Klarinet Archive - Posting 001462.txt from 2004/03

From: Andy Raibeck <klari_1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] [OT] Potter
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 10:49:21 -0500

--- Matthew Lloyd <Matthew@-----.uk> wrote:
[snip]
> I cannot see the attraction of Harry Potter when there is so much better
> literature for children. Not to mention adults.

I have the same problem understanding the attraction to so-called "Reality TV"
programs, celebrity in general, the obsessive nature of [popular] sports, and
other cultural phenomena.

At least for Harry Potter, I attribute its success primarily to successful
marketing and media hype. I remember a few months before Harry Potter first
appeared in the US: the major chain bookstores were filled with big ads
announcing the arrival of the first Harry Potter book within the next month or
two. Now I must admit to not paying very much attention to pop culture so maybe
it was just me, but in the states, I'd never heard of Harry Potter before those
big ads went up. To me, I saw "marketing machine". The ads are part of the
hype, and the population in general is taken in. The rule I always keep in mind
is popularity does not equal quality. Which isn't to say that something of good
quality can't be popular; only that just because it is popular doesn't make it
good.

Regards,

Andy

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