Ocean's 8: Hegemony Heist

Ocean's Eight (2018): Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), younger sister of infamous con man Danny Ocean, seeking to pick up where she left off before getting sent to prison. She starts by linking up with former partner in crime Lou (Cate Blanchett) and convincing her to team up again for huge payday heist. Ocean is looking to make steal the Toussaint, a $150 Million Dollar Cartier necklace. Ocean and Lou assemble a team of individuals with very specific skill sets to complete the scheme of stealing the prized jewel. While at the same moment setting up her ex-boyfriend who helped go to prison. 

Sellnow's, The Feminist Perspective, goes through the stages and perception of feminism. We will look through the lenses of 'Liberal Feminism Perspective,' which focuses primarily on providing opportunities for the inclusion of women in traditionally male dominated areas. Sellnow would use an example of women and sports, how women were deemed to be in certain sports such as gymnastics or cheerleading. The Liberal Feminist would share that women can be portrayed in tv shows, movies and other media as independent, strong and intelligent. 

The original movie of Ocean's Eleven had included all men, who are portrayed as very skillful, intelligent and independent. Ocean's Eight is portraying that same notion with women are just as equal in criminal skillfulness and intelligence. I believe Ocean being in her brother's shadow for how good he was as a con man wanted to prove to her and others that should could pull it off. Revenge has a part as well in it

The 'Radical Feminist Perspective,' essentially shares how the system creates men and women differently and the values associated with them. For example, society has taught that girls should be caring, supportive and cooperative, while boys are taught that independent, assertive and competitive. How often have you heard parents tell their son, "big boys don't cry" or even addressing their daughter by saying, "that's not lady like." 

When it comes to crime, most of the time it is male dominant (Thompson, 2021). Not entirely sure, if this is what feminist had in mind BUT relating it to movie there was one quote said. Ocean states this quote, "So whatever happens tonight, I want you to remember one thing, you are not doing this for me. you are not doing this for you. Somewhere out there is an eight-year-old girl lying in bed, dreaming of being a criminal. Let's do this for her." Again, the change of the narrative on what women can do or what they hope to accomplish. 

In what areas do you feel that women are wrongly stereotyped? In what ways do you think they are correctly stereotyped?

Reference:

IMDb.com. (2018, June 8). Ocean’s Eight. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5164214/

Thompson, K. (2021, June 12). Gender and crime statistics. ReviseSociology. https://revisesociology.com/2021/06/13/gender-and-crime-statistics/

Is Mommy Influencing The New Cultural Feminism?

 Equal media representation is something that women have been striving for since the rise of the digital age. This is something across all sectors of media: news, film, social media, advertising, etcetera.

With this came the increased number of bloggers. Now that we are in the age of social media the new wave of cultural feminists are considered influencers. Mommy influencers have become the rage right now. Every social media platform I see is crawling with mom influencers. These women are portraying the traditional feminine values of nurturing, caring, homemaking and glorifying it. These influencers shine a light to the intrinsic contributions that women make. Cultural feminism has always attempted to celebrate and elevate traditional feminine qualities. Mommy influencers have found the niche to do so, and do it very publicly. The main mom influencer that I think of currently is Emilie Kiser.

Emilie is a mom of one, Trigg. Emilie grew her following on the social media platform TikTok where she now has 2.7 million followers. Her content really hones in on her day to day life and running, what many would consider, luxury errands. In her “day in the life” video series, Emilie shows her viewers her morning routine, consisting of skincare, coffee, preparing lunch for her husband and waking up her son. Emilie is the first person who came to mind when going over cultural feminism as she portrays the traditional feminine qualities in a way that has high media representation. She uses a cross platform method to reach a wide audience. Emilie is just one of the many mommy influencers that are out there on social media platforms that are promoting cultural feminist ideologies. 

Do you feel that women who are a part of multi-level marketing / pyramid schemes fall into the category of cultural feminists? One thing many of them promote is that this style of work allows for them to be home and raise their family. What are your thoughts on this? 

Radical Reactions: A Case for Cultural Feminism

After several waves of modern feminism, it's becoming increasingly clear that a recalibration is in order. Radical feminism seems to have lost its tether to the realities of human nature and the innate biological underpinnings of society. This unchecked trajectory has provoked equally extreme reactions and threatens hard-fought gains of feminism.

Enter the #tradwife trend, a slap on the wrist to radicals from young women escaping the demands of the work/family grind. They wistfully romanticize traditional gender roles, and the complementary dance between men and women in family dynamics. While the trend is viewed as regressive, it highlights a yearning for a return to a more grounded understanding of gender dynamics rooted in biological realities.

