"Big C" or "Small c" culture?

A few weeks ago we saw in classes the concepts of “Big C” and “Small c” culture, and since then it’s been impossible for me to stop thinking about what’s the line that divides both types of culture (or Culture) and how is it possible to make such a division.

Before we start, we need to have a clear picture of how culture is defined. According to the first definition of The Oxford Dictionary, culture is “The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.”  Now, if we separate this definition into “Big C” and “Small c” it would mean that there are some manifestations of human intellect that are more important or superior than other ones.  But how is this possible? Can we decide if a piece of art is worthy or unworthy of our admiration without being subjective?

Let’s take reality shows as an example, most people would consider them part of the “Small c” category but if you analyze the cultural impact that they had in our society in the last 10 years it becomes clear that they are more relevant than we think. In 2003, Canal 13 premiered “Protagonistas de la Fama” the first reality show to appear on Chilean television and it lasted 3 months. That experiment changed the way that people watched television and the way that TV shows were made. Since then, reality shows became an active part of our life. We can’t turn on the TV or read the newspaper without being exposed to all kind of information and news related to that kind of shows, and even if you dislike or avoid them you have a notion of what they are about or what’s going on.

So, if we take in consideration how important and omnipresent are reality shows in today cultures can we still classify them as “Small c” culture? Wouldn’t they be part of “Big C” Culture because of how they changed (and are still changing) our society? And if we can’t determinate something like this, is it valid to keep using terms such as “Big C” and “Small c” culture?

 I would love to read what you think about this particular topic, so please write your thoughts in the comment section!