aro0823, 4-12

What is it about our culture that allows for no one to get famous by virtue of their intelligence? Why do we shun intelligent discourse in favor of television gems like Flavor of Love (parts 1, 2, AND 3) and The Hills? Bordieu discusses that our most important cultural figures are “treated with a respect quite out of proportion with their intellectual merits.” In media studies, it is vital that we uncover why this phenomenon holds true. However, in the process, it saddens me that I too will have to pay so much attention characters like Paris Hilton. I have never doubted this field before, but I am beginning to question it right now because how is it possible to critically analyze such influential people who have absolutely no substance? International relations majors study world leaders, physics majors study Einstein, Philosophy majors study Socrates. We study The Real World.
Bordieu inspired me to question my position within modern ideology. I relate this to Marx’s quotation: “those who are in ideology believe themselves by definition outside ideology.” The only way to remove oneself from the insanity of American pop culture is to study it. However, by studying it, you are being absorbed into it. For this reason, media studies is simultaneously the most and least important field. Because the culture industry saturates from all directions, everyone is controlled by the same mechanisms. So, learn how to control the culture industry and learn how to control the world. Paradoxically, the culture industry operates by inculcating the populace with lunacy. Thus, to achieve a rational position of hegemonic dominance, you have to devote your life to investigating the Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana. So, the same “critical thinkers [who should be charged] with articulating the interests of the dominant individuals” are essentially in the same boat as the rest of the absent-minded public. Not to end on an overly negative note, but I cannot help but think that American society is in deep, deep trouble. Thanks Bordieu.