Postmodernism
The term ‘postmodern’ is one that has caused great debate. Some theorists believe we are in a postmodern era as we speak, some believe it is here but hate the thought and effect it is having on society and some theorists believe there is no such thing and we are just in late modernity. Combined with the fact that there are numerous definitions regarding postmodernism, it really must be questioned what time period we are actually in. However, one thing that cannot be questioned is that times are changing, especially in the media. Many media products are being described as post modern as they push the boundaries of supposed media rules and regulations.
In television for example, the modern age of television saw minimal programs being created, that were ultimately aimed at the cupper class with a Hegemonic structure firmly in place. Furthermore, within the programs there was a clear linear narrative, with a clear hero, stereotypes were used for the characters and the program ended with an optimistic finale. Television in contemporary times appeared to have reacted and rebelled to all that has gone before it.
There is now a pluralism structure in place in which there are numerous channels wit numerous programs available. In modernity, there could have been one drama available, in post-modernity, there are now numerous dramas available all on different channels. Some say that this has resulted in society becoming greedy and more picky yet the ‘Postmodern Audience Theory’ suggests the complete opposite. The theory segregates a possible viewer into three categories. Firstly, there is the theory of mass culture where a viewer will watch a TV program dependent on its success and the following it gets. A good example of this is the teenage drama ‘Glee’ in which the program has received an almighty following from all areas due to its success initially in America. The second part of theory is known as the ‘detracted position’ in which a viewer will watch a TV program, knowing it’s bad, but will watch it to comment how poor it is. This part of the theory most certainly gives the impression of laziness across society today. The final part of this theory is called ‘Routine’. The theory suggests that the audience watch certain programmes because it fits into an individual’s ‘routine’.
This idea of a piece of technology controlling an individual’s activities is one that is deemed extremely postmodern as society within the modernist era and the realism era before that could never have comprehended it as a time where art and religion were important. So although, the continuous improvement in technology is deemed a positive development, the impact it has on our lives ask the question whether technological determinism is taking place? Does an individual’s life’s priority result in technology ***** culture or vice versa. Quite frankly I believe, it the first option as society spirals into a dystopian world, rather like what is being shown on the television, which also varies from the ‘happy’ narratives shown in the modernism era.
One of the problems with this postmodern culture is the feeling that nothing is new anymore. Fredrick Jameson felt that society had lost its connection with ‘hisoricity’. This is proven further in television. To create a post modern text, there are three different things you can do. The first is to adapt a previous text, or you can hybridise two or more texts or use self reflexitivity. The one common denominator within those 3 factors is that nothing is new. Ideas are being taken from past ideas, ig the media reflects society then this could represent that nothing completely new is ever going to be created again, this linking in heavily with the dystopian core that postmodernism brings.
A theorist called Jacques Derida answered a theorist known as the ‘deconstruction Model’ he felt that if a text was deconstructed for the meaning and then you analysed the meaning and then analysed that meaning and so on and so forth, you would reach binary opposites which would suggest the text had no literal meaning at all and therefore no point. An example of this is the tv program ‘Big Brother’. The simplicity of adapting George Orwell’s novel ‘1984’ appeared to be genius. Yet, under scrutinization, it would appear the program is merely spying on 10 – 15 individuals as they undertake sadistic tasks. But what’s the point? We all have our individual lives so why do we need to see other peoples? There is no meaning to the program and this is a program attempting to represent society, does this in turn suggest that society has not meaning and we are merely going through life without any real purpose?
The effect on society from television is quite obviously a postmodern view, hence only why this particular media product is described as postmodern.
In a completely different direction, the world of gaining is also considered to be postmodern. As technology improves and the options to progress increase, games, are becoming more and more interactive and the avatar is becoming more realistic.
There have been recent cases where caretrophes have occurred and the convicted have said they were just ‘re-enacting’ the game. For example, the death of a Male two years ago was a supposed result of the game ‘Gears of War’ coming to life. These types of disasters ask society the question whether it is just a select few who become too involved in the game or is it a gradual process in which we wish we were the person in the game.
Slavij Zizek believed that ‘we experience virtual reality as real reality suggests that the avater is the real us. Due to the lack of law and restrictions that are placed on society, the gaining individual can supposedly be their real selves?
Judith Butler goes on to say that in social situations ‘everyone is acting’ and the concept that people nowadays act out their supposed realselves through technology as opposed to themselves in society is a very dark thought. Again, this links in with postmodernism dystopian tone. Game manufacturers are beginning to pick up on this theme as games like ‘Heavy Rain’ and ‘The Sims’ are introduced. Early games had a clear narrative and structure and they were played until completion. Yet, nowadays, the game has developed into a rhizomic narrative in which the participant can act out daily activities such as feeding a baby or walking the dog before they go and shoot someone or run them down?! Is it possible for individuals in society to become so engrossed in a game that they believe it’s reality as opposed to their real life which juxta poses and becomes their virtual reality? Apparently, in a postmodern world it’s a possibility. The theorist Csikczentmihalyi certainly believes so, he believes there are two types of games and these are categorised into ‘flow vs immersion.’ Flow is a modern view on going where there is a clear structure and although the individual becomes involved and enjoys the challenge, they are able to shut the device of and understand the boundaries between real and virtual.
Immersion talks about games who become so involved in the game, they believe they are the game and they are that character and the actions they are doing is what they would do in society, if they were allowed to. Csikczentmihalyi believes more and more members of society are becoming immerse gamers.
The product of gaming is designed as postmodern as it reacts and rebels against modern times as structure and authority and becomes a device that supposedly allows the person to become who they really are, their own ‘avater’. This was never likely in modernism as no member of society dreamed of growing up and becoming *********!
To conclude, I believe that society are most definitely in a post modern society and this is reflected by the media products and their postmodern outlook. In television and gaming thee are no restrictions anymore and nothing is impossible. Bo-one would have believed that television would become a two way flow nor that an individual could design themselves and act out their ‘real life’ even if that does mean becoming a criminal.
Or Alan Kirby believes, the situation will only get worse as people become totally immersed in technology and will begin to have situations that are unique to the individual and cannot be replayed. It’s a **** result in a global effect of social ineptness and a very negative time ahead.
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