By Ethan Lugo
We see different cultures go through significant changes throughout history, but why and how do these changes occur. For example, in ‘Bridgerton,’ a Drama Netflix Series set during the Regency era, we see a culture coming to an end due to an anonymous writer. Plenty of sources cover the topics that make ‘Bridgerton’ similar to our current cultures, such as genderism, womanism, and racism, but it approaches these topics differently. However, there is one specific similarity that all cultures share, which is social media. It is clear that social media has become a routine in this generation, so what does that say about our future.
Like all generations, a new one must form while the old one slowly fades away. Now being able to understand social media more clearly, we can identify how and why cultures change. This can help extend cultures or even preserve them as some cultures have become forgotten or are recurring. As we see in history, it likes to repeat itself, who says this is not one of the many events to do so. With what we know about our current culture we can find the media in past cultures that stirred up events and movements.
During this generation, we can find ourselves surrounded by the Media, also known as Social Media. There is no doubt that humans are social beings, so we have invented ways to communicate and socialize better throughout history. With all of the technology in the world, we have social media platforms to help entertain, exchange information, and more. However, without technology back in the day, it was hard to exchange information, especially with many limitations, especially towards women and people of color had. The form of social media in the day was writing and, of course, through the mouth. Even later in the timeline, news outlets, such as CNN, Fox, and other local news channels, were considered social media because of their spread and coverage. This ties with culture and our current one with certain news outlets being biased or spreading 'fake news.' But in the past and some current cultures focused on religion or tradition of some sort. The culture in the research is more of what culture is as a whole. In Cultural Studies and the Study of Popular Culture, by Storey, John, in “Chapter 1: What is popular culture?” he begins with the different definitions of culture. Throughout the chapter, he says that since culture is ever growing and evolving, we have groups within these individual cultures to define what is popular within that subculture. Closing the chapter, he states we have our own meanings of culture, therefore being our own.
Throughout 'Bridgerton' we can see it cover many topics that our current cultures face. Andreeva, Nellie, covers how the show ‘Bidgerton’ was a success due to the significant effects of Covid in “‘Bridgerton’ Renewed By Netflix; Season 2 Subject & Start of Production Confirmed.” According to the director, Chris Van Dusen, “Bridgerton is this lavish, vibrant, steamy Regency love story; it is about romance, love, and joy; I think all of those things are really universal themes people are responding to.” The article clearly shows how much of an impact this show had on viewers during a difficult event in history. The show used a time period and fit our culture to help educate and entertain its viewers. This is where social media used the show to spread news, information, and entertainment. Not only did the show make an impact on the world during a pandemic, but it also made an impact in ‘Phoebe Dynevor Explained Why Filming “Bridgerton” Sex Scenes Would’ve Been “A Very Difficult Experience” If They Were Directed By A Man,’ by Henry, Ben, where he focuses on how the cast felt about the production and how the filming went. There is a notable pop-culture significance to it. The article covers how Phoebe (Daphne) opens up about how the intimate scenes were through a female gaze and how it might have been awkward if a man directed it. This is a more modern approach to filming as usually men are the ones producing. However, certain aspects of womanhood needed to be portrayed in a particular way for the show’s theme and period. This moment captures a change in history. This impact helps more shows feel more personalized and comfortable for viewers and actors. As for how women got around certain laws and restrictions, they used writing, which is similar to how we exchange information. A research article by Mellor, Anne K, “What's Different about ‘Regency’ Women Writers?” reveals the history of Regency women writers and how two generations have helped develop a popular culture in literature. During the Regency Era, also known as the Romantic Period, women did not have the same freedom as men. The research article provides information that supports the first generation (1790 - 1810) female writers are comparable to the second generation (1811 - 1832) writers. The author describes that women writers during these periods shared concerns such as poor education, irresponsible behavior of women, and morals of the higher power families. These women used social media to make a movement, which changes how culture grows as a whole.
We can find another example of ‘Bridgerton’ in another show, ‘Yearnings,’ which is set in contemporary China. Rofel, Lisa B. covers the show in her article, “‘Yearnings’: Televisual Love and Melodramatic Politics in Contemporary China.” The television drama involves two families whose lives, love, and tragedies come together to rediscover love.
