A very important aspect of idealogy is that it is an active concept. This warrants discussion since, improperly, idealogy is often understood as an abstract concept. Idealogy provides an infrastructure that has real-world consequences, from the grand to mundane in scope. Reality does not spring from a vacuum. Reality results from decisions and decisions are informed by purpose that is derived from idealogy. Idealogy wants to shape reality. As such, idealogy is clearly active.
The ability to shape reality is one reason that idealogy is commonly misunderstood as an abstract concept. Shaping reality is a highly advantageous position to occupy and those in power want to conceal their roles so as to protect them. The misunderstanding is intentionally promoted; minimizing the meaning of idealogy helps conceal the powerful.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Ch 1 & 2
Chapter 1 introduces the concept of communication from a scholarly perspective. Grossberg et. al. explores the nature of communication as it is related to the context it exists within, including the influence of technologies, institutions, and cultural forms. From there, the authors discussed mediation and identified and contrasted two separate models of communication: the first is a linear model, the transmission model, based on interpersonal communication, and the second, the cultural model, "sees communication as the construction of a shared space or map of meaning within which people coexist" (p. 22). Chapter 1 concludes by examining the role power plays in the dissemination and content of media.
Chapter 2 presents three different historical narratives of communication. The first is a longue duree that views history as progressing from an oral to an electronic culture--through the stages of writing and print culture--and the ramifications that transition had on society's perception of reality. This included a discussion of technological determinism and potential bias that can lead to. The second narrative, theories of the masses, is conjunctural and views culture presented through media as a tool to manipulate society. The final narrative offered by Grossberg et. al. describes the role of communication as the world transitions from modernity to postmodernity. This narrative explores the meaning of postmodernity at length, then posits that such a transition could not have occurred without the development of new communication technologies. The authors conclude chapter 2 by reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of each of the narratives, as well as looking toward their implications for the future.
Chapter 2 presents three different historical narratives of communication. The first is a longue duree that views history as progressing from an oral to an electronic culture--through the stages of writing and print culture--and the ramifications that transition had on society's perception of reality. This included a discussion of technological determinism and potential bias that can lead to. The second narrative, theories of the masses, is conjunctural and views culture presented through media as a tool to manipulate society. The final narrative offered by Grossberg et. al. describes the role of communication as the world transitions from modernity to postmodernity. This narrative explores the meaning of postmodernity at length, then posits that such a transition could not have occurred without the development of new communication technologies. The authors conclude chapter 2 by reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of each of the narratives, as well as looking toward their implications for the future.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Facebook did it. What MySpace and the other social networking sites before it failed to accomplish, Facebook has done. The site is mainstream and when I tell somebody I don't have a page I now have to justify why that is. And, in order not to be seen as un-cool and alienating myself from the person asking, that explanation better not be condescending. Things definitely change.
I have nothing against computers--I am on computers all the time--I just don't understand the appeal of social networking sites. Managing a profile, updating my status; it just seems like a lot of useless work. I mean, if somebody wants to get in touch I am not hard to find and I've never had a truly significant relationship that didn't include a physical component. Nonetheless, I'm swimming against the proverbial tide here.
In an unrelated note, my parking sticker flew out of my car window on the way to campus yesterday, but I'm sure a replacement won't be expensive to obtain (that's sarcasm, something I wouldn't have to explain if we were having a physical conversation and you could read my tone and nonverbal indicators).
I have nothing against computers--I am on computers all the time--I just don't understand the appeal of social networking sites. Managing a profile, updating my status; it just seems like a lot of useless work. I mean, if somebody wants to get in touch I am not hard to find and I've never had a truly significant relationship that didn't include a physical component. Nonetheless, I'm swimming against the proverbial tide here.
In an unrelated note, my parking sticker flew out of my car window on the way to campus yesterday, but I'm sure a replacement won't be expensive to obtain (that's sarcasm, something I wouldn't have to explain if we were having a physical conversation and you could read my tone and nonverbal indicators).
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