Adorno

Question 1

Theory frankfurter schule jn general

Answer 1

Critical marxist theory: traditional vs critical theory (cognitive, normative, emancipatory, reflexive)
Critique of instrumental reason: objective culture vs liberation of subject
Changing role of a&c in society: relative autonomy with respect to politics and economy steadily decreases under influence of culture industry

Question 2

Reproduce and explain main features of adornos theory of culture

Answer 2

The culture industry has something for everyone and no one can escape it
Mass production vs individual creation
Negative dialectic: total control of culture industry
Thus- art as negotiation

Question 3

Characteristics culture industry

Answer 3

Standardization (seemingly spontaneous details are interchangeable) & predictability (repetition is key)
Avoidance of effort (should not require mental capacity)
Immediate satisfaction

Question 4

Role culture industry

Answer 4

Relationships between people are primarily economic relations between goods and money
Worship of quality not quantity
Worship succes,
Utility of product is displaced by exchange value- enjoyed because they paid because they want regardless of aesthetics
Needs are creates by culture industry and advertising

Question 5

Distinction serious and popular culture on basis of music material, presentation material and theory of listener

Answer 5

Musical material: standardization, pseudo-individuality (not genuine)
Presentation: plugging, baby talk, plugging of the whole field
Theory on listener: feast of recognition, avoidance of effort, instant gratification

Question 6

Comments on adorno

Answer 6

Defeatism?
- hardly any attention to reception
- audience is not passive but active
Elitism?
- only serious art can escape culture industry?
- best critique of pop culture is made by pop culture
Illegible for the working class