This picture represents Religion. Religion is a great representation of hegemony, because it is a small, but powerful, group which can influence the masses. Religion can even have great power over politics and governments, which in turn control the people who are ruled by them. A great example of this is the USA, where we have never had a president who was not a christian.
This Picture represents the power of television. The media companies that control and make the shows that people enjoy have influence over those who watch them. This can be done by advertisements that air in between the shows , or by the ideals and mannerisms that they portray within the show itself. They can induce trends, fads, and even political views on almost anything in today's society.
This image represents censorship. Censorship is a way for small groups to control the masses. The news media does this to project their views and opinions into the public by only feeding them the information that supports their cause. Governments also use this tactic for political control. The worst part is that the people being affected may never know that the information being fed to them is censored and may never know the facts about things they form opinions on.
I find the idea of hegemony being used through the television is very interesting. It is a perfect example because for instance, I personally watch the TV everyday and when I stop and think about the influence that the television has on me, I know that it is a great one. It is interesting to think about how much leadership the TV has on everyone in our society. It doesn't use violence to get people to watch it, it simply is entertaining and therefore people are drawn to it and want to do what it says.
ReplyDeleteCensorship, good old censorship. Censorship can create taboos that people will follow to their graves. Others see the taboo, don't care to take it seriously, and may be viewed by others as outrageous for going against the views of the censored media. This duality gives censorship heavy hegemonic value, since the people who follow the media's view become a mass community, even if they don't realize it. *cough* Glen Beck followers *cough*
ReplyDeleteI very much like the example of Religion. This country was founded on the bases of religion, and we do not force people to believe in a certain religion. We have so many different types of religion in this country that almost every person believe in some sort of religion. And every president we have had up till now have been of the Christian faith. But every president has believed in some sort of "God". The different church groups out there go out to try to reach out to people who do not belong in a church and practice their faith faithfully. But they hardly never force people into going to church, believing in God, and participating in the practice of religion.
ReplyDeleteI 100% agree with your using advertizing via the television as a form of hegemony. It is easy to reach a very broad audience using the television, considering all of the households with T.V's. Your picture to me does not fit the criteria. Only because I know what the picture comes from. To me that picture shows a little girl possesed staring into a telivison looking into the tunnel of the afterlife and beyond. I just personally would have used a different picture. But your text and the example itself completely makes sense to me.
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