggests that culture gives an artwork a specific meaning. The following topics will guide you towards an excellent critical essay:

• Analyze the cultural aspects of your favorite novel.
• Ethnicity in Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
• What’s the meaning of financial stability in The Great Gatsby ?
• Discover social changes in Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind .
• The effect of industrialization in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath .
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and its context.
• Representation of race in Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.
• Note the cultural features of The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais.
• Write about the main character’s mindset in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini . 
• What are the main character’s values in A Bronx Tale ?
• Hispanic customs in The Tortilla Curtain by T. C. Boyle.
• Discover cultural clashes in Fury by Salman Rushdie.
• Pick a movie and analyze the cultural impact on your perception of the plot.
• Discuss the beliefs of white women in The Help .
• Does the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding portray Greek-American culture correctly?
• How did the background story in Slumdog Millionaire change your perception of the main character?
• What’s the meaning of gender in Bend It Like Beckham ?
• Far and Away : integration into a new society.
• Pick a painting and analyze its cultural background.

• Compare depictions of Christ from different continents.
• Discover the context of Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People .
• What’s the context of Punjabi Ladies Near a Village Well ?
• Discuss the symbolism of Girl with a Pearl Earring .
• Write about social roles based on Homer among the Greeks by Gustav Jäger.
• Select a song and analyze how culture is reflected in the lyrics.

🎥 Cultural Phenomena Topics for an Essay

Cultural phenomena refer to developing certain beliefs or preferences among many people. It is also called the bandwagon effect . Keep in mind that the fact of something becoming popular is not a phenomenon. This notion is more concerned with the process of gaining fame than with fame itself. Take a look at these helpful topic ideas for your paper:

• Describe any cultural phenomenon in your area.
• Reasons why TikTok gained popularity in the U.S.
• How did the Pokemon Go! fad spread across the world?
• Analyze the percentage of people worldwide who like McDonald’s .
• What factors made “the dab” popular?
• Can the bandwagon effect explain bullying
• Discover cross-cultural fashion trends.
• Does social media facilitate cultural phenomena?
• Pick a celebrity and analyze their fanbase.
• How can you explain the high demand for Apple products?
• What made sitcoms popular?
• Write about Thanksgiving celebrations outside the U.S.
• Reasons why famous authors from the past remain influential.
• Does effective marketing cause the bandwagon effect?
• Discuss the tendency to follow trends for social acceptance.
• Choose a classic movie and analyze its popularity.
• Examine similar TV talent shows across nations.
• Discover why some dishes are considered “America’s favorite.”
• Explore the psychological side of cultural phenomena.
• List criteria needed for becoming a famous musician.
• Analyze the bandwagon effect in history.
• Why was holocaust normalized in some nations?
• Explain why Nike products are popular all over the world.
• Did the bandwagon effect play a part in the Renaissance?
• Can the spread of religious beliefs be called a cultural phenomenon?

🧔👓 Subculture Topics for an Essay

The term “subculture” means “a culture within a culture.” In other words, it’s a smaller group, inside a larger one, with its own beliefs and interests. You can write about a specific subculture or discover why such groups form. Feel free to use these essay topics:

• Write about the athletic community.
• Are marketing strategies aimed at subcultures effective?
• Why is the deviation from social norms considered dangerous?
• What makes the Amish stand out?
• Can a subculture serve as a basis for a culture?
• Does the U.S. benefit from cybersport?

• Tell about a social group that you’re a part of.
• Clothes as an identifier of a subculture.
• Pick a religious organization and describe it.
• Why did the anime community grow worldwide?
• Explain why some subcultures are considered dangerous.
• How do social groups emerge?
• Should parents encourage children to join an interest group?
• Describe the way people develop mutual beliefs cross-culturally.
• How does social media influence one’s lifestyle?
• Which interest group does your family belong to?
• Do subcultures benefit society?
• Analyze the Social Disorganization Theory concerning subcultures.
• How did hipsters influence global fashion trends?
• What are the requirements for becoming a skater?
• Discover the history and lifestyle of Goths.
• What is the basis of scumbro culture?
• Belonging to an interest group as a healthy social practice.
• What are the most popular subcultures amongst generation Z ?
• Discuss the importance of the hairstyle for subcultures.

🧑🤝🧑 Socio-Cultural Essay Topics

Let’s break the word “socio-cultural” in two parts. Social aspects include people, their roles, and available resources. Cultural factors refer to language, laws, religion, and values. Therefore, socio-cultural issues revolve around the unique design of a specific culture. Here are some topic ideas on this subject that you might find helpful.

• Describe the social stigma attached to single mothers .
• What pushes the elderly to the edge of poverty?
• Do marketing strategies vary from country to country?
• Is receiving psychological assistance culturally accepted in developing countries?
• Can art be misunderstood because of the socio-cultural context?
• Compare the average wage in the U.S. and the country of your choice.
• Does the increased use of technology in schools affect society?
• What factors push Americans to abuse drugs?
• Which socio-cultural aspects make drunkenness acceptable?
• Describe the social environment in a country that legalizes slavery.
• Why do Christians get persecuted in some countries?
• How does information overload impact modern teenagers?
• Is child abuse justified outside the U.S.?
• Does technology affect the emotional maturity of children?
• Free education in Europe: pros and cons.
• Prove that the U.S. healthcare system should help the homeless.
• How often does cyberbullying occur worldwide?
• What does successful life mean for a third world country citizen?
• Does globalization put the national identity in danger?
• The importance of developing cultural sensitivity.
• Write about various religions in America.

• Discuss the correlation between the economic level and crime rates .
• Manifestations of ethical egoism in modern society.
• Cross-cultural missionary work: pros and cons.
• Does social stigma towards HIV contribute to its spread?

⛩️🕌 Cultural Diversity Topics for an Essay

America is one of the most diverse nations in the world. Each culture has its language, customs, and other factors that enrich a country like the U.S. The life of a culturally diverse community has its advantages and challenges. In your paper, unpack one of the aspects of such an environment. Take a look at these essay topics:

• Discuss ethnic groups within the U.S. which have the highest suicide rate.
• Is it essential for American psychologists to develop cultural competence?
• Describe the basic principles of cultural respect.
• Prove that racism should not be tolerated.
• Does the American education system embrace ethnic minorities?
• Analyze the benefit of ethnic inclusiveness for the U.S. food industry.
• How can managers encourage a multiethnic environment in the workplace?
• White about the challenges of second-generation Americans.
• Should the term “immigrant” be banned?
• Discuss the advantages of the U.S. as a multicultural nation.
• Prove that the English language proficiency test shouldn’t be required for U.S. citizenship.
• What is the effect of prejudice against ethnic minorities?
• How does diversity find a place in American traditions?
• Describe the culture shock experience of an international student.
• Is transracial adoption becoming more common in the U.S.?
• What is cultural narcissism, and how can you avoid it?
• Effective strategies for conflict resolution in a diverse environment.
• What multiculturalism policies currently exist in the U.S.?
• Analyze the heritage of a specific nation.
• Should learning a second language be mandatory in America?
• What are the stereotypes associated with different ethnicities?
• Describe the benefits of ethnic diversity.
• Write about the widespread interracial marriages in the U.S.
• How can one avoid cultural ignorance?
• Are the Americans guilty of ethnocentrism?

👥 Cultural Anthropology Topics for a Paper

Cultural anthropology is a study of beliefs, practices, and social organization of a group. The shaping of ideas and the physical environment are in the focus of this study. In other words, anthropology discovers why people live the way they do. This list will help narrow down your attention on this subject.

• Why are social networks commonly used in the U.S.?
• Explain the popularity of online shopping worldwide.
• Will e-books replace paper books in developed countries?
• Artificial intelligence technologies in Japan.
• Pick two American states and compare their laws.
• Why is cycling so prevalent in the Netherlands?
• How architecture reflects a nation’s history.
• Why is it easier to receive citizenship in some countries than in others?
• Explain why Americans have a strong sense of national pride.
• Analyze the perception of time in tropical countries.
• Are most Swiss households wealthy?
• Discover how language reflects a cultural worldview.
• Does the country’s economy affect the self-esteem of its citizens?
• Reasons for the political division in the U.S.
• Analyze the difference in lifestyles between the Northern and the Southern states.
• Why is it common in some countries to be bilingual?
• Analyze the cultural values of a communistic nation.
• How can liberalism affect the education system?
• What’s the social meaning of disease in third world countries?
• Examine how the two-child policy affects the Chinese lifestyle.
• Free health care: pros and cons.
• Write about the way the former Soviet Union countries transitioned from communism.
• Do Christian traditions vary from culture to culture?
• Analyze the impact of refugee presence in European countries.
• Does traditional food reflect the history of a nation?

We hope you were able to pick a culture topic for your paper after reading this article.

Good luck with your assignment on culture!

Further reading:

• 497 Interesting History Topics to Research
• 137 Social Studies Topics for Your Research Project
• 512 Research Topics on HumSS (Humanities & Social Sciences)
• How to Write an Art Critique: Examples and Simple Techniques
• 430 Philosophy Topics & Questions for Your Essay
• 267 Hottest Fashion Topics to Write About in 2024

🔍 References

• So You’re an American?: State.gov
• A Brief History of Western Culture: Khan Academy
• What Exactly is “Western Culture”?: University of California, Santa Barbara
• What is Cultural Criticism?: University of Saskatchewan
• What is a Subculture?: Grinnell College
• Socio-Cultural Factors and International Competitiveness: ResearchGate
• Cultural Diversity: Definition & Meaning: Purdue Global
• What Is Cultural Anthropology?: US National Park Service
• Cultural Anthropology: Encyclopedia Britannica
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How to Write a Term Paper From Start to Finish

The term paper, often regarded as the culmination of a semester's hard work, is a rite of passage for students in pursuit of higher education. Here's an interesting fact to kick things off: Did you know that the term paper's origins can be traced back to ancient Greece, where scholars like Plato and Aristotle utilized written works to explore and document their philosophical musings? Just as these great minds once wrote their thoughts on parchment, you, too, can embark on this intellectual voyage with confidence and skill.

How to Write a Term Paper: Short Description

In this article, we'll delve into the core purpose of this kind of assignment – to showcase your understanding of a subject, your research abilities, and your capacity to communicate complex ideas effectively. But it doesn't stop there. We'll also guide you in the art of creating a well-structured term paper format, a roadmap that will not only keep you on track but also ensure your ideas flow seamlessly and logically. Packed with valuable tips on writing, organization, and time management, this resource promises to equip you with the tools needed to excel in your academic writing.

Understanding What Is a Term Paper

A term paper, a crucial component of your college education, is often assigned towards the conclusion of a semester. It's a vehicle through which educators gauge your comprehension of the course content. Imagine it as a bridge between what you've learned in class and your ability to apply that knowledge to real-world topics.

For instance, in a history course, you might be asked to delve into the causes and consequences of a significant historical event, such as World War II. In a psychology class, your term paper might explore the effects of stress on mental health, or in an environmental science course, you could analyze the impact of climate change on a specific region.

Writing a term paper isn't just about summarizing facts. It requires a blend of organization, deep research, and the art of presenting your findings in a way that's both clear and analytical. This means structuring your arguments logically, citing relevant sources, and critically evaluating the information you've gathered.

For further guidance, we've prepared an insightful guide for you authored by our expert essay writer . It's brimming with practical tips and valuable insights to help you stand out in this academic endeavor and earn the recognition you deserve.

How to Start a Term Paper

Before you start, keep the guidelines for the term paper format firmly in mind. If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to reach out to your instructor for clarification before you begin your research and writing process. And remember, procrastination is your worst enemy in this endeavor. If you're aiming to produce an exceptional piece and secure a top grade, it's essential to plan ahead and allocate dedicated time each day to work on it. Now, let our term paper writing services provide you with some valuable tips to help you on your journey:

• Hone Your Topic : Start by cultivating a learning mindset that empowers you to effectively organize your thoughts. Discover how to research a topic in the section below.
• Hook Your Readers: Initiate a brainstorming session and unleash a barrage of creative ideas to captivate your audience right from the outset. Pose intriguing questions, share compelling anecdotes, offer persuasive statistics, and more.
• Craft a Concise Thesis Statement Example : If you find yourself struggling to encapsulate the main idea of your paper in just a sentence or two, it's time to revisit your initial topic and consider narrowing it down.
• Understand Style Requirements: Your work must adhere to specific formatting guidelines. Delve into details about the APA format and other pertinent regulations in the section provided.
• Delve Deeper with Research : Equipped with a clearer understanding of your objectives, dive into your subject matter with a discerning eye. Ensure that you draw from reputable and reliable sources.
• Begin Writing: Don't obsess over perfection from the get-go. Just start writing, and don't worry about initial imperfections. You can always revise or remove those early sentences later. The key is to initiate the term papers as soon as you've amassed sufficient information.

Ace your term paper with EssayPro 's expert help. Our academic professionals are here to guide you through every step, ensuring your term paper is well-researched, structured, and written to the highest standards.

Term Paper Topics

Selecting the right topic for your term paper is a critical step, one that can significantly impact your overall experience and the quality of your work. While instructors sometimes provide specific topics, there are instances when you have the freedom to choose your own. To guide you on how to write a term paper, consider the following factors when deciding on your dissertation topics :

• Relevance to Assignment Length: Begin by considering the required length of your paper. Whether it's a substantial 10-page paper or a more concise 5-page one, understanding the word count will help you determine the appropriate scope for your subject. This will inform whether your topic should be broad or more narrowly focused.
• Availability of Resources : Investigate the resources at your disposal. Check your school or community library for books and materials that can support your research. Additionally, explore online sources to ensure you have access to a variety of reference materials.
• Complexity and Clarity : Ensure you can effectively explain your chosen topic, regardless of how complex it may seem. If you encounter areas that are challenging to grasp fully, don't hesitate to seek guidance from experts or your professor. Clarity and understanding are key to producing a well-structured term paper.
• Avoiding Overused Concepts : Refrain from choosing overly trendy or overused topics. Mainstream subjects often fail to captivate the interest of your readers or instructors, as they can lead to repetitive content. Instead, opt for a unique angle or approach that adds depth to your paper.
• Manageability and Passion : While passion can drive your choice of topic, it's important to ensure that it is manageable within the given time frame and with the available resources. If necessary, consider scaling down a topic that remains intriguing and motivating to you, ensuring it aligns with your course objectives and personal interests.

Worrying About the Quality of Your Upcoming Essay?

"Being highly trained professionals, our writers can provide term paper help by creating a paper specifically tailored to your needs.

Term Paper Outline

Before embarking on the journey of writing a term paper, it's crucial to establish a well-structured outline. Be mindful of any specific formatting requirements your teacher may have in mind, as these will guide your outline's structure. Here's a basic format to help you get started:

• Cover Page: Begin with a cover page featuring your name, course number, teacher's name, and the deadline date, centered at the top.
• Abstract: Craft a concise summary of your work that informs readers about your paper's topic, its significance, and the key points you'll explore.
• Introduction: Commence your term paper introduction with a clear and compelling statement of your chosen topic. Explain why it's relevant and outline your approach to addressing it.
• Body: This section serves as the meat of academic papers, where you present the primary findings from your research. Provide detailed information about the topic to enhance the reader's understanding. Ensure you incorporate various viewpoints on the issue and conduct a thorough analysis of your research.
• Results: Share the insights and conclusions that your research has led you to. Discuss any shifts in your perspective or understanding that have occurred during the course of your project.
• Discussion: Conclude your term paper with a comprehensive summary of the topic and your findings. You can wrap up with a thought-provoking question or encourage readers to explore the subject further through their own research.

How to Write a Term Paper with 5 Steps

Before you begin your term paper, it's crucial to understand what a term paper proposal entails. This proposal serves as your way to introduce and justify your chosen topic to your instructor, and it must gain approval before you start writing the actual paper.

In your proposal, include recent studies or research related to your topic, along with proper references. Clearly explain the topic's relevance to your course, outline your objectives, and organize your ideas effectively. This helps your instructor grasp your term paper's direction. If needed, you can also seek assistance from our expert writers and buy term paper .

Draft the Abstract

The abstract is a critical element while writing a term paper, and it plays a crucial role in piquing the reader's interest. To create a captivating abstract, consider these key points from our dissertation writing service :

• Conciseness: Keep it short and to the point, around 150-250 words. No need for lengthy explanations.
• Highlight Key Elements: Summarize the problem you're addressing, your research methods, and primary findings or conclusions. For instance, if your paper discusses the impact of social media on mental health, mention your research methods and significant findings.
• Engagement: Make your abstract engaging. Use language that draws readers in. For example, if your paper explores the effects of artificial intelligence on the job market, you might begin with a question like, 'Is AI revolutionizing our work landscape, or should we prepare for the robots to take over?'
• Clarity: Avoid excessive jargon or technical terms to ensure accessibility to a wider audience.

Craft the Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for your entire term paper and should engage readers from the outset. To craft an intriguing introduction, consider these tips:

• Hook Your Audience: Start with a captivating hook, such as a thought-provoking question or a compelling statistic. For example, if your paper explores the impact of smartphone addiction, you could begin with, 'Can you remember the last time you went a whole day without checking your phone?'
• State Your Purpose: Clearly state the purpose of your paper and its relevance. If your term paper is about renewable energy's role in combating climate change, explain why this topic is essential in today's world.
• Provide a Roadmap: Briefly outline how your paper is structured. For instance, if your paper discusses the benefits of mindfulness meditation, mention that you will explore its effects on stress reduction, emotional well-being, and cognitive performance.
• Thesis Statement: Conclude your introduction with a concise thesis statement that encapsulates the central argument or message of your paper. In the case of a term paper on the impact of online education, your thesis might be: 'Online education is revolutionizing learning by providing accessibility, flexibility, and innovative teaching methods.'

Develop the Body Sections: Brainstorming Concepts and Content

Generate ideas and compose text: body sections.

The body of your term paper is where you present your research, arguments, and analysis. To generate ideas and write engaging text in the body sections, consider these strategies from our research paper writer :

• Structure Your Ideas: Organize your paper into sections or paragraphs, each addressing a specific aspect of your topic. For example, if your term paper explores the impact of social media on interpersonal relationships, you might have sections on communication patterns, privacy concerns, and emotional well-being.
• Support with Evidence: Back up your arguments with credible evidence, such as data, research findings, or expert opinions. For instance, when discussing the effects of social media on mental health, you can include statistics on social media usage and its correlation with anxiety or depression.
• Offer Diverse Perspectives: Acknowledge and explore various viewpoints on the topic. When writing about the pros and cons of genetic engineering, present both the potential benefits, like disease prevention, and the ethical concerns associated with altering human genetics.
• Use Engaging Examples: Incorporate real-life examples to illustrate your points. If your paper discusses the consequences of climate change, share specific instances of extreme weather events or environmental degradation to make the topic relatable.
• Ask Thought-Provoking Questions: Integrate questions throughout your text to engage readers and stimulate critical thinking. In a term paper on the future of artificial intelligence, you might ask, 'How will AI impact job markets and the concept of work in the coming years?'

Formulate the Conclusion

The conclusion section should provide a satisfying wrap-up of your arguments and insights. To craft a compelling term paper example conclusion, follow these steps:

• Revisit Your Thesis: Begin by restating your thesis statement. This reinforces the central message of your paper. For example, if your thesis is about the importance of biodiversity conservation, reiterate that biodiversity is crucial for ecological balance and human well-being.
• Summarize Key Points: Briefly recap the main points you've discussed in the body of your paper. For instance, if you've been exploring the impact of globalization on local economies, summarize the effects on industries, job markets, and cultural diversity.
• Emphasize Your Main Argument: Reaffirm the significance of your thesis and the overall message of your paper. Discuss why your findings are important or relevant in a broader context. If your term paper discusses the advantages of renewable energy, underscore its potential to combat climate change and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
• Offer a Thoughtful Reflection: Share your own reflections or insights about the topic. How has your understanding evolved during your research? Have you uncovered any unexpected findings or implications? If your paper discusses the future of space exploration, consider what it means for humanity's quest to explore the cosmos.
• End with Impact: Conclude your term paper with a powerful closing statement. You can leave the reader with a thought-provoking question, a call to action, or a reflection on the broader implications of your topic. For instance, if your paper is about the ethics of artificial intelligence, you could finish by asking, 'As AI continues to advance, what ethical considerations will guide our choices and decisions?'

Edit and Enhance the Initial Draft

After completing your initial draft, the revision and polishing phase is essential for improving your paper. Here's how to refine your work efficiently:

• Take a Break: Step back and return to your paper with a fresh perspective.
• Structure Check: Ensure your paper flows logically and transitions smoothly from the introduction to the conclusion.
• Clarity and Conciseness: Trim excess words for clarity and precision.
• Grammar and Style: Proofread for errors and ensure consistent style.
• Citations and References: Double-check your citations and reference list.
• Peer Review: Seek feedback from peers or professors for valuable insights.
• Enhance Intro and Conclusion: Make your introduction and conclusion engaging and impactful.
• Coherence Check: Ensure your arguments support your thesis consistently.
• Read Aloud: Reading your paper aloud helps identify issues.
• Final Proofread: Perform a thorough proofread to catch any remaining errors.

Term Paper Format

When formatting your term paper, consider its length and the required citation style, which depends on your research topic. Proper referencing is crucial to avoid plagiarism in academic writing. Common citation styles include APA and MLA.

If unsure how to cite term paper for social sciences, use the APA format, including the author's name, book title, publication year, publisher, and location when citing a book.

For liberal arts and humanities, MLA is common, requiring the publication name, date, and location for referencing.

Adhering to the appropriate term paper format and citation style ensures an organized and academically sound paper. Follow your instructor's guidelines for a polished and successful paper.

Term Paper Example

To access our term paper example, simply click the button below.

The timeline of events from 1776 to 1861, that, in the end, prompted the American Civil War, describes and relates to a number of subjects modern historians acknowledge as the origins and causes of the Civil War. In fact, pre-Civil War events had both long-term and short-term influences on the War—such as the election of Abraham Lincoln as the American president in 1860 that led to the Fall of Fort Sumter in April of the same year. In that period, contentions that surrounded states’ rights progressively exploded in Congress—since they were the initial events that formed after independence. Congress focused on resolving significant issues that affected the states, which led to further issues. In that order, the US’s history from 1776 to 1861 provides a rich history, as politicians brought forth dissimilarities, dissections, and tensions between the Southern US & the people of slave states, and the Northern states that were loyal to the Union. The events that unfolded from the period of 1776 to 1861 involved a series of issues because they promoted the great sectional crisis that led to political divisions and the build-up to the Civil War that made the North and the South seem like distinctive and timeless regions that predated the crisis itself.

Final Thoughts

In closing, approach the task of writing term papers with determination and a positive outlook. Begin well in advance, maintain organization, and have faith in your capabilities. Don't hesitate to seek assistance if required, and express your individual perspective with confidence. You're more than capable of succeeding in this endeavor!

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What is the Difference between a Term Paper and a Research Paper?

What is the fastest way to write a term paper.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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111 Popular Culture Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Popular culture is a fascinating and ever-evolving aspect of society that influences our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. From music and movies to fashion and social media, popular culture shapes our daily lives in countless ways. If you're looking for inspiration for your next essay on popular culture, we've got you covered with 111 topic ideas and examples to get you started.

