Friday, December 19, 2008
Monkeys follow popular culture
Monkeys follow popular culture
Popular culture can be deciphered as information passed down from one generation to another. The cultural beliefs are given to children through the eyes of their caretakers but just as the printing press changed this trajectory of information so has the internet. The information era is as revolutionary as the printing press. Opinions and beliefs of different people can be read by several and in turn influence the changing culture. People are exposed to numerous options and can pick and choose their own principles. Novels such as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” expose the gender constraints enforced by a patriarchal society. When revealing adversities and hypocrisy, people are made aware of atrocities such as oppression and injustice. Both of the former novels uncovered feminine shackles enforced by society. The internet exposes various cultural influences by the sheer magnitude of articles available and allows for the masses to make informed conclusions.
Postmodernists of the technological age predicted a globalized society forming groups not geographically but philosophically. The overlapping information accessible across the globe allows for alliances made by common convictions as opposed to nationality. This was superseded by terrorist attacks which renewed patriotism in a way not seen since world war two.
Rigid religious beliefs dominated popular culture for many centuries but with the development of the printing press it allowed for people such as Mary Wollstonecraft, William Blake, William Godwin, Percy Shelley and Darwin to expose other viewpoints on feminism, slavery, evolution and the church. The revelation of other radical popular beliefs permitted the change of society and without this development slavery and women as property would still be acceptable. Popular culture may be seen as frivolous especially in a time of great excess, but without it there would never be any change or improvement.
Improvement is not the only result; in contrast, fundamentalist groups have gained strength through the internet. Unfortunately misinformation, propaganda and the worst, disinformation are abundant in the cyber world. Anti Semitic, racist and violent groups find a way to gather and gain momentum; however, this is not just a symptom of the computer age, as can be seen with the Nazi party. Propaganda will always find a way to get out. It is sent out in large numbers over the computer and can be disseminated with great speed to accumulate many followers in a short amount of time. The problem is not the misinformation which will always occur, but it is the magnitude of the dissemination. Many people still believe what they read without researching it.
Research is one of the most advantageous advances of the computer age. Although misinformation is given over the internet, people can in turn use the internet to confirm or discredit what is read. If used properly the information age can be helpful in deciding the validity of what is written. Hypertext is a prime example of a useful research tool; one can look up different opinions of the text and can link to other related topics building on the information already given. If given different opinions people can critically decipher what they are reading and the internet allows for this. Reading all items on the internet should be done with a critical eye.
Disinformation is the lowest of the low, never underestimate the evil intentions of some individuals or institutions to say or write whatever suits a particular purpose, even when it requires deliberate fabrication. Misinformation is when a person interprets something wrong and misinforms unknowingly. This is apparent when there is no editorial control which contributes to this problem. Excellent resources reside alongside the most dubious. Proper use of the internet is essential and educating the masses of how to be critical can also be the job of the internet. The internet serves as human’s contaminator and savior.
Popular culture can be deciphered as information passed down from one generation to another. The cultural beliefs are given to children through the eyes of their caretakers but just as the printing press changed this trajectory of information so has the internet. The information era is as revolutionary as the printing press. Opinions and beliefs of different people can be read by several and in turn influence the changing culture. People are exposed to numerous options and can pick and choose their own principles. Novels such as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” expose the gender constraints enforced by a patriarchal society. When revealing adversities and hypocrisy, people are made aware of atrocities such as oppression and injustice. Both of the former novels uncovered feminine shackles enforced by society. The internet exposes various cultural influences by the sheer magnitude of articles available and allows for the masses to make informed conclusions.
Postmodernists of the technological age predicted a globalized society forming groups not geographically but philosophically. The overlapping information accessible across the globe allows for alliances made by common convictions as opposed to nationality. This was superseded by terrorist attacks which renewed patriotism in a way not seen since world war two.
Rigid religious beliefs dominated popular culture for many centuries but with the development of the printing press it allowed for people such as Mary Wollstonecraft, William Blake, William Godwin, Percy Shelley and Darwin to expose other viewpoints on feminism, slavery, evolution and the church. The revelation of other radical popular beliefs permitted the change of society and without this development slavery and women as property would still be acceptable. Popular culture may be seen as frivolous especially in a time of great excess, but without it there would never be any change or improvement.
