1999 : the year low culture conquered America and kickstarted our bizarre times

Benes, Ross, author.

Book 2025

"According to Benes, there are many lessons to learn from the year that low culture conquered the world. Talk shows and reality TV foreshadow the way political movements grab power by capturing our attention. Pro wrestling mastered the art of "kayfabe" -- the agreement to treat something as real and genuine when it is not -- before it spread throughout American society, as political contests have become their own wrestling matches. Beanie Babies...

Item Details & Discovery

Explore Topics & Themes:

Consumption (Economics) Social aspects United States

Internet pornography Social aspects United States

Political culture United States History 20th century

Popular culture United States History 20th century

Rap (Music) Social aspects United States

Television Social aspects United States

Violence in video games Social aspects United States

Part of a Series:

Politics and popular culture

View technical details & catalog information

ISBN:

9780700638574

Description:

ix, 283 pages ; 24 cm

Other Title:

Year low culture conquered America and kick-started our bizarre times

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references

Contents:

Introduction : party like it's 1999
The Jerry Springer administration : how talk shows and reality TV foreshadow political movements
Gotta catch 'em all : how Beanie Babies and Pokémon embody capitalism
Pro wrestling and the making of the modern world : how kayfabe bled into society
United church of clowns : how selling outsider status creates loyal followings
Porn paradox : how smut penetrated American culture
Level up : how video games transformed from scourge to cultural powerhouse
Conclusion : parties weren't meant to last

LCCN:

2024028939

Control Number:

3377218

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