Pop culture and depression in young people
Researchers indicate that diagnoses of depression have
increased in the last two decades among youth and young individuals, with
technology use contributing to this surge (Mojtabai, Olfson, & Han, 2016).
Source: UCLA Health
Comparing Adorno and Horkheimer’s suggestion that pop
culture produces a wide range of products to appease every member of society,
and John Storey’s idea that mechanical reproduction removes the originality of
products, I suspect a shift in people’s perceptions of their surroundings and
themselves. There seems to be a trend of assigning more value and significance
to products portrayed by refined actors in TV shows, videos, and social media
posts. This, in turn, may lead individuals to believe they are worthless
because they do not possess what is constantly showcased in mass media. But how
did we reach this point in the first place?
Parents have always reminded us that there will always
be someone better, and that's okay because life isn't solely about comparison
and competition. Depoliticization theory, as described by John Storey, has
played a role in convincing people that obtaining a degree, job, mortgage, and
401k ensures a better life. However, with the prevalence of pop culture
messages, people have come to realize that the highest earners are not
necessarily those who spent 30 years in the library or discovered groundbreaking
scientific advancements, but rather individuals like athletes, music artists,
and movie actors who showcase lavish lifestyles with Bugattis and the latest
gadgets. But how does this shift contribute to dissatisfaction and the rise in
depression related to technology use?
Following John Fiske's concept of popular
discrimination, let's consider the example of a middle-class college graduate
who constantly desires the latest version of her iPhone. The researchers
mentioned earlier suggested that, as individuals take on more responsibilities,
they may struggle to keep up with this trend, leading to a significant decrease
in their self-esteem and potentially resulting in depression and anxiety.
In conclusion, I believe that Popular Culture studies, as outlined by the Birmingham school, should be introduced at lower levels of education if we aim to cultivate a society of confident, resilient, and well-informed citizens capable of adapting to the changing world for a better tomorrow.
First of all, great topic! Concerning how individual self-worth is assigned to how well one can mimic the way worth is portrayed in mass media, you asked, “How does this shift contribute to dissatisfaction and the rise in depression related to technology use?” I think one huge contribution is how technology and digital culture have become fully integrated into all aspects of our lives, and how we have started living our personal lives in front of a larger audience via social media. As a result, we’re no longer just keeping up with the Joneses down the street, but thousands of Joneses.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite musicians, Richard Ashcroft, put out an album some years ago entitled “Alone With Everybody”. It’s a great album by the way, but my point in bringing it up is that I think the title of it describes rather well another significant part of the problem you are calling out in your blog. I can’t think of anything that has been a more significant source of misrepresentation of reality, de-socialization, and isolation in our culture than social media, ironically.
I’m not saying I don’t like digital culture or that think it doesn’t contribute some value to our culture. But I think a better balance needs to be struck between the digital and real world. So, I 100% agree with you. Education is essential in striking a better balance. A popular culture studies curriculum would be hugely beneficial to young people, and sooner rather than later.
A great comment. "Alone with everybody" is now on my to-listen list. It reminds me of my former coworker, who is also an artist, and his definition of social media. He once said that social media is a tool to connect with those far away and disconnect with those close by.
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