Class 9 Summary of ideas

Awareness is not enough people need to feel responsible. People need to feel there will be a consequence to their contribution. No efficacy. Dewey says people have habits of action. What about motivation?

Clash between public and self. May know what is best for the group but driven to have best possible outcome for the self, even when it hurts others. Immediate gain trumps any sense of betterment for others.

How do we get people to, “Do what you know you should do”? What is the collective psychotherapy to bring us there? Incentives (economic)? Challenge and define your values and develop habits to support them. Is it on you- decide?! Or do we ask the question- what are the important circumstances that we have control over allow us to have the outcomes we want. What is the space between -The need for you to make the right choice and the understanding that we are headed for a cliff?

Class 8 Mills, C. Wright, "The Power Elite"

For communications studies: When you have a power elite with enormous power and control with interlocking members and elaborate and complex nexus of power. There is an efficient corrallity between the political and entertainment industry. What about the rest of the people and mass society? What has happened to democracy (Dewey 1920, Mills 1956)? The television reflected an idealized society. The notion and question of the public sphere. Television is in it’s infancy. As we have multiplied our capacity to broadcast and communicate, have we recaptured some capacity to have a public sphere where collaborative action can influence change?