Heroes in Today’s Media, Have They Changed - 2356 Words

Heroes in Today’s Media, Have They Changed? Latonne Williamson English 122: English Composition II Instructor Terrence Westhoff April 1, 2013 Heroes in Today’s Media, Have They Changed? There are many heroes, but there are those who sit back and question what or who makes a hero in today’s society. It has never been a set standard for heroes. In this modern world, there are many types of heroes. In today’s media, there is a contrast between million dollar sports figures, glorified celebrities, and the normal people we call heroes. Some heroes receive no recognition and others receive hero status with ease. However, it has yet to be determined whether our meaning of heroes has changed due to this influence. We have known about the†¦show more content†¦The earliest recollection would be Babe Ruth. He set the slugging percentage and smacked 29 balls out of the park. The focus of these heroes last longer than the focus of what was the American hero. Some even think that modern American heroes have been displaced by celebrity superstars because of their media presence (Skola, 2005). Not only has the media created celebrity heroes they have made then seem untouchable. For example, Ray Lewis superstar linebacker of the champion ship team Baltimore Ravens. Lewis portrayed as a staunch, Christian, and an example for other to follow. This stands in contrast to the same person who was charged with homicide in 2000 after a club brawl in Atlanta left two men dead (Bisciotti,S 2013). The charges against Lewis were ultimately reduces as part of a plea deal. Families of the victims received over one million dollars in compensation from Lewis. Lewis has been a role model since this incident. It goes to prove that although everyone can change their lives, the label of hero, is too readily dished out to athletes and sports figures. The media influence has glorified and immortalized these heroes. We have relied on the media to portray as such. Do not get me wrong, their good deeds do not go unnoticed but because of the media’s stance on our heroes, these have become more important. The patterns of these heroes are media made and not a result of true heroicShow MoreRelatedLiterary Works Based On War And Heroism1003 Words   |  5 Pagesimportant simply because it gives people hope and inspires them. As stated before, Achilles and Beowulf were both thirsty for glory and I think that trait is still present in today’s time which cannot always be positive. Also, in todays time it is not the term hero that has changed. It is we who have changed. For most people, the media, pop culture, and events in society change our perception of a hero. In Beowulf, Beowulf’s thirst for glory is expressed throughout the entire story. â€Å"Inspired againRead MoreWhy We Love Tv Anti Heroes1374 Words   |  6 PagesDaniel Holland April 13, 2014 Why We Love TV’s Anti-Heroes Is it possible today’s generation gradually evolved into an era in which selfishness and evil overpowers good? Over the past years society perceives the idea of a hero differently than it was perceived in the 21st century, nevertheless impacts our society hugely. It is no surprise why youth of today enjoy T.V. shows that are driven by torture, killing, drugs and drama. In fact these are among the T.V. shows with higher ratings. HeroRead MoreComic Books And Their Influence On Society1626 Words   |  7 Pagesand their adaptations have a history of contradicting this reality. Comic books and their related renditions have often overlooked minority characters, like influential media has a tendency to, without regard to their audience (Aucoin, 2014). Superheroes have become an integral part of popular (pop) culture: the cultural preference of the mainstream populace, which holds considerable command on cultural and moral values of a society (Crossman, 2014). Because superheroes have such a powerful socialRead MoreGender Roles Of Women During World War II1551 Words   |  7 Pagesthat statement was the expectation of family life until World War II. Men held the sole responsibility for providing the income for a family prior to the war. Men left as soldiers fighting a war and came home to a new world of changes they could not have ever thought possible. Women took jobs normally reserved for men which set the wheels in motion for equality in the workplace. When women found their place in the workforce our society has been changing fast over the years since WWII, male gender rolesRead MoreThe Heroes Of The Epic Of Gilgamesh1215 Words   |  5 PagesHeroes and heroines have been gargantuan archetypes from prehistory to present. In modern times, the prominent heroes in literature and media are that of Harry Potter, Superman, Wonder Woman, and much more. There is good reason for this. In today’s sense, heroes and heroines are the epitome of what humans want in themselves. Noble, kind, selfless; these are all traits that embody the modern hero. This was not always the case, however. In ancient literature, the heroes are not good role models, mostRead MoreComparing Media Images Of Criminological Research Essay1712 Words   |  7 Pagesiii. Comparing Media Images to Criminological Research The superhero genre is so popular and influential that many studies have been done on its depictions of the groups and the impact