Ideology, hegemony, and semiotics. Three subjects of our studies that are all connected to each other. Without one, the others would be nothing. Semiotics is dependent on language. De Saussure states that, “Without language, thought is a vague uncharted nebula” (5). So, who chooses language? The ruling class. Hegemony is all about power. How does the ruling class maintain its power? Through ideology. Ideology is a set of beliefs, symbols, or ideas that are shared by a culture just like language.
See the cyclical nature of these three?
The American idea of the “American Dream” is the Ruling Class’ way of propagating to the lower classes that they too could be part of the powerful elite; however, as CMC majors we know that this is a myth.
Another thing that is a myth is the thought that we actually have a choice of what our ideologies are. We cannot escape it. To change a single portion of the American ideology (bigger, better, faster) you would have to start at the top of the Ruling Class and have it trickle down. Look at how much trouble we’re having at changing America for the better – universal health care debates, GLBT Rights, the Kyoto Protocol – unless you’re a part of the inner circle, you have no choice as to what happens to you. You just have the illusion of a choice. Althusser states this clearly, ““Ideology represents the imaginary relationship of individuals to their real conditions of existence” (44).
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You take a broad perspective of this weeks' classes by connecting the three main themes found in society: ideolgoy, hegemony, and semiotics. The three are clearly interrelated and contribute to the way we interact with society and the real world. Since you are on the short side of your blog entry (don't forget it's 300 word minimum) it would have been great for you to elaborate on your opinion of the American Dream and why it is that CMC majors can see it's a myth, don't you think the ret of society is starting to see it in that way too? Also, think of how these sub-cultures and social movements are projected through mainstream media: either in a ridiculous light, thrown to the side or normalized. How can the people make a change based on their class and growing critical view of ideology? :)
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