Hebdige 10/22

Hebdige, points out that culture is an extremely ambiguous concept which hold a variety of meanings and definitions. He also points out that the term culture has been used to focus critical attention on a whole range of controversial issues. Before reading this essay, I would define culture as a learned behavior. Hebdige argues, "All aspects of culture possess a semiotic value, and the most taken-for-granted phenomena can function as signs: as elements in communication systems governed by semantic rules and codes which are not themselves directly apprehended in experience" (Pg. 128). I think this idea is very interesting. Thinking of culture as a sign like Barthes talks about, supports this idea that culture can hold a variety of meanings and interpretations. 

"The struggle between different discourses, different definitions and meanings within ideology is therefore always, at the same time, a struggle within significationL a struggle for possession of the sign which extends to even the most mundane areas of everyday life" (Pg. 129). I believe this statement explains why there are so many different definitions and interpretations of what culture is.