Postmodernism

Question 1

Strinati

Answer 1

• suggests postmodern TV and film have become more preoccupied with surface style and imagery rather than deeper underlying themes, might relate to realities of human condition- three main reasons for postmodernism;
  
  • emphasis on consumerism
  • new middle class occupations- eg design, marketing and advertising persuade people about importance of taste
  • disappearance of identities based on things such as class- become more personal, individual and constructed by media

Question 2

Lyotard

Answer 2

• postmodern world is characterised by spreading cynicism about meta narratives
• argues we are becoming disillusioned and no longer expect the world to become a better place were meta narratives are becoming discredited due to an era of global media which we learn more and more about other peoples’ beliefs and lifestyles
• credits relativism

Question 3

Baudrillard

Answer 3

• decline of absolute truth and the rise of relativism- where no singular meaning can be widely agreed on in society
• explains differences between reality as lived by individuals in their everyday lives, and the reality portrayed by the media (with each coming blurred with one another)- individuals gain what knowledge from a simulated world, named a hyper reality
• views consumption as not only merely economic and material but also a symbolic and meaningful status differentiating activity eg coke are recommending a drink at a surface level, but at a secondary level recommending that a drink may be fun, accepting, romantic (reinforcing consumerism as good)