How American Popular Culture Embraced Cynicism in the Digital Media Age

Author/Creator

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2019-04-29

Department

Communication Arts

Program

Hood College Departmental Honors

Citation of Original Publication

Rights

Public Domain Mark 1.0

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify analyze a connection between popular culture media in the 21st century and the attitude of being cynical. Content creators of the 21st century have bound their cynical outlook on life to the music, television, and movies even news that we, as Americans, consume every day. This connection between creators and content helped my analyzation in topic such as the trend of emotional rap, cynicism in kid’s television shows, and award-winning cynical movies. Often in times of trial and tribulation, the American society can find solace in the established popular culture that has arguably become the culture of America. However, my research continues to build upon the topic of conflict and resolution by addressing the conflict inside of the resolution: is cynical media the only way to remedy the woes of first-world issues? My research has indicated that the answer to this question isn’t a resounding yes; however, cynicism as an integrated part of an American life often becomes the easiest shoulder to learn on.