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Subject: Quick hegemony rambling before class Author: Steven [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 16:35:19 09/05/02 Thu It would seem natural for there to be a wide range of dissent to appear in the mainstream media. However, it is important to note that the presence of advertising compromises the "public sphere" (See Downing's (2001)discussion of Habermas). It seems correct to place "major corporations" above government in the hegemonic strata (This has been stated in many places, most recently and authoritatively by McChesney). What is perhaps surprising is that many people acknowledge this, though they do so in a vapid manner. It could be said that they are not so much "ignorant" as they are placated. While most people are ignorant of the unsavory things our government has done, they do understand that corporations are not out to feed the poor. And many people would acknowledge that almost all elected officials are owned by these same corporations. So why are these people not rioting in the streets? Well, because they have "a lot of nice stuff". And perhaps there is a tacit understanding that "other people are getting screwed". In modernity, the mass media have been able to take over the role of "Opiate of the Masses". However, they are certainly not "the heart in a heartless world" (Downing, 2001). I need to go read something now. Steven [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]