Adorno and Herkeimer called the concept of producing identical products and producing homogeneity within the products, the Culture Industry. As hard as it is to believe, these authors came up with this term in the 1940’s and it sounds exactly like how the American industries are today. This homogeneity causes mass numbers of consumers to like and buy the same products. Everyone in our society desires to be up to date on the latest trends that are occurring. If someone does not fit into the everyday scheme of things, they feel oppressed. They may feel oppressed because their skin color, and appearance. These are only a few ways in which someone may feel oppressed; there are many other social factors that may contribute to this feeling of oppression which eventually may lead to the feeling of alienation from society as a whole. People may feel alienated from society because they do not “fit in” into the mainstream society.
Unfortunately, for most, the Culture Industry creates a sense of having false needs. For example, take the new I Phone 5 that just came out a few months ago. Many people waited in lines at Apple stores to get their hands on the new products. I remember watching the news back when it came out and the news team interviewed some of the people that were waiting outside the stores. It was striking for me to see so many people waiting to get the fifth edition when the fourth edition was not that old. This is just a mere example of how the Culture Industry creates a false need within the individual because they want to stay “hip” on the newest waves of technology. Those that are oppressed may not have the luxury of buying a new phone because they do not have the money. This may eventually cause that person to feel alienated because they are not keeping up with everybody else when it comes to new phones and the advancements of technology.
Adorno and Horkeimer also say that the Culture Industry prohibits people from thinking about what they consume. This idea eventually ends up stripping people from their human potential. They are saying that a person wanting to follow the societal norms prohibits people from thinking outside the box and actually questioning what they consume. Can you imagine what would happen if someone went completely against the mainstream and did not abide by the Culture Industry? Do you think we, as a society, can help stop this industry from stripping us from our human potential?
Unfortunately, for most, the Culture Industry creates a sense of having false needs. For example, take the new I Phone 5 that just came out a few months ago. Many people waited in lines at Apple stores to get their hands on the new products. I remember watching the news back when it came out and the news team interviewed some of the people that were waiting outside the stores. It was striking for me to see so many people waiting to get the fifth edition when the fourth edition was not that old. This is just a mere example of how the Culture Industry creates a false need within the individual because they want to stay “hip” on the newest waves of technology. Those that are oppressed may not have the luxury of buying a new phone because they do not have the money. This may eventually cause that person to feel alienated because they are not keeping up with everybody else when it comes to new phones and the advancements of technology.
Adorno and Horkeimer also say that the Culture Industry prohibits people from thinking about what they consume. This idea eventually ends up stripping people from their human potential. They are saying that a person wanting to follow the societal norms prohibits people from thinking outside the box and actually questioning what they consume. Can you imagine what would happen if someone went completely against the mainstream and did not abide by the Culture Industry? Do you think we, as a society, can help stop this industry from stripping us from our human potential?