This symbol has become so prevalent in American society, it hardly needs an introduction. Obviously, it is connected to Apple, Inc. as a symbol for the company. Any time a person view’s this logo, they immediately connect it with Apple, Inc. and therefore the logo does its job as a symbol. A very American object that stems out from this company is the Mac computer. Today, they are well known for their innovation and are well-respected as laptops and PC’s. But, Mac computers have not always been known like that. In the 90’s, the company struggled and nobody respected the Mac. It was only once they started re-inventing the computer and churning out ipods that people started seeing Mac computers as a good thing. They have even become so popular that they are integrated into the American culture. As Mac’s become more and more prevalent as a cultural object, the words “Mac computer” have a more and more positive connotation, showing a shift in language due to cultural change. Now, this shift in culture was brought in by Marx’s ideas on ideology. He says “the class which is the ruling material force of society is at the same time ruling the intellectual force.” In this sense, the middle and upper class, who have the money to buy Mac computers, instigated this cultural shift to a Mac-friendly society as they decided that they actually did like them and increased Mac purchases. So, all-in-all, Mac computers are a very important cultural object brought in by the wealthier classes that shaped modern American culture.
I completely agree with this post. Mac computers are undoubtedly a symbol in today's culture, often owned by middle and upper class people. I also find Mac computers to be an extremely prominent cultural object among students. In particular, Mac computers are very popular among college students. From a personal standpoint, I paid little attention to all the different types of computers when I was in high school. However, now that I am a college student, I see Macs everywhere. Also a factor, depending on one's major, some educational departments would recommend a PC to run certain programs more efficiently, while others may suggest a Mac. All in all, computers have become a staple in the life of a college student.
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