McDonald's, Boy Bands, and Brittany Spears.... I must admit I could be considered a fan of all three, but so is most of America.
The question is... is what the people want portrayed or does the media make us care about what they want us to care about?  I think the cycle is too far intertwined to come to a clear conclusion. The popularity contest that now exists for each new thing has soared to new heights since the creation of technology that supports the newest and latest trends. A person's "15 minutes" in the spotlight can really be just that!

Things that have been popular through out the 90's and now into this century are really a sign of the times. These are the things that help develop a society and the constant pushing to the extreme creates new limits that are to be broken. The line of defense against desensitization is being pushed back further and further until no one is sure where to go next, but the media always seems to find new ways to shock and astound most of America, even the younger generations who think we have seen it all!

From the rise of organic foods to hand-held technology in all forms
many things have come and gone in the past ten years that have
shaped the current college generation:
 
 

Abercrombie & Fitch  seems to be the brand of choice for not only college students (the age they say they are targeting) but high school students as well. Not to mention the fact that they now have Abercrombie Kids for the next generation of consumers. No one seems to notice that their clothes cost this month's rent and the kids wear is the same as the more grown-up version, with teeny bikinis, thong underwear and very short shorts all ready to show everything for summer. The latest controversy with this brand is how the newest catalog seems to be lacking in the clothing they are advertising. The XXX rating is putting them on the map for something other than quality jeans and tees. Another Brand that has shown great popularity in the 90's was the GAP- preppy look... it always seems to have more effect if you have the name plastered across you chest as if to say, "Look at what brand I am wearing." Directly related to the coolness that is you. While torn Levi's seemed to be the trend of the 80's, these jeans seem to have taken over.

Nike... Anyone who plays or watches sports is aware of this very popular brand. In fact anyone who has interaction with the world around should know the Nike Swoosh. It is plastered on most pro sports teams hats, shorts, shorts pants, socks... This company expanded from being the  kings of the shoe industry a long time ago. The blurb in the newspapers a few years back about the poor children in far off countries making America's footwear styles seems to be very short-lived.  While some of this brands popularity has died down there is no denying this brand's influence on sports for the college generation and I am sure the Nike Kingdom will fight a few more battles successfully before it becomes fashionable only at retro parties.

 
 
 

Coffee is a way of life for most people in any generation, but meeting at coffeehouses and making it a necessity for everyday life has become another trend for American college kids everywhere. Although many new brands are starting to pop up and the cool place to go is that quiet contemporary bakery on the other side of town when it comes down to the grounds Starbucks is the bean of choice.  Coke has been around forever and the image hasn't changed much. Still everyone not just in America knows this label. It stands for more than just soda. It is a timeless classic. Whether you call it soda, pop, or by the brand coke... this label and the many brands it represents is yet to leave the spotlight.

McDonald's... seems to be the essence of America and it's take over of trends and markets around the world. Children everywhere want the newest toy from the newest movie that only McD's can give them. Their meals are nothing to speak of and yet the lunch tables and playgrounds are always packed. In the fight to gain more consumers in a land of fast food rivalries the golden arches have tries to target the older audience as well.   The Internet if anything has to be the key sign of the times for the current college generation. America Online (AOL) and Instant Messenger is known by anyone around the country as the cheapest way to keep in contact with those back home. The advancements being made are daily and in order to become a part of the fast paced world we realize now more than ever that we must stay current with the latest technology.         <<Back To Homepage The Mustang and the BMW were and still are the cars to have while cruising. You have to have the latest cars to pick up the hottest girls while driving the same strip of road late on Friday nights. Low riders and pimped out ghetto-mobiles seem to have there own popularity on the other side of town. The SUV is also on the rise and everyone and their mother seems to own one of these, never mind that no one goes off-roading in these gas guzzling road warriors. Whatever the car the cliché that it does stand for something still holds true. And the faster it goes the more we want it, even if you are caught in rush hour traffic for hours on end anyway.  The person in the average car seems to have an excuse for anyone who ones one of these vehicles. Either the car is a young kid who's mom and dad sprung for the latest model, or they are an older person pretending to be young or going through some sort of mid-life crisis.

The trends of today are not always about the quality or style they portray but often reflect the brand name of the day. The term 15 minutes in the spotlight has really come to a new high with an era of television and multimedia that spreads around the globe as fast as new companies can be created!