How Media Actually Affects the Culture of the Human Society Today Essay

IntroductionThe advanced(a)-day business of a nine which has a elected and great(p) political ground alongside a free market economic system or any purchase order which gears towards such characterizations remains to be unitary that involves what contemporary political thinkers and scholars refer to as the notion of the plurality of value. Isaiah Berlin, for instance, considers what he c altogethered values pluralism as an inevitable consequence of the processes of democratization and liberalization. For the sake of clarity, it is tho congruous to lay d let at the onset, what the task of this paper is.This papers task remains two-fold first it seeks to explicate Thomas hotdogs views in his essay entitled, Why Johnny Cant withstand from the book, Commodify Your Dissent, and second, it aims to give substantive criticisms to uncivils views and comment on how media and announce gather in cause business culture and counterculture to function, essentially, angiotensin-conve rting enzyme and the same primarily answer the question in what sense whitethorn they be considered as angiotensin converting enzyme and the same?Relating the Thoughts of stark(a) with the Theories of SelznickUnderstanding the business industries straight off, it should occur to every adept that the verbalize reach of concern in truth notes the impact of business upon the culture of the conjunction today. computable discretion involve showing consideration for the smellings of an otherwise(prenominal)s, according them respect, treating them as we would desire for them to treat us. Many have noted, however, that manners themselves have underg unrivalled a breakdown. Indeed, tact becomes one of the most wanted character among slew which proves that the society lacks so much manners an is sleek over lacking some as the geezerhood pass by. Certainly the topic of being polite have been use by legion(predicate) psychealities in the sympathetic federation today to clo ak the real score ass politics and its connection with selfishness, hence make the society to a greater extent(prenominal) prone to demands of bonny manner which hitherto people in authority fail to show.Children as young as v years of age ar increasingly belligerent, disrespectful of other childrens tight-lacedty, lacking in respect for adults, and using obscene language. Most teachers surveyed feel that p atomic number 18nts atomic number 18 spoiling their children and that this is the root cause of the increase in reclusive behavior. At one point, it could be utter that the issue of display of fine manners starts decaying in spite of appearance the four walls of the homes where respective(prenominal) characters are developed within a person. Many concomitantors concerning a childs development have been causing affable chaos as the children of genuine generation beget to chance on over the society. As result the characters once set in a child to be right and c arryable causes problems to the society as they grow older.True, in many cases, the homes which are vatic to be the simulate clay of a persons being becomes exceedingly unable(predicate) of doing its part in making a better society for the future. Instead, divorces and other family failures present in the society today drives the very composition of the anomalous identity of the wrong to become accepted in the adult male community. The used to be fine atmosphere of parks and playgrounds is now counterchanged with the view of groups of children ages golf-club to thirteen gathered in gangs and not by playmates. Even the childrens views of fun have now changed to madness and authority.Certainly, world reports are loosely making much clear points on showing that the worlds lesson belief and application is already falling off from the supposed needed application for the brotherly development and peace to be super implemented. Regarding these issues of honorable-lack, Phili p Selznick has produced a written repot on the needs of having moral standards cover in the tender-hearted society today. In the paragraphs to follow, the beliefs of the said author regarding the said issue shall be tackled and discussed for closer evaluation.Sociology and the Perfect Society The present human condition is dealing with so much problems and issues involving human devotion. The values of moral, which are on the face of it lacking on the present human society is instead an obvious dilemma in the present system of things in the human community. Hence, it is necessary for the present human generation to recognize the need of pitch back morals in the society to be able to relieve the present generation from perishing in a moral basis.According to Selznick, godliness is do for humans and not humans for morality (Selznick, 12), this nitty-gritty that morality is a provision for the human generation and not a responsibility. In this regard, it is big for all humans that everyone recognizes the value of morals at all seasons. However, this truth has never been totally powerful with the human generations that passed the world history. In many points of history, the human civilization has posted so much violence and disrespect for life. This is the exact opposite of what is morally accepted in the society. In this manner, it is so a featureor of consideration that morals are overly affected buy the diametrical organizations that humans form in the society. Indeed, it is true, that by the existence of an influential environment, morals get so twisted and are thus mixed up with immoral beliefs.As Selznick says when it comes to bureaucracies, whatever