Johnson Reading revisited

"Is popular culture just a method to sophisticatedly deliver stupidity"

In short, I don't think so in the slightest. Having an education in popular culture is a form of intelligence in and of itself. Without a knowledge of pop culture you can find yourself dis-attached from modern society making it harder for you to relate people as well as to current trends and societal shifts. Also in large part knowledge of pop culture is central to some forms of humor. If its really just a method to "deliver stupidity" as Will states I will happily stay stupid.

I recently read an interesting article on Japanese society that equated popular culture with a sense of "optimism and success". SOLD OUT Toward a Knowledge Society: U.S.-Japan Perspectives. There is a reason that pop culture courses are popping up all over in anthropology departments. It's because pop culture is relevant and pop culture knowledge connects you with society. Just watch an episode of Antiques Roadshow, popular culture can also add value to things that are not in an of themselves significant, but they have become culturally significant through their role in popular culture. And, popular culture eventually leads to history, a history of people and their obsessions.