Thinking Activity:Cultural Studies, Media, Power, and the Truly Educated Person
Cultural Studies, Media, Power, and the Truly Educated Person
Hello,
This blog is in response to the assigned task on Cultural Studies, allotted by Dr. Dilip Barad. In this blog I am talking about power and media in Cultural studies and what is truly educated.
Cultural studies is the discipline focused on understanding contemporary society, particularly in relation to politics and power. It serves as a broad term that encompasses various subjects, such as media studies (including film and journalism), sociology, industrial culture, globalization, and social theory.
“Cultural Studies is not a tightly coherent unified movement with a fixed agenda, but a loosely coherent group of tendencies, issues, and questions.”
Cultural studies is composed of elements of Marxism, Post structuralism and Postmodernism, Feminism, Gender studies, anthropology, sociology, race and ethnic studies, film theory, urban studies, public policy, popular culture studies and Postcolonial studies: those field that concentrate on social and cultural forces that either create community or cause division and alienation.
Understanding of Power in Cultural Studies:
Cultural studies is an interdisciplinary field that explores the relationship between culture and power. It examines how cultural practices, including popular culture, intersect with systems of power related to ideology, class, race, gender, sexuality, and more. The field seeks to understand how meanings are created, distributed, and contested within specific social, political, and economic contexts. By analyzing these dynamics, cultural studies uncovers how culture both reflects and shapes power structures in society.
Michel Foucault introduced the concept that power is a complex network of forces, shaping outcomes and events. But what exactly is power? It refers to the ability or capacity to take action or influence events in a specific way. In simpler terms, power is the capability to make others act according to one's will. How, then, does one acquire power? There are six main sources from which power can be drawn.
Physical force
Wealth
State government
Social norms
Ideas
Numbers
Foucault challenges the traditional notion that power is concentrated in specific events or groups of people. He argues that power exists everywhere, functioning as a 'metapower' or 'regime of truth' that permeates all aspects of society and is constantly shifting and negotiated. His concept of power and knowledge reflects the idea that power is generated through accepted knowledge, scientific understanding, and socially constructed truths. For Foucault, power is not confined to political structures but is embedded in everyday life, influencing social interactions and shaping reality through the knowledge it produces.
A key objective of Cultural Studies is its political engagement. Cultural critics adopt a stance of opposition to the broader societal power structures, aiming to challenge and critique those systems of power.
The Importance of Media Studies in Today's Digital Age:
Media studies is a diverse field that focuses on the history, content, and influence of various forms of mass communication. The role of media is to present facts and keep the public well-informed. It also fosters criticism and discussion to ensure the information shared is scrutinized and reliable.
In the contemporary era, it is evident that the media often serves those in power rather than the audience. Many media outlets engage in sycophancy, favoring the powerful. By watching various news channels, it becomes clear that some attempt to conceal important stories. For example, in India, during significant events like the anti-CAA protests or issues surrounding economic decline, several channels diverted attention by focusing on celebrity scandals or entertainment news, such as the Sushant Singh Rajput case. While the real focus should have been on pressing social and political issues, the media, influenced by power, chose to suppress more critical news.
Defining a 'Truly Educated Person':
Education is fundamentally defined as the process of receiving or providing structured instruction, particularly in a school or university setting. It involves both teaching and learning. However, the question arises regarding what it means to be ‘truly educated.’
In Noam Chomsky's video, he explains that being truly educated means being able to ask questions and create new ideas based on available information that one can understand and appreciate. A truly educated person knows where to find information, how to search for it, and what to focus on while asking important questions. They can also create independently and constructively without outside influence or control.Being truly educated involves cultivating the knowledge and skills to go beyond surface meanings and uncover hidden complexities. Education is not just about holding certificates, diplomas, degrees, or doctorates; it also encompasses the development of critical thinking, practical skills, and the ability to view all aspects of a situation.
In short, a truly educated person learns not just in the classroom but also outside of it. They can understand their surroundings, look at problems in different ways, and come up with various solutions. They might not have the highest grades, but they know how to handle real-life challenges. A truly educated person can see what’s not being said and avoid falling for tricks from those in power. They use their practical knowledge in everyday life and try to help others by sharing what they know. True education is more than just learning from books.
'Cultural Practices'from the perspective of cultural studies:
Identity is shaped by the roles people play in society and is built through personal experiences and representation. Cultural Studies examines who holds power and sets limits on individual freedoms. Those in power, such as governments and corporations, often impose rules that restrict human rights and influence how free we really are.
According to Noam Chomsky, there are two groups: the political elite who spread propaganda and the majority who follow along without questioning. The media plays a significant role in shaping our identities, often sharing propaganda and misinformation, which can lead to confusion.
Media outlets set agendas that influence how news is perceived, focusing on national and international issues. When marginalized communities see characters who reflect their identities, it can empower them. For example, 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' featured a diverse cast that celebrated Asian culture and challenged stereotypes in Hollywood.
critical media consumption :
Thinking about my media consumption habits, I see how much media shapes my views and daily choices. The news I read and social media I use influence my opinions on current events, my values, and even what I buy. For instance, the way media covers climate change can affect how I feel about environmental issues and my own habits.
Having a critical mindset is key to being well-informed. It helps me think independently, recognize hidden motives, and seek the truth behind what I see. In a world full of information, it's important to navigate media carefully to build empathy, stay open-minded, and make smart choices. Overall, being critical of media consumption helps me become more self-aware and engaged in the world around me.
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