Would you like a glass of homogenized milk with that mass consumption critical theory, the frankfurt

Would you like a glass of homogenized milk with that mass consumption?

Critical theory, the Frankfurt School and universal pragmatics in the context of communication and technology studies

What to expect today What is critical theory?

What/Who is the Frankfurt School?

Implications for communication technology & mass media Who is Habermas?

What is universal pragmatics?

What is critical theory?

“critiquing & changing society as a whole�

The 3 assumptions of critical theory are…

Knowledge is awareness, and awareness is power. (epistemological)

People are always organized in hierarchical power structures. (ontological)

Critical theorists value individuality and emancipation. (axiological)

Look closer.

The Frankfurt School (“Institute for Social Research”)

Adorno

Horkheimer

Habermas

The Frankfurt School: Critical theory with a spin – it’s all about capitalism

The Frankfurt School + Mass Communication

Why so interested in mass communication & power, Adorno?

Why so interested in mass communication & power, Adorno?

The culture industry: How corporations own and mass produce a pacified culture that accepts its homogenization

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kmlm7UPtSw

Mass consumption tastes good.

• At your desk when you got there – choice to eat?

• Familiar taste • Easy to access • Groupthink: Is everyone eating them? Then I should, too…

The Frankfurt School + Technology

Domination fosters resistance (Marx)

Can Web technologies emancipate?

Internetworked Social Movements

Is there a need for those in power to continue to control what people are saying online?

What would the Frankfurt School say about the emancipatory power of the Web?

Criticism (to keep in mind):

Adorno condemns society but offers no promise of a better tomorrow.