Starfish 2/14

After class on Thursday, Habermas’s idea of modernity became clear to me. After having struggled with the concept that Modernism is “dominant but dead,” I finally understood how such a statement could be true. I found myself looking at the study of the Latin language. Latin is considered a dead language. It is no longer spoken prominently in the world, and yet it is studied in classrooms everywhere. Latin, therefore, is dominant and dead at the same time.

Another concept I found interesting was “the cult of the new.” We are a culture obsessed with obtaining the best new thing that’s out there. I look at myself and know I am a victim of the cult of the new. In my lifetime I have had 8 different kinds of cell phones. Just when I think I have purchased the newest form of technology, the best cell phone out there, a new version or better version comes out and I want the upgrade. I feel that advertising has a lot to do with “the cult of the new.” In CMC 100 we studied this in detail. Everyday we get hit with thousands of advertisements. These ads tell us that we are not okay the way we are and we need to do something about this, whether it be buy a certain makeup or get an upgrade on your cell phone. Even though many people think they are unaffected by these messages being sent to them, they are in some shape or form influenced by these ads. I believe that advertisement is an element that has made us into the cult of the new. Like we said in class, putting new improved on a billboard or ad works in our culture. This whole concept is frightening. It is almost as if we have no choice. It is natural for us to be obsessed with the new, because this concept is a part of our culture.