<p>Prompt: Can the study of popular culture be as valuable as the study of traditional literary and historical subjects?</p>
<p>Education in the most basic subjects including math, history, and literature is necessary but outside knowledge applicable to real life is also a must. The actual application of knowledge typically taught in schools is not used often in real life situations. Some extra intelligence on topics not in the main fields of study has great benefits on adults and students. So the question is the study of popular culture as valuable as the study of traditional literary and historical subjects is true. In other words, studying popular culture opens up people to a whole new realm and sphere of intellect that the study of literature and history keeps shut. The evidence supporting this fact throughout history and literature is pervasive. </p>
<p>The first example is of a long time employee, John Swalzo, working at an electronic firm during the late 20th century. He was competing against three others for a huge promotion to become board manager. The task was to determine the design and announcement orders of four new products. His competitors did what many would which was flip through recent history and look for trends in the past sales. Despite the fact it was a good approach, John went to the public and discussed with people about new interests. He discovered that people were moving towards mobile devices instead of itinerant ones. Because of this he postponed the announcement and gave more time for the creation of a better mobile computer. The result was an extraordinary improvement in sales that would not have occurred if they had followed the old interests of the people in previous years. It was because he had studied the popular culture at the time instead of following old data that got the consumers interests.</p>
<p>The next occurrence is of Alex Carmehom, a U.S spy in Japan during WWII. He successfully infiltrated and spent months in Japan without suspicion until the end of the war. Alex successfully studied and incorporated the present culture in Japan in order to blend in. The study of popular culture aided in his disguise along with Japanese language from literature, and the knowledge of Japan from history. If he had only studied from history, he would have acted and dressed out of Japanese history and would have easily distinguished. The study of current culture also helped him modernize his language to speak with the same slang and tone. It was when all three were used together that he was not suspected as an outsider. </p>
<p>To reiterate, the study of popular culture is necessary along with studying literature and history. Even though history and literature moves the advancement of humanity, culture is what makes groups of people unique and aids in the practical usage of other studied topics in everyday lives</p>