Additionally, in its zeal for inclusivity and progress, radical feminism has ignited debates about the erasure of protections and opportunities intended for women. Take, for instance, the contentious issue of biological men participating in women's sports under the radical feminists banner. This move has understandably sparked concerns about fairness and the integrity of female athletic competitions, particularly those enshrined in Title IX.

The extremity of radical feminism, with its detachment from nature, has inadvertently undermined the very principles it seemingly seeks to champion. By glossing over many natural distinctions between men and women, radical feminism reduces womanhood to a superficial stereotype; an oversimplified aesthetic or tacky caricature that is devoid of the full nuance of womanhood.

As we grapple with the implications of radical feminism's divergence, it's imperative to reassess our approach to gender equality. Only by grounding feminism in a balanced framework of human nature can we chart a path forward that is inclusive, equitable, and firmly rooted in reality. How can we navigate a new wave of feminism that reconciles the pursuit of gender equality with a nuanced acknowledgment of biological differences, ensuring an approach that is both respectful and grounded in reality?

Hidden Figures

    Hidden Figures (2016) is a film that was based on the book written by Margot Lee Shetterly which was based on the true story about three African-American women who were mathematicians who worked for NASA. Their work was crucial to the work done in the U.S. space program in the 1960s (NASA, 2024). Dorothy Vaughn, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Goble Johnson used their intelligence to calculate the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit and safe return. The movie is a drama that shows us a dramatized version of what actually happened as America raced to get an astronaut into orbit. I felt that this movie did well to show the viewers of the hard work of these women of color.

    Second wave feminism fought for equal rights and opportunities for women and men. This was happening as the time as when these African-American women were working up the ranks at NASA. Second wave feminism also recognized that race and class status changed the experiences for women. Katherine, Mary and Dorothy fought hard to fight the oppression they faced as women of color. Much of the oppression was both due to racial bias as well as gender bias. 

    At the time windows of 1:20:05 through 1:22:00, Katherine is told on two separate occasions by her superior Paul Stafford that she can not attend the Pentagon briefings because she is a woman. The second time she is told no because of she is a woman the person in charge of the project who is their boss Al Harrison, lets her into the meeting so she can keep up with the data changes as they happen. Katherine fought for the right to be in the room so her work would not be scrapped everyday and it paid off. Al told her to stay quiet before they go in. She speaks up when no one can answer a question about speed. Then Al tells Katherine to do the math on the chalkboard to solve the go-no-go problem (2016). 

      As these women rose through the ranks at NASA, they were raising all women with equality. The film shows fight against oppression in the 1960s. I love that this true story was able to make it to the big screen to show the strife that women have had in the workforce. These women had it worse because of their skin color and the time that it was. We wouldn't be where we are today with the improvements to equality without their hard work.

    What other women in the workforce do you think we should recognize and uplift for their hard work who haven't been recognized before? Why?

Hidden Figures. (2016). United States. Retrieved January 30, 2024,.

IMDb.com. (2017, January 6). Hidden figures. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4846340/

NASA. (2024, January 19). From hidden to modern figures. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/from-hidden-to-modern-figures/#:~:text=Hidden%20Figures%20is%20a%20movie,our%20work%20is%20not%20done.

Leslie Knope as a Feminist Icon

 

"Parks and Recreation" offers a subverted oppositional reading through its portrayal of diverse female characters. Leslie, a woman with powerful political aspirations, stands out as a feminist icon. Anne, an intelligent nurse, overcomes patriarchal patterns. Donna, a Black and business-savvy woman, enjoys a vibrant social life and rises through the ranks of government. April, a grumpy and witty young adult, defiantly rejects societal norms. Among these four women, Leslie emerges as the epitome of feminism, consistently challenging the status quo and actively advocating for equality despite strong push-back from the antiquated town of Pawnee.

Media significantly influences gender schema, as per Bandura's Social Learning Theory. Kennard et al. (2016) found that exposure to diverse portrayals of women in magazines affected women's perspectives on their futures. Women exposed to homemaking images expressed concerns about career pursuits disrupting family happiness. Similarly, the Geena Davis Institute (2018) revealed a link between media exposure and career choices; regular viewers of The X-Files, featuring the character Scully, were more inclined towards STEM careers, majoring in STEM fields, and working in STEM professions.

With this in mind, what does Leslie Knope communicate to women and girls everywhere?

One, through her career aspirations, she exemplifies the limitless capabilities of women. Despite getting married and becoming a mother, she seldom focuses on homemaking, prioritizing her female friendships and career. A true Renaissance woman, her presence in Parks and Rec sends a powerful message to girls everywhere that they too can achieve anything.

