Critical Overview Questions on Theorists and Analysis of Quotes
Answer critical overview questions 2 through 5. Answers should be a minimum of 300 words each.
Analysis of quotes 2 through 5 from theorist should be a minimum of 100 words each.
Total of 1600 words minimum.
Critical Overview Question 2: Michel Foucault argues in the conclusion of our reading that "discipline" is not just about control, and that the disciplinary society works by producing new kinds of knowledge. He cites the rise of psychiatry and clinical medicine as examples. In an online society as our own, it is easy to spot the effects of surveillance, from the watchful eye of the National Security Agency (NSA) to make us "careful" of the most common behavior, to Facebook sending seductive ads to match their tracking our credit card spending habits. Can you think of other examples of how our society disciplines us by producing new forms of knowledge? What Would Foucault Say?
Analysis of quote 2: "our society is one not of spectacle, but of surveillance [...] on the whole, therefore, one can speak of the formation of a disciplinary society in this movement that stretches….to an indefinitely generalizable mechanism of 'panopticism.'…because it has infiltrated the others…making it possible to bring the effects of power to the most minute and distant elements" (Michel Foucault)
Critical Overview Question 3: According to Manuel Castells, how does the change in the organization of society into a network form spur novel/new forms of group conflict in one of the following spheres: Production, Consumption, Experience, and Power? Give a brief example of your own.
Analysis of quote 3: "networks, as social forms, are value-free or neutral. They can equally kill or kiss: nothing personal…But once the network is programmed, it imposes its own logic to all its members (actors)" (Manuel Castells)
Critical Overview Question 4: Like Du Bois, de Beauvoir, and other theorists before him, writing in the 1960s Fanon is struck by the power of binary categories in shaping lived experience. What for Fanon are the "two dimensions of the colonized? Explain.
Analysis of quote 4: "When I should have been begged, implored, I was denied the slightest recognition? I resolved, since it was impossible for me to get away from an inborn complex, to assert myself as a BLACK MAN. Since the other hesitated to recognize me, there remained only one solution: to make myself known" (Frantz Fanon)
Critical Overview Question 5: Anthony Giddens suggests that we are able to live in a modern world because we have trust in abstract systems. He gives the examples of withdrawing money from an ATM or boarding a plane. Pick another example of trust in an abstract system that is required for your own modern life. Has this trust ever been broken?
Analysis of quote 5: "Is the search for self-identity a form of somewhat pathetic narcissism, or is it, in some part at least, a subversive force in respect of modern institutions?...The outside world only enters it here; it is an outside world vastly more extensive in character than anyone would have had contact with in the pre-modern era." ( Anthony Giddens).
Theorist Critical Thinking Essay Questions
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Theorist Critical Thinking Essay Questions
Critical Overview Question 2
Michel Foucault’s theory of discipline, as outlined in his work Discipline and Punish, argues that discipline is not simply about control but also knowledge production. He argues that the disciplinary society, through institutions such as prisons, schools, and hospitals, creates new knowledge that shapes our understanding of ourselves and our behavior. One evident example of this is the rise of data-driven marketing and advertising. Companies like Facebook and Google collect vast amounts of data on our online behavior and use this data to create highly targeted advertising campaigns. These campaigns not only shape our consumption habits but also shape our understanding of ourselves and our desires. For example, the ads we see on our social media feeds are often tailored to our interests and preferences, creating a feedback loop that reinforces our existing beliefs and desires.
Another evident example is the rise of fitness-tracking devices and apps. These technologies collect data on our physical activity, sleep patterns, and nutrition, creating new knowledge about our bodies and health. Besides, this knowledge shapes our behavior, encouraging us to be active, sleep more, and eat healthier. The rise of these technologies also creates new forms of self-discipline as we monitor our behavior and strive to meet the goals set by these devices. Foucault would likely argue that these examples demonstrate how our society disciplines us by producing new forms of knowledge. The data collected by these technologies is valuable in creating new forms of control and self-control, shaping our behavior and understanding of ourselves. Furthermore, these technologies create new forms of discipline as we internalize the goals and standards set by these technologies and strive to meet them in our everyday lives.
Analysis of Quote 2
Michel Foucault argues that our society is one of surveillance rather than spectacle, where power is exercised through panopticism, which allows for the monitoring and control of individuals through the collection and analysis of data. Notably, this forms a disciplinary society where power is extended to the most minute and distant elements. He suggests that this process is not just limited to physical but also virtual spaces, and it has infiltrated every aspect of our lives. It means that society is constantly being watched and controlled.
Critical Overview Question 3
Manuel Castells argues that the shift from a society organized in a hierarchical form to a network form has led to novel forms of group conflict in various spheres. For instance, in the sphere of production, networked organizations may outsource off-shore jobs to countries with lower labor costs, leading to conflicts between workers in developed countries and those in developing countries. In terms of consumption, the rise of e-commerce and online marketplaces has led to conflicts between traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and their online counterparts.
In the sphere of experience, the rise of social media and online communities has led to conflicts between individuals and groups with different ideologies or beliefs, as they can now easily connect and mobilize against each other. For example, the rise of online hate speech and the subsequent pushback against it can be seen as a form of conflict between individuals and groups with different perspectives on acceptable speech. Lastly, networked societies have led to conflicts between centralized institutions and decentralized movements in the sphere of power. For example, the power dynamic between traditional politicians and grassroots movements like Occupy Wall Street (OWS) has changed. Networked movements can organize and mobilize more quickly and efficiently than traditional, centralized organizations, leading to conflicts over who holds power in society.
A brief example of group conflict that has emerged from the network form of society is the ongoing conflict between ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft and traditional taxi companies. The rise of these companies has led to a disruption in the traditional taxi industry, leading to conflicts over regulations, labor rights, and market share. This conflict is a clear example of how changes in the organization of society into a network form can spur novel forms of group conflict in the sphere of production.
Analysis of Quote 3
Manuel Castells highlights that networks, as social forms, are neutral and can be used for both positive and negative purposes. However, he also points out that once a network setup takes place, it imposes logic onto all its members, influencing their actions and decisions. Besides, this means that the network’s initial purpose or values may not be the same as the actions of its members once they are operating within the network. This quote highlights the idea that networks can have a powerful influence on the actions of their members and can shape social dynamics and power relations. It also suggests that the structure and organization of networks can significantly impact the actions and decisions of the people wi...