Postmodernism

This week in class (through readings and discussion) was mostly dedicated to the analysis of Postmodernism. While most are still uncertain about it's true starting point, from 1945 and onward as a society we have witnessed this 'postmodern condition'. There have been many traumatic events for the United States since the 40's (the Holocaust, the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb, Vietnam, Sept. 11, the War in Iraq, etc.), because postmodernism suffers from a sense of instability, each scare shifts the nation into another thought process and simultaneously fuels our Culture of Fear. The progression of Postmodernism has been highlighted by the advancement of abstract art (Baudelaire reading) whose stages included 'Cubism', 'Surrealism' and finally the result was the type of abstract art that we see today - full of different emotions, darker moods, and originality.


What I found most interesting in Dr. Cummings lecture on Postmodernism were the outlets which contribute to the spread of Postmodernism. Technological advances have made it easier to communicate/express certain thoughts or ideas, and influence the public (all in a very fast manner) - this ties into mechanical reproduction because things really have changed since the introduction of media, television, computers, etc. Although Postmodernism's beginning is unclear, I believe that it's ending can be left even more open because it only will grow stronger when the next incident happens. We also learned that media has been said to instill fear in its audience on a daily basis, often hiding certain things and exaggerating other stories - which can be looked at as aspects of Modernity. While there are still some things about Postmodernism that confuse me, I'm confident that our society can use these 'postmodernist' thoughts, ideas, and theories to help make a positive change in our lives.




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