Welcome to the Postmodern World

Reading Summary:

The author argues that we are currently in the postmodern world – we still have the belief systems that gave form to the modern world, and indeed we also have remnants of many of the belief systems of premodern societies. But we also have a growing suspicion that all belief systems – all ideas about human reality – are social constructions. Rather than a conflict between beliefs, it is a conflict about the beliefs. There are signs that the postmodern world is coming into being – it is in politics as well as Churches. Three major processes are shaping this transition. The first is the breakdown of old ways of belief. The result of this breakdown is an unregulated marketplace of realities where beliefs are offered for public consumption. The second process is the emergence of a new polarization. This is evident in battles over education. The third process is the birth of a global culture, with a worldview. In the collapse of belief, thousands of subcultures bloom, and new belief systems arrive regularly.

Outside Example:

The first thing I thought about when I read this article was how many TV shows no longer depict what would be considered a “regular” family, but now depict a more diverse representation of families and what they can look like. The Fosters is an example of one of these shows, because it shows an interracial lesbian couple who adopt a lot of kids. This is not what the stereotype of a normal family looks like, but it is becoming more accepted today.

Connection to Reading:

This example connects to the reading, because the reading discusses how today we are seeing the breakdown of belief systems and realizing that they are actually social constructs. Because this is shaping so much of the world, it is also reflected in media. I remember my mom saw the show as being really controversial and something that I did not watch, but I did not think the show was controversial at all. This is an example of polarization – because of our age gap and different perspectives, my mom and I had completely different thoughts about the show. However, I think we are getting or will start to get to the third stage soon, where new belief systems will emerge, and things that are polarizing today will be generally accepted among people.