Friday, August 31, 2007
FrancescaMastrangelo 8/28
What is Postmodernism? This Tuesday nights class sought to provide a comprehensive definition of the word by means of multiple signifying factors. In order to substantiate this particular "ism", one must first fathom its ambiguity. To begin with, postmodernism is a time period that lacks a specific chronology. It is a matter of incessant debate as to when this period in fact began. However, popular speculations include the creation of the atomic bomb in 1945 and the Velvet Revolution of 1989 in which the Berlin Wall fell along with communism. These milestones in the course of history all share the common denominator of a shift in our society's priorities due to the inevitable advancement of technology. Moreover, I found it interesting that our class discussion contended this period to be more of an aura than an era. As there is an estimated chronology of the period, its essence is defined by a culmination of adjectives that render a distinct ambience. Due primarily in part to technology, postmodernism embodies the imminent movement towards significant and consistent change. This change is evident in every facet of postmodern life in the form of pervasive consumerism. We live in a society where bigger is better and faster is stronger. Yet, in order to remain in the rat race one must purchase which ever product will catalyze their quest to the finish line. Furthermore, as the postmodern era progresses, a clear definition of such a finish line becomes increasingly vague. Our society is seemingly convinced the most effective methodology to attain success constitutes the capitalistic principles that are manifested in every facet of daily life. In summation, postmodernism transcends merely the number of years it is measured by. Postmodernism traces an evolution of the standards we measure our quality of life in accordance to.
Eric 8/31
In class it was said that fear is the aesthetic du jour of our age. I find myself strangely drawn to concepts of graceful terror and beautiful images that exude wrongfulness. I enjoy that feeling of mixed wonder and fear.
Perhaps we are trying to forget our true fears by clothing the spirits of atrocity and horror in the flesh of absurdity.
It is at this moment that I realize that I have forgotten what I was trying to say in this post. Some trite shit involving sweeping generalizations no doubt.
I find myself slightly insulated from some parts of mainstream culture. I do not watch much tv. I have never really watched much tv. I get my news from BBC.co.uk,Vice Magazine, and the somethingawful forums. The BBC isn't quite as interested in the subjects which make domestic mainstream media outlets so tedious for me. I also listen to NPR.
I have a habit of deliberatly ignoring whatever "super celebrity x" is doing (OMGAWD). I have close to no interest in the lives of actors or heiresses and am fond of catagorically denying their existence in some vain attempt to make them go away.
Hopefully I can think of some more to add to this in a bit.
Perhaps we are trying to forget our true fears by clothing the spirits of atrocity and horror in the flesh of absurdity.
It is at this moment that I realize that I have forgotten what I was trying to say in this post. Some trite shit involving sweeping generalizations no doubt.
I find myself slightly insulated from some parts of mainstream culture. I do not watch much tv. I have never really watched much tv. I get my news from BBC.co.uk,Vice Magazine, and the somethingawful forums. The BBC isn't quite as interested in the subjects which make domestic mainstream media outlets so tedious for me. I also listen to NPR.
I have a habit of deliberatly ignoring whatever "super celebrity x" is doing (OMGAWD). I have close to no interest in the lives of actors or heiresses and am fond of catagorically denying their existence in some vain attempt to make them go away.
Hopefully I can think of some more to add to this in a bit.
Note from Dr. Rog
When you go to make a new blog entry, make sure you use the NEW POST icon, not the CREATE BLOG icon to post to the Pomoculture site. thanks.
Justin 8/28
I don't see anything posted other than Dr. Rog's, so I guess I will be the guinea pig/nerd. Since the girl from South Carolina being top news was a big attraction during the first class, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the ongoing grudge I've had against AOL. Ever since I used the internet, I've used AOL mail. Once, when I was in high school (I lived in Germany at the time), I was told that I couldn't log into AOL because my account had been suspended. My dad was in Sweden on business, and he ended up spending over two hours on the phone, long distance, to figure out why he couldn't check his email. It turned out that our account had been suspended due to a mildly crude phrase written in my AOL Profile, sort of the predecessor to MySpace or Facebook. Apparently they were strict about content maintenance back then, since the only people that would ever see the comment were AOL members that pressed Ctrl G and then typed in my screen name. Today, it seems like at least one of AOL News' 5 headlines is dedicated to improving your sex life or advertising stolen celebrity sex tapes. These are headlines, with pictures, on the front page where everyone can see. And they shut my family's account down no more than 6 or 7 years ago for something dumb I had written in my profile? Seems like their priorities have changed.
