"Tain't Necessarily So" deals with the author's belief that popular culture derives meaning from photographic images in much the same way that it derives meaning from written and spoken language, through a compilation of previous experiences which can be quickly recalled in order to give immediate meaning to the image or phrase one is confronted with. In other words things become what one's experiences makes them, and definitions can be as varied as the sum of all experiences. To preserve sanity most people are lead to create stereotypical definitions for all but the most important aspects of their lives. This works well most of the time, but may set us up to be misled as well as setting the stage for all kinds of unfair prejudice.