Discussion Questions for 1/24
1.) In "Culture Studies: two paradigms," Hall writes, "What is important are the significant breaks - where old lines of thought are disrupted, older constellations displaced, and elements, old and new, are regrouped around a different set of premises and themes...Such shifts in perspective reflect, not only the results of an internal intellectual labor, but the manner in which real historical developments and transformations are appropriated in thought" (Hall 57 (p.3 of PDF)). This piece was published in 1980 and, presumably, written around that time. With that being said, do you feel any additional "breaks" have formed or occurred since the 1980s? When do you think these "breaks" occur and what may have influenced them?\
2.) In his chapter, "The Meaning of New Times," Hall writes, "...that greater and greater numbers of people (men and women) - with however little money- play the game of using things to signify who they are. Everybody, including people in the very poor societies whom we in the West frequently speak about as if they inhabit a world outside culture, knows that today's 'goods' double up as social signs and produce meanings as well as energy" (Hall 243 (p.13 of PDF)). With this information in mind, how do you think social media impacts Hall's sentiment here? Additionally, consider the role of social media influencers as well.
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