Exam Tuesday 28 April Tuesday 28 April Make sure you’re registered Make sure you’re registered Please bring your IDs Please bring your IDs 5 out of 7 questions 5 out of 7 questions Attention to what exactly is asked in the question Attention to what exactly is asked in the question You can use dictionaries (not electronic ones) but not any other sources You can use dictionaries (not electronic ones) but not any other sources

You need 60 out of 100 points to obtain a passing grade. You need 60 out of 100 points to obtain a passing grade. If your grade is lower than 60, you will have to take a re-exam. If your grade is lower than 60, you will have to take a re-exam. Everything we have covered so far is included in the exam. Everything we have covered so far is included in the exam.

Make sure you do the readings and go over the lectures Make sure you do the readings and go over the lectures Go over the theoretical and conceptual models we discussed Go over the theoretical and conceptual models we discussed

Techno determinism vs. social shaping of technology Techno determinism vs. social shaping of technology Time-based vs. space-based societies and time-bound vs. space-bound media Time-based vs. space-based societies and time-bound vs. space-bound media Mc Luhan’s ideas and models Mc Luhan’s ideas and models Lynn Spigel Make Room for TV: Make sure you read the chapter I uploaded on kurstorget Lynn Spigel Make Room for TV: Make sure you read the chapter I uploaded on kurstorget

The rise of the Information Society and Digital Divide (characteristics of the Info Age) The rise of the Information Society and Digital Divide (characteristics of the Info Age) Factors that influence/exacerbate the digital divide Factors that influence/exacerbate the digital divide Cyber Utopias (Karim) Cyber Utopias (Karim)

Utopia - Dystopia and New Media Technologies

Topics of the Day Definitions and sub-branches of utopia Definitions and sub-branches of utopia Notions of “myth” and “propaganda” in relation to our understandings of the “information society” and “new media” (the Karim reading) Notions of “myth” and “propaganda” in relation to our understandings of the “information society” and “new media” (the Karim reading) Notion(s) of “modernity” Notion(s) of “modernity”

The discursive framework within which we understand (or we are made to understand) “our times”: The discursive framework within which we understand (or we are made to understand) “our times”: The role of globalization and the nation-state The role of globalization and the nation-state The role of technology (for economic progress; wealth; security; comfort; fun; human reproduction, health; etc. etc.) The role of technology (for economic progress; wealth; security; comfort; fun; human reproduction, health; etc. etc.) The role of the individual The role of the individual

How can the human society reach a state of utopia/utopic ideals by way of globalization, technological progress, spread of media technologies and techno- capitalism? How can the human society reach a state of utopia/utopic ideals by way of globalization, technological progress, spread of media technologies and techno- capitalism?

Utopia Means :no (ou)-place (topos) Means :no (ou)-place (topos) Coined by Thomas More (~1516) for his book Coined by Thomas More (~1516) for his book Dystopia means: Dark utopia or negative utopia Dystopia means: Dark utopia or negative utopia Heterotopia (other place) is an utopia that brings together real and imagined possibilities. E.g. Cyberspace Heterotopia (other place) is an utopia that brings together real and imagined possibilities. E.g. Cyberspace

More’s Utopia Based on Plato’s Republic Based on Plato’s Republic More’s Utopia describes a place where there are few laws and no lawyers More’s Utopia describes a place where there are few laws and no lawyers A communal sharing of all property (we can say it was an early version of communism) A communal sharing of all property (we can say it was an early version of communism) There is no misery, poverty or suffering There is no misery, poverty or suffering It is a beautiful place like Eden It is a beautiful place like Eden

Utopian society was uniform Spoke the same language and had the same customs All the Utopians (men and women) did agricultural work for some part of the day The main purpose was to let Utopians have enough free time for personal development Utopians are anti-war unless necessary

Some see Utopia as a longing for the medieval past Some see Utopia as a longing for the medieval past Some suggest it was a satire, intended to criticize the societal structure of England in those days Some suggest it was a satire, intended to criticize the societal structure of England in those days

Utopias in general… Utopias go back a long way in history and many are religious Utopias go back a long way in history and many are religious Science Fiction oriented utopias date back to Renaissance when the new scientific method originated Science Fiction oriented utopias date back to Renaissance when the new scientific method originated The Big Bang of utopias: Industrial Revolution The Big Bang of utopias: Industrial Revolution Due to new technology (railroads, etc.) and development scientific method (e.g. evolution theory) Due to new technology (railroads, etc.) and development scientific method (e.g. evolution theory) According to Freud: We all have a tendency to imagine a Utopia According to Freud: We all have a tendency to imagine a Utopia

Techno Utopia Techno utopias and hetero-utopias (cyberutopias) take place in the future Techno utopias and hetero-utopias (cyberutopias) take place in the future Where there is no death (a recurrent theme in many utopias) and no suffering Where there is no death (a recurrent theme in many utopias) and no suffering Human nature (our biology and perception) is altered by the help of technology to the point of perfection Human nature (our biology and perception) is altered by the help of technology to the point of perfection Technology offers progress, therefore paradise Technology offers progress, therefore paradise

And techno-utopia is closely linked with the idea of being “modern” And what is modern? And what is modern?

To define modernity…we can say Modernity questions traditions and traditional aspects of life It regards Science and technology Economic prosperity Democracy Reason and rational thinking Urbanism Discipline Secularity the cornerstones of contemporary life as the cornerstones of contemporary life

Cyber Utopia Cyber-utopia is related with techno- utopianism and ideas of modernity Cyber-utopia is related with techno- utopianism and ideas of modernity TU is an ideology based on the belief that advances in science and technology (and in media technology, of course) will bring a world in the future with perfect and ideal conditions for everyone TU is an ideology based on the belief that advances in science and technology (and in media technology, of course) will bring a world in the future with perfect and ideal conditions for everyone

Karim’s Cyberutopia and Myth Based on Jacques Ellul’s ideas of myth and propaganda in the technological society in the 50s Based on Jacques Ellul’s ideas of myth and propaganda in the technological society in the 50s NATION NATION Work Work Happiness (progress=utopia; happiness through security and techno comfort) Happiness (progress=utopia; happiness through security and techno comfort) Youth (happiness through service to the nation Youth (happiness through service to the nation Hero Hero

So… Going back to Freud: We all have a tendency to imagine a Utopia Going back to Freud: We all have a tendency to imagine a Utopia How would you describe year 2107? How would you describe year 2107? What are humans like? What are humans like? Our homes? Our homes? Work places? Work places? Architecture? Architecture? Cars? Cars? And Media?? And Media??