This blog is a response to the thinking activity task assigned by our professor Dr. Dilip Barad sir. In this blog, I am going to give my explanation of how different dynamic like power, mass media and digital culture works as different aspects of cultural studies.
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Let's just see what people often think of cultural studies we often think that Cultural studies is the study of culture. It is the study of how people create their own cultures and how they interact with each other. Cultures are created by individuals, groups, and societies. Individuals have different ideas and beliefs about how things should be done. Groups of people may share similar ideas and beliefs. Societies are composed of many groups of people. These groups may share similar ideas and belief systems. A group of people may be considered a society if they share a language, religion, customs, traditions, and values.
What is Cultural Studies:
According to the Glossary of Literary Terms by M. H. Abrams,
Cultural studies designates a cross-disciplinary enterprise for analyzing the conditions that affect the production, reception, and cultural significance of all types of institutions, practices, and products; among these, literature is accounted as merely one of many forms of cultural “signifying practices.” A chief concern is to specify the functioning of the social, economic, and political forces and power structures that are said to produce the diverse forms of cultural phenomena and to endow them with their social “meanings,” their acceptance as “truth,” the modes of discourse in which they are discussed, and their relative value and status.
According to 'A Dictionary of Critical Theory'
"An interdisciplinary approach to the study and analysis of culture understood very broadly to include not only specific texts, but also practices, and indeed ways of life.
The most influential works in the field have tended to be large edited collections like Lawrence Grossberg, Cary Nelson, and Paula Treichler’s mammoth Cultural Studies (1991) and introductory textbooks like John Fiske’s Reading the Popular (1989), which reflects not only the heterogeneous nature of work calling itself Cultural Studies, but the fact that in a very real sense Cultural Studies is theoretically provisional and avant-garde (its practitioners tend to be avid consumers of new concepts drawn from a wide variety of fields)."
The Importance of Cultural Context for Understanding Literature:
Literature/Books are written by individuals but they are also influenced by society so does their books. Therefore, it is important to consider the work's cultural context. Culture can refer to the beliefs, customs, values and activities of a particular group of people at a particular time.
Literature is more than a collection of words that were written down in the past. It is also the product of a specific time, place and social context. Cultural context refers to the place, time and circumstances in which a work of art or literature was created. Understanding the cultural context of a work of literature is important because it can help readers understand the work's full significance. For instance, if you understand the historical context surrounding a work of literature, you may be able to better understand why certain characters are portrayed the way they are, or why the plot unfolds the way it does. Cultural context is also essential for understanding the historical significance of a work, as well as its importance to the development of artistic and literary genres.
Cultural studies normally share four common goals:
- First, cultural studies transcend the confines of a particular discipline such as literary criticism or history.
- Second, cultural studies is politically engaged.
- Third, cultural studies denies the separation of "high' and "low" or the elite and popular culture.
- Finally, cultural studies analyzes not only the cultural work, but also the means of production.
How to Understand Power- Eric Liu
This video is describing how power operates, and where it comes from. power focus on the civic arena,
There are six main sources of civic power
1 Physical Force:
Physical force can be a source of civic power in a number of ways. First, it can be used to directly influence the behaviour of others, such as when a police officer uses physical force to apprehend a suspect. Second, it can be used to indirectly influence the behaviour of others, as when a military force is used to deter an enemy from attacking. Third, it can be used to physically protect citizens from harm, as when the military is used to defend a country from invasion. Finally, physical force can be used to support the rule of law, as when police officers use force to maintain order during a protest. In each of these cases, physical force can play a role in ensuring the safety and security of citizens and in promoting the common good.
Physical force is the application of physical pressure, pull, or push to influence the behaviour of someone or something. It is the use of physical force to make someone do something that they would not otherwise do. The use of physical force can be either positive or negative. Positive physical force is when physical force is used to achieve the desired outcome, such as when law enforcement officers use physical force to apprehend a suspect. Negative physical force is when physical force is used to harm or injure someone, such as when a person is physically assaulted by another person.
2 Wealth:
Wealth has always been a source of civic power. The wealthy have always had more influence over the government and society than the poor. This is because the wealthy have always had more money to donate to political campaigns and causes. They have also been able to buy more media attention and support.