it has on a large part of society how it has â€Å"become a staple on film, television, and in video games† (Darowski). The genre is so influential in fact, that it dates back all the way to the Ancient Greeks, and possibly even further (Haynes). Every group in history has had their mythologies and epic tales of crimeRead MoreMexican Folk Songs Or Corridos1468 Words   |  6 PagesMexican folk songs or corridos have encounter great change over the years. Some of the changes of corridos can be credited to the different culture we live in now. Corridos in the past have been about the Mexican-American War, but most recently corridos began to be about life struggles such as immigration and the violent drug war. While the topics of corridos have changed over the years, corridos keep a familiar format with focusing on key issues of oppression, daily lif e, and socially relevant eventsRead MoreViolent Media And The Aggressive Generation1116 Words   |  5 PagesMatthew Taylor Ms. Cowburn AP Language 12 June 2017 Violent Media and The Aggressive Generation It Has Established The creation of visual and active forms of media has caused debate and discussion over the effects it has on the brain. The effects of media on the brain are of concern regarding children specifically, as their minds are still developing. Questions of the severity and impact have intrigued parents, scientists, and lawmakers. The first committee on this issue, the Surgeon GeneralsRead MoreSimilarities And Differences Between Percy Jackson And Gilgamesh1518 Words   |  7 PagesLightning Thief and the Epic of Gilgamesh have heroes as their protagonists. Those protagonists, Percy Jackson and Gilgamesh, have similarities and differences, which can be used to see how humanity’s view of the concept of a hero has changed over the last three-thousand and two-hundred years. The differences in their qualifications for heroic qualities, both traditional and modern, highlights how humanity’s viewpoint of what it means to be a hero has changed. Way back when, in ancient Mesopotamia ,Read MoreEssay about Gender Role In Social Construction1180 Words   |  5 Pagesshould play in today’s society. These may not be the professions of choice for the individuals, but what the individual believes is socially acceptable. â€Å"Most of the behavior associated with gender is learned rather than innate†(Chandler 5). People begin to learn what is right and wrong (according to the community) from the earliest of ages. The media contributes to social construction, as women and men are almost always portrayed in a stereotypical manner. By examining the way the media is presented

The Industrial Revolution Essay - 972 Words

Conditions of laborers and the role of women in society has been constantly evolving over the course of history. However, these two major groups experienced the most drastic alterations during the Industrial Revolution. Between the 19th and early 20th centuries, laborers diversified in age, while labor conditions declined. During this same time period, the role of women was reinvented as females searched for work and changed their role within the family. To begin, industrialization was the instigator of mass factory production across the globe. The increase in factories meant the increase of job opportunities. Since poverty was rampant at this time, a mass of people looked to the factories in search of work, even though factory owners†¦show more content†¦Furthermore, â€Å"By the 1830s the normal working day...was considered to be 12 hours...though longer hours might be worked by children in domestic workshops (Hopkins, 55).† This shows the exact extremes to which laborers worked; half of his or her day was literally spent in the factory. To continue, as the Industrial Revolution progressed, woman began to revolutionize their own roles within the workforce. â€Å"...the impetus of technology, science and medicine freed women from the biological constraints, opening up new job opportunities (Oxley, and Nicholas 724).† Not only could women now go out and seek employment, but they had the opportunity to shake the age-old tradition of a woman being caged within the walls of her own home. However, â€Å"...trades employing woman involved irregular employment, long hours, and poor pay (Oxley, and Nicholas, 739).† Woman had the opportunity to work, but most of the time they were better off staying at home due to the poor working conditions. Also, because of the Industrial Revolution, womans role within the family began to change. â€Å"Declining job opportunities in the paid labor market diminished the power of woman in the family, limiting their rights to intrahousehold resources... (Oxley, and Nicholas 739).