2004 USC Honors College Essay Choice 1: Values gained by continuing to differentiate "low" art from "high" art

Before evaluating the effect pop culture has on society, it is first necessary to examine whether there is an actual effect at all. Many people argue that 20th century technology such as television "dumbs down" society and encourages uniformity, but this may be a misrepresentation. Leveling implies the population becomes the same or close to it, which has never been true in American society. There have always been distinct differences between generations, and these generations have traditionally had very different views on "low" and "high" art. Music from artists such as Elvis Presley and…