The television show, The Simple Life, starred socialites Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. The series took these women and puts them in the life of ordinary, American citizens. Paris and Nicole always mess up or were grossed out by their new "jobs." They did not perform well as average citizens.
This was the perfect example of hegemony. Paris and Nicole have a lot of influence and power over American culture (maybe not as much now, but when the show aired they had a lot of power). Their ideas were seen through everyone, but their ideas and lifestyles are only really possible to obtain for the elite. They themselves could not even live the life of an average person.
Another example of hegemony was displayed on Paris' show, Paris Hilton's My New BFF. Everyone wanted to be her best friend in order to go to the best parties and dress just like Paris. It was because of her business ideas or ethic. They wanted to be seen on TV (or at least that is what I interpreted from the show).
American culture takes on ideas that the elite present to us. However, we can not truly live the lives they are displaying to us.
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