In reading Horkhiemer and Adorno’s “The Culture Industry” many points are highlighted on how culture is perceived and what has been done through advertising and other forms of mass media to instill immediate gratification in the masses. There are three points that can be made from this article in relation to their argument: the notion of extreme monetary wealth being the most important sign of success (in music culture); problems being so readily and easily solved on a daily basis and in a timely manner (as is most commonly displayed through television and cinema); and false consciousness presented through news media. These aspects are very important for the understanding of contemporary culture in relation to mass culture and the culture industry;
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In doing this, people are fooled into using these movie plots as picturesque realities in place of their own problems. When people are brought down to reality, however, the realization is that settings in everyday life are not as ideal, and problems cannot be dealt with as easily as they are written off in a script. Plots that are conjured up have no real resonance in the lives of consumers but the aim of these productions is to somehow turn a profit off of them. As these forms of media are being consumed, they are simultaneously marketing various ideologies to be turned into consumer culture. This has worked time after time and the success of this tactic of the cultural industry is displayed in part by the positive critical reception and by products of these media. The 2009 book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man (a New York Times Bestseller) is a perfect example of this as its 2012 film counterpart, Think Like a Man, grossed over $30 million in its opening weekend. While the book was seemingly produced for its “self-help” value, it is clear that the movie was written for its entertainment value. In addition to the obvious ways in which capital was accumulated with this book-film combination, …show more content…
The instillation of false consciousness in avid news watchers can only further distort that aspect of the culture industry. Strong tactics that news media producers use to further the deception and misguiding in the culture industry are agenda setting and framing of news stories. One of the most famous examples of this would be the 9/11 tragedy and how it was presented (and continues to be presented) in news media. By falsifying and omitting information, news media conglomerates have brainwashed people into believing that the ones behind the attacks were of a certain race and creed, and that all such people should be held accountable. In doing this, the resulting actions taken against these people (and the attacks on their countries) were condoned and continue to be rationalized in the eyes of the public. Likewise, the demonizing of black bodies in news media also plays into this. News media constantly paints young blacks as hostile thugs, thereby making them conscious and responsible for any wrongdoings against them. In addition, entertainment media has also taken these real world atrocities and made them into ideas and stereotypes to insert whimsically into popular shows (such as Family Guy and Criminal Minds) and other mass media, ready to be consumed and to further distort the mindset of society. The new addition of citizen journalism also
In doing this, people are fooled into using these movie plots as picturesque realities in place of their own problems. When people are brought down to reality, however, the realization is that settings in everyday life are not as ideal, and problems cannot be dealt with as easily as they are written off in a script. Plots that are conjured up have no real resonance in the lives of consumers but the aim of these productions is to somehow turn a profit off of them. As these forms of media are being consumed, they are simultaneously marketing various ideologies to be turned into consumer culture. This has worked time after time and the success of this tactic of the cultural industry is displayed in part by the positive critical reception and by products of these media. The 2009 book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man (a New York Times Bestseller) is a perfect example of this as its 2012 film counterpart, Think Like a Man, grossed over $30 million in its opening weekend. While the book was seemingly produced for its “self-help” value, it is clear that the movie was written for its entertainment value. In addition to the obvious ways in which capital was accumulated with this book-film combination, …show more content…
The instillation of false consciousness in avid news watchers can only further distort that aspect of the culture industry. Strong tactics that news media producers use to further the deception and misguiding in the culture industry are agenda setting and framing of news stories. One of the most famous examples of this would be the 9/11 tragedy and how it was presented (and continues to be presented) in news media. By falsifying and omitting information, news media conglomerates have brainwashed people into believing that the ones behind the attacks were of a certain race and creed, and that all such people should be held accountable. In doing this, the resulting actions taken against these people (and the attacks on their countries) were condoned and continue to be rationalized in the eyes of the public. Likewise, the demonizing of black bodies in news media also plays into this. News media constantly paints young blacks as hostile thugs, thereby making them conscious and responsible for any wrongdoings against them. In addition, entertainment media has also taken these real world atrocities and made them into ideas and stereotypes to insert whimsically into popular shows (such as Family Guy and Criminal Minds) and other mass media, ready to be consumed and to further distort the mindset of society. The new addition of citizen journalism also