Two, romantic relationships should not hinder one's aspirations. Due to various occupational situations, Ben and Leslie face challenges, including forced separations and break-ups. Remarkably, Leslie never sacrifices her dreams for her relationship with Ben. She actively maintains their connection while wholeheartedly pursuing her goals, challenging the conventional narrative that women often give up their dreams for their male counterparts.

Third, Leslie is a multifaceted woman. She can be humorous, serious, direct, sensitive, kind, intelligent, funny, and brave. Unlike many female stereotypes that often focus on one or two traits, unflattering or overly sexualized, Leslie embodies the idea that a woman is not confined to a singular identity.

Who is your favorite feminist character, and why?

Lessons in Chemistry...and Feminism.

 I am not a radical or hardcore feminist in any way. I do believe in equality in certain aspects of life, but I do believe women are different than men in many ways. Having said that we do share many qualities, we can be smart, hardworking, intelligent and strong just like many men and we have a few things to add to that combo. 

When I watched the show Lessons in Chemistry, I can clearly see the feminist hues all over it and some which have pretty much been taken care of along the years. Elizabeth is a scientist, and a brilliant one but just the fact that she is a woman puts many roadblocks in her life, even the reason why she never finished her PhD program is rooted in men taking advantage of women. It is interesting to see how her partner, another brilliant scientist is allowed all his eccentricities but when he is gone, she is not allowed any. She is in fact fired from the lab for being pregnant and single. She is denied the chance to have her name added to an academic journal of research and she is given no credit, since she is simply referred to as a "lab tech".

Once she lands the role of hosting a cooking show, she is pushed to just be silly and dress sensually instead of cooking and sharing her input on certain ingredients or recipes. When she decides to take matters in her own hands the producers are furious because "all men want to see is a nice face making them a drink at the end of the day". 

Granted this snow is based in the 1950s when women belonged in the kitchen and looking pretty but even I have experienced some of this type of treatment in my own country of origin. Comments like "go make a sandwich" aren't uncommon in some work settings or being referred to inappropriately just for being pretty. I always hated that kind of treatment, and I am glad that is mostly punishable here in the US. Believe me this country has it good when it comes to many things and feminism is one of them. 

While I believe women have certain natural traits men tend to not develop easily, I also believe the opposite. As a woman myself I am not the typical soft spoken, kind, sweet lady most people think of when I saw I am a mom of 4. I am loud, strong tempered, hardworking and while I love being a wife and taking care of my kids I also love working, learning and doing home improvement projects. I am so glad I can do all that while still being a feminine woman who wears dresses and jewelry often. 

Like Elizabeth in the show, I love cooking and I am pretty good at it according to others, not just me. I am in no way a chemistry genius like she is, but I enjoy growing my own vegetables and making all my food from scratch. Some radical feminists might say that is such an unequal thing in my home since I do it all myself, but I love it. The men in my home don't ever worry about making food or cleaning the kitchen because that is my job and that is how I like it. They know how to do it but I love doing it too and they let me. 

I think like any other narrative, stereotypes are created but you have to be thick headed to believe that every person is the same. While women share many particular traits on common that does not mean we are all the same. I am Hispanic and we are often referred to as loud people, which honestly it's true, but does that mean every single one of us is loud? Of course not. So on that note, where do you find yourself in the feminist scale? Do you believe in equality while respecting biology or do you think the patriarchy needs to be eradicated?

Sundance Irony

High in the mountains of Park City, Utah, Robert Redford discovered a quiet place to find home and creativity. While there he founded the Sundance Institute to “foster independence, risk-taking, and new voices in American film.” Every year, the elite and obscure voices in film apply to take part in the ten-day party in order to showcase movies that challenge the status quo. 

The vision of the Sundance Film Festival: 

We believe that a story driven by an individual, authentic voice can awaken new ideas that have the power to delight and entertain, push creative boundaries, spark new levels of empathy and understanding, and even lead to social change. We support independent storytellers and advance the impact of their work in the world.

The idea of the “independent storyteller” conjures images of low-budget, idealistic, society-challenging movies produced on a shoestring budget but “made with love.” The concept of “pushing creative boundaries” and welcoming stories that create “social change” prioritizes virtue-centered ideas that are celebrated because they are not “mainstream.” There is an elitist ideal that suggests that in order to participate in the ten days of gluttony, you must be an aficionado of film, but amidst all of the expense, money is not the purpose of the party. 

Adorno and Horkheimer challenge the “valorizing” ideals of the Sundance Film Festival. 

