two opposing cultures within the one culture

Here is the blog entry I had to write for my cultural studies course, I think it was very interesting that within our one culture there exists two conflicting view points between what is popular within this culture.

This week I'm blogging about two phenomenons’ within our society these days, which are related, but very polar opposite. I came across a newly released comic book by the director of the film “Supersize Me”. The comic is called, “Supersized: Strange Tales from a Fast Food Culture”. I think its very interesting that these days there seems to be two factions within society, both with counter opposing messages. On the one hand, our culture is filled with the need to be “fast”, for example, food is on the go, you can shop online, order your groceries to be delivered. There is no more living leisurely and enjoying the natural pace of life, in terms of meal preparation and then sitting down and enjoying the meal as a family. These days, on every corner there is a McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut or some other form of food on the go. From my International Global Studies course we learnt that America’s minor assets includes that its culture is a dominant culture across the world, and I would have to agree. However, what I find interesting is that in this age of fast food and “fast” culture in general, there is also the pressing culture stimulated via fashion, magazines for beauty and body perfection.  It’s interesting that fashion and magazines are selling the image that perfection comes in the form of a size 0, 6ft figure because it means that its impossible for the average girl to achieve so we keep buying their products and magazines on how to achieve the perfect looks. The media is telling a different story from the fast food marketing, yet the two both live on in this culture of fast living, yet the need to be “perfect” according to the magazines.  This has been my focus today within cultural studies, to see how two separate phenomenon’s’ can co-exist within the one culture and dominate over our lives so strongly. How are you meant to know what kind of lifestyle to lead, or for that matter what is a healthy lifestyle? As neither fast food nor the image supplied in the media are what is actually healthy.

The fast food culture

vs.

Strive to be perfect young, which negatively affects so many young girls