Worksheet on Cultural Studies
Dhatri Parmar
PG Registration no. 5108230032
01 November 2024
This blog is a part of the worksheet task of Cultural Studies assigned by Dilip sir. In this blog I will use the AI chatbots to enhance the understanding of the concept of Cultural Studies. The objective is to critically engage with key concepts in contemporary cultural studies using AI as a learning tool.
For Background reading : Teacher's Blog
#Slow Movement :
The Slow Movement is a cultural response that advocates for a mindful and deliberate pace in life, emphasizing quality, sustainability, and intentionality over speed. Originating in the late 20th century as a counter to the fast-paced, productivity-driven demands of modern life, the Slow Movement seeks to reclaim time for more meaningful experiences and interactions.
The article IN PRAISE OF SLOWNESS: Challenging the Cult of Speed emphasizes that “Slowing down is about reclaiming control over our lives.” This statement particularly encapsulates the idea that by choosing a slower pace, we align our actions with personal priorities instead of societal pressures.(IN PRAISE OF SLOWNESS: Challenging the Cult of Speed)
Slow Food :
In an age dominated by fast food and mass production, Slow Food's approach calls for consumers to reconnect with the origins of their food, valuing the process and care involved in its production. Created by Slow Food International and Slow Food Italy, the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity is the operational body for the protection of food biodiversity.(“Slow Food Foundation - Save Biodiversity, Save the Planet”)
Dromology :
Dromology, a concept coined by French philosopher Paul Virilio, is the study of speed and its impact on society, culture, and politics.It explores how the acceleration of technology and transportation has transformed our understanding of space, time, and reality.
E-commerce Boom :
E-commerce has changed how Indians shop, making them more aware of brands and leading to impulsive buying. While it benefits many, it also widens the gap between the tech-savvy and those who are not. E-commerce has exposed Indian consumers to a global marketplace, influencing their tastes and preferences. In the article Impulse Buying Behaviour Picks up Online argues that “Impulse buying online has been fuelled by the convenience and promise of fulfillment by e-commerce and q-commerce players." (Pinto)
Fintech Innovations :
Fintech has brought banking to millions, especially women in rural areas. It's shifting us towards a cashless society and improving financial knowledge. However, it also raises concerns about privacy and trust in digital systems.
Risk Society is a sociological theory developed by Ulrich Beck that describes a society increasingly preoccupied with future risks, especially those of a technological or scientific nature.Risk management is dominated by practices that rely on scientific assessment to measure and assess the dangers produced by industrial society.
Nuclear Power:
India has a largely indigenous nuclear power programme.The Indian government is committed to growing its nuclear power capacity as part of its massive infrastructure development programme. The government has set ambitious targets to grow nuclear capacity.(Nuclear Power in India - World Nuclear Association)
However, nuclear power comes with risks. Accidents, like those in Chernobyl and Fukushima, are a major concern, even with strict safety measures. Safely storing nuclear waste for a very long time is another challenge. Nuclear facilities could be targets for terrorists, and there's always a risk of nuclear materials falling into the wrong hands.Public fear and environmental damage from mining uranium are also issues.
Postfeminism :
Postfeminism emphasizes individual choice and agency, often prioritizing personal fulfillment over collective action. It promotes the idea that women can achieve empowerment through consumerism and self-expression.
Postfeminist discourse sometimes romanticizes domesticity and motherhood, suggesting that women who choose to prioritize family over career are making a conscious and empowering choice.
Advertisement :
(Konversations By InsideIIM)
"Gender Role Portrayal in Indian Advertisement: A Review" highlights that Indian advertising continues to perpetuate stereotypical and often degrading portrayals of gender roles. Despite some progress, there is a persistent use of gender stereotypes, particularly in depicting women primarily in domestic or subordinate roles, while men are portrayed as dominant and authoritative.(Das and Majhi)
Hyperreality is a concept popularized by the French philosopher Jean Baudrillard. It describes a condition in which the boundaries between reality and simulation, the real and the fake, have become blurred. Disneyland is a perfect model of all the entangled orders of simulacra. It is first of all a play of illusions and phantasms: the Pirates, the Frontier, the Future World, etc.
Hyperreality' and Popular Indian Films
The movie Koi Mil Gaya has an alien named Jadoo who has magical powers. Jadoo helps a boy named Rohit, who has difficulties, to become stronger and better. Jadoo’s presence blurs reality by creating a narrative where Rohit, a person with developmental challenges, gains superhuman abilities. The alien's miraculous interventions are hyperreal, emphasizing exaggerated possibilities that speak to human desires for transformation and empowerment.(“‘Hyperreality’ and Popular Indian Films”)
This film, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, uses hyperreal elements through its alien protagonist, PK, who lands on Earth to study human behavior. By portraying an alien’s unfiltered view of human society, the film creates a hyperreal experience that mirrors real social structures while exaggerating certain aspects for critique and reflection.(“‘Hyperreality’ and Popular Indian Films”)
Hypermodernism is a cultural and social condition characterized by rapid technological advancement, globalization, and a constant state of flux. It is a heightened state of modernity that amplifies the key characteristics of the modern era, such as individualism, rationalism, and progress.