their dysfunctions, announce open the possibility of overcoming local obligations in favor of more than(prenominal) universalistic claims (Selznick, 14). In this regard, it could be noticed that Selznick loadedly points break with that as an unmarried develops, the society goes with the development as well. However, since the individual population of todays society seems to develop to a more negatively enhanced improvement, the society too becomes more negatively rooted as the years fly the coop to pass.The Elements of a Perfect Community According to Selznick, the real definition behind a society that is gross(a)ly designed for living is based upon morals. He adds in his written work that definitions in social theory should be weak, inclusive and relatively uncontroversial, in this steering, morals are bear on and the established by humans themselves do not intercept in the implication of what is morally accepted in the human community. He overly adds that to be able to attain a perfectly created society, there are seven essential elements that should be considered. The seven elements are as followsHistoricityThis defines the strong al-Qaida of any community based upon the past of a authentic group of society. The foundation of morals, which are already ac cepted in the said society, would be the basis of what is morally right.However, since time changes, morals too each develop or in some ways decrease in its strength through and through the test of time.IdentityA society is indeed known through its identity of moral balance against other social groups. The way they are accepting morals usually differs from how others tend to accept morality as a part of their daily living. In this regard, the different societies are considered different form each one because of their own carried identity.mutualnessIt is very meaning(a) that everyone accept the moral standards set up for their own community. This way the social standards of morality could be considered highly practical and effective for everyone. This means that everybody within a society has mutual consciousness and credence of what is considered righteous.PluralityThe volume that accepts the moral values that are standardized for social reference is very grand. The more ther e are who accepts the values to be morally righteous, the more effective the said principles are for everyone.AutonomyEverybody is jump out to do what is right they are bound to do what is accordingly welcome with the set principles of morals within the society they are living in. However, it should still be recognized that every person has their own will, their own potency of deciding. This means that to be able to do what is right, a person mustiness also consult his own thoughts and beliefs regarding what should be considered moral, basing from their own individual foundation of knowing what is right and wrong.ParticipationAs earlier said, participation of the majority with regards to the acceptance of moral principles in the entire population of the society is an important factor of making or creating a perfect society.Integration existence able to integrate with the acceptable moral principles of the society is indeed an important part of making a completely peacefully inte rconnected society. Certainly, this means that being socially integrated within the community through moral principles is a basis of a perfect community.(Source Selznick, Philip. (1994). The Moral Commonwealth loving Theory and the Promise of Community (Centennial Books). University of California Press Reprint edition.) These factors of a community makes it possible for the entire population to realizetheir worth(predicate) in the society. cosmos able to fully perceive the importance of being a part of the developments in a community indeed makes a persons view of life and worth of living a more improved factor of his life. It is evident that Selznick wants to point out the importance of ones satisfaction with his life and his worth to the society. This moves an individual to fully grasp the importance of his mien and the worth of his life to others, thus making a positive move to be able to do so, helps that person to become more righteous and positively inclined when it comes to the display of his manners. As an overall view, Selznicks theory with regards to a perfect society is indeed an epitome of social utopia derived from individual developments. The fact that as the basic sector of the community, the individuals growth determines the societys growth as well, Selznick points out that to have a perfect community, a person must not only realize his worth as an individual but as a part of a big society which needs his presence to grow in becoming more developed and socially mannered. Being a member of a community leaves a person certain responsibilities of being a continuous contributor towards the good of every one involved within the society as well. Constant observance of the moral values in the society is an important factor of creating a perfect kind of community, which makes it more livable for most of the population in the society. For these moments, it is important to reconsider morals to bring back the peaceful situations of a utopian model of a society. Although the world today has a clayey time implementing the social principles of what is morally acceptable, the theories and elements of a perfect community as summonsed by Selznick is still indeed an effective way of implementing peace in a certain society and thus if implemented, a society borne to peace and shelter is not far from being developed. However hard to apply the changes whitethorn be, it