† Women were now not only less appreciated in the workforce, but their inability to maintain steady employment could also end up diminishingShow MoreRelatedIndustrial Of The Industrial Revolution1666 Words   |  7 PagesMartinez English IV, 1st hour 4/29/16 The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution set people away from farms and small villages and moved them to cities and towns because of the job opportunities that arose in the cities. The Industrial Revolution not only helped people move along in the late 1700s and early 1800s but also it has made the people what they are today. During the Industrial Revolution, the movement from an agrarian society to an industrial one reshaped the roles of families, widenRead MoreThe Revolution Of The Industrial Revolution917 Words   |  4 PagesWhen thinking of the industrial revolution, I usually correlate this transitional period to great advancements in machinery, and an increase in jobs. However, after looking past the surface of the industrial revolution, in regards to the promise of great wealth, this promise was not kept, along with other issues. I believe that a â€Å"better life† would mean that people would not have to go through the same struggles they once did before the revolution, struggles such as not having a job, money, homeRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution943 Words   |  4 PagesThe Industrial Revolution, a Revolution that began in Britain in the nineteenth century, saw people move from working in the farming industry to working in factories. This transition from an agrarian society meant that many people moved to cities in search of jobs. New methods of manufacturing allowed goods to be produced far more cheaply and quickly than before. However, the Revolution came with its own negative consequences. The lives of children during the Industrial Revolution were torturousRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution1633 Words   |  7 Pagesmeans of communication, factories to manufacture the products you need, places to work, and ways to travel and transport goods. And what made these possible? The answer is the Industrial Revolution, which started in Europe around the year 1730. A revolution is a major change or turning point in something. The Industrial Revolution was a major turning point in history and in the way people lived. Their careers, living situations, location, values, and daily routines all changed, and they needed it desperatelyRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution1097 Words   |  5 PagesBefore the advent of the Industrial Revolution, most people resided in small, rural communities where their daily existences revolved around farming. Life for the average person was difficult, as incomes were meager, and malnourishment and disease were common. People produced the bulk of their own food, clothing, furniture and tools. Most manufacturing was done in homes or small, rural shops, using hand tools or simple machines. Did You Know? The word luddite refers to a person who is opposedRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution1090 Words   |  5 PagesShort Term Misery†¦ Long Term Gain There are two major industrializations that have occurred through out history, both which began in England. The Industrial Revolution was from 1750 until 1800. The first and second industrialization were filled with many inventions, new societal ideas, new raw materials, new sources of power, also new ideas and societal implements were made enabling the world and society to evolve. Overall these industrialization was filled with death, neglect, and disease but endedRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution936 Words   |  4 Pageseconomist Robert Emerson Lucas wrote in regards to the Industrial revolution: For the first time in history, the living standards of the masses of ordinary people have begun to undergo sustained growth. The novelty of the discovery that a human society has this potential for generating sustained improvement in the material aspects of the lives of all its members, not just the ruling elite, cannot be overstressed.† (Lucas 2002). The revolution itself was ce ntred in Britain before spreading to theRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution705 Words   |  3 PagesThe Industrial Revolution was the quintessence of capitalistic ideals; it bred controversy that led to Karl Marx’s idea of communism as a massive grass roots reaction to the revolution’s social abuses. Firstly, the Industrial Revolution featured the construction of machines, systems and factories that allowed goods to be manufactured at a faster rate with a lower cost. The seed drill made it so there could be â€Å"a semi-automated, controlled distribution and plantation of wheat seed†(Jones 2013). SecondlyRead MoreIndustrial Revolution1160 Words   |  5 Pagesend of the 19th century, a significant change took place in the fundamental structure of the economy. That change was industrialization. During this time period, the United States of America changed from a large, agricultural country, to an urban industrial society. The process of industrialization began to take place in America, and eventually took over the economy during this period. Entrepreneurs and inventors put together various machines and businesses to help better the country function on aRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution Essay2099 Words   |  9 PagesThe Industrial Revolution was one of the largest social and cultural movements that changed the methods of manufacturing of metal and textiles, the transportation system, economic policies and social structure as well. Before the Industrial Revolution, people used to live by season due to agriculture. They thrived on whatever food was in season. Now, as a result of the Industrial Revolution, we live regimented and almost everything that is made, is mass produced. I will discuss three major topics

