Q
What is an example of American culture being dumbed down?
A
In 1997, a book about an orphaned boy wizard with a lightning bolt shaped scar came out in Britain. This was, of course the first book of the wildly popular Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
The philosopher's stone mentioned in the title is a legendary item that was said to be able to turn lead to gold and give the owner eternal life. It features heavily in medieval myth and, obviously, in the book.
But that was too boring for America.
When the book went stateside the publishers worried that children wouldn't want read a story with “philosopher” in the title and changed it to sorcerer, hence the American title of the book and film: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
This is a very literal example of dumbing down. A name that was working fine in the UK was deemed “too hard” for American kids and was changed, losing the title's entire point and context in the process. J. K. Rowling hated this and she demanded the title be changed, which it eventually was, but not before a major blockbuster movie version had been released under the name, you guessed it, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
Hermione would not be pleased.
What is an example of American culture being dumbed down?
A
In 1997, a book about an orphaned boy wizard with a lightning bolt shaped scar came out in Britain. This was, of course the first book of the wildly popular Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
The philosopher's stone mentioned in the title is a legendary item that was said to be able to turn lead to gold and give the owner eternal life. It features heavily in medieval myth and, obviously, in the book.
But that was too boring for America.
When the book went stateside the publishers worried that children wouldn't want read a story with “philosopher” in the title and changed it to sorcerer, hence the American title of the book and film: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
This is a very literal example of dumbing down. A name that was working fine in the UK was deemed “too hard” for American kids and was changed, losing the title's entire point and context in the process. J. K. Rowling hated this and she demanded the title be changed, which it eventually was, but not before a major blockbuster movie version had been released under the name, you guessed it, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
Hermione would not be pleased.
