About this Event
A Conversation on How Pop Culture Shapes Historical Memory
Join a media historian and researcher for How Pop Culture Decides What History We Remember, a fascinating exploration of how movies, television, historical fiction, and digital media mold public perception of the past. As audiences increasingly consume history through entertainment rather than archives, pop culture acts as the primary filter determining which events are celebrated, mythologized, or forgotten. Together, we'll uncover how dramatic storytelling, commercial incentives, and visual media shape our collective memory of history.
What We'll Cover:
- The power of narrative over nuance - Explore how complex historical events, systemic processes, and multi-year conflicts are condensed into dramatic character arcs, hero tropes, and simplified storylines.
- Visual memory and modern lenses - Discover how cinematic aesthetics create accepted "visual truths" about the past, and how present-day values and politics are projected onto historical figures.
- Commercial viability and historical erasure - Examine why certain dramatic eras are continuously portrayed on screen while uncomfortable, non-Western, or complex histories are often left behind.
Whether you're fascinated by media, film history, sociology, or public memory, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of how the media we consume defines the history we remember.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with your After5Society.
About The Speaker:
Dr. Joyce-Zoë Farley is a media professional, educator, and researcher holding a PhD in African American Studies along with advanced training in journalism. Her career spans broadcast and digital media, including experience working in campus radio, as well as academic work focused on race, storytelling, and public memory. In 2024, she delivered a featured talk exploring the intersection of pop culture and Black cultural memory. Dr. Farley is currently working on a book project that examines pop culture, Black culture, and iconic television like The Golden Girls, analyzing how themes of community, chosen family, and choosing friendship over everything shape modern cultural narratives. Her background merges rigorous historical research, journalism, and media critique to highlight how popular media shapes collective memory and identity.
Good to know before you come:
- Exact bar location will be disclosed in your confirmation email
- Arrive early to grab a drink and get settled
- The speaker portion lasts 1 hour, with optional time to stay and socialize afterward
- This is a participatory event
- Seating is limited to keep the experience intimate
Agenda
🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Doors Open & Drinks Flow
Info: Arrive early to grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy the atmosphere. Early birds get the best seats and a head start on mingling!
🕑: 07:00 PM - 07:45 PM
Guided Experience / Talk
Info: Dive into an engaging, interactive session with our speaker. Participate, observe, or simply soak it all in — it’s your experience to enjoy.
🕑: 07:45 PM - 08:00 PM
Q&A / Reflection
Info: Ask questions, share insights, or hear behind-the-scenes stories from the host in a casual discussion.
🕑: 08:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Social Time & Connection
Info: Stick around to chat with fellow attendees, swap ideas, or just relax with a drink. Great conversations often happen after the main event!
Event venue & nearby stays
Midtown (address to be found in email confirmation), Address found in email confirmation, New York, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.