Using a case study, discusses the "seductive environment," a virtual environment of popular culture in which the human mind is seduced and turned into a "hungry ghost." Examines ideas about possible solutions through art therapy. Reviews the value of the creative process, contemplation, and Winnicott's idea of play. (Contains…

Even though television scholar Herbert Zettl singlehandedly created the term "television aesthetics" by proclaiming that TV is an art, television studies are still excluded from the respectable divisions and disciplines of knowledge. Television is considered the epitome of mass culture/kitsch, and the very idea of a TV…

This paper provides an overview of the literature about Walt Disney and his many diverse enterprises. In order to show how the processes of production shape and affect the final content and form of items of popular culture, the paper first discusses some of the many technological advances achieved by the Disney studio. Disney's groundbreaking use…

Suggests that mass communication studies accept the critical challenges posed by fringe television--the programing that surrounds the prime-time domain of the three major networks. Identifies and maps various fringe sectors appearing on today's broadcast and cable schedules, and surveys critical imperatives involved in future studies of fringe…

A content analysis was performed on 30 stepparenting articles published during the years 1961-1982 in five major parenting magazines. No significant shifts in the number, content, and type of stepparenting articles appearing in the magazines were found. The popular literature dealing with stepparenting may be dependent on professional research for…

Discusses four conceptual issues in the uses and gratifications approach: the nature of the active audience; the role of gratification orientations in mediating effects; the social origins of media needs and uses; and the shared interest of audience members in perceptions and cognitions about mass media content. (JMF)

Examines the problems of spoken poetry, both from the poet's viewpoint and from the viewpoint of adolescents in literature classes. Considers the efficacy of conceptualizing poetry, especially spoken poetry, as popular art. (RL)

Reviews critically the dominant discourse on science and the media. Finds that the dominant concern has conceptual and methodological problems. Argues that the dominant discourse has promoted a science coverage dutiful to scientific interests and has inhibited a truly critical appraisal of popular science communication. (RS)

This paper traces the interest by academic popular culture scholars in the films of the American slapstick comedy group of the 1930s and 1940s, "The Three Stooges." Noting that between 1990 and 1995 at least 17 scholarly articles have been presented at various popular culture association meetings, the paper touches upon the universal and…

To analyze a case of discourse and social transformation, a study examined the 1950s coffeehouse movement and the "Beat Generation" which spawned the movement. While the coffeehouse/Beatism phenomenon was short-lived, the philosophical foundation of the movement was far more pervasive than is generally recognized. In addition to the…

Under continued oppression, Haitian blacks have kept alive the memory of Africa, which pervades the most diverse aspects of popular culture. An understanding of this is the first step toward understanding the mythological structure of Haitian Voodoo. Analysis of the Haitian language, the peasant family housing, and the vocabulary of the Haitian…

Discussion of the nature of Experimental and avant garde music highlights the Western musical tradition, technological innovations having an impact on music (telephone, phonograph, tape recording), Third World influence, avant garde composer/musicians, and library collections. A 24-item discography, addresses of five record distributors, and a…

Discusses the library's role in developing a classical pop collection (defined as that music which is best representative of an era, event, or recognizable cultural trend). Popular culture, establishing the collection, funding, and archives are highlighted. A 230-item discography, addresses of five record companies, and 14 references are appended.…

This article looks at the controversy over video games; arguments for and against them are offered, along with a list of regulations in force around the country and nine important factors agencies should consider before leasing the machines. (JM)

Explores the social context surrounding the popularization of science in nineteenth century America. The author argues that the popularization process was inseparable from the general democratization of Western society which was going on simultaneously. Increased public access to new scientific information was supposed to stimulate…