Improvement is not the only result; in contrast, fundamentalist groups have gained strength through the internet. Unfortunately misinformation, propaganda and the worst, disinformation are abundant in the cyber world. Anti Semitic, racist and violent groups find a way to gather and gain momentum; however, this is not just a symptom of the computer age, as can be seen with the Nazi party. Propaganda will always find a way to get out. It is sent out in large numbers over the computer and can be disseminated with great speed to accumulate many followers in a short amount of time. The problem is not the misinformation which will always occur, but it is the magnitude of the dissemination. Many people still believe what they read without researching it.
Research is one of the most advantageous advances of the computer age. Although misinformation is given over the internet, people can in turn use the internet to confirm or discredit what is read. If used properly the information age can be helpful in deciding the validity of what is written. Hypertext is a prime example of a useful research tool; one can look up different opinions of the text and can link to other related topics building on the information already given. If given different opinions people can critically decipher what they are reading and the internet allows for this. Reading all items on the internet should be done with a critical eye.
Disinformation is the lowest of the low, never underestimate the evil intentions of some individuals or institutions to say or write whatever suits a particular purpose, even when it requires deliberate fabrication. Misinformation is when a person interprets something wrong and misinforms unknowingly. This is apparent when there is no editorial control which contributes to this problem. Excellent resources reside alongside the most dubious. Proper use of the internet is essential and educating the masses of how to be critical can also be the job of the internet. The internet serves as human’s contaminator and savior.
Monday, October 13, 2008
The Caste System
Aeden Sutherlin
The Caste System
Continuously strong are the prejudices originated from societal classes dominated by economics and the ruling race, once called caste systems in India. Caste systems have been put in place for us and commonly are hereditary, who can be held responsible? There is, not only imposed gender constraints, but also societal class constraints and when they are both challenged simultaneously it becomes rather interesting. The outcome of this fused role reversal in “Sex in the City” is disturbing because it shows that men have not changed their views on woman being more successful. The issue is ever changing and there are many men who are willing to stay home, take care of the children and let the woman work, however this episode supports the patriarchal idea of men having to be the dominant economic provider.
In the outside source referenced here, it is apparent that both gender and class constraints conflict Miranda from “Sex in the City”, season 2, episode “The Caste System”. She is a successful lawyer while her boyfriend is a single minded bartender. The argument of her friends is that he will always be a lower class than her so they will never work out. She doesn’t care about the apparent class difference but he does. When confronted with having to buy an expensive suit for a law firm party, the boyfriend breaks up with Miranda claiming that he will never feel good about himself knowing she is in a higher paying job with more responsibilities and ambitions.
It is argued that if the roles were reversed there would be no problem, there seems to be an assumption that it is alright for the man to have more money than the woman but visa versa is unacceptable. This is an obvious hereditary cultural ideology passed down. One may argue, however, it could be a biological trait where the man needs to provide for the woman, such as the cavemen did; a hard sell.
As McDonald states in “Romantic Comedy” (pg. 49), “Such a restrictive view of gendered behavior indicates contemporary societal assumptions about the two sexes, as well as the anxiety raised by reports like Kinsey’s which implied these assumptions could not be substantiated”. These gender assumptions included the idea that woman did not desire sex and when Kinsey reported the opposite, society was reassured, “regardless of this, they were still prepared not to give in to their desires but would wait for a man who would marry them first”. (McDonald, T.J. Romantic Comedy. London: Wallflower, 2007, pg47) Organizations passing down this gender ideology and constraint must be shocked and appalled with the radical ideas put forth in “Sex in the City”, even if it still promotes marriage. Any reversal of these assumed gender roles is inevitably humorous, as is seen in many romantic comedies (pg. 49), in the case of Miranda it turned out to be tragic.
