3 Cultural Icons

Three Current Cultural Icons
January 17, 2008


Abstract

Three icons which come to mind are Macintosh, iPod and Paris Hilton. Apple Computer gave birth to two icons that have changed Americas view of computing and music. Paris Hilton single handedly made acting slovenly acceptable to the masses.



Where Did the Lemmings Go

Nothing says you are it, creative, hip, knowledgeable, tecno-savy, and a step above the masses like a Macintosh computer, and nothing says you are one of the rank and file masses like a Windows compatible PC. If you do not follow the crowd then you would naturally use a Mac.Apple Computer has carefully crafted the image of the Mac to be the computer for those who see the world in a different more intelligent light; the Mac is not for everyone as it changes those that use it to be free to put their creative talents to work. The true thinking person can not be concentrating on how to get the silly computer to work when there are world changing tasks at hand. Some people are bright enough to be converted to the Mac way while others are satisfied to follow the masses. You see the Macintosh is a religion of some perverse sort; ask Guy, or Rodney.
Icon = iPod

The iPod is a cultural icon (Brown)created by the iconic geniuses at Apple Computer. The iPod brings music to the world as it has never been delivered before, some would say (White) there is no music without iPod. No product has changed the way music is delivered and enjoyed. iPod has swept the world and changed the way business is done, and how news, music and TV are delivered. While other music players are copied without thought, people are unwilling to use a knock-off iPod (White) as it would be embarrassing.

One Night in Paris
Paris Hilton has made herself into an American icon by parlaying beauty, porn (Kevin), wealth and ditzy into fame. It is now fashionable for young girls to create their own porn video and upload to the web so that they too may become an overnight sensation in the footsteps of Paris Hilton. But wait there’s more; Paris has added the coolness in flaunting the breaking of the law and finding Jesus as a means to get out of jail free. The Paris wannabes have latched on to all the great new ways to be cool brought by icon de-jour.




Conclusion

Cultural icons are made by companies and by individuals, for profit or fame, there are no rules. Companies that wish to leave their mark need to keep their ear to the ground and finger on the pulse of the pop culture crowd and with concerted effort can make it big.

Reference:

Guy, http://www.user-groups.net/news/Guy/kawasaki.html
Rodney, http://lowendmac.com/things/010212.html
Brown, Jeffrey, http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/jan-june06/ipod_05-15.html
White, Charlie, http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=35512
http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=35512
Kevin, http://wizbangblog.com/content/2003/11/06/paris-hilton-po.php