The bodies on the gears of the culture industry

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Jack Graham

Jack Graham writes and podcasts about culture and politics from a Gothic Marxist-Humanist perspective. He co-hosts the I Don't Speak German podcast with Daniel Harper. Support Jack on Patreon.

4 Comments

  1. Dan Rudd
    November 20, 2014 @ 12:30 pm

    Have you been spying on me? Sure, my name's not John Z Fan, but that's a pretty good description of what I often do, I'm ashamed to say πŸ˜‰

    Reply

  2. Matthew Celestis
    November 20, 2014 @ 1:01 pm

    That's a really interesting thought.

    Reply

  3. devilyoudont
    November 20, 2014 @ 6:56 pm

    I've been thinking about this idea of powerlessness corrupting since yesterday and I feel like it is really hugely widely applicable. I grew up in poverty in north philadelphia and like there is definitely, if not a corruption, a degradation caused by powerlessness.

    Reply

  4. Josh Marsfelder
    November 21, 2014 @ 4:26 am

    FWIW This is why I'm drawn to the concept of redemptive readings in media studies, if not beholden to them. I think in the long term it would be beneficial if we could help show people how (in particular) big, populist texts can be mobilized for social good and social progress, because pop culture is one of the few things that does tend, more often than not, to unite people through shared experiences.

    While it's important to point out when shows slip up, it's perhaps even more important to demonstrate to people, where and when possible, how they can serve as vehicles to communicate radical and revolutionary ideas. There will always be an upper limit on this, of course, since all Soda Pop Art is ultimately the product of capitalism, but it gives us a common reference point to discuss these sorts of ideas and concepts with people who wouldn't necessarily be exposed to them otherwise.

    No, it's not direct working class political action, but art is important. Everybody reads or watches TV or goes to the movies or plays video games. Art can inspire people and change their lives. Why not use that to reach them? That's what it's for.

    (And thanks for the shout-out, BTW πŸ™‚ )

    Reply

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