Weeks Three and Four: Power to the Masses

Politics of Amnesia, opening chapter of Terry Eagleton’s After Theory, suggests that the high brow theory is not over. After theory means after high theory, a new era in which everyone, not only the elitist philosphers and intellectuals, can be taught how to theorize. Theory has long been a field only for the intellectuals. Tracing back in history when words and printed books were rights to the upper class, and when the Bible was written in codes only could be read and preached by the priests, transmission of knowledge and theorization, as a result, have come a long way. Formerly coined “high theory” for the high society, theory has taken on a phenomenon in popularizing itself in the modern era.

So, what kind of fresh thinking does the new era demand?

“an interest in French philosophy has given way to fascination with French kissing” (2, After Theory)

Theory has now seeped down to popular culture and the everyday, evidenced in the Lady Gaga Sociology course in University of South Carolina. High Theory has been transformed to adapt to modern mentality, in a time more people are being educated than ever and knowledge is not exclusive. Thus, knowledge and critical thinking are applied to the issues relevant to the masses.

The Lady Gaga course will “look at business and marketing strategies, the role of old and new media, fans and live concerts, gay culture, religious and political themes, sex and sexuality, and the cities of New York and Hollywood.” Because of the fact that Lady Gaga appeals to the masses she deserves to be studied; it is the power of the masses in line with Eagleton’s take on postmodernism:

By Postmodern, I mean, roughly speaking, the contemporary movement of thought which rejects totalities, universal values, grand historical narratives, solid foundations to human existence and the possibility of objective knowledge. Postmodernism is skeptical of truth, unit and progress, opposes what it sees as elitism in culture, tends towards cultural relativism, and celebrates pluralism, discontinuity and heterogeneity. (13, After Theory)

Nothing is absolute; everything is under the scrutinization of the mass based on what influences their daily lives. Therefore, what appeals to the mass receives more attention and by attaining more attention such object becomes a subject! The wide dissemination of knowledge correlates with the development of postmodernism and Capitalism as well. The recent anti-Capitalist movement speaks of the power of the masses, of their desire to regain control over the elites which is in accordance with “After Theory”. Knowledge bestows power and with power the minorities could revolt against the establishment.

However, despites of increasing literacy rate and education level, a sign of a well-read/informed public, the future of an ideal society is still very grim because the solid foundations of civilization are still very rigid. With people still attaching to elitism and benefiting from exploitation nowadays, I think the shift of power depends on the mass. The Lady Gaga sociology course just signifies preliminary step in deposing establishment, further development lies on the hands of people willing to give up their private interests for a common good.

Lady Gaga sociology course http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11672679