LightningBolt, Habermas

“Modernity revolts against the normalizing functions of tradition; modernity lives on the experience of rebelling against all that is normative.”

This description of what is modern seems to be very accurate and applies to today’s world in many ways. In order for something to be considered modern it must

Publish Post

catch peoples attention and provide them an element of surprise and “un-knowness.” In order to create this surprise and interest the new object, idea, whatever it may be, must rebel against the “traditional way.” The thing or idea that is being replaced is not thought to be traditional or classic until something is there to replace it. Until it is replaced it may still be the modern way, because it replaced the old traditional way.

Some examples of this concept:

-There are many different ways to raise children, years ago it may have been seen as appropriate and normal to spank your children or make them walk to school. When this way of parenting was replaced with giving children time outs and driving them to school it was seen as modern parenting techniques. The technique rebelled against the old way of strict roles and tough love so people thought of it is different and attention getting. Since this new way of parenting has become the norm older people who lived through the days of the first genre of parenting see the old way as traditional. Just because something is seen as traditional does not mean that it is the best option.

-New clothing styles are another good example of modernity revolting against normalized functions of tradition. The first time you see someone walking down the street in clothing that you find outrageous, you make think that they look terrible and are crazy. Then the style begins to catch on and eventually replaces the tradition clothing that everyone once wore. This new clothing will be seen as modern and the old way of dressing will be seen as classic or traditional.