Marcel Danesi is professor of anthropology, semiotics, and communication theory at the University of Toronto. He is the author of several books, including the Concise Dictionary of Popular Culture.

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• Preface1. What Is Pop Culture?Defining Pop CultureCulturePop CulturePop ArtLevelsThe Transference CyclePredecessorsOrigins and SpreadFeatures of Pop CultureSpectacles and MusicAdmixtureNostalgiaMake-BelieveLaughter Studying Pop CultureGenres and AudiencesInterdisciplinarityExplorations Chapter References2. The Marketplace and Pop CultureThe PartnershipAllianceReinvention and ReproductionPopularityFad CultureDecoding FadsFashion Food FadsCelebrity CultureCelebrities and IconsNano-Celebrities A ModelMediationThe Changing PartnershipExplorations Chapter References3. Explaining Pop Culture Mass Media ApproachesTransmission ModelsAgenda Setting Theories Digital Media TheoriesCritical TheoriesThe Frankfurt SchoolThe Centre for Contemporary Cultural StudiesFeminism Postmodernism Psychological TheoriesMedia Effects TheoriesArchetype TheoryPsycho-Social TheoriesSemiotic ApproachesOppositionMythology Representation and CodesThe Effects of Pandemics on CultureThe Birth of FictionWorld ReappraisalExplorations Chapter References4. Print CultureBooksOrigins and SpreadNarrativityThe NovelDime Novels and Pulp FictionDigital NovelsNewspapersOrigins and SpreadReading NewspapersFake NewsMagazinesOrigins and SpreadReading MagazinesComicsOrigins and SpreadSuperhero ComicsExplorationsChapter References5. Radio CultureRadio BroadcastingHistorical SketchStreamingPodcastingRadio GenresGenre ProgrammingThe Talk ShowThe Radio StageRadio and AdvertisingOralityThe Radio in Pop Culture HistoryThe Radio Social TextInformation CultureExplorations Chapter References6. Pop Music CultureThe Advent of Pop MusicHistorical SketchDecoding Pop MusicGenresSocial ChangeJazz and SwingRock and RollDecoding RockHip Hop and RapMusic in the Internet AgeIndie MusicSelf-PresentationWhither Pop Music?Explorations Chapter References7. Movie CultureMotion PicturesHistorical SketchCategoriesGenresThrillersHorrorAnimationThe Movie TheaterPostmodernism Future WorldsImages Over WordsBlockbustersOriginsEntrenchmentCinema in the Internet AgeStreaming MoviesWhither Filmmaking?Explorations Chapter References8. Television CultureTelevision BroadcastingHistorical SketchInteractive TelevisionGenresArchetypal StructuresSitcomsReality TelevisionSocial EffectsMythologizationHistory-Making EffectTV in the Internet AgeStreaming TelevisionSpace of FlowsExplorations Chapter References9. Advertising CultureAdvertisingHistorical SketchTechniquesCritiquesIntegration with Pop CultureAd CultureThe Ad CampaignCo-optionBrandingProduct PlacementBasic Needs and Social ProcessesAdvertising Art The Future of AdvertisingExplorations Chapter References10. Pop Language What Is Pop Language?Defining Pop LanguageDifferences from SlangFictional LanguagesTexting and TextspeakTexting in Pop CultureEffects on WritingVisual CommunicationEmojisEmojis in Pop CultureExplorationsChapter References11. Interactive and Immersive CultureInteractive CultureThe Online StageMashup CultureMemes and Pop CultureMemesThe Role of Social MediaYouTube Memetic CultureImmersive CultureVideogamesVirtual RealityPosthumanism and TranshumanismExplorationsChapter References12. Forever Pop?The Show Must Go OnThe Lure of Pop CultureSpectacle PowerA Global CultureThe Global MarketplaceThe Internet StageWill Pop Culture Always Keep Changing?Major AttacksEvolution or Mutation?ExplorationsChapter ReferencesGlossaryIndex