Question

Folk Culture = Culture traditionally practiced by a small, rural, homogeneous group living in relative isolation from other groups. Often having anonymous originator(s), unknown hearth(s) and date(s), it varies from place to place at a given time, generally rejects change, and is often connected to the environment. Folk customs diffuse slowly through relocation diffusion.

Popular Culture = Culture traditionally practiced by a large, urban, heterogeneous society that shares certain customs despite differences in personal characteristics. Often having identified originator(s), known hearth(s) and date(s), it varies from time to time at a given place, normally accepts or demands change, and often modifies the environment for a desired purpose.  Popular customs diffuse quickly through relocation and expansion diffusion.

Many Human Geographers study the impact of the rapid diffusion of popular culture on folk cultures.

For your discussion post:

1. Explain how the diffusion of popular culture could have a negative impact on a folk culture.

and

2. Explain how the diffusion of popular culture could have a positive impact on a folk culture.

Answer 1

1. Globalization has negativity impacted folk culture and positivity impacted popular culture. Popular culture is becoming more dominant while folk culture is becoming less and less present. The diffusion of popular culture around the globe has put the existence of many folk cultures into great danger, as it threatens traditional values and customs, and encourages one uniform culture. The disappearance of folk and customs reduces diversity in the world, thus decreasing the cultural and intellectual stimulation that arises from differences in backgrounds and heritage.

2. Popular culture involves the creation of uniform landscapes, which is considered unattractive compared to locally diverse landscapes. Popular customs may also involve the overuse and depletion of scarce natural resources, such as the impact of increased demand for meat leading to a decrease in the total amount of grain available. Pollution may also result from popular culture practices. These impacts resulting from popular culture could have a positive impact on folk culture. The practices of popular culture may be suppressed or less dominant due to its negative impacts compared to folk culture and this condition can lead to fruitfulness of local or folk culture to diffuse its values and customs.