could still be expected that with ample effort, the aims of a perfect community could be achieved.These views of the said theorist has been further enhanced and introduced for social understanding. Likely, the understanding of such balance that makes a clear connection between media and hot culture is the main feature of Thomas outspokens views. Primarily, the focusing of the intelligence shall be centered upon the understanding of media and its implications with the social culture that is obviously one of the essential factors of a utopian society.Understanding T homas detents ViewsIn this regard, with the aim of pursuing the understanding upon the views of Thomas Frank, the discussion in this paper shall then be stressed on the deal effects of the assumptions of the said expert with regards media and human culture. Adorno and Horkheimer, for instance, view commercialism, the weapon of capitalist economy in and through which it is possible to transform a society into a mediocre herd which prefers popular cultures logic of dash and turned notions of values such as individuality over more pure expressions of truth, as the culprit for the erosion not only of social values but also of culture. As they see it, commercialism made possible the existence of the deceived masses (133).The deception of the masses is a phenomenon that is worth the time to evaluate. How is this phenomenon possible? It is at this point that media and advertising steps into the scene. In Legal Philosophy, fundamental rights are those rights that are inalienable to hum an persons. An pillow slip of this kind of right is the right of free oral communication. The states quotation that free speech is a fundamental right that ought to be apt(p) to individuals or citizens of a free democracy has crucial implications on the stream problems of any state claiming to be democratic.For one, free speech, by integrity of being a fundamental right, paves the way for differing ideas, worldviews and values. In a liberal and democratic political setting, this is actually healthy. Ideally, it ensures that decisions are arrived at through proper deliberation. By proper deliberation, we refer to different ideas being examined critically through rational discourse.However, there had been considerably evidentiary drawbacks to the recognition of free speech as a fundamental right and these drawbacks involve among many other things the core notions of social obligation and social responsibility that the press or the media ought to be mindful of in terms of prolife rating false notions and values through the mechanism of advertising.Naturally, societies which adhere to the tenets of liberalism and democracy will be flooded by too many ideas, worldviews and values. This is an accurate characterization of sure liberal and democratic societies. Capitalism, in itself, has a commercial mechanism which Barthes calls censorship by satiety (185). Commercialism thus, produces confusion and perhaps, intellectual anarchy, by flooding too many false notions as exemplified in the slogans that capitalists use to market their products. In a certain sense, the rise of commercialism endangers the very fabric of society societys cultural, historical and intellectual heritage.Eventually, marketing and advertising were able to replace political discourse. commonwealth, oftentimes readily accept the truthfulness of advertisements. They rarely take the time to think for themselves the truthfulness of slogans and advertisements on the television and the Internet. Such a setting of course, poses serious threats not only on the individual but more importantly, to the whole of society. We seem to forget that we have an important epistemic obligation, that is, not to accept the truth of a belief or a statement unless we have sufficient evidence for it.Undeniably, popular culture affects how the current generation thinks and reasons. To a certain extent, popular culture predisposes and moulds our children to behave and more importantly, to think in such and such ways. nicety, being a way of life, is a social phenomenon it is the society which creates culture. It is the society which creates certain patterns of living, as argued by some social theorists. The idea is that it is ultimately, the people who draft their culture and their history. This idea is however, threatened by commercialism and capitalism. Vein Lasn adds up to this idea husbandry isnt created from the bottom up by the people anymore its fed to us top-down by corporations (189) . What Van Lasn is pointing out is the fact that the market is too powerful a force that dictates culture.In Franks view, the corporate world feeds on the masses desire to individuality. The capitalists tapdance this desire to be different, to be unique, or to stand out by linking the notion of individuality with a certain product that they sell on the market. The commercial mechanism of capitalism is, as stated earlier in the discussion, is the media through advertising. Businesses make extensive use of media and advertising to get the anxiety of the consumers.Capitalism, through media and advertising commodifies values such as individuality. By linking the false notion of individuality to a certain commodity, consumers think that they are unique, that they are different. A deeper analysis however reveals that the same claim to individuality is zilch but an illusion a figment of the mind manufactured and commit by capitalists. It is not only the case that it is manufactured an d institutionalized it is also sold to the consumers. Frank offers a metaphor The race track, the plane on which all individuals race for