Popular Culture is the system of attitudes, behavior patterns, beliefs, customs, and tastes that define the people of any society (Browne, 2005). To me Popular Culture means the many differences in my child hood and my sons.  My son who is 8 years old is always asking me questions about my childhood. What was my favorite cartoon? What music did I listen to? When you stop and think about all the changes that have taken place over the years, one can see how society has changed and how our demand for more has changed our culture. Popular Culture changes from year to year. One year a pair of Levi jeans is in and the next year they can be out. The same can be said for music, foods, and the way society views a custom.  These changes are caused by the needs and wants of society.  This is why it is important to understand popular culture in the business environment. Companies need to understand the needs and wants of consumers in the areas where they are marketing. 

My example of a pop culture artifact is a pair of jeans.  The reason I feel jeans qualifies as an artifact is that they date back to the 18^th century and through the many changes of our country jeans continue to be a very popular item of clothing.  Jeans have gone from being worn by plantation workers, to gold miners during the California Gold Rush to designer jeans in the 1980’s. Each new design was due to the need of consumers and the culture.

References
Browne, R. E. (2005). Profiles of Popular Culture A Reader. Madison: The University Of Wisconsin Press Popular Press.

The History of Jeans. (1998). Retrieved from The New Internationalist: http://newint.org/easier-english/Garment/jhistory.html