Hypermodernism architecture :
The clear shell of the new Georgian parliament building in the city of Kutaisi was supposed to represent the transparency of democracy. The dome was one of several hypermodern structures unveiled across Georgia during the rule of Mikheil Saakashvili (2004-07, 2008-13). (Chapple)
The role of architecture in shaping corporate culture and power dynamics. Especially in this cases most of the time such architecture are part of major power institutions.Smart building systems integrate advanced technologies to optimize building performance and maximize occupant comfort. These systems include a range of components such as sensors, automated controls, and data analytics platforms that work together to manage a building’s operations efficiently.
Cyberfeminism is a feminist movement that emerged in the 1990s, blending feminist theory with technology and digital culture. It explores the intersection of gender, technology, and power, and challenges traditional gender roles and power structures. The term was coined in the early 1990s by Sadie Plant, a British cultural theorist, and the Australian Art Collective VNS Matrix.
The study describes symbolic violence in cyber literature, with Arab women often labeled in derogatory ways (e.g., “beasts,” “demons,” “dolls”) and depicted as passive or objectified, reinforcing patriarchal views of women as property. This portrayal positions them as dependent on male authority, restricting their freedom and reinforcing stereotypes.(Faisol, Abdul Basid, &Amp; Al Lastu Nurul Fatim et al.)
Creating alternative narratives that challenge these stereotypes and empower women. Acknowledging the intersectionality of gender with other identities like race, class, and sexuality.
Posthumanism is a philosophical and cultural movement that challenges traditional notions of human identity, consciousness, and the body. It explores the potential for human enhancement, technological transcendence, and the blurring of boundaries between humans and machines.
Indian cinema has always been instrumental in exploring the imaginative and fascinating aspects of fiction. With movies like Robot 2.0 and Go Goa Gone, Bollywood has smoothly journeyed towards post-humanism.
Trans-humans are the ones that resemble humans in form and structure but surpass them in capacities such as improved intelligence, awareness, strength, or durability. Hrithik Roshan starrer Krrish franchise proves to be a promising example in such films.In 2016, Remo’d Souza released his superhero film, A Flying Jatt. Aman Dhillon (Tiger Shroff) inexplicably acquires superpowers and fights against pollution waving the flag of a social message. (Singh)
By following these worksheet, I developed a deeper understanding of these concepts and their relevance in contemporary society, while also enhancing their research and writing skills.
Thank You.
Words : 1329
References :
Barad, Dilip. Worksheet for Postgraduate Students on Cultural Studies. blog.dilipbarad.com/2024/10/worksheet-for-postgraduate-students-on.html.
Chapple, Amos. “Georgia’s Hypermodern Parliament Building Faces Uncertain Future.” RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, 14 May 2021, www.rferl.org/a/georgia-kutaisi-parliament-building-abandoned-saakashvili/31248176.html.
ChatGPT. chatgpt.com/share/672d3338-e1bc-800b-bb4b-04db861a6e7d.
Das, Partha, and Manoj Majhi. “Gender Role Portrayal in Indian Advertisement: A Review.” Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, Jan. 2022, pp. 461–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94277-9_40.
Faisol, Abdul Basid, &Amp; Al Lastu Nurul Fatim, M., et al. “The Face of Arab Women in Cyber-Literature.” Arab Media & Society, 8 Apr. 2024, www.arabmediasociety.com/the-face-of-arab-women-in-cyber-literature.
“‘Hyperreality’ and Popular Indian Films.” Research Gate, Apr. 2022, www.researchgate.net/publication/359864543_'Hyperreality'_and_Popular_Indian_Films. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.
IN PRAISE OF SLOWNESS: Challenging the Cult of Speed. professionalwritingcourse.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/article-honore-excerpt-praiseslowness.pdf. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.
Konversations By InsideIIM. “The Portrayal of Women in Media Through the Lens of Semiotics - MICA.” YouTube, 4 Aug. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=D76LxYhaudk.
Nuclear Power in India - World Nuclear Association. world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-g-n/india.
Pinto, Viveat Susan. “Impulse Buying Behaviour Picks up Online.” Financial Express, 21 July 2024, www.financialexpress.com/business/industry/impulse-buying-behaviour-picks-up-online/3560115.
“The prospects for governing biotechnology in Canada.” Reserch Gate, www.researchgate.net/publication/253686479_The_prospects_for_governing_biotechnology_in_Canada#pf29. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.
Samani, Bahareh Bagherzadeh, et al. “Paul Virilio’s Dromology and the Postmodern City in Don DeLillo’s Cosmopolis.” Cogent Arts and Humanities, vol. 5, no. 1, Jan. 2018, https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2018.1424600.
Singh, Supriya. “Post-humanism in Indian Cinema.” Media India Group, 23 Dec. 2019, mediaindia.eu/cinema/post-humanism-in-indian-cinema.
“Slow Food Foundation - Save Biodiversity, Save the Planet.” Slow Food Foundation, 4 May 2015, www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en.
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