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Foucault and Baudrillard's theoretical ideas

Theorist Michel Foucault explored the idea of knowledge and truth and argued that language and symbols help shape how we perceive society. Although his work was studied years ago, his post-structuralist theory would indefinitely highlight how society is shaped today, which is heavily influenced through social media and technology. Foucault was interested in understanding capitalism and the power dynamic of social structures. Social media is ultimately trapping individuals in echo chambers where we, as natural conformers, disclose huge amounts of personal information without second-guessing, ultimately confining ourselves in a system of constant social surveillance. Jean Baudrillard illustrates a hierarchy of things in which we as citizens look for in order to gain a sense of status in society, ultimately creating false realities. Throughout the video, Baudrillard's theory is used in correlation to the movie American Psycho to highlight how structural tools and objects are used to influence and micro-manage one’s understanding of truth.

Concerning the relation between the analyses of both Foucault and Baudrillard's respective theoretical frameworks, there seems to be a significant overlap in the emphasis on manufactured realities within modern social structures. In applying Foucault’s post-structuralist perspective to the concept of social media and its subsequent presentation of fake news, the video illustrates the apparent consequences of internet surveillance. As the analysis asserts, social media slowly works to control people’s perceptions through a series of algorithms and advertisements. This is comparative to the analysis of the film American Psycho, as Baudrillard’s theory is used to break down the constructed reality of hierarchy and status in modern society. As the film demonstrates, the social importance placed on hierarchy and status reduces people and their interests to objects. Ultimately, both analyses serve to deconstruct two integral features of modern society, social media and the prominence of status, as structural tools used to influence and control people’s understanding of truth.

The theoretical notions emphasised in Baudrillard's and Foucault's postmodernism and poststructuralism theories provide viewpoints that aid in the breakdown of our comparative realities.. Foucault suggests that structures within society deem what is valid and intrinsically shape the way we perceive and interact. Baudrillard reiterates this belief in his construction of a society that is based on a hierarchy of objects which establish a sense of status. These theories are manifested in free social media platforms such as Facebook, where data from our profiles is harvested and used to control us without our knowledge inherently influencing not only what we see and buy but also what we believe to be true, rippling into the very fabric of society. Through a deeper understanding of the intricacies within our society we are more capable to acknowledge the influence and manipulation of the social structures surrounding us in order to enact change not only in our own lives but society as well.

The theoretical notions emphasised in Baudrillard's and Foucault's postmodernism and poststructuralism theories provide viewpoints that aid in the breakdown of our comparative realities. Throughout the videos, we are able to have a better awareness of the complexities inside our society and we are better equipped to recognise the impact and manipulation of the social structures around us in order to bring about changes not just in our own lives, but also in society.

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Dorothy E. Smith and Erving Goffman's theoretical ideas

Erving Goffman’s video on the performed self focuses widely on how interaction in society is constructed through performance and having to play multiple roles to come across in the best interest of others. Goffman shares that the world is a stage where humankind plays many parts in a “play”. Goffman’s theory emphasizes that society is constructed around individuals who adapt to situations by putting on a mask and fulfilling a role that makes us seen by others in the best way possible. Dorothy E. Smith’s video on her journey throughout her career focuses on social inequalities and the divide between men and women from an academic standpoint. She expresses her belief that sociology is male-dominated and could not understand why women's opinions and experiences were never really recognized. Smith shared that she is expected to play different roles throughout her career, depending on either being a sociologist or a mother. As we will explore throughout this piece, it is evident that both Smith and Goffman’s theoretical perspectives and ideas are concerned with the meaning of social structure and interaction.

Moreover, on the connection between Smith’s and Goffman’s theoretical ideas and initiatives, there is a corresponding concern on the concepts of interactionism in society. In Goffman’s research, Goffman strongly believes that humanity displays and plays different roles depending on the situation we are present in. He asserts that we adapt to who we are interacting with, where we often find ourselves playing inconsistent roles, staging ourselves to be represented in the best way possible. This relates to Smith’s idea on the bifurcation of consciousness. She emphasizes the experience of living in “two different worlds” creating a significant divide in her role as a sociologist and her part of being a mother. She highlights that in order for women to receive authority and recognition as sociologists, they must step up and pause their character as women, which ultimately explains the playing of inconsistent roles to set ourselves positively. Essentially, Goffman’s and Smith’s theoretical perspectives both share overlapping concerns within social interactionism and the idea of having to play an array of roles given the situation, to be perceived in a certain way.