Gender constraints are the primary focus of “Sex in the City” and despite it being a romantic comedy it is a radical romance. This episode and many more show a side of women that until now has only been revealed to the chosen few. No matter how frivolous the characters may seem to some there is a bit of each character in most western women. The author has captured the contemporary woman and all her complicated physical and mental thoughts and needs. She is constantly conflicted with the historical view of woman as opposed to her own modern idea, as seen with Miranda and her boyfriend.
The character that emanates the most radical change in the view of woman is Samantha. She uses men for sex and there are no strings attached which is exactly how she wants it, most of the time. Even in her occasional need for more than sex from her mate she still demonstrates a male attitude. There is a scene where her boyfriend tries to take her hand but she doesn’t want to be so intimate to the detriment of falling down a sidewalk hole, she only wants to have sex, not cuddle. Miranda also shows a male side when she does not want to cuddle in bed with her boyfriend Steve, he is the one who wants to snuggle, typically a female trait; yet again an assumed gender attribute.
The strongest most appealing women in television have typically been waiting their whole lives to be married and are only working until it happens. Look at Mary Tyler Moore, one of the most popular shows for girls in the seventies and even though she was a contemporary working woman she was only bide ding her time until the nuptials. Mary Wollstonecraft wrote in “The Vindication for the Rights of Woman”, “strength and usefulness are sacrificed to beauty;…I attribute to a false system of education gathered from books written on this subject by men who, considering females rather as women than human creatures, have been more anxious to make them alluring mistresses than wives; and the understanding of the sex has been so bubbled by this specious homage, that the civilized women of present century, with a few exceptions, are only anxious to inspire love, when they ought to cherish a nobler ambition, and by their abilities and virtues exact respect”. She believed two hundred years ago that women are worth more than just their charms and should act with reason or above it, as William Blake put it, with the Poetic Genius. (Blake, William. Duncan Wu Anthology Romanticism, third edition, All Religions Are One. USA: Blackwell Publishing, 2006, pg. 174)
It has taken this long for real change to happen and to finally see characters in popular culture that question the very ideals that make up our society, not the least of which is the constraints made up for women.
“The influence of biology has been rejected in favour of understanding masculinity and femininity as cultural constraints”. (Barker, Chris. Cultural Studies, theory and practice. London: Sage Publications, 2008, pg 285) These constraints are in a constant state of flux and the discourse achieved has brought about change. The concept of womanhood is being explored like never before because the awareness of cultural constraints and the change of attitudes towards traditional beliefs. Women no longer need to be married to have children and they can be monetarily successful without the help of a man. This may seem like progress to some but many men still cannot deal with the idea of women being completely independent, as seen in the episode of “Sex in the City.”
WORKS CITED
“Sex in the City”, season 2, episode “The Caste System”.
McDonald, T.J. Romantic Comedy. London: Wallflower, 2007.
Wollstonecraft, Mary. Duncan Wu Anthology Romanticism, third edition, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. USA: Blackwell Publishing, 2006.
Blake, William. Duncan Wu Anthology Romanticism, third edition, All Religions Are One. USA: Blackwell Publishing, 2006.
Barker, Chris. Cultural Studies, theory and practice. London: Sage Publications, 2008.
The Caste System
Continuously strong are the prejudices originated from societal classes dominated by economics and the ruling race, once called caste systems in India. Caste systems have been put in place for us and commonly are hereditary, who can be held responsible? There is, not only imposed gender constraints, but also societal class constraints and when they are both challenged simultaneously it becomes rather interesting. The outcome of this fused role reversal in “Sex in the City” is disturbing because it shows that men have not changed their views on woman being more successful. The issue is ever changing and there are many men who are willing to stay home, take care of the children and let the woman work, however this episode supports the patriarchal idea of men having to be the dominant economic provider.
In the outside source referenced here, it is apparent that both gender and class constraints conflict Miranda from “Sex in the City”, season 2, episode “The Caste System”. She is a successful lawyer while her boyfriend is a single minded bartender. The argument of her friends is that he will always be a lower class than her so they will never work out. She doesn’t care about the apparent class difference but he does. When confronted with having to buy an expensive suit for a law firm party, the boyfriend breaks up with Miranda claiming that he will never feel good about himself knowing she is in a higher paying job with more responsibilities and ambitions.
