because I fear the future, not the reaper

[blustocking]

"Some people refuse to accept the fact that reality is becoming indistinguishable from representation in a qualitatively new way. They find permanent refuge in the belief that nothing is new under the sun. They already understand what they need to understand in order to understand everything else. These same people tend to think it's deep to talk about historical pendulums swinging back and forth. Anyway, they never fail to remind us at some point, in that special perhaps-I'm-missing-something tone, as if reluctant to spoil the speculative fun, they never fail to remind us that there have always been representations and choices and etc., etc., and isn't what's going on now just more of the same?"


Talking about media/advertising blitz (Times Square as an example)...

"Everything is firing message modules, straight for your gonads, your taste buds, your vanities, your fears. But it's okay; these modules seek to penetrate, but in a passing way; it's all in fun. A second of your attention is all they ask. Nothing real is firing, nothing that rends or cuts. It's a massage, if you just relax and go with it. And why not? Some of the most talented people on the planet have devoted their lives to creating this psychic sauna, just for you."

--from Thomas De Zengotita's book Mediated: How The Media Shapes Your World and The Way You Live In It

Highly, highly recommended.
I think I have to buy my copy now, since I've marked it so many times.

Comments

[ponsonbybritt.livejournal.com]

I didn't assume, I merely used Adbusters as an example. Hey, I used to read it. They just seemed to be drowning in their own Kool-Aid.

I don't believe we are wholly our own person. Genetics, hormones, and neurochemistry have a greater control over us than we like to believe. And while that may not seem a greatly different argument than society controls us, the difference is society is created by humans with their genetics and hormones and neurochemicals. One is higher up on the influence ladder.

So no, I don't believe human nature has changed that greatly since the 50s. The infamous Milgram experiments of 1961 and 62 showed just how great a pushover we were/are even back then (I was just following orders). I'm not saying the media don't do anything, I'm just saying they don't do anything special than we've always done to each other. They may magnify the issue, but we are no worse depraved than we have always had the potential to be.

[ponsonbybritt.livejournal.com]

All of this, of course, doesn't mean I won't try and check out this book. It definitely sounds interesting and I certainly buy what appears to be its initial premise (popular culture is deteriorating). I just happen to think that that's part of human nature too...