Postmodernist explanations of digital forms of communication

Question 1

Postmodernisntm

Answer 1

Postmodernists favour globalisation and digital communication because of the rapid advances that it
can bring onto society. For example, the influence of cultural styles and consumer culture. Paluski and
Waters argue that we’ve moved from production to consumption.
Postmodernist societies are media saturated which means that digital forms of communication dominate
in society
Postmodernists also argue that digital forms of communication can provide a fluid and diverse way of
how our identity is expressed. For example, people may use Facebook, twitter or Instagram to create their
own self-identity.

Question 2

man like Boellstorff

Answer 2

Boellstorff second life shows how we can shift our identities and be whoever we want to be. This means
we can define themselves in a postmodern world without being associated with traditional social
structures, such as class, gender or age.

Question 3

Foucalt

Answer 3

Foucault argues that surveillance is a good example of how digital forms of communication are a positive
thing. This is because surveillance is used to reduce crime and keep members of a society safe.

Question 4

Hart

Answer 4

Hart argues that people constantly change their autobiography profile if they want to alter their identity,
which shows how identity is fluid and constantly changing online. This shows how digital communications
is a positive thing, because it can let people see others in a positive light

Question 5

Hyperreality says postmodernism is bad

Answer 5

Baudrillard argues that audiences are immersed into so much information in a postmodern world
that they find it hard to determine what’s real and what’s digital, which he calls ‘hyper-reality’.
This shows that digital forms of communication may not be healthy for identity and relationships