Zizek on Ideology and the Relationship Between Ideology and “The Real” Free Essays

Zizek on Ideology and the Relationship Between Ideology and â€Å"The Real† ` CMNS 410 Professor Rick Gruneau December 13, 2011 Zizek on Ideology and the Relationship Between Ideology and â€Å"The Real† Slavoj Zizek is one of the leading theorists on ideology since the 1990’s and his conceptions of the real versus the symbolic versus the imagined are of particular importance when dissecting the question ‘what is ideology? Zizek’s critique of ideology and attempt to unpack it’s inner workings is fascinating, he is a powerful intellectual who aims to expose the †fake† workings of society. In this paper I will outline Zizek’s definition and approach to the study of ideology, paying particular attention to the relationships he draws between ideology and â€Å"the real,† as opposed to â€Å"the imagined† and â€Å"the symbolic†. Zizek opens the book Mapping Ideology (1994) with the introduction â€Å"The Sp ectre of Ideology†, where he defines and openly criticizes the idea of ideology and its illusory personality. We will write a custom essay sample on Zizek on Ideology and the Relationship Between Ideology and â€Å"The Real† or any similar topic only for you Order Now First he presents us with the idea that ideology is a sort of matrix, â€Å"a generative matrix that regulates the relationship between visible and non-visible, imaginable and non-imaginable, as well as changes in that relationship† (italics mine, p. 1). He further explains not everything that seems to be ideological, necessarily is, claiming that unless there is a link to power relations in the social realm he does not consider something to be ideological. He points out that sometimes what we consider to be ideological in fact is not; but also how at other times, things which we may not perceive to be ideological, actually maintain a very strong ideological orientation. He states that the â€Å"starting point of the critique of ideology has to be the full acknowledgment of the fact that it is easily possible to lie in the guise of truth† – ideology that is – and this is an important realization for it ispels a common misconception we have of ideology, especially here in the west that, ideology is about lying or misleading others and society. Instead Zizek posits the idea that the content of a message is not what makes it ideological, but instead it is the â€Å"the way this content is related to the subjective position implied by its own process of enunciation† that makes it so (Zizek 1994, p. 8). In other words, regardless of whether the content (of a message or object or interaction) is true or false, it becomes ideological the moment that content functions to achieve â€Å"some relation of social domination† and even more importantly, he adds â€Å"in an inherently non-transparent way†, reiterating that often times ideology is in fact of a misleading nature but not necessarily in content (italics mine, p. 8); it is from this standpoint that we can begin to understand and critique the concept of ideology. It is important to note here, although Zizek stresses the importance of recognizing dynamics of power relations (rather than content) which constitutes ideology, he warns this can also be disadvantageous if it reduces â€Å"the cognitive value of the term ‘ideology’ and makes it into a mere expression of social circumstances† (p. 9). Considering this, as Gerofsky (2010) explains, Zizek takes on Hegel’s theory of the triad as a heuristic for further developing the theory of ideology, which is something I will address later in this paper, after we go a little bit deeper in defining ideology. According to Zezik then, a necessary condition for something to be ideological is that there must be a relation or motivation to power in some way, and it must be done so in a way which is not apparent to the addressees (Zizek, 1994). However this is a rather general and overarching consideration when defining the term ideology and it is important to deconstruct the term even further before we proceed in analyzing its inner workings and effect on society. Zizek states â€Å"ideology is a systematically distorted communication: a text in which under the influence of unavowed social interests (of domination, etc. a gap separates its ‘official,’ public meaning from its actual intention – that is to say, â€Å"we are dealing with an unreflected tension between the explicit enunciated content of the text and its pragmatic presuppositions† (Zizek, 1994, p. 10). Ideology is a system, he argues, of principles, views, theories â€Å"destined to convince us of its ‘truth’, yet actually serving some unavowed particular power interest† (p. 10). An example Zizek presents to illustrate this point is the way media portrayed the conflict and cause of the Bosnian war. News coverage consisted of innumerable accounts of the histories of not only Yugoslavia but â€Å"the entire history of the Balkan’s from medieval times† (p. 5). This incredible amount of information, of the struggles and relations between Bosnia and other countries over decades, if not centuries, gives audiences the impression that they must know and understand all the background information of this issue if they are to have an opinion on it or take sides, again presenting countless hours of information and debate on the issue. Zizek explains that