• The impact of social media influencers on consumer behavior
• The evolution of hip hop music and its influence on society
• The portrayal of mental health in popular culture
• The rise of reality TV shows and their effects on viewers
• The cultural significance of memes in the digital age
• The representation of gender and sexuality in popular culture
• The influence of celebrity endorsements on consumer choices
• The role of fashion in popular culture and self-expression
• The impact of streaming services on the music industry
• The cultural appropriation of minority cultures in popular culture
• The influence of video games on youth culture
• The representation of race in Hollywood films
• The phenomenon of binge-watching TV shows and its effects on mental health
• The popularity of true crime documentaries and podcasts
• The rise of K-pop and its global impact
• The portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in popular culture
• The influence of technology on popular music production
• The nostalgia trend in pop culture and its appeal to millennials
• The role of fan communities in shaping popular culture
• The impact of social media on celebrity culture
• The representation of women in superhero movies
• The influence of TikTok on music trends
• The phenomenon of viral challenges on social media
• The portrayal of mental illness in TV shows and movies
• The popularity of superhero movies and their cultural significance
• The evolution of online dating and its portrayal in popular culture
• The cultural significance of tattoos in modern society
• The impact of streaming platforms on the film industry
• The representation of disability in popular culture
• The influence of gaming culture on mainstream media
• The rise of eco-friendly fashion in popular culture
• The portrayal of drug use in popular music
• The influence of celebrity fashion on trends
• The cultural significance of sports in popular culture
• The representation of body image in advertising
• The impact of cancel culture on celebrities and public figures
• The influence of political satire in comedy shows
• The portrayal of mental health in music lyrics
• The popularity of true crime podcasts and their appeal to audiences
• The role of nostalgia in marketing and advertising
• The representation of technology in science fiction movies
• The influence of social media on beauty standards
• The evolution of dance trends in popular culture
• The cultural significance of food trends
• The impact of social media on body image
• The representation of race and ethnicity in TV commercials
• The influence of celebrity endorsements on fashion trends
• The role of fan fiction in popular culture
• The portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships in TV shows
• The popularity of ASMR videos and their effects on viewers
• The influence of Instagram on travel trends
• The representation of women in advertising campaigns
• The impact of streaming services on the film industry
• The cultural significance of street art
• The evolution of language in popular culture
• The influence of reality TV shows on beauty standards
• The portrayal of mental health in young adult literature
• The popularity of conspiracy theories in popular culture
• The role of nostalgia in music trends
• The representation of gender in video games
• The influence of social media on fashion trends
• The cultural significance of emojis in communication
• The impact of celebrity scandals on public perception
• The portrayal of addiction in TV shows and movies
• The influence of social media on body positivity movements
• The phenomenon of influencer marketing in the beauty industry
• The representation of race and ethnicity in fashion advertising
• The popularity of true crime documentaries on streaming platforms
• The evolution of internet slang and its impact on language
• The influence of gaming culture on fashion trends
• The cultural significance of street style photography
• The portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in young adult literature
• The impact of social media on mental health awareness
• The role of nostalgia in music festivals
• The representation of disability in children's literature
• The influence of celebrity chefs on food trends
• The popularity of DIY culture in the digital age
• The evolution of online dating apps and their impact on relationships
• The cultural significance of drag culture
• The portrayal of race and ethnicity in social media influencers
• The influence of social media on travel destinations
• The phenomenon of viral challenges on YouTube
• The representation of mental health in comic books
• The impact of streaming services on the TV industry
• The role of fan art in popular culture
• The influence of celebrity fashion on street style
• The cultural significance of dance trends
• The evolution of slang in rap music
• The popularity of wellness trends in popular culture
• The portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships in romantic comedies
• The representation of race and ethnicity in beauty advertising
• The impact of celebrity endorsements on skincare trends
• The role of fan fiction in shaping TV show narratives
• The cultural significance of streetwear fashion
• The evolution of language in pop music lyrics
• The influence of social media on body image
• The phenomenon of influencer marketing in the fitness industry
• The representation of mental health in young adult novels
• The popularity of true crime podcasts and their appeal to listeners

These are just a few examples of the many ways popular culture influences our lives and shapes our society. Whether you're interested in exploring the impact of social media on beauty standards or the representation of race in Hollywood films, there's no shortage of topics to explore in the world of popular culture. So pick a topic that interests you, do some research, and start writing your next essay on popular culture today!

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The Importance of Culture

11 January, 2019

11 minutes read

Author:  Richard Pircher

Culture can be defined as “the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.” It can also be understood as the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a particular people or society. Therefore, it’s the shared patterns of our behavior and interaction which are learned through socialization. People of the same culture share a group identity that is fostered by social patterns unique to the group. Culture encompasses for example values, beliefs, symbols, norms, and patterns of behavior. It has a far-reaching impact on our everyday actions, on how we talk and think, what we wear, what we believe, how we sit at the table, and how we behave among other people. But what is the importance of culture in our society? And which components constitute our conception of culture?

Components of culture

• Patterns of behavior

What defines culture?

All cultures are characterized by constant change. As a dynamic phenomenon, cultures are under constant change and they must adapt to environmental changes. This is one of the universal features of a culture. After globalization, the world became more interconnected and today most societies consist of ethnically diverse populations. This has given rise to conflicts associated with ethnicity, religion, and ethical beliefs which are all central concepts in cultures. More than ever before, culture is no longer fixed but rather in constant motion. At a time when cultures adapt and become more fluid, a need has been identified to protect and preserve the past. There are organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) whose objectives include conserving and protecting cultural and natural heritage along with the promotion of international cooperation, peace, and security.

To answer the question about the importance of culture, one has to consider its role in people’s everyday lives. Because culture affects how people behave and interact with each other, it helps you build relationships with others when you understand other cultures and perspectives. It’s also good to understand how much in common we have with other people even if at first glance their cultures might seem completely different. We are all humans and have similar needs, hopes, fears, and things that make us happy. It doesn’t mean, however, that our cultural differences don’t matter at all. A better strategy is to acknowledge that differences exist and to fight against discrimination. The world is becoming more and more diverse as different languages, religions, economic and cultural groups blend together. We need to appreciate and understand different cultures and establish relationships with people from other backgrounds. This is the only way to build successful communities, improve our living conditions, and solve problems.

If we take a closer look at the characteristics of culture, we can identify five basic traits that define the concept of culture.

Five characteristics of culture

• Based on symbols

This Essay sample was provided by Handmadewriting essay writer . You may order your own essay at our top-level essay writing service.

Culture is learned

Culture is learned because it’s not biological or ingrained in our DNA. Children don’t inherit culture from their parents. Instead, they learn it and much of this learning occurs subconsciously without us paying any attention to it. We learn our culture not only from our families but also from institutions, other people, and the media. This process of learning is called enculturation. All humans share the same biological needs, for example, food, water, sleep, shelter, and sex, but the way we choose to fulfill those needs varies across cultures.

Culture is shared

Culture is shared because we share our culture with other members of our group. We know how to interact with these other members and we can predict their behavior based on our knowledge and expectations. The shared nature of culture doesn’t mean, however, that cultures are homogenous.

Culture is integrated

Because the various parts of a culture are interconnected, culture is also integrated. All components of culture are connected to one another and to gain a comprehensive understanding of a culture, one must learn about these different components.

Culture is dynamic

Culture is dynamic because cultures interact with each other. Cultures share ideas and symbols and they adapt to changes in the environment. Since cultures are also integrated, it means that if one component of a culture changes, it will affect all the other components, too, forcing the entire system to adapt.

Culture is based on symbols

Symbols are an integral part of every culture and they vary across different cultures. Cultures not only use symbols but they are also based on them. Symbols get their meaning when people in the same culture agree on how they should be used. Language is the most obvious example of the use of symbols within a culture but other things such as art, clothing, and money can also be defined as symbols.

It should also be pointed out that not all cultural adaptation is positive. Not all cultural practices are adaptive, and there are many examples of cultural adaptation that have been detrimental such as fast food, pollution, and climate change. But due to their dynamic nature, cultures have the ability to adapt and find solutions to these problems.

How does geography affect culture?

What influences our cultures then? One of the most profound of these factors is geography. The development of a culture is largely dependent on its geographical location. For example, locations that are ideal for hunting influence that culture by encouraging people to teach their descendants to hunt, tell hunting stories, and organize ceremonies that celebrate hunting skills. A factor such as hunting can thus become a defining characteristic of that culture. Another good example is the Japanese culture which relies heavily on the attribute of water. The fact that Japan is an island surrounded by water has influenced its culture from its creation myth to natural resources such as fish and growing of rice. Even more so, Japan as an island has historically been limited because of its geography, and this has given rise to art forms such as haiku poems and bonsai trees which are characterized by their limitations. Geography affects cultures from the number of languages spoken in a given area to the clothes people wear, their political ideas, and even religions. For example, on the island of Guinea, people speak more than 800 languages. This is because New Guinea is mountainous and it’s difficult for people from one area to come into contact with people from other areas. These different groups, therefore, learned to keep to themselves and developed their own languages. Culture also has its impact on the clothes that people wear, and this has historically been determined by geography, too. People in the Arctic whose culture relies on hunting whales and seals wear several layers of warm clothes, usually manufactured from animal skin. In contrast, tribes in the rainforests wear very little clothing and their economies are centered around plant life. In terms of government and religion, the ancient Greeks, for example, developed a political culture centered around city-states because their geography was mountainous and it was thus difficult for large kingdoms to arise. The Mesopotamian and Egyptian religions, on the other hand, differed in the fact that Mesopotamian gods were considered less kind than the Egyptian gods. This is believed to be the result of unpredictable floods in the Mesopotamian rivers and rather consistent and predictable floods in the Nile.

How does culture affect business?

When looking at modern cultures, we can see the many effects that cultures have, for example, on business. During a business meeting where people from different cultures are communicating with one another, cultural differences have to be taken into account. There is more than merely a language barrier that needs to be overcome. These differences can concern people’s sensitivity to time, the way of communicating, risk-taking, decision-making, and thinking of others, all of which need to be addressed. Cultural differences can often impact the success or failure of multicultural business negotiations. When segmenting target groups for a product or service, businesses have to spend time on examining the cultural expectations and values of different groups. Culture influences people’s tastes and preferences, and the same strategies will not work for all audiences. Americans, for example, have very different expectations from advertising and marketing than Asian consumers. Business owners must account for differences throughout the product’s life cycle, from its design to marketing and beyond.

Culture affects our every facet of life. Most societies these days have become multicultural as more and more people migrate across countries and continents. We live around, socialize and work with people from different cultural backgrounds and different parts of the world. While their values and beliefs might be different from ours, we should accept these differences and broaden our own views in order to attain harmony in these culturally diverse environments. We should acknowledge the importance of culture in communication and in contributing to our identity and sense of belonging as part of a social group. Culture can be seen as a uniting force that is part of our daily lives and an integral part of our being, defining the way we treat other people and ourselves.

• Caplan, L. (2018): “What Factors Influence Culture? What are the Characteristics of Culture?” eNotes. https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-factors-influence-culture-98429
• Community Tool Box (2018): “Understanding Culture and Diversity in Building Communities.” The University of Kansas. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/culture/cultural-competence/culture-and-diversity/main
• eNotes (2015): “How Does Geography Affect Culture?” https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/how-does-geography-affect-culture-474205
• Nowaczyk, J., (2018): “The Five Basic Characteristics of Cultures.” Study.com https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-five-basic-characteristics-of-cultures.html
• OpinionFront (2018): “Why is Culture Important and How Does it Influence People?” https://opinionfront.com/why-is-culture-important
• Oxford Dictionaries (2019): “Definition of Culture.” Oxford University Press. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/culture
• Zimmermann, K. A. (2012): “What is Culture.” Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/21478-what-is-culture-definition-of-culture.html

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While disputes surrounding the concept of culture reflect valid ideological disagreements, they are sometimes obscured by misunderstanding; not only is the term commonly used to signify vastly different concepts, but it is also frequently defined in vague and unclear terms (if explicitly defined at all). This research paper tries to clarify the notion by tracking its usage from its earliest applications to its place in contemporary anthropological discourse. First, the concept’s origins and evolution are examined, with a special focus on its development in American anthropology. The modern notion of culture as meanings and symbols is then investigated in depth. Finally, significant criticisms of the concept and responses to those criticisms are provided.

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Get 10% off with 24start discount code, introduction, cultural relativism, culture and the individual, culture as meaning, culture as symbolic systems, the nature of symbols, the pervasiveness of symbols, methodological implications, social anthropology, postmodern anthropology.

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Culture is one of the most complicated academic concepts now in use. It is defined and implemented in numerous and frequently contradictory ways, and there are considerable disagreements within academic disciplines regarding the fundamental nature of human social life and the appropriate method for studying it. For anthropologists, culture typically refers to symbolic systems of ideas, values, and shared understandings that give meaning and comprehension to the world for a certain group of people. While these systems, which provide the foundation for such fundamental concepts as food and kinship and even influence how individuals experience time, space, and other aspects of reality, may appear to their adherents to be natural and objective, they are, in fact, variable, socially accepted models. In order to find order and significance in a world devoid of both, humans must create their own models.

Ironically, just as the anthropological idea of culture has achieved enormous traction in popular culture and fields such as law and politics, it has come under fire from within the study of anthropology. Some anthropologists assert that the concept of culture oversimplifies and stereotypically treats entire societies as isolated and homogeneous, while downplaying individuality and diversity of thought. Others argue, however, that the notion has never involved such assumptions, and that culture is merely a useful method to consider the ideas and shared understandings that enable humans to comprehend their reality.

The Evolution of the Concept of Culture

Both the literal sense of cultivation (as in “of a crop”) and the metaphorical sense of self-improvement (the “cultivation of the mind”) are derived from the Latin term cultura , from which the English word culture derives. This phrase was frequently used in 18th-century England to describe to the improvement of one’s character through the refinement of judgment, taste, and intelligence; and, by extension, to those activities believed to express and maintain this sophistication (Williams, 1983). This basic connotation underlies the most prevalent popular use of the term today, which designates a specific segment of society (such as theater and art) as cultural to the exclusion of others.

The anthropological idea of culture entered the English language via a less direct route, first going through German as the philosophical concept kultur . Kultur was also derived from the concept of cultivation, but shortly thereafter began to evolve in opposition to the French term civilisation as the philosophical traditions of the two countries came into conflict. Civilization was associated with the French Enlightenment and the notion that civilization evolved from a primitive state characterized by ignorance and barbarism toward universal ideals in science, secularism, and rational thought. The “national character” of a people has come to be symbolized by the term Kultur , which has come to represent local and personal notions such as religion and tradition. In 1871, British anthropologist Edward Tylor blended parts of both notions to define culture as “that complex whole that includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any other skills and practices acquired by man as a member of society” (as cited in Kroeber & Kluckhohn, 1952, p. 81). This is largely regarded as the first formal anthropological definition of the term, as it introduced the concept of culture as a taught, shared, and inclusive framework that encompasses practically every aspect of human social life.

Although Edward Tylor’s definition was innovative, it missed a crucial part of the original German notion that would later become a central aspect of the anthropological concept of culture. Tylor was a cultural evolutionist; he believed that, given sufficient time and favorable conditions, societies evolved toward increasingly superior forms. Consequently, he viewed 19th-century England to be the apex of human civilisation and all other societies (particularly those outside of Western Europe and North America) to be less evolved and fundamentally inferior. Franz Boas, a German-American scientist often considered as the creator of cultural anthropology, was one of the first to challenge the evolutionist perspective. Boas considered the concepts of cultural evolutionism to be unscientific, and he contested the fundamental premise that the prevalence of identical activities across nations inevitably indicates their shared evolutionary origin. He presented counterexamples in which substantially identical cultural institutions arose in various contexts for notably distinct reasons. Boas (1940/1995), using a historical and comparative methodology, contended that society did not follow a linear progression toward a single ideal form, but rather moved in many ways in response to fluid historical conditions.

Importantly, Boas maintained that individuals experience reality differently depending on the cultural context in which they are nurtured; he stated that “the seeing eye is the organ of tradition” (1940/1995). This resulted in the conclusion that a community’s ideals and practices could only be comprehended in relation to how its members experienced and envisioned their reality (1889). Boas reasoned that if cultural patterns of perception and evaluation were the result of socialization, then their adherence must be based on emotions and unconscious attachment rather than rational or practical evaluations of their value or efficacy. Therefore, he decided that any attempt to rank or compare the customs of other communities would be absurd.

Cultural evolutionists erred by considering their own culturally developed concepts and perceptions to be universally applicable and uniquely valid. Boas used the analysis of voice sounds as an example of why this is a dangerous activity. A person inexperienced with the sounds employed in a specific language will frequently perceive those sounds differently than a native speaker, for example, by failing to distinguish between two sounds that are functionally equivalent in his or her own language. The Japanese language, for instance, does not differentiate between the English /r/ and /1/ sounds, and unless exposed to English at a young age, native Japanese speakers tend to wrongly regard those sounds as identical. This tendency led to an unpleasant (though hilarious) incident in which early cultural evolutionists misunderstood the speech sounds of an indigenous American language and deemed it inferior due to what they erroneously perceived to be the absence of a stable phonemic system.

According to Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf’s “linguistic relativity hypothesis,” the principle of relativism extends to linguistic meaning systems. Sapir and Whorf believed that the language a person speaks affects not only their ability to communicate, but also how they perceive what would otherwise appear to be fundamental components of reality. Thus, Sapir concluded that learning a language is equivalent to learning the “world.” Whorf drew on his expertise as a fire teacher to demonstrate how the connotation of a word like empty could cause individuals to behave irresponsibly around spent gasoline drums containing hazardous fumes. Subsequent research in this subject has revealed language implications on aspects such as color vision and spatial orientation, as well as on moral reasoning and other types of decision making. Whorf observed that the majority of linguistic categories are “covert,” or existing below conscious awareness; anthropologists Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn (1952) concluded that all cultural knowledge consists of both conscious and unconscious categories that “screen and distort” one’s conception of reality.

Although language analysis may provide the clearest example of relativism in action, the idea appears to apply to a wide variety of cultural phenomena. Not only do views, attitudes, and values vary significantly from one society to the next, but comparative study has demonstrated that people of different cultural groups can also have diverse emotional and physiological responses to stimuli. Many Americans, for instance, would feel disgust and possibly even nausea at the mere prospect of consuming live grubs. However, in many other communities, insects are regarded tasty, whilst the intake of onions and mushrooms is deemed repulsive.

As a result of this relativistic aspect, the concept of culture has been challenged for what is viewed as its role in undermining efforts to construct objective and universally binding principles for moral human action. Moreover, if it is illegitimate to compare distinct beliefs and behaviors, and if everything from nausea to the essence of existence is experienced via the lens of culture, then it becomes extremely challenging to argue in favor of objective, universal moral truth. However, as other theorists have argued, this does not necessarily imply that moral ideas are impossible. It simply means that in order for normative assertions to make meaning, they must be based on commonly held beliefs about the world. As with differing conceptions of the nature and significance of reality, the fact that conceptions of moral truth are unavoidably local and specific does not imply that they are irrational, invalid, or untenable.

An important question in anthropology is whether culture reflects its own level of analysis or whether it can be explained in terms of the thoughts and behaviors of individuals. Alfred Kroeber (1917), an eminent anthropologist and the first of Franz Boas’s several PhD students, believed that it was only a matter of time before culture established a “second level” once it was identified as a “distinctive product of men living in societies.” Kroeber referred to this tier as the superorganic . According to this perspective, the conduct of individuals combines to form a system governed by its own set of rules. In light of the fact that cultural phenomena are emergent aspects of this system, they demand their own degree of explanation. Thus, Kroeber claimed, anthropologists need not be concerned with individuals when dealing with culture; in fact, disregarding individuals could result in more comprehensive analysis.

Edward Sapir (1917), a student of Boas and one of the founders of linguistic anthropology, criticized the superorganic as reflecting “a social determinism amounting to religion.” Sapir argued that the idea regarded culture too much like a thing or a concrete entity, as opposed to an abstract concept, and allowed little room for individuals to behave according to their own free will. Sapir was also critical of the influential theories of Ruth Benedict (1934), an additional student of Boas who pushed the concept of civilizations as highly interwoven, “personality-laden” wholes. Benedict famously stated in a survey of three indigenous people from Melanesia and North America that each might be characterized by a certain personality type (the Dobu of Papua New Guinea, for example, were defined as “paranoid schizophrenic”). Famously, Sapir told his pupils that a culture cannot be “paranoid” in response to this attempt to apply psychological words to characterize entire cultures.

Sapir’s own thesis, outlined in a 1924 essay titled “Culture, Genuine and False,” viewed culture as the peculiar attitudes and methods of living that gave a people their unique position in the world. According to Sapir, a “genuine” culture is a harmonic, balanced, and healthy “spiritual organism.” Nonetheless, while this did necessitate a substantial degree of integration, a genuine culture was not merely “efficient”; that is, humans could not exist as simple gears in a machine. According to Sapir, culture and the individual are inseparable, as culture cannot sustain itself without individuals as “nuclei” and individuals cannot generate culture from nothing. Sapir’s solution and attempt to reconcile the contradictions he perceived in Benedict and others were fundamentally humanistic: The individual discovers a “mastery”—a profession that expresses his or her distinct particular skill while also being congruent with the will and desires of the other community members. Sapir was cautious to note, however, that the terms “culture” and “individual” could only be identified from an anthropologist’s perspective, as the individual himself could not cognitively detect such a distinction. The more humanistic aspects of Sapir’s theory were never widely accepted, but his thoughts on the relationship between culture and the individual foreshadowed numerous critiques present in “postmodern” anthropological theory (see “Criticisms of the Culture Concept”)

The Contemporary Concept: Culture as Meanings and Symbols

Later, some referred to Edward Tylor’s 1871 definition of culture as the “everything-is-culture” definition, as it encompassed not just knowledge, belief, and values, but also customs and conduct, as well as the miscellaneous category “other capabilities.” In the early 20th century, Franz Boas and his pupils gave the notion a more scientific appearance and included the key element of cultural relativism. The belief in the power of sorcery, for example, was culture, as was the ritual dance performed by the sorcerer and possibly even the artifacts made for the rite. Margaret Mead, a student of Boas and one of the most renowned cultural anthropologists in history, utilized a concept of culture that relied on the notion of a “complex of behavior.”

As part of a landmark work on the notion of culture, Kroeber and Kluckhohn (1952) were among the first to advocate excluding conduct from the concept of culture. Their conclusion was founded on the realization that human cognition and behavior is also influenced by causes other than culture. The issue with treating a specific conduct as part of culture was that it implied that the behavior belonged to or was a unique product of culture, while neglecting the important psychological, social, biological, and material components that also influence action. As with the other components, culture could not incorporate behavior because, as Kroeber and Kluckhohn pointed out, culture itself was a “pattern or design” abstracted from observable behavior — something that gave behavior meaning.

However, this concept does not imply that culture is identical to politics, economics, or any other aspect of human social life. Due to the fact that culture is not conduct but rather the beliefs and ideas that give behavior meaning, culture is a vital component of practically every area of social-scientific investigation. Even behaviors that look on the surface to be solely economic or political in nature, for example, are incomprehensible without a grasp of the specific cultural forms that make the contexts in which they occur reasonable and meaningful (see Sewell, 2005).

