Marx's epitaph is a statement for the cultural studies of Stuart Hall which states, "...the philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it." Hall's main theoretical point is to empower people who are "on the margins of society."
I would have to say I agree with Hall's cultural studies, which puts emphasis on how the mass media "maintain the dominance of those already in positions of power." Although it is a cynical view of the media, I think that everyone must ask the question, how and when are we influenced by the media and not even realize it? When are our opinions influenced by what we see and what we hear within the mainstream? I bet the answer is more often than one would think.
As you may have noticed, Hall calls his studies "cultural studies" instead of "media studies." This is because Hall believes that academic isolation of the discipline of communication is counteractive. Hall is trying to "liberate people from an unknowing acquiescene to the dominant ideology of the culture." He wishes to "raise our consciousness of the media's role in preserving the status quo."
Are we influenced by the mass media and the status quote they set?
Are people in power influenced as well, or do you believe they are somehow "exempt" to the scewed messages the media sends to society? A video that fits into this study perfectly:
"When they own the information, they can bend it all they want."
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People are constantly being influenced by the media messages around them. Living in a such a media, and marketing driven society only makes it more difficult to interpret media messages with some sort of skepticism. Because these messages are so common, it is easy for people to see them (maybe for even a split second), or hear them, and then quickly turn their attention elsewhere. By doing so, people are reinforcing their own thoughts with the messages that are subconsciously being accepted. This process supports and maintains the status quo in society. It is important to look at how a reversal of roles could empower and enlighten people who are unaware of the system of which they are a part. By being able to interpret the meanings and agendas behind messages, people will be able to determine what is truly valuable information, and use their own free will to disagree and question what is being said. It seems as though people in power are also sometimes influenced. People are so used to the system in which messages are created and represented that it has become a societal norm. Because of this fact, it is certainly possible that many powerful people are blinded as well.
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