Not to drag this out any more, but did anyone see the run of theme park tragedies in the news in early August? There must have been four in a two week span. They were all headlines on AOL, that's the only reason I noticed.
Not to drag this out any more, but did anyone see the run of theme park tragedies in the news in early August? There must have been four in a two week span. They were all headlines on AOL, that's the only reason I noticed.
Sally 8/28
The first class has come and gone. It was a challenge to locate the "classroom." Security did not know where it was located, nor did the folks at the circulation desk or bookstore, and best of all, it was not even on the campus map! The best direction I got was that it was in the general area behind Pugsley Hall thanks to the school operator. In hindsight, that challenge was quite appropriate considering the subject of the class - making sense of this senseless world in which we live! It was indeed a pleasant surprise to discover our class meets in the very comfortable surroundings of a "lodge!" Enjoyable, stimulating, and eye-opening are appropriate in describing Dr. Rog's lecture this past Tuesday night. I had never considered such a concept as postmodernism, but obviously it's been around for quite some time. To be able, at this point, to exactly describe this "condition" is beyond me; I have no doubt that as each week passes, the concept will become more clear. To be honest, I am relieved that this phenomena is, and has been, studied in depth by the educated; there is a measure of comfort in knowing others can describe what is witnessed on a daily basis around, and within, our society. One question I have is whether this is a Western Society (as in U.S.) occurrence or is it global....and is it contagious?! I would think that since the French and the Swiss can boast of their own cultural theorists, it must be global and not necessarily reflective of any particular country. Whew, I guess the U.S. isn't to blame then? Certainly, I think we do share much of the responsibilty for the senselessness and hypocrital behavior we see all around us in politics, society at large, and the educational system. Having hosted international students and skydivers (from Italy, France, and Spain) I know our American culture bares much responsibility in promoting an often rude and mindless I-have-to-be-entertained-and-get-it-cheap mentality by its citizens.
During the lecture, I heard some concepts that confirmed long-held feelings of my own. The opinion expressed that politics and the educational system have collapsed are bold and honest statements. No longer do I feel that this is an observation without foundation...seems I am in good company since I believe those are true statements, as well. Personally, the defensive "don't be afraid of change" rhetoric expressed by authority is no longer as patronizing to me -and that's just after one class! There must be something to all of these "changes" which, in my opinion, are anything but positive for our society. In fact, the social climate in the U.S. is alarming. Watching talking heads/experts screaming and overtalking each other on "news" shows has long been disgusting to me for one very distinct reason: where is the respect? I can imagine a young 5th or 6th grader observing this behavior, then acting it out himself at school. Most likely, that student would be tracked as being a troublemaker when in fact he is modeling behavior exhibited by adults...that is ADULTS....on national television. Doesn't make sense to me, but more than being non-sensical, I believe it is quite harmful to our society. The entertainment aspect of the "news" show may attract young audiences but parents would be well-advised to scratch that venue off the list for the younger members of the household! We have been encouraged to watch "bad" t.v. this semester for examples of postmodernism - this should be an interesting journey!
During the lecture, I heard some concepts that confirmed long-held feelings of my own. The opinion expressed that politics and the educational system have collapsed are bold and honest statements. No longer do I feel that this is an observation without foundation...seems I am in good company since I believe those are true statements, as well. Personally, the defensive "don't be afraid of change" rhetoric expressed by authority is no longer as patronizing to me -and that's just after one class! There must be something to all of these "changes" which, in my opinion, are anything but positive for our society. In fact, the social climate in the U.S. is alarming. Watching talking heads/experts screaming and overtalking each other on "news" shows has long been disgusting to me for one very distinct reason: where is the respect? I can imagine a young 5th or 6th grader observing this behavior, then acting it out himself at school. Most likely, that student would be tracked as being a troublemaker when in fact he is modeling behavior exhibited by adults...that is ADULTS....on national television. Doesn't make sense to me, but more than being non-sensical, I believe it is quite harmful to our society. The entertainment aspect of the "news" show may attract young audiences but parents would be well-advised to scratch that venue off the list for the younger members of the household! We have been encouraged to watch "bad" t.v. this semester for examples of postmodernism - this should be an interesting journey!
GM, 8/28
GM, August 28
ENG 335A—Critical Approaches to Postmodern Culture just may be the answer to what I’ve been looking for; a new way in which to S’PLAIN what’s happening in our world today, or, at least in my world—more particularly—how and why we/I look at and accept the way things are today.
