Post Modernism Comprehension:
1. What does Post Modernism suggest about the value of high art (eg opera) and popular culture (eg TV) ?
The difference between media and art has become hard to distinguish. Post Modernism denies that there is nothing greater between media and art, they put it down to a matter of taste.
2. What does Post Modernism suggest about the ideas of truth or reality - how is this linked the the Media? In recent years the world has become absorbed by media technologies, people find it hard to know what is truth and what is reality, as media technologies seem to blur which is which, even though it may sound like the truth, and look like the truth, it could possibly be a simulation of it. The media use hyper reality to its full extent, playing and twisting what it is all about.
3. Who were the 2 big thinkers and what concept do their theories share?
The two big thinkers were Lyotard and Baudrillard, they both believed in the theory of Post Modernism, but they had a different view of it. They both believed that the ideology of truth needed to be taken apart, so that you could challenge the ideas.
4. Give an example of 3 'Grand-narratives' or 'Meta-narratives' (2 will need you be your own not listed in the chapter)
5. What is significant about Disneyland and Simulacrum?
Disneyland is advertised as a form of ‘perfect world’ and that nothing will or can go wrong. This puts a harsh sense of reality when the target audience gets older.
6. How is our understanding of the events of 9/11 'hyper-real'?
The events of 9/11 were so tragic, and spread such a world wide panic, the media coverage was everywhere. But because so many media technologies were covering the story, it became hard to distinguish the events that occurred, and what we was being fed through the television. Different media technolgies clouded the judgement of fact and reality, as many people become self absorbed in what we see on the news.
7. What is significant about the Matrix as an example of Baudrillards ideas of simulation & hyper-reality? The character Nero, is seen reading the philosopher; Bauldrillards book on Simulation and Simulacra, the characters, as well as Nero, are aware that they are living in a simulated world, and there is strong elements of hyper reality, as they are living in a fake world.
8.Why are Post-modern elements of The Mighty Boosh?
The Mighty Boosh use post modern elements to their full advantage, they use techniques such as; hybridity, parody (which also links in intertextual references, as they are mocking other programmes)
9.Why are Post-modern elements of Extras?
10.Why is Grand Theft Auto Post-modern?
The game Grand Theft Auto is post modern, because it allows users to create a simulated world in which they can allow them to have no limitations to what they want to do, which differs from reality.
11. Why is the Cadburys Gorilla ad Post-modern?
12.What does FLOW and IMMERSION mean?
These two definitions, allow us to understand what goes on in a video game.
Flow means the state a person is in whilst playing a video game, where they can face challenges and get constant feedback.
Immersion explains the creativity and imagination that has gone into the game.
Written analysis on Modern Modern features:
'Explain why your case study is post-modern, analysing how it constructs meaning through its post-modern features'
True Blood is post modern as it replicates past films about the existance of vampires, for example, 'Dracula' which was released in 1931. In many ways they are similar, but True Blood twists conventions as it tells the story of both vampires and humans living alongside each other, which is relatively unheard of in this genre of film/TV. The location that this series is filmed in is Bon Temps, in Louisiana, which gives the programme a very 'generic' horror/thriller, films such as 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (2003) and 'Jeepers Creepers' (2001) were filmed in the South of America, and has become a convention for these sorts of films. You could say that in many ways these are a Pastiche towards the great films that inspired this series. It also has elements of hyper reality, intertextuality and finally 'Simulacra' as the vampires in the series have the ability to 'glamour' their victims, which in result makes them live in a fake,simulated world, and are not in control of their actions.
Definitions:
Parody: To 'mock' something, with humourous intention.
Simulacrum: The inability to distinguish the difference between reality and a simulation.
Hegemony: The popular way of thinking about culture and society, that is put in place by a high class of people.
Cultural Capital: The knowledge that is given to people to inform them of their consumption in post modern surroundings.
Hyper- reality: Actions or surroundings that seem real, but are far-fetched. for example. The Matrix.
Pastiche: A form of tribute to something that has influenced what they have produced.
Post- Modern: A historical period that became apparent after the second world war, where everything became controlled by different informative technologies.
Multi-accentuality- Where context changes over a period of time.