First, the “new” ideas and “risk-taking” properties of each movie are carefully curated, standardized, and subjectively analyzed. There is a rubric for film submissions that can be found here. Any work submitted (outside of the short-form format) must conform to “world premiere” or “international premiere” status before submission. The categorization of the work depends on where funding originates, and although some judging is conducted by attendee ballots, others receive “professional” judging, again, by rubric. Furthermore, there are studios provided by Sundance in order to “teach” students how to appropriately construct a movie.  All of this standardization may, in effect, quelch the creativity and individualism of new artists. According to Adorno and Horkneimer,

The constant pressure to produce new effects (which must conform to the old pattern) serves merely as another rule to increase the power of the conventions which any single effect threatens to slip through the net.

Furthermore, Fiske stated that, as movies are standardized, they become more “functional.” Stories are created to serve a purpose: to entertain and/or inform. In this light, “Artwork can only be useful if it is relevant.” Fiske goes on to say that, “...proletarian tastes are for artworks that are functional - they serve as reminders or holidays, or family histories, or they help one make sense of, and thus cope with, one’s subordination in society.” 

We may ask then: as the Sundance Film Festival exudes the life of the wealthy and elite, are they actually the proletariat searching for a relevant distraction?

Music Permeating Through Marxism?

 Marxist thinkers, particularly those from the Frankfurt School, have explored the concept of cultural hegemony, where the ruling class maintains dominance through cultural means. Music, being a powerful in every culture, can either reinforce existing ideologies or serve as a tool for resistance. Some argue that certain music genres challenge dominant narratives and contribute to counter-hegemonic movements.

Rage Against the Machine is a rock band that was formed in Los Angeles during the 1990's (Brittanica 2024). Rage Against the Machine (RATM) is a politically charged rock band known for its fusion of rock, rap, and funk elements. The band emerged in the early 1990s and gained widespread recognition for its energetic and rebellious music, as well as its socially and politically conscious lyrics. While Rage Against the Machine does not explicitly identify as a Marxist band, their music aligns with certain themes and concerns associated with social justice, anti-capitalism, and resistance. Their work has resonated with audiences who appreciate the band's ability to blend passionate music with a critical stance on societal issues.

Another similar rock band that was formed in California was called, System of a Down (SOAD). One of the recurring themes in System of a Down's lyrics is a questioning of authority, militarism, and political power. The Frankfurt School emphasized the importance of critical thinking and challenging oppressive structures. SOAD's songs, such as "B.Y.O.B." (Bring Your Own Bombs) and "Prison Song," address issues related to war, government control, and social justice.

Do you think marxism messages are still permeating through music? Has it become more or less common in todays society?

Rage Against the Machine

System of a Down

Resources

Kennelty, Greg. “Shocker: System of a Down Still on ‘Musical Hiatus.’” Metal Injection, 28 June 2023, metalinjection.net/news/bummer-alert/shocker-system-of-a-down-still-on-musical-hiatus.

“Rage against the Machine.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 9 Jan. 2024, www.britannica.com/topic/Rage-Against-the-Machine.

Disney Remake Rut

    How many times is too many times to remake or reuse a story? Consider the story of Peter Pan. It was first written in 1904 by J.M. Barrie as a three act play but was later revised into a five act play in 1928 (Bauer & Lowne, 2023). The original story starts in the nursey room if the Darling home in London, where the three children Wendy, Michael, and John are going to bed. Peter Pan and Tinker Bell surprise the children when he is searching for his shadow that he lost there the night before. Peter Pan tells the Darling children about Neverland and the Lost Boys. Peter then invites Darling children to tell stories to the Lost Boys. Neverland is inhabited by Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, Captain Hook and his band of pirates, a crocodile who has eating Captain Hook's hand along with a clock that still ticks, and Tiger Lily who is the leader of the "redskin braves. Tinker Bell, Wendy and Tiger Lily are all in competition for the affections for Peter who does not show interest. After some adventures and pirate attacks the Darling children head home with the Lost Boys but as they are leaving the pirates take them hostage. Wendy is tied to the mast of the ship as the boys are forced to walk the plank. Peter rescues everyone and the boys kill the pirates. The children then return to London and Peter stays in Neverland. 

    This story has been reused more times than I could find in researching. Some are wonderful revamped versions and some are not well made in any capacity. According to Every Movie About Peter Pan, Ranked by Danilo Raul there are at least 17 adaptations based off of the original story written by Barrie. Have we yet overused this story? Disney alone has made three versions: their version of the original made in 1953, the sequel made in 2002 and the live action made in 2023.

