Assignment 1-2

According to Popular Culture by Ray B. Browne, Popular culture is defined as “the system of attitudes, behavior patterns, beliefs, customs, and tastes that define the people of any society.” (2005 p.3). As I explore the internet and continue to read the books, and journal articles I am finding that popular culture is anything that more than one type of society is doing. This means that unless I decide to move to the wilderness and completely remove myself from all human contact, I will be in some way or another exposed to, and participating in popular culture.
My understanding of popular culture and how it is relevant to my job, both current and future, is that because I deal with Iraqi civilians and Soldiers on a daily basis; the way they act and the actions I take to those actions, have the potential of assisting or hurting the delicate process of transitioning authority over to them as we prepare to leave. In my first tour here, we were learning about their culture on the ground. This time, we were given numerous classes prior to deploying to learn about their culture. Some of it was folk culture, some elite culture, but most of it falls right into the popular culture.
I grew up thinking that drinking coffee or tea was just a social event, but after several tours in Bosnia and Iraq, I have learned that there is a way to consume the beverage your host is offering, and that the beverage comes at a certain time; after a meal, or when a meeting is underway. While the Chi (tea) assists in the social event, the popular culture is for the host to show his good intentions and willingness to be friendly by serving Chi to his esteemed guests.
Another popular culture which I categorize as a popular culture, within the military culture, I have recognized in five different countries throughout my career; is Soldiers being Soldiers. If not for the different uniforms and languages, these young men could easily be confused for American Soldiers in the way they act. They fool around in the same way when there is not a mission underway, and become very serious before and on a patrol just like we do. I believe that the discipline, attitudes, and beliefs of every Soldier, qualifies as a popular culture because they are not restricted to only one society, and these behaviors define a Soldier.
I would pick a steaming cup of liquid as my popular culture item. I pick this because the hot liquid could be the Chi I have learned to love, the coffee I grew up on, or the hot coca my wife drinks before she goes to bed. The hot beverage is not restricted to any particular society and is found and consumed around the world in groups and by individuals. In my opinion the steaming beverage is the perfect popular culture icon because it is as popular as the internet, but has been around for much, much longer.

Reference:
Ray B. Browne (Ed.) (2005) Profiles of Popular Culture a Reader. The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System