The contemporary concept of culture, then, focuses not only on behavior and artifacts as such, but also on what that behavior means and what those artifacts symbolize. For David Schneider (1868), an American anthropologist who helped found the approach known as “symbolic anthropology,” this meant that even behavioral norms should be excluded from cultural analysis. Schneider defined culture as a set of “definitions, premises, postulates, presumptions, propositions, and perceptions about the nature of the universe and man’s place in it” (p. 202), explaining that while “norms tell the actor how to play the scene, culture tells the actor how the scene is set and what it all means” (p. 203).

The importance placed on meaning in the modern concept of culture—not only for the anthropologist attempting to understand social life, but for the individual who lives it—is perhaps best accounted for in the writings of Clifford Geertz, whose influential ideas helped to redefine the discipline of anthropology in the late 20th century. Geertz (1973a) observed that humans are “unfinished animals,” set apart not just by our ability to learn, but by the astounding amount that we must learn in order to be able to function at the most basic level. Geertz attributed this to the fact that cultural evolution and biological evolution overlapped by millions of years in the phylogenetic development of the species, such that the human brain became utterly dependent on inherited systems of meaning. While our biological “hardware” might furnish us with basic capabilities, we must be socialized into specific social systems in order to use them. We cannot, for instance, simply speak; we must learn to speak English or Japanese or some other highly particular linguistic form. This accounts for the high degree of variability seen across human societies. As Geertz put it, “We all begin with the natural equipment to live a thousand kinds of life but end having lived only one” (p. 45), since the gap between what biology dictates and what we need to know in order to survive can only be filled with highly particular cultural forms. Without culture, then, humans would not revert to some basic and primary hunter-gatherer form, but would instead be “monstrosities” unable to accomplish even the simplest tasks (1973a, p. 49).

A central feature of the contemporary concept of culture is the emphasis placed on symbols. More than just providing the means to express and transmit cultural knowledge from person to person and generation to generation, symbols are seen as essential to the building of that knowledge in the first place. Anthropologists now tend to regard culture itself as a collection of symbolic systems, where the construction of cultural models and concepts relies on the unique properties of symbolic representation.

According to David Schneider (1968), a symbol is “anything that stands for something else.” The idea is that this “something else,” called the symbol’s referent, is not logically deducible from any characteristic of the symbol itself, but is associated with it purely on the basis of an agreement made by a social group. The word dog, for instance, really has nothing to do with the actual thing that speakers of English call a dog, but the connection is made because a group (the speakers of English) has agreed that a particular symbol (the word dog ) will stand for a particular referent (the domesticated descendants of the Asian red wolf). At first glance, this might seem unremarkable. But as Clifford Geertz (1973a) pointed out, while there are many instances in nature of “patterns for processes”—such as when a duckling learns a set of behaviors by imprinting on his mother, or when DNA issues “instructions” on how to build certain tissues—the capacity to represent objects and occurrences as they are is exceedingly rare, and probably unique to humans. Symbolic representation allows the users of symbolic systems to make reference to and reflect on things that are not actually present at the time, converting them into ideas that can be analyzed, manipulated, and combined with other such concepts in the medium of abstract thought.

Furthermore, symbolic reference involves much more than merely matching a word or other symbol to its counterpart in the “real world” of objects. In a famous example, Edward Sapir illustrated that when someone uses the word house in the general sense, they do not think of any one house, but of any and all houses that have ever existed or could possibly exist, as well as the set of collective beliefs, attitudes, and judgments associated with that class of objects. This is what is called a concept. Conceptual thought opens the door to the imaginative and productive capacities of the mind, allowing humans to do such extraordinary things as wonder about our place in the world, reflect on things that could have happened, but didn’t, and then lie about all of it. Closely related to the ability to lie is the ability to form conceptions of things pregnant with collective attitudes and value judgments that far exceed the natural or objective characteristics of the referents themselves. As French sociologist Émile Durkheim (1912/1995) emphasized in his landmark treatise on religion, symbols allow groups to focus their collective mental energy on concretized representations of social phenomena and give tangible expression to bundles of emotions and attitudes that might otherwise remain ineffable. As anthropologist Marshall Sahlins (1976) phrased it: “Men begin as men . . . precisely when they experience the world as a concept (symbolically)” (p. 142). It is for this reason that symbols are seen as the building blocks of culture.

Language is the most highly developed symbolic system, and the most common form in which cultural meanings are expressed. As the foremost means of “cutting up” the world into sensible and meaningful categories, language is virtually impossible to distinguish from culture, and it’s not surprising that the idiosyncrasies of its particular forms can have a powerful impact on how its speakers perceive reality (see earlier section, “Cultural Relativism”). But words are far from the only type of symbols used by humans. Clifford Geertz (1973b) regarded any “object, act, event, quality, or relation” as a potential symbol, and as it turns out, human social life is replete with organized systems of them. Geertz held up religion as a prototypical example, where acts, artifacts, relationships, and even people serve to symbolize the abstract concept of the supernatural and the beliefs and values associated with it (1973b). Religion also offers examples of what Roy D’Andrade (1984) would later call the directive and evocative functions of symbolic systems, as it serves to guide and motivate action by, as Geertz (1973b) put it, forming an idea of what the world is like and “clothing” that idea in such an “aura of factuality” as to make it seem self-evident.

Symbolic systems can become so engrained in a community’s understanding of the world that they become difficult to spot. Kinship systems, for instance, appeared for a very long time (even to anthropologists) to be deeply rooted in biology. But David Schneider (1968) argued that there is nothing about shared ancestry or genetic relatedness that necessarily leads to a recognition of the rights, duties, and responsibilities associated with cultural systems of kinship. Numerous kin classifications, in fact, ignore that criterion completely. Schneider concluded that biological relatedness is a symbol just like any other, arbitrarily designated to denote shared identity and mutual responsibility among social groups.

The Constitutive Power of Culture

The very act of perceiving an object or event in the world as being a type of something (e.g., perceiving a certain creature as a dog, the clasping of hands as a prayer, or the meeting of lips as a kiss ) entails the symbolic interpretation and generalization of a specific, concrete event. Because symbols represent concepts rather than just things as they exist in the world, almost everything humans perceive is at least partially constituted by collective representations and interpretation. But the power of culture is such that, in many cases, symbols do not attach to any referent at all, and instead actually create the objects or events to which they refer. Philosopher John Searle (1969) referred to this as the capacity to enact constitutive rules. In statements like “when a player crosses the goal line, he scores a touchdown” or “the candidate who receives the plurality of votes in the general election becomes president,” constitutive rules actually create the categories of touchdown and president. Societies are built upon intricate systems of these constitutive rules, which generally take the form “ x counts as y in context c. ” While usually thought of by the members of the community as natural or even commonsensical, these rules are entirely a matter of social agreement. The idea that one owns a house or car or any other piece of property, for instance, is based on the collective belief that transferring something called “money” to an institution called a “bank” entitles one to special rights over some material thing. Most often, others will not even question those rights. But when someone does seek to violate the agreement through force, such as by stealing a car or invading a home, it is understood that people in uniforms with guns will (hopefully) show up to stop them. Those uniformed enforcers of social consensus will only do so, however, insofar as they agree to obey the orders of an imaginary chain of authority that runs all the way to the president of the United States, whose power comes not from any physical or mental capacity of his, but from the collective agreement that he is to have such authority. Thus, personal property—like civil government or American football—relies on a complex, ordered hierarchy of constitutive rules and social facts that have no basis in material reality.

These institutions reflect a more basic property of symbolic representation: The meaning of cultural units tends to be layered upon many other orders of meaning. Something as simple as reading this sentence, for instance, plays upon such varied levels of conventional meaning as the denotation of speech sounds by individual letters, the definitions of words and groups of words, the grammatical rules that operate at the sentence level, and matters of tone and style conveyed by the structure of the paper as a whole.

The centrality of meanings and symbols in contemporary concepts of culture poses challenges for the study of social life. To begin with, there really is no such thing as a symbol per se, although almost anything can function as one. Symbolism is not an inherent quality of any word or sign, but rather a product of interpretation and consensus. Nor is the meaning of a symbol rigidly determined even by the force of collective agreement. As a number of theorists have argued, the interpretation of symbols relies on complex and often emotionally charged processes in the mind of the interpreter, which it must call upon a broad range of preexisting schemas, scripts, and tacit understandings in order to make any sense at all. Consider the following short description of a sequence of events: “Roger went to the restaurant/The waiter was unfriendly/Roger left a small tip.” In their work on artificial intelligence, Schank and Abelson (1977) showed how little sense such a sequence makes without detailed prior knowledge of what normally happens at a restaurant, what is expected of a waiter, and what is communicated in the complex practice of tipping.

For Clifford Geertz (1973c), the ambiguity and polysemy of the subject matter of anthropology meant that cultures could not be explained, but instead could only be interpreted through a process he called “thick description.” To truly grasp the meaning and significance of a belief or action, Geertz argued, one must first acquire a comprehensive understanding of the social and cultural context in which it occurs. Drawing on literary theory, Geertz suggested that culture must be “read” like a text—a text that, from the anthropologist’s point of view, is “foreign and faded,” full of abbreviations, omissions, and contradictions, and written not by anyone’s pen but by sporadic instances of socially meaningful behavior.

Critiques of the Culture Concept

While culture has long been the central object of inquiry in American anthropology (hence the term cultural anthropology ), scholars in the British social-anthropological tradition have historically been skeptical of culture, and have instead framed their investigations around the concept of society . In social anthropology, society refers to a complex web of social relationships and systematized patterns of behaviors and ideologies known as institutions (e.g., the military, primitive magic, the nuclear family, or the National Football League). Social anthropologists compare institutions across different societies in order to ascertain their “function.” They are particularly interested in “latent” functions: those consequences of institutionalized behavior of which the actors are unaware, but which nevertheless work to motivate the very existence of the institution. The functionalist approach rests on the assumption that particular types of institutions, such as kinship or government, are motivated by the same basic factors and oriented toward the same basic ends in all human societies in which they are present. Underneath their superficial differences, the various cultural manifestations of these institutions are seen as essentially similar, like species belonging to the same genus.

As concepts, culture and society are not necessarily incompatible, and have been viewed by some as closely related and even complementary. But for several generations of social anthropologists, culture was something of a taboo term. A. R. Radcliffe-Browne, one of the discipline’s founders, insisted that the concept of culture erroneously treated abstract ideas as real and concrete, and was too broad a concept to be useful in the study of social life. He claimed that society, on the other hand, was the proper object of anthropology, since societies were bounded and concrete, and social structure was embodied in directly observable social behavior. Eventually, however, social anthropologists recognized that no attempt to study social relationships could be successful without consideration of the cultural beliefs and values associated with them. Oxford anthropologist John Beattie (1964) identified this as the primary reason that Radcliffe-Browne’s limited conception of social anthropology as “comparative sociology” never fully caught on: The behavior of people in society cannot be understood without reference to what social relationships mean to those who participate in them.

Still, a number of social anthropologists remain reluctant to refer to the semiotic dimension of social life as culture. Adam Kuper (1999) argued that it is more legitimate to analyze religious beliefs, arts, and other institutions as separate domains than as “bound together in a single bundle labeled culture” (p. 245). But as William Sewell (2005) observed, and as Ruth Benedict (1934) noted before him, basic beliefs and symbolic representations of the world tend to cut across the lines that sociologists would use to carve up the social sphere, reaching across institutions, linguistic communities, age-groups, and even religions to span entire societies. This suggests that any attempt to approach such beliefs as though they were miscellaneous qualities of separate institutions risks completely missing the presence of a single, pervasive cultural theme. The more or less unquestioned belief in the sanctity of human life in modern society, for instance, affects almost every conceivable institution, from industrial development and urban planning to the cultivation of food and medicinal testing. To effectively treat such an idea as a product of any one institution would thus be a significant analytical mistake.

In recent years, some of the strongest criticisms of the culture concept have come from within the discipline of cultural anthropology itself. Adherents of a loosely defined movement known as “postmodern anthropology” (also variably referred to as postcultural, poststructural, and reflexive anthropology) have questioned the very usefulness and validity of culture as an abstract concept. Often associated with a 1986 collection of essays edited by James Clifford and George Marcus called Writing Culture, the movement can be viewed an extension of the theories of Clifford Geertz—particularly his use of literary theory and his emphasis on the importance of context. Michael Silverstein (2005) identified the “symbols and meaning-ism” that Geertz helped usher in as the point at which anthropology became a hermeneutic and interpretive project rather than an observational science. But for those affiliated with the Writing Culture movement, Geertz stopped short of the inevitable conclusion of his argument—that the description or “interpretation” of a culture is as much a reflection of the point of view of the anthropologist as it is of the culture itself. From this perspective, the anthropologist does not simply record facts about others’ ways of life; instead, she actually creates (or at least coconstructs) the culture as she describes it. This is obviously very troubling for the credibility of anthropological knowledge, and it becomes especially problematic when, as was traditionally the case, the anthropologist is a member of a dominant society granted unilateral authority to depict the beliefs and practices of a subjugated population. Critics point to this unequal power dynamic as at least partially to blame for misguided attempts to capture complex realities using false dichotomies like “savage vs. civilized,” “rational vs. irrational,” or “individualist vs. collectivist.”

This “reflexive” critique is linked to an older, more basic criticism in anthropology, suggesting that culture is a tool for the preservation of existing systems of power and oppression. Proponents of this view argue that by ascribing too much importance to tradition, the concept of culture legitimates the domination and mistreatment of traditionally powerless segments of societies. A frequently cited example is the disadvantaged place that women are perceived as occupying in traditionally patriarchal societies. Others have argued, however, that the perception of inequality and discrimination in other cultures is prone to error, since it often fails to take into account the subtle cultural mechanisms that redistribute power and shape social relationships. And while there certainly are cases where the idea of culture is misused to justify atrocities, this does not explain why the concept should be rejected as an analytical tool.

Another dimension of the postmodern critique takes specific aim at the practice of referring to a culture or to cultures in the plural. Some feel that this use—which is often traced, somewhat controversially, to the theories of Ruth Benedict and Margaret Mead—oversimplifies and stereotypes other societies, erroneously treating entire communities as uniform, isolated, and unchanging while downplaying diversity and internal disagreement. This implication is ever more frequently seen in popular usage, where terms like Japanese culture imply a universally shared, unquestioned, and totaling “way of life.” And while integration is not necessarily synonymous with cultural determinism, Benedict (1934), for her part, did little to dispel that interpretation in asserting that the individual “is the little creature of his culture. . . . Its habits are his habits, its beliefs his beliefs” (pp. 2–3). In response, critics like Clifford and Marcus (1986) stressed the importance of individual agency and “resistance” to cultural norms, pointing out that cultures are not bounded, homogeneous, or “pure.” Instead, culture is contested, contradictory, and only loosely integrated, constantly subject to change both from within and without. Postmodernists note that cultures have always been hybridized and permeable, but that this has become increasingly so in recent decades in the face of globalization and capitalist expansion. As Clifford and Marcus (1986) observed, difference is now routinely found next door and familiarity at the end of the earth, suggesting that received notions of culture are not only mistaken, but also irrelevant.

Others maintain, however, that the concept of culture has never implied uniformity, and that no serious anthropologist ever viewed individuals as mindless automatons totally controlled by a self-contained and unchanging cultural system. They argue that culture has always been an abstraction; that is, culture does not represent a “thing” that exists in the world as such, but is instead separated by way of observation and logical inference from the context of real-world actions and utterances in which it is embedded. Alfred Kroeber (1952) defended the practice of speaking of cultures in the plural on this basis, anticipating contemporary critiques in pointing out that one could speak at the same time of a Tokyo or a Japanese or an East Asian culture without implying that any of them represented a homogeneous or totalizing way of life. More recently, Marshall Sahlins (1999) has asserted that the concept of culture critiqued by postmodern anthropologists is a myth. Sahlins does argue that cultural communities can have boundaries, but that these boundaries, rather than being barriers to the flow of people, goods, or ideas, represent conscious designations of identity and inclusion made by the members of the community themselves.

Regarding the uniformity and homogeneity of cultural knowledge, anthropologist Richard Shweder (2003) has argued that culture never implied the passive acceptance of received beliefs and practices or the absence of dispute or debate. Shweder points out that every culture has experts and novices, but that such unequal distribution of knowledge does not mean that anyone is more or less a member of that culture. As one of the chief proponents of the resurgent interdisciplinary field of “cultural psychology,” Shweder has helped demonstrate that basic psychological processes such as selfhood and emotion, rather than being products of deep structural similarity, are rooted in culturally specific modes of understanding (Shweder & Bourne, 1984). Such findings have provided some of the driving force behind the growing influence of the concept of culture in the field of social psychology (e.g., Markus & Kitayama, 1991; et al).

Whether prior theories or particular uses of the term carried misguided implications or not, anthropologists continue to recognize culture as an indispensible consideration in the analysis of human social life. As theorists from nearly every area of study surveyed in this research paper have agreed, shared cultural knowledge is absolutely essential for individuals to function in a way that is recognizably human (see Geertz, 1973a, 1973b, 1973c; Whorf, 1956; Beattie, 1964; Clifford & Marcus, 1986; Sewell, 2005; Sahlins, 1976). Clifford Geertz referred to a gap that exists between our species’ innate biological predispositions and what humans must know in order to survive and function— a gap that could only be filled with highly particular systems of beliefs, values, and representations expressed and transmitted through symbols.

Even those most critical of the concept tend to recognize the centrality and pervasiveness of culture. Culture represents the shared ideas that define and give meaning to objects, events, and relationships in our world and the collective representations that create and maintain social institutions. This is true even of those domains of human activity appearing to follow their own logic and obeying their set of rules and principles. Renato Rosaldo (1989), whose work was also included among the 1986 collection of essays that kindled the postmodern anthropological movement, wrote as follows:

Culture … refers broadly to the forms through which people make sense of their lives … It does not inhabit a set-aside domain as does politics or economics. From the pirouettes of classical ballet to the most brute of brute facts, all human conduct is culturally mediated. Culture encompasses the everyday and the esoteric, the mundane and the elevated, the ridiculous and the sublime. Neither high nor low, culture is all-pervasive. (p. 26)

Thus, the concept of culture, in one way or another, is likely to remain of central concern to the discipline of anthropology for the foreseeable future.

Bibliography:

• Beattie, J. (1964). Other cultures: Aims, methods, and achievements in social anthropology. NewYork: The Free Press.
• Benedict, R. (1934). Patterns of culture. Cambridge, UK: Riverside Press.
• Boas, F. (1889). On alternating sounds. American Anthropologist, 2, 47–54.
• Boas, F. (1995). Race, language, and culture. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. (Original work published 1940)
• Clifford, J., & Marcus, G. (1986). Writing culture: The poetics and politics of ethnography. Los Angeles: University of California Press.
• D’Andrade, R. (1984). Cultural meaning systems. In R. Shweder & R. Levine, Culture theory (pp. 88–119). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
• Darnell, R. (2001). Invisible genealogies: A history of Americanist anthropology. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
• Durkheim, É. (1995). The elementary forms of religious life (K. Fields, Trans.). New York: The Free Press. (Original work published 1912)
• Geertz, C. (1973a). The impact of the concept of culture on the concept of man. In C. Geertz, The interpretation of cultures (pp. 33–54). New York: Basic Books.
• Geertz, C. (1973b). Religion as a cultural system. In C. Geertz, The interpretation of cultures (pp. 87–125). New York: Basic Books.
• Geertz, C. (1973c). Thick description: Toward an interpretive theory of culture. In C. Geertz, The interpretation of cultures (pp. 3–30). New York: Basic Books.
• Kroeber, A. (1917). The superorganic. American Anthropologist, 19, 163–213.
• Kroeber, A., & Kluckhohn, C. (1952). Culture: A critical review of concepts and definitions. New York: Random House.
• Kuper, A. (1999). Culture: The anthropologists’ account. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
• Levine, R. (1984). Properties of culture: An ethnographic view. In R. Shweder & R. Levine (Eds.), Culture theory (pp. 67–87). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
• Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion, and motivation. Psychological Review, 98, 224–253.
• Rosaldo, R. (1989). Culture and truth: The remaking of social analysis. Boston: Beacon Press.
• Sahlins, M. (1976). Culture and practical reason. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
• Sahlins, M. (1999). Two or three things I know about culture. The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 5, 399–421.
• Sapir, E. (1917). Do we need a superorganic? American Anthropologist, 19, 441–447.
• Sapir, E. (1924). Culture, genuine and spurious. American Journal of Sociology, 29, 401–429.
• Schank, R., & Abelson, R. (1977). Scripts, plans, goals, and understandings. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
• Schneider, D. (1968). American kinship. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
• Searle, J. (1969). Speech acts: An essay in the philosophy of language. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
• Sewell, W. (2005).The concept(s) of culture. In W. Sewell, Logics of history (pp. 152–174). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
• Shweder, R. (2003). Anti-postculturalism (or, the view from manywheres). In R. Shweder, Why do men barbecue? Recipes for cultural psychology (pp. 1–45). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
• Shweder, R., & Bourne, E. (1984). Does the concept of the person vary cross-culturally? In R. Shweder & R. Levine (Eds.), Culture theory (pp. 158–199). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
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• Williams, R. (1983). NewYork: Oxford University Press.

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Exploring Global Cultures: Topics for Your Next Cultural Research Paper

Table of contents

• 1 How to Choose a Cultural Research Topic to Write About 
• 2.1 Cultural Diversity Research Topics
• 2.2 Anthropology Research Topics
• 2.3 Subculture Study Ideas
• 2.4 Heritage and Preservation Studies
• 2.5 Identity Research Topics
• 2.6 Socio-Cultural Essay Ideas
• 2.7 Psychology Research Topics
• 2.8 Western Civilization Essay Ideas
• 2.9 Cross-Cultural Study Topics
• 2.10 Stereotypes and Misconceptions Studies

Cultural research papers are a gateway to exploring the intricate web of human societies and their diverse practices. Such papers cover a broad range of cultural analysis topics, each offering a unique perspective on how communities shape and are shaped by their civilizational norms and values. 

Whether it’s delving into the realms of cultural diversity topics, examining cross-cultural psychological patterns, or investigating specific phenomena, these subjects provide a rich ground for academic inquiry. 

Research topics on culture not only deepen our understanding of human interactions and beliefs but also highlight the importance of nuances in shaping societal dynamics. Engaging and informative, they encourage a deeper exploration of the ethical fabric that weaves together the global human experience, making them both fascinating and essential for a comprehensive understanding of the world.

How to Choose a Cultural Research Topic to Write About 

Choosing a topic for a cultural research paper is a strategic and thoughtful process. Start by identifying your interests in this vast field. Are you fascinated by cross cultural psychology research topics, intrigued by diverse communication practices, or curious about specific cultural phenomenon topics? Pinpointing an area that genuinely interests you is crucial for sustained engagement with your research.