However, there is a growing movement to try to close the gap between the rich and the poor. This is being done through things like the Occupy Wall Street movement and the fight for a living wage. It is hoped that by giving the poor a louder voice, society will become more fair and just.
3 State Action: (Government):
Law and bureaucracy compel people to do and not do certain things. It is supposed to work opposite in democracy where we give power to govt. through election. In a dictatorship, state power emerges from the thread of force not the content of govt. The state is the primary source of civic power. This is because the state has a monopoly on the legitimate use of force. The state also has the power to tax and regulate commerce. The state also has the power to make and enforce laws. The state also has the power to ratify treaties. The state also has the power to provide for the common defence. The state also has the power to coin money and to regulate the value thereof. The state also has the power to borrow money on the credit of the state.
4 Social Norms:
Social norms can serve as a powerful source of power. When members of a community share common values and beliefs, they can more effectively work together to create positive change. Shared norms can help to build trust and cooperation, and can also serve as a source of social capital. In addition, social norms can help to create a sense of identity and belonging, which can be a powerful motivating force for civic engagement.
5 Ideas:
Ideas have always been a source of power. Throughout history, great thinkers have used their ideas to change the world. Today, ideas are more powerful than ever. With the internet, anyone can share their ideas with the world. And with social media, those ideas can quickly spread and gain traction.
The power of ideas is clear. Just look at the Arab Spring, where a simple idea – that people deserve to be free – sparked a revolution that is still ongoing. Or look at the #MeToo movement, which started with a few women sharing their stories and has since brought down some of the most powerful men in the world.
Ideas have the power to change the world. And in today’s connected world, anyone can be a part of that change.
Civic power is the ability of individuals and groups to influence the decisions made by the government and other institutions. Ideas are a major source of civic power. By providing new perspectives and solutions to problems, ideas can help to shape public policy and bring about change. In a democracy, all citizens have the right to express their ideas and to participate in the decisions that affect their lives. This makes it essential for everyone to be informed and engaged in the civic life of their community. Ideas can come from anywhere – from everyday conversations, from the media, from experts and thought leaders, or from our own experiences. But it is up to each of us to decide what ideas we will listen to and what we will act on. When we use our civic power to make our voices heard, we can help to create a better society for all.
Importance of media studies in digital culture:
In a digital culture, media studies are more important than ever. With the rise of social media and the proliferation of digital content, understanding media and its effects are crucial. Media studies help us to understand how the media works, how it shapes our perceptions and how we can use it to create positive change.
In a world where we are constantly bombarded with information, it is important to be able to critically analyze what we see and hear. Media studies give us the tools to do this. They help us to understand the techniques that are used to influence our opinions and the ways in which the media can be used to manipulate our emotions.
By understanding media studies, we can learn to be more discerning consumers of information. We can learn to question what we see and to look for alternative perspectives. We can also use our knowledge to create more positive and effective media messages. In a digital culture, media studies are an essential tool for creating a more informed and empowered citizenry.
Media also plays a vital role in the post-truth era:
The term "post-truth" has been used to describe a political climate in which facts and evidence are less important than emotion and personal belief. In this environment, facts are often distorted or ignored in favour of emotional appeals and personal narratives. This can lead to a situation in which people are more likely to believe what they want to believe, regardless of whether or not it is true
This phenomenon is not new, but it has been amplified in recent years by the rise of social media and the 24-hour news cycle. In a post-truth world, it is easier than ever for people to find information that supports their pre-existing beliefs, and to share that information with others. This can create a feedback loop in which people become more and more isolated from opposing views, and the line between fact and fiction becomes blurred.
The post-truth phenomenon has been blamed for the rise of populism and the election of Donald Trump in the United States. It has also been blamed for the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom. In both cases, it is argued that emotion and personal belief were more important than facts and evidence in the decision-making process.
Critics of post-truth politics argue that it is dangerous and anti-democratic. They argue that it undermines faith in institutions and the media and that it could lead to a situation in which people are no longer able to agree on what is true and what is not.
Who can be considered a 'Truly Educated Person'?
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