On the note of live action remakes, does Disney not have anymore original ideas? They have made over 20 live action remakes of their animated movies and have more in the works. Are they just pumping out remakes to just make money because their fanbase is loyal enough to watch these remakes? 

Benjamin remarks that reproductions of an original have values less as they are not as special. This is accurate to the live action remakes of Disney's animated films. They don't hold a candle to their originals.  The remakes exploit the original fanbase's love of the original for views.

There is also something to be said about the favorited stories as we continue to remake them in new ways to spice up what we love. Some remakes can be great but there really should be far less remakes saturating the film industry whether there are so many more original ideas being made to counter them or far less being made as a general rule.

Which are your most and least favorite of the Disney remakes? Why?

Bauer, P., & Lowne, C. (2023, December 15). Peter Pan. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Peter-Pan-play-by-Barrie

Raul, D. (2023, June 7). Every movie about Peter Pan, ranked. MovieWeb. https://movieweb.com/every-movie-about-peter-pan-ranked/#peter-pan-amp-wendy-2023

The Impact of Art

While wandering around Europe about a year ago, an unknown image kept popping up in reproductions on mugs and purses, and just about anything else you can purchase in a tourist shop. Not being an art connoisseur, I had no context for the replication and found I was curious about its origins. The mystery was unraveled when I toured the Österreichische Galerie in Belvedere Palace which contained 24 original paintings of the Austrian-born Symbolist Gustav Klimt, and the piece in question was The Kiss (1907-1908).

By Gustav Klimt - Google Art Project, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38827275

This painting depicted a private moment between two lovers, but I was unmoved by the art when I saw it in person because I had seen its likeness in many kitschy locations and replications. The fascinating makeup of the painting–oil on canvas with gold leaf, silver, and platinum metals added to give texture and depth–were all lost because the art had lost my faith by being too free and falsely universal (Adorno & Horkheimer, 1993, p. 8).

The art that did move me at the Belvedere was a lesser-known piece called Death and the Maiden, by a less popular Austrian-born artist, Egon Schiele (1915). Schiele’s art did not have hoards of people around it, gawking at it, taking pictures of and with it. The piece was on a wall with other pieces by Schiele, and it definitely wasn’t the prettiest painting on the wall. Unlike the Klimt piece, this art had not become “a species of commodity...marketable and interchangeable like an industrial product”  (Adorno & Horkheimer, 1993, p. 20). The emotion the piece evoked from me was genuine, even to the point of tears. The audio guide for this piece explained that Schiele’s lover clung to him, a married man who loved her more than his wife, but he didn’t make her go away. He knew that their relationship would eventually lead to death for her, which is how he depicted his role in their relationship. In their society, it was okay for a man to have a lover, but a woman would have been shunned and not provided for financially if she were found to be unchaste. I felt for Schiele’s predicament because he was demonstrating a facet of the human experience. He knew what he should do, but couldn’t make his lover let go because he also knew that it would mean death.

By Egon Schiele - 1. The Yorck Project (2002) 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei (DVD-ROM), distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH. ISBN: 3936122202.2. Google Art Project, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=158708

I’m curious about whether or not our modern art, be it lyrics, literature, or artistic likeness, is more difficult for us to completely connect with, not only because there is so much more of it than ever before, but also because of the subject matter. Are the trivialities of technology ruining our ability to express ourselves in truly artistic ways?

References

Adorno, T. W., & Horkheimer, M. (1993). Dialectic of Enlightenment. Continuum. 

Formulas and Parodies

    One movie franchise that I cannot stand anymore are Marvel movies. When they first started, I was mildly interested and tried to stay engaged in the plots and storylines. This was partly so I could keep up with conversations about the movies and have some social capital. But I have long since stopped caring. After reading Adorno and Horkheimer, I wonder if part of this is because the movies all started feeling the same. Adorno and Horkheimer argue in The Culture Industry:Enlightenment as Mass Deception that pop culture is formulaic. The Marvel movies certainly feel that way to me. They all have some sort of hero’s journey and lots of fighting. They don’t feel original anymore or even that funny. The one exception to me is the Guardians of the Galaxy series because they make me laugh. 

    On the other hand, there are movies that flip the formula on its head by making fun of it. Growing up, my brothers and my dad loved watching the movie Airplane! My mom and I would roll our eyes every time they watched it, but would ultimately end up watching the film with them. This 1980 movie was a spoof on disaster movies made in the 1970s, and that is part of what made it appealing to watch—because we as the viewing public recognized the disaster movie tropes that they were making fun of. One could argue that the idea that the public can understand when something is being spoofed—and enjoy it—fits with the Birmingham School of thought because it shows that it's possible for the public to understand that they are being fed and consuming a formula, such as the formulas found in disaster movies. Making fun of that formula is then entertaining. What is slightly ironic is that the parody itself then becomes part of pop culture. 

