Teach Yourself Postmodernism

• Book:Teach Yourself Postmodernism. By Glenn Ward

Summary

Michel Bauwens, 2013:

- Modernity can be seen as characterized by a faith in

   - Progress
   - Optimism
   - Rationality
   - the search for absolute 'objective' knowledge
   - the search for a 'true self'

- By contrast, postmodernity can be seen as characterized by:

   - the erosion of the distinction between low and high culture
   - fascination by the domination of visual media
   - the recognition that we live in a universe of signs
   - definitions of human identity are changing
   - scepticism about grand narratives

- Postmodernism is about:

   - I. Changes in society
   - II. Changes in art and culture.
   - Thus about the world, and our interpretations about it.

- The main themes of postmodern discourse seem to be:

   - the end of history: there is no progress
   - the end of 'man': humankind is a social construction and is now challenged by machines
   - the death of the real, as we live in a universe of signs