Consumerism

The discussion between Berger’s essay and Nehama’s article concerns capitalism and how we as individuals interact with this institution. Berger’s mystification is a way one can be manipulated to see what those in power, the upper class, want you to see. Plato’s censorship is an attempt to control the actions of an individual. Both the vision and participation of consumers are catered to play the game of capitalism.

The difference between these pieces is the time period, however the perpetuation of entertainment and art allows for the concepts to relate. The article “updates” Berger’s essay by using media examples, common language, and historical parallels to make the concepts of manipulated consumerism more relatable. For example, the idea of censuring video games, which is modern art, in order to eliminate aggression or increased violence in life, parallels Berger’s mystification seen in art. Mystification of art forced an idea on the viewer, while censorship forces the idea that one will always react to representations and have a determined behavior in life.  

The pattern of one era’s entertainment becoming the next era’s fine art was not a result of genuine popularity that kept the art alive, for it was the result of what was circulated in capitalism. The concept that “Twilight” may be the future literary work discussed in school as quality writing, should prove that an equal representation of an era’s art can not be defined by it’s commercial success. Being an active participant rather than a passive consumer should encourage diversity and increase the chances of quality being recognized versus quantity.

Being a victim to consumerism is a constant battle because we can only control our individual decisions. Berger and Nehamas are asking us to question the stereotypes and fads of our time to become a real society that isn’t subject to the privileged minority.