Could parodies be a form of awareness and resistance to pop culture? 

Frankfurt and Birmingham Schools Perspectives in The Office

     After airing in 2005, The Office (US version), quickly became one of the most popular sitcoms. Still today the show plays a huge role in our pop culture and according to World of Statistics, it has been determined to be the most popular sitcom in history. 

                            

Looking at the show from the perspectives of the Frankfurt school and the Birmingham school is very interesting. The Frankfurt school takes the perspective of pop culture having negative societal impacts, feeding into stereotypes and perpetuating ideas that normalize inequality and oppression. The Office is widely known to have very off hand jokes and comments. The main character, the boss of the office, Michael Scott, continually makes remarks that would be questionable if they were made in today's society, yet remains to be popular and loved by the masses. The Birmingham school takes a different perspective on the matter. The Birmingham school has a much more positive outlook on popular culture. They generated the idea that the people consuming popular culture are smart enough to be able to filter it. This means that people are able to look at different things and consume different things in pop culture and not allow it to change their perspective or way of life on things. This allows people to be able to consume more pop culture without it perpetuating things like stereotypes, oppression and inequality. The idea is that when people see things that are problematic or negatively impact certain people groups or other things as such in society, we can take the poor examples from pop culture and learn from it, allowing us to put forward messages that do the opposite. 

The popular TV show has seemed to grow out of date in its jokes and humor by reinforcing the idea that things like stereotypes and racism are normal or maybe even okay. Micheal Scott’s humor dips into areas of racism, homophobia, sexual harassment, and just plain bullying of his employees. The other characters are all recipients of his distasteful humor and actions. Some characters commonly seeming to be targeted are Stanley, who is African-American, Oscar, who is both Hispanic and gay, Kelly, who is a female Indian-American, and the many women of the office simply because they are women. 

Even as somebody who has continually been a fan of the show and rewatched it numerous times, I wonder how this show has gained so much popularity even today. Do you feel like this show has a negative impact on society and sort of “gives the green light”, so to speak, for things like stereotypes and oppression, or maybe does it allow us to be more aware and understanding of these issues in our society today? Similarly, with how big cancel culture has become, why do you think this show is still as popular as it is and is it offensive or simply just sitcom humor?

Are Fandom Masses Really Such A Terrible Thing?

 

As I reflect on the readings for this week, I will be the first to admit that I have been a fan of many different artists, movies, TV shows, and comedians throughout my life. Most of these fandoms I was a part of were when they were at their peak popularity.

In my early teens, I was a massive fan of Justin Bieber; yes, I was like one of those girls we saw in the clip, just not as intense, I promise, though I am sure my parents would highly disagree. I had the merchandise, the CDs, and the posters. I saw his movies and many pictures of him on my phone. So, I was really in it deep. 

When Twilight rolled around, I was also a part of that bandwagon. I even went to the midnight showing of New Moon with some friends, and I can remember talking about our favorite parts of the book and how we hoped our favorite parts were in the movie. 

As I grew older, though, there was a moment when I would not admit that I had once liked something, mainly because it was around when it was cool to hate something that was once all anyone could talk about and obsess over. Looking back, though, I am glad I found enjoyment in a franchise and in a musician that, at the time, brought me a lot of excitement and overall enjoyment. 

It's interesting to me that the Frankfurt School saw the popular culture industry as having such a negative connotation on society. As I see it, fandom masses can be responsible for bringing people together. Whether you love or hate something, you still bring attention to whatever you are discussing.

For example, one of my best friends and I became close because we bonded over our shared love of Taylor Swift, and now, years later, we still credit Taylor for bringing us together, and any time she drops an album, we find time to get together and share our thoughts, and favorite tracks. On the other hand, I have a friend who hates Taylor and will post about how much she dislikes Taylor whenever she is in the news or is all over social media for something.  

It is like Williams said "Masses are now seen as a postive or potentionally postive source." So why is there a c need to tear down something that brings comfort and joy to others? Is it necessary? 

Unexpected Success

Adorno taught that "We are not the subject of the culture industry, but the object. We are an appendage of the machine." Adorno's theory reminded me of the controversial film "The Sound of Freedom" that was released last year. As someone who researches a lot of PR strategies, I was drawn to the uproar surrounding the company and individuals involved in this production. 

