postmodernism

Question 1

What is a key feature of post-modern society?

Answer 1

globalisation- technological changes- can now cross countries in hours/ exchange info globally.
changes in culture and identity-live in global culture, western owned media companies spread to world. e.g.- Nike sells brand in many countries, helps promote the same taste

Question 2

What is disembedding?

Answer 2

feature of postmodern society, the way social relations are lifted out of context and no longer confined by space or time.
e.g.- can interact w each other regardless of time.

Question 3

What is chaos and uncertainty?

Answer 3

feature of postmodern society, Bauman- society state of “Liquid modernity” where structures like family and class are breaking down.
To call family an institution is nonsense”. Diversity of family such as gay couples means we x longer have a “typical family”

Question 4

What are metanarratives?

Answer 4

because society is now changing so constantly and rapidly, societies can no longer be understood through the application of general theories.

Question 5

What does Lyotard mean by growing individualism?

Answer 5

now only a mass of individuals with few social bonds connecting them forming their identity through individual choices in education, family, health and consumer goods they buy.

Question 6

What is a media-saturated society?

Answer 6

mass media used more or less to reflect some basic reality, but some media images now dominate and distort the way we see the world.

Question 7

What does Baudrillard mean by simulacra?

Answer 7

images which appear to reflect events in real world but have no basis in reality and which are viewed simultaneously across the globe. e.g.- wars become media constructed spectacles.