As a culture, or, a micro culture, take where I live for example, very close to the Magic Kingdom, how does one critically explain a culture where you walk down a newly constructed, beautifully landscaped and very expensive sidewalk which has been built along side a newly widened six-lane and extremely expensive boulevard which leads to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom, and, as you walk along this sidewalk you discover that all of the newly installed benches, alongside the newly constructed sidewalk, alongside the newly widened six-lane boulevard, leading you to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom, are all occupied by sleeping or passed out crack heads, panhandlers, prostitutes, vagrants, and bums.
Then, as you continue your walk, now leaving the sidewalk, you walk past motels and hotels, most of which are boarded up, but the few which remain open now rent cheaply by the week and, as you walk farther past the seedy and worn out strip smalls, you take note that all the shops are either tattoo parlors, pawn shops, check cashing shops, bail bondsmen, day labor places, or the infamous Amscots. But, and this is where ENG 335A—Critical Approaches to Postmodern Culture hopefully will come into play for the observer in this micro culture—all seems normal somehow.
Then, as you continue your walk, just a very short distance off the newly constructed sidewalk, alongside the newly widened six-lane boulevard, but still in view of the passed out crack heads, panhandlers, prostitutes, vagrants, and bums you pass palatial vacation homes, all with meticulously well kept lawns and screened and heated swimming pools. Continuing your walk, back up on the newly constructed sidewalk, you stop for dinner in a small, “mom and pop” café located at the end of one of those seedy and worn out strip malls. All is normal though, as you make your way through the parking lot to the café entrance, navigating all the while through a sea of crack heads, panhandlers, prostitutes, vagrants, and bums before dinner.
I want to discuss what I see: that, how as a culture, we’ve somehow developed as such to the point where, at least to me, these scenes are acceptable to us.
ENG 335A—Critical Approaches to Postmodern Culture just may be the answer to what I’ve been looking for; a new way in which to S’PLAIN what’s happening in our world today, or, at least in my world—more particularly—how and why we/I look at and accept the way things are today.
As a culture, or, a micro culture, take where I live for example, very close to the Magic Kingdom, how does one critically explain a culture where you walk down a newly constructed, beautifully landscaped and very expensive sidewalk which has been built along side a newly widened six-lane and extremely expensive boulevard which leads to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom, and, as you walk along this sidewalk you discover that all of the newly installed benches, alongside the newly constructed sidewalk, alongside the newly widened six-lane boulevard, leading you to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom, are all occupied by sleeping or passed out crack heads, panhandlers, prostitutes, vagrants, and bums.
Then, as you continue your walk, now leaving the sidewalk, you walk past motels and hotels, most of which are boarded up, but the few which remain open now rent cheaply by the week and, as you walk farther past the seedy and worn out strip smalls, you take note that all the shops are either tattoo parlors, pawn shops, check cashing shops, bail bondsmen, day labor places, or the infamous Amscots. But, and this is where ENG 335A—Critical Approaches to Postmodern Culture hopefully will come into play for the observer in this micro culture—all seems normal somehow.
Then, as you continue your walk, just a very short distance off the newly constructed sidewalk, alongside the newly widened six-lane boulevard, but still in view of the passed out crack heads, panhandlers, prostitutes, vagrants, and bums you pass palatial vacation homes, all with meticulously well kept lawns and screened and heated swimming pools. Continuing your walk, back up on the newly constructed sidewalk, you stop for dinner in a small, “mom and pop” café located at the end of one of those seedy and worn out strip malls. All is normal though, as you make your way through the parking lot to the café entrance, navigating all the while through a sea of crack heads, panhandlers, prostitutes, vagrants, and bums before dinner.
I want to discuss what I see: that, how as a culture, we’ve somehow developed as such to the point where, at least to me, these scenes are acceptable to us.
GeekinthePink
I saw a television commercial that sparked exactly what I wanted to blog about. Have you guys ever seen the new Visa Checkcard commercials? They advertise how much faster using a checkcard is then using cash. In fact, the two people shown using the “outdated” monetary system—those green bills floating around with dead Presidents, in case anyone has forgotten—are always shown fumbling in their purses or pockets to pay. Obviously, the moral of the story is to always use your card and your service will be faster, happier, and more enjoyable (the cashiers are smiling with the card users, and frowning with the old-schoolers).