• Consider the scope of your chosen topic. Aim for a balance, selecting a specific subject to be manageable yet broad enough to provide ample material for exploration. For instance, within the realm of cultural psychology research topics, you might focus on how different civilizations perceive mental health.
• Ensure there is sufficient information available. Conduct preliminary research to confirm the availability of resources and data. This step is vital, especially for topics like social analysis or cultural diversity, where empirical evidence is key to a robust paper.
• Think about the relevance and originality of your topic. Strive to contribute new insights or perspectives, particularly in fields like anthropology, where there is always room for fresh interpretations of ethical phenomena.
• Lastly, consider the academic and societal implications of your topic. Select a subject that not only adds value to academic discourse but also has the potential to enlighten and inform broader societal understanding, like studies in diversity or society communication practices. This approach ensures that your work is intellectually fulfilling and socially impactful.

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List of Cultural Research Paper Topics

Embarking on an ethnic research journey opens doors to a world of interesting anthropology research topics. From the complicated field of cross-cultural psychology to the beautiful tapestry of diversity, these cultural topics for research paper cover various areas related to anthropology, communication, and social phenomena, giving you a wide range of interesting culture to research.

Cultural Diversity Research Topics

• Language’s Role in Shaping Identity Across Cultures
• Norms Comparison: Eastern and Western Societies
• Indigenous Civilizations’ Response to Globalization
• Diversity in the Workplace: Opportunities and Challenges
• Media Representation of Varied Societies and its Effects
• Multiculturalism’s Evolution in Urban Environments
• Educational Systems’ Approach to Global Diversity
• Music’s Influence on Ethnical Integration
• Culinary Traditions as a Reflection of Societal Diversity
• Festivals as a Platform for Promoting Diversity

Anthropology Research Topics

• Varied Traditions of Healing in Global Civilizations
• Marriage Customs Across Different Societies
• Kinship and Family Structures: An Anthropological View
• Societal Responses to Natural Disasters: A Comparative Study
• Local Cultures’ Adaptation to Tourism
• Birth and Death Rituals in Diverse Societies
• Religion: Beliefs and Practices Worldwide
• Technology’s Impact on Traditional Societal Roles
• Non-Western Perspectives on Time
• Clothing and Adornment from an Anthropological Lens

Subculture Study Ideas

• Hip-Hop’s Social Influence and Evolution
• Cyberpunk: Blending Technology and Aesthetic
• Skateboarding’s Cultural Journey
• LGBTQ+ Community’s Internal Subcultures
• Gaming’s Social and Cultural Impact
• Punk Fashion and Identity
• Coffee Culture’s Shift from Niche to Mainstream
• Teen Subcultures in the Age of Social Media
• Green Movements: Environmental Awareness as a Subculture
• Fitness Trends and Digital Age Subcultures

Heritage and Preservation Studies

• Ancient Manuscripts’ Digitization for Heritage Preservation
• Museums’ Role in Protecting Ethnical Legacies
• Intangible Heritage Threats in the Modern Era
• Historic Sites’ Architectural Conservation
• War’s Effects on World Heritage
• Indigenous Languages and Oral Traditions’ Preservation
• Heritage Tourism: Balancing Benefits and Risks
• Legal Strategies for Heritage Protection
• Traditional Arts and Crafts Revival
• Post-Colonial Societies’ Heritage Perspectives

Identity Research Topics

• Diaspora’s Impact on Identity Formation
• Bicultural Existence in a Globalized Era
• Art’s Reflection of Societal Identity
• Language Loss and its Effect on Identity
• Social Media Influences on Youth Identity
• Fashion as a Cultural Expression Tool
• Gastronomy’s Role in Defining Societal Identity
• Race and Identity Intersections
• Second-Generation Immigrants’ Identity Challenges
• Popular Culture’s Influence on National Identity

Socio-Cultural Essay Ideas

• Bilingualism and Multilingualism’s Societal Effects
• Gender Roles: A Global Cultural Comparison
• Mass Migration’s Social Impact
• Social Hierarchies: A Global Cultural Analysis
• Global Economic Inequality’s Cultural Dimensions
• Social Media as a Cultural Change Agent
• Urbanization’s Societal Consequences
• Religion’s Influence on Socio-Cultural Norms
• Aging Populations and Societal Shifts
• Education’s Influence on Societal Values

Psychology Research Topics

• Superstitions’ Psychological Underpinnings in Various Societies
• Emotional Expression: A Cross-Cultural Study
• Decision-Making Influences Across Cultures
• Childhood Development in Diverse Environments
• Personality Shaping through Societal Norms
• Mental Health Approaches in Different Societies
• Immigrant Families and Acculturation Challenges
• Resolving Ethnical Conflicts: A Psychological Perspective
• Behavioral Norms’ Cultural Foundations
• Cultural Communication Practices Paper Proposal: Human Motivation from a Global Perspective

Western Civilization Essay Ideas

• The Renaissance’s Influence on Western Civilization
• Democracy’s Roots in Ancient Greece and Rome
• Industrial Revolution’s Societal Transformations
• Christianity’s Impact on Western Societies
• Philosophical Foundations of Modern Western Thought
• Enlightenment’s Role in Modernity Shaping
• Western Art Evolution from Baroque to Modernism
• Western Societies’ Ecological Footprint
• Colonial Legacy in Western History
• Science’s Progression in Western Context

Cross-Cultural Study Topics

• Work Ethic Comparisons Across Societies
• Effective Communication in Diverse Settings
• Leading in Multicultural Environments
• Love and Marriage: Global Insights
• Parenting Styles’ Ethnical Variations
• International Business Adaptations
• Health Practices: A Global View
• Educational Systems: International Comparisons
• Negotiation Styles in Diverse Contexts
• Eldercare Approaches in Different Civilizations

Stereotypes and Misconceptions Studies

• Hollywood’s Role in Perpetuating Stereotypes
• Racial Stereotypes’ Origins and Impacts
• Gender Assumptions in Societal Contexts
• Media’s Influence in Stereotype Formation
• Stereotypes in International Diplomacy
• Misconceptions’ Psychological Aspects
• Socioeconomic Assumptions in Urban Life
• Stereotyping in Educational Environments
• Youth Culture’s Battle with Stereotypes
• Society’s Age-Related Assumptions and Realities

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472 Popular Culture Essay Topics & Good Ideas

• Icon Calendar 18 May 2024
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Popular culture essay topics offer an in-depth exploration of various facets of societies’ prevailing trends, interests, and practices. Some themes may include areas, such as music, fashion, social media, film, television, literature, and even sports. From analyzing the societal influence of groundbreaking television series to dissecting the role of social media in shaping fashion trends, these topics provide an excellent platform to understand the human cultural milieu. Moreover, they offer a critical lens to examine the intersection of popular culture with issues, like gender, race, politics, and identity. By delving into such topics, one can get a better understanding of current societal dynamics, influential forces, and the complexities of shared cultural narratives. Thus, popular culture essay topics allow students to develop an engaging discourse on how pop culture reflects, influences, and challenges societal norms and beliefs.

Best Popular Culture Essay Topics

• Anime’s Influence on Global Fashion Trends
• Superheroes and Their Reflections on Societal Ideals
• Latinx Representation in Hollywood: Progress and Pitfalls
• Evolution of Video Game Narratives in the 21st Century
• K-Pop’s Global Dominance and Cultural Exchange
• Graffiti as an Expression of Urban Culture and Identity
• Reality TV and Its Effect on Public Perception of Celebrity
• Transformation of Comedy in Digital Platforms: Case of Memes
• Reinterpretation of Classic Literature in Modern Cinema
• TikTok: Disrupting Traditional Performance Art
• Influence of Western Culture on Bollywood Cinema
• Streetwear and Its Intersections With Youth Culture
• Science Fiction and Its Predictions of Future Technologies
• Dystopian Novels as Commentary on Present Societies
• Skateboarding’s Influence on Pop Culture and Urban Development
• Representation of LGBTQ+ Characters in Children’s Cartoons
• Ethical Concerns Surrounding the Consumption of True Crime Content
• The Role of Comics in Shaping Political Satire
• Internet Slang and Its Effect on Language Evolution
• Cancel Culture: Societal Responsibility or Online Mob Mentality?
• Body Positivity Movement’s Impact on Fashion Industry
• eSports’ Rise to Mainstream Popularity and Its Future
• Nostalgia Marketing in Film and Television: Case of Reboots
• Cinematic Depictions of Historical Events and Their Accuracy
• Food Trends and Their Influence on Health Perceptions
• The Cultural Significance of Music Festivals in Globalization
• Cosplay’s Emergence as a Mainstream Hobby and Its Impact on Fashion

Easy Popular Culture Essay Topics

• Pop Art and Its Relevance in Modern Advertising
• Podcasts as a Medium for Storytelling and Social Discussions
• Interpretations of Artificial Intelligence in Cinema and Literature
• Drag Culture and Its Influence on Gender Norms
• Cyberpunk Culture and Its Visions of the Future
• Disney’s Influence on Childhood Perceptions of Morality
• Social Issues Portrayed in Animated Films
• Rap Music as a Tool for Sociopolitical Commentary
• The Role of Netflix in Shaping TV Consumption Habits
• Mental Health Representations in Modern Literature
• Zombie Mythology and Its Reflections on Societal Fears
• Veganism’s Impacts on Culinary Trends and Food Industry
• Diversity in Barbie Dolls: Shifts in Gender and Racial Representation
• Role-Playing Games and Their Influence on Social Interactions
• Viral Challenges: Risks and Rewards of Internet Fame
• Fanfiction’s Role in Expanding and Challenging Canonical Narratives
• Sci-Fi’s Influence on Public Interest in Space Exploration
• Generation Z’s Use of Social Media for Activism
• The Evolution of Dance Trends Through TikTok
• Modern Interpretations of Fairy Tales in Popular Culture
• Street Dance and Its Influence on Music Videos
• Technological Advancements and Their Impact on Film Production Techniques
• Hyperrealistic Art and Its Influence on Perception of Beauty
• Book-to-Film Adaptations: Analysis of Narrative Fidelity
• Technology’s Role in Transforming the Music Industry

Interesting Popular Culture Essay Topics

• Musical Theatre’s Cultural Impact: Case Study of “Hamilton”
• Virtual Reality’s Impact on the Video Game Experience
• Youtubers as Modern-Day Influencers: Challenges and Successes
• Sports Marketing and Its Influence on Brand Perception
• Architectural Styles in Popular TV Shows and Films
• Environmental Messages in Animated Children’s Movies
• Hollywood’s Influence on Global Beauty Standards
• Historical Analysis of Hip-Hop Culture
• Streaming Platforms and the Decline of Traditional Radio
• Digital Art’s Rise in Contemporary Art Market
• Country Music’s Reflection on American Culture
• Young Adult Dystopian Novels and Their Societal Messages
• The Influence of Award Shows on Film and Music Industries
• Paranormal Fiction and Its Appeal to Young Adult Readers
• Contemporary Tattoo Culture and Its Significance
• The Evolution of Feminism in Pop Music
• Subcultures and Their Representation in Modern Films
• Magic Realism in Latin American Literature
• Technology’s Impacts on Print Media and Journalism
• Food Blogs and Their Influence on Culinary Industry
• The Cultural Significance of the Olympic Games
• Modern Photography and Its Role in Documenting Social Movements
• British Influence on American Pop Culture

Pop Culture Argumentative Essay Topics

• Influence of Reality Television on Modern Society
• Representation of Gender Roles in Disney Films
• Nostalgia and Its Role in Fueling Retro Fashion Trends
• Impacts of Social Media on Celebrity Culture
• Violence in Video Games: Examining Its Effects on Players
• Modern Rap Music: Examining Its Influence on Youth Behavior
• Superhero Films: The Potential Over-Saturation of the Genre
• Body Image Perception Altered by the Fashion Industry
• Internet Memes and Their Cultural Significance
• Roles of Artistic Expression in Protest Movements
• Podcasts vs. Traditional Radio: A Shift in Audio Consumption
• Animation Advancements: Pixar’s Influence on the Film Industry
• Streaming Services: Impact on Movie Theatre Culture
• Virtual Influencers: The Future of Advertising?
• Cultural Appropriation in Popular Music: Where to Draw the Line?
• Influence of Anime on Western Animation
• Celebrity Endorsements and Their Effect on Consumer Behavior
• Fan Fiction: Challenging the Boundaries of Intellectual Property
• The Instagram Aesthetic: The Reality vs. The Highlight Reel
• Diversity in Hollywood: A Reflection of Society or Tokenism?
• Cancel Culture: Champion of Accountability or Modern Witch Hunt?
• Impacts of K-Pop on Global Music Trends
• Virtual Reality in Entertainment: Boon or Bane?
• Binge-Watching: The Shift in Television Consumption Patterns

Pop Culture Research Paper Topics

• Dark Humor in Television Shows: A Psychological Perspective
• Examination of Gothic Themes in Modern Literature
• Virtual Influencers and Their Role in Digital Marketing
• The Cultural Impact of Mobile Gaming Trends
• Post-Apocalyptic Narratives as Reflections of Societal Anxiety
• The Evolution of Romantic Comedies in the Film Industry
• Queer Coding in Classic Hollywood Films
• The Role of Autobiographies in Celebrity Branding
• Analysis of Minimalist Lifestyle Trends
• Pop Culture’s Role in Destigmatizing Mental Illness
• Transformation of Traditional News Platforms in the Digital Age
• Fan Cultures and Their Influence on TV Series Continuity
• The Cultural Significance of Ballet in Film
• The Rise of Celebrity Chefs and Gourmet Cooking Shows
• Psychedelic Art and Its Influence on the Music and Fashion Industry
• Celebrity Activism: Influence on Public Policy and Opinion
• Examination of Fashion Statements in Award Shows
• Roles of Women in 21st-Century Horror Films
• Graffiti and Street Art as Tools for Political Protest
• The Impact of Hollywood’s Typecasting on Actor Careers
• Evolution of Women Characters in Comic Books
• Influence of Science Fiction on Technological Innovation
• Cybersecurity in Pop Culture: An Analysis of Film Depictions
• The Cultural Impact of Mobile Apps on Daily Life

Essay Topics on Pop Culture and Internet Trends

• Influences of TikTok Challenges on Youth Behavior
• Memes as Communication Tools in Modern Society
• The Impact of Streaming Platforms on Traditional Media
• Cyber Activism: The Power of Hashtag Movements
• Anime Influence on Global Pop Culture
• Fashion Trends Initiated by Influencers and Their Consequences
• Cultural Shifts Facilitated by YouTube Personalities
• Roles of E-Sports in Defining New Entertainment Avenues
• Instagram’s Contribution to Self-Image and Mental Health
• Influence of K-Pop on the Global Music Scene
• Cyberbullying Phenomenon in the Age of Social Media
• Intersectionality of Pop Culture and Politics in the Internet Era
• Podcasts: Disruption of Traditional Broadcasting Media
• Ethical Dimensions of Internet Privacy and Personal Data
• Reality Television’s Influence on Social Perceptions and Norms
• Cancel Culture: Internet Accountability or Online Harassment?
• Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency: Impact on Financial Cultures
• Virtual Reality: Changing Dynamics of Entertainment and Gaming
• The Role of AI Influencers in Modern Advertising
• Social Media: Agent of Globalization or Cultural Appropriation?
• The Influences of Internet Slang on Language Evolution

Essay Topics on Pop Culture in Mass Media

• Influences of Pop Culture on Modern Advertisement Strategies
• Representation of the LGBTQ+ Community in Pop Music Videos
• Impacts of Superhero Movies on the Young Generation’s Ideals
• The Evolution of Animated Series and Their Cultural Significance
• Reality Television: A Window Into Contemporary Society
• Pop Culture’s Role in Shaping Youth’s Body Image Perceptions
• Digital Media’s Influence on Fashion Trends in Pop Culture
• Asian Representation in Hollywood: A Discussion on Cultural Diversity
• Graffiti and Street Art: Symbols of Counterculture in Mass Media
• Stand-Up Comedy’s Effect on Social Commentary Within Pop Culture
• Memes and Their Disruptive Impact on Mass Media Communications
• Feminism Portrayed Through Pop Culture: A Historical Perspective
• Musical Genres and Their Reflection of Societal Changes
• The Role of Science Fiction Films in Shaping Future Expectations
• Social Media and Its Influence on Celebrity Culture
• Analysis of Pop Culture’s Influence on Language Evolution
• eSports’ Rise: A New Phenomenon in Pop Culture
• The Power of Animation in Breaking Societal Taboos
• How Do Video Games Reflect and Influence Pop Culture?
• The Impact of Mass Media on the Globalization of Pop Culture
• Cult Television Shows and Their Impact on Fan Cultures
• Graphic Novels’ Cultural Significance in Contemporary Society

Fashion and Beauty in Pop Culture Topics

• Evolving Trends in Celebrity Street Style
• Power of Pop Icons in Shaping Fashion Norms
• K-Pop Influence on Global Beauty Standards
• Roles of Social Media Models in Fashion
• The Art of Body Positivity in Hollywood
• Influence of Hip-Hop on Urban Style
• Red Carpet Events: The Ultimate Fashion Showdown
• Film and Its Effects on Contemporary Hairstyles
• High-Fashion Inspirations in Music Videos
• Tattoos: An Emerging Trend Among Celebrities
• Representation and Diversity in the Beauty Industry
• Fashion Lessons From Period Drama Series
• Sustainability Practices of Luxury Brands
• Sneaker Culture Within the Music Industry
• Athleisure Wear: Sports Celebrities as Style Icons
• Vintage Revival in Modern Celebrity Wardrobes
• Gender Fluidity: Changes in Fashion Perception
• TV Series That Revolutionized Makeup Trends
• Music Festivals and Their Unique Style Statements
• Reality Shows’ Impacts on Fashion Choices
• Video Game Characters Inspiring Cosplay Trends

Food and Drink in Pop Culture Essay Topics

• Influence of Television Cooking Shows on Modern Cuisine
• Representation of Cultural Identity Through Food in Anime
• Impacts of Celebrity Chefs on Popular Culinary Trends
• Drinks in Film: Crafting Character and Setting Through Beverage Choice
• The Rise of Veganism: How Does Pop Culture Encourage Plant-Based Diets?
• Coffee Culture’s Emergence in Television and Its Social Impact
• Food-Related Social Media Trends: The Effect on Eating Habits
• Wine in Literature: Symbolism and Character Development
• Evolution of the Fast Food Industry as Shown in Popular Music
• The Art of Baking in British Television: Cultural Interpretation and Influence
• “Cocktail Culture” in Classic Hollywood Films: Glamour, Intrigue, and Influence
• Depictions of Holiday Feasts in Movies: Ideals and Reality
• The Role of Comfort Foods in Iconic American Sitcoms
• Feast or Famine: Food Symbolism in Fantasy Literature
• Chocolate in Pop Culture: A Sweet Treat’s Role Across Mediums
• Culinary Reality Shows and Their Impact on the Restaurant Industry
• The Beer Industry’s Presence in American Sports Culture
• Tea Rituals in Asian Cinema: Tradition, Modernity, and Cultural Exchange
• The Socio-Economic Influence of Foodie Culture as Presented in Blogs
• The Image of Soda Pop in Teenage Films: A Symbol of Youth Rebellion

Historical and Literary Influences on Pop Culture Topics

• Gothic Literature’s Elements in Today’s Horror Pop Culture
• Chronicles of King Arthur: Recurrent Themes in Fantasy Genre
• Biblical References in Contemporary Music Lyrics
• Victorian Fashion Trends Revived in Modern-Day Couture
• Examination of War Poetry’s Influence on Anti-War Songs
• Jack Kerouac and the Beat Movement’s Echoes in Indie Culture
• Norse Mythology’s Role in Video Game Narratives
• The Odyssey: Inspiration for Epic Space Operas
• Orwellian Themes in Dystopian TV Shows and Films
• Resurgence of 1920s Jazz Age in Postmodern Music
• Reflection of the Harlem Renaissance in Urban Street Art
• Reinterpretation of Fairy Tales in Disney Animation
• Renaissance Art and Its Impact on Graphic Novel Aesthetics
• Influence of Chivalric Romances on Modern Fantasy Tropes
• H.P. Lovecraft’s Cosmic Horror: Inspiration for Sci-Fi Movies
• Influence of Homeric Epics on Hollywood Blockbusters
• French Revolution’s Symbolism in Political Drama Series
• Roles of American Frontier Legends in Western Movies
• Japanese Folklore’s Influence on Anime and Manga
• Elements of Celtic Mythology in Contemporary Fantasy Literature
• Eastern Philosophy’s Imprint on Mindfulness Movements in Pop Culture

Pop Culture and Education Essay Topics

• Intersecting Worlds: The Influence of Pop Culture on Modern Education Systems
• Unraveling the Impact of Social Media Stars on Youth Learning Habits
• Hollywood’s Effect on Contemporary History Education
• Significance of Graphic Novels in Promoting Literacy
• Celebrities as Role Models: A Study on Ethical Education
• Role-Playing Games and Their Potential for Pedagogical Strategies
• Podcasts as a Platform for Lifelong Learning and Self-Education
• Memes and Their Influence on Digital Literacy
• Science Fiction Literature’s Effect on STEM Education
• Art Education: The Role of Pop Culture Iconography in Classrooms
• Popular Music’s Contribution to Language Learning
• Anime’s Influence on Cross-Cultural Understanding in Education
• Superheroes in the Classroom: Teaching Morality Through Comic Books
• Video Games’ Potential as Interactive Learning Tools
• Gender Representation in Pop Culture: Implications for Sex Education
• Virtual Reality: A Paradigm Shift in Experiential Learning
• Food Shows and Their Impact on Culinary Education
• Streamed Content as a Tool for Foreign Language Acquisition
• Exploring Environmental Education Through Post-Apocalyptic Films
• Street Art: A Catalyst for Creativity and Artistic Education
• Reality TV’s Influence on Career Choices in the Modern Youth
• Sports Celebrities as Motivational Figures in Physical Education

Pop Culture Essay Topics on Movies and TV Shows

• Exploring the Cultural Impact of Superhero Movies
• Analyzing the Evolution of Female Characters in TV Shows
• Unraveling the Symbolism in Quentin Tarantino’s Films
• Examining the Role of Diversity in Contemporary Television
• Investigating the Influence of Anime on Western Animation
• Dissecting the Complex Themes in Christopher Nolan’s Movies
• Tracing the History of Film Noir and Its Modern-Day Resurgence
• Unveiling the Psychology of Villains in Popular Movies
• Exploring the Phenomenon of Binge-Watching and Its Effects
• Deconstructing the Mythology of Star Wars
• Focusing on the Representation of Mental Health in TV Dramas
• Explaining the Success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
• Analyzing the Influence of Science Fiction on Popular Culture
• Addressing the Satirical Elements in Black Mirror
• The Evolution of LGBTQ+ Representation in Film and TV
• Exploring the World of Animated Shorts
• The Role of Soundtracks in Enhancing Movie Viewing Experience
• Analyzing the Cinematic Techniques of Stanley Kubrick
• The Impact of Streaming Platforms on Traditional Television
• Unveiling the Power of Nostalgia in Remakes and Reboots
• Examining the Cultural Significance of Game of Thrones