When a piece of independent media was filmed, that was conspicuously not selected by major media productions for public release, the result was unprecedented success for a unknown studio with a bare bones budget. The film has grossed over $250 million against a $14.5 million budget. This media was not actively chosen not to be produced by a major studio, which leads me to wonder why it was so successful. The Sound of Freedom was the 10th highest grossing film in the U.S. (during 2023), outranking Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Creed III, and many more.  

The Sound of Freedom, an American Crime film centered around a mission to rescue children from sex traffickers in Columbia, was filmed in 2018 by director Alejandro Gómez Monteverde. The film was initially under Fox Latin America, but Fox was purchased by Disney in 2019, who allegedly declined to release the film. The filmmakers bought back the rights and then the film was released under Angel Studios in July of 2023. 

The film was controversial for its topic and reception. From the circumstances surrounding the release of this film, it's evident that the major players in media and pop culture and production, for whatever reason had not selected this film for production. 

This shows, that as a culture, shows that we are capable of breaking from what normal studios are producing for us. If we were simply "appendages of the machine" this movie on mass would have not been as successful as it was. 

Part of the appeal of this film, was that it was considered to be suppressed by mainstream media. Which drew views from both counter culture types and hegemonic criticizers alike of the films perceived antiestablishment undertone. 

If you disagree, what other reasons could explain the unexpected success of this film?

Frankfurt School's Key Features in Modern Music

    As the Frankfurt School discussed pop culture, they stood by two key features, one being homogeneity, described as "film, radio and magazines make up a system which is uniform as a whole and in every part... all mass culture is identical." With hundreds of thousands of songwriters in today's world, some works of art are bound to draw inspiration from others. Business Insider says the most sampled song is "Amen, Brother" by The Winstons, approximating over 6,000 songs incorporating the six second drum solo. While this example can be used to reinforce homogeneity, it can also be used as a counter argument. There aren't over 6,000 songs that have released identical works, but they have taken six seconds of the song, and potentially interpreted it in their own way. 

    The second key feature highlighted by the Frankfurt School is predictability, which is described as "once the trained ear hears the first notes of the hit song, it can guess what is coming and feel flattered when it does come... The result is a constant reproduction of the same thing." Considering the large amount of songwriters in today's world, it isn't uncommon for an artist to find themselves in a copyright scandal as they are producing music trying to "flatter" the ears of the listeners. 

    Just last year, Ed Sheeran won his copyright infringement lawsuit involving his hit song "Thinking Out Loud" and the accusations that it sounded too similar to Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On". After the release of Sheeran's song in 2014, the family of the late Ed Townsend, the co-writer of Gaye's song, recognized a similar chord pattern exactly and accused Sheeran of copying the 1973 hit. After eight years, Sheeran was able to say his piece in court, and won his case with the help of playing on his guitar to the jury. He played a small sample in this interview with Howard Stern.

    His argument was "Yes it's a chord sequence that you hear on successful songs, but if you say that a song in 1973 owns this, then what about all the songs that came before?" Sheeran and his team found over 100 songs dating all the way back to the 1700s that had the same phrase of chords looping through the songs. 

    Do you think Frankfurt School's key features of homogeneity and predictability are positive or negative views of modern-day pop culture? Do you see these concepts holding value in the future?

References

Han, Y. (2023, July 29). How the amen break became the most sampled drum break in music history. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/amen-break-winstons-hip-hop-music-samples-history-2023-7

Katersky, A., & Deliso, M. (2023, May 4). Ed Sheeran wins copyright infringement lawsuit involving “Thinking Out Loud.” ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/jury-reaches-verdict-ed-sheeran-copyright-infringement-case/story?id=99022695

Fiske's Popular Discrimination: "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" Then and Now

The definition of Popular Discrimination, a term coined by John Fiske, is “interconnection between a text and the immediate social situations of its readers. It must be “socially and historically specific and will change as [it] moves through the social structure or through history.”

The Frankfurt Group was interested in viewing pop culture as an opiate for the working class with no other purpose than to numb its constituents with easily digestible spectacle. I understand the point and here is what I had to say about that. The Burmingham group, on the other hand, viewed pop culture as a possible vehicle for social reform. Stuart Hall stated, “cultural industries have the power to constantly rework and reshape what they represent."  I can think of no other cultural text that deals so powerfully with social reform as the 1975 movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" based on Ken Kesey's novel by the same title.

