Exploring Concepts...For the First Time!

Week 2; Chapter 1/15: On Postmodernism

            In the mid-twentieth century, man began to produce films (and television shows) and publish literature that focused more on reinventing classic media artifacts, embracing technology, and exploring the unearthly lure of fantastical and supernatural creatures. Television shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and, more recently, True Blood, have swept the nation. I know about the vampire epidemic, as well as our flourishing modern technological advances (that is turning into dependency) and our habit of artistic reproduction, but have never linked these recent cultural attributes together. I found the section in chapter one about postmodernism to be quite interesting because I had heard the phrase “postmodern” before, but until I read Media Essentials for week one I had no idea what the term meant. The values of today’s society do not surprise me. As a race, we seem to be gravitating more toward technology, which in turn frightens us into seeking the comfort of otherworldly spirits, whether they be ghosts or angels. We are also creatures of repetition. We see something done, we do it. Absorb and respond with the like. Copycat-ism is more than an epidemic; it’s human nature. I found these concepts about postmodernism to be intriguing. It is amazing how, like the book says, The Matrix is an obvious exploration of the possible downfalls if postmodern society were to be taken to an extreme.