The World At Your Fingertips
The postmodern era is characterized for a great deal of technological changes that led to the transformation of individuals and society. The start of this change can be attributed to the sixties. The sixties were a revolutionary time that introduced many new societal ideas and advances. It was a time that brought about many forms of activism. Innovations in technology and media communication allowed for these changes to take place. The social change that began during this time introduced new ways of life. People began to question the previously set structures of thought and action. These new ideologies continued to progress in the future years with the constant advancements in communicational technology. Media technology allowed for widespread communication and increased individualistic ideas that in turn impacted the structure and function of society.
Increased accessibility and choice can be used to describe many aspects of the postmodern era. The rise of both of these characteristics allowed for many changes in society to take place. Further advances in technology meant that media communication was not impacted by any limits of time or space and could avoid the previous restrictions of literacy that were present during the modern era. As a result information could be spread to the masses more widely and easily. This meant for improved availability of and exposure to information for everyone. Individuals experienced more and more shared familiarities through the simultaneous exposure to information and ideas across the media platforms. People became aware of ideas and individuals of different territories, languages, cultures, etc. With new communication technology they now had the ability to associate themselves with them. Connections crossed previous set boundaries. The modern era was a time of structure and organization that often times restricted the communication and co-living of individuals from different backgrounds, for example those of different races and cultures.
Marshall McLuhan claimed that “electronic media were “retribalizing” the new generation and encouraging humans everywhere to become emotionally involved in affairs happening around the world in the electronically facilitated “global village”(Meyrowitz, 55). Unlike the modern era, the postmodern era embraced multicultural communication creating connections around the world.
The new and improved accessibility of knowledge, spreading of ideas and communication created a rise in individual choice. People faced many more opportunities regarding religion, education, identity, etc. This differs largely from the rigid structure of society in the modern era, which was defined by mass narratives and organized through institution. The master narrative encompassed all aspects of society during the modern era as it created a guideline for life. As choice and access grew so did individualism, exposure, experimentation and more, all of which led to the break down of master narratives. Control, structure and standardization were no longer at the center of society. Similarly, the institutions of the previous era became less and less influential. Knowledge continually changed as concepts and values changed to fit the new advances in society.
People and society began to stray away from rigid standardization. A clear example of this is through the educational system. During the modern era, there were few choices and opportunities for education. You picked a path and stuck with it. The classroom environments emphasized organization whereas during postmodern times the classroom began to take on a whole new approach. Equality, shared experiences, comfort, etc. influenced the opening up of classrooms to create a more community like feel. On top of this, people have far more options in regards to the education system and path they partake in. There is traditional education, online and homeschooling, and more all of which encourage an individualistic approach. Individual choice again takes presence over previous notions of standardization.
Institutions became less rigid and so did hierarchal boundaries. Skill and practice are still of great importance but much of this can be achieved through self-teaching. This creates a shift in power from the experts who ruled the modern era to the rise of the amateur. Information is available everywhere and at all times meaning individuals can take it upon themselves to learn and “master” new things. Along with this change, social organization shifted to the notion of the “network”. Communication takes place through association and shared interests. Media technology and communication allows individuals to create a network of connections expanding across the world. Much of society today relies on your development and use of these shared networks. Creating connections is the key to opportunities during the postmodern era. A good example of this can be seen more recently through the change in celebrity culture. Over the years, society has experienced a rise in the micro-celebrity culture. These celebrities include those that rose to fame through their personal and creative uses of digital and social media communication. Many of the people that encompass this culture are young individuals with a passion. They created an outlet to express their interests, talents, etc. through technology communication. As a result they have created a network of individuals who can identify with them. Their exposure and increasing network allows for many new and professional career opportunities. The combination of new technological communication and postmodern societal qualities, such as individual choice and desire to create connections around the world, has allowed for this change. In general the innovations of technological communication created the shift from the standardized control oriented society of the modern era to the progressive and communal based society of the postmodern era.
