This blog is written in response to the thinking activity given on the topic Cultural Studies by Pro. Dilip Barad sir at the Department of English, MKBU.
In this blog will be the discussion on topics like Power, Political influence on over judgement of Power, What it is to be a truly Educated person with the help of some video resource on the ground of the topic of Cultural Studies.
1) Understanding of Power in Cultural Studies
Cultural Studies is all about looking at how power works in different ways and how it affects many parts of our lives. Eric Liu has some useful ideas about power that can help us understand this better. Let's break down Liu's ideas to get a clear picture of how power works in Cultural Studies.
Cultural Studies is a field where we examine various aspects of culture like books, art, politics, and everyday life. We try to understand the complex meanings, symbols, and power dynamics that shape how people experience culture. Eric Liu's ideas about power fit well with this, helping us see the many different ways power is involved in cultural contexts.
In Cultural Studies, power is not a monolithic force but rather an intricate network that permeates cultural norms, values, and identities. Liu identifies six principal sources of civic power, all of which have cultural resonance:
1.Physical Force and Violence: In cultural settings, this translates to the exertion of force to quell dissent or enforce specific cultural practices. Examples include censorship or the imposition of cultural hegemony.
2. Wealth: Economic power significantly influences cultural production and consumption. Wealthy individuals or corporations can shape cultural narratives and public perceptions through their financial resources.
3. State Action (Government): Governments often wield influence in defining cultural policies, regulating cultural product production and distribution, and determining the boundaries of acceptable cultural expressions.
4. Social Norms: Cultural norms play a pivotal role in dictating what is deemed acceptable or taboo within a society. These norms function as potent tools for preserving social order and perpetuating cultural values.
5. Ideas: Cultural power emanates from influential ideas, whether they are ideologies, philosophies, or artistic movements. These ideas guide cultural discourses and inform creative endeavors, shaping the cultural landscape.
6. Numbers: Large cultural groups can assert power by emphasizing their cultural legitimacy and influence. This influence can result in cultural shifts, adaptations, or the emergence of resistance movements.
The three laws of power is directly relevant to Cultural Studies:
1. Power is Never Static: Cultures are dynamic entities that evolve over time. Power within cultures is in a perpetual state of flux, responding to historical events, social movements, and shifts in collective consciousness.
2. Power is Like Water: Cultural power flows through society, molding and remolding cultural narratives, symbols, and practices. Cultural Studies scholars strive to discern how this flow is channeled and redirected within diverse cultural contexts.
3. Power Compounds: Within cultures, power can amass in specific groups or institutions, often leading to imbalances. This dynamic underscores the importance of a critical cultural analysis aimed at identifying and challenging such power imbalances.
Eric Liu's in-depth look at power provides a helpful way to understand how power works in Cultural Studies. His analysis emphasizes how power influences the things we consider normal in a culture, our values, and who we are as people. People studying Cultural Studies and those interested in understanding and critiquing power in culture can use Liu's ideas to analyze culture and society in a meaningful way. Ultimately, a detailed understanding of power in cultural contexts helps us better navigate, question, and change the cultural influences that affect our lives.
Can politics change our judgement
In 2013, researchers conducted a revealing math test involving over 1,100 American adults. This test aimed to assess their data evaluation abilities by including two nearly identical math problems. Both questions used the same complex dataset and had objectively correct answers. The first question inquired about the correlation between rashes and a new skin cream, and participants with strong math skills tended to answer it correctly.
However, the second question, which examined the correlation between crime rates and gun control legislation, presented a different story. Here, math skills alone were not the primary indicator of correctness. Instead, participants' political identity played a substantial role. Those whose political beliefs aligned with a specific interpretation of the data were more likely to answer correctly, even if they were esteemed mathematicians. Surprisingly, top mathematicians were 45% more likely to answer this question incorrectly if the correct answer challenged their political beliefs.
This phenomenon highlights the power of partisanship in influencing our ability to process information logically. Partisanship, a strong bias towards specific groups or ideas, can lead individuals to prioritize their group identity over an accurate understanding of reality. This issue becomes especially problematic in the realm of politics, where it can result in the rejection of evidence contrary to party lines and the formulation of policies divorced from truth or reason. Recognizing our biases and promoting fact-checking within our social groups are vital steps to mitigate this distortion and make more informed decisions in our shared reality.
2) Why Media Studies is so important in our digital culture? ( 'Manufacturing Consent' )
In today's digital age, the study of media has become more crucial than ever before. Noam Chomsky's ideas in "Manufacturing Consent" shed light on why media studies is so important in our modern culture. Media studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the role of media, including newspapers like The New York Times and television, in shaping public perception.
Media plays a powerful role in influencing how we think and what we believe. Chomsky's "propaganda model" highlights how major corporations and conglomerates control the media and use it to serve their interests. Understanding this concept is essential for us to be critical consumers of information.
Media studies helps us analyze how news outlets select topics, emphasize certain issues, and frame stories. By examining these factors, we can see how the media can shape our understanding of the world. Media studies also explores the ownership of media outlets, showing us how big corporations often control what we see and hear.
Chomsky's distinction between the "political class" and the rest of the population is another important aspect of media studies. It teaches us how propaganda targets different groups of people and how the media can influence their beliefs and actions.
If we discuss further than media studies is not limited to traditional forms of media but also encompasses digital media, social media, and the internet. In our digital culture, where information spreads rapidly, media studies help us navigate the vast sea of content, distinguish between credible and unreliable sources, and understand the impact of algorithms on the information we encounter online.
Media studies is vital in our digital culture because it equips us with the tools to critically analyze and understand the media's influence on our beliefs and society. It empowers us to be informed and discerning consumers of information, enabling us to participate more actively in our ever-evolving digital world.
3) Who can be considered as 'Truly Educated Person'?
The concept of a "truly educated person" is a topic explored by Noam Chomsky in his discussion, "On Being Truly Educated." Chomsky's insights shed light on the qualities and attributes that define such an individual.
According to Chomsky, a truly educated person goes beyond rote memorization and conventional learning. Instead, they possess the ability to inquire, create, and question independently, free from external controls. In this view, education is not merely about accumulating knowledge but also about knowing where to find information, how to formulate meaningful questions, and the courage to challenge established doctrines when necessary.
A truly educated person is someone who understands the value of resourcefulness, critical thinking, and intellectual curiosity. They are adept at navigating the complex challenges presented by the world and can adapt to changing circumstances with ease. This individual is not limited by the confines of a rigid curriculum or dogma but has the capacity to shape their own questions and pursue their own paths of inquiry.
Crucially, a truly educated person is not an island; they recognize the importance of cooperation and solidarity with others. Education, in Chomsky's view, is a collaborative effort, and the pursuit of knowledge is enriched through collective inquiry and exploration.
As defined by Noam Chomsky, a truly educated person embodies qualities such as independent inquiry, creativity, resourcefulness, and the ability to challenge established norms. They are not just knowledgeable but also possess the skills to seek, create, and question, while collaborating with others in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Such an individual is not confined by the boundaries of formal education but continues to learn and grow throughout their life.
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