Ode to pop-culture

Oh pop-culture!
Last night I was out having a few beers with a friend of mine and we started talking about the Harry Potter books.
I am currently reading the fourth one and have really enjoyed the series!
My friend or "He Who Must Not Be Named", does not.
He says that they are elementary and fluff reading.
While parts of this statement are true, the later books in the series mature with their characters, and the imagination J.K Rowling conveys is remarkable.
After this debate about Harry Potter, the coversation quickly escalated to all things popular.

He continued his rant regarding bands such as Coldplay and Snow Patrol who have gained worldwide phenomonal success.
Austin City Limits Music Festival is coming up, and I of course have tickets.
My friend does not because he:
1. Didn't have any money.
2. Claims that the audiences of these bands are complete "posers" who only know "That one song on the radio".
I of course had a problem with reason number 2.

Yes, I understand that I am getting older, and the large portion of my fellow concert-goers are 4-5 years younger than me, but their piercing screams and limited knowledge of "that one song on the radio" does not curb my enthusiasm for my favorite band.

Now, my friend, "He Who Must Not Be Named" says that he refuses to conform to popular culture because he thinks that makes people all the same.
My response is this: Go with what you like!
When you start lying about what you like to be different, you lose who you are.
Don't be afraid to like things other people like!
Things are popular because they are good!

I confess, I like Harry Potter.
I like Coldplay and Snow Patrol.
I played the first Third Eye Blind CD until I had to throw it away because it wouldn't play anymore!
I didn't know who Modest Mouse were until I heard 'Float On'.

There you have it, everything I've been too embarassed to say out loud.
Forgive me, for I am a victim of the pop-culture movement!