The Frankfurt School


 

The academic influence of this clique of thinkers is far-reaching. Some of their key theories involved the critique of modernity and capitalist society, the definition of social emancipation, and the detection of the pathologies of society. This week we studied the effect that mass culture can have. In Fiske’s “Popular Discrimination,” the routineness of different forums allows us to predict the predictable. I believe that we often proclaim that we want something spectacular and different. However, the mundane and routine are what make us feel safe.

In 2024, we experienced spectacular and different, and we are still recovering from the shock. In the movies, we know that the boy meets the girl, the boy loses the girl, and then the boy finds the girl again and lives happily ever after. Although, it is the movie that shockingly alternates the most memorable narrative.

I am a fan of true-life crime shows; American Greed, American Justice, and Dateline are my favorites. Perhaps because of the surprises they bring me. Guess what? The son killed the father. And that bride who is so in love with her husband has hired an assassin. My tastes contradict Fiske’s arguments for dismissal (Fiske, 218). True-life crime is neither predictable, easy, nor conventional (Fiske, 218). Yet, it is true to life. In pop culture we still embrace the predictable while searching for the surprising.


 

However, as I stated before, I think cinema's predictability may make some of us feel safe. Is there a different medium that is successful in being unpredictable?

 

Reference 

Fiske, J. (2005). Popular Culture: Popular Discrimination. SAGE Publications



Comments

  1. Lexi HamelJanuary 23, 2024 at 1:07 PM

    There is something to be said about predictability and feeling safe. As we’ve learned more about communication theories, I’ve noticed a common phenomenon: humans gravitate towards things that are familiar. It reminds me of the Uses and Gratifications theory, and the gratifications obtained are what an individual actually gains from an experience. In familiar shows, movies, songs, etc, we already know the outcome, yet we continue to listen or watch it. Why step out of our comfort zone? I am in this habit myself, and the worst part is, I know exactly why I am! I love being comfortable and seeing things that are familiar.

    I also appreciated the inclusion of what your favorite shows are! It definitely drives the point home. I tend to watch genres where there’s a happy ending somehow. I like happier shows that I know everyone’s lives will work out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tasha LeeJanuary 25, 2024 at 2:04 PM

      Thank you for your reply Lexi. I, too, feel comforted by some predictable formats. But my daily diet is a true crime.

      Delete
  2. Ivy NorthJanuary 23, 2024 at 9:06 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ivy NorthJanuary 23, 2024 at 9:09 PM

    One of the first thoughts that came to mind about unpredictability was music. I thought about the fact that all songs are different. There's new riffs, choruses, beats, album names, genres, etc., but is there unpredictability in that? Music is one of the existential crises about pop culture that I often have. How do people come up with so many different songs and lyrics? Will we ever run out of new content for music? In recent months, I've seen a trend within music where artists remix songs and make new ones out of them. Have we reached a point where predictability is expected with music?

    As Lexi and you have mentioned, we often try to stick with places where we feel comfortable. While in my opinion at the beginning of this response, music feel unpredictable, I've taken a deeper dive into thinking about how music is grouped. We have different genres, and all songs are categorized into them. Songs in that genre are the same sounding and have certain elements that make that song be in that certain genre. We have choruses, riffs, and lyrics, but all songs have the same writing structure (e.g. intro, bridge, chorus). Fans also follow artists because they have music they relate to, and news songs are in the same singing voice and style as other songs. It's no wonder it breaks news when artists start to go down different lanes with styles, genres, or tastes in music than their usual self (for example, Miley Cyrus going from Disney music to adult music to country to rock). While music feels unpredictable, there are still so many elements that make it grouped together for people to recognize. There are also so many songs out there that are about the same topics, like love and hatred, and people sing them loud and proud. I would be so curious to hear the Frankfurt School and Birmingham School's thoughts about the music from nowadays, and how it might be predictable or unpredictable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tasha LeeJanuary 25, 2024 at 2:05 PM

      What a brilliant reply Ivy. Yes, music can be unpredictable. Can someone say JAZZ?

      Delete
  4. Gino PerezJanuary 26, 2024 at 8:09 PM

    The Frankfurt School was revolutionary to Communication studies creating several theories that are still utilized today. In particular, your post discusses Fiske’s research regarding “Popular discrimination” and how consumers watch the same types of media as if it is routine. In the conclusion of your Blog Post, you stated that you believe as a society we continue to consume the same type of media over again because it is predictable and makes us “feel safe”.

    However, “feel safe” is a great way to describe the complacency in the mass production and overuse of media and why we continue to consume it. I prefer the term “comfortable”. I believe the two main reasons why society consumes the same media over and over. One reason is due to peer pressure wanting to “fit in” regarding bandwagon/fads caused by Pop Culture. Another reason is for nostalgic purposes and getting away from reality. While consuming media to “fit in” is described well by the term “feel safe”, viewing media for nostalgic purposes is better described as feeling “comfortable”.

    Some examples of media that I revisited due to being remastered, recreated, or continued giving me that comfortable nostalgic sensation include; God of War (Video Games), Sly Cooper (Video Games), Uncharted (Video Games), Grand Theft Auto (Video Games), Friday (Movies), Karate Kid/ Cobra Kai (Movie/TV Series), Samurai Jack (TV Series) and Adventure Time (TV Series).
    What are some forms of media that you have consumed that can be seen as repeated media?

    Do you think majority of the people consume the same media over and over again because of the peer pressure of society or nostalgia? or a combination of both? Why or why not and provide a personal example if possible?

    Referenced Media
    God of War (Video Games)
    Sly Cooper (Video Games)
    Uncharted (Video Games)
    Grand Theft Auto (Video Games)
    Friday (Movies)
    Karate Kid/ Cobra Kai (Movie/ TV Series)
    Samurai Jack (TV Series)
    Adventure Time (TV Series)

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