Dorothy Smith's feminist perspective on sociological phenomenology and Goffman's theory of the performed self are both concerned with the meanings of social structure and interaction. I believe that combining Smith's and Goffman's teachings could help to develop a better understanding of feminist issues and the prevalence of gender roles in society. Individuals in society, as Goffman illustrates, are constantly presenting inconsistent roles that best suit different social interactions. Such social interactions, however, are often defined by gendered expectations in a patriarchal society. Women especially, will frequently find themselves in restrictive roles and behaviors as a result of historical societal construction and expectation of gender. As Smith contends, society will not progress unless we look deeper into why women take up these roles in the everyday world, and learn to deconstruct the reality of many women’s experiences.

To conclude, it is evident that the implications of social structure and interaction are central to both Erving Goffman's video on the performed self and Dorothy E. Smith's video on her career journey. By combining Smith's and Goffman's theories, we are able to gain a better understanding of feminist issues and the presence of gender roles in society. Smith's and Goffman's theoretical perspectives and ideas are both concerned with the meaning of social structure and interaction. The two theorists share overlapping concerns within social interactionism, such as the idea of having to play a variety of roles depending on the situation in order to be perceived in a particular way.

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Charles Wright Mills and Theodor Adorno

Theodor Adorno’s video of his sociological theory focuses specifically on how capitalism in society manipulates and humiliates humanity. Mentioned in the video was the idea that the culture of modern capitalism controls us, creating the feeling of living in an “open prison”. Adorno’s research consisted of his involvement in the Pioneering Institute of Social Research, where they were dedicated to developing a psychological understanding of modern capitalism and its problems. Charles Wright Mills' documentary discusses Mills theory of power. Mills strongly believed that society was separated into three different classes, with the upper class being the most relevant and robust regarding opinions and leadership. The lower class was made to believe that their views were considered when they meant nothing. The upper class was believed to have been run by political, economic, and military leaders who recognized themselves as superior. Capitalism is very prominent in both theorists' research.

Furthermore, on the connection between Mill’s and Adorno’s theoretical ideas, there seems to be an undercurrent criticism of the powerful elites and the capitalist drivers of conformist society through their respective explanations. In Mills’ documentary, it was noted that Mills was strongly critical of structural functionalism and its general emphasis on political and social institutions in guiding societal behaviors. As Mills asserts, these structures were only put in place to serve the interests of the elite through the manipulation of the lower class, and one must use their sociological imagination in order to challenge them. This relates to Adorno’s idea of being forced to live in an ‘open prison’ in the context of modern capitalism, as members of society are led to conform to consumerist beliefs and practices — which are often propelled by the political and social institutions Mills criticizes. Ultimately, both Mills’ and Adorno’s theoretical perspectives work to build upon each other’s greater concern for the dangerous influence of capitalist power.

The theoretical concepts and ideas highlighted in Mill’s and Adorno’s videos can help us to better understand the issue with big corporations in our society. Humanity is constantly led by businesses and the media to buy products in order to meet a “status quo”. Briefly mentioned in the Theodor Adorno video; we as humans forget our true needs and give in to glorified advertisements in our media, settling for desires without much thought. These desires and glorified advertisements are manufactured and created for us in order for these corporations to make large profits. Large corporations hold a type of hierarchy (capitalism) in our economy, which outwardly destroys smaller businesses that are constantly working hard to scale up and grow their market.

In conclusion, we can establish that capitalism is a major theme in both philosophers' works. Like other intellectuals of the time, Adorno contended that capitalist society was a mass, consumer society in which people were categorized, absorbed, and dominated by very restrictive social, economic, and political frameworks that were uninterested in individualized people. In addition, the video on Mills discussed his theory of power and hierarchy in society. The research that was once prominent through the lens of these sociologists is still very evident in our society today. Our “real” wants are hidden from us by the capitalist industry, and instead, we end up giving into glorified advertisements that convince us to pursue desires rather than needs.