Topics for Analyzing Pop Culture

• Analysis of Stereotypes in Sitcoms
• Body Language and Non-Verbal Communication in Movies
• The Popularity and Impact of DIY Culture
• The Influence of Jazz Music on Modern Music Genres
• Cyberbullying and Online Harassment in Digital Culture
• The Role of Children’s Literature in Promoting Diversity
• Impact of Biographical Films on Public Perception of Historical Figures
• The Role of Modern Art in Social Justice Movements
• Influence of Video Game Aesthetics on Fashion Trends
• The Evolution of Women in Superhero Movies
• Paranormal Reality TV Shows and Public Belief in Supernatural
• Satire and Its Impact on Political Views
• Trends in Advertising and Their Influence on Consumerism
• Magic and Mysticism in Popular Literature
• Transformation of Traditional Art Forms Through Digital Media
• Influence of the Maker Movement on Technology and Education
• Role of Aesthetics in the Popularity of Social Media Platforms
• Cultural Significance of Epic Poetry in Modern Literature
• Influences of Greek Mythology in Contemporary Pop Culture
• Gender Stereotypes in Children’s Animated Movies
• YouTube and Its Impact on Independent Music Artists
• The Influence of Psychedelic Culture on Graphic Design
• Implications of Digital Piracy on the Music Industry
• Exploration of the Punk Rock Movement’s Influence on Fashion
• Representation of Indigenous Cultures in Modern Cinema

Topics on American Pop Culture

• Rock ‘n’ Roll Revolution: Impact on American Pop Culture
• Hollywood Blockbusters: Evolution of the American Film Industry
• Jazz Age: Birth of American Music Icons
• Urban Street Art: Influences on American Graffiti Culture
• Fashion Icons: Shaping Trends in American Pop Culture
• Sitcom Sensations: Comedy Shows That Defined American Television
• Hip-Hop Phenomenon: Cultural Influence and Evolution
• Comic Book Heroes: Superheroes’ Impact on American Culture
• Gaming Revolution: Rise of Video Games in American Society
• Reality TV Obsession: America’s Fascination With Unscripted Entertainment
• Broadway Spectacles: Theatrical Experiences That Captivated America
• Social Media Influencers: Power of Online Personalities in American Culture
• Breaking the Mold: Iconic American Art Movements
• Sports Legends: Athletes Who Became Cultural Icons
• Technological Advancements: Shaping American Pop Culture
• Literary Icons: American Writers Who Transformed Popular Literature
• Television Talk Shows: Influence on American Conversations and Trends
• Golden Age of Radio: Impact on American Pop Culture
• Stand-Up Comedy Revolution: Comedians Who Redefined American Humor
• American Food Culture: From Fast Food to Gourmet Delights
• Dance Craze: Evolution of American Dance Styles
• Drive-In Theaters: Iconic American Pastime and Entertainment

Celebrity Culture Research Paper Topics

• Celebrity Influence on Fashion Trends: A Comparative Analysis
• Exploring the Psychological Impact of Celebrity Endorsements on Consumer Behavior
• Ethical Dilemmas of Paparazzi and Invasion Into Celebrity Privacy
• Examining the Role of Public Figures in Social Change: Celebrity Activism
• Analyzing Successful Celebrity-Brand Partnerships: Strategies for Celebrity Branding
• Investigating the Effects of Celebrity Scandals on Public Perception and Career Sustainability
• A Sociocultural Examination of Fame and Obsession: The Cult of Celebrity
• Celebrity Parenting Styles and Their Influence on Public Perception
• The Evolution of Celebrity Gossip Journalism: Tabloids to Digital Media
• Shaping Culinary Trends and Food Culture: The Role of Celebrity Chefs
• Celebrity Influence on Body Image and the Rise of Eating Disorders
• Examining Motivations and Impact: Celebrity Humanitarian Efforts
• Analyzing Power Imbalances: The Dynamics in Celebrity Relationships
• Investigating the Role of Fame in Addiction Recovery: Celebrity Rehabilitation Culture
• The Impact of Celebrity Culture on Mental Health and Well-Being
• Exploring the Phenomenon of Celebrity Obsession: Celebrity Impersonators
• Psychological Motivations and Implications: Celebrity Worship Syndrome
• The Intersection of Celebrity Culture and Politics: Influence and Perceptions
• Evaluating Effectiveness and Transparency: Celebrity Charity Foundations
• Economic Impact and Market Dynamics: The Celebrity Endorsement Economy
• Substance Abuse, Mental Health, and Tragedy: The Dark Side of Celebrity

Culture Essay Topics on Modern and Popular Literature

• Cultural Identity and Immigration in Contemporary Poetry
• The Role of Gender in Recent Literary Works
• Ecological Themes in Popular Environmental Literature
• Unconventional Narrative Structures in Contemporary Fiction
• Love and Relationships in Modern Romance Novels
• Social Commentary in Contemporary Satirical Writing
• Historical Fiction as a Window Into the Past
• The Representation of Mental Health in Modern Literature
• Magical Realism in Contemporary Short Stories
• Coming-of-Age Stories in Recent Young Adult Fiction
• Political Allegories in Contemporary Literary Works
• Exploring Ethical Dilemmas in Popular Science Fiction Novels
• The Power of Mythology in Modern Fantasy Literature
• Social Media and its Influence on Contemporary Literary Themes
• Personal Identity and Self-Discovery in Recent Memoirs
• Capturing the Spirit of a Generation in Modern Poetry
• Examining Postcolonial Narratives in Contemporary Literature
• Technological Advancements and Their Impact on the Detective Genre
• Environmentalism and Nature Writing in Popular Non-Fiction
• Investigating Magical Elements in Modern Magical Realism
• The Art of Subversion in Contemporary Literary Criticism
• Exploring Family Dynamics in Recent Domestic Fiction

Ethics and Morality in Popular Culture Research Topics

• Analyzing Ethical Choices of Superheroes in Comic Books
• Roles of Ethics in Music Lyrics and Popular Songs
• Exploring Moral Ambiguity in TV Series
• Ethical Considerations in Advertising and Product Placement Within Movies
• Influence of Social Media on Moral Decision-Making
• Morality and Violence in Video Games: A Critical Analysis
• Ethical Representation of Gender and Sexuality in Popular Culture
• Ethics of Cultural Appropriation in Fashion and Music
• Morality in Documentary Filmmaking: Balancing Objectivity and Impact
• Moral Implications of Reality Television Contestants’ Behaviors
• Ethical Issues in Celebrity Endorsements and Sponsorships
• Morality and Privacy in Digital Age: Examining Social Media Influencers
• Analyzing Ethical Treatment of Animals in Film and Television
• Ethical Dimensions of Political Satire in Late-Night Talk Shows
• Morality and Consent in Popular Romance Novels
• Roles of Morality in Gaming Community: Online Interactions and Behavior
• Ethical Challenges in Virtual Reality Gaming and Augmented Reality Experiences
• Morality and Surveillance in Science Fiction Literature and Films
• Ethics of Violence in Sports and Athletic Competitions
• Examining Moral Consequences of Reality TV Judge Panels
• Morality and Body Image in Fashion Advertising and Magazine Covers
• Ethical Implications of Historical Revisionism in Film and Television
• Exploring Morality and Identity in Video Game Character Customization

Music-Related Popular Culture Essay Topics

• Protest Anthems: Social and Political Expressions
• Jazz: A Timeless Cultural Heritage
• Music Festivals: Celebrating Diversity and Unity
• Country Music and the American Identity
• Harmonies in Advertising: Music as a Marketing Tool
• Reggae Rhythms: Cultural Roots and Global Impact
• K-Pop Sensation: Global Domination and Influence
• Music as Catalyst: Driving Social Movements
• Rap Battles: Verbal Artistry and Competition
• Melodies and Fashion Trends: A Symbiotic Relationship
• Music in Video Games: Immersive Sonic Landscapes
• Empowering Women in Music: Breaking Barriers
• Streaming Services Reshaping the Music Landscape
• Healing Harmonies: The Therapeutic Power of Music
• Classical Symphony: Timeless Expressions of Emotion
• Music and Politics: Amplifying Movements
• Honoring Musical Legends: The Legacy of Tribute Bands
• Shaping the Sound: The Evolution of Music Production
• Cultural Appropriation in Music: Navigating Boundaries
• Rhythms and Visual Arts: Exploring Creative Connections
• Technological Innovations in Music: Transforming the Industry
• Music and LGBTQ+ Culture: A Pathway to Inclusion

Popular Culture Essay Topics for Social Issues

• Media Representation of Gender Stereotypes: Influence and Challenges
• Impact of Social Media on Body Image Perception
• Cultural Appropriation in Contemporary Music: Debates and Effects
• LGBTQ+ Representation in Modern Television Series
• Celebrities’ Role in Advocacy and Activism
• Influence of Video Games on Youth Attitudes and Behavior
• Racial Diversity in Film Industry: Progress and Obstacles
• Social Media Influencers and Consumer Culture
• Popular Culture’s Contribution to Environmental Awareness
• Future of Traditional TV in the Era of Online Streaming
• Celebrity Endorsements and Their Impact on Consumer Behavior
• Societal Effects of Reality TV Shows
• Music as a Catalyst for Social Change
• Cultural Diversity in Contemporary Literature and Cinema
• Globalization and Cultural Exchange through K-Pop
• Representation of Mental Health Issues in Popular Culture
• The Power of Memes in Public Discourse
• Fashion Trends Shaped by Popular Culture
• Women in Superhero Movies: Empowerment or Objectification?
• The Intersection of Sports and Popular Culture
• Online Fandom Communities and Fan Culture

Sports and Athletics in Popular Culture Essay Topics

• Evolution of Basketball: From Naismith to Professional Leagues
• The Rise of Women in Competitive Soccer
• Influence of Sports Films on Popular Culture
• Olympic Games: Unifying Nations through Athletic Competitions
• The Impact of Social Media on Sports Promotion
• Baseball’s Cultural Significance in American Society
• Sports and Style: The Intersection of Fashion and Athletics
• eSports: The Growing Influence of Competitive Gaming
• Memorable Moments in American Football History: From “The Catch” to Miraculous Plays
• The Fusion of Music and Sports: Athletes as Musical Icons
• Analyzing the Legacy of Muhammad Ali: A Sporting Legend
• Sports in Advertising: Athlete Endorsements and Product Marketing
• The Olympic Spirit: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion Through Sports
• Breaking Gender Stereotypes: The Impact of Sports in Empowering Women
• Sports as a Catalyst for Overcoming Adversity
• Extreme Sports: Pushing Boundaries and Defying Gravity
• Sports Technology Innovations: Revolutionizing Athletic Performance
• Football and National Identity: Passionate Support for Club and Country
• Soccer’s Global Dominance: How Did the Beautiful Game Conquer the World?
• The Artistry of Sports Photography: Capturing the Essence of Athleticism
• Sports and Well-being: Exploring the Health Benefits of Physical Activity
• Athletics and Education: The Vital Role of Sports in Schools

Video Game Culture Topics for Popular Essays

• The Impact of eSports on Gaming Culture
• Gaming as a Form of Storytelling
• Cultural Representation in Video Games
• The Power of Video Game Music
• Game Development and Industry Trends
• Online Communities and Social Interaction in Gaming
• Video Games as Educational Tools
• Ethics and Morality in Gaming
• The Psychology of Video Game Addiction
• Preservation of Video Game History and Retro Gaming
• Social Impacts of Multiplayer Gaming
• Diversity in Game Character Design
• Gaming’s Positive Effects on Mental Health
• Video Game Localization and Cultural Adaptation
• Gender and Identity in Gaming Culture
• The Rise of Indie Game Development
• Streaming Platforms and Content Creation in Gaming
• Monetization Models and In-Game Purchases
• Gamification in Non-Gaming Contexts
• Video Game Censorship and Freedom of Expression
• Representation of Historical Events in Gaming
• Gaming’s Influence on Popular Culture
• Virtual Economies and In-Game Trading Systems

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What is a cultural essay and how to write it?

Essay paper writing

Academic essay on culture is a work, which develops a student’s creative skills and their capacity to solve non-standard problems. The extent of student’s freedom in writing about culture is quite high in comparison to other types of papers.

For example, a student can choose a topic, style, literature, and other elements on his or her own. In addition to citing key sources, writing culture papers presupposes using journal publications, fiction literature, and everyday facts of contemporary culture.

Before proceeding with writing an essay on cultural peculiarities (of whatever you choose), examine various sources in detail since cultural studies are closely related to such sciences as sociology, art history, philosophy, linguistics, religion, ethnography, and psychology.

Writing about culture is rather a complicated process that includes several steps:

• individual study of great amount of information;
• searching for good books, articles, reports, and other useful information;
• forming a database of examples;
• writing down your own thoughts on a particular topic;
• creating a detailed culture essay outline;
• making up arguments and conclusions.

Ideas for cultural essay topics

Cultural studies is a science that investigates laws of cultural processes, phenomena of the material and spiritual heritage, cultural interests and needs of people, as well as preservation, enhancement, and transmission of cultural values. Cultural studies as an academic discipline appeared in the intersection of philosophy, archeology, history, psychology, ethnography, religious studies, sociology, and art. Therefore, it can legitimately be titled as an integrative sphere of knowledge.

Here are some ideas of general topics for a research paper or an essay in cultural studies:

• Analysis of a system of cultural phenomena in a certain period
• Spiritual heritage of a certain nation and its influence on everyday lives of people
• Types of relationships between cultures of neighboring peoples
• Culture typologies and cultural units
• Problems of social and cultural dynamics
• Cultural codes and communication.

You may also write a culture essay about basic cultural theories with the historical or sociological approach or focus on exploring only specific areas of the science.

How to write a cultural analysis essay?

An analytical paper of any kind always requires a lot of preliminary work. So, how do you start a culture essay, or even, how do you start the preparation stage of the culture essay writing? There is a commonly accepted and effective plan for this process:

• Choose the topic of your interest;
• Select suitable literature;
• Study the sources;
• Collect, generalize, and systematize crucial information;
• Compose a plan;
• Write the essay according to the plan;
• Format and edit it.

How to write introduction of a culture essay?

Introduction of an essay should be catching and attract attention. It should provide a clear idea of what will be discussed next, and the professor should see that you are answering a specific set of questions. So, in a good introduction you should:

• demonstrate your intention to answer the question or solve the problem posed;
• show that you understand the topic;
• outline the structure of your response and the main aspects that you will consider;
• confirm that you have done some research and cite one of your sources;
• be laconic (the introductory part should take up about 8-9% of the total volume of the text).

What is a thesis statement in a cultural studies essay?

A thesis statement is a short and succinct expression containing the main idea. The thesis of an essay about cultures must be formulated clearly and must have an evidence base. In a thesis statement, you should never indicate controversial points that can prompt the reader to discussion. This part expresses the main idea that will further be argued in the paper.

What to include in the body paragraphs?

In the main body you should explain each of the arguments presented in the thesis using examples and illustrations. Information should be clearly and logically structured and the text should be divided into paragraphs – one paragraph per argument. You need to think through the structure of your essay and make sure that the body leads to a conclusion logically.

How to compose a conclusion?

A good conclusion is much more than a simple restatement of ideas expressed in the main part of the work. Different types of essays require different conclusions. If you don’t know how to finish your paper properly, here is a plan of what a conclusion should include:

• A short discussion of the main ideas. It is worth referring to the introduction and drawing parallels using the same keywords, but a different wording. Don’t repeat your arguments word for word;
• Potential application. After restating the main arguments of your paper, propose the ways of applying your research results to a real-life situation;
• A discussion starter. You may use a thought-provoking question, a quote, summary of the results of your research, a possible solution of a problem, or a call to action.

We hope these tips prove effective for writing about culture and will help you compose a good cultural analysis!

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What Is Culture and What Are Some Popular Culture Essay Topics?

Culture determines what is acceptable and unacceptable in any society. Social norms are borne out of culture. It is manifested through our art, music, dance, architecture, technologies, and writings. Holidays such as Halloween and Christmas are part of a larger culture. And within that culture, there are smaller cultures which have their own behaviors and norms. America is a melting point of cultures, making it one of the most vibrant places to live in the world.

Based on that description, it is easy to see why culture is a very common topic for essays. There is so much to write about regarding culture, and at the same time, essays on culture are very informative and enlightening. Essay topics on culture can be broad, or they can be very specific. Let’s look at some popular topics.

• Personal Culture Essay

This is a great option, particularly for those with rich and unique cultures. Writing about your culture is not only informative to the reader, but it also gives you a chance to explore and celebrate your heritage. In writing about your culture, you can discuss it as a whole or focus on a particular element you find more fascinating. You can also explore the history of your culture and all the influences that make it what it is today. If you’re feeling bold, you can even address the more controversial elements of your culture through an argumentative essay that is sure to impress readers.

• History of Culture

How exactly did culture come to be? Did we start with one universal culture that slowly evolved into thousands of other cultures? This is a great topic to write about in a culture essay. You can focus on the anthropological origins of culture and its evolution over time.

• How Culture Changes

Culture is dynamic, ever-changing to fit the times. There are many ways in which cultural change comes about, including innovation, revolution, and modernization. An essay exploring how culture changes and the challenges that come with this change would be fascinating and can even be developed into a research paper.

• Hierarchy of Cultures

Are some cultures better than others? Unfortunately, many people would believe so. Cultural superiority has been a controversial issue for a long time and a sore spot for humanity. Many conflicts in society can be traced back to the idea of cultural superiority. An essay on this topic can take a close look at what makes people think their cultures are better than others, and the distinction between high culture, low culture, popular culture, and folk culture.

Table of Contents

What Is Culture Essay and How Do You Write One?

Now that we have looked at some interesting topics on culture let us discuss exactly how culture essays are written. Whether it is a long or short essay on culture, it must be able to provide a well-defined theme or thesis along with supporting evidence. Just like any other essay, a paper on culture can take on different styles depending on the purpose of your essay.

• A narrative essay tells a story from the author’s perspective. Narrative essays are about story-telling with the main theme here being culture. Such an essay can be about the author’s personal experience with another culture. If you wanted to write about your experience in Greece, for example, a narrative essay would be perfect.
• A descriptive essay is all about the details. It is intended to paint a picture using words. This is a great opportunity to write about a culture you find fascinating. You could, for example, write about life in ancient Rome; taking readers into that culture while appealing to their emotions.
• Expository essays are about the facts. Here you would present an informative and factual essay about culture based on research. Expository essays are not about the author’s feelings or opinions but merely about what can be proven. A how does language affect culture essay would be perfect for the expository style.
• Lastly, there are persuasive essays. These are all about persuading the reader to accept your point of view. They use a mixture of facts and personal feelings to bring across a clear argument. For example, if you wanted to write about abolishing the harmful cultural practice of child marriage in India, a persuasive essay would be ideal.

A Culture Shock Essay Is a Great Place to Start

When it comes to writing about culture, the options are unlimited as we have seen. While it is quite enlightening to write about your own culture, readers are often fascinated by stories of other cultures, particularly those that differ greatly from their own. Culture shock is defined as the feeling of being disoriented when encountering an unfamiliar culture. Individuals who travel often or who live in culturally heterogeneous societies experience different forms of a culture shock when they come into contact with a way of life or a set of values that is unlike their own. Culture shock is actually constructive as it challenges individuals to expand their world-view and enhance their adaptability.

A culture shock essay can explore different themes regarding cultural disparities. It can be something as simple as language barriers or different modes of dressing. While simple, these elements of culture can present challenges for people, who are not from that culture. For example, most cultures across the Middle East value extremely modest dressing, particularly for women. Western societies, on the other hand, do not impose strict dress codes, instead of allowing people to freely express themselves through their clothes.

This would present great culture shock for a European visiting say Yemen. Other aspects of culture shock that can be explored through an essay include customs, norms, values, and food. The essay can focus on your personal culture shock experience, the benefits and challenges of culture shock, and even ways to deal with culture shock. The options are numerous. Let’s look at other culture essay example ideas.

Culture Essay Example and Writing Services

Our expert team of writers has completed hundreds of culture essays, and they are available to help you complete yours too. Here are some examples of high-quality essays written by our writers.

• An expository essay on the impact of African slaves on American culture

This essay looks at how slaves brought to the United States in the 16 th century changed the culture of the time and how these changes have persisted centuries later. Africans came with their own culture and had a major impact on American religion, art, literature, music, language, dressing, and behavior.

• Characteristics of Culture

This essay explores the elements of culture that make it what it is. Culture is learned, shared, and social process. It is also continuous and ever-changing. Each of these characteristics of culture in addition to others is discussed exhaustively in the essay.

• Princeton Culture Essay

Princeton University application essays feature different prompts that are meant to explore applicants’ views and knowledge on a number of issues. Each year, one of the prompts is designed to examine applicants’ views on culture. The 2019-2020 supplemental essay prompt on culture, for example, features a quote by Philosophy Professor Gideon Rosen. Our writers have helped applicants interpret this quote, and other culture prompts through very insightful essays.

We hope these essay examples have been helpful to you and have shown you what our writers are capable of. If you’re still trying to rack your brain around what is culture essay and how to write one, you don’t need to worry anymore. We are here to help you! Our writers deliver top-notch essays, and they are available 24/7 for you. You can pick one of the popular culture essay topics provided, or you can let our writers come up with a creative and fresh topic for you. Either way, we guarantee to deliver amazing work that you will be proud to submit.

Our work is 100% original, meets the standards of academic writing, and will help improve your performance. We also guarantee that you will receive your essay before your deadline. So, don’t wait any longer. Order today and get your essay completed hassle-free!

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100+ Pop Culture Essay Topics

Table of Contents

Pop Culture Essay Topics: Dive into the Pulse of Modern Society

Pop Culture, short for ‘popular culture’, is a fascinating area of study that delves into the various elements of entertainment, fashion, news, and daily living that are prevalent in a society at a given point in time. The culture we consume, whether it’s the music we listen to, the shows we binge-watch, or the trends we follow, gives insights into our values, our beliefs, and our aspirations. Writing a Pop Culture essay offers a unique opportunity to explore these topics in-depth, offering both a critique and appreciation for the world we live in.

What is a Pop Culture Essay?

A Pop Culture essay is an academic or personal narrative that explores the influence and significance of current trends, events, idols, or practices that are widely accepted and followed by a large group of people. It is a reflection of how society perceives and interacts with these elements, and how they in turn shape societal norms and behaviors. From movies to memes, and from fashion fads to viral challenges, Pop Culture essays can dissect any of these aspects to shed light on its larger implications.

Guide to Choosing a Pop Culture Essay Topic

Selecting the perfect topic for a Pop Culture essay starts with personal interest. Think about what you love, what intrigues you, or what you often discuss with friends:

• Stay Current: Trends change quickly. Your topic should be relevant to the current cultural climate.
• Be Passionate: Choose a topic that excites you. Your enthusiasm will come through in your writing.
• Research: Make sure there’s enough information available to support your argument or perspective.
• Broaden or Narrow Down: Depending on the assignment’s length, ensure your topic is neither too broad nor too narrow.

Riveting Pop Culture Essay Topics Lists

Television and movies.

