ABSTRACT
This article examines frame theory, popular culture, and environmental values. Reviewing frame theory across journalism, communication studies, linguistics, and fine art, it will examine in particular ‘cultural framing’. Radical thought is invariably associated with the avant-garde, yet narrative or genre innovations in popular culture can also trigger ‘deeper’ cognitive shifts, potentially transforming ‘common culture’. Citing comics, films, and animation, the main example is popular music and how Björk and British Sea Power have subverted generic and acoustic conventions (e.g. melody), and music’s habitual romantic narratives, to re-frame human–nonhuman relationships ecologically. By stretching and manipulating frames, popular culture can adapt and engender environmental narratives for mass consumption.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes
1. With thanks to Axel Goodbody for permission to cite from his working paper for the CFOED, The Cultural Framing of Environmental Discourse Network.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
John Parham
John Parham is Professor of Environmental Humanities at the University of Worcester (UK). He is author or co-editor of five books including Green Media and Popular Culture (2016) and has written many articles, including work on British and Australian punk, documentary film, and computer games. John is co-editor of Green Letters.