Lunch time Discussion & Debate: Truth goggles. Imagine seeing the covered truth!
Details
This week's 'suggested' prompt question:
Intro:
I came across a lecture by Slavoj Zizek recently where he referred to a movie as an anecdote from 1988 called They Live (1988) by John Carpenter.
In that movie, the main character comes across a pair of sunglasses that when worn, unmask the truth (true and hidden message) behind a variety of representations. For example, a billboard advertising a vacation would say: love, procreate, buy/spend money, obey! -- all runned by some extra-terrestrial beings and/or the rich and powerful (elite). **Here, I think of other examples, like Christmas and other holidays like Valentine's etc all designed to grab your money by making you feel obligated (Capitalism).
Here is a trailer to this movie
Zizkek's talk https://youtu.be/_x0eyNkNpL0
The fact of the matter is that Zizek is not the only one that tells people to put on these type of truth goggles/glasses. Noam Chomsky argued that media is controlled by large corporations and is (for the most part) a propaganda machine. Marshall McLuhan infamously argued that the medium is the message, meaning the message is shaped by the medium it is given in, usually connoting an occult or biased meaning designed to (mis) lead the masses. Michel Foucault coined the phrase governmentality - a study of how power (gov't power) is used (and abused) through various apparatuses of the gov't - both willing and not willingly - to shape the people and to make them governable.
Although the foregoing are simplified explanations of very complex and layered discourses by these intelligent scholars - what is clear is that (as Zizek eludes to with this movie) power is still used to shape and control the masses with covered messages with things we, the people, think we need or want. Capitalism is always at the root of the motives of why this is happening.
If we don't see the underlying messages, our souls are shaped the way people holding power want us to be like - and that can't be very good for humankind.
The purpose of this topic is that we should really critically think about how these messages shape us by recognizing the underlying meaning.
Why? Because, as Chomsky argued, being duped, manipulated, and shaped in this way - which is not usually for the betterment of humanity -is a form of manufactured consent. In other words, when large power wielding corporations/institutions obtain our consent to sell us something or tell us something that we should do or not do - is good or bad - that consent is not genuinely our consent. Its obtained under false and misleading representations and therefore is manufactured by these power institutions. A utilitarian would argue, if this type of control was good for (all of) us then 1% of the population would not have control of 99% of the world's resources; we would not have poverty, marginalization, racism, or climate change. The upshot is, it will just get worse if it continues.
See
What do you think? Where do you would you like to wear your truth goggles? What do you think you will see?
Rules:
This is a friendly discussion and debate on various issues - it's likely to be passionate. However, the first rule is that there is no attacking (or being rude) to the other person allowed. Deal with the argument, not attack the person making it. Mis-information, untruths, and racist and extremist nationalistic ideologies will not be allowed to the extent that it insults the participants. I understand there is a fine line between free speech (discussion) and moderating this, but, this is a private discussion group and I think most will understand this is an important mitigating tool to avoid harmful rhetoric.
Secondly, we do not discuss our personal backgrounds, education or other things - all we will know is our first names. This will allow the perception of the discussion and debate being on a level-playing-field - we are all, in any event, different and we can all learn from one another.
Thirdly, topic selection will be decided either by me (the moderator) or the group that day in a majority vote.
Finally, NO RECORDING allowed in any way. Note that you should absolutely NOT record our sessions in any way! There is no requirement for cameras to be on.
I look forward to meeting with you all.
Ali