• The cultural significance of binge-watching
• The rise and impact of superhero movies
• Representation and diversity in modern television

Music and Artists

• The influence of K-pop on global music trends
• Evolution of music festivals and their societal impact
• The role of music in social activism

Fashion and Trends

• Sneaker culture and its rise to prominence
• The lasting impact of fast fashion on the environment
• The evolution of beauty standards through the decades

Digital Age and Social Media

• Memes: A reflection of society or mere entertainment?
• The psychology behind viral challenges
• Social media influencers: A new age of celebrity

Literature and Books

• The young adult genre: A reflection of modern teen struggles
• The re-emergence of poetry in the digital age
• Post-apocalyptic novels and society’s fascination with the end of the world

Sports and Games

• The cultural implications of e-sports
• Sports activism and its role in societal change
• The rise of niche sports in mainstream media

Art and Performance

• The rebirth of street art and its societal messages
• The evolution of performance art in the 21st century
• Drag culture: From niche to mainstream

Food and Lifestyle

• The vegan movement and its cultural implications
• Coffee culture and its global significance
• Travel trends: From luxury vacations to eco-tourism

Global Events and Movements

• Pop culture’s role in promoting environmental awareness
• The significance of global award ceremonies like the Oscars and Grammys
• Celebrity involvement in political and social movements

Streaming and Digital Content

• The impact of streaming platforms on traditional TV
• Podcasts: The new radio or a unique medium?
• Binge-watching culture and its psychological effects

Diverse Representation

• The significance of minority representation in Hollywood
• LGBTQ+ representation in modern television shows
• The rise of international cinema in global box offices

Modern Technology and Its Influence

• The cultural shift from Facebook to TikTok
• Virtual reality: The future of entertainment?
• The societal implications of AI-generated art and music

Evolving Music Genres

• The impact of hip-hop on social justice movements
• The re-emergence of vinyl and analog music
• The cultural resonance of indie music in the digital age

Politics in Pop Culture

• The portrayal of politicians in movies and TV series
• The role of celebrities in political campaigns
• Satire and political commentary in late-night shows

Evolving Beauty and Fashion Standards

• The rise of the body positivity movement
• Influences of global fashion trends on local cultures
• The impact of digital filters on beauty standards

Gaming Culture

• The social dynamics of online multiplayer games
• The cultural impact of mobile gaming
• Video games as a form of interactive storytelling

Contemporary Literature and Reading Habits

• Digital vs. traditional reading: Changing habits and implications
• The allure of dystopian novels in today’s society
• The growth of self-publishing in the literary world

Youth and Adolescence in Pop Culture

• The portrayal of teenagers in contemporary movies
• The cultural significance of coming-of-age stories
• Gen Z’s influence on pop culture trends

The World of Sports and Athletics

• The impact of sports documentaries on fans’ perceptions
• The societal implications of athletes taking political stances
• The commercialization of amateur sports

Online Communities and Subcultures

• The growth and influence of fandoms in shaping media content
• The role of Reddit in shaping pop culture discussions
• Exploring the “Stan” culture and its origins

Pop Culture and Mental Health

• Addressing mental health through TV shows and movies
• The role of music in therapy and mental well-being
• Social media’s impact on self-esteem and body image

Historical Reflections in Pop Culture

• The revival of the ’80s and ’90s trends in fashion and music
• Period dramas and their influence on modern perceptions of history
• The nostalgia factor: Reboots and remakes in the film industry

Contemporary Art and Design

• Streetwear and its roots in urban culture
• The influence of social media on modern art consumption
• Pop art in the 21st century: Evolution or revolution?

Societal Movements and Pop Culture

• The #MeToo movement’s reflection in films and TV shows
• Pop culture’s role in the climate change discussion
• The cultural implications of the Black Lives Matter movement

Digital Phenomena and Trends

• The rise of short video platforms and their influence on attention spans
• The allure of unboxing videos and consumer culture
• The significance of virtual influencers in advertising and media

Celebrity Culture and Influence

• The phenomenon of cancel culture in the digital age
• Celebrities’ role in mental health advocacy
• How influencers are redefining the meaning of celebrity

Music and Its Changing Dynamics

• The resurgence of folk music in mainstream culture
• The blurring lines between genres in modern music
• The cultural impact of music festivals in the virtual era

Modern Interpretations of Classic Tales

• The allure of dark retellings of fairy tales in media
• The influence of Greek mythology in today’s pop culture
• Contemporary adaptations of Shakespearean plays

Fashion, Sustainability, and Trends

• The cultural implications of thrift shopping and upcycling
• The influence of Korean fashion on global style trends
• The growth and significance of sustainable fashion

Emerging Technologies and Entertainment

• The role of augmented reality in art and exhibitions
• The emergence of hologram concerts and performances
• The influence of cryptocurrency and NFTs in the entertainment industry

Social Issues and Popular Narratives

• The portrayal of immigration and cultural identity in movies
• The influence of women empowerment anthems in pop music
• Pop culture’s response to global crises like pandemics and natural disasters

Internet Cultures and Fandoms

• The evolution and impact of fanfiction in literature
• The role of internet memes in political and social commentary
• The cultural significance of niche internet communities

Need Help Crafting Your Pop Culture Essay?

Crafting an essay on Pop Culture requires a keen eye for detail and a finger on the pulse of current trends. If you need assistance, our essay writing service at writeondeadline.com is here to help! Our experienced writers can bring depth, insight, and flair to your essay, ensuring it stands out.

Useful References

• Pop Culture: An Overview – Philosophy Now
• Understanding Popular Culture – John Fiske, Routledge
• Pop Culture and the Power of Media – International Journal of Communication

50 Culture Essay Topics — Best Ideas for College Students

From time to time, students have to observe various aspects of spiritual and material worlds and values. This process is frequent for History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Sociology classes. Talking about culture in the USA and other countries and conducting culture research helps to develop various skills and ways of thinking. Writing about it boost your creativity and help to formulate interesting thoughts while supporting them with reasonable evidence.

In college, young people are faced with a wide range of writings, and the culture is one of the most interesting essay topics to be assigned. It's always interesting to compare and analyze the development and importance of different customs around the world and find ways to understand contemporary popular art. But to express your opinion appropriately, it's important to decide on a subject matter first. And, if you don't have culture essay topics at hand, we are glad to help.

In this article, we offer you 50 topics for an essay in which you can explore customs, traditions, lifestyles, and art from different perspectives.

Choosing Your Topics

It is not that easy to select essay topics on this issue— there are too many of them! We can only pick the most relevant ones and give a hint on how to choose the best topic ideas.

• If your professor does not assign a topic, specify whether you can choose one on your own.
• Check your social media accounts for trends.
• Brainstorm with your college friends.
• Write down all possible topics that culture conveys well.
• Search for the sources in your college library or online (e.g., Google Scholar).
• Pick only credible references and fresh ideas to cover in your paper.
• Decide which of the topics can be supported by most of the sources.
• Think about the culture you're more-or-less familiar with.
• Stay original — don't be afraid to come up with new topics!
• Think of the reasons your theme to be rejected. If you doubt, it's better to consult your professor before writing.

Now, if you need some inspiration, you may use the ideas offered below.

The American Culture Essay Topics

Here, it's obvious that you should cover issues related to the history of the United States. Here are some of them:

• The customs of American tribes that still exist in today's lifestyles.
• The difference between the North and South American cultures.
• "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and its culture influence in the history of the US.
• Best pop culture products with their ideas on the Civil War.
• The impact of the most known works in American literature on the rest of the world.
• The role of the so-called Beat Generation in the development of American art heritage.
• The origins of rock'n'roll and dance music.
• Why do some works of art fall under certain genres?
• The evolution of cinematography in the United States.
• Massive amounts of immigration and its influence on native American society.

Note: While writing on American art and customs, make sure you have enough reliable evidence from history.

Canadian Culture Topics

As you may know, Canadian traditions and ways of living look significantly different from one people have in the United States. The essay example topics below can help you analyze different culture aspects of these countries and come up with a good paper:

• The way Canada is showed in South Park.
• Avril Lavigne and other famous Canadian rockers in the US.
• How did Canadian hockey change sports development?
• Why is Canada frequently associated with cold and ice?
• Living in a chilly region with warm hearts.
• Ukrainian and Russian diaspora in Canada.
• Ethnicity groups that shaped the Canadian way of living.
• Canada — before and after the exploration.
• Famous Canadian actors and actresses.
• Wild animals living in Canada that have an impact on their art and customs.

Note: If you're writing an essay about a foreign country, the simplest strategy would be to compare its lifestyle with the one you have in your homeland.

Pop Culture Topics

In the context of culture influence, the issue of pop art is exciting. If you think about soap operas and Britney," you're in the essence of that concept. Here are some interesting ideas for you:

• The impact of popular art on marketing.
• The connection between modern pop art stars and social networks.
• Several ways to become popular today.
• Sexism and feminism in the United States.
• The top preferred reality shows.
• Iron Man as the reflection of all heroes.
• Heroes 3: Of Might and Magic.
• Pop culture influence of Japanese anime on the life of students.
• What makes Pokemon so popular?
• Comparing different trends in culture.

Note: Remember that phenomena that have mass accessibility aren't always perfect. That is a good thought for an argument or persuasive essay.

World -Related Topics

These culture essay topics cover all regions, so you have a great variety of options to choose from. It is always a good decision to select the area (country, state) that interests you or that you've been to:

• Generational trends in everyday life.
• The way customs and art are different and similar in Japan and China.
• Russian and Slovenian heritage and customs.
• Customs and traditions of the Middle East.
• The Chinese culture: leisure activities as a form of art.
• The impact of Eurovision on world music trends.
• Famous rock and metal bands from the United Kingdom.
• A geisha in the Japanese culture.
• Carnivals and other holidays in Brazil.
• Things that make the Australian lifestyle so exciting.

Note: When comparing different lifestyles and customs, remember that there are historical reasons for everything. Even to discuss any heritage issue or custom of another country, you have to provide enough evidence.

Cultural Analysis Topics

If you need to write a paper on one of the analysis essay topics, we recommend using credible, up-to-date external sources and conduct in-depth research to analyze the specific issue from all possible aspects. Grab one of these ideas if you like:

• Promotion of social changes nowadays.
• "Strength lies in differences, not in similarities." Do you agree with this statement?
• Things that make a motion picture popular.
• Reasons why some music albums fail.
• Modern pieces of art and their difference from retro.
• A specific TV show that you like.
• Revealing human worst traits on the example of a chosen antagonist.
• Traveling and learning art and customs.
• How does learning a foreign language help to get closer to the culture of people who speak it?
• The origins of siesta and its role in the countries where they follow this tradition.

Note: Whatever topic you choose, analyze the concepts and phenomena objectively. Any analysis assignment requires a diligent approach and thoughtful background research.

Now, you have a full list of wonderful topics for culture essay. If you need more help or a custom essay written from scratch for you, contact professional writing service online!

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• Culture Term Paper
• Samples List

An term paper examples on culture is a prosaic composition of a small volume and free composition, expressing individual impressions and thoughts on a specific occasion or issue and obviously not claiming a definitive or exhaustive interpretation of the subject.

Some signs of culture term paper:

• the presence of a specific topic or question. A work devoted to the analysis of a wide range of problems in biology, by definition, cannot be performed in the genre of culture term paper topic.
• The term paper expresses individual impressions and thoughts on a specific occasion or issue, in this case, on culture and does not knowingly pretend to a definitive or exhaustive interpretation of the subject.
• As a rule, an essay suggests a new, subjectively colored word about something, such a work may have a philosophical, historical, biographical, journalistic, literary, critical, popular scientific or purely fiction character.
• in the content of an term paper samples on culture , first of all, the author’s personality is assessed - his worldview, thoughts and feelings.

The goal of an term paper in culture is to develop such skills as independent creative thinking and writing out your own thoughts.

Writing an term paper is extremely useful, because it allows the author to learn to clearly and correctly formulate thoughts, structure information, use basic concepts, highlight causal relationships, illustrate experience with relevant examples, and substantiate his conclusions.

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Examples List on Culture Term Paper

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Free Pop Culture Essay Examples & Topics

Popular culture essays are becoming an increasingly prevailing task for students from different majors. Yet, if you want to write an indeed great paper, you should first figure out how to define the phenomenon.

Popular culture is the set of trends that predominates at the current time. It is determined by several aspects, including clothing style, language use (slang, traditional greetings, etc.), food choices, and social media use.

The role of pop culture in the modern world cannot be underestimated. First and foremost, it helps teenagers find themselves in the social context. Secondly, popular culture sets the acceptable norms of behavior. This way, people clearly understand how to act in society to fit in. Finally, pop culture enhances the connection between the community members.

Our team has prepared tips for writing popular culture essays. They will help you to deal with any topic in this area. Besides, we have some excellent ideas for your paper or practice. Under the article, you will find pop culture essay examples written by fellow students.

Popular Culture Essay Tips

If you’re interested in how to write a pop culture essay, this section is for you. Here, we have collected some essential pieces of advice that will assist in composing your paper.

Try the following pop culture writing tips:

• Check some samples or opinions.

Are you familiar with that feeling when you have a blank Word document in front of you and zero ideas of what to write about? Other essays can help you! Read some samples on this subject and get inspired to compose your paper. Besides, checking examples can assist you in figuring out the structure and argumentation.

• Pick a topic or come up with your own.

Getting an idea for your essay is the first step of preparation. Try to stay creative and reasonable while choosing a topic. Make sure that it is neither too narrow nor too broad. Also, check if you have enough information to develop solid arguments and support your claims.

• Research the idea or celebrity of your choice.

This step provides a ground for the entire paper. Ensure that you get only credible information and use reliable sources. Think critically and evaluate every source you use.

• Formulate and embrace your position.

Clearly formulate your thesis statement . It will be your position and key message. Keep in mind that all people have different points of view. So, be ready to defend your position. Present strong arguments, valid supportive details, and appropriate examples.

• Think of a bigger picture.

Try to understand how your research topic can be integrated with the real world. What practical applications will your paper have? How to put your essay idea in a real-life context? The answers can give you the right direction for your essay writing process.

• Decide on how to start your paper.

The hook of your pop culture essay should be dynamic. Think about the most creative ways to grab the readers’ attention. Make them desire to read your paper till the very end. These are some ideas: a memorable quote, a personal story, an anecdote, shocking statistics, or anything that you find engaging and catchy.

• Outline and write your essay.

Make a clear outline that would include an introduction (with a thesis statement), body paragraphs, and conclusion. Present your ideas in a logical order and have valid evidence for each of your arguments. Then write a coherent and well-structured pop culture essay. And don’t forget to proofread the completed assignment before submitting it!

13 Pop Culture Essay Topics

Now, as we have discovered the theoretical part, let’s move to practice! In the list below, you will find 13 popular culture essay topics. Use one of them to write your original work. If these ideas are not enough for you, you can use our title generator .

Here are some topics for you to look through:

• Media and pop culture: how does the image of a perfect life in social media influence teenagers’ emotional state?
• Do pop culture’s positive effects on youth outweigh the negative ones?
• The impact of pop culture on society.
• How does pop culture influence the development of teenagers’ identities?
• In what ways can pop culture be in conflict with religion?
• The worldwide spreading of American pop culture as the key cause of globalization.
• Can Madonna be considered an idol?
• How does pop culture form the ethical norms of communication?
• In what ways does pop culture support feminism?
• The issue of gender equality from the perspective of pop culture.
• Cultural studies: the perception of art and music in various countries.
• How can cultural references evoke memories from the past?
• Does pop culture accept or reject homosexuality in society?

Thank you for your attention! You can now move to the pop culture writing examples below. And to read them faster, use the summarizing tool .

68 Best Essay Examples on Pop Culture

How do celebrities influence society celebrity culture positive effects.

• Words: 1734

Celebrity Culture and Its Influence on Society

Emojis role in the modern world.

• Words: 1669

Disney and Its Impact on Popular Culture and Society

Science and scientists in media representation.

• Words: 1714

Hello Kitty as a Kitsch and Anti-Feminist Phenomenon

• Words: 1109

Popular Culture and Art Definition, Brief History and New Opportunities

• Words: 1168

Spider-Man Character’s Popularity and Influences

Western pop culture and street fashion of japanese youth.

• Words: 3876

Superhero Captain America in Marvel Comics

Punk movement versus popular culture: background and development.

• Words: 2789

Autistic Spectrum Disorder: The Case of Sheldon Cooper

Successful afro-latinos from the dominican republic.

• Words: 1110

Viacom MTV and Its Influence on World Culture

Marvel vs. dc characters debate, popular culture in america today: evolution, features, and impact in other parts of the world, high culture and low culture: disneyland products.

• Words: 1052

Precis on the “Superhero Smackdown” by Douglas Wolk

Standards of beauty in baywatch.

• Words: 1939

Modern Korean Body Concept in “200 Pounds Beauty”

Billboard as an element of the popular culture.

• Words: 3498

The “Harry Potter” Movie vs. Book Comparison

The future of the korean wave study by jin & yoon, popular culture and williams’ life of the mind, a comparison of ariana grande and ed sheeran, export of popular culture products in asia, the popular media trap of meritocracy.

• Words: 2170

The Influence of Radio on American Culture and Popular Music

Issues mentioned by hans rosling in his videos, global, imperial, and divided city in mirzoeff’s “how to see the world”, “the neighbourhood” sitcom’s implicit message to society, anthropological study of the zombies.

• Words: 1264

BTS’ Map of The Soul: 7

Influence of harry potter and the hunger games, “the mother’s daughter” video clip analysis, cosplay: anime community craftmanship, consumerism and american popular culture, culture: a remix manifesto and adornian concepts, american pop culture impact on decision-making, “all the young dudes: media, subculture and lifestyle” by osgerby, trends in america through different lenses: social, political, and religious, hills’ analysis of fun culture.

• Words: 1921

American Studies: Fan Culture Around Pulp Fiction

• Words: 1477

Ecstasy and Rave Culture: Influence on Society

• Words: 2054

“Brazil” by Terry Gilliam and “Love Conquers All” Film

• Words: 2463

How Pop Art Reflects the Values and Culture of the U.S.

• Words: 1990

Popular Culture and Contemporary Life. The Matrix

• Words: 1017

“Barbie: Queen of Dolls and Consumerism” by Amy Lin

Popular culture resistance: causes and goals.

• Words: 1129

Soft Power of South Korean Culture

• Words: 2215

Asian Studies: K-Pop in Japan and in the World

• Words: 1025

Cultural Appropriation Concept in Asian Cultures

Harry potter stories and impact on pop culture, culture and representation in comic books.

• Words: 1371

Superhero Movies in Contemporary Western Culture

Effects of famous people on the culture, pop cultural influence on american youth, an evolutionary window on the worlds of pornography and romance, disney’s representation of couples and families.

• Words: 1377

Korean Popular Culture and Western Influences

Korean popular culture and national identity, media and popular culture in east and south east asia: kyoung-hwa.

• Words: 1396

Media and Popular Cultural in East and South East Asia

• Words: 1335

Popular or Mass Culture: Mimetic Analysis, Semiotics and Narrative

• Words: 1144

Roles and Functions of a Supervisor in Popular Culture

• Words: 2079

“The Culture of Celebrity” by Epstein Joseph

• Words: 1272

A Theoretical Analysis of the Act of Cell Phone Texting While Driving

Popular culture of tv watching in usa and china.

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Term paper of culture

Related Papers

Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography

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ABE Journal: Architecture Beyond Europe [Online], Special Issue: Paradoxical Southeast Asia: Building between the Local and the Global. Online since 17 November 2017. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/abe/3715 ; DOI : 10.4000/abe.3715

Imran bin Tajudeen

This study reviews the spatial and formal translations across indigenous vernacular and European colonial architecture in the formation and development of two nineteenth-century colonial-era house forms: first, the Compound House as it was called in building drawings, and the equivalent single story, raised-floor form, the Rumah Limas, in British Malaya (today’s Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore); and second, the Indies-style town residence (Indische woonhuis), which is related to, but distinguishable from, the larger, eighteenth-century country house (Indische landhuis) in Java. The discussion moves beyond the typical focus on climatic adaptation and style to consider a number of striking parallels in the interior layout and formal composition of these colonial-vernacular house forms with Malay, Sundanese (West Java) and Javanese customary house traditions, including Javanese urban dwellings. In addition, two key spatial-formal translations and their related architectural nomenclature are reviewed: the neo-Palladian portico as Malay anjung/surong, and the Javanese pringgitan or transition terrace as voorgalerij. Through these considerations, different narratives emerge that supplement or problematize the focus on Europeans in the colonies in existing studies.

Characteristics of a city's morphology and its evolution can only be studied within the context in which different phases of development or evolution took place. With this understanding in mind a comparative study has been done. It is observed that the Colonialists often created a dual urban regional system favoring the development of the major coastal cities tied to their home economy and the extraction of wealth from the inland regions. However, it is believed that under national rule, what ever, the colonizers have produced will be observed, deliberated and re-evaluated time and again, for positive assimilation of useful ideas. As these are the ideas of a civilization that has emerged and experienced through the ages but under different environment. This assimilation in spirit may eventually give direction towards a valid and authentic architecture and urban morphology suited to the land and the people. Keywords: Colonial rule, Urbanization, Urban Morphology, Physical Manifestation, Civilization

International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research

Antariksa Sudikno

— The occupation of Dutch in Indonesia for around 350 years has left a strong influence on architecture of buildings in Indonesia, especially in Malang. This architecture is well known as Dutch colonial-style. The colonial-style can be found easily in the government buildings or dwellings that built in that period of time. This study discussed about space configuration of dwelling with colonial-style in Kidul Dalem, Malang. Spatial configuration was use to identify relations of inter spaces that formed by the flow of circulation. This spatial configuration could show the spaces that had shape and high influence against the other spaces. The result of spatial configuration could be used as reference in designing of spaces and dwelling by considering the ease of inter-space reaching. Analysis of the spatial configuration conducted by using space syntax methods with a specific analysis on the Visibility Graph Analysis (VGA) aspect. The VGA analysis was conducted to identify configuration of the spatial formed that covered connectivity, integrity, and intelligibility. Results of the study showed the spaces in the studied building which had high connectivity were circulation area, living room, and yard. Some spaces with high connectivity value coincided with its integrity. Correlation of the both aspects showed that buildings with symmetrical shape had the best intelligibility. As one of colonial-style building characteristics, the symmetrical shape offered a good space configuration with easier inter-space access. Index Terms— architecture, colonial-style, dwelling, spatial configuration, space syntax.

International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science

Jl. Hasanudin is a street in the western part of Batu city that has a historical nuance as it has Dutch colonial buildings that exist until now. The buildings are built by the Dutch in the 19 th century until 20th century. Climate differences required the modification of the design, especially the building's facade so that it is comfortable to live in a tropical country, while still keeping the European architecture characteristics. Nowadays, colonial buildings are slowly losing their original character and historical value due to the need for renovation and adjustment to the current building type, that the majority of which are for business. This study used a Descriptive method with the theory of typology approach. The technique of sample selection was Purposive sampling. The result demonstrated that based on its function, there are 4 types of buildings in Jl. Hasanudin; houses, religious buildings, rental buildings and foundation offices. The diversity of building facade is based on the physical factors including climate and building materials, and non-physical factors including the age of the building (which affects the architecture), the ownership of the building and the function. Keywords— Typology, facade, colonial architecture.

pasca.unhas.ac.id

Bambang Heryanto

Mai Lin Tjoa-Bonatz

The shophouse in Penang, Malaysia, has been transformed from a courtyard house to a more western influenced terrace house shaped along the British influenced building laws during the late 19th and early 20th century.

y e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK

Ar. Azli bin Abdullah

It is acknowledged that "architecture is about people, culture, and land". However, the development of urban areas has raised many questions about the urban dream and the notion that it is "paved with gold." The methodology of the study employs mixed method approach. According to the research, urban development is accelerating exponentially, and urban sprawl has occurred unpredictably, encroaching on traditional settlements. The new development on the outskirts of the old settlement is geared toward middle-income groups and is unattainable for the locals. Although the housing programme has been in place since 1968, it does not demonstrate the government's total commitment and participation in assisting the Kelantanese urban population.