although this is a sort of inversion of what we normally constitute as ideological messaging, and it is unlike the misrepresentation and incessant demonization of Saddam Hussein which was circulated to give justice to entering into the Iraq war, the Bosnian war ideological messaging that took place is in fact â€Å"more cunning,† the over exaggerated and false demonization of Saddam Hussein. ecause â€Å"to put it somewhat crudely, the ‘evocation of the complexity of circumstances’ serves to [defer] us from the responsibility to act† (p. 5). He explains that instead of withholding information (as the media most often does), or misrepresenting information (Saddam Hussein), in the case of the Bosnian war the media over saturates audiences with information to the point of immobilizing them to make a decision or take action against the fact that this war is spurred by political, economic and monetary power interests. Zizek explains the purpose of going into war was portrayed as a need to improve unacceptable human rights conditions in the country, and although human rights conditions may very well be unacceptable in that country, and then improve as a result of the invasion, the true motivations for that war (power, domination, money) were kept hidden. This also illustrates the point made earlier about ideology not necessarily needing to be false in its information, but rather hidden in motive, for the information they presented was by no means false or limited, it was excessive, which proves to be just as debilitating a strategy on the general public. Zizek’s examples and definitions of ideology discussed above demonstrate the division of ideology from Marx’s false consciousness theory (Gerofsky, 2010), but perhaps one of the most important classifications Zizek makes in the realm of ideology, is its connection to dislocation (dislocating truth from falsity) and how this relates to the idea of â€Å"the Real† (Stavrakakis,1997). Coming from the Lacanian theoretical background, the concept of Real versus Symbolic versus Imaginary is an integral part of Zizek’s theory, one which sets him apart from traditional conceptions of ideology. The question of the Real also cannot be separated from the dislocation and presentation of the truth, so these two must be considered together in asserting the concept of ideology. Zizek’s Real draws attention to a fascinating idea, that there is a difference between what is actually real in our world and what is simply a created real by our social structure and by society (Stavrakakis, 1997). The Real, the true real, is â€Å"the part of our world as revealed in our experience, which escapes our attempts to symbolize and represent it in a final way† (1997, p. ). The real is the raw and unstructured experience of what is not yet symbolized or imaged by our social structure, by language, by symbols, and it in fact cannot be symbolized in such a way. Unlike the social reality, the true Real is impossible to represent, explains Stavrakaki of Zizek’s theory, impossible to master or symbolize, whereas the social reality is nothing but symbolism and our desire to categ orize any part of our experience into a definition or material conception of some sort. The real is not only opposed to what is â€Å"socially constructed† as real, the symbolic, but also it is even farther removed from the imaginary, which falls farthest away on the spectrum, from true reality. The symbolic comes closer to the Real but there is still a gap and something will always be missing from the symbolic real for language can never be a full representation of the real, the true Real however is always in its place. The symbolic real, however is still of importance to Zizek, for it plays the largest role in our society and is perhaps the integral component to ideology in the most general sense. The symbolic, although generally in the dimension of lauguage, Lacan (who’s theories Zizek has based his own theories of ideology on) does not describe the symbolic as solely equal to language, because linguistiscs are also present in the realm of the imaginary sphere (Lucaites Biesecker, 1998). The symbolic rather, is about the relationship to the â€Å"Other†, it is about difference and the signifiers which create a symbolic order. For Lacan the symbolic is characterized by the absence of any fixed relations between signifier and signified† (Lucaites Biesecker, 1998). Lastly there is the realm of the imaginary, when Lacan discusses this stage he refers to the formation of the ego. Identification is an important part of the imaginary, for â€Å"the ego is formed by identifying with the counterpart or specular image† (Lucaites Biesecker, 1998). The ego, fundamentally narcissistic, is centered on identification with alienation and this alienation is another feature of the imaginary. The imaginary is most fundamentally, however, a constitution of surface appearances, ones which are formed in deception as part of the social order. Going back to Zizek’s theory on ideology, he suggests that one of the most problematic areas of the concept, is that we as theorists, try to escape from the grip of ideology in order to observe the world from an objective position, however the moment we feel we have managed to take up a position of truth, from which we can condemn the lie of an ideology, we instantly fall back