It is argued that if the roles were reversed there would be no problem, there seems to be an assumption that it is alright for the man to have more money than the woman but visa versa is unacceptable. This is an obvious hereditary cultural ideology passed down. One may argue, however, it could be a biological trait where the man needs to provide for the woman, such as the cavemen did; a hard sell.
As McDonald states in “Romantic Comedy” (pg. 49), “Such a restrictive view of gendered behavior indicates contemporary societal assumptions about the two sexes, as well as the anxiety raised by reports like Kinsey’s which implied these assumptions could not be substantiated”. These gender assumptions included the idea that woman did not desire sex and when Kinsey reported the opposite, society was reassured, “regardless of this, they were still prepared not to give in to their desires but would wait for a man who would marry them first”. (McDonald, T.J. Romantic Comedy. London: Wallflower, 2007, pg47) Organizations passing down this gender ideology and constraint must be shocked and appalled with the radical ideas put forth in “Sex in the City”, even if it still promotes marriage. Any reversal of these assumed gender roles is inevitably humorous, as is seen in many romantic comedies (pg. 49), in the case of Miranda it turned out to be tragic.
Gender constraints are the primary focus of “Sex in the City” and despite it being a romantic comedy it is a radical romance. This episode and many more show a side of women that until now has only been revealed to the chosen few. No matter how frivolous the characters may seem to some there is a bit of each character in most western women. The author has captured the contemporary woman and all her complicated physical and mental thoughts and needs. She is constantly conflicted with the historical view of woman as opposed to her own modern idea, as seen with Miranda and her boyfriend.
The character that emanates the most radical change in the view of woman is Samantha. She uses men for sex and there are no strings attached which is exactly how she wants it, most of the time. Even in her occasional need for more than sex from her mate she still demonstrates a male attitude. There is a scene where her boyfriend tries to take her hand but she doesn’t want to be so intimate to the detriment of falling down a sidewalk hole, she only wants to have sex, not cuddle. Miranda also shows a male side when she does not want to cuddle in bed with her boyfriend Steve, he is the one who wants to snuggle, typically a female trait; yet again an assumed gender attribute.
The strongest most appealing women in television have typically been waiting their whole lives to be married and are only working until it happens. Look at Mary Tyler Moore, one of the most popular shows for girls in the seventies and even though she was a contemporary working woman she was only bide ding her time until the nuptials. Mary Wollstonecraft wrote in “The Vindication for the Rights of Woman”, “strength and usefulness are sacrificed to beauty;…I attribute to a false system of education gathered from books written on this subject by men who, considering females rather as women than human creatures, have been more anxious to make them alluring mistresses than wives; and the understanding of the sex has been so bubbled by this specious homage, that the civilized women of present century, with a few exceptions, are only anxious to inspire love, when they ought to cherish a nobler ambition, and by their abilities and virtues exact respect”. She believed two hundred years ago that women are worth more than just their charms and should act with reason or above it, as William Blake put it, with the Poetic Genius. (Blake, William. Duncan Wu Anthology Romanticism, third edition, All Religions Are One. USA: Blackwell Publishing, 2006, pg. 174)
It has taken this long for real change to happen and to finally see characters in popular culture that question the very ideals that make up our society, not the least of which is the constraints made up for women.
“The influence of biology has been rejected in favour of understanding masculinity and femininity as cultural constraints”. (Barker, Chris. Cultural Studies, theory and practice. London: Sage Publications, 2008, pg 285) These constraints are in a constant state of flux and the discourse achieved has brought about change. The concept of womanhood is being explored like never before because the awareness of cultural constraints and the change of attitudes towards traditional beliefs. Women no longer need to be married to have children and they can be monetarily successful without the help of a man. This may seem like progress to some but many men still cannot deal with the idea of women being completely independent, as seen in the episode of “Sex in the City.”
WORKS CITED
“Sex in the City”, season 2, episode “The Caste System”.
McDonald, T.J. Romantic Comedy. London: Wallflower, 2007.
Wollstonecraft, Mary. Duncan Wu Anthology Romanticism, third edition, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. USA: Blackwell Publishing, 2006.
