Post modernity Flashcards
What do postmodernists argue
-Much more radical approach, that argues society has moved into a totally new set of social & economic circumstances, based largely on communication and image.
-Old traditional theories have little / no value as the worlds too complex
What is one of the reasons for these changes?
-Globalisation, involves a decline in the significance of time & space- faster communication so where you are is now less significant.
-Due to digital media, global communications of info, images, ideas, money ect can move instantaneously.
-Ppl can now change identities easier- eg styles, behaviours from diff places & times (also greater HYBRIDITY:mixing of diff cultures)
Strinati
-This feature (less sig of time & space) can lead to confusion over time and space.
-Results in feeling a lack of a grounded sense of identity
Who are the two key postmodernists? who do they attack?
-Lyotard, Baudrillard
-Attack grand theories of society (Marxism, Functionalism) for being metanarratives/elaborate stories- impossible to reduce understanding to a single theory.
What two things change in postmodern society (Lyotard)
1.Ppl no longer believe in metanarratives- develop incredulity
2.They’re replaced by technical-language games- no longer a search for an ultimate truth, instead looks for useful info abt what works. eg new tech
What is postmodern society based off? Does Lyotard welcome it?
-The production and exchange of knowledge
-Yes, as it takes focus off producing a perfect society and allows us to solve ST problems and play around with our identities.
Criticism of Lyotard
-Makes sweeping statements about social change, with little evidence to back them up.
-In doing so he creates his own metanarrative-while claiming they should be rejected
What does Baudrillard suggest about contemporary society?
-The mass of the populating express a lack of interest in Social Solidarity and Politics.
-They consume superficial culture & driven by advertising/marketing
-Live isolated lives, share common consumption of media-through which they experience the world.
What does he argue this media consumption has lead to?
The Death Of The Social- people now have limited direct experience of the world so rely on media for knowledge about how to live/behave.
-Leads to Confusion & Uncertainty over what’s real and what’s not as media no longer reflects reality- it creates what passes as it.
What are sign objects? (Bau)
-In 21st Western societies, many are affluent and consume a lot of commodities/ leisure activities.
-B: moving them away from social relationships and close to their consumer lifestyle.
-Calls these sign objects, we consume the image they give not the ac item.
What is a simulacrum
Where signs exist without any underlying reality
Explain how Postmodern society is based on simulacra-signs (Bau)
In modernity signs= real things, concepts and reflected reality
-But in PM, signs exist but have no basis of reality. Media has constructed a new world, eg a celeb: simply defined as one, no particular talent ect.
-also make-believe worlds eg Disneyland: based on mythical fake ppl
-Therefore livings now based on simulacrum-signs in a world of hyperreality (world of image)
Pakulski & Waters
-Argue the Death Of Class has occurred, as people no longer believe they belong to a class and have little in common w others in that group.
-Also argue, in a consumer society what ppl consumes much more important than ethnicity, gender, race, age (group born into)
Crook, Pakulski, Waters
-Social change under PM lead to hyperdifferentiation- an infinite variety of styles and hybrid forms of music, food, style ect
-Trad sociology’s no longer of use in understanding society from this perspective
Advantages of Post modernism
-No doubt have identified some significant trends in contemporary society
-Eg decline in class consciousness, blurring of distinction between classes, growing importance of consumer society, increased interest in constructing & changing identity, sig role of the media