into the grip of ideology again because our understanding of the concept is structured on a binary arrangement, which is constantly playing on this relationship between reality and ideology. It is such the issue of ideology, that the moment we feel we are in the realm of truth, at last, we are in fact instantly back into the ideological exchange, without recognizing it (Stavrakakis, 1997). Zezik does not offer a solution to this, however he offers a way to counter the problem, and this is where the concept of the Real (vs Symbolic vs Imaginary) comes into play, to help us recognize and step outside the atmosphere of ideology that surrounds us. Instead of the binary relationship between reality and ideology, now there is a three way relationship. Zizek favours the Real over the other two constructs because he argues, the symbolic, although it is representing â€Å"reality† it is in fact where â€Å"fiction assumes the guise of truth† (Stavrakakis, p. 3), and the imaginary construct, is of course even farther away from that reality, therefore the Real should be the focus of our understanding. The Real is the â€Å"only non-ideological position available,† and although Zizek does not claim to offer access to the â€Å"objective truth of things†, he explains we must begin with assuming the existence of ideology in every aspect of our society, and to take up an actively critical attitude towards it. This Stavrakakis argues is the main goal of Zizek’s theory, to expose the need for constant critique of the ideological realm, especially in a time where our society has proclaimed that ideology is a thing of the past and no longer relevant in today’s world. Zizek’s theory of ideology is a contemporary one which moves beyond traditional definitions of this concept and is not concerned with the way ideological practices worked in the past and in history, instead he is intrigued with the here and now and argues strongly that the concept of ideology is far from extinct in today’s society – contrary to what many would like to believe. And he explains that rather than discarding the notion completely, what we need to do to understand today’s politics in a completely new way of looking at it and defining what it means to be in ideological space and time. Those who believe we are past the concept of ideology, he argues, are in an â€Å"archeological fantasy† and this is only a sign of the greater ability of ideology to ingrain itself without our recognition. In some of his famous presentations Zizek talks about the ideological meaning ingrained even in the simplest of human object and appliances, ones we don’t even recognize contain an ideological message. His famous example, and one he self critically acknowledges to be some sort of anal fixation which he needs to address, is the example of toilets and how they are constructed in different ideological environments. In France he explains, toilets are constructed with the hole at the back, so that when used, the excrement falls directly in the hole and disappears; he equates this with France’s extremely liberal ideology – out of sight out of mind. In Germany, the toilets are constructed with the hole at the front, in a way that holds the excrement on a shelf (not in water or instantly disappearing) but rather in a way for the individual to see and observe the specimen for worms and any other diseases; he explains this is indicative of the strongly onservative ideology of Germany, where everything is business and completed as necessary. In the Anglo-Saxon world, specifically in America, he explains toilets are somewhere in between, when used the excrement falls in the water but still remains, it is not completely hidden but also not completely displayed; this shows the median position the Anglo-Saxon society usually takes on, not too extreme in either respect (Zizek presentation, You tube. com). This rather disgusting but nonetheless interesting observation does an excellent job of portraying his theory on ideology. First, ideology is very much still at play in our society and should be actively observed and considered (in order to minimize any negative and violent effects it may pertain), and secondly, in order to even be able to recognize the workings of ideology in our everyday lives, we have step outside of our customary reality to which we are so well accustomed to, for this symbolic reality is not the Real, and in taking ourselves out of the imaginary and symbolic which appears to be truth and reality, we can then perhaps attempt to get a true glimpse of what he calls the Real. References Gerofsky, S. (2010). The impossibility of ‘real-life’ word problems (according to Bakhtin, Lacan, Zizek and Baudrillard). Discourse: Studies In The Cultural Politics Of Education, 31(1), 61-73. doi:10. 1080/01596300903465427 Lucaites, J. , Biesecker, B. A. (1998). Rhetorical Studies and the ‘New Psychoanalysis: What’s the Real Problem? Or Framing the Problem of the Real. Quarterly Journal Of Speech, 84(2), 222. Stavrakakis, Y. (1997). Ambiguous ideology and the Lacanian twist. Journal of the Centre for Freudian Analysis and Research, 8, 117-30. Zizek, S. (1994a). The spectre of ideology. In S. Zizek (Ed. ), Mapping ideology (pp. 1-33). London New York: Verso. How to cite Zizek on Ideology and the Relationship Between Ideology and â€Å"The Real†, Papers