Blake, William. Duncan Wu Anthology Romanticism, third edition, All Religions Are One. USA: Blackwell Publishing, 2006.
Barker, Chris. Cultural Studies, theory and practice. London: Sage Publications, 2008.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Canadian Ideology
Talking about the ideology of marriage and coupling in regards to romcom and "Knocked Up" made me think of slight differences in ideologies regarding economics and possible gender constraints.
We have been talking about Knocked Up and 40 Year Old Virgin and
I believe the writer or writers are Canadian and as I stated in class I saw the difference in economical concepts (not social as pointed out in classs, although we could talk about the fact that California and Canada have legalized pot, which is a cultural ideology but that was not what I was talking about it was economic) when the main character of Knocked Up was perfectly happy and capable of living with very little money by conserving in every way and this is something accomplished in a society that takes care of important issues such as Health care and good public transportation and many government assit programs for unemployed. I don't think an American character fully grown and not going to college would think this was an acceptable way to live.
In a non-Socialist society it is a rare person who thrives on very little money and is proud of it to boot.
The pressure of knowing that if anything happens to you that you are on your own,there are no hospitals that will spend unlimited money to save you,is quite stifling, and the stigma of getting help from the government is considered the lowest of the low. In Canada most people at one time or another use government assistance whether it is for medical or housing or food or even the many art grants given in the country.
Oh and another thing Canada has an equal rights ammendment for woman as opppossed to the States and Canada has already had a woman at thier helm. Maybe this could be the reason this Canadian male writer has put a man at the helm of a romcom......just a thought about different ideologies or should I say the differance of ideologies.
We have been talking about Knocked Up and 40 Year Old Virgin and
I believe the writer or writers are Canadian and as I stated in class I saw the difference in economical concepts (not social as pointed out in classs, although we could talk about the fact that California and Canada have legalized pot, which is a cultural ideology but that was not what I was talking about it was economic) when the main character of Knocked Up was perfectly happy and capable of living with very little money by conserving in every way and this is something accomplished in a society that takes care of important issues such as Health care and good public transportation and many government assit programs for unemployed. I don't think an American character fully grown and not going to college would think this was an acceptable way to live.
In a non-Socialist society it is a rare person who thrives on very little money and is proud of it to boot.
The pressure of knowing that if anything happens to you that you are on your own,there are no hospitals that will spend unlimited money to save you,is quite stifling, and the stigma of getting help from the government is considered the lowest of the low. In Canada most people at one time or another use government assistance whether it is for medical or housing or food or even the many art grants given in the country.
Oh and another thing Canada has an equal rights ammendment for woman as opppossed to the States and Canada has already had a woman at thier helm. Maybe this could be the reason this Canadian male writer has put a man at the helm of a romcom......just a thought about different ideologies or should I say the differance of ideologies.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
A paper about life
Aeden Sutherlin
Tennessee Williams writes about characters that are not unusual to the world especially in the kind of world he leads his audience through. Within these worlds there is much misery and pleasure which accompanies any human throughout their life. It is the process of life and death and the constant regeneration of it, “not for better or worse but for better and worse”. (The Cat Has Nine Lives, Dukore, f. Bernard, MIT Press) In all of life there is both good and bad and sometimes good things turn bad which is what could be seen of both Brick and Maggie’s relationship and Big Daddy and Big Mama. Life goes on even in death there can be a cycle passed down through generations. Can the cycle be broken especially if it is a vicious degrading cycle with the intent to oppress love. This question would pertain to the cycle of hate towards homosexuals and Williams must have had hope that this play would not only relay the human experience but would also make aware the ridiculous ideologies that have caged these characters such as the need for wealth to be happy and the prejudices of ideas foreign such as homosexuality. In this knowledge one might hope the cycle could be broken, and quite possibly has had some advancement in that arena due to writers such as Williams.