She also explains that the reason for the show’s popularity is to look for meaning and passion. The show also expands on ‘the political’ and ‘the popular’ to help make these events seem more interpersonal. The show relates a lot to ‘Bridgerton,’ to express emotions that viewers want to experience and teach what the culture was during that time. The show ‘Yearnings’ and ‘Bridgerton’ have a lot in common not just from their period drama and influence on viewers but also share modernism which is covered in the next paragraph.
The issues ahead are what makes preventing a culture change difficult, and humans being able to adapt easily we may leave cultures behind. With social media changing the culture, there is another element at work that is modernism. Modernism became a part of the culture, meaning things from the past have adapted or even changed to fit the current culture. This is how different generations form, such as generation z or y and millennials. Modernism separates these primary cultures, and as we look closer at groups, the culture narrows down to the individual. This does not mean the individual or groups define culture, but there are multiple cultures. A perfect example is in the book ‘Modernism: A Cultural History’ by Armstrong, Tim, explaining the different cultures and how modernism affects them. The two main chapters that help explain what modernism is and how it shapes culture are “Chapter 1: Modernity, Modernism and Time” and “Chapter 3: Modernism, Mass Culture and the Market.” These two chapters help define modernism which is what we find in social media. In Chapter One, Armstrong explains that to identify a time of modernism, we must discover when a long history is coming to an end. To further support this statement, in Chapter Three, he states that to find and understand it, we have to identify the difficulties and resistances involved. Concluding in “Chapter 5: The Self and the Senses,” he goes into detail about the main reason for modernism is the reflection of the mind and who we are. Armstrong’s research introduces how social media and modernism come together to change a culture. When someone expresses themselves, they influence the people around them, and people analyze what they liked or believe can be better. We often see this now with influencers. This would then lead to people having their own ideas and feelings for specific events or things.
One issue with defining culture is that not everyone has the exact definition for it. This does not mean we should disregard other cultures, but we should learn to work with them. In an interview held myself and Aaron, Brunert we discuss the show ‘Bridgerton’ and its topics. He voices saying that while the modernism in the show is excellent, some of the historical information is incorrect. He says that racism was still a major issue during the time, for the show to introduce it, as usual, might confuse the audience on the history of the Regency era. Brunert’s statement is not too far either. Even in some reviews of the show, we can find people being upset about the show. In Tinubu, Aramide’s article, “In Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton,’ Shonda Rhimes reinvents to present race in a period piece,” she talks about how ‘Bridgerton’ counters racism issues that were during the time period. The Regency-era usually displays people of color as enslaved people or in the lowest class in society. Tinubu encourages that ‘Bridgerton’ does the opposite, “that isn't the intention of Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton.’ Instead, it's offering people from all racial backgrounds and ethnicities a world that simply doesn't center whiteness.” The show's purpose is not to focus on racism but to allow all racial backgrounds to enjoy a show where they can share the same situations.
Another significant complicated evidence that we covered before is the number of cultures and how they can be defined. Throughout many cultures and researches, we see culture being defines as a whole or an individual. Not only defining it is an issue, but also the acceptance of other cultures. We know certain races and religions did not get along in history, but that also ties with individual culture and how social media has modernized the races and religions today. It comes down to the acceptance of other cultures while learning from them.
With the evidence and research provided, it is clear that social media can be found throughout history in different forms. The evidence supporting that culture has changed due to media from women gaining the freedom to press to now women can feel comfortable in the workspace and at home. Not only that, but racism has come a long way with still more work ahead. The research also introduces the acceptance of other cultures to help grow, preserve, and thrive future cultures. With the remaining issues, there needs to be more focus on the minor events, details such as the people themselves, how they reacted, and their effects. Having access to all of the information based on different events in different cultures is a lot, but not impossible. The first step to understanding culture is to accept other cultures and learn from them.
Author Bio The author, Ethan Lugo, lives in New Jersey, where he studies Game Programming at Bloomfield College. He spends his days staying updated with the current media while working on projects from home to help thrive in the Video Game industry. The writer’s work comes from his determination and curiosity to learn more about the world around him.
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