“Postmodern World”

Summary: The article starts by discussing the postmodern world and the role of belief systems, more importantly the suspicion of belief systems and how it divides society. We have a more realistic view of reality, but we have less understanding of truth and this is difficult because while we don’t know how to live in multiple constructed realities, we also don’t know how to live in this era. It talks about the different perspectives of trying to reconstruct reality from the traditional viewpoint to beliefs about feminism. Next it shows how politics are theatrical in a sense of being a social construction and how this construction is a business. It then talks about the three ways that are shaping this transition; the breakdown of old ways of belief, emergence of a new polarization, and birth of global culture. The breakdown of old beliefs stems from the freedom to create new realities that get spread by mass media and plays out like stage management, where the truth of the plot is what is questioned. When discussing polarization, it gives examples of political viewpoints with several others to show that it is not about different beliefs but different kinds of beliefs. Global memes make up the new very diverse global culture that is developing, a way or reversing evolution to bring back a common culture. Next it talks about the threats of ordinary and authority blocking threats to the belief systems. It ends the article claiming that the postmodern society needs to look at history to fully develop.

Outside Example: When reading this article, I thought about the show Waco. It shows what happened in Waco with the cult. The show gives insight into the negotiation process as well as the events that occurred in light of them staying put. The show gives a good balance of being objective and trying to show both sides and gives a little information about their belief system through his speech and the information gathered by the undercover.

Reading Connection: The article talks about how we are more accepting of new belief systems and this made me think of Gary the negotiator. In the show he tries to reason with the other agents and acknowledges their beliefs and works with them and not against them. Cults in general can show the breakdown of old belief systems and the polarization with them. The show also highlights how mass media and their reporting played a role in spreading the belief system and how it caused problems in political sense with the protesters scene.