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And Post-Modernism?

19 一月, 2016 - 14:50

Modernism and postmodernism can be thought of as umbrella terms comprising many threads. However, modernism is a more coherent movement (because it values coherence) that has at its heart one fairly distinct core philosophy, ideology, and belief system. In contrast, postmodernism is characterized by multiple ideologies, multiple philosophies, and multiple beliefs. Indeed, postmodernism in some of its many guises actively seeks to undermine ideology and belief. Although nominally a late twentieth century movement, Postmodernism's intellectual roots can be traced back to Heraclitus, a fifth-century b.c. philosopher. The movement seeks to undermine and debunk the assumptions underpinning previous ages' thought systems and discourses. Obviously, this has the potential of degenerating into a rejection of everything.

The differences between modernism and postmodernism are summarized in Table 9.1. We explore these issues specifically in relation to the Web. The specific themes employed are fragmentation, dedifferentiation, hyperreality, time and space, paradox, and anti-foundationalism.

Table 9.1 Themes--modern and postmodern perspectives

Theme

Modernism

Postmodernism

Relationships between elements in a system

Integration and differentiation

Disintegration (fragmentation) and dedifferentiation

Reality

Reality is objective, "out there," discovered, and physical--"reality"

Reality is subjective, "in here," constructed, and imagined--"hyperreality"

Time and space

Linear, unitary, progressive chronology

 

Space is delineated--space is time

Cyclic, multithreaded, fragmented chronology

 

Space is imploded (negated)-- time is space

   

Values

Orthodox, consistency, and homogeneity

Paradox, reflexivity, and pastiche

Attitude towards organizations and the social institutions that produce them

Foundationalism

Anti-foundationalism

 

Before commencing our exploration, a number of points should be made. First, there are aspects of the Web that are undeniably modern. Indeed, the Web can be viewed as the latest technological development of the modernist dream of adventure, progress, and liberation. However, it is our intention to focus on the Web's postmodern aspects. Second, ironically and yet relevant to a discussion of postmodernism, it is only the existence of a modern infrastructure (computers, integrated networks, and universal communication protocols) that enables a virtual and quintessentially postmodern world to be created. Finally, although the themes discussed are presented as distinct categories, this is for presentation purposes only. The categories are far from mutually exclusive--each contains, reflects, and refracts elements of the other.

Each theme is now discussed in turn under two sections. First, the theme is outlined in general abstract terms. Second, it is explored in specific relation to the Web.