Now I think this is a great example of our postmodern society—the commercial is deconstructing the primary way we used to pay, and telling us it works, but it is not the best or fastest. On one hand, I can clearly see I would rather swipe a card than fumble with money, but on the other, we have to consider the drawbacks of this postmodern idea—account overdraw. If I have five dollars in my purse and I want to purchase a drink and a bag of chips priced at $5.50 (I know, expensive food, but hey in this imaginary scene I am in Winter Park), I know that I cannot. But, if I have a card and I have five dollars in my account, I may not realize I don’t have that extra fifty-cent. Consequence? That bag of chips and drink will cost about forty dollars (at least with my bank fees). And unless these chips were boiled directly with holy water blessed by the Pope, I do not think any chips or drink should cost that much. All I’m saying is that with the faster way of doing things, we sometimes do not consider the cost of them: people overdrawing accounts, misjudging how many times they’ve swiped, because let’s face it, it’s hard to remember when you are just swiping, and also if you lose them, someone has access to all of your money, instead of just the cash you have on you. As outdated as our society makes paying with cash—it is absolutely foolproof. It cannot fail. Machines cannot go down. Your money cannot be declined. Maybe slower is not necessarily worse?
I’m starting a campaign to bring back the paper dollar. Is anybody with me?
Sarah
Now I think this is a great example of our postmodern society—the commercial is deconstructing the primary way we used to pay, and telling us it works, but it is not the best or fastest. On one hand, I can clearly see I would rather swipe a card than fumble with money, but on the other, we have to consider the drawbacks of this postmodern idea—account overdraw. If I have five dollars in my purse and I want to purchase a drink and a bag of chips priced at $5.50 (I know, expensive food, but hey in this imaginary scene I am in Winter Park), I know that I cannot. But, if I have a card and I have five dollars in my account, I may not realize I don’t have that extra fifty-cent. Consequence? That bag of chips and drink will cost about forty dollars (at least with my bank fees). And unless these chips were boiled directly with holy water blessed by the Pope, I do not think any chips or drink should cost that much. All I’m saying is that with the faster way of doing things, we sometimes do not consider the cost of them: people overdrawing accounts, misjudging how many times they’ve swiped, because let’s face it, it’s hard to remember when you are just swiping, and also if you lose them, someone has access to all of your money, instead of just the cash you have on you. As outdated as our society makes paying with cash—it is absolutely foolproof. It cannot fail. Machines cannot go down. Your money cannot be declined. Maybe slower is not necessarily worse?
I’m starting a campaign to bring back the paper dollar. Is anybody with me?
Sarah
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Welcome to ENG 335
Welcome to the blog for ENG335A: Critical Approaches to Postmodern Culture, taught fall 2006 at Rollins College. I'm your host: Notorious Dr. Rog, and I invite you to fire away with i/entertexts before and after class. Can't wait to see what you have to say about the wet and wild ride through the world of pomo.
Your first post will be a blog written as a response to the first night of class. What did you learn about postmodernism? How do you feel about the class? This needs to be posted by Friday night. When you post after class, always title your blog with your name first, then enter the date of the class, e.g. Roger 8/22.
Example:
Tuesday night's class was brilliant. I am so excited to be reading theory all term instead of spending time with my family, working, or sleeping. I think the professor is perhaps the most brilliant man I have ever met. I learned so much about postmodernism from his introductory lecture. He should have his own cable show.
As you can see, this entry, were it longer, would be an excellent example of an A quality blog :-)
Your second post should be up no later than Monday night and will be a blog on any aspect of the four theorists you are reading for next week: Saussure, Barthes, Macherey, or Jencks. So when you post before a class, enter your name then the last name of the theorist you are blogging on, e.g. Roger, Barthes or Roger, Macherey.
Have fun . . .
Your first post will be a blog written as a response to the first night of class. What did you learn about postmodernism? How do you feel about the class? This needs to be posted by Friday night. When you post after class, always title your blog with your name first, then enter the date of the class, e.g. Roger 8/22.
Example:
Tuesday night's class was brilliant. I am so excited to be reading theory all term instead of spending time with my family, working, or sleeping. I think the professor is perhaps the most brilliant man I have ever met. I learned so much about postmodernism from his introductory lecture. He should have his own cable show.
As you can see, this entry, were it longer, would be an excellent example of an A quality blog :-)
Your second post should be up no later than Monday night and will be a blog on any aspect of the four theorists you are reading for next week: Saussure, Barthes, Macherey, or Jencks. So when you post before a class, enter your name then the last name of the theorist you are blogging on, e.g. Roger, Barthes or Roger, Macherey.
Have fun . . .
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