Notes

The idea of people having power through signs and symbols is important. It's connected to how we understand things in our culture. Imagine you watch a TV show, and different people see it in different ways, even if it has a main meaning. This idea is called "polysemy," which means multiple meanings. It also means that things in one type of media can be linked to things in other media. For example, a pop singer or a movie might mean different things to different people who use different media.

Different groups and subcultures can see popular media content in totally different ways. This can help them avoid being controlled by one dominant way of thinking. The power of people to create their own meanings is a way for them to challenge or negotiate with the power of society. In popular culture, being liked by many people and meeting their needs is very important. If a cultural thing, like a song or a movie, becomes popular, it's because it can satisfy the desires of the people who like it and the people who make it.

Some people say that cultural power follows economic power, but this idea disagrees with that. It says there are two kinds of power: cultural and social. Even if most people in a society are controlled by those with more power, they still have some power in the world of culture. They can shape meanings to fit their own desires.

Nowadays, it's important not only to think about what people do with media and popular culture but also what they create with it, especially in the digital world. This gives people the power to change, challenge, or promote certain media messages.