There are more dimensions to social reality than initially appear to us. It is crucial to move from the surface structures (external appearance) to the underlying mechanisms by which social reality is maintained 3. We need to penetrate the layers of social reality and uncover the underlying relationships that determine the real characteristics of society 4. These relationships are the mechanisms that result in inequality and exploitation within a society, but they are frequently masked by external appearances 5. We do not ordinarily see the real, exploitative nature of society because we perceive it through a framework constructed for us by institutions such as the mass media, serving the interests of the wealthy and powerful in society 6.
The publicity of the case and the one-sided role of the media caused a majority of people, internationally, to be biased and influenced. This impact then led to numerous problems and difficulties in being treated fairly, such as finding an impartial jury. This factor of having preconceived idea meant that the jury had already decided Lindy Chamberlain’s fate, opposing the justice being “served,” legitimately. Wiping away any chance for Lindy Chamberlain to prove her innocence creates an inevitable outcome. The Chamberlains being judged under a heavily biased jury influenced by the media, therefore shows the maltreatment of the case by the justice system and the society.
this makes us question how trustable are news media really if all they want is ad money? Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel worry that “the public sphere” has become an arena solely for polarized debate, not for compromise, consensus and solution” Stewart - problem solving is harder because of news media influence Culture and the Evolution of Mass Communication Culture can be viewed more broadly as the ways in which people live and represent themselves at particular historical times Communication: the creation and use of symbol systems that convey information and meaning Culture: the symbols of expression that individuals, groups, and societies use to make sense of daily life and to articulate their values a process that delivers the values of a society through products or other meaning-making forms rugged individualism Mass Media: cultural industries - the channels of communication - that produce and distribute songs, novels, tv shows, news papers, movies, video games, internet services, and other cultural products to a large number of people Convergence: several overlapping phases or eras in which newer forms of technology disrupted and modified older forms Eras of convergence: oral, written, print, electronic, and digital Oral and Written refer to the communication of tribal or feudal communities and
Where Durkheim proposes that the state of anomie in society – that is, where norms and values appear to be either absent or diminutive – inevitably results in social disintegration (Adler and Adler, 2000:44), and thus greater propensity for deviant behaviour, Merton furthers the argument that anomie is in fact a product of the disconnect between the desire among members of society to attain certain social and economic goals and the ability of obtaining them. Strain theory holds that while these goals of material possessions, wealth, power and prestige (ie. The American dream; or the five ‘C’s, a similar phenomena in Singapore) are shared by all of society, class differences determines the ability to achieve them. The stratification system that exists in society inexorably allocates greater wealth of opportunities to those in the upper classes, while the lower classes become frustrated in their struggle to attain those same goals but without the (economic) ability to. This strain then leads them to find
Postmodernity is a result of more efficient information dissemination and since the progression of so much available information people have questioned the truths and values of modernity. The Postmodern condition, a term coined by Lyotard for his book published in 1984, is a wide ranging philosophical concept that is hard to define. On definition could be that postmodernity is the frailer of modernity. It is a way of looking at a world in which the real no longer governs the lives of people. The media and globalisation has dispersed western culture across the world blurring cultural boundaries.
Things have changed. Not only do we concern ourselves with trends, we become them. Advancements in technology and communication have reached an all time high. These advancements have changed the world, and the way in which we live. Media and communication have the utmost control over our lives, allowing marketing ploys, advertisements, and campaigns to become our greatest influencers as a society.
There are several examples of nationalism taking to an extreme that results in problems for the nation; nationalism tends to lead to economic isolation. It is important that the economy is able to grow from foreign investments and world trade; extreme nationalism prevents these things from happening. A new trend in nationalism that has arisen in recent years is regional nationalism. Regional nationalism aims to break up existing nations into smaller sections based off regional location; it is based on hatred of being ruled by unlike
3. System affected * The structural system is affected by not being encouraging towards innovation. * The psychosocial system is affected by other departments being intimidated by Robert Spinks. * Jim West is under pressure to improve profits. * The technical system is affected because the technology of the Micro-miniaturization of lighting sources could bring about major innovation.
Adam Wilson Comp. 101 13 November, 2008 Technology and Humanity Technology is an ever changing and often unpredictable frontier. Many would argue that as communication technology has advanced it has had a negative impact on our humanity, making us less human. I don't sympathize with that notion; I argue that it improves the human condition. Communication technology is an integral part of social life.
Interactivity has increased a lot with the evolution of sites such as twitter which can let the audience join in global chats through hashtags. This can often lead to the media seeing what is relevant in the lives of the public, and may even dictate what news stories make headlines etc. “Censorship is necessary.” Evaluate the claims for and against this argument. (24 Marks) The mass media is one of the crucial agents of socialisation in modern societies and is becoming an ever more present part of our lives. Many people argue that censorship within the media is necessary to protect vulnerable people or sensitive information.