Melanie D'Souza

Colonialism has played a huge instrumental role in the formation of civilizations in modern times. Although born of mercenary motives and exploitative measures, the phenomenon of colonization greatly impacted the built environment of the colonized area- not just in terms of the culture, languages, genetic make-up and government of the people, but also the town layout and the architecture that they experienced daily. As a result of this, there is an architectural similarity between the habitat of the colonizers and that of the colonized people. Thus if we explore the city layout, workers’ housing, railroad charts during the period of industrialization and Victorian Era in London, we shall find it very similar to that of colonial Bombay. After all, Bombay, as a British colony, is the younger architectural sibling of Victorian London.

Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal

DR. NADIYANTI MAT NAYAN

In 1880, when the British moved their Federated Malay States administrative centre to Kuala Lumpur, the Padang quickly became a symbol of British economic and administrative colonisation, and a nucleus of the socio-cultural development of Kuala Lumpur. This paper discusses the layers of history, symbolism and cultural values that the Padang contributes to the socio-cultural tapestry of both Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia, and the lack of relevant planning and heritage measures to conserve these attributes and characteristics. The conclusions offer avenues to engage with pre- and post-colonisation that enable re-making and the conservation of the iconic space of Kuala Lumpur.Keywords: Urban open space; Merdeka Square; Kuala Lumpur City Hall; National Heritage Act 2005eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/...

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Schneier on Security

The hacking of culture and the creation of socio-technical debt.

Culture is increasingly mediated through algorithms. These algorithms have splintered the organization of culture, a result of states and tech companies vying for influence over mass audiences. One byproduct of this splintering is a shift from imperfect but broad cultural narratives to a proliferation of niche groups, who are defined by ideology or aesthetics instead of nationality or geography. This change reflects a material shift in the relationship between collective identity and power, and illustrates how states no longer have exclusive domain over either. Today, both power and culture are increasingly corporate.

Blending Stewart Brand and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, McKenzie Wark writes in A Hacker Manifesto that “information wants to be free but is everywhere in chains.” 1 Sounding simultaneously harmless and revolutionary, Wark’s assertion as part of her analysis of the role of what she terms “the hacker class” in creating new world orders points to one of the main ideas that became foundational to the reorganization of power in the era of the internet: that “information wants to be free.” This credo, itself a co-option of Brand’s influential original assertion in a conversation with Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak at the 1984 Hackers Conference and later in his 1987 book The Media Lab: Inventing the Future at MIT , became a central ethos for early internet inventors, activists, 2 and entrepreneurs. Ultimately, this notion was foundational in the construction of the era we find ourselves in today: an era in which internet companies dominate public and private life. These companies used the supposed desire of information to be free as a pretext for building platforms that allowed people to connect and share content. Over time, this development helped facilitate the definitive power transfer of our time, from states to corporations.

This power transfer was enabled in part by personal data and its potential power to influence people’s behavior—a critical goal in both politics and business. The pioneers of the digital advertising industry claimed that the more data they had about people, the more they could influence their behavior. In this way, they used data as a proxy for influence, and built the business case for mass digital surveillance. The big idea was that data can accurately model, predict, and influence the behavior of everyone—from consumers to voters to criminals. In reality, the relationship between data and influence is fuzzier, since influence is hard to measure or quantify. But the idea of data as a proxy for influence is appealing precisely because data is quantifiable, whereas influence is vague. The business model of Google Ads, Facebook, Experian, and similar companies works because data is cheap to gather, and the effectiveness of the resulting influence is difficult to measure. The credo was “Build the platform, harvest the data…then profit.” By 2006, a major policy paper could ask, “Is Data the New Oil?” 3

The digital platforms that have succeeded most in attracting and sustaining mass attention—Facebook, TikTok, Instagram—have become cultural. The design of these platforms dictates the circulation of customs, symbols, stories, values, and norms that bind people together in protocols of shared identity. Culture, as articulated through human systems such as art and media, is a kind of social infrastructure. Put differently, culture is the operating system of society.

Like any well-designed operating system, culture is invisible to most people most of the time. Hidden in plain sight, we make use of it constantly without realizing it. As an operating system, culture forms the base infrastructure layer of societal interaction, facilitating communication, cooperation, and interrelations. Always evolving, culture is elastic: we build on it, remix it, and even break it.

Culture can also be hacked—subverted for specific advantage. 4 If culture is like an operating system, then to hack it is to exploit the design of that system to gain unauthorized control and manipulate it towards a specific end. This can be for good or for bad. The morality of the hack depends on the intent and actions of the hacker.

When businesses hack culture to gather data, they are not necessarily destroying or burning down social fabrics and cultural infrastructure. Rather, they reroute the way information and value circulate, for the benefit of their shareholders. This isn’t new. There have been culture hacks before. For example, by lending it covert support, the CIA hacked the abstract expressionism movement to promote the idea that capitalism was friendly to high culture. 5 Advertising appropriated the folk-cultural images of Santa Claus and the American cowboy to sell Coca-Cola and Marlboro cigarettes, respectively. In Mexico, after the revolution of 1910, the ruling party hacked muralist works, aiming to construct a unifying national narrative.

Culture hacks under digital capitalism are different. Whereas traditional propaganda goes in one direction—from government to population, or from corporation to customers—the internet-surveillance business works in two directions: extracting data while pushing engaging content. The extracted data is used to determine what content a user would find most engaging, and that engagement is used to extract more data, and so on. The goal is to keep as many users as possible on platforms for as long as possible, in order to sell access to those users to advertisers. Another difference between traditional propaganda and digital platforms is that the former aims to craft messages with broad appeal, while the latter hyper-personalizes content for individual users.

The rise of Chinese-owned TikTok has triggered heated debate in the US about the potential for a foreign-owned platform to influence users by manipulating what they see. Never mind that US corporations have used similar tactics for years. While the political commitments of platform owners are indeed consequential—Chinese-owned companies are in service to the Chinese Communist Party, while US-owned companies are in service to business goals—the far more pressing issue is that both have virtually unchecked surveillance power. They are both reshaping societies by hacking culture to extract data and serve content. Funny memes, shocking news, and aspirational images all function similarly: they provide companies with unprecedented access to societies’ collective dreams and fears. 6 By determining who sees what when and where, platform owners influence how societies articulate their understanding of themselves.

Tech companies want us to believe that algorithmically determined content is effectively neutral: that it merely reflects the user’s behavior and tastes back at them. In 2021, Instagram head Adam Mosseri wrote a post on the company’s blog entitled “Shedding More Light on How Instagram Works.” A similar window into TikTok’s functioning was provided by journalist Ben Smith in his article “How TikTok Reads Your Mind.” 7 Both pieces boil down to roughly the same idea: “We use complicated math to give you more of what your behavior shows us you really like.”

This has two consequences. First, companies that control what users see in a nontransparent way influence how we perceive the world. They can even shape our personal relationships. Second, by optimizing algorithms for individual attention, a sense of culture as common ground is lost. Rather than binding people through shared narratives, digital platforms fracture common cultural norms into self-reinforcing filter bubbles. 8

This fragmentation of shared cultural identity reflects how the data surveillance business is rewriting both the established order of global power, and social contracts between national governments and their citizens. Before the internet, in the era of the modern state, imperfect but broad narratives shaped distinct cultural identities; “Mexican culture” was different from “French culture,” and so on. These narratives were designed to carve away an “us” from “them,” in a way that served government aims. Culture has long been understood to operate within the envelope of nationality, as exemplified by the organization of museum collections according to the nationality of artists, or by the Venice Biennale—the Olympics of the art world, with its national pavilions format.

National culture, however, is about more than museum collections or promoting tourism. It broadly legitimizes state power by emotionally binding citizens to a self-understood identity. This identity helps ensure a continuing supply of military recruits to fight for the preservation of the state. Sociologist James Davison Hunter, who popularized the phrase “culture war,” stresses that culture is used to justify violence to defend these identities. 9 We saw an example of this on January 6, 2021, with the storming of the US Capitol. Many of those involved were motivated by a desire to defend a certain idea of cultural identity they believed was under threat.

Military priorities were also entangled with the origins of the tech industry. The US Department of Defense funded ARPANET, the first version of the internet. But the internet wouldn’t have become what it is today without the influence of both West Coast counterculture and small-l libertarianism, which saw the early internet as primarily a space to connect and play. One of the first digital game designers was Bernie De Koven, founder of the Games Preserve Foundation. A noted game theorist, he was inspired by Stewart Brand’s interest in “play-ins” to start a center dedicated to play. Brand had envisioned play-ins as an alternative form of protest against the Vietnam War; they would be their own “soft war” of subversion against the military. 10 But the rise of digital surveillance as the business model of nascent tech corporations would hack this anti-establishment spirit, turning instruments of social cohesion and connection into instruments of control.

It’s this counterculture side of tech’s lineage, which advocated for the social value of play, that attuned the tech industry to the utility of culture. We see the commingling of play and military control in Brand’s Whole Earth Catalog, which was a huge influence on early tech culture. Described as “a kind of Bible for counterculture technology,” the Whole Earth Catalog was popular with the first generation of internet engineers, and established crucial “assumptions about the ideal relationships between information, technology, and community.” 11 Brand’s 1972 Rolling Stone article “Spacewar: Fantastic Life and Symbolic Death Among the Computer” further emphasized how rudimentary video games were central to the engineering community. These games were wildly popular at leading engineering research centers: Stanford, MIT, ARPA, Xerox, and others. This passion for gaming as an expression of technical skills and a way for hacker communities to bond led to the development of MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) programs, which enabled multiple people to communicate and collaborate online simultaneously.

The first MUD was developed in 1978 by engineers who wanted to play fantasy games online. It applied the early-internet ethos of decentralism and personalization to video games, making it a precursor to massive multiplayer online role-playing games and modern chat rooms and Facebook groups. Today, these video games and game-like simulations—now a commercial industry worth around $200 billion 12 —serve as important recruitment and training tools for the military. 13 The history of the tech industry and culture is full of this tension between the internet as an engineering plaything and as a surveillance commodity.

Historically, infrastructure businesses—like railroad companies in the nineteenth-century US—have always wielded considerable power. Internet companies that are also infrastructure businesses combine commercial interests with influence over national and individual security. As we transitioned from railroad tycoons connecting physical space to cloud computing companies connecting digital space, the pace of technological development put governments at a disadvantage. The result is that corporations now lead the development of new tech (a reversal from the ARPANET days), and governments follow, struggling to modernize public services in line with the new tech. Companies like Microsoft are functionally providing national cybersecurity. Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, is a consumer product that facilitates military communications for the war in Ukraine. Traditionally, this kind of service had been restricted to selected users and was the purview of states. 14 Increasingly, it is clear that a handful of transnational companies are using their technological advantages to consolidate economic and political power to a degree previously afforded to only great-power nations.

Worse, since these companies operate across multiple countries and regions, there is no regulatory body with the jurisdiction to effectively constrain them. This transition of authority from states to corporations and the nature of surveillance as the business model of the internet rewrites social contracts between national governments and their citizens. But it also also blurs the lines among citizen, consumer, and worker. An example of this are Google’s Recaptchas, visual image puzzles used in cybersecurity to “prove” that the user is a human and not a bot. While these puzzles are used by companies and governments to add a layer of security to their sites, their value is in how they record a user’s input in solving the puzzles to train Google’s computer vision AI systems. Similarly, Microsoft provides significant cybersecurity services to governments while it also trains its AI models on citizens’ conversations with Bing. 15 Under this dyanmic, when citizens use digital tools and services provided by tech companies, often to access government webpages and resources, they become de facto free labor for the tech companies providing them. The value generated by this citizen-user-laborer stays with the company, as it is used to develop and refine their products. In this new blurred reality, the relationships among corporations, governments, power, and identity are shifting. Our social and cultural infrastructure suffers as a result, creating a new kind of technical debt of social and cultural infrustructure.

In the field of software development, technical debt refers to the future cost of ignoring a near-term engineering problem. 16 Technical debt grows as engineers implement short-term patches or workarounds, choosing to push the more expensive and involved re-engineering fixes for later. This debt accrues over time, to be paid back in the long term. The result of a decision to solve an immediate problem at the expense of the long-term one effectively mortgages the future in favor of an easier present. In terms of cultural and social infrastructure, we use the same phrase to refer to the long-term costs that result from avoiding or not fully addressing social needs in the present. More than a mere mistake, socio-technical debt stems from willfully not addressing a social problem today and leaving a much larger problem to be addressed in the future.

For example, this kind of technical debt was created by the cratering of the news industry, which relied on social media to drive traffic—and revenue—to news websites. When social media companies adjusted their algorithms to deprioritize news, traffic to news sites plummeted, causing an existential crisis for many publications. 17 Now, traditional news stories make up only 3 percent of social media content. At the same time, 66 percent of people ages eighteen to twenty-four say they get their “news” from TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter. 18 To be clear, Facebook did not accrue technical debt when it swallowed the news industry. We as a society are dealing with technical debt in the sense that we are being forced to pay the social cost of allowing them to do that.

One result of this shift in information consumption as a result of changes to the cultural infrastructure of social media is the rise in polarization and radicalism. So by neglecting to adequately regulate tech companies and support news outlets in the near term, our governments have paved the way for social instability in the long term. We as a society also have to find and fund new systems to act as a watchdog over both corporate and governmental power.

Another example of socio-technical debt is the slow erosion of main streets and malls by e-commerce. 19 These places used to be important sites for physical gathering, which helped the shops and restaurants concentrated there stay in business. But e-commerce and direct-to-consumer trends have undermined the economic viability of main streets and malls, and have made it much harder for small businesses to survive. The long-term consequence of this to society is the hollowing out of town centers and the loss of spaces for physical gathering—which we will all have to pay for eventually.

The faltering finances of museums will also create long-term consequences for society as a whole, especially in the US, where Museums mostly depend on private donors to cover operational costs. But a younger generation of philanthropists is shifting its giving priorities away from the arts, leading to a funding crisis at some institutions. 20

One final example: libraries. NYU Sociologist Eric Klinenberg called libraries “the textbook example of social infrastructure in action.” 21 But today they are stretched to the breaking point, like museums, main streets, and news media. In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has proposed a series of severe budget cuts to the city’s library system over the past year, despite having seen a spike in usage recently. The steepest cuts were eventually retracted, but most libraries in the city have still had to cancel social programs and cut the number of days they’re open. 22 As more and more spaces for meeting in real life close, we increasingly turn to digital platforms for connection to replace them. But these virtual spaces are optimized for shareholder returns, not public good.

Just seven companies—Alphabet (the parent company of Google), Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla—drove 60 percent of the gains of the S&P stock market index in 2023. 23 Four—Alibaba, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft—deliver the majority of cloud services. 24 These companies have captured the delivery of digital and physical goods and services. Everything involved with social media, cloud computing, groceries, and medicine is trapped in their flywheels, because the constellation of systems that previously put the brakes on corporate power, such as monopoly laws, labor unions, and news media, has been eroded. Product dependence and regulatory capture have further undermined the capacity of states to respond to the rise in corporate hard and soft power. Lock-in and other anticompetitive corporate behavior have prevented market mechanisms from working properly. As democracy falls into deeper crisis with each passing year, policy and culture are increasingly bent towards serving corporate interest. The illusion that business, government, and culture are siloed sustains this status quo.

Our digitized global economy has made us all participants in the international data trade, however reluctantly. Though we are aware of the privacy invasions and social costs of digital platforms, we nevertheless participate in these systems because we feel as though we have no alternative—which itself is partly the result of tech monopolies and the lack of competition.

Now, the ascendence of AI is thrusting big data into a new phase and new conflicts with social contracts. The development of bigger, more powerful AI models means more demand for data. Again, massive wholesale extractions of culture are at the heart of these efforts. 25 As AI researchers and artists Kate Crawford and Vladan Joler explain in the catalog to their exhibition Calculating Empires, AI developers require “the entire history of human knowledge and culture … The current lawsuits over generative systems like GPT and Stable Diffusion highlight how completely dependent AI systems are on extracting, enclosing, and commodifying the entire history of cognitive and creative labor.” 26

Permitting internet companies to hack the systems in which culture is produced and circulates is a short-term trade-off that has proven to have devastating long-term consequences. When governments give tech companies unregulated access to our social and cultural infrastructure, the social contract becomes biased towards their profit. When we get immediate catharsis through sharing memes or engaging in internet flamewars, real protest is muzzled. We are increasing our collective socio-technical debt by ceding our social and cultural infrastructure to tech monopolies.

Cultural expression is fundamental to what makes us human. It’s an impulse, innate to us as a species, and this impulse will continue to be a gold mine to tech companies. There is evidence that AI models trained on synthetic data—data produced by other AI models rather than humans—can corrupt these models, causing them to return false or nonsensical answers to queries. 27 So as AI-produced data floods the internet, data that is guaranteed to have been derived from humans becomes more valuable. In this context, our human nature, compelling us to make and express culture, is the dream of digital capitalism. We become a perpetual motion machine churning out free data. Beholden to shareholders, these corporations see it as their fiduciary duty—a moral imperative even—to extract value from this cultural life.

We are in a strange transition. The previous global order, in which states wielded ultimate authority, hasn’t quite died. At the same time, large corporations have stepped in to deliver some of the services abandoned by states, but at the price of privacy and civic well-being. Increasingly, corporations provide consistent, if not pleasant, economic and social organization. Something similar occurred during the Gilded Age in the US (1870s–1890s). But back then, the influence of robber barons was largely constrained to the geographies in which they operated, and their services (like the railroad) were not previously provided by states. In our current transitionary period, public life worldwide is being reimagined in accordance with corporate values. Amidst a tug-of-war between the old state-centric world and the emerging capital-centric world, there is a growing radicalism fueled partly by frustration over social and personal needs going unmet under a transnational order that is maximized for profit rather than public good.

Culture is increasingly divorced from national identity in our globalized, fragmented world. On the positive side, this decoupling can make culture more inclusive of marginalized people. Other groups, however, may perceive this new status quo as a threat, especially those facing a loss of privilege. The rise of white Christian nationalism shows that the right still regards national identity and culture as crucial—as potent tools in the struggle to build political power, often through anti-democratic means. This phenomenon shows that the separation of cultural identity from national identity doesn’t negate the latter. Instead, it creates new political realities and new orders of power.

Nations issuing passports still behave as though they are the definitive arbiters of identity. But culture today—particularly the multiverse of internet cultures—exposes how this is increasingly untrue. With government discredited as an ultimate authority, and identity less and less connected to nationality, we can find a measure of hope for navigating the current transition in the fact that culture is never static. New forms of resistance are always emerging. But we must ask ourselves: Have the tech industry’s overwhelming surveillance powers rendered subversion impossible? Or does its scramble to gather all the world’s data offer new possibilities to hack the system?

1. McKenzie Wark, A Hacker Manifesto (Harvard University Press, 2004), thesis 126. ↑

2. Jon Katz, “Birth of a Digital Nation,” Wired , April 1, 1997. ↑

3. Marcin Szczepanski, “Is Data the New Oil? Competition Issues in the Digital Economy,” European Parliamentary Research Service, January 2020. ↑

4. Bruce Schneier, A Hacker’s Mind: How the Powerful Bend Society’s Rules, and How to Bend Them Back (W. W. Norton & Sons, 2023). ↑

5. Lucie Levine, “Was Modern Art Really a CIA Psy-Op?” JStor Daily , April 1, 2020. ↑

6. Bruce Schneier, Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World (W. W. Norton & Sons, 2015). ↑

7. Adam Mosseri, “Shedding More Light on How Instagram Works,” Instagram Blog , June 8, 2021; Ben Smith, “How TikTok Reads Your Mind,” New York Times, December 5, 2021. ↑

8. Giacomo Figà Talamanca and Selene Arfini, “Through the Newsfeed Glass: Rethinking Filter Bubbles and Echo Chambers,” Philosophy & Technology 35, no. 1 (2022). ↑

9. Zack Stanton, “How the ‘Culture War’ Could Break Democracy,” Politico, May 5, 2021. ↑

10. Jason Johnson, “Inside the Failed, Utopian New Games Movement,” Kill Screen , October 25, 2013. ↑

11. Fred Turner, “Taking the Whole Earth Digital,” chap. 4 in From Counter Culture to Cyberculture: Stewart Brand, The Whole Earth Network, and the Rise of Digital Utopianism (University of Chicago Press, 2006). ↑

12. Kaare Ericksen, “The State of the Video Games Industry: A Special Report,” Variety , February 1, 2024. ↑

13. Rosa Schwartzburg, “The US Military Is Embedded in the Gaming World. It’s Target: Teen Recruits,” The Guardian , February 14, 2024; Scott Kuhn, “Soldiers Maintain Readiness Playing Video Games,” US Army, April 29, 2020; Katie Lange, “Military Esports: How Gaming Is Changing Recruitment & Moral,” US Department of Defense, December 13, 2022. ↑

14. Shaun Waterman, “Growing Commercial SATCOM Raises Trust Issues for Pentagon,” Air & Space Forces Magazine , April 3, 2024. ↑

15. Geoffrey A Fowler, “Your Instagrams Are Training AI. There’s Little You Can Do About It,” Washington Post , September 27, 2023. ↑

16. Zengyang Li, Paris Avgeriou, and Peng Liang, “A Systematic Mapping Study on Technical Debt and Its Management,” Journal of Systems and Software , December 2014. ↑

17. David Streitfeld, “How the Media Industry Keeps Losing the Future,” New York Times, February 28, 2024. ↑

18. “The End of the Social Network,” The Economist, February 1, 2024; Ollie Davies, “What Happens If Teens Get Their News From TikTok?” The Guardian, February 22, 2023. ↑

19. Eric Jaffe, “Quantifying the Death of the Classic American Main Street,” Medium , March 16, 2018. ↑

20. Julia Halprin, “The Hangover from the Museum Party: Institutions in the US Are Facing a Funding Crisis,” Art Newspaper, January 19, 2024. ↑

21. Quoted in Pete Buttigieg, “The Key to Happiness Might Be as Simple as a Library or Park,” New York Times , September 14, 2018. ↑

22. Jeffery C. Mays and Dana Rubinstein, “Mayor Adams Walks Back Budget Cuts Many Saw as Unnecessary,” New York Times , April 24, 2024. ↑

23. Karl Russell and Joe Rennison, “These Seven Tech Stocks Are Driving the Market,” New York Times, January 22, 2024. ↑

24. Ian Bremmer, “How Big Tech Will Reshape the Global Order,” Foreign Affairs, October 19, 2021. ↑

25. Nathan Sanders and Bruce Schneier, “How the ‘Frontier’ Became the Slogan for Uncontrolled AI,” Jacobin, February 27, 2024. ↑

26. Kate Crawford and Vladan Joler, Calculating Empires: A Genealogy of Technology and Power, 1500–2025 (Fondazione Prada, 2023), 9. Exhibition catalog. ↑

27. Rahul Rao, “AI Generated Data Can Poison Future AI Models,” Scientific American , July 28, 2023. ↑

This essay was written with Kim Córdova, and was originally published in e-flux .