Brick seems to be the only character tortured by what the world has to offer and the others are just trying to scratch out as much of it as they can. Both Maggie and Mae are trying to manipulate Big Daddy into favouring one over the other. Big Daddy is well aware of the lies and tags them as having the same look in their eyes. He is completely cognizant of the harsh world around him but has accepted his plight as a human with all it’s evils. This is explicit in his explanation of Barcelona. He notes how he could feed all the country but instead gave only what was necessary to the pitiful children in order to facilitate his escape. One might say Big Daddy has almost embraced his and others inadequacies or weaknesses; he boasts how he can stand all the mendacity so why can’t Brick. Lies are a part of life such as the greed and evil of man, so learn to live with it is essentially what Big Daddy is saying.
In the academic journal chosen it is stated, “this play deals with death and with life. As Reverend Tooker says at one point, “The stork and the Reaper are running neck and neck!” The play shows the process of life (growing older, procreating, dying) as it continues in its cycles.” (The Cat Has Nine Lives, Dukore, F. Bernard, MIT Press) Other such subjects of interest are homosexuality, mendacity, ambiguity, love and what sustains it.
Presentation notes and explanation of contribution for “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams
Unfortunately the academic article that was supposed to be distributed last week was not so the only contribution that I am able to attest to will be my possible help in the discussion and the late distribution of the article on the webct. I will also have a hand out and some graphics to enhance the presentation.
Tennessee Williams writes about characters that are not unusual to the world especially in the kind of world he leads his audience through. Within these worlds there is much misery and pleasure which accompanies any human throughout their life. It is the process of life and death and the constant regeneration of it, “not for better or worse but for better and worse”. (The Cat Has Nine Lives, Dukore, f. Bernard, MIT Press) In all of life there is both good and bad and sometimes good things turn bad which is what could be seen of both Brick and Maggie’s relationship and Big Daddy and Big Mama. Life goes on even in death there can be a cycle passed down through generations. Can the cycle be broken especially if it is a vicious degrading cycle with the intent to oppress love. This question would pertain to the cycle of hate towards homosexuals and Williams must have had hope that this play would not only relay the human experience but would also make aware the ridiculous ideologies that have caged these characters such as the need for wealth to be happy and the prejudices of ideas foreign such as homosexuality. In this knowledge one might hope the cycle could be broken, and quite possibly has had some advancement in that arena due to writers such as Williams.
Brick seems to be the only character tortured by what the world has to offer and the others are just trying to scratch out as much of it as they can. Both Maggie and Mae are trying to manipulate Big Daddy into favouring one over the other. Big Daddy is well aware of the lies and tags them as having the same look in their eyes. He is completely cognizant of the harsh world around him but has accepted his plight as a human with all it’s evils. This is explicit in his explanation of Barcelona. He notes how he could feed all the country but instead gave only what was necessary to the pitiful children in order to facilitate his escape. One might say Big Daddy has almost embraced his and others inadequacies or weaknesses; he boasts how he can stand all the mendacity so why can’t Brick. Lies are a part of life such as the greed and evil of man, so learn to live with it is essentially what Big Daddy is saying.
In the academic journal chosen it is stated, “this play deals with death and with life. As Reverend Tooker says at one point, “The stork and the Reaper are running neck and neck!” The play shows the process of life (growing older, procreating, dying) as it continues in its cycles.” (The Cat Has Nine Lives, Dukore, F. Bernard, MIT Press) Other such subjects of interest are homosexuality, mendacity, ambiguity, love and what sustains it.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Cultural Ideology.....................a changing spectrum of ideas but what I want to focus on is the power we the people have on our cultural ideology. One may ask why do we define culture maybe we should just let it happen, "naturally".........I say the defining has allowed us to change our culture ever so slightly. Western culture was once a Warrior culture, at least in western Europe hundreds of years ago; yet somehow we transformed into a economical based culture and now we rear our children to buy instead of fight. (I am generalizing) This did not happen over night but it is in seeing the culture and all it's faults do we try to change it. I may not be too happy with our consumer obsessed society but I sure as hell am pleased at the changes in the ideology, especially being a woman, and I believe this has only come with identifying the culture and actively trying to change it. Our culture may be fed to us by history and the powers that be but we the people can have an effect on the ever changing ideologies of culture. Unfortunately this process is a slow one and may never be realized in our own lifetimes but it is for prosperity that we make these changes.
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