This week, I read The Society of the Spectacle by Guy Debord. This is a very important read for my MA project. This source talks about how all that was once lived has become a representation of something further meaningful, usually some sort of social relation. Since long before digital media, we have stopped living directly through life, but rather we live through images and objects that hold meaning, mediatized spectacles (even if that isn’t digital media). Further, since life has become mediated by images and objects that hold societal meaning, individuals become spectators who are influenced rather than active participants in life. “The spectacle is not merely a matter of images, nor even of images plus sounds. It is whatever escapes people’s activity, whatever eludes their practical reconsideration and correction. It is the opposite of dialogue. Wherever representation becomes independent, the spectacle regenerates itself” (Debord, 2014, par.18). In other words, images no longer reflect and represent life; they actually reconfigure life and dominate and push meanings.
This is an important source for my work, as toys like Barbies, action figures, and other objects are not neutral; they are not just for play. They actually are embedded with ideologies that are socially related; part of the spectacle. These toys are not just being played with; while playing, kids are actually consuming the image and ideal that the toys embody. In this instance, it is certain gender/social norms that little girls who are playing with Barbies learn they are supposed to copy and become. Further into life, when digital media are introduced that can alter personal visuals, identity becomes mediated. The spectacle fosters a condition where being is mediated, and autonomy is reduced. In other words, gender ideals like beauty norms are commodified through filters and look-altering apps. Overall, mediated images of beauty or masculinity begin to shape what counts as “real.”
This week, I haven’t made much progress besides reaching out to a friend of a friend whom I would like to film next week for my first step of production. I also have teddered down some questions I’d like to ask all of my interviewees, as I have to have a list finalized before next week’s production. I will also send the email to my chair next week as I have begun drafting that.
Debord, G. (2014). The Society of the Spectacle. Bureau of Public Secrets.
https://files.libcom.org/files/The%20Society%20of%20the%20Spectacle%20Annotated%20Edition.pdf