Tags: data collection , hacking , noncomputer hacks

Posted on June 19, 2024 at 7:09 AM • 16 Comments

K.S. • June 19, 2024 7:44 AM

Young people are hard-wired to rebel against existing culture. This sometimes creates paradoxical rebellions against rebellious mainstream culture that manifests as conservatism. We are in one such shift, where young people are rebelling against GenX culture by embracing conservatism and traditional values.

Because of this phenomenon any corporate hold on culture could only be temporary in Western society. That is, as long as rights-based society where individuals are free to chose culture remains in place. For example, Iranian women are not free to adopt punk culture, but that is because Iranian society suppresses individual rights.

Mariano • June 19, 2024 9:17 AM

Some years ago, I had noted and wrote some posts about a “decay of culture” drove by media, advertising and corporations ( and a sleeping policy of government ), but, I thought it was a problem regarding my Country only, but now reading your sharp and deep analysis about this thing I reconsidering my position about it.

You gave me a great kick toward a bigger level of understanding this thing. I totally agree with you in many parts of this post. I didn’t know I was in track with your thinking, before of this post, and this make me happy ( so: “I’m not alone” ).

Thank you for the sharing ( also if my bottom is not so happy for the kick 😉 )

Anonymous • June 19, 2024 10:01 AM

I have to pay to enjoy my culture.

Sven • June 19, 2024 12:02 PM

Fully agree especially, on the issues we get from large companies and not acting on it. One of the main issues is that these break capitalism. With companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Google, Facebook and Nvidia there is no fair competition, anymore. They take and do what they want and are more powerful than many nation states.

The point regarding shopping malls is a bit one- and short-sighted. Online shopping is not just negative (accessible, can be efficient = climate friendly) and another big issue for our local shops and us as humans is how we design cities for cars and it is older than the internet. Cars make cities congested and unaccessible. This leads to direct dying of shops and other places to go to. Additionally, they take a lot of the space in a city and make us even more depending on cars by spreading things out. A shopping mall is already a socio-economic issue: it requires a car and time to go there. Furthermore, mostly big stores and brands are within a mall. Every kilometer driven using a car is associated with significant external costs for infrastructure, health issues and more.

camelCaseEnjoyer • June 19, 2024 12:03 PM

To answer the questions posed at the end of the article, subversion is not only possible, it’s easier than ever for these “too big to jail” tech companies to subvert both culture and governance.

Poisoning the well seems like the only form of recourse left for the general populous if there’s any hope of clawing back control. Who remembers @tay.ai?

ratwithahat • June 19, 2024 12:08 PM

Currently, the internet is inherently corporate, and most anything you do will be influenced and extracted by manipulative companies. Unless some global organization creates a universal platform uncontrolled by any corporate (or governmental, if you’re worried about that) influences, there is no way to erase corporate control over culture.

Due to the role of the internet in connecting people (especially young people) to different social groups and internet subcultures, young people are, in my opinion, more susceptible to corporate manipulation.

When there are cultural changes, the pioneering groups are usually niche movements that have to somehow reach mainstream. Currently, the easiest way for this to happen is by spreading online through social media, strengthening the corporate influence on the particular subculture. However, corporations can control the spread of all subcultures on a platform, by suppressing or promoting certain posts in their algorithms. You said that “individuals are free to chose culture,” but are we really free if an algorithm manipulates us into choosing a specific culture?

Long comment short, we can’t rely on culture turn-over to fix all our problems because currently the corporate-controlled internet is so integral to the spread of culture (unless the next culture is luddism)

M.Black • June 19, 2024 12:52 PM

our human nature, compelling us to make and express culture, is the dream of digital capitalism

But what is “digital capitalism”? One might argue that all capitalism is digital, given that the term “capitalism” appeared in the mid-1600s, about 200 years after Arabic digits became popular in Europe—although the influential “Liber Abaci” had described digital double-entry accounting in 1202.

Does the term refer to digital data as capital, that is, as privately-owned means of production for profit? Some capitalists, like data brokers and large copyright holders, do treat it like that, and the idea of “data as oil” supports it; but it seems to contradict the above text about “express[ing] culture”. Unless maybe it’s saying that capitalists dream of exploiting the human desire toward expression?

Perhaps it’s explained in one of the 27 references; but, considering none of those are links (and probably many would be restricted by paywalls or copyright anyway), I’m not going to look. Please, define the terms you’re relying on!

What Price common sense? • June 19, 2024 4:38 PM

‘“Build the platform, harvest the data…then profit.” By 2006, a major policy paper could ask, “Is Data the New Oil?”’

Ahh the old three step business plan where Build and Harvest were clear click bait for the several cons to follow that were supposedly how you profit, but actually loose.

The Digital economy is actually not about “building” anything useful and “harvesting” mostly junk you would have thought “common sense” would prevail.

But people took their eyes off of the gauges of industry and thus the fundamental economy.

In the 1980’s in the UK the madness that was Thatcherism came to a mental aberration and spawned a very false notion

“The UK did not need industry, as it had a service sector”.

The problem whilst industry promots actual growth of utility thus wealth all the service sector did and still does is create price inflation.

Yes such inflation might look like “economic churn” even “economic growth” but the result is that inflation is unsupportable in real terms.

This nonsense about “The new oil” is just the play for a “long con” so for the past 1/3rd of a century all the industry that produces actual wealth got sent abroad to strengthen their economies whilst in the WASP nations the financial services and similar sectors ensured that atleast 99% of the population became not just poorer, but their lives in some nations became in effect twenty years shorter.

That’s the price of the “Digital Economy” and all the cons of the “Information economy”. Not just crypto-coins, Web3.0 NFTs and Smart Contracts, and now the AI Hype bubble designed to separate those with more money than sense from not just their money but their potential life span.

Have a look at Molly White’s comments on Web3

https://blog.mollywhite.net/is-web3-bullshit/

If you think mine are not right on the money.

Web3 is something that should be in there along with “Information wants to be free” and similar that sounds catchy but apart from being a poster child for pump-n-dump and similar scam and investor bubbles is not just useless but environmentaly harmfull.

https://spectrum.ieee.org/web3

https://blog.mollywhite.net/

https://www.web3isgoinggreat.com

Something “voters” really should think about.

ResearcherZero • June 20, 2024 4:57 AM

The modern web is not the real world. It is a hyper saturated space. It distorts the picture of reality in short, attention grabbing bursts. A world without nuance is one without real or effective discussion.

Digital capitalism is capitalism, only the effects are more visible.

Rather than bring together a wide range of views and beliefs for both local and the wider community benefit, the web’s over commercialised space is exploiting conflict for profit.

The public must recapture the internet to serve the public’s civic needs and interests. Commercial companies and governments are not going to do this for us…

‘https://berjon.com/public-interest-internet/

Along with economic growth, capitalism has produced low wages and exploited workers.

https://ipen.org/news/samsung-workers-line%c2%a0unique-report-reveals-lives-vietnamese-women-workers-making-samsung-smart

Economic migration is an inevitable by-product of inequality.

‘https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1024529418809067

We need migration to fill critical labour shortages. 70% of Indian immigrants to the U.S. have professional degrees, in comparison to 20% of the American population

https://omnia.sas.upenn.edu/story/past-present-and-future-human-migration

Ismar • June 20, 2024 7:49 PM

Very pertinent article, albeit, written in a style a bit different to that of other Bruce’s articles. It got me thinking that our one hope of tackling fake content generation would be going outside digital realm to more analog recording devices like film cameras and such and then broadcasting the content via analog means? Not sure how plausible this still might be …

ResearcherZero • June 21, 2024 1:12 AM

Here is the answer and it sounds simple enough. Build your AI data centers in small town Australia.

The nation’s biggest electric utilities have rejected the proposal so far. But Bill Gates is building a project in Wyoming, slated for completion in 2030.

Now people complain that data centers us a lot of water, but this SMR uses sodium. That does not address the water use, but it would create jobs in small towns. SMRs have not actually been completed yet, and at this point it remains an idea. It may further concentrate the market and reduce competition, but don’t over think it.

Globally, AI demand may use up to 6.6 billion cubic meters of water in 2027, or “more than the total annual water withdrawal of Denmark or half of the United Kingdom.” In the event of a nuclear accident a UHS may need to supply 10,000 to 30,000 gallons of water per minute, but climate considerations do not stop at the installation level. We can find solutions to these problems, or perhaps sort them out later on.

Such projects would bring badly needed investment to areas with little representation. Importantly, these sites would be situated very far from the city, where land is cheap.

‘https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2024/06/10/desperate-for-power-ai-companies-look-to-the-nuclear-option/

If it takes longer and costs more than anticipated, charge it to the taxpayers. https://theconversation.com/peter-dutton-has-promised-to-solve-our-energy-problems-but-his-nuclear-policy-still-leaves-australians-in-the-dark-232816

ResearcherZero • June 21, 2024 1:23 AM

I propose that we begin with building universities and colleges in areas slated for reactors now. I haven’t figured out what to do with the populations of these small towns, but we could build colleges and educate them with the necessary literacy and skills needed.

It will take 20 years to build these reactors and we could train a workforce in this time. Otherwise the populations of such communities would be unable to afford to live locally.

ResearcherZero • June 21, 2024 3:07 AM

Social life does not go on unchanged when the means of producing wealth, and the means of exchange, are changing. They have changed repeatedly in the last few centuries.

“Labor market risk threatens the social status of workers, to which they respond via activating traditionalist predispositions to uphold their status.” (1)

People are assumed to be guided by instrumental rationality. They aim to vote the party into power that offers the optimal policy bundle, which assumes that voters are (at least minimally) informed about the policy platforms of parties and past government performance.

Yet political elites influence how people perceive the world and what policies they favour.

Given the now 24-hour media cycle, the demand in our society is for instant solutions, and in the “labyrinthine complexity” of modern society, politicians often favour simple, easy to explain “announceables” over long-term, evidence-based, nuanced solutions. (2)

Even before the pandemic, unanticipated leadership failure was a widespread issue among organizations, with an estimated 50% of leaders failing . (3)

In a vicious cycle, the combination of undermined legitimacy of technical advice and the perception of value-driven advice has fed into the development of a much more politically driven pattern and content of expert policy advice. Some advice may be uncontroversial while other advice may deal with far more complex issues and analysis.

“Whenever scientists provide advice to political leaders they risk their expert authority being used in ways they cannot control in order to serve political ends. At one extreme, when they give unwelcome advice they risk being dismissed on the grounds that they must be taking sides. At the other extreme, expert authority can be used to shield political leaders from responsibility.” (4)

(1) ‘https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41358-024-00366-w

(2) ‘https://theconversation.com/challenge-5-the-trouble-with-policy-makers-thinking-ahead-7614

(3) ‘https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2010-06019-015

(4) ‘https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4039

Poor leadership is certainly producing poor results. Perhaps if leaders focused less on themselves they would make less reckless decisions. This would also require those around them to be more honest, and perhaps be a lot more careful when choosing leaders.

“Pandering is a strategy designed to meet rebel leaders’ proximate goals of increased mobilization and may or may not help achieve ultimate, long-term goals.” (1)

The impact of supervisory responsibility:

‘https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1748-8583.12550

Reckless decision-making: The vicious circle

Leaving or ignoring problems for a later date. https://academic.oup.com/policyandsociety/article/42/3/275/7257190

(1) ‘https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09636412.2022.2086818

ResearcherZero • June 23, 2024 2:51 AM

One way to save on government expense would be to scrap all those inquiries, strategic studies and inter-generational reports. Most of the public take little interest in, or understand sound policy. Governments implement few of the findings, politicians rarely bother to read them, with proceeding governments often abandoning or altering commitments for poorly planned and short-sighted announcements to cynically exploit the public.

Many policies have laid dormant for decades as they were never economically viable. For example – plans to build nuclear reactors in regions without adequate water availability. Fortunately some have the capital to protect their interests by driving the news cycle through close relationships with the decisions makers who look after those interests.

Most outcomes come election time are based around a small number of factors. These factors are often dictated by world economic conditions, rarely on careful policy considerations. Best of all, taxpayers will happily wear the burden if you promise them jobs and growth.

ResearcherZero • June 25, 2024 1:33 AM

A closer look at the projected 6GW of proposed nuclear power.

Australia will require 120GW of extra capacity by 2037. By that point in time, any of the nuclear reactors may risk becoming stranded assets due to the availability of far cheaper alternatives. The sites chosen have an existing coal fired power capacity of 8.5GW, likely all to be replaced before 2037. Even before all of the proposed reactors could come online.

“This 6GW of nuclear will make very little difference to the total energy landscape – and at the expense of introducing a much more costly technology.”

In the current environment it’s questionable who exactly the project would benefit. Perhaps when a similar project was proposed 30 years ago it might then have stacked up.

‘https://reporter.anu.edu.au/all-stories/the-coalitions-nuclear-plan-does-it-add-up

(Nuclear power was instead prohibited in Australia by both state and federal law.)

https://www.energycouncil.com.au/analysis/nuclear-power-for-australia-a-potted-history/

What Price common sense? • June 25, 2024 6:03 AM

The Digital economy is actually not about “building” anything useful and “harvesting” mostly junk you would have thought “common sense” would prevail.

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Sable Yong Searches Beyond Beauty Standards in Die Hot With a Vengeance

Beauty culture is toxic. Beauty culture is fun. With her new essay collection, Sable Yong asks, Why can’t it be both?

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In fact, targeting the conflicting reality of beauty itself was Yong’s ultimate goal: She noticed a dearth of beauty writing that bridged the gap between service or commerce-oriented content (like “how to do makeup,” Yong explains) and academic feminist research (like “beauty as a tool of the patriarchy,” she says). Yong envisioned the sort of collection that’d acknowledge both the pleasure of looking good and the hierarchies that looking good reinforces. “We are constantly trying to reconcile this huge, huge cognitive dissonance between enjoying beauty, and having it be meaningful for us, but also understanding that the origins are not great for most people,” Yong says. But putting that sort of nuance into a “coherent package,” she says, was an extreme challenge, even for a former Allure editor comfortable with the contours—no pun intended—of the makeup, skincare, fragrance, fitness, and wellness industries.

Die Hot with a Vengeance: Essays on Vanity by Sable Yong

Yong had always been a quick-witted writer; she got her first gig at the beauty site xoVain , sister site to xoJane , thanks to a particularly entertaining Craigslist entry she’d posted in search of a roommate. Writing about beauty for xoVain “was a really cool way to get into writing for the internet,” says Yong, who didn’t have a journalism degree or magazine writing experience at the time. But she remembers being told, “‘No, we just want you to do what you already do, but focused on beauty.’ I was like, ‘Oh, okay. That’s pretty easy.’” After her work at xoVain and other beauty-adjacent sites eventually caught the industry’s attention, she moved to Allure in 2017, where she worked as a digital beauty editor until 2019, growing familiar—sometimes too familiar, she feels—with the ever-expanding pile of products that’d accumulate on her desk.

As Yong tested hair dyes and eyeshadows and lip filler and multi-hundred-dollar facials, she questioned how much of her experimenting was a revelry in self-expression, and how much was a money- and power-driven acquiescence to toxic beauty standards. Yong writes in Die Hot With a Vengeance , “There’s money to be made from exploiting insecurities as well as celebrating individuality, and often the only difference between the two is marketing. Beauty sponsored by capitalism makes its pursuit a never-ending list because the ways that one can participate in beauty culture are now endless.”

Die Hot might not answer every reader’s questions about how best to engage with beauty, but it offers a position from which to study those questions with humor and compassion— and a sharply critical eye. Ahead, Yong expands on her own evolving relationship with these questions, and addresses how the explosion of beauty content on social media has shaped our very concept of “beautiful.”

After years of writing about beauty, how do you balance your frustrations with marketing, capitalism, and consumerism with your own earnest enjoyment of beauty and its assorted products? How did you get those ideas straight enough in your head to try and write a collection like this?

Honestly, that was the trickiest, most challenging part of writing this, because I don’t have the answers for everyone. I can have the answer for me , but that’s out of my personal experience. The truth is, it’s something that’s constantly a back-and-forth negotiation. Just, like, four years ago, I don’t think beauty was as urgently prevalent as it feels it is today. A lot of that has to do with the pandemic. A lot of that has to do with TikTok and social media. A lot of people equate what’s viral with what is the official new creed of beauty, which isn’t true at all. Whenever I read things about TikTok trends becoming the new beauty standards, I’m like, “Absolutely not. We do not have the attention span to uphold this standard.”

The reason that beauty standards exist and have existed for as long as they do is because they are so weaved into our political history and patriarchy and racism and misogyny, and because they uphold a ruling class. That’s why they work. I don’t think “strawberry girl makeup” is going to do that. I don’t think “eyebrow blindness” is going to do that.

Because I’ve worked in media, yes, I understand media is trying to capitalize on clicks by writing about these social media trends, but that also has the effect of compounding the importance that these trends didn’t have, but now they do, because they’re being covered by mainstream publications. So that’s two media forces feeding off of each other. That is the constant headache of today.

.css-1aear8u:before{margin:0 auto 0.9375rem;width:34px;height:25px;content:'';display:block;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-1aear8u:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/elle/static/images/quote.fddce92.svg);} .css-curasl{margin:0rem;font-size:1.625rem;line-height:1.2;font-family:SaolDisplay,SaolDisplay-fallback,SaolDisplay-roboto,SaolDisplay-local,Georgia,Times,serif;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;font-weight:normal;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-curasl{font-size:2.125rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-curasl{font-size:2.125rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-curasl{font-size:2.25rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 73.75rem){.css-curasl{font-size:2.375rem;line-height:1.2;}}.css-curasl em,.css-curasl i{font-style:italic;font-family:inherit;}.css-curasl b,.css-curasl strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-curasl i,.css-curasl em{font-style:italic;} There’s money to be made from exploiting insecurities as well as celebrating individuality, and often the only difference between the two is marketing.”

Now I’m in my late thirties, and I am fully embodying all the [beauty] shit that I wanted to do when I was a teenager, but wasn’t allowed to. If you can explore all the weird stuff that you like, but you feel like society tells you looks “bad” or you “shouldn’t do,” once you do it you realize, a) you’re not going to become a social pariah, and b) you might like it, or you might realize, “This isn’t actually for me.” Doing that bit by bit is such a great way to reconcile how you feel beauty standards personally affect you.

It’s almost like immersion therapy. [You can observe] how little or how much it affects your life, or more importantly, how it affects the way you look and feel about yourself. That’s how you can explore what you feel is more authentically your identity from what you think it is or should be.

Do you think it’s becoming easier or harder to be considered “beautiful,” as beauty culture becomes increasingly accessible, particularly across social media?

I definitely think that our purview on what is “beautiful” has expanded so much, which is great. But I also think that the expansion of inclusivity has mostly been inviting more people in to conform to the same standards.

Ten years ago, foundation shades ended at medium tan. Now, it’s like, “Great, we have more foundation shades for everyone of all colors, so you, too, can also feel the pressure to look hot.” We have access to beauty, that’s great, but with more access comes more pressure to do it. This is the crucial time to explore: What do you think is actually for you, and what do you feel is just the pressure to “do” beauty?

I think it’s easier to be beautiful, but it’s harder to know what that means.

In Die Hot , you touch on how effortlessness, as an aesthetic choice, has less to do with the actual effort involved and is more about “proximity to class.” That reminded me of our modern obsession with “quiet luxury” or the “old money” look, these class indicators that have more to do with mimicking wealth than they do the actual monetary value of the clothes. We see the same thing in beauty with the “Instagram face” phenomenon. Do you think it’s true that looking the part—when it comes to beauty—is almost akin to being the part?

For a lot of people, yes, looking the part is almost akin to being the part. It’s not who you actually are; it’s what you can convince people you are.

This [phenomenon] is very quiet and pernicious. The fact that injectables and all these beauty treatments are so widely accessible for everyone to smudge away whatever slight insecurities they have ... it’s not going to solve the insecurity so much as it is going to conform to the aesthetic of not having that insecurity.

Beauty is a very good tool to replicate the existing class structures that we have in place, because the more that you achieve the beauty standard, yes, you personally are improving your economic standing, and your social standing, and your mate selection and all that, but you are also, in the same way, compounding the existing social status that oppresses all of the things you were before.

How possible is it to actually opt out of beauty culture? Because you can forsake makeup or shaving or what have you, but is that really the same thing as opting out of a system that, arguably, permeates every aspect of how we see one another?

It’s tough because there is this negotiation of who has the privilege to opt out, and what different types of tenets of beauty standards you possess. There was this one book I read before while I was writing the initial manuscript, called Perfect Me by Heather Widdows , and she described that there’s these four main tenets of beauty standards: thinness, firmness, smoothness, and youthfulness. So it’s like you have these four very broad tenets of beauty standards, and you can possess a bit more of one, or you can let go of one if you possess more of another. It’s this constant negotiation of how much of one you possess in relation to another [that dictates] how much you’re able to opt out of beauty standards without [as much] stigma.

I have certain beauty privileges. I’m fairly, still, [considered] in the youthful category. I’m feminine-presenting, and I am largely considered a thin person. So, with those, I can get away with not shaving my armpits because it’s like, “Oh, well, you’re otherwise thin and feminine-presenting, so sure. And you’re young, so that’s considered more forgivable."

I think you can push back depending on whatever your tastes are, or whatever aesthetics you prefer for yourself, can anyone truly just opt out? No figures really come to mind for me.

You have a following on social media . You are a beauty writer, which allows you to represent beauty in a more figurative sense beyond your literal appearance. So how do you think about your own social media platform and the strategy therein?

Social media just defines so much of appearance politics and beauty today. I feel like I had a much better handle on it five years ago. With the proliferation of so much beauty content, a lot of which is really well-made and thorough ... I’ve become a very lazy person, and I’m not willing to commit to doing this very, very well-curated content. I don’t think I’m adding anything to that conversation.

I don’t know what to do about social media these days. In the past, when I did post more, I would try to be a little bit tongue-in-cheek with it. If I posted a really well-lit, nicely angled selfie, I would, in the next slide, post an outtake that I thought was funny. Because we all know that the result of one good selfie is a hundred outtakes.

I think that’s what I find interesting with other people’s content as well, and [particularly] other people who do influencing professionally and are doing really high-level Reels and videos. I always appreciate it when they put a behind-the-scenes thing in there.

You write a bit in the book about the bond of beauty editors and beauty writers. How have you experienced that bond in the relatively small beauty media space?

You get very intimate with one another in ways that, probably, HR would not approve of. Because beauty is very personal, you get to share a lot of your inner vulnerabilities with these people—for work, yes, but also intimacy begets intimacy, no matter the context. In most office environments, you wouldn’t necessarily talk about getting a breast augmentation or getting a nose job, whereas when you work at a beauty publication, that stuff is table stakes.

Sharing insecurities is, obviously, one of the fast-track ways to connect with someone, because connection requires vulnerability. ... It’s such a great way to learn the experiences that have made the people around you. And then you get this consensus of people who have nothing to gain or lose by telling you to get or not get this procedure. A lot of them are just, honestly, like, “Dude, you don’t have to do this,” or like, “Have you thought of all of the things involved?” The context around [beauty], with these people who are very informed, is such a lifesaver.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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