CultureCultureAbeeramee Abeeramee Abby NahAbby Nah

Popular CulturePopular CultureThe entirety of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images The entirety of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images

etc that are mainstream of a given cultureetc that are mainstream of a given culture

High CultureHigh Cultureset of cultural products (mainly arts) held in the highest set of cultural products (mainly arts) held in the highest

regard by a culture; culture of an elite such as the aristocracy regard by a culture; culture of an elite such as the aristocracy or intelligentsia.or intelligentsia.

OperOperaa

GourmeGourmettBookBook

ssTeTeaa

Counter CultureCounter Culture

• FeminismFeminism

• GothGoth

• Bersih 2.0 demonstrationBersih 2.0 demonstration

• Free thinkers Free thinkers

A group of people whose values, norms and behaviour clash with A group of people whose values, norms and behaviour clash with those of the prevalent culture.those of the prevalent culture.

Low CultureLow CultureContrast of high culture; refers to less well-Contrast of high culture; refers to less well-

educated or the masseseducated or the masses

Sub-CultureSub-CultureA cultural subgroup differentiated by status, ethnic A cultural subgroup differentiated by status, ethnic

background, residence, religion etc that functionally unify background, residence, religion etc that functionally unify the group and act collectively on each member.the group and act collectively on each member.

Globalising High CultureGlobalising High CultureAn Article from The American ThinkerAn Article from The American Thinker

13 January 201313 January 2013

SummarySummary

• High culture is globalising alongside popular High culture is globalising alongside popular cultures.cultures.

• As trendy postmodern intellectuals reject their As trendy postmodern intellectuals reject their own traditional heritage as oppressive and own traditional heritage as oppressive and outdated, foreign admirers — unaffected by the outdated, foreign admirers — unaffected by the contemporary culture conflict at home — treasure contemporary culture conflict at home — treasure the beauty of said high culture.the beauty of said high culture.

Example One: Example One: ChristianityChristianity

While Europe’s elites have collectively turned their backs on their While Europe’s elites have collectively turned their backs on their Christianity heritage, Christianity is thriving in America, Africa and Asia.Christianity heritage, Christianity is thriving in America, Africa and Asia.

Example Two: Asian ArtExample Two: Asian ArtAsian Art are being treasured in the West as the artefacts of Asian Asian Art are being treasured in the West as the artefacts of Asian civilisation are being bulldozed to make way for glass skyscrapers.civilisation are being bulldozed to make way for glass skyscrapers.

Example 3: Ballroom Example 3: Ballroom dancingdancing

19th-century cotillion ballroom dancing can only be found in China and 19th-century cotillion ballroom dancing can only be found in China and Indonesia as something ordinary and popular.Indonesia as something ordinary and popular.

Example 4: Classical Example 4: Classical MusicMusic

European classical music is received in much of Asia as the precious gift of European classical music is received in much of Asia as the precious gift of human genius. American public school is dropping music education programs human genius. American public school is dropping music education programs

in classics while Asian kids are dutifully practising classical musical in classics while Asian kids are dutifully practising classical musical instruments as soon as they are able.instruments as soon as they are able.

Example 5: OperaExample 5: OperaIt is reported that Italian Opera is taking off in Shanghai, China, with some It is reported that Italian Opera is taking off in Shanghai, China, with some

of the most promising self-taught young artists.of the most promising self-taught young artists.

• Mastery of said high cultures demands the highest Mastery of said high cultures demands the highest disciplines and are yet being embraced by Asian youths disciplines and are yet being embraced by Asian youths willingly. willingly.

• Mastery of high cultures develops intelligence that can be Mastery of high cultures develops intelligence that can be used in any other fields.used in any other fields.

• And to think that Asians are doing it just for sheer And to think that Asians are doing it just for sheer pleasure, then this, more than anything else, are pleasure, then this, more than anything else, are suggesting that we may be in for an Asian Century.suggesting that we may be in for an Asian Century.

• Unconsciously, Asians are adopting what made the West Unconsciously, Asians are adopting what made the West great.great.

Different cultures have exchanged places and Different cultures have exchanged places and groups with the tide of time. groups with the tide of time.

Just because a culture is categorised as “low-Just because a culture is categorised as “low-culture” does not necessarily mean that it isculture” does not necessarily mean that it is bad,bad,

and vice versa. and vice versa.

The End The End