EN
The paper shows the phenomenon of popular culture against the background of modern society. The latter society, in view of its properties, constitutes perfect conditions for the development of the culture in question. The variety of bits of information „floating” through modern society, the large number of principles, values, attitudes or life styles make up a mirror in which the „image” of popular culture is reflected. The paper turns our attention to specific processes and phenomena characteristic of today society. Accordingly, popular culture has this particular shape. The paper stresses the role of modern society in shaping popular culture, and shows that there is an obvious relationship between the two phenomena. Besides, it makes us aware that popular culture is not a phenomenon isolated from reality, or a phenomenon which is „beyond us”. Rather, it is something that we, more or less consciously, create and in which we participate.