stardom, is run by those who create and instill correctity. The harder one tries to rebel, the deeper they play into the new consumer hip world, thus defeating their original goal solo.At this point, it would be discussed how media and advertising marketed the idea of rebellion and how the subversive offspring counterculture became, in itself, an affirmation not of individuality but of conformity. The quoted statement in a higher place from the last paragraph of Franks essay raises considerably significant issues that need to be dealt with accordingly. As Frank sees it, the race for individuality is a race that can never be won.The problem, as he sees it, is the fact that the race track or the playing field is in itself, have by those who create and instill conformity the capitalists. In addition to this, the aforementioned race cannot be wo n just now because it is the capitalist who dictates the rules. As a weigh of fact, they do so because they are the ones who create the rules. So, following Franks reasoning in his metaphor, it is indeed the case that no matter how one tries to rebel, one inevitably gets caught up, entangled with the webs of commercialism and capitalism.The goal to be non-conformists is in vain. Why is this so? As Frank sees it, the current young counterculture and its attempt to rebel involves a contradiction at its very core. Frank argues that consumerism is no longer nigh conform but astir(predicate) difference (113). How did this happen? In the preceding discussions, consumerism is associated with conformity but why is it that Frank now claims that it is about difference? For him, the answer is simple. The youth counterculture rebels through hooey means like fashion and clothing or cars.The idea of individuality, the idea of being unique or different is limited to the shallow definition tha t the youth appropriates for itself. Consumerism is no longer about conforming but about difference, as Frank claims, since individuals are desperately trying not to conform but by trying not to conform, they end up conforming. Indeed, conforming and not-conforming becomes one and the same since they all play by the rules of the feeble and the rules of the game as stated earlier, are created and thereby, statementled by the capitalists.Frank also makes mention of how the television makes significant contributions to the deception of the masses. It makes them believe that they are in control of themselves and their lives. On a superficial level, one may think that one is free in choosing the kind of television shows that he or she may choose according to the dictates of his or her will. The problem is however, much more multiplex and to think in the way described above is an oversimplification of the problem. It simply misses the point, so to speak. For even the shows on the telev ision are dictated by the fad, by what is considered hip during a circumstance point in time. As Frank states hip is their official ideology (121).Conclusion Certainly, manners have already become a lesser element that is gruelling upon by the society today. Likely, the aim of being industrially known throughout the world has made the present society lesser concerned about morals, for as long as they are able to persuade the society to take consideration in giving attention to their product offerings no matter what it takes.Confidently, many people are able to live their lives even though they are considering less focus upon the morals that they are implying upon in the growth of the entire society. In this manner, they are then having a hard time relating the present situation of the society with the idealism of a modern social utopia as per suggested by Selznick. Obviously, Thomas Frank actually explains that this particular factor in the society has already been lost by the hum an generation as they began embracing the trends of industrialization thus jumping into the pile wagon of popular culture and modern commercialism along the way. Obviously, as the years has passed the human generations that are existing at present, the idealism of a modern social utopia has been lost to the aims of gaining much profit for a more economically progressive society. Understandably, the measure of the possibility of making a more socially moral community of humans in the world today becomes more and more involved with the influential factors that hold the key towards the believed emanation that has been longed for by the human society. Through the use of media and advertising, the morals of the humanity actually begins to fade as it embraces the effects of globalization that also consequently affair major moral rules to jeopardy for the sake of continuing the advancements of the society that is highly wanted by the entire human generation today.ReferencesAdorno and Ho rkheimer. The Dialectic of the Enlightenment. herdsman and Herder, c. 1972.Barthes, R. Image, Music, Text. Hill, c. 1977.Frank, Thomas. Why Johnny Cant Dissent. Commodify Your Dissent Salvos from The Baffler. W. W. Norton & Company first ed., c. 1997.The Conquest of Cool Business Culture, Counterculture, and the Rise of Hip Consumerism. University of Chicago Press, c. 1997.Lasn, K. Culture Jam The Uncooling of America. Eagle Brook, c. 1999.Levinson, Sanford. Our Undemocratic Constitution Where the Constitution Goes Wrong And How We the People Can Correct It. Oxford University Press, c. 2006.Sunstein, Cass. Why Societies Need Dissent. Harvard University Press, c. 2003.Selznick, Philip. (1994). The Moral Commonwealth brotherly Theory and the Promise of Community (Centennial Books). University of California Press Reprint edition.