How The Popular Press Created An American Spectacle Cultural Studies Of The

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The popular press has always played a significant role in shaping American society and culture. From the early days of yellow journalism to the rise of digital media, the press has continuously evolved, adapting to changing technologies and audience demands. This article explores the ways in which the popular press has created an American spectacle, and its impact on cultural studies.

The Rise of Yellow Journalism:

In the late 19th century, yellow journalism emerged as a prominent form of sensationalized reporting, characterized by exaggerated headlines and scandalous stories. Newspapers like the New York World and the New York Journal competed fiercely for readership, fueling a demand for scandal and spectacle. This era marked a significant shift in the role of the press, prioritizing entertainment value over journalistic integrity.

Reading Football: How the Popular Press Created an American Spectacle (Cultural Studies of the United States)

by Michael Oriard(Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	33557 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	352 pages

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The Birth of Print Culture:

As the 20th century progressed, print culture expanded, with magazines and tabloids becoming staples in American households. Publications like Life and Time magazine provided a platform for visual storytelling, captivating readers with vivid imagery and captivating narratives. The popular press began influencing not only the public's perception of events but also their understanding of cultural norms and values.

Television and the Mass Media:

The advent of television in the mid-20th century revolutionized the way information was consumed. The press adapted to this new medium, with news stations like CNN and Fox News becoming influential in shaping public opinion. The popular press now had the power to reach millions of viewers simultaneously, creating a shared social experience and further establishing the spectacle nature of American culture.

The Digital Revolution:

In recent decades, the popular press has undergone another transformation due to the rise of the internet. News websites, blogs, and social media platforms have become primary sources of information for many Americans. The press's ability to instantly disseminate stories, coupled with the rise of user-generated content, has further intensified the spectacle culture. With catchy headlines and clickbait articles, online publications compete for readers' attention, often sacrificing accuracy for the sake of virality.

Cultural Studies and Media Analysis:

The spectacle culture created by the popular press has become a subject of study in cultural studies. Scholars analyze the influence of media on societal perceptions, ideologies, and identity formation. They examine how the press shapes public discourse, constructs narratives, and perpetuates stereotypes. Cultural studies provide valuable insights into the role of the popular press in shaping American society.

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The popular press has undeniably played a significant role in creating an American spectacle. From yellow journalism to the digital age, the press has continuously adapted to capture audience attention and drive cultural narratives. Cultural studies have shed light on the influence and implications of this spectacle culture. Understanding the power dynamics between the popular press and society is crucial for media literacy and critical thinking.

References:

• Author 1. (Year). Title of the article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue),Page numbers.
• Author 2. (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.
• Author 3. (Year). Title of the website/blog post. Website Name. Retrieved from [URL]

Reading Football: How the Popular Press Created an American Spectacle (Cultural Studies of the United States)

by Michael Oriard(Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	33557 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	352 pages

FREE

Is football an athletic contest or a social event? Is it a game of skill, a test of manhood, or merely an organized brawl? Michael Oriard, a former professional player, asks these and other intriguing questions in Reading Football, the first contemporary book about football's formative years.

American football began in the 1870s as a game to be played, not watched. Within a brief ten years, it had become a great public spectacle with an immense following, a phenomenon caused primarily by the voluminous commentary about the game conducted in popular newspapers and magazines.

Oriard shows how this constant narrative in football's early years developed many different stories about what the game meant: football as pastime, as the sport of gentlemen, as a science, as a game of rules and their infringements. He shows how football became a series of cultural stories about power, luck, strategy, and deception. These different interpretations have been magnified by football's current omnipresence on television. According to Oriard, televised football now plays a cultural role of enormous importance for men, yet within the field of cultural studies the influence of football has been ignored until now.

From the book:
"A receiver sprints down the sideline, fast and graceful, then breaks toward the middle of the field where a safety waits for him. From forty yards upfield the quarterback releases the ball; it spirals in an elegant arc toward the goalposts as the receiver now for the first time looks back to pick up its flight. The pass is a little high; the receiver leaps, stretches, grasps the ball--barely, fingers clutching--at the very moment that the safety drives a helmet into his unprotected ribs. The force of the collision flings the receiver backward, slamming him to the turf. . . . This familiar tableau, this exemplary moment in a football game, epitomizes the appeal of the sport: the dramatic confrontation of artistry with violence, both equally necessary."