1962: Between the years of 1940 and 1950, approximately 40,000 lobotomies were performed in the United States. It was a quick and easy surgery that could be performed with no particular skill and was pushed on patients to treat any number of mental illnesses. Though dangerous, highly invasive, and life altering, it was casually praised as a treatment for depression, schizophrenia, homosexuality, feminine hysteria, and any number of other mental conditions.  In short, it was a guaranteed life changer and a quick money maker. There is no doubt that this practice to treat mental illness, as well as many others at the time, fueled the ideas behind Kesey’s novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Upon its initial release, critics praised Kesey's prose and the public received the book well. Kesey wrote, the public read, the public responded. They read of Nurse Ratched's callousness treatment toward the patients. They read about her punitive use of Electroconvulsive therapy and lobotomy. Because of the impact of this book alone, people began to question the common use of invasive “therapies” and the overabundance of lobotomy in the mental health field.

1975: The movie version of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” was released to enthusiastic critics and fans. Though the use of ECT and lobotomy had largely fallen out of fashion by that time, the message criticizing mental healthcare institutions reached the public in an even more accessible format than before and, the main character, McMurphy (played by Jack Nicholson in an Oscar Winning performance) became a subversive, defiant hero. Crowds cheered as he helped his fellow patience escape and then take a boat out for a joyride. He is the exact definition of “valorizing” resistance (Williams.) Likewise, they booed as Nurse Ratched (played by Louise Fletcher) openly shamed an inmate for breaking mental ward rules.

Fun with Randall McMurphy

Nurse Ratched's manipulation and shaming of patients

[A text] must be “socially and historically specific and will change as [it] moves through the social structure or through history.” (Fiske)

Modern Day: Though a pivotal artifact and a catalyst for social change, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” has, in some instances, become the bain of health care institutions. Research shows that “young adults who watched the film developed a negative attitude toward people with mental health issues and the institutions. . .meant to help them.” (NAMI) ECT, as shown below, can still be instrumental in treating patients with severe depression, but this depiction might make one think twice before agreeing to this therapy.

Question: Do you think “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest” has created a positive or negative social impact? What other popular texts have helped catalyze social reform?

Caddyshack: Examining the Cultural Divide Through the Lenses of the Frankfurt School and Birmingham School

How does popular culture contribute to, or challenge, existing societal norms, class divisions, and power structures? What role do humor and satire play?

What better pop culture “case study” to use as a lens than Caddyshack? The classic comedy directed by Harold Ramis, serves as a satirical exploration of cultural elitism and classism. But it also struck me how it also serves as an analogy for the divide in views on popular culture between the Frankfurt School and the Birmingham School. Caddyshack is equally polarizing among film critics, as some were “in” on the jokes while others found the storyline beneath them.   https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/caddyshack/reviews

Set within the exclusive confines of the Bushwood Country Club, the film’s interaction between high and low culture parallels the intellectual debates between these two schools of thought. Caddyshack encapsulates the contrasting perspectives of the Frankfurt School and the Birmingham School, utilizing the dynamics of the country club as a microcosm for broader cultural divides.

The Frankfurt School critiqued popular culture as a tool of capitalist manipulation, promoting conformity and distracting individuals from critical engagement. In Caddyshack, the country club and its elite members embody the conformist and bourgeois ideals that the Frankfurt School decried. The excessive wealth, condescension towards the caddies (and other hoi polloi), and a fixation on status within the country club highlight the toxic influence of capitalism on social structures.

In contrast, the Birmingham School sought to understand popular culture as a site of negotiation and resistance. Caddyshack aligns with the Birmingham School's perspective through the caddies' subversive acts, challenging the established norms and expectations. This clash mirrors the intellectual debates surrounding popular culture, with Caddyshack providing a visual narrative to these theoretical discussions.

The synchronized swimming scene, for instance, becomes a form of resistance, appropriating high culture elements to disrupt the country club's social order and challenge the assumed superiority of the elite. This act challenges the elite's perception of cultural hierarchy and exemplifies the Birmingham School's belief in the transformative potential of popular culture.

The film’s protagonist, working-class caddy Danny Noonan, seeks assistance in gaining acceptance into college, in hopes of lifting himself into the upper status of the cultural elites. Danny sparks a relationship with Ty Webb and Judge Elihu Smails, two distinctly opposite mentor figures. Webb, while a member of Bushwood, is anti-establishment within the country club. He challenges the conformist attitudes of the elite. Meanwhile, Judge Smails is culturally conservative and status-driven. In ultimately seeking guidance from Webb, Danny aligns himself with a perspective that challenges the established norms of the privileged class.

While packed with low-brow humor, Caddyshack truly explores cultural elitism, classism, and the clash between high and low culture. The film also serves as an insightful analogy for the divergent views of the Frankfurt School and the Birmingham School. In doing so, Caddyshack becomes more than just a comedy; it becomes a thought